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out of the other, slicing through the front thigh of the beast, cutting through muscles and veins. As blood spurted rapidly, the animal’s injured leg collapsed from under it and it grunted, confused, trying to put weight on the appendage, now flopping uselessly against its belly. Admirably, it still continued its charge, its three good legs heaving against its bulk as it struggled to turn and face its attacker. Kartik ran forward, following the movement of the animal, now circling in from behind the beast. He hacked brutally with his right hand, which held the killer curved sword. The blade sliced through the thigh of the hind leg, cutting down to the bone with its deep curvature and broad metal. With both its right legs incapacitated, the rhinoceros collapsed to the ground, rolling sideways as it tried to stand with only two good legs, writhing in pain. Its blood mixed with the dusty earth to make a dark red-brown mud that smeared across its body as it flailed against the ground, panting in fear.
    Kartik stood quietly at a short distance, watching the animal in its final throes.
    Vishwadyumna watched from behind, his mouth agape. He had never seen an animal brought down with such skill and speed.
    Kartik approached the rhinoceros calmly. Even though immobilised, the beast reared its head menacingly at him, grunting and whining in a high-pitched squeal. Kartik maintained a safe distance as the other soldiers rapidly ran up to him.
    The son of the Neelkanth bowed low to the animal. ‘Forgive me, magnificent beast. I am only doing my duty. I will finish this soon.’
    Suddenly, Kartik moved forward and stabbed hard, right through the folds of the rhinoceros’ skin, plunging deep into the beast’s heart, feeling the shudder go through its body, until at last it was still.

    ‘My Lord, a bird courier has just arrived with a message for your eyes only,’ said Kanakhala, the Meluhan prime minister. ‘That’s why I brought it personally.’
    Daksha occupied his private chambers, a worried Veerini seated beside him. He took the letter from Kanakhala and dismissed her.
    With a polite Namaste towards her Emperor and Empress, Kanakhala turned to leave. Glancing back, she glimpsed a rare intimate moment between them as they held each other’s hands. The last few months had inured her to the strange goings-on in Meluha. Daksha’s past betrayal of Sati during her first pregnancy had shocked her enormously. Kanakhala had lost all respect for her emperor. She continued with her job because she remained loyal to Meluha. She had even stopped questioning the strange orders from her lord; like the one he’d given the previous day about making arrangements for Bhrigu and Dilipa to travel to the ruins of Mount Mandar. She