Shishupal knew Eklavvya belonged to the Nora, marked by the bone fetishes in their hair. Their camp was at the centre of the encampment. Around them, a score of minor tribes contributed to the confused mix of Valkas. To an outsider, they maybe all Forestfolk or Valkas, but it was indeed a wonder how the Emperor had managed to rally these mutually antagonistic tribes with long histories of deadly rivalries, under one banner.

His historical musings were interrupted by the approach of a huge warrior. Bedecked in hair matted with human scalps and holding a platter in his hand, the giant greeted Eklavvya. On bended knee, he raised the platter above his head as an offering. ‘Chief, we catch a long sambar today. First offering.’

‘Excellent, Taur! Your Sanskrit is improving. May the Spirits bless you. But it is a large sambar, not a long one.’

The warrior, who was taller than Eklavvya by at least ten hands, blushed. Dropping his sack, Eklavvya accepted a generous helping of the meat. As he did so, Taur said something in the forest tongue. It must have been about Shishupal, for Eklavvya turned to him.

‘Lord Shishupal, you must be hungry. Taur is a most legendary cook. Taste a morsel and be enchanted.’

Shishupal was handed a rather suspicious looking sausage by the huge Valka. All this hunting for his brother had indeed made Shishupal hungry, but looking at the human scalps around Taur’s neck, he realised he was never going to be that hungry. ‘I have dined, I thank you…ehm… Also Chief?’

‘Acting Chief,’ Eklavvya corrected. ‘Patre is the War-Chief of the Noras.’

‘You are Avaya’s son! My apologies, Chief Eklavvya. I did not…’

‘Oh rubbish! Valkas don’t believe in titles, Lord Shishupal.’

‘Just Shishupal then. I have heard reports. Your soldiers think highly of you. If only my squad was so obedient.’

‘Just rumours,’ Eklavvya said as he chewed the meat. ‘It is probably because of Eklavvya’s father. Valkas respect blood. But if Shishupal says his soldiers are disobedient, kill one or two, then the others will respect him.’

Shishupal shrank back in horror. ‘I believe it is my job to keep them alive, not kill them, Chief.’

Eklavvya shrugged, munching the sausage with relish. He was obviously joking, Shishupal told himself. He looked around the camp, hoping Dantavakra had not loitered in by mistake. He would be chopped to pieces here. Then, even an Oracle would not find him.

‘Taur,’ Shishupal said. The giant cook turned to regard him with distaste. ‘Any chance a Chedi walked into this camp?’

‘Many Chedis.’ Shishupal followed the direction of his pointing finger. He spotted Valka women leading men from other Magadhan squads into their hide tents. Men from Avanti, Kalinga, Kauntis, Hehayas, Anupa… and Chedi. His eyes widened at the trident sigil on some of the cloaks. ‘Valka women fierce. They, uhm, cityfolk like. They say cityfolk, uhm, lambs who need to learn.’