Vakṣaṇī Dharmā : The Song of Mahabharat

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It had been a day since Mrithika had arrived at Kosala and much to her surprise she found out that the old king had a son - her supposed brother - Barhināman, who was currently in their vassal kingdom of Kashi due to political issues.

She bided her time in Kosala by bonding with her new family of the Kosala royalty. Mrithika wasn't exactly sure what to make of the budding friendship between Hastinapur and Kosala — or the budding friendship between the future Indraprastha and Kosala. Wether it was a genuine platonic bond or an aspiring political alliance for the benefit of both the parties. Her Kalyugi practical mindset kept second guessing the former statement despite the knowledge that the people of this era had different opinions on various topics that contradicted the Kalyugi explanations.

After a day's rest in Kosala and a half a day's journey, they had finally reached their destination at Varnavrat. She was astonished at the lush greenery that surrounded the path they had travelled through, such sights were impossible to see in modern day Uttar Pradesh save for a few places.

The chariots halted near an enormous mansion just at the outskirts of the village, isolated from the main civilisation. 'For a better experience at countryside serenity' Purochan asserted with a grin that mirrored his master.

He got a raise of a brow and a ghost of a smile from Mrithika in response to his words. Sahadev glanced around at the mansion uncertainly before voicing his thoughts. "What will you do for the new moon? The moonlight will not be providing luminance all nights."

Purochan and his family dropped their smiles at the question. Mrithika snickered with a hand covering her mouth 'Hah. Got you'!

Their nerves increased when the intense stares of the Pandavas and their mother fixed themselves upon the conspirators. Purochan looked defeated and fumbled with his words. "Um...I...you see, Prince....I suppose we shall light a torch during the new moon night".

"Meaning, you had not planned for such an event"? Sahadev implored with a brow mirroring Mrithika's.

Purochan's face flushed until it was left pale, the moon taunting him by intensifying his ashen face against the darkness. Bheem sighed and placed a hand on the younger Madreyā's shoulder, "Let it be, Anuj. We shall staying for a short while and I'm sure that we won't present till the new moon. Do not fret", he turned towards Purochan. "Now, show us the way to our chambers and I hope you have one ready for our guest, the princess of Kosala"?

Purochan's beady eyes shifted towards Mrithika at his words and lingered a little longer than intended. "The princess of Kosala? Gandharraj never mentioned a Suryavanshi", he muttered softly under his breath. "You mean the Devi Mrithika? Ah yes...yes, yes, yes, Your Highness. My wife shall lead the Lady Kunti and the Rajkumari. Please, make yourselves comfortable. I am after all in your service here".

Sweaty and sleepy from the journey, Mrithika dismissed the prospect of an assassination and was ready to hit the hay the second Purochan's wife showed the women's quarters. Her eyes drooped and all she wanted was to get out of the heavy attire.

'Ah the palace of Lac.' Who thought she would ever be present in flesh five thousand years back in the place?

"Have a good night's rest, Rajkumari", the woman whom she presumed to be Purochan's wife, said monotonously with no emotion betraying on her face. Mrithika gave a curt nod and slumped on the soft mattress of the bed and fell asleep in a second without realising that she had to change from the extrinsic garment nor that she was surrounded by combustible walls.

The next morning Mrithika surprisingly got up earlier than usual. She attested it to the deep slumber she was able to get last night. At the breakfast table she heard Bheem grumbling about the kitchen being too faraway and the horrible construction of the palace.