Tethered ; Arjun and Draupadi

2. Shakuni's Conspiracy and Draupadi's Elation

AUTHOR'S NOTE : to everyone reading, thank you 🩷 (ARDI MOMENTS AHEAD!)

Duryodhan was elated at the first step of Shakuni's plan being successful. Exhilarated, he asked Shakuni, "Mamashree, what now? How do you plan to execute your conspiracy?". Shakuni chuckled and replied, "Now, we let the innocent fawn foolishly enter the lion's den". "But the fawn is not alone, Mamashree. It's a herd", said Duryodhan. Shakuni, still continuing his evil chuckles said, "A herd has a leader capable of providing protection, mere bacche. But in case of this herd, we will be shooting the arrow at the leader first". "But Mamashree, the Pandavas will not come to Hastinapur without that Yudhishthir. His word is their command", replied the Kuru Crown Prince. "Who is talking about Yudhishthir, my dear? Try to get the point. Yudhisthir is the leader of the Pandavas and their wife but if you perceive this lot as a herd of deer, then he is not the leader. He is simply the guide. Yudhishthir regards righteousness above all else. He will not do anything that goes against his personal definition of Dharma", said Shakuni confidently. "Then, how do you plan to stop Bheem from coming to Hastinapur with the rest of them, Mamashree?", enquired Duryodhan as his restlessness grew. "No, mere bacche, no. It's not Bheem I talk about. Bheem is all bark and no bite. He might raise his voice but he will not raise even a finger until his Jyesht, Yudhishthir allows him to", said Gandhar Raj. "Then who is it, Mamashree?", asked an oblivious Duryodhan. Shakuni rolled his eyes at his nephew's lack of intelligence and said, "Arjun. The rest of the Pandavas consider Yudhisthir's moral compass as their own but Arjun, under the influence of that cunning and conniving Vasudev Krishn has a compass of his own. Though he has never disobeyed Yudhishthir, but he has the potential to do so. When it comes to the protection of his beloved wife, I believe he might disregard Yudhishthir's orders and rebel. Arjun is the only individual that has the competence to rebel against a court room where excellent warriors such as Mahamahim Bheeshma, Maha Guru Dron and Anga Raj Karn will be present. So it is vital that we conspire to stop him from accompanying his brothers and his wife to Hastinapur that day". "Distracting him on that specific day will be difficult, Mamashree", said a worried Duryodhan. "Except it won't be difficult, my dear. I will summon Takshak, the King of Snakes to assist. Takshak has fanned the flames of vengeance in his heart since the night Arjun compelled him to accept defeat", Shakuni said with resolve.

In an altar, Shakuni added a plethora of ingredients for summoning Nag Raj Takshak. Went in the final ingredient, and erupted a foul and green coloured smoke. The smoke covered the entire room and a few moments later, Takshak emerged. "What happened, Gandhar Raj? Another futile attempt to conspire against the Pandavas? It failed last time because of that Arjun. Who do you think will spoil your plan this time?", questioned the grim looking Serpent King. "No, Nag Raj. This time, all you have to do is play a facade. A distraction. The day after tomorrow is when my plan is to be executed. To stop Arjun from coming to Hastinapur with the rest, a distraction at Indraprasth is mandatory. It is vital he stays back at Indraprasth", said a resolute and confident Shakuni. "And how do you plan to distract him?", asked Takshak. "I heard that you still have some of Mayasur's illusion stored in your security?", asked Shakuni with a smirk. "Yes, when that traitor Mayasur had initially seeked my refuge, I had asked from him a small price. There isn't a single part of Mayasur's body that doesn't hold his skill of illusion. I had asked him to give me a pot full of his illusion in any possible way. He had given away more than eight inches of his hair. Thankfully, I had it stored in case of crisis. What do you want me to do, Gandhar Raj? I want that Arjun to experience hell while he still walks this earth", said the vengeful Serpent King, seething. "And he will. There is nothing more precious to Arjun than his wife. And I plan on inflicting pain on her as a form of revenge for her insulting my beloved nephews and Anga Raj Karn at Indraprasth's Maya Sabha. But it will not be possible as long as Arjun is by her side. So, right before the Pandavas and Draupadi start for Hastinapur, you will use Mayasur's illusion that you have stored to create an illusion of your snakes poisoning Indraprasth's subjects living at the far end of the huge city. Arjun being the only Pandava with divine weapons will be forced to stay back and will even be driven to kill you if you're found guilty. But, when he follows the long trail of bodies as he investigates, he will be led to your part of the forest where he will see you and your serpent subjects, resting calmly. He will accuse you of deceiving him using illusion. Offended by the accusation, you will then challenge him to a duel, which he will be forced to decline as it is against his morals to raise weapons against a creature that accepted his refuge", Shakuni presented his plan to Takshak and to Duryodhan who had been present in the room all along but had not spoken a singular word. "I accept it. This plan of yours seems harmless to the security of my subjects and I. You have my support. I will do as asked", Takshak announced and vanished. Duryodhan broke his silence and wore a smile of pride on his face and said, "Adbhut, Mamashree. This is exceptional. Arjun will be kept engaged at Indraprasth and here at Hastinapur, Yudhishthir will lose everything."