Shatru Sesham: Sequel of Baahubali ✔️

Chapter Twenty

The lines were drawn. Two banks of the same river got parted into two opposing and warring sides, one pitted against the other. We briefly saw what had happened on the other side of the bank with Aparaajitha (Bhagiradhi) and Annapoorna (Shodasi Devi) during these thirteen years. Let us delve into the story of what happened on this side of the bank at Mahismati during these thirteen years.
-
-
-
At Mahishmati,
A messenger hurriedly rushed to inform something very important to Subahu. Subahu signaled to the messenger to step up to him and secretly convey the message. The messenger whispered in his ear, "The Gauri Parvat is rumbling. Several mild tremors have been felt. Our captain has informed that this volcano could erupt any time."

Subahu's face which rarely revealed any particular emotion registered an expression of terrible joy, "Power.....uncontrolled......" He checked himself from revealing more about what he was thinking in the presence of the messenger. However, he took one of the golden chains he was wearing and gave it away to the harbinger of good tidings, "This is the best news I have heard in a long while. You may go now."

When he was alone, Subahu said to himself, "I must inform mother that the Gauri Parvat is going to erupt. She would be very pleased."

When Subahu left the chamber, two masked figures emerged out of the dark recesses of the same chamber. They continued discussing among themselves:

"He seemed very pleased with that news. But I wonder why?"

"Maybe he is pleased that this is going to enhance his military strength. It is an open secret that the unbreakable and famed weapons of Mahishmati receive their strength and edge from the volcanic stones known as Gauri Kanth found on the Gauri Parvat. Sometimes one's biggest strengths become one's biggest weaknesses. Land, money, power, ambition, strength, family honor, vengeagence.......sometimes the biggest wars fought in our history boil down to these simple things."

"Hush! We still do not know the full details. Let us secretly follow and find out more."

They too stealthily followed behind Subahu. These intruders seemed to be well-versed in the game of hide and seek. Moreover, it appeared that they were not strangers to the palace of Mahishmati. They seemed to be familiar with every nook and cranny of the palace, even the secret subterranean passages, perhaps even more and even better than Subahu and the Kalakeyas.
-
-
-
Kamaroopi exclaimed after hearing this news, "Excellent! All our hardwork and efforts are bearing fruit now.....But Subahu.....one thing just did not sink in easily with me.....How did the kingdom of Kunthala agree to accede so easily with the Kalakeyan rule? I expected more resistance and vehement opposition from them....I would not trust them so easily if I were you.....The late king of Kunthala was Devasena's brother and the present king is also her nephew."

"Now that my coronation ceremony is over, I will maintain a strict watch over their activities. If I find them upto anything suspicious, I will instantly punish them" reassured Subahu.
-
-
-
The intruders discussed among themselves:
" We have to do something fast. We are already under their scanner."

"Yes, we cannot continue staying indefinitely under the pretext of having come to attend the coronation ceremony. We have to go back to Kunthala. Today night is our only chance to do it, Brother."

"Are we doing the right thing? Trying to assassinate a person who is sleeping? To violate the Kshatriya code of honor in fighting.....To violate the dharma of hospitality and kill an unsuspecting host.....

"Have you forgotten what they did to Aunt Devasena and Cousin Mahendra and his family? Brother, you too know that we would have fought the straight-forward way if we had the military prowess to face Subahu and the Kalakeyas directly. Everything is fair in love and war. What matters is the end and not the means!"
"Yes, you are right. By the grace of the Goddess, we will succeed today night."
-
-
-
Rani Eiravati was pondering over the happenings of the past few days. Her soft heart was unable to tolerate all the excesses she had witnessed around her in the past few days. Her infant son was asleep but what she saw around her kept her awake for whole nights together. Subahu's arms lovingly snaked up from behind her taking her in his loving embrace, "What is my beautiful queen thinking, apart from me? I think only about her the whole day."