‘Looks like there is good news all around,’ said Shiva, smiling.

‘How in the Holy Lake’s name can this be good news?’

Bhagirath maintained a nervous silence, fearful of Shiva’s wrath.

‘But, My Lord,’ said Chandraketu, ‘Lady Sati believed this was our best chance at peace. And it looks like Emperor Daksha himself wants it. If he signs a peace treaty, then the war is over. And we do not want to destroy Meluha, do we? All we want is the end of the Somras.’

‘I don’t trust that goat of a man,’ said Kali. ‘If he hurts my sister, I will burn his entire city to a cinder, with him in it.’

‘He won’t hurt her, Kali,’ said Shiva, shaking his head. ‘But I’m afraid that he may make her a prisoner and use that to negotiate with us.’

‘But, My Lord,’ said Chenardhwaj, ‘that is impossible. The rules governing a peace conference are very clear. Both parties are free to return, unharmed, if a solution or compromise is not found.’

‘What’s to stop my grandfather from not following the laws?’ asked Ganesh. ‘It will not be the first time he’s broken a law.’

‘My Lord,’ said a Vasudev pandit entering the chamber and addressing Gopal. ‘I have urgent news.’

‘I think we can talk later, Panditji,’ said Gopal.

‘No, My Lord,’ insisted the pandit in charge of the Lothal temple. ‘We must speak now.’

Gopal was surprised but he knew his Vasudev pandits did not panic unnecessarily. It had to be something important. He rose and walked up to the pandit.

‘Lord Ganesh,’ said Chenardhwaj, resuming his conversation with Ganesh. ‘The peace conference rules were laid down by Lord Ram himself. They are amongst the fundamental rules that can never be amended. They have to be rigorously followed, on pain of a punishment worse than death. Even a man like Emperor Daksha will never break these rules.’

‘I pray to the Parmatma that you are right, Chenardhwaj,’ snarled Kali.

‘I have no doubt, Your Highness,’ said Chenardhwaj. ‘The worst that can happen is that no deal will be struck. Then Lady Sati will return to us.’

‘Lord Ram, be merciful,’ exclaimed Gopal loudly.

Everyone turned sharply to look at the Chief Vasudev. Gopal was still standing close to the door, along with the Lothal Vasudev pandit.

‘What happened, Panditji?’ asked Shiva.

An ashen-faced Gopal turned to Shiva. ‘Great Neelkanth, the news is disturbing.’

‘What is it?’

‘Parvateshwar’s army finally mobilised and marched out of Karachapa three days back.’

A loud murmur erupted in the chamber. They would have to prepare for battle...

‘Silence,’ snapped Shiva, before turning to Gopal. ‘And?’

‘Surprisingly, they turned back within a few hours,’ said Gopal.

‘Turned back? Why?’