The Wrath of Gammon

Chapter 15

The Wrath of Gammon

Disclaimer: This story is my humble attempt to write a fanfiction of the epic Mahabharata. My intention is not to hurt anyone's sentiment.

Aum Namah Shivay!!

Major Jayant Roy, SM is a fictitious character. Any similarity with any living person is merely a coincidence.

Chapter 15

Rajapura, Kalinga Kingdom, Dwapar Yuga

Jayant/ Duryodhana POV

"Today is the day of the swyamvar." I thought to myself. I was sitting in the royal arena, made for this competition. Beside me, Dussasan, Ashwatthama and Karna were sitting in their seats. The arena was filled with kings and princes from whole India. I recognised a lot of them from Draupadi swyamvar. Maharaja Shalya, Maharaja Susharma both came a few moments after our entry. Both of them looked at me and smiled. I stood up, and crossed my hands to them. Maharaja Susharma walked towards me.

"Pranipat Rajkumar.", Susharma crossed his hands to me. Then he spoke in a hushed voice, "I spoke with my cousin sister. She is in love with you."

"Your cousin sister?"

"Yes, Rajkumari Devapriya is my cousin sister. So, I will be very happy to have you as my brother-in-law."

I was shocked again. According to Mahabharata, Susharma was the cousin of Devi Bhanumati. It seemed that, some invisible hand picked up Devi Bhanumati and inserted Rajkumari Devapriya here. I heaved a sigh and tried to calm my mind.

"Have you received the gift send by me?" I asked him. He nodded affirmatively.

"Both myself and Maharaja Shalya hadn't fight a war. Rukmi and Dantavakra both understood that they couldn't send any reinforcement to Jarasandha. Dantavakra even tried to bribe me with gold and women. But I refused him."

"That's great." I nodded at him. Then I walked towards Maharaja Shalya.

"Pranipat Mamashri.", I touched his feet. Shalya looked at me. His natural taunting smirk changed into a light smile.

"This time, defeating me in mace fighting will not be easy for you, Putra."

"I will try my best Mamashri." I replied with a smile. The old warrior started laughing whole-heartedly. He slightly patted my back. His gaze fell on Karna. He tried to say something but controlled his tongue. Maharaja Susharma also came to us.

Then we heard the announcement,

"The commander-in-chief of Matsya Kingdom, Maharathi Kichaka."

The three of us looked at the door. Kichaka was entering in the arena, along with his ten bothers. His brothers were 105 in numbers, known as the 'Upakichakas'. His gaze fell on me, and he stood still. His one eye became red with anger. I was talking about only one eye, because his other eye was a black eye, given by me yesterday. Kichaka looked at me with an angry expression. His hand clenched into fists. He didn't say anything, and silently walked towards his seat. Susharma was looking at me. Then he again spoke with a hushed voice.

"Rajkumar, can I ask you something?"

I looked at him. He seemed nervous, but still he somehow managed to gather his courage. Maharaja Shalya was silently standing there.

"Why did you fought with a man like Kichaka, one who is both physically and politically powerful, for a common maid?"

I heaved a sigh. My mind went to the events happened yesterday.

Flashback:

"Rajkumar, come quickly. Angraaj Karna is fighting with Maharathi Kichaka."

This news from a soldier of Kalinga came out of the blue to me. I quickly jumped from my seat.