‘Even Lord Bhrigu would be impressed. We will be rid of the Neelkanth problem once and for all.’

‘Wasn’t it the Neelkanth opportunity some years ago?’ asked a sarcastic Veerini.

‘Don’t you understand what is happening?’ asked an irritated Daksha. ‘Do I have to explain everything to you? War is about to break out. Our soldiers are training continuously.’

‘Yes, I’m aware of that. But I think we should keep out of this and leave the matter entirely to Lord Bhrigu.’

‘Why? Lord Bhrigu is not the Emperor of India. I am.’

‘Have you told Lord Bhrigu that?’

‘Don’t irritate me, Veerini. If you’re not interested in what I have to say, just say so.’

‘I’m sorry. But I think it’s better to leave all the decision-making to Lord Bhrigu. All we should be concerned about is our family.’

‘There you go again!’ said Daksha, raising his voice. ‘Family! Family! Family! Don’t you care about how the world will see me? How history will judge me?’

‘Even the greatest of men cannot dictate how posterity will judge them.’

Daksha pushed his plate away, shouting, ‘You are the source of all my problems! It is because of you that I haven’t been able to achieve all that I could have!’

Veerini looked at the attendants and turned back towards her husband. ‘Keep your voice down, Daksha. Don’t make a mockery of our marriage.’

‘Ha! This marriage has been a mockery from the very the beginning! Had I a more supportive wife, I would have conquered the world by now!’

Daksha got up angrily and stormed out.

‘This is a huge mistake,’ said Kali. ‘In his obsession for the right way, your father may end up losing the war.’

Ganesh and Kartik were in her chamber in the Kashi palace.

‘I disagree, mausi,’ said Kartik. ‘I think baba did the right thing. We have to win, but we must do it the right way.’

‘I thought you were in agreement with us,’ said a frowning Kali.

‘I was. But maa’s words convinced me otherwise.’

‘In any case, mausi,’ said Ganesh. ‘It has happened. Let us not fret over it. We should focus on the war instead.’

‘Do we have a choice?’ asked Kali.

‘Baba told me that I will lead the war effort in Ayodhya,’ said Ganesh. ‘Kartik, you will be with me.’

‘We’ll destroy them, dada,’ said Kartik, raising his clenched right fist.

‘That we will,’ said Ganesh. ‘Mausi, are you sure about Lothal and Maika?’

‘I’ve already asked Suparna to send ambassadors to Governor Chenardhwaj,’ said Kali. ‘Trust me, he is a friend.’

Kartik bent and touched his mother’s feet.

‘Vijayibhav, my child,’ said Sati, as she applied the red tilak on Kartik’s forehead for good luck and victory.