‘They are the tribe of that fraud Neelkanth. The Gunas were immigrants in Meluha. There are standard policies in Meluha for immigrants, one of them being that their records are kept strictly secret. This system ensures that they are not targeted or oppressed, and are in fact, treated well. But the upshot was that the royal record-keeper was refusing to tell his own Prime Minister where the Gunas were settled.’

‘How can the record-keeper do that? The Prime Minister’s word would be the order of the Emperor. And his word is law!’

‘Well,’ smiled Bhrigu. ‘Meluha is not like your empire, Lord Dilipa. They have this irritating habit of sticking to rules.’

Bhrigu’s sarcasm was lost on Dilipa.

‘So what happened, My Lord? Did you find the Gunas?’

‘At first, Kanakhala seemed quite sure that the Gunas were in Devagiri itself. When that initial search yielded nothing, she had no choice but to approach Emperor Daksha. He passed an order through the Rajya Sabha that would force the Meluhan record-keeper to reveal the location of the Gunas. By the time we reached their village, they were gone.’

‘Gone where?’

‘I don’t know. I was told this happens quite often. Many immigrants are not able to adapt to the civilised but regimented life in Meluha and choose to return to their homelands. So I was asked to believe that the Gunas must have gone back to the Himalayas.’

‘And did you believe that?’

‘Of course I didn’t. I suspected the fraud Neelkanth must have spirited his tribe away before declaring war. But what could I do? I didn’t know where the Gunas were.’

‘But why is Bhagirath here? Why would the Neelkanth reveal his hand?’

‘Fraud Neelkanth, Your Highness,’ said Bhrigu, correcting Dilipa.

‘I’m sorry, My Lord,’ said Dilipa.

Bhrigu looked up at the ceiling. ‘Yes, why has Shiva sent him here?’

‘My God!’ whispered Dilipa. ‘Could he have been sent here to assassinate me?’

Bhrigu shook his head. ‘That is unlikely. I don’t think killing you, Your Highness, would serve any larger purpose.’

Dilipa opened his mouth to say something but decided instead to remain silent.

‘Yes,’ continued Bhrigu, narrowing his eyes, ‘we do need to know why Prince Bhagirath is here. I look forward to meeting him.’

‘Father,’ said Bhagirath as he walked confidently into Dilipa’s chamber.

Dilipa smiled as best he could. He didn’t really like his son. ‘How are you, Bhagirath?’

‘I’m all right, father.’

‘How was your trip to Panchavati?’

Bhagirath glanced at Bhrigu, wondering who the old Brahmin was, before turning back to his father. ‘It was an uneventful trip, father. Perhaps the Nagas are not as bad as we think. Some of us have returned early. The Lord Neelkanth will join us later.’

Dilipa frowned, as if surprised, and turned towards Bhrigu.