Bhrigu smiled. Kali would kill me if she had half a chance. Her temper is even more volatile than Lord Rudra’s legendary anger.

‘But Prince Bhagirath,’ said Bhrigu, ‘I must complain about an iniquity that you have committed.’

An astonished Bhagirath folded his hands together in an apologetic Namaste. ‘I apologise profusely if I have offended you in any way, My Lord. Please tell me how I can set it right.’

‘It’s very simple,’ said Bhrigu. ‘I was really looking forward to meeting the Emperor’s daughter and her new husband. But you have not brought Princess Anandmayi along with you.’

‘Apologies for my oversight, My Lord,’ said Bhagirath. ‘I overlooked this only because I rushed here to pay obeisance to my respected father, whom I have not met for a long time. And Princess Anandmayi has dutifully accompanied her husband General Parvateshwar to Kashi.’

Bhrigu suddenly held his breath as he read Bhagirath’s thoughts. Parvateshwar wants to defect? He wants to return to Meluha?

‘I guess I will only have the pleasure of meeting Princess Anandmayi and General Parvateshwar when the Almighty wills it,’ said Bhrigu.

The smile on Bhrigu’s face left Bhagirath with a sense of unease.

‘Hopefully that will be soon enough, My Lord,’ said Bhagirath. ‘If I may now be excused, I’d like to meet up with some people and then head to Kashi for some unfinished tasks.’

Dilipa was about to say something when Bhrigu raised his hand and placed it on Bhagirath’s head. ‘Of course, brave Prince. Go with Lord Ram.’

‘Why did you let him go, My Lord?’ said Dilipa, as soon as Bhagirath had left. ‘We could have arrested him. The interrogation would have surely revealed what happened in Panchavati.’

‘I’m already aware of what happened,’ said Bhrigu. ‘Our ships did reach Panchavati and even managed to kill a large number from amongst their convoy. But they did not kill the main leaders. Shiva is still alive. And our ships were destroyed in the battle.’

‘Even so, we should not allow Bhagirath to leave. Why are we letting one of their main leaders go back unharmed?’

‘I have blessed him with a long life, Your Highness. I’m sure you don’t want me to be proven a liar.’

‘Of course not, My Lord.’

Bhrigu looked at Dilipa and smiled. ‘I know what you are thinking, Your Highness. Trust me, in chess as in war, one sometimes sacrifices a minor piece for the strategic advantage of capturing a more important piece several moves later.’

Dilipa frowned.

‘Let me make myself very clear, Your Highness,’ said Bhrigu. ‘Prince Bhagirath must not be harmed in Ayodhya. I imagine he will leave your city within a day. He should leave safe and sound. I want them to think that we are none the wiser from Bhagirath’s brief visit.’

‘Yes, My Lord.’

‘Provision and ready a fast sailboat. I must leave for Kashi immediately.’

‘Yes, My Lord.’