Parvateshwar’s entourage had sailed up the Madhumati to the point where it broke off from the mighty Branga River. There they had dropped anchor as they waited for Bhagirath’s return. Bhagirath’s ship had turned east and sailed down the main distributary of the Branga, the massive Padma. A week later his ship docked at the port of Brangaridai, the capital city of the Branga kingdom.

King Chandraketu had been informed of Bhagirath’s arrival. The King of Branga had ensured that the Prince of Ayodhya was escorted with due honour to his palace. As Bhagirath was led into the private palace rather than the formal court, he acknowledged that Chandraketu was not treating him as the crown prince of Swadweep, but as a friend.

Bhagirath found Chandraketu waiting at the palace door along with his wife and daughter. The King of Branga folded his hands in a formal Namaste. ‘How are you doing, brave Prince of Ayodhya?’

Bhagirath smiled and bowed his head as he returned the Namaste. ‘I’m doing well, Your Highness.’

Chandraketu looked at his consort with a fond smile. ‘Prince Bhagirath, this is my wife Queen Sneha.’

Bhagirath bowed towards Sneha. ‘Greetings, Your Highness.’

A chivalrous Bhagirath then went down on one knee to face the six-year-old girl who looked at him with twinkling eyes. ‘And who might this lovely lady be?’

Chandraketu smiled. ‘That is my daughter, Princess Navya.’

‘Namaste, young lady,’ said Bhagirath.

Navya slid behind her mother, hiding her face.

Bhagirath smiled broadly. ‘I am a friend of your father, my child. You don’t have to be afraid of me.’

‘You smell funny...’ whispered Navya, sticking her face out.

A startled Bhagirath burst into laughter.

Chandraketu folded his hands together. ‘My apologies, Prince Bhagirath. She can be a little direct sometimes.’

Bhagirath controlled his mirth. ‘No. No. She’s speaking the truth.’ He turned to Navya. ‘But young lady, I was always taught to be polite to strangers. Don’t you think that’s important as well?’

‘Politeness does not mean lying,’ said Navya. ‘Lord Ram had said we should always speak the truth. Always.’

Bhagirath raised his eyebrows in surprise before turning to Chandraketu. ‘Wow. Quoting Lord Ram at this age? She’s smart.’

‘Well, she is very intelligent,’ said an obviously proud Chandraketu.

Bhagirath turned fondly towards Navya. ‘Of course you’re right, my child. I carry the odour of a long and rigorous voyage. I will make sure I bathe before I meet you next. You will not find my smell offensive the next time, I wager.’

Chandraketu laughed. ‘Be warned, great Prince, little Navya has never lost a bet.’

Navya smiled at her mother. ‘He does not seem all that bad, maa. I guess not all Ayodhyan royals are bad...’

Bhagirath laughed once again. ‘King Chandraketu, I think we should retire to your chambers before any more assaults are made upon my dignity.’