Karna couldn't be more grateful to Pitamah Bhisma. In his strict interfere, he hasn't allowed Karna to participate. Much to Duryodhana's frustration, he had to accept.
Karna gets out of the camp early in the morning. Goes to Ganga shore to pray to his celestial father, Suryadeva.
"Is there anyone who needs anything from me?" Karna asks.
"For now, your blessings will do,"
Karna turns around to find his nephew's there. Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Satanika, Shrutasena, Shrutakarma stand their hands joined in front of him.
Karna's heart overwhelms with joy, "Putro!"
Five of them come forward and takes his blessings.
"Yasashvi Vaba, Vijayi Vaba," Karna blesses them.
"Tatshree, Dadishree Kunti is crying so much. Will you come to our tent once," Prativindhya asks remorsefully.
Karna sighs, "Putro, I am afraid. This will weaken me, my mother and my beloved brothers."
Knowing the truth of his statement, Upapandavas couldn't bring themselves to request more. Even they are getting weak standing in front of him.
"Kirti! My beloved Kirti!" Karna embraces him to his chest, "My Arjuna's mirror! His heir and his shadow!"
Shrutakarma grits his teeth hard not letting his tears fall in that heartwarming embrace.
"Be your father's shadow. Arjuna is sensitive and soft to his core. Your mother is his strength and during this war, provide the fire your father needs, Kirti," Karna advises.
"I will," Shrutakarma promises.
Karna embraces each of his bloodline to his chest. Advising them, giving them strength.
"Tell your Dadishree that she will have to face only one son's death. Me or Arjuna. I will not kill the others," Karna promises.
"Tatshree! You cannot promise something like that!" Sutasoma intervenes.
This is clearly against the rules and will hurt a warrior's pride immensely.
"Aside from your mother and grandmother, tell this to noone," Karna smiles softly.
When Upapandavas leave, Karna keeps looking as long as he could see them and more. His heart aching immensely. The thought of not seeing them ever again, not being able to embrace them again makes him feel such pain he can't define.
But he quickly collects himself as he turns to the man who has been waiting patiently for him for a long time.
"What do you wish, Brahmin?" Karna asks.
"What?" Draupadi and Kunti both wonders.
This is the last night before the war. Pandavas have retired to their tents. Kunti and Draupadi are up looking at the last preparations. Draupadi was paying her respect to her husband's weapons.
When Upapandavas come in to express what happened with Karna.
"How does it matter?" Kunti weeps, "Children are all equal pieces of a mother's heart."
Draupadi being a mother feels completely similar. God forbids! If she was ever in this situation where she has to choose between her sons.
"Maa... there's a report as well..." Satanika says as a soldier informs him something.
"I would have gone to Mamashree but he needs to rest. Maa, we found 6 unknown silhouettes," Satanika says concerned.
"Six? Where did they head to?" Draupadi stands up immediately concerned.
YOU ARE READING
Empire of Righteousness ( The Beginning)
Historical FictionThe Divine woman Draupadi was born as the eternal consort of Panadavas. But we always fail to treasure things which we get easily. Same happened with the Panadavas. Draupadi's utter devotion towards them made them totally neglecting towards her. A t...
