‘I’m glad to see you remember how to smile, lass,’ Parshuram said, turning towards the rainbow. ‘Which can only mean you have not understood a word I have said.’

‘I heard everything you said, Master. Uhm, polyandry isn’t unheard of, even among the Namins. Sadharani married all the Maruts,’ Nala quickly rallied with an opinion of her own. ‘Uhm, Jatila had seven husbands. But times are conservative in this Age—’

‘Quiet. There is a difference between hearing and listening.’ Parshuram sat down on the wet grass, stretching out his legs. He took the ale skin from the bag he carried, for his second drink of the day. ‘Think and reflect upon my words, imbecile.’

Nala scratched her chin as she pondered. Some Panchalan Princess’ swayamvar had been a disaster. Many had died. What else did he say? Yes, an Aghori had won the Princess’ hand, only he was not an Aghori at all. And that the Princess had ended up not only marrying the not-an-Aghori, but also his four brothers. There was something about a promiscuous woman being Queen of the Union— Nala’s eyes widened. By the Dead! The Hastina Union. Five brothers. She turned sharply to Parshuram, realisation spreading frigid fingers through her veins. Bheem and his brothers had finally resurfaced!

‘Master!’ Nala could barely contain the urgency in her soul. ‘When do we leave for Panchal?’

‘Took you long enough,’ grunted Parshuram. ‘They have already left for Mathura, from what I hear. And we will leave when you are ready. Bitter patience yields the sweetest fruits. Now sit and watch me drink, in silence. You do not want to go meeting the Saptarishis sober.’

‘Master, then should I…?’ she nodded towards the ale.

‘Shut up, Nala.’

Nala turned back to the rainbow, gritting her teeth, having forgotten all the beauty nature had spread before her eyes. But for all her thirst for revenge, she had to admit she wasn’t ready yet. No matter. Days, weeks, or even years did not matter. What did was that she would sit on Bheem’s helpless body as she slowly carved his throat. After she slew his family, of course. His four brothers, his mother, and now, his whore of a wife also.

The mass of mist slowly dissolved in the valley beyond the mountain. And there, rimmed by the teeth of white peaks, stood a great grey structure, shimmering with an eerie bluish light. To a bird flying above, it doubtless resembled a glowing orb in the open mouth of a white bear. But Nala knew what it was.

The House of Saptarishis.

II

The House of Saptarishis appeared to be a monstrous hallucination – a swirl of warped metallic forms that glinted like fish scales, giving it a strange, otherworldly presence. The House was surrounded by an artificial water body, lending to the structure the appearance of a misshapen silver griffin that had crawled out of a lake to rest on land.