CHAPTER 10

The Hooded Figure Returns

As the caravan emerged from the carefully chiselled passage leading out from the depths
of Mount Mandar, Veerini requested that the carriage be stopped for a minute. Veerini, Sati,
Shiva and Nandi went down on their knees and offered a short prayer to the mountain for its
continued benefaction. Watching over them on high alert was the Arishtanemi Bhabravya, a
strapping man of sixty years with an intimidating moustache and beard.
After a short while, Bhabravya came up to Veerini and said with barely concealed
impatience: ‘Your Highness, perhaps it’s time to get back into the carriage.’
Veerini looked up at the captain and with a quick nod got up. Sati, Shiva and Nandi followed.

‘It’s her,’ said Vishwadyumna putting down the scope and turning towards his Lord.
The platoon was at a safe distance, concealed from the caravan. The dense and
impenetrable foliage was an effective shield.
‘Yes’, said the hooded figure and let his eyes linger on Shiva’s muscular body. Even without
using the scope he was in no doubt that this was the same man who had fought him at the
Brahma temple some weeks ago. ‘Who is that man?’
‘I don’t know my Lord.’
‘Keep your eye on him. He was the one who foiled the last attack.’
Vishwadyumna wanted to say that the previous attempt failed because it was unplanned.
The presence of the caste-unmarked man had litde role to play. Vishwadyumna could not
understand the recent irrational decisions of his Lord. It was unlike him. Perhaps it was the
closeness of the ultimate objective that was clouding his judgement. Vishwadyumna was,
however, wise enough to keep his thoughts to himself. ‘Perhaps we could track them for around
an hour before we attack, my Lord. It will be a safe distance from the Arishtanemi back-up. We
can get this over with quickly and report back to the Queen that the informer was correct’
‘No, we’ll wait for a few hours more when they are at least a half day’s distance from Mount
Mandar. Their new carriages have systems that can send an emergency signal immediately.
We need to ensure our task is done before back-up arrives.’
‘Yes, my Lord,’ said Vishwadyumna, happy to see that his Lord’s famed tactical brilliance
had not diminished.
‘And, remember, I want it done quickly,’ added the hooded figure. ‘The more time we take,
the more people get hurt.’
‘Yes, my Lord.’