had just saved.
‘No, Vishwadyumna,’ ordered the Naga. Pulling his mask back on, he turned to his other
soldiers. ‘Revive her.’
‘My Lord,’ argued Vishwadyumna. ‘Her friend will bring others here. Let’s leave this woman
to her fate and go.’
‘No.’
‘But my Lord, someone may come soon. We must escape.’
‘Not till we’ve saved her,’ said the Naga, in his usual calm voice.
The royal party, including Nandi and Veerbhadra, were sitting together enjoying their lunch in
the courtyard of the rest-house they had stopped at. Half the brigade too was eating their meal.
They needed all the energy they could gather to march in this scorching heat. Parvateshwar
had come in to check on the food arrangements. He was especially concerned about Sati’s
comfort. However, he had refused to join them. He was going to eat later with his soldiers.
A loud commotion from the area of one of the perimeter guards disturbed Shiva. He got up
to investigate, motioning to Brahaspati, Nandi and Veerbhadra to remain seated. Parvateshwar
too had heard the racket and was moving towards the uproar.
‘Please save her!’ cried the woman. ‘A Naga is eating her alive!’
‘I am sorry,’ answered the captain. ‘But we have strict orders. We are not to leave the
vicinity of this rest-house under any circumstances.’
‘What is the matter?’ asked Parvateshwar.
Turning in surprise, the captain saluted and bowed low.
‘My Lord,’ said the captain. ‘This woman alleges that a Naga has attacked her friend. She’s
asking us to help her.’
Parvateshwar looked at the woman intensely. He would have liked nothing more than to
chase the Naga party and destroy them. But his orders were crystal clear. He was not to leave
the Neelkanth and Sati. Their protection was the only objective of the brigade. But he was a
Kshatriya. What kind of Kshatriya would he be if he didn’t fight to protect the weak? Seething at
the restrictions forced upon him, Parvateshwar was about to say something when Shiva
appeared.
‘What’s the matter?’ asked Shiva.
‘My Lord,’ said the captain in awe. He could not believe that he was actually getting a
chance to converse with the Neelkanth. This woman claims that her friend has been attacked
by Nagas. We are concerned that it may be a trap. We have heard about the Chandravanshi
duplicity on the Mount Mandar road.’
Shiva heard his inner voice cry. ‘Go backl Help her!’
Drawing his sword in one smooth motion he told the woman, ‘Take me to your friend.’
Parvateshwar looked at Shiva with respect. It was mild, but it was respect all the same. He
immediately drew his own sword and turned to the captain, ‘Follow us with your platoon.
Brigadier Vraka, put the entire brigade on alert for any surprise attack. The princess must be
kept safe at all costs!’
Shiva and Parvateshwar ran behind the woman who seemed to lead them with ease. She