KRISHNA approached Karna, a bowl of grapes in his hand. A faint smile hovered on his lips; the sort of smile one might see on a crocodile that has spied a particularly bold swimmer. Storm was right beside him, almost unrecognizable in a Balkhan dress coupled with a short jacket. It was form fitting from bust to waist, with a flowing skirt below. A sash was draped over her right shoulder, held fast with an army of pins. To a stranger, Storm might have looked elegant. To anyone who knew her, it was downright comical.

‘Lady Storm, may I introduce you to Lord Karna of Hastinapur, Highmaster of Anga? His reputation with a bow precedes him.’

‘My Lord honours me.’ Karna blushed at Krishna’s compliment, but turned to Storm and bowed awkwardly.

Storm scowled till she remembered Krishna’s instructions. ‘A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Karna.’ She did not bow. She probably could not. Calm’s heavings on the strings of her corset gave her little choice. She could, however, have blushed as Krishna had taught her, or inquired about Karna’s well-being. She did not. All those classes tossed aside, she dragged Krishna by the elbow to one side. ‘Can you please dismiss me? My lungs have emptied out! I cannot breathe in this damn fucking corset!’

‘Unless it is cutting you in half, it isn’t doing the job.’

‘But I am not able to eat what I want!’

‘Eat? Storm, do you see any other woman eating anything here? You are moving in royal circles, and royal women do not eat in public. It makes them look human, and mystique is in fashion right now.’

‘Ugh!’ Storm grunted, looking like a mulish child. ‘All this heavenly food and I can’t even eat?

‘I told you to go for a Vedan saree, but you wanted a dress. Well, this is classic Balkhan wear. Sarees are easier…’

‘And messier. I would surely trip.’

Krishna sighed. ‘Leave then. Just see to it that Lord Niarkatt reaches his accommodations without incident. He seems to like the wine a little too much.’

‘Oh, thank you!’ Storm said with real gratitude. ‘And good luck with Karna.’ Storm waddled off like a duck in Niarkatt’s direction. Krishna shook his head and returned to Karna.

‘Suda, that’s the last sweet for you. We still have to eat the main course.’ The soft haired boy sulked but handed over the ladoo to Karna, who ate it in one bite. The embargo on sweets clearly did not extend to adults. ‘All well, My Lord? Lady Storm looked…uncomfortable.’

‘Just the clime,’ Krishna replied, looking at the boy. ‘What my mother would have given to buy a bit of that obedience when I was his age.’

‘He’s a good boy,’ Karna’s voice had a fatherly ring.

‘Where did you adopt him, Lord Karna?’ Krishna asked, knowing perfectly well who Sudama was. But his plan to embarrass Karna required some foreplay.