‘Now, now,’ the man said, suddenly grabbing her from behind. His wrinkled hands stroked her, plucking, pawing and pinching as Masha struggled silently in his arms. It was known that the Oracles and Matrons who did not show promise were sent to the Rooms, where they catered to the desires of sick minds. Rich sick minds. They were called banshees.

‘Let me go, Sir! I am not a banshee!’ She rattled the key at her waist.

‘A Matron?’ The man jolted upright. ‘My apologies. You are indeed young for…’

The door cracked open. Masha could not believe how pleased she was to see Sister Mercy’s haunting face, even though she had the look of a fox staring at a pair of sheep.

‘Narag Jhestal,’ Sister Mercy said coldly, ‘what brings the Priest of Light to our dark abode?’

‘Darkness cannot exist without Light, Sister Mercy. A collaboration is often needed.’

‘And how did your Master spare you? I hear you rub the Lion’s balls on a daily basis.’

‘Your crudeness is an aphrodisiac, Sister Mercy. Emperor Jarasandh has left for the swayamvar of the Panchalan Princess. Do tell me, am I going to have to cater to a new young Queen soon? They are quite tiring. What do your oracles say?’

‘You know I cannot answer you without payment, Jhestal, but yes, you will be serving a new young Queen, and she will indeed come from Panchal. Just not the one you think.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘You know every answer has a price. Now why don’t you proceed in and wait.’ She opened the door wider. Jhestal walked in, but not before leering lecherously at Masha.

‘I don’t like him, Sister Mercy.’

‘I will remember that if I decide to wed you to him. Now why are you here? Shouldn’t you be—’

‘I solved it.’

‘Is that supposed to mean something to me?’

‘I know when the Son of Darkness is going to rise.’

THE SWAYAMVAR: PART I

THE SWAYAMVAR
PART I

...madness is merry, and merriment’s might,
when the jester comes calling with his knife in the night...
— Cicero

KARNA knew that the swayamvar of Panchal was, and who would dream of denying it, the most marvellous event he would ever attend. Kings, nobles and fabled heroes had come from all over the realm to compete in the swayamvar, and the whole kingdom of Panchal had turned out to watch. Karna was stupefied by the splendour of it. The week had been filled with feasts and songs to mark the countdown to the big day. Karna himself had been to King Drupad’s palace with Duryodhan, and several times with Shakuni and Sudama to the sumptuous luncheons hosted in honour of the illustrious suitors.