‘I am doing what I think is right,’ said Sati. ‘I am happy’
Parvateshwar couldn’t find the strength to say anything. For a brief moment, he considered
assassinating Tarak at night. But that would be illegal.
Just then, Shiva and Brahaspati walked in. Shiva noticed Parvateshwar ’s face. This was the
first time he had seen any sign of weakness in the general. While he could understand
Parvateshwar’s predicament, he did not like the effect it was having on Sati.
‘I am sorry I am late,’ said Shiva cheerily.
Everyone turned to look at him.
‘Actually, Brahaspati and I had gone to the Lord Varun temple to pray for Tarak,’ said Shiva.
We prayed that the journey his soul would take to the other world would be comfortable.’
Sati burst out laughing. So did the rest of the party in the courtyard.
‘Bhadra, you are not the right opponent for the practise,’ said Shiva. ‘You move too fast.
Nandi you duel with the princess. And control your agility.’
Turning to Sati, Shiva continued, ‘I saw Tarak practise. His blows have tremendous power.
But the force of the blows slows him down. Turn his strength into his weakness. Use your agility
against his movements.’
Sati nodded, absorbing every word. She resumed her practise with Nandi. Moving rapidly
compared to Nandi’s slower movements, Sati was able to succeed in a strike that could be kill.
Suddenly, an idea struck Shiva. Instructing Nandi to stop, he asked Sati, ‘Are you allowed to
choose the combat weapon?’
Yes. It’s my prerogative as I threw the challenge.’
‘Then choose the knife. It will reduce the reach of his strikes while you can move in and out
much quicker.’
‘That’s brilliant!’ concurred Parvateshwar, while Brahaspati nodded.
Sati signalled her agreement immediately. Almost at the same instant, Veerbhadra emerged
with two knives. Giving one to Nandi, he gave the other to Sati. ‘Practise, my Lady.’
Sati and Tarak stood at the centre of a circular stadium. This was not the main Rangbhoomi
of Karachapa, which was gargantuan in its proportions. This one had been constructed next to
the main stadium, for music concerts that the Mesopotamian immigrants in Karachapa loved.
The arena was of the exact dimensions required for an agnipariksha. Not so big that a person
could simply steer clear of the other contestant and not too small so that the combat would end
fast. There were stands around the ground and a capacity crowd of over twenty thousand had
come to watch the most important duel in Karachapa for the last five hundred years.
There was a prayer on every lip. Let Father Manu cause a miracle so that Princess Sati
would win. Or at the very least, Eve. Both Tarak and Sati greeted each other with a namaste,
repeating an ancient pledge to fight with honour. Then, turning to the statue of Lord Varun at
the top of the main stand they bowed, asking for blessings from the God of the Water and the
Seas. Jhooleshwar had vacated his ceremonial seat right below the statue of Lord Varun for
Shiva. The governor sat to Shiva’s left with Ayurvati and Krittika to his left. Brahaspati and
Parvateshwar sat to Shiva’s right. Nandi and Veerbhadra were in their now famiEar position,
behind Shiva. A bird courier had been sent to Daksha the previous day, informing him of the