‘I’m not asking for the one who actually killed Ugrasen, My Lord,’ said Surapadman. ‘I guess he is someone important. All I’m asking for is a random Naga. I will present him to my father as Ugrasen’s killer and we’ll have him executed forthwith. My father will then happily retire and go into sanyas to pray for my brother’s soul. And I, along with all the resources of Magadh, will stand beside you. I know the Brangas are with you. Victory is assured if Magadh and Branga are on the same side. You will win the war, My Lord, and Evil will be destroyed. All you need to do is sacrifice an insignificant Naga, who is suffering for the sins of his past lives in any case. We will actually be giving him an opportunity to earn good karma. What do you say?’

Shiva did not hesitate even for a second. ‘I cannot do that.’

‘My Lord...’

‘I will not do that.’

‘But...’

‘No.’

Surapadman leaned back in his chair. ‘We indeed seem to be at an impasse, great Vasudev. My father will not allow me to fight in an army that includes the Nagas unless we can assuage his thirst for vengeance.’

Shiva spoke up before Gopal could respond. ‘What if you do not pick any side at all?’

Surapadman frowned, intrigued.

‘Convince your father to remain neutral,’ continued Shiva. ‘Allow my ships to proceed to battle with Ayodhya. If we are able to beat them, then your primary enemies are weakened. If they beat us, our army, including the Nagas, would be in retreat. Your imagination can fill in the rest. You win both ways.’

Surapadman smiled. ‘That does have an attractive ring to it.’

Parvateshwar and Anandmayi were housed in a separate wing of the massive Kashi palace, having arrived in the city recently. Anandmayi and Ayurvati had gone to meet Veerbhadra and the Gunas.

The Meluhan general was sitting in his chamber balcony, looking out towards the Ganga flowing in the distance.

‘My Lord,’ called out the doorman.

Parvateshwar turned. ‘Yes?’

‘A messenger has just delivered a note for you.’

‘Hand it to me.’

‘Yes, My Lord.’

As the doorman came in, Parvateshwar asked, ‘Who brought the message?’

‘The main palace door-keeper, My Lord.’

Parvateshwar raised his brows. ‘An outsider would not be allowed in, would he? What I wanted to know was who gave the message to the palace door-keeper?’

The doorman looked lost. ‘How would I know, My Lord?’