Daksha however was too lost in his righteous anger to even explore Shiva’s insinuation. ‘The
Naga may have been the leader of this particular platoon, my Lord, but he would almost
certainly be under the overall command of the Chandravanshis. No Naga can be a leader. They
are cursed people born with horrific deformities and diseases in this birth as a punishment for
terrible crimes that they have committed in their previous birth. The Nagas are embarrassed to
even show their face to anyone. But they have tremendous power and skills. Their presence
strikes terror in the heart of all Meluhans, and most Swadweepans as well. The
Chandravanshis have sunk low enough to even consort with those deformed demons. They hate
us so much that they don’t even realise the sins they are bringing on their own souls by
interacting with the Nagas.’
Shiva, Sati and Veerini continued to hear Daksha’s ranting in silence.
Turning towards Shiva, Daksha continued, ‘Do you see the kind of vermin we are up against,
my Lord? They have no code, no honour. And they outnumber us ten to one. We need your
help my Lord. It’s not just my people, but my family as well. We are in danger.’
‘Your Highness, I will do all that I can to help you,’ said Shiva. ‘But I am not a general. I
cannot lead an army against the Chandravanshis. I am just a simple tribal leader. What
difference can one man make?’
‘At least let me announce your presence to the court and the people, my Lord,’ urged
Daksha. ‘Just spend a few weeks travelling through the empire. Your presence will raise the
morale of the people. Look at the difference you made yesterday. We actually foiled a terrorist
attack because of you, because of your presence of mind. Please, let me announce your
arrival. That is all I ask.’
Shiva looked at Daksha’s earnest face with trepidation. He could feel Sati’s and Veerini’s
eyes on him. Especially Sati’s.
What am I getting myself into?
‘All right,’ said Shiva in resignation.
Daksha got up and hugged Shiva in an unyielding grip.
‘Thank you, my Lord!’ exclaimed Daksha, as Shiva withdrew from his embrace to come up
for air. ‘I will announce your presence at the court tomorrow itself. Then you can leave for a
tour of the empire in another three weeks. I will personally make all the arrangements. You will
have a full brigade travelling with you for security. Parvateshwar and Sati will accompany you
as well.’
‘No!’ protested Veerini in a harsh tone that Sati had never heard her mother use. ‘Sati is not
going anywhere. I am not going to allow you to put our daughter ’s life in danger. She is staying
with me in Devagiri.’
‘Veerini, don’t be silly,’ said Daksha calmly. ‘You really think that anything would happen to
Sati if the Lord Neelkanth was around. She is at the safest when she is with the Lord.’
‘She is not going. And that is final!’ glared Veerini in a firm voice, clutching Sati’s hand tighdy.
Daksha turned towards Shiva, ignoring Veerini. ‘Don’t worry, my Lord. I will have all the
arrangements made. Parvateshwar and Sati will also travel with you. You will just have to
restrain Sati sometimes.’
Shiva frowned. So did Sati.
Daksha smiled genially. ‘My darling daughter has the tendency to be a litde too brave at
times. like this one time, when she was just a child, she had jumped in all by herself, with
nothing but her short sword, to save an old woman being attacked by a pack of wild dogs. She
singke
(singke)
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