with me? He has been my constant companion since I left my homeland and has become a
dear and trusted friend.’
‘Of course he may,’ replied Daksha.
‘Your Highness, it is not appropriate for a Captain to be witness to this discussion,’ said
Parvateshwar. ‘In any case, his service rules clearly state that he can only escort a guest into
the emperor’s presence and not stay there while a matter of state is discussed.’
‘Oh relax Parvateshwar. You take your service rules too seriously sometimes.’ Turning to
Shiva, Daksha continued, ‘If it is alright with you, may we see your neck now?’
Nandi slid behind Shiva to untie the cravat. Seeing the beads darned on the cravat to convey
the impression that the throat was covered for religious reasons, Daksha smiled and
whispered, ‘Good idea.’
As Nandi pulled Shiva’s cravat off, Daksha and Kanakhala came close to inspect Shiva’s
throat in greater detail. Parvateshwar did not step forward but strained his neck slightly to get a
better look. Daksha and Kanakhala seemed clearly stunned by what they saw.
The emperor felt the throat and whispered in awe, ‘The colour comes from the inside. It is
not a dye. It is true and genuine.’
Daksha and Kanakhala glanced at each other, tears glistening in their astounded eyes.
Kanakhala folded her hands into a namaste and began mumbling a chant under her breath.
Daksha looked up at Shiva’s face, trying desperately to suppress the ecstasy that coursed
through his insides. With a controlled smile, the Emperor of Meluha said, 1 hope we have not
done anything to cause you any discomfort since your arrival in Meluha.’
Despite Daksha’s controlled reaction, Shiva could guess that both the emperor and his prime
minister were taken aback by his blue throat.
Just how important is this bloody blue throat for the Meluhans?
‘Umm, none at all your Highness,’ replied Shiva as he tied the cravat back around his neck.
‘In fact, my tribe and I have been delighted by the hospitality that we have received here.’
‘I’m glad for that,’ smiled Daksha, bowing his head politely. ‘You may want to rest a litde bit
and we could talk in more detail tomorrow. Would you like to shift your residence to the royal
citadel? It is rumoured that the quarters here are a litde more comfortable.’
‘That is a very kind offer, your Highness.’
Daksha turned to Nandi and asked, ‘Captain, what did you say your name was?’
‘My name is Nandi, your Highness.’
‘You too are welcome to stay here. Make sure that you take good care of our honoured
guest. Kanakhala, please make all the arrangements.’
‘Yes, your Highness.’
Kanakhala called in one of her aides, who escorted Shiva and Nandi out of the royal office.
As Shiva exited the room, Daksha went down on his haunches with great ceremony and
touched his head to the ground on which Shiva had just stood. He mumbled a prayer sofdy and
stood up again to look at Kanakhala with tears in his eyes. Kanakhala’s eyes, however,
betrayed impatience and a touch of anger.
‘I didn’t understand, your Highness,’ glared Kanakhala. ‘The blue mark was genuine. Why did
you not tell him?’
‘What did you expect me to do?’ cried a surprised Daksha. ‘This is his second day in
Devagiri. You want me to just accost him and tell him that he is the Neelkanth, our saviour?
That he has been sent to solve all our problems?’
singke
(singke)
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