Geetha Krishnan's Blog, page 25

An Unexpected Twist…. Chapter Twelve

Suyodhana was having a weird dream. He was seeing a battlefield. Lakshmana was there with him. They were fighting. Then Lakshmana dropped his weapons. “I’m really tired, father.” He said.

“But this is a battle, son!”

“So? Dying in battle is glorious, isn’t it? I don’t want to fight now. I want to die and get glory.”

The arrow came out of nowhere and Suyodhana jumped in front of it. It pierced his heart and he fell on to his son’s lap. Only, it was his father sitting there. He felt his face. “Suyodhana! My son!”

“Why do you weep?” An unfamiliar voice asked. “Death in battle is glorious!”

“But who shall do our last rites?” His mother’s voice floated in the air.

Suyodhana woke up with a start. His heart was hammering. He was also sweating profusely. He looked around the clearing. He judged it to be early morning. The faint rosy light of dawn was filtering down.

He looked around and saw he was alone. He rose, cautiously. He wondered if he might be able to escape. He walked to the edge of the clearing where the horses were tethered. Only his horse was there. He untied it, looped the reins and climbed on to its back. The horse took a few steps and stopped, refusing to go any further. He dismounted and walked forward, only to be stopped short by an invisible barrier.

He sighed. He had expected something of the sort. It was not in Krishna’s nature to be careless. He wondered if the barrier could be breached in anyway. He clenched his fist and punched it with all his strength.

A jolt went through him. He was thrown back, his arm numb. He hit his head and his side as he fell. He half rose, feeling his head with his other arm. It came away stained with blood.

His chest hurt. He looked down and saw the blood. Drawing breath was also hurting. It dawned on him that he had broken his ribs and punctured his lung. It felt like he was breathing in fire.

He coughed twice and lost consciousness.

An Unexpected Twist… Chapter Twelve

Vasusena slept soundly and woke refreshed. He worshipped the sun, bathed and dressed. It was while having breakfast that he remembered that he had not given the message about Kunti’s arrival.

Yudhistira sent for him soon and he was informed that they would be breaking camp and leaving for Indraprastha within the week. He gave them the message about Kunti and was duly thanked. His horse too had been cared for well, he saw.

“Thats a fine animal,” Nakula said, stroking its neck. Vasusena was surprised at how docilely his horse accepted Nakula’s caress. It never allowed even Vrishasena to touch it, let alone pet it.

It was not yet mid morning when he left. He went back slowly, taking his time. There was no need to ride hard anymore. The message had been delivered. Now they had nothing to do but to wait.

He decided he would go to Hastinapura, give them Yudhistira’s message about going to Indraprastha within the week and then go to Anga. He would come back after Suyodhana was back. But he needed to go to his family. He needed to see his parents, to feel their love washing away all other cares.

The journey was uneventful till he got to the outskirts of Hastinapura. It was there, he saw the chariot with the broken wheel. Its horses were dead, their throats slit and the charioteer had an arrow sticking from his side. Some dead horses and soldiers were also there. The battle was only hours old, he thought, as dismounting, he examined the dead ones. Some of the bodies were still warm.

One of the soldiers stirred as he touched him. He had a gash across his chest. And a frightening gash on his forehead.

“Wa…ter..” His eyes were still closed, gummed shut by the blood that had flowed over his face. Vasusena gave him water from the water skin, which the man drank thirstily. Vasusena wet his Uttariya with the water and wiped the man’s eyes. His eyes fluttered open, but they were unfocussed.

“Am…bu…sh..” His voice was sinking. “H..e… too..k….h…e…r….”

“Who? Who took whom?”

“Th..the qu..ee..n…… we…. di..d… n…o..t …. seee…. wh..o… the.. a..rr..ow..s… ca..me… fr…om… th..the… wo..od..s…”

“What queen?”

“Th..the… queen… Ku..n…t…i…” The soldier clutched his arm. “The… m..o..n…s…t…e…r…. he…to..ok… he..r…”

Vasusena gasped.

An Unexpected Twist…. Chapter Eleven

A day and a half’s hard riding brought Vasusena to the Pandava camp. The sentry at the entrance stopped him.

“I am Vasusena, an envoy of King Dhritarashtra. I have a message for King Yudhistira.”

The sentry led him to a tent where he had to wait till messages were sent to Yudhistira. He was given refreshments which he declined, though not the water. His horse was being cared for in the stables, he was told in response to his query.

