‘It seems we must content ourselves with words today, Emperor,’ Kalyavan replied, his eyes flicking over Jarasandh’s large frame. ‘But I would like to take you up on that offer sooner than you may wish.’

Shishupal chuckled softly. The Greek was tall and dashing, but Jarasandh was a veritable giant. He may have grown old, but his reputation as a bull in battle had never been questioned.

Shalya hurried into speech, ignoring Kalyavan’s impertinence. ‘As we all know, the noose around Mathura tightens. Their resources have dwindled significantly. The infighting within the Republic has left its leadership weak. The Usurper and his Senators continue their vigilant tyranny over the people, who cry out for deliverance by the Emperor. There are arrests and hangings every day. The people brim with fury. Vengeance is due.’

‘What, no foreplay Shalya? So unlike you to get straight down to business,’ Kalyavan joked in boyish humour. He looked at Jarasandh. ‘Finally, eh? Fifteen or sixteen attacks, is it not?’ he audaciously questioned the most powerful man in the realm. When Jarasandh did not answer, he continued, ‘But what do you need me for? I have no interest in Riverland politics. And when I enter a battle, I swing my sword to slay. From what I’ve heard, the Emperor withdrew his army from the Mathuran gates on the brink of victory. Too melodramatic for me.’

Shishupal decided to stop sipping his wine altogether before he choked on it again. Lady Rasha’s face was unreadable. Shalya looked like he was suffering from a case of loose bowels. It could not have been that Kalyavan did not know the Emperor’s daughters had been raped, and his grandchildren smashed to death by miscreants who had broken into the Palace when Mathura had been sacked by traitors. One daughter had died of shock soon after returning to Magadh. The other had killed herself a full moon ago. The Emperor’s new religion, Unni Ehtral, had required him to abstain from violence for a year. Bringing the day up so casually to the old bull was an interesting way for Kalyavan to test the prophecy of his own immortality.

‘There were reasons for that withdrawal, Kalyavan,’ Shalya said in the reproving tone a mother adopts when a child misbehaves in front of important guests. ‘And you already knew why I have brought you to Rajgrih. What games are you playing?’

‘Times have changed, Shalya. Sakas and Tusharas trouble me to the North. I have Gandharans to steal from. And the Balkh Kingdom harass us with their tariffs. So why me? Magadh’s army could give me sleepless nights. The Emperor does not need my Yavanas,’ Kalyavan stated with an elegant shrug.

Shishupal disliked the game Kalyavan was playing. This war of words. But diplomacy demanded that every vagary and vice of its participants be entertained.