Shiva grinned, his brows raised. ‘Well, I’ll make sure that I keep mine shut when I meet Lord Bhrigu.’

Gopal and Sati laughed softly.

‘Nevertheless, we will win,’ said Gopal.

‘Yes,’ said Ganesh. ‘We’re on the side of Good.’

‘That is true, without doubt. But that is not the reason, Lord Ganesh. We will win because of your father,’ said Gopal.

‘No,’ said Shiva. ‘It cannot be only me. We will win because we’re all in this together.’

‘It is you who brings us together, great Neelkanth,’ said Gopal. ‘Lord Bhrigu may be as intelligent as you are, maybe more. But he is not a leader like you. He uses, rather misuses his brilliance to cow down his followers. They don’t idolise him; they are scared of him. You, on the other hand, are able to draw out the best in your followers, my friend. Don’t think I did not understand what you did a few days back. You had decided upon your course of action already. But that did not stop you from having a discussion, allowing us to be a part of the decision. Somehow, you guided us all into saying what you wanted to hear. And yet, you made each one of us feel as if it was our own decision. That is leadership. Lord Bhrigu may have a bigger army than ours, but he fights alone. In our case, our entire army will fight as one. That, great Neelkanth, is a supreme tribute to your leadership.’

Shiva, embarrassed as always when complimented, quickly changed the topic. ‘You are being too kind, Gopalji. In any case, I think we should leave. Magadh awaits us.’

‘Bhagirath is here?’

Siamantak nodded at his stunned emperor. ‘Yes, My Lord.’

‘But how did he...’

‘Prime Minister Siamantak,’ said Bhrigu, interrupting Dilipa. ‘I would be delighted to meet him. Have Princess Anandmayi and her husband accompanied him?’

‘No, My Lord,’ said Siamantak. ‘He has come alone.’

‘That is most unfortunate,’ said Bhrigu. ‘Please show him in with complete honour into our presence.’

‘As you wish, My Lord,’ said Siamantak, as he bowed to Bhrigu and Dilipa before leaving the room.

As soon as he had left, Bhrigu turned towards Dilipa. ‘Your Highness, you must learn to control yourself. Siamantak is unaware of the attack at the Godavari.’

‘I’m sorry, My Lord,’ said Dilipa. ‘It’s just that I’m shocked.’

‘I’m not.’

Dilipa frowned. ‘Why, My Lord! Did you expect this?’

‘I can’t say that I expected this specifically. But I had strong suspicions that our attack had failed. The only question was how they would be confirmed.’

‘I don’t understand, My Lord. Our ships could have got destroyed in so many ways.’

‘It wasn’t only the destruction of our ships. There is something else. I had asked Kanakhala to try and locate the Gunas.’

‘Who are the Gunas?’