There was a moment’s hesitation, then Karna said, ‘He is my brother Shon’s son.’

‘I hope you do not mind my asking,’ Krishna dropped his voice to a whisper, ‘is Shon no longer alive?’

‘He just…became occupied with his goals. And sometimes what you want in life interferes with what you already have.’

When Krishna, claiming ignorance begged explanation, Karna exchanged a look with Sudama and said tersely, ‘My brother Shon is a member of the...Red Blades.’

Krishna had not expected such candour. You don’t lie, do you? ‘The militant group? A rebel then?’ he remarked nonchalantly, all the while eating his grapes, dribbling the seeds onto his lip, and then flicking them off with a finger.

‘A revolutionary cuts closer, Lord Krishna,’ Karna said flatly, putting an arm around Sudama’s shoulders.

Krishna silently mulled over an idea. The Red Blades were a bygone, almost mythical, rebellious group. It had spread its fire across the Riverlands years ago, aimed at establishing equality amongst all castes. Ksharjan knights who renounced their titles and lands, low caste soldiers, destitute women, abandoned daughters, fanatics, ascetics…there were many tales of these defenders of equality. But all agreed that they had committed unspeakable atrocities in furtherance of their goal. They had pissed on sacrificial fires, left dead cows in the verandas of temples, inducted untouchables into their ranks, and hung many Namin priests in their wake.

‘I understand why the Red Blades was formed a millennium ago,’ Krishna said, ‘but why now? We have given the lowborns much. Food, clothing, coin. It’s a time of peace between the castes. Why disrupt the harmony?’

‘For freedom, Lord Krishna,’ Karna said. His awkwardness had all but dissipated. As expected. ‘The freedom to choose their vocation, the freedom to pursue their dreams… You gave us food, clothing and coin. That’s the very question they are concerned with. Why is it that Reshts do not already possess all these things? Why must they be bestowed as munificence by you? You are mistaking quiet for peace, My Lord.’