It must have been nearly half an hour later that Nakula and Sahadeva entered the tent.

Vasusena could sense their hostility even though their words were civil enough.

“King Yudhistira is waiting for you.” Said Nakula. “We shall escort you to him.”

Vasusena nodded. They walked to Yudhistira’s tent in silence. It was a very small camp, Vasusena noticed. But this was only a temporary arrangement till a decision about war could be reached. The military camp would have been bigger if it came to war. Which was not going to happen now. The Pandavas could break camp and go to Indraprastha. And he could go back to his life and forget he ever learnt that he had brothers.

The last thought startled him. I must be growing senile, thought he. Or maybe I am too tired.

The tent loomed in front of him. It was slightly bigger than the others. And the reason for it became evident as soon as he stepped inside. It was the command tent, he saw. And it seemed at first glance to be too full of people.

He sat down at the chair to which he was led and accepted the goblet of fruit juice. It was bitter-sweet and tangy too. But it refreshed him. The room was too silent as he handed over the scroll to Sahadeva who took it to Yudhistira.

Vasusena watched the way Yudhistira’s whole face lit up as he read the missive. He handed the scroll to Arjuna.

“Krishna has succeeded in the peace mission.” He said, beaming at them all.

A Babel of voices broke out, all who were in the room talking at the same time. Apart from the five Pandavas, there was Drupada and his sons, King Virata of Matsya and his sons and a few younger men whom Vasusena thought might be the sons of Pandavas.

He wondered if it might be considered offensive if he slipped out. The loud noises coupled with the heat of the day were beginning to make his head ache. He could not understand what the argument was for. Surely, they would not have sent Krishna with a peace mission if they did not want to have peace.

The voices died down slowly, but the throbbing of his temples did not ease.

“You must be tired,” said Yudhistira. It took Vasusena a moment to realize he was being addressed. “You must stay with us tonight. You can leave in the morning.”

“When will you be leaving to Indraprastha?” He asked.

“We have to discuss and decide,” said Yudhistira. “When will Krishna be back?”

The throbbing was now a pounding. “He said he will join you at Indraprastha.”

He did not miss the troubled glances they exchanged.

“I will take you to your tent,” said Sahadeva.

Vasusena accompanied him. The tent was spare but clean. He sat down on the chair pressing his hand to his temples. He wondered why Sahadeva was not leaving as he stood in one corner, busy with something.

“Here,” Sahadeva handed him a goblet. “It will help with the headache.”

He drank it down gratefully. The pounding eased almost immediately, settling down to a dull throb.

“How did you know?”

Sahadeva shrugged. “It was evident. Many are having it here too. The heat is the reason.”

“It is unnaturally hot here,” he agreed.

“It will be cooler back home,” murmured Sahadeva, a faraway look in his eyes. Then he gave an absent minded smile to Vasusena.

“I will have someone bring you food,” he said.

Vasusena nodded. “Thank you.”

Sahadeva paused at the door. “Did Krishna really succeed?”

Vasusena nodded again, not trusting himself to speak.

“Pity,” muttered Sahadeva. “I wanted war.” There was real regret in his voice.

Vasusena was saved the trouble of answering as Sahadeva went out.

An Unexpected Twist…. Chapter Ten

Suyodhana looked moodily at the ground. It was dry. He looked up at the sky. It was raining. And no ordinary rain either, by the looks of it. The trees outside the clearing were swaying in the wind. Lightning lit up the forest beyond. He could hear the thunder too.

Inside the clearing where they were, all was still. The two horses, tethered at its edge grazed calmly. The fire flickered very slightly. Not a drop of water fell on them. It was as if they were inside a protective bubble, one which prevented the fury of the elements from reaching them.

Krishna was sitting on a log. He looked thoughtful as he put a few more twigs in the fire.

“I’m bored,” said Suyodhana suddenly.

Krishna raised his eyebrows at that. “Boredom won’t kill you,” he replied.

“Easy for you to say. You are not the one stuck here with nothing to do and with no company.”

Krishna chuckled. “You are hardly scintillating company yourself.”

“I am the prisoner,” retorted Suyodhana. “I am not supposed to be good company.”

“And gaolers are? Isn’t there something wrong with that logic?”

“I don’t feel like being logical. I am bored. Entertain me.”

Krishna laughed. “You are worse than a child. How am I supposed to entertain you?”

