‘You don’t have to sell me on it. Nothing like the imminent loss of life to let you know you are truly alive.’ Storm gave a hacking laugh and slapped Rain’s shoulder as they all turned to look at their city, while the stars swam above them in unseen currents.

SHISHUPAL and Eklavvya had used the chaos following Satyabhama’s death to change into Mathuran uniforms and slip into their ranks. It was hardly a safe choice considering the Greeks were intent on blowing Mathura to bits. But it was the best of the bad options available. The tunnel seemed like a death trap. Staying put in the house made no sense. Once the sacking started, death would be the least of their worries. Hiding amidst the Mathuran soldiers was their only choice. Once out of the Curfew, they would change back to their clothes and find a Greek soldier to take them to Kalyavan. When Kalyavan recognised Shishupal, he would arrange safe escort to Magadh. Shishupal was aware that his plan depended on a lot of ifs.

‘Mathurans!’ Balram’s voice rang in the ears of the wretched few assembled in the rubble of the Iron Curfew. It seemed Kalyavan’s dagger had not found his tongue. ‘We are here tho buy enough thime for our people to escape through the thunnel.’ I stand corrected.

Eklavvya turned quizzical eyes on Shishupal. Thunnel?

‘Our Army conthinues to fighth the Mlecchás in the Second! We will help them. Thurn every alley intho a bathleground.’ He thumped his fist against his chest. A dramatic sight, if somewhat marred by the snickering of the soldiers. ‘So, here I am, asking you—’ Balram fell to the ground with a thud.

A group of soldiers arrived with a palette on which they hoisted the unconscious Balram, and with wordless salutes to the rest, carried him towards the mouth of the tunnel.

Hoofbeats sounded. Shishupal peered from under his cowl to see Senator Akrur riding up to Krishna, who appeared to be taking his brother’s collapse with stoic calm.

‘I thought the potion would never work, and we would have to sit through his entire speech!’ Akrur said with a twisted smile.

‘Poor sod. He finally got his chance to die heroically and I robbed him of it. But Dvarka needs him. I am rather surprised to find you still here, Lord Akrur,’ Krishna said. ‘I would have thought you would be the first to leave.’

‘Aye…’ Akrur scratched his bulging stomach under his customized breastplate. ‘I did not fit in the tunnel.’

Shishupal saw Krishna look at Akrur for a long moment, then nod.

‘Don’t give me that now-I-respect-you look. As your wife always said, one can justify anything with the phrase for the greater good.’ Akrur bowed slightly. ‘Farewell, Lord Krishna.’

Krishna smiled. ‘Lord Akrur, there is still that other tunnel in the Market Square...just in case.’