Sati stared into her father’s eyes. ‘You’re lying.’

‘Kanakhala got what she deserved, Princess,’ said Kamalaksh, from directly behind her. ‘As will everyone who dares to oppose the true Lord of Meluha. But you don’t need to worry. You are safe because your father adores you.’

A stunned Sati glanced back briefly towards Kamalaksh and then turned to her father.

Daksha’s eyes were moist as he spoke with a wry smile. ‘If only you’d understand how much I love you, my child. Just trust me. I will make everything all right once again.’

Almost imperceptibly, Sati tensed her muscular frame and shot her right elbow back into Kamalaksh’s solar plexus. The surprised colonel staggered back as he bent over with pain, thus bringing his head within her range. Losing no time, Sati sprung onto her left foot and swung her right leg in a great arc, a lethal strike that she had learnt from the Nagas. Her right heel crashed with brutal force into Kamalaksh’s head, right between his ear and temple. It burst his ear drum and rendered him unconscious. The giant frame of the Colonel came crashing down onto the floor. Sati swung full circle in the same smooth motion and faced Daksha again. Quick as lightning, she drew her sword and pointed it at her father.

It all happened so quickly that Daksha had had no time to react.

‘What have you done, father?’ screamed Sati, her anger at boiling point.

‘It’s for your own good!’ shrieked Daksha. ‘Your husband will not trouble us anymore.’

Sati finally understood. ‘Lord Ram, be merciful... Nandi and my soldiers...’

‘My God!’ cried Veerini, moving towards him. ‘What have you done, Daksha?’

‘Shut up, Veerini!’ screamed Daksha, as he shoved her aside and rushed towards Sati.

Veerini was in shock. ‘How could you break the laws of a peace conference? You have damned your soul forever!’

‘You can’t go out!’ shouted Daksha, trying to get a hold of Sati.

Sati pushed Daksha hard, causing the emperor to fall on the floor. She turned and ran towards the door, her sword held tight in her hand, ready for battle.

‘Stop her!’ yelled Daksha. ‘Guards! Stop her!’

The doorman opened the door, stunned to see the princess sprinting towards him. The guards at the door were immobilised by shock.

‘Stop her!’ bellowed Daksha.

Before the guards could react, Sati crashed into them, pushed them aside and burst through the door. She raced down the main corridor. She could still hear her father screaming repeatedly for his guards to stop her. She had to get to her horse. No one else was in possession of one in Devagiri at this time. Were she able to do so, she could easily speed past all the guards and ride out of the city.

‘Stop the Princess!’ screamed a guard from behind.