“I don’t know. Sing, dance, play the flute. You are supposed to be good at those.”

“I don’t sing and I hardly think you want to see the sort of dance I do,” Krishna sounded amused. “But I can play the flute.”

“Whatever.”

“How gracious,” murmured Krishna as he raised the flute to his lips.

An Unexpected Twist…. Chapter Nine

Not much debate happened over Krishna’s message. The King would have given Hastinapura too to Yudhistira if that would bring his son back. And Vasusena, Sakuni and Duhsasana were also of the same mind. Bheeshma, Drona and Vidura were openly relieved.

The agreement was written by Vidura and Dhritarashtra placed the royal seal on it. Bheeshma himself put it in a container and sealed it.

“Now that there won’t be a war,” Bheeshma said to Vasusena while handing over the scroll to him. “You could take Kunti with you to her sons. You are going there anyway.”

Vasusena stood still. Take that woman with him?

“I can’t travel fast with a woman,” he said curtly. “And I want to get this over with as soon as possible. Unlike you, I am rather eager to have Suyodhana back!”

He did not intend to be that rude, but it was the mention of Kunti that did it. Bheeshma’s face was inscrutable. “Perhaps you are right. I shall send Kunti with an armed escort. I hope you won’t mind conveying that news to her sons.”

Vasusena nodded. “I will tell them.”

Duhsasana came there and Bheeshma left with a nod to both of them.

“I wish grandfather wouldn’t be so openly happy about this,” said Duhsasana.

“I know,” said Vasusena. “But this is what they wanted all the time. And now they have it.”

“Suyodhana is not going to be happy when he comes back,” muttered Duhsasana morosely as he sank to a chair. There were dark circles under his puffy eyes.

“When was the last time you slept?” Vasusena asked, concerned.

“I will sleep when he’s back with us,” muttered Duhsasana. “Do you trust Krishna? What if he does not keep his promise?”

Vasusena frowned. He had not thought of that possibility.

“I have not thought of it,” said Vasusena. “For now, we have no choice but to trust in him. If he does not keep his word,” he shrugged. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

“Krishna has really been very clever,” said Duhsasana. “By making it sound as if his peace proposal was successful, he is making sure that our cousins won’t press for war.”

He sounded upset.

“I know,” said Vasusena. “But he’s got us where he wants us. We have no choice.”

“No,” said Duhsasana. “And frankly, I don’t care for the stupid Kingdom or anything as long as Suyodhana comes back safely!”

Which was exactly what was there in Vasusena’s mind too.

An Unexpected Twist….. Chapter Eight

Suyodhana watched his captor. Krishna looked as unreadable as ever as he built up a fire. It was a cooking fire and suddenly Suyodhana was ravenously hungry.

“Food will be ready soon,” said Krishna.

Suyodhana watched the meat roasting over the fire. The smell was making his mouth water.

“Have some patience,” Krishna said, sounding amused. He was turning the meat over and over. “Unless you want your meat raw.”

“If you were as hungry as I was,” said Suyodhana. “You wouldn’t be so picky.”

Krishna shook his head. “I can’t get my mind around how pampered you really are.” Said he.

“I am a prince,” he growled as his stomach rumbled.

“So are your cousins,” reminded Krishna. “And they survived life in the forest without much trouble.”

“Yea, well, they had plenty of practice,” his tone was vicious.

Krishna chuckled. “I have a good mind to starve you. Hunger is good for developing discipline and self control.”

“Oh really? I thought it was only good for killing people!”

Krishna laughed. “Don’t worry. I don’t intend to starve you.” His tone changed. “And if I wanted to kill you, you would be dead by now.”

Suyodhana was silent.

“And by the way,” said Krishna, apparently still engrossed in turning the meat over. “You should be happy to know that your captivity might be over soon.”

Suyodhana stiffened. “Meaning?”

Krishna had doused the flames and was slicing the meat into pieces and putting it on to a large leaf. He took a pouch and sprinkled something over the meat before handing it to Suyodhana.

“It’s still hot,” he cautioned.

Suyodhana took it, took a small piece, blew on it and put it in his mouth. It was cooked to perfection.

“Didn’t know you were such a good cook,” he said, forgetting all else.

“I’m not,” Krishna’s voice was dry. “But there’s nothing like hunger to make a man appreciate food!”

“What was it you were saying about my captivity?” Asked Suyodhana between mouthfuls.

“Just that I met your friend and gave him my message. If your father agrees to my terms, you shall be free within the week.”

Suyodhana frowned. “You think you have won, don’t you?”

“I think I have averted this war for the time being.”

“What makes you think I shall not attack them in Indraprastha?”

“You will find out how thin your alliances are if you do that without provocation.”

Suyodhana finished his food. He had to admit, albeit grudgingly, that Krishna was right about his allies.

An Unexpected Twist… Chapter Seven

Vasusena stared as Krishna walked into the tent nonchalantly. The man might have been walking in at his own front door. He looked calm unlike Vasusena whose mind was in turmoil. He still had not forgotten his last meeting with Krishna when the man had all but destroyed his life.

Vasusena wondered why none of his guards stopped him.

“Your guards are asleep,” said Krishna calmly.

“In the middle of the day?” Vasusena was suspicious.

“Yes. So tough to find good soldiers these days.” Krishna’s tone was bland.

“Of course.” Vasusena could not keep the sarcasm out of his voice. “You are not at all responsible for it. It just happened.”

He smiled sarcastically.

“I have your friend,” Krishna’s voice was conversational.

Vasusena jumped up. “Where is he?”

“You really think I am going to tell you?” There was real amusement in Krishna’ voice, but Vasusena was not feeling amused.

He snarled and lunged at Krishna, intent on getting his hands around the throat of the smiling man. He would choke Suyodhana’s whereabouts out of him.

“Don’t be silly,” muttered Krishna as he sidestepped and tripped Vasusena with his feet. It was a child’s trick and Vasusena was mortified. But before he could rise, he found himself with a blade on his throat.

“I have not harmed him. And I do not intend to. All I need you to do is to carry a message to his father for me.”

“What message?” Vasusena grated out, furious now.

“On the table,” said Krishna. “Be sure to deliver it. And if I were you, I would make sure the King agrees to the terms contained in it.”

“And how are we to convey that to you?”

“I will know.” Said Krishna. “And you shall have your friend back unharmed too. You have my word on that.”

“Why are you doing this?” Vasusena asked bewildered.

Krishna laughed at that, it was a pleasant sound. “Because I can,” he said.

Vasusena found that the blade was gone from his throat and he sprang to his feet. He looked around in confusion. He was alone in the tent. He ran outside. The heat of the day was overpowering. The few soldiers whom he had brought were all there, some patrolling, some standing guard.

He came inside, frowning. Where had Krishna disappeared to so quickly? Or had he imagined the entire episode?

He ran his hand through his hair. He wiped the sweat from his face. He wondered if he was being delusional.

Then he saw the letter on the table. It was placed on the table and held down in place with his own ink pot. Vasusena removed the ink pot and picked it up and scanned it. Krishna had put his name and seal on it. The contents were as he expected. Krishna had demanded that Indraprastha be returned to the Pandavas in return for Suyodhana. And Dhritarashtra was to put his agreement on paper under the royal seal. The agreement was to be delivered to the Pandava camp by Vasusena. Suyodhana would be returned safe on the day the Pandavas re-entered Indraprastha.

Vasusena’s face was grim as he read this last part. Krishna was not leaving anything to chance.

There was a separate letter underneath which was addressed to him. It contained a few instructions. He was to deliver the letter to Yudhistira in person, tell them Krishna’s efforts at peace were successful and Krishna would be rejoining them in Indraprastha.

Vasusena fumed at the peremptory nature of the missive, but he was helpless. He furled the message to the King into a tight scroll and put it into a container. He would break camp and go to Hastinapura. The sooner they got this over with, the better.

An Unexpected Twist…. Chapter Six

Suyodhana sat in the clearing under a tree. He was securely bound to the tree. Krishna had gone away some time back and had not yet returned.

Suyodhana was frowning. All his attempts to break the rope had failed. His attempts to free his hands had failed. And he was growing more and more angry and frustrated by the hour.

He felt that if this captivity were to last any longer, he himself would give in and agree to all the demands the cowherd might make. He grimaced. That last thought was not like him. Was the cowherd playing mind games with him?

He could only imagine the anxiety of his parents and brothers. He did not know how long it had been since he was captured. But he hoped that in their anxiety, they would do nothing foolish. Like giving his cousins back their Kingdom.

He sighed. He knew his father. He would not put it past him to ask his cousins for help in finding him. He gritted his teeth. He would rather remain a captive than be rescued by his oh-so-noble cousins.

He yawned. And wondered what the time was. He was not hungry. He could not remember the last time he had eaten. But still he felt no hunger.

More illusions! Thought he. He wondered where Krishna was. Irritating as the man was, he was at least company. He was getting bored. Of course, he could not taunt Krishna since the man refused to be baited. But at least, he could have someone to talk to.

He sighed. How pathetic, thought he. I am actually looking forward to the cowherd’s company!

An unexpected Twist…. Chapter Five

Vasusena wiped the sweat from his brows. The day was not all that warm, but he was perspiring more than ever. He knew worry had more to do with it than climate.

It had been two days and no news had come of Suyodhana. Their spies had brought no news either. The Prince did not seem to be in Hastinapura or in any if the neighbouring Kingdoms.

Vasusena was scouting the forests on the border. He had set up camp at the edge of the forest. He and a few soldiers had already made a few searches in the surrounding area, but could find nothing out of the ordinary.

“My Lord,” the man bowed respectfully.

Vasusena recognized him. He was one of his own spies from Anga. Vasusena had sent him to the Pandava camp with a few specific instructions. From the man’s expression, Vasusena could tell that he had some news.

He dismounted from the horse and went into his tent, accompanied by the man.

“Tell me,” said he, once inside.

“I went to the place where the Pandavas were living as you instructed. From the spies already there, I came to know that Prince Yudhistira and his brothers are as yet unaware of all that has happened. I think we may safely rule out their involvement in this affair.”

Vasusena nodded, noticing with irony that his own spy seemed more relieved than disappointed that their enemies were not involved in this.

“Did you enquire about Krishna?” He asked.

“Yes, my Lord. And I received a rather strange report.”

Vasusena leaned forward. “Tell,”

“Lord Krishna has not returned to the camp of his cousins. Those who came with him to Hastinapura had gone to Dwaraka with instructions to join him once he reaches the Pandavas. They are still in Dwaraka,”

Vasusena frowned. “Have we spies in Dwaraka?”

“Prince Suyodhana is not in Dwaraka, my Lord if that is what you want to find out. I do have a few sources there.”

“Any news of Krishna’s whereabouts?”

The man shook his head.

“Lord Balarama had postponed his pilgrimage, my Lord,” said the man. “That is the only strange news I could glean from my sources in Dwaraka.”

“Strange indeed!” Murmured Vasusena. “He was opposed to this war and said he had no desire to see the certain blood bath or to be a part of it.”

He looked at the spy. “You have done well. Go back to Anga and give my ring to the Prime Minister.” He removed the plain gold ring he was wearing and gave it to the man.

The man beamed. The gold ring meant he was to receive gold in return for his services. He bowed and left.

“What are you up to Krishna?” He spoke aloud. The return of Krishna’s companions to Dwaraka, the postponement of Balarama’s pilgrimage all pointed out to one thing. Krishna was involved in Suyodhana’s disappearance.

Vasusena did not hazard any guesses as to Krishna’s purpose. There was no need to guess. He could have only one purpose. But how that purpose was to be served by remaining silent puzzled Vasusena.

An Unexpected Twist… Chapter Four

Suyodhana was awake. He was no longer bound, but he still could not escape. His mind was clear and his thoughts lucid, but his body seemed to have a will of its own. It simply refused to obey his brain.

“What have you done to me?” He asked furiously.

Krishna shrugged. “What I had to do. Don’t worry. It is not permanent. It’s only till your father gives back the Kingdom.”

Suyodhana glared at Krishna and Krishna gazed calmly back.

“Are you so afraid of war, cowherd?” Mockery was his only weapon.

But it did not affect Krishna at all. He simply smiled.

“If that’s how you choose to see it,” his voice was calm.

Suyodhana fumed in silence. It was no fun to mock a man who refused to be provoked.

“How long are you going to keep me here?”

“That all depends on your dearest friend.” Said Krishna. “On how soon he gets here and carries the message back to Hastinapura. And returns with an answer.”

“He will return with an army,”

“Do you think your father will take a risk such as that? I do not, but you know him best.”

Suyodhana glowered in silence. Krishna was right of course. Dhritarashtra would send an army only if there was no other option. War was at best a chancy affair. And Krishna had already proved himself to be not quite human.

He’s a monster, thought Suyodhana. But there was nothing he could do. He sighed. He missed Vasusena. He hoped Krishna would not harm him.