Journey Leading To Hazard

Chapter 4

At the kingdom of Indraprasth:

Yudhisthir stood watching his army practice on the field. They were ready to march for Sindhu. To defend the honour and dignity of Indraprasth.

But the person who had hurt the honour of Indraprasth, was dead already!

Yudhisthir couldn't believe the news he got just this morning. Months had passed since the day Sindhuraj Jayadrath left Indraprasth and Yudhisthir declared war against Sindhu. All these months, he had prepared his army and perfected his strategies. There had been no news from Sindhu and even his spies remained silent. They were confused as the atmosphere in Sindhu seemed too calm for his liking.

And just when Yudhisthir was ready to march with his army to Sindhu and keep the promise he made to himself to behead Jayadrath with his own hands, his spies had send the news of Jayadrath's sudden demise. No one knew how he died or why the news was kept hidden. Maharaj Vriddhakshatra had returned since and was handling internal issues.

Yudhisthir's heart panged as he remembered Dussala's face. Their last encounter had not been very pleasant. Dussala was a little naive, but moody too. Even with her age, her tantrums had not lessened. She must be angry at him for throwing her out of Indraprasth like that. But what concerned him was that even no one from Hastinapur had bothered to contact after their son-in-law's demise.

He hoped Dussala was alright. The girl had suffered much. That one decision of Duryodhan had ruined her life forever. He felt guilty too for not being there to save her when that disastrous decision of her life was taken.

But it was done now. Nothing could be done to change it. Yudhisthir only hoped that without Jayadrath in the picture, she would find some solace at least.

***

In Dravida Kingdom:

"Kaha tha maine, yeh koyi na koyi kand kar ke hi wapas padhare hai Dravida mei.
(I warned earlier, he must have done something before returning to Dravida!)"

"Aapna raag alapna band karo tum!
(Stop playing the same tune!)"

"Inko to serf Anandini Bhabhishree ke besure raag hi pasand hai.
(He only likes the dissonant tunes of Anandini Bhabhishree.)"

Rajkumar Daiwik mumbled to himself, sulking at his eldest brother Dwijendra who kept pacing from one end to the other of the room.

"Where has he gone at this time?" Yuvraj Dwijendra asked, looking at his brothers.

"Samudra ke sital jaal mei aapne tapte huye mathe ko dubane gaya hai.
(He has gone to drown his hot head into the cold water of the sea.)" Rajkumar Dheemant answered.

"Kya labh? Sampurn samudra ka jaal garam ho jayega, kintu uska matha thanda nehi hone wala.
(What's the point? The entire sea will start boiling, but his head won't cool down.)"
Rajkumar Dhritimat commented making Daiwik snort. But the three straightened receiving a glare from their elder brother.

Rajkumar Dhikshit had returned to Dravida a few days ago after years of staying incognito. His self exile had finally ended. Maharani Mangalya had been the happiest one at his return and couldn't hold her tears. Adding to that celebration, Dravida's eldest Princess, the daughter of Yuvraj Dwijendra and Yuvrani Anandini, Rajkumari Citrali had also returned after finishing her training.
Dravida was full of joy and laughter at the return of their most hot headed, but beloved prince and their warrior princess.

But among it all, when Yuvraj Dwijendra was relieved at his brother's return, Rajkumar Dridhaksh's spies informed him about his brother's visit to Sindhu and the sudden demise of Sindhuraj Jayadrath. Dwijendra was desperately hoping that Dhikshit's visit had nothing to do with the death of Jayadrath. Or else they would have a very ugly mess in their hands involving both Hastinapur and Indraprasth.