The Wrath of Gammon

Chapter 43

The Wrath of Gammon

Disclaimer: This story is my humble attempt to write a fanfiction of The Mahabharara. My intention is not to hurt anyone's feelings.

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

Aum Namah Shivay!!

Chapter 43

Hastinapur, Dwapar Yuga

Bhishma POV (cont)

"Devavrat, we meet again then!"

I looked at Rajkumari Amba...no, I corrected myself, Rajkumar Shikhandi, the son of Maharaja Drupad, the one who would pave the way of my death. Her...no, his body was lean and lanky, but his jaw line was more firm now, and my eyes hadn't missed the thin line of moustache on his upper lip.

"Well, Gangaputra, look at me. I am the embodiment of the countless sins that you have unleashed on this earth. I am the fire of hatred and social injustice which consumed an innocent woman. You have destroyed the life of her, and you will pay dearly. You will live to see your kin fighting with each other, and all of your sins will pierce your soul like thousand of arrows."

I was silently listening to him, because, deep down inside my soul, I knew that he was telling the truth. Madhusudan once told me about the rules of Karma. No one, no matter who he was, could escape from the result of his bad deeds. I was not the exception of this rule. Shikhandi was looking at me, probably trying to say something more, when two different sensations attacked my nose and ear.

A strong, foul smell entered into my nose and with it, the sound of footsteps entered my ear. I recognized the sound instantly. It was the eldest Kaurava, who was walking towards us. A few moments later, I saw him walking towards me. He was still smoking the intoxicating fume, but when his reddish eyes fell on me, he quickly dropped the cylindrical, burning thing on the ground and crushed it under his leg.

"Pitamah, I was looking for you. I need to consult with you for some very urgent matters." His voice was stuttering a little. He was looking intoxicated. I heaved a deep sigh. After the attack on Devapriya, he was clearly losing himself. He lost his unborn child and his wife became barren. I slowly put my right hand on his shoulder, and tried to walk away, when I heard the chuckling behind my back. That chuckle had mockery in it.

"An empty cauldron makes the loudest sound, Pitamah."

The chuckle stopped, and I didn't need to turn my head to see the burning eyes of Shikhandi. We slowly walked away and went to my room. A few guards were instructed to summon the two Acharyas, Vidura, Karna, Ashwatthama and Shakuni. A few moments later, all of them were present in the room.

"Now tell us, Putra, what is the matter that you want to consult with us?"

He looked at me then sat up straight on his seat. It felt that like a spell, any sign of intoxication had vanished from him. He looked at me then his gaze fell on his maternal uncle. Shakuni looked at him for a moment, and then he spoke in a low voice.

"My spies from Poundra kingdom sent me news today morning. The kingdom started their annual procurement for the army. But the amount is greater than previous years. The farmers were a little bit shocked, but due to a good harvest, they have no problems."

I looked at him. His beady eyes were glowing in excitement. In his hand, his all time companion, the pair of dice was present. The news he gave sounded simple, but every experienced military commander knew the value of this news. Every army had a fixed amount of procurement, judging by its size. But if they started increasing the amount, it only meant one thing.

It meant that the army was preparing for war...either an offensive or a defensive campaign.

WE all looked at each other; all of them were thinking the same thing. We have another dark shadow of war hovering over Hastinapur. I looked at Vidura, who understood my silent question.

"The economy is experiencing a rise. We have moved on from the losses suffered by us from the Magadha campaign. But in case of another war, our economy and manpower again suffer a huge blow. It may prove harmful to us. But if someone invades Kuru Kingdom, then we must defend our motherland."

I nodded affirmatively. My gaze fell on Karna.

"Angraaj, Magadha is now a part of Kuru kingdom that means we have to protect our land at any cost. If Poundrak invaded Magadha, your legions will be the first one to provide help. You must go to your kingdom right now, and prepare them for a war."

Karna nodded affirmatively.

"Tomorrow morning, with the first ray of Surya Narayana, I will start my journey to Champa city. I will review their training and security system of my kingdom."

"We should send a messenger to Magadha too. We need to warn Maharaja Sahdeva. He should also be prepared for an invasion." Duryodhana spoke in a low but firm voice. We all agreed silently.

"We should focus on another thing...the allies of Poundrak. Salwa kingdom and Matsya kingdom are allied with him that means we are surrounded by enemies again. Now, Matsya kingdom had the strength of an Akshauhini, and Kichaka is a formidable warrior."

"Arjun can annihilate any army alone." Dronacahrya said in a proud voice.

We all were silent for a few moments, though I didn't miss the bitter look in Karna's face when he heard the name of Arjun. Though Duryodhana was literally nonchalant, so his friend took the same path.or, should I say, tried to take the same path."We will take a defensive approach. We won't attack anyone, but if anyone dares to attack us, we will make sure that this will be their last mistake. What is the opinion of all of you?"

All of them nodded silently, agreeing with him.

"Now, we all must focus on another issue...which was the attack on Duryodhana."

All of us looked at him. But he was sitting with closed eyes. At a glance, it might seem that he was asleep, but his hard facial expression indicated that he was listening. He opened his eyes.

"Don't worry Pitamah; I will take care of that."

There was finality in his voice. I looked at him. His face was devoid of any expressions, but his eyes, those calm cold eyes were frightening, because I knew the range of his rage. I knew the havoc that the angry Kaurava could cause. I knew that he was burning with vengeance.

I decided to ask him something.

"Do you know who attacked you, Putra?"

He looked at me, and I saw something changed behind his eyes.

"I have my suspicions. But first, I need to speak with someone."

I nodded affirmatively. Then we dissolved the meeting. I was sitting alone in my room when a guard entered and informed me that Draupadi was waiting outside for me.

"What does she want from me?", I was curious but ordered the guard to call her inside. But little did i know that my conversation with her will open a door of another mystery, and the eldest son of Gandhari would be inside the center of that.

So, this is Chapter 43.

I apologize for this long delay, but my schedule with job and examination became much hectic. The worst memory of any writer, the dear writer's block attacked also. But don't worry, ladies and gentlemen, I am back now.

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