morning. I think it may be a good idea for Veerini and Sati to accompany you. The rest of us
can catch up with you two days later.’
Sati looked up in alarm. She wasn’t sure why, but something told her that she shouldn’t
agree to this plan. Another part of her said that she had no reason to be scared. In all the
eighty-five years she had spent as a vikarma, she had never broken the law. She had the self-
control to know what was right, and what wasn’t.
Shiva though had no such thoughts. With very obvious delight, he said, ‘I think that is a very
good idea, your Highness. Nandi and I could travel with both her Highnesses back to Devagiri.’
‘It’s settled then,’ said a visibly content Daksha. Turning to Parvateshwar, he said,
‘Parvateshwar, please ensure that the Arishtanemi escort are broken up into two groups for the
return journey.’
‘My Lord, I don’t think that is wise,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘A large part of the Arishtanemi are
still in Devagiri preparing for the material transfer. Also, the standing contingent in Mount
Mandar cannot be reduced under any circumstances. We may not have enough soldiers for two
caravans. Perhaps, we could all travel together day after tomorrow’
‘I am sure there won’t be a problem,’ said Daksha. ‘And don’t you always say that each
Arishtanemi is equal to fifty enemy soldiers? It’s settled. The Lord Neelkanth, Veerini and Sati
will leave tomorrow morning. Please make all the arrangements.’
Parvateshwar went unhappily back to his thoughts as Shiva and Sati started whispering to
each other again.
‘You did go for a shudhikaran, didn’t you?’ asked Sati seriously.
‘Yes,’ said Shiva. He wasn’t lying. He had gone for a purification ceremony on his last night
at Devagiri. He didn’t believe he needed it. However, he knew that Sati would ask him the next
time they met. And he didn’t want to lie to her.
‘Though I think the concept of doing a shudhikaran is completely absurd,’ whispered Shiva.
‘In fact, the entire concept of the vikarma is ridiculous. I think that is one of the few things in
Meluha that is not fair and should be changed.’
Sati looked up suddenly at Shiva, her face devoid of any expression. Shiva stared hard into
her eyes, trying to gauge some of the thoughts running through her mind. But he hit a blank
wall.
It was the beginning of the second prahar the next day when Shiva, Veerini, Sati and Nandi
departed for Devagiri along with a hundred Arishtanemi. Daksha, Parvateshwar and Kanakhala
stood outside the guest house to see them off. Brahaspati had been detained by some
scheduled experiments.
The entourage had to sit in the same carriage as there were guidelines that a minimum of
four carriages had to be kept aside for any caravan that carried the Emperor. Since the royal
procession had come in five carriages, that left only one carriage for this caravan.
Parvateshwar was deeply unhappy about the unorthodox way in which members of the royal
family had to travel without any dummy carriages, but his objections were overruled by Daksha.
Sitting on one of the comfortable sofas inside the carriage, Sati noticed that Shiva was
wearing his cravat again. ‘Why do you cover your throat all the time?’