‘Impossible. My father is too much in love with himself. He’s getting medicines from Lord Bhrigu which is keeping him alive. He will not risk that for anything.’

‘The people of Ayodhya may have rebelled against their King and thrown in their lot with the Neelkanth.’

‘Hmmm... That’s possible. My people are certainly more devoted to the Neelkanth than to my father.’

‘And if the Neelkanth has Ayodhya under control, he will quickly turn his attention to his main objective: Meluha.’

‘He aims to destroy the Somras, Parva. He will not indulge in wanton destruction. Why would he do that? It would turn your people against him. He will only go for the Somras.’

Parvateshwar’s eyes flashed open. ‘Of course! He will target the secret Somras manufacturing facility and its scientists. That would end the supply of the Somras. People will have no choice but to learn to live without it.’

‘There you are. That’s his target. Where is this secret Somras manufacturing facility?’

‘I don’t know. But I will find out.’

‘Yes, you should.’

‘In any case,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘I’ve told Kanakhala not to send any more messages to Ayodhya. We could just be passing on information to the enemy.’

‘If Ayodhya is already in their control, and they leave now, they could be in Meluha quite soon.’

‘Yes, it could be as early as six months. Also, along with Ayodhya, the Lord would have a massive army.’

‘Redouble your preparations.’

‘Hmmm... I’ll also order Vidyunmali to leave for Lothal with twenty thousand soldiers.’

‘Lothal? Just because they didn’t send you their monthly report? Isn’t that a bit of an over-reaction?’

‘I don’t have a good feeling about them,’ said Parvateshwar, slowly shaking his head. ‘They didn’t respond to my bird courier.’

‘Can you afford to send twenty thousand soldiers away based on a mere hunch?’

‘Lothal is not too far away. Also, it’s a border town. It is the closest Meluhan city from Panchavati. It may not be such a bad idea to reinforce it.’

Chapter 26: Battle of Mrittikavati

Chapter 26

Battle of Mrittikavati

The exhausted scout stumbled into the military tent, barely able to conceal his anxiety. Shiva jerked his head up from the map he’d been poring over, as the soldier managed a hasty salute. ‘What?’

Shot like an arrow, Shiva’s voice made Kali, Sati, Gopal and Chenardhwaj look up too, worry creasing their faces. Shiva’s army had marched in quickly from Lothal and was just a day away from Mrittikavati.

‘My Lord, I have bad news.’

‘Give me the facts. Don’t jump to conclusions.’

‘Mrittikavati is much better defended now than it had been earlier. Brigadier Vidyunmali sailed into the city a few days back. Apparently, he was on his way to Lothal to strengthen Meluha’s defences at the border. Clearly, Emperor Daksha has no idea as yet that Lothal has pledged loyalty to you, My Lord.’