Tethered ; Arjun and Draupadi

1. The Invitation

Duryodhan, the Crown Prince of Hastinapur, infuriated on being penalised by Supreme Empress Draupadi of Indraprasth at their Maya Sabha during their Rajsuya Yagna, returned home with a tormented heart and a shattered ego. He had made up his mind to bathe in fire and proceed to transcend this earth. Until he was stopped by the King of Anga, Karn and his father, King Dhritarashtra. Anga Raj tried to reason with him. On Anga Raj and his younger brother Prince Dusshasan's suggestion, Duryodhan decided to apologize to his maternal uncle, the ever scheming and treacherous, King of Gandhar, Shakuni. Duryodhan had committed the mistake of shoving his Mamashree Shakuni out of his way, resulting in the latter falling down, at Indraprasth's Maya Sabha when Shakuni had tried to stop him from being a fool by going against Vasudev Krishn by siding with King of Chedi, Shishupal. Shakuni, the most intelligent man of Aryavart saw the demise of the foolish Shishupal at Maya Sabha coming from a mile away when the King of Chedi started foolishly uttering heinous words against Vasudev. Shakuni knew Shishupal was an idiot who would lose count of his mistakes after immersing in profanities against Vasudev. Duryodhan, had foolishly thought that it was possible for Shishupal to take advantage of the presence of all the kings of Aryavart and tarnish Vasudev Krishn, Dwarkadeesh's reputation. Shakuni, in order to stop Duryodhan from being an accomplice had tried to step in when Duryodhan announced that he stood in solidarity with Shishupal.

Dusshasan, on a very rare occasion showcased intelligence and was quick to ask his elder brother to go and apologise to Shakuni and to pacify him if the Crown Prince of Hastinapur wanted to avenge his, his brother's and his friend Karn's weapons being taken away. Shakuni surely was the only one adept in accomplishing a feat such as this.

Disregarded by his beloved nephew, Gandhar Raj Shakuni was already headed towards Gandhar from Hastinapur. Duryodhan rode in on a horse and blocked Shakuni's path. "Move aside, Duryodhan. I've done nothing but endlessly conspired so that you may have Hastinapur's throne and not the eldest Pandav, Yudhishthir. But you're a fool. You were on the brink of gambling your Crown Princeship just because of idiotic envy on seeing Indraprasth's Maya Sabha. Moorkh ho tum, bacche", said Shakuni from atop his chariot. "Mamashree, I couldn't take it. Those cunning Pandavas will never let me be in peace. Just when I thought everything was finally folding out how I wanted it to, that lot and their immoral wife had to rub it in my face", said Duryodhan grimly. "Moorkh ho tum. Now quit blocking my way. I have business to attend to at Gandhar. Can't be wasting my energy and time on someone who has no intelligence, no control over his impulses and no presence of mind", said Shakuni, irritated by his impulsive nephew. "No, Mamashree. You cannot abandon me. You promised my mother, your beloved sister, that you would go to extreme lengths to secure my position as the King of Hastinapur. I am sorry, Mamashree. I have committed an unbelievable mistake by disrespecting you and shoving you". Pointing towards his left arm, Duryodhan pulled his dagger out and said, "This very hand pushed you right, Mamashree? I will chop it off right this instant". Shakuni rolled his eyes and let out a slight chuckle, clearly seeing through Duryodhan's facade to get him to stay and said, "Let it be, my dear. You cannot possibly think that crocodile tears would work on the person who taught you the very skill." Duryodhan kept his gaze down.

"What it is that you wish to do?" asked Shakuni. "I want to declare a war on Indraprasth. I want Indraprasth too now. My ambition mixed with my vengeance knows no limits. I want Hastinapur, Gandhar and every other ally kingdom's mighty armies lined up first thing tomorrow" said Duryodhan in fury. "Like I said, Moorkh ho tum. Mere bacche, why use war and weapons for vengeance when one can choose dice and deception?". "Tatparya? I don't understand what you're saying, Mamashree", said Duryodhan in response. "I've fanned the flames in my heart for justice for my beloved sister for decades now and your accession to the throne of Hastinapur is how it will be served. Doesn't hurt if Indraprasth's throne is added to the list. Invite the Pandavas along with their arrogant wife Panchal Kumari, Drupad Kanya, Draupadi to Hastinapur ", said Shakuni, his voice laced with malice. "But what is the occasion for invitation?", asked the Kuru Crown Prince. "Hastinapur is throwing a festival in honour of Empress Draupadi. This is a compensation for the lack of warmth during her initial welcome at Hastinapur when everyone thought she would come to the family as Arjun's wife but arrived with five husbands instead. This celebration will include dance, music, weaponry competitions and much more", said the scheming older man. Duryodhan had confusion written all over his face and was about to throw a rebuttal but Gandhar Raj didn't give him the opportunity to do so. "And.....at the end of the day, there will be a game of dice. Dyut Sabha. That is where we will snatch everything from them. Their kingdom, their happiness, their peace and most importantly, their pride and dignity", said Shakuni as he laughed, malice and evil evident in his demeanour and voice. "But Mamashree, they will never accept an invitation from me", said Duryodhan. "Who said you'll be the one inviting them? Maharaj Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari will invite them. And the invitation will personally be delivered by Maha Mantri, their beloved uncle, Vidur. And to top it off, that old geezer, Mahamahim Bheeshma will give his stamp of approval too. There is no way those Pandavas, the ardent followers of righteousness, upholders of Dharma will ever decline". Shakuni said as he rolled his manipulative dices between his palms. Adding, he declared, "and I will use their righteousness against them. Like I always say, it's easier to be unjust to the ones walking on the path of justice. It is their Dharma that will perpetrate their downfall". Duryodhan smirked on seeing Shakuni's confidence in his plan.