Parshuram gave her a clout on the ear but smiled. ‘Yes, Manu was rather colourful with his words. This isn’t the complete prophecy. I will have to find the complete one in Manusruti. Know this, the coming of the Son of Darkness is the singlemost calamitous thing that could happen to the realm. He is the Evil that was Promised. The one prophesized a millennia ago, to dig open the evils our ancient heroes buried in the past. If he is released, he will make the stars bleed, the world kneel, and children everywhere will weep tears of blood as Aryavrat is pushed into the Age of Darkness.

‘The Saptarishis may be fools but they are right. I’ll not sit meekly by and wait for the world to end. I will ride to Manusruti, against the Vanaras, the Nagas and whatever else is out there in the buried city. And I will find the prophecy and kill the Son of Darkness, with or without your help. So, I’ll ask you only once, Nala: are you really willing to risk your life for a world that will never know of it, or are you a girl who wants to play at vengeance?’

Nala did not know what to say. She had never heard Parshuram wax eloquent about anything. A shiver crept up her spine.

‘You have done everything I asked,’ Parshuram’s voice softened a little, ‘in the manner I asked. But be warned, this is not a life you will want. For a bag of silver, I can still apprentice you to an alchemist. I can sign you up with the royal cook and you will be called to feasts and ceremonies across the realm. You can live a peaceful, quiet life earning the ire of your neighbours. But if you come with me, you will trade everything you once valued. Once you take that step, you’ll never be moral again, never be good again. You’ll never love again. You’ll never meet your friends again. You will earn the ire of the Gods themselves.’

‘Why are you telling me this?’

‘Because I did not warn my last student, and destroyed him in the process.’

‘What about Bheem?’

‘You’re fourteen, fifteen years old? You really think you can take him on?’

‘No.’

‘I told you I would help you in your plan for revenge, but if you come with me, you will never follow Bheem again till I decide you are ready. Listen to me carefully, Nala. I am giving you an out from your Vachan. Take my offer. If you are intent on revenge, go be a cook in Hastina. You know enough to poison his food. In time, you will rise through the ranks of chefs and get what you seek. Take it. This might be your chance at happiness. The journey ahead with me is fraught with nothing but pain.’