‘On one condition,’ Krishna stated, ignoring Akrur’s quizzical eye. ‘While we will not ask Pragjyotisha for our rightful tribute till next winter, we will be at liberty to trade in the West, from which region you will keep away. You take the East from us. We get the West.’

‘The dance of diplomacy!’ Eklavvya cried, catching them unawares with his boyish enthusiasm. ‘For Krishna to so easily give away the East... the issues it opens up consists of infinite possibilities of which virtually one and all possess confounding implications. But what? What, indeed? Ah...’ he glanced at Akrur’s cocked eye, and then towards Krishna, ‘even Lord Akrur is not aware, is he, Lord Krishna? The Mathuran Senators seem to be a skein of geese rather than the line of racing horses which the Magadhans were led to believe. Alas, it falls to the humble curious mind of yours truly Eklavvya, to disentangle this knot of conspiracies, and pierce this veil of diplomacy. But Eklavvya must confess, even he cannot, at this juncture, see what could be Mathura’s salvation from the West, assuming of course, the extant and existing geopolitical realities and variables are taken as a constant.’

Lord Kritavarman massaged his temple. ‘I do not understand a word that comes out of your mouth, Emissary.’

But Akrur had understood. A frozen moment of distrust wedged itself in the space between them. Ignoring Akrur, Krishna appraised the Valka in admiration and irritation. Your affectations are but a ruse, are they not? While the boy did not know what was planned, he realized there was indeed a plan. Jarasandh had chosen well. How was it he had never heard of this boy? Eklavvya cleared his throat.

‘We agree to the terms.’ Krishna nodded, ignoring the shocked faces and staring eyes around him.

Akrur walked to Krishna and seized his arm to whisper, ‘You can’t agree on our behalf, Lord Krishna! There is a Senate, a process...’

‘Lord Akrur,’ Krishna placed a hand on Akrur’s shoulder. ‘I suppose you should escort Eklavvya to the lawscribe to solemnize our understanding. We can always celebrate later.’

Akrur looked like he would burst. But, to his credit, he held his peace and walked out without a word. Eklavvya chirped and followed. Kritavarman paused only to say, ‘Akrur will have words for you, Lord Krishna,’ before leaving Satyabhama and Krishna alone once more.

‘So, what now?’ Satyabhama asked, returning to comb her hair before the mirror. ‘You’ve run out of funds. The Third Sister almost fell yesterday. You’ve no friends left in the East or,’ she pointed at the retreating figures of Akrur and Kritavarman, ‘the Senate. You have just a year before Magadh returns with its entire might against Mathura. What are you going to do?’

‘I’m working on it,’ said Krishna with a half-smile. ‘For now, we’re going on a much-needed vacation.’

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