‘An absolute waste of money,’ Balram grunted, disgusted. ‘The Walls are called impregnable for a reason. I daresay the underground tunnels are a sign of lack of faith in the Army.’

‘I am sure Kans thought the same,’ Krishna said.

Balram seethed but settled down. ‘Setting history aside, we have doubts, Krishna. Reservations. I know the plan to shift to this island is yours and not the Chief’s. It is risky. It is dangerous. It is unpatriotic. It is cowardly. It is sudden and comes from the blue. But I know my little brother has already thought of these things, yet he still promotes such a move. I for one would like to know why.’

No point wasting time. ‘The Greek Warlord Kalyavan has joined hands with Jarasandh,’ Krishna announced without preamble.

‘Bollocks!’ Akrur cried, suddenly resuscitated, chin trembling.

‘But why?’ Satyaki asked, eyes shut in a feeble protest against the light.

‘That’s absurd!’ Kritavarman said nervously. ‘Why would the Greeks be interested in venturing so far South? The Riverlands have never concerned them before.’

‘And what about the kingdoms between?’ Akrur asked. ‘There is Madra…Gandhar. And the Sindh Guild… so many powers to contend with. And why didn’t the Chief reveal this on the barge last night?’

It was Balram who answered. ‘Not all of us have the stomach to digest bitter melons, Senator.’ He studied his feet assiduously. ‘There are those who would panic, run helter-skelter; some may even decide that Mathura was a lost cause and open the gates the next time the Yaksha of Goverdhun comes knocking. The grave truth is, it is our burden to bear. We, the more able.’ Balram frowned as he turned to Krishna. ‘I should have been told of this.’

‘I am telling you now. My spies say Lord Shalya of Madra arranged the meeting between Jarasandh and Kalyavan,’ said Krishna.

‘Is Shalya in the fray too?’ Akrur’s voice sounded like a chicken being throttled. ‘Surely that is nonsensical, for Madra is part of the Hastina Union. The Union and the Republic have a treaty. The Union will not take sides.’

Balram shook his head, grasping the situation with great rapidity. ‘Shalya is also a war broker. He isn’t joining the War but making money from it. This complicates matters.’

Kalyavan was just a boy, all things considered but he had never lost a battle. A fearsome reputation and a brilliant strategic mind were what Krishna had gathered from his espionage reports.

‘Can’t we, you know, send someone to assassinate Kalyavan?’ Akrur whispered ominously, as if Jarasandh were in the next room.

‘A cowardly act,’ Balram grunted.

‘Wouldn’t help,’ Kritavarman said. ‘Haven’t you heard the prophecy?’

‘That is just superstition,’ Satyaki declared, waving an airy hand.

‘You’re a young fool, that is all,’ Akrur pronounced. ‘Prophecies are real. My grandmother had the Long Eye. She once had a vision that I was lifted into the air, coiled in the trunk of a large elephant. Roses surrounded me and wolf cubs played amidst them.’