Vidur, Master of Law, spoke, bringing Shakuni back to the present. ‘Surely, the Codes provide for executive power in the King in times of war, when such formalities can be set aside,’ he opined, looking at the White Eagle. ‘There is precedent.’

‘Indeed, Lord Vidur,’ Acharya Kripa said calmy, ‘there is. But Hastina is not at war. Mathura is. There is no such exemplary power granted to the King in another State’s conflict.’

And just like that, the tables turned. Acharya Kripa did not even bother to suppress his sour smile.

But Shakuni held his breath. There was something in Yudhistir’s eyes, something that glowed with the embers of ambition. He was too close to what he wanted to accept defeat. Even the White Eagle fixed his gaze upon Yudhistir, judging, appraising. Had it just been Bheem, Yudhistir might not have yielded. But Draupadi…she was the key to Panchal. Without her, he had no wheat to bargain with. The Reds would desert him. He had to think of the long game. He had to accept he had lost this hand.

‘If only there was a way to resolve this contentious issue of Partition amicably, as soon as possible,’ Acharya Kripa lamented. ‘As Prince Sahadev has reminded us repeatedly, there are people waiting outside for this momentous decision. Alas, the rigours of dharma trample without bias king and commoner alike under its hooves.’

‘I agree.’

A pall of silence fell. Everyone looked up.

‘To what do you agree, son?’ the King asked.

Yudhistir’s voice held none of the wrath that shone in his eyes. ‘I agree to your proposal, Your Grace.’

Arjun took a hasty step forward. ‘This is ridicu—’

‘Arjun! You forget yourself.’ The King’s voice was like a whiplash. Finally, he shows some spine. Arjun clenched his teeth so hard Shakuni thought his jaw must hurt.

‘We will take Khandavprastha, Varnavrat and Madra,’ Yudhistir said.

‘Scribble that down scrollmaster,’ Acharya Kripa ordered. ‘In golden letters.’

‘I have just one request, Your Grace,’ Yudhistir said.

Request hah! Another word for condition. Relief, however, sounded in Dhritarashtra’s voice as he said in a flurry of words, ‘I have always believed the Kauravas would eventually come together as a family and resolve our differences and heal any rifts, no matter how large the issue. Yudhistir, you have shown statesmanship today. Ask what you want, and it shall be yours.’

No, you idiot! Shakuni could not have hurried to him without making a fool of himself. Fuck.

Yudhistir took a deep breath. Any hint of anger had faded from his face. No complaint. ‘I desire that the five of us brothers – Bheem, Arjun, Nakul, Sahadev and I, and our descendants and heirs, be hereafter known as Pandavas, Sons of Pandu. Not Kauravas.’