Mysterious Time Traveler in Dwapara Yuga

Chapter 37: From Tasks to Turmoil: Guardians of the Realm

After completing their tasks in two months, Guru Drona took the center position on the training ground and addressed his students. He asked them to reflect on how they felt about the tasks and the challenges they faced. He encouraged them to share their thoughts on what they learned, not only from their own experiences but also from observing the admirable qualities demonstrated by their peers.

Guru Drona praised the leaders of each group for their excellent direction and rational thinking in the face of immediate danger. He highlighted the importance of these qualities for future leaders. He also reminded them that four teams had achieved full marks and reiterated his promise to grant one wish to the most deserving team, which would be decided after he consulted with his Guru Dakshina.

He encouraged the students to use the remaining month wisely. He advised them to focus on strengthening their areas of weakness and further enhancing their strengths. These skills would be invaluable for them as Rajkumar of the Kuru Dynasty, who would one day need to lead and fight for various causes. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and the wise use of their time.

Meanwhile in Hastinapur, Karna was living happily with his family, teaching his younger brother, Shon, to wield all sorts of weapons. Shon, sharing his brother's enthusiasm for combat, made each day fulfilling for Karna. As time passed, Karna discreetly received news about Assaka from his spies, fulfilling his promise to oversee some major issues. He would send replies or orders based on the news and wrote to Ira and others to know about their well-being.

One day, Karna received a letter from Ira that left him dumbfounded. She asked him to collect details about elephant poaching and inquire if there were any such cases in Hastinapur. Not hearing anything from the people, Karna decided to ask his father, as Ira never wrote about anything less important.

Late at night, Adhiratha arrived, close to midnight. Karna asked his mother, Radha, and his brother, Shon, to sleep, insisting he would wait for his father and serve him food. Unable to sleep, Radha eventually joined Karna to wait for her husband. When Adhiratha arrived, Radha quickly placed the food for him, and after finishing dinner, he asked Karna what he wanted to discuss. Karna, initially hesitant seeing his father's tiredness, was encouraged when Adhiratha reassured him, saying, "I am your father; I can read you like a book." This momentarily shocked Karna, making him decide to handle Assaka matters even more securely.

Karna then inquired about the reason for Adhiratha's late arrival. Adhiratha explained that preparations for the Kuru princes' imminent return, just twenty days away, had kept him busy. Every department in the palace was working tirelessly to make the occasion grand and special, as it was the first time the grown-up princes would be seen by the people after twelve years. Adhiratha then prompted Karna to ask what was really on his mind.

Karna explained Ira's letter, mentioning her inquiry about any unusual elephant deaths or animal poaching cases. He noted that in their locality, no such rumors had been heard, suggesting nothing of that sort had happened. He wanted to know if Adhiratha had heard anything from other areas. Adhiratha, acknowledging Ira's kind nature and understanding her place in their family, thought for a moment and then said he hadn't heard anything related to elephant poaching, as current focus was on the princes' return. He promised to ask around about it.

Adhiratha then scolded Karna gently, advising that such serious matters should be left to adults. If poaching was indeed happening, it would involve dangerous people who could harm anyone in their way. He urged Karna to tell Ira to avoid such things and run if she encountered such dangers. Karna, feeling exhausted, explained that if he didn't address Ira's concerns, she would pursue them even more fervently, making it her number one priority. This worried Radha, who then asked Karna to investigate the matter further and send a heads-up to the Kuntala Royals so they could keep an eye on Ira.