Beside them, Duryodhan turned sharply to look at the woman. He looked at her as if there was something familiar about her which he could not quite put his finger on. Finally, he let out a deep sigh, smiled, and then walked ahead, perhaps to allow his uncle some privacy as he explained to the woman why he could not be seduced.

‘I’m afraid I am damaged all the way,’ Shakuni said with assumed nonchalance, looking regretfully at the gleam of her thigh muscles, showing through the long slit in her skirts. The woman grimaced and sashayed away.

Shakuni joined Duryodhan, whose spirits seemed to have somehow revived. When the King’s Fool sang a song about the Matron of Meru, he laughed so hard he spilled wine on himself. He turned to Shakuni, grinning for the first time in weeks. Shakuni’s pleasant mood evaporated. ‘What is it, My Prince?’

‘There comes a time in every Prince’s life when he wonders if a throne is worth all the sacrifice.’

‘The mood will pass, Prince.’

‘Always ready with an answer, are you not, Uncle? Alright, answer me this. I am here so Panchal can be added to Hastina’s power. Is it not so?’

Shakuni was almost afraid to answer. ‘Yes.’

‘Karna told me the Princess revealed to him that the swayamvar is an archery contest.’

Vayu’s beard! ‘So?’

‘Karna is Hastina too, isn’t he? You saw the way those two danced together. And there is no restriction on a Resht participating in the swayamvar. I checked the rules.’

‘My Prince! I must advise against…’

Duryodhan did not let him finish. ‘No, Uncle. Her words have sealed my fate. Karna will take part in the swayamvar. I have decided. He will win Draupadi’s hand and bring power to Hastina, while I wed Mati and forge an alliance with Kalinga. Surely two is better than one?’

Damn arithmetic. Shakuni turned towards a juggler who kept a cascade of burning balls spinning through the air. He thought of Karna and Draupadi together, standing high on a pedestal like monarchs of myth, dressed in shining gold. So young, so beautiful, with their rich, powerful and happy lives ahead of them. Hurrah! My shrivelled heart thumps with joy. But maybe he could work with that, turn friend against friend. He would have to think over it.

‘Let’s take our leave, Uncle,’ said Duryodhan. ‘I want to inform Karna myself! Not a second to waste!’