Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 20 - Suspicion

Rukmi and Jarasandha went towards the place where all the chariots were parked, quite close to the palace.

The guards at the place immediately paid their respects as they saw Rukmi and Jarasandha.

'Listen, did you see anyone suspicious hovering about here?', asked Rukmi.

'No Yuvaraj, I was posted at the fague end of the camp. I was towards the Northern End. I did not allow anyone to enter or exit from the Northern End.', replied one head guard, bowing his head.

'Hmm, what about you others? Did you see anyone enter or exit?', asked Rukmi, grimly.

The head guards at the respective Southern, Eastern, Western, North-Eastern, South-Eastern and South-Western gates did not report presence of anything unusual. The other guards also looked at each other in confusion and shook their heads, refusing to have seen anyone.

'Yuvaraj! I remember seeing something strange. I do not know if it would be of any help, but I would still like to inform you.', piped up one guard.

Rukmi and Jarasandha looked at one another and walked up to the guard.

'What did you see?', they asked in unison.

'Samrat, Yuvaraj, normally our chariots go for getting repolished and serviced, through the North-Western Gate. A total of our seven chariots went out this morning and I personally checked them all.', said the guard, his head down.

'And?', asked Rukmi expectantly.

The guard started trembling at Rukmi's question.

'You have nothing to fear. Speak up!', said Jarasandha.

'Samrat, what.. what I..I, I found un..unusual was...', he stuttered.

'What did you find?', Rukmi almost yelled in stress, when Jarasandha firmly stopped him.

'Guard! You have my protection, speak fearlessly. If you say something that is useful to us, you shall be rewarded.', said Jarasandha.

'I am obliged at your kindness Samrat! (folding his hands and falling at the feet of Jarasandha and breathed) Samrat, of those seven chariots, one chariot looked particularly well serviced. It seemed unusual to me because none of the other chariots were sparkling as if someone had thrown gold-dust on them. I felt something was odd and I personally spoke to the charioteer. He said that he had brought back exactly the same chariots and he did not find anything unusual. And together, both of us inspected the chariot, it seemed all normal. I just assumed it was my illusion and ignored it. I do not know how useful this would be to you. I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me to share this with you.', said the guard.

Jarasandha picked up the guard, put his hand on the head of the guard and said,

'You. You have been of big help. I will ensure that you would be promoted to the rank of a senior general in the Vidarbha Army.', saying so, he grimly walked away.

Rukmi did not comprehend anything. Confused, he congratulated the guard for being honest and having done good work and ran behind Jarasandha.

'Samrat, why did you...', and he stopped speaking, looking at Jarasandha. The Samrat's face had lost all its colour. A drop of sweat flowed down his face, his fist tightening.

'Samrat? Samrat, are you alright?', asked Rukmi, worriedly.

'Rukmi, come with me right away. Let us speak to that guard again.', said Jarasandha and the duo walked back to the guard. Fearing his life, the guard, bowed his head down.

'Guard, speak up. Where did you last see the Chariot?', asked Jarasandha.

'About forty yards inside from the North-Western gate, to the right.', said the guard.

Jarasandha and Rukmi, looked at each other and immediately walked over towards the North-Western gate. As they reached the North-Western gate, as mentioned by the Guard, there seemed to be a little speck of gold-dust here and there. And there were chariot wheel tracks. Jarasandha bent down to inspect them closely. One look at his discoloured face, Rukmi realised the gravity of the situation.

'Samrat, I hope you are not thinking what I am!', said Rukmi, aghast.

'Yes I am, Rukmi. You see these tracks? One side has the Shankha and the other had Chakra imprints. I have seen these only on Mathura's chariots. Everytime my daughters came home, they came in these chariots. But the gold-dust-specked chariot, is only his.', said Jarasandha, unable to believe the turn of events.

'Does this mean... Does this really mean?', Rukmi said in horror.

'Yes, Krishna has arrived! He is here, in Kaundinyapuram! He is here, to marry Rukmini.', Jarasandha finished his sentence.