✓ Narottam Arjun: Soul of the Sage

e l e v e n

Arjun rode fast, it was unusual for a King to travel alone, but Arjun wasn't the normal one. He had a plan, a plan with high risk, but if it paid of, it would be worth it.

Reaching the borders, he was met by an unamused Ashwatthama, "So? Got any information?" He asked.

Arjun nodded, "Little, but enough for a plan." He said.

Drauni nodded, he trusted Arjun and his judgement. "What is the plan?" Arjun stared at his friend and said, "A peace treaty." 

"Okay." Replied Son of Dron, not getting surprised. "Okay?" Arjun asked.
"Yes, I know you wouldn't have suggested if it weren't going to work.

Arjun chuckled, "I am like, 10% sure it will work, and if it doesn't then we go for the war. There will be no in-between." He said with seriousness.

"Well, then good luck Arjun, you need all for the treaty.
And if things go south then I am already here, I doubt that the poor soldiers of Jarasandh's Army can handle the two of us together." Ashwatthama spoke supportively, he patted Arjun's back and gave a reassuring nod.

"Shall we?" Arjun asked, smiling at his friend.

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Jarasandh was an intimidating man. His mere presence screamed power and strength; But was the strength any good if used to exploit innocent people?

"Marahaj Arjun," His voice was thick, and commanding. This man was overawing, and had threatening effect on most people, luckily Arjun and Ashwatthama weren't most people.

"You, have come alone?" Jarasandh asked, snickering at the duo. 

Arjun was very much tempted to say that he needed an eye checkup as Arjun and Ashwatthama were two, and two can't be considered alone- but he controlled his urge. This wasn't the time for a wit war- 

"Well, I did not find it necessary to bring an entire army, just to talk. Stupid, won't that be?" Arjun replied, with slight humour and taunt in his voice.

Jarasandh raised his eyebrow, one could be convinced that he was impressed, but Arjun knew better, it was merely a facade, something to show Arjun. "If things turns out differently then not bringing an Army would be stupid." the King of Magadh said, clearly hinting of a war.

"In that case we already have a back-up. The mighty weapon of Mahakaal Mahadev, Pashupatastra, and of course many more divine weapons which Maharaj Arjun used to defeat the Devtas and Gandharvas, and turned Khandava in Indraprasth." Ashwatthama spoke truth like a weapon to wound Jarasandh.

Jarasandh already knew these accomplishments, but a gentle reminder never hurt.

"Now. MagadhNaresh, we are here for something else. We don't want any bloodshed," Arjun started, his plan would either go big or go home; and he hoped it wasn't the later one.

"Your spy, Diwakar told us about it, and now it is under me. You don't have any command over it." Arjun bluffed, that was his plan, if something was worth millions of Nivatakavachas, and have bought the giant King of Magadh like this, then it must be something powerful right?

"And if you don't sign this treaty then I shall use it against you." Radhey had remembered how Diwakar did not speak anything but of something, and just using that little information, he gambled a lot.

Jarasandh's face dropped at instance, and it wasn't a fake expression; Arjun sighed internally, his bluff did not go wrong, on his outer face was well practiced smirk.

"What are your conditions." Jarasandh asked instantly, he did not wait around the bush.

"I want you to leave our borders, immediately." Arjun started as he pulled out a formal letter to draft the treaty in front of the man.

"Agree." Jarasandh said, eyeing the paper.

"You will never attack Indraprasth, until I am the King." Arjun pushed a little. 

Jarasandh closed his fist in anger, but agreed nevertheless. Seeing him agreeing, Arjun now knew that whatever the thing was, it was worth more than what he had presumed; He decided to push even further, "And I want 15% of Magadh's treasury." 

Arjun carefully inspected Jarasandh's face, how his face dropped yet no words came from his mouth. Jarasandh's eyes resembled scorched coal yet his body sat like a cold stone, no movement.

With utter difficulty, Jarasandh nodded, having no strength to speak. "Before today evening," Arjun added and wrote down the demands. 

With shaky hands Jarasandh signed. It was amusing for Arjun because he did not know that Jarasandh could be afraid. But it was also a fact of tension that he did not know what that thing was, which terrified Jarasandh, he had to find it quickly, before someone else laid their hands on it.

Soon the treaty was signed and Jarsandh left too early, he had no desire to even spent a second extra on this land.

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Arjun instructed Ashwatthama to take care of the borders and rode back fast, he to fulfill a promise to Diwakar.

"You have come to take me?" Diwakar asked slyly, not knowing how Arjun had tricked Jarasandh with a game of wager.

"yes, but it is not evening yet," Arjun said as he sat down in front of him, "Now you tell me what I ask."

Diwakar cried, "Our deal was you will let me go in the evening, unharmed." 

"Yes, but it is not evening yet and you will remain unharmed, now answer." Arjun said, his eyes were focused on a dagger with sharp blade.

"If you can't harm me, then why should I tell you?" Diwakar asked.

Arjun smirked, "Don't doubt me Diwakar, I have many ways to extract truth without harming you."

"And I won't say a word." Diwakar muttered, knowing that if he was to remain unharmed then it wasn't necessary to speak.

Arjun sighed, he knew that this stupid man would not agree, he pulled out a parchment. It was merely a copy of his treaty with Jarasandh. The treaty was signed in two papers, one with Arjun and one with Jarasandh, while Arjun bought down a copy.

"Read this." Diwakar's face paled as he read. He realized that Arjun had bluffed a lot, and he could bluff only because Diwakar had revealed about something.

"Now- Jarasandh can't attack or kill me, but he will hunt down the one who was the spy, who's name I had taken;
And you know that the moment you leave Indraprasth, Jarasandh will have you in his dungeons, torturing you with the wildest nightmare of a man.

So- here is the deal, start speaking the truth and I shall protect you while by either giving you a cell here or death penalty, and either of the options are better than to be imprisoned by Jarasandh."

"I will tell you everything, my lord, even if you kill me, just don't throw me out of Indraprasth." Diwakar begged, he knew what Jarasandh was capable of, and he definitely preferred to die than to face that man.

"Well then, start speaking." Arjun spoke.

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The book ends here!!!!

I, vedvaani the author of Narottam Arjun invites each and every one of you to read the second book, which is titled as: Narottam Arjun- Emergence of the Emperor.

The journey of Arjun, where he would walk on the path of righteousness and would take the entire Aryavart with him.

Now begins the reign of righteousness; 
With Indraputra as the Emperor and on his side the Serpentine Sovereign!

A special thanks to @glidedwolves for the beautiful covers for both the books!!!!!