‘Disturbingly well. I am glad it is the Greeks outside there instead of the Magadhans. Given those pale-skinned foreigners, the cityfolk would rather die than be enslaved by the likes of them. However, some have taken it upon themselves to exact vigilante justice upon anyone suspicious. I had spread a rumour that the Greeks poisoned the water supply to stop them from ransacking the public tanks, and now I have bands of men stopping and searching individuals at random. A man delivering powder for the munitions was torn apart by a crowd.’

‘The price of peace,’ Satyabhama said, just as Draupadi was escorted in by a Silver Wolf. ‘Princess, why aren’t you with the High Ladies?’

‘Lady Satyabhama,’ Draupadi bowed, a sheepish look in her eyes. ‘The room is filled with endless sobbing. Everyone’s face is puffy from crying.’

‘Shush child,’ Satyabhama bit back the hint of a smile. ‘Say no more. There is strength in those tears, you know. But if you will not have them, come, join us. We were just heading to the Council Chamber. Be forewarned, Bheem will be there.’

‘Wouldn’t you like to clean up first?’ he called from behind her.

‘My bloodied clothes always help you make your point, Krishna.’

II

Ugrasen stood by the window which gave a clear view of the ramparts as well as the Second District, for the Keep’s eastern side was connected to the inner walls of the Iron Curfew. In fact, there were catwalks on the lower levels for ease of communication of instructions from the Council to the Curfew. Krishna joined him by the window, and followed his gaze to the battlements, where five Red Cloaks dangled from a rope by their wrists, burning. He had no affinity for such torture. The drawn-out agony, the stink, the shrieks, it was all inhumane. But there were no trophies for good behaviour in battle. Maybe those Mlecchás would think again before they tried to creep in under cover of darkness and disturb the well-earned sleep of his people.

Beyond the Curfew, another flock of Red Cloaks could be seen streaming through the Second District in bloodied confusion. Ever since the gates of the Second Sister had been opened to the Greeks by a traitor, plunder had been the word of the day. The soldiers had managed to escort many of the citizens inside the Iron Curfew, especially those who carried gold. The ones who did not, hid in houses, hovels or holes in the ground in the Second District, hoping the Greeks would simply ignore them and move to shinier houses. Here and there, the remnants of the Republican Army and City Watch held on, but they could do little to compromise the Red Cloaks’ advance.

‘We have nothing to worry about,’ Ugrasen rumbled. ‘The Iron Curfew is impregnable.’ Nonetheless, his voice shook. Till a few days ago, the Second and Third Sisters had been impregnable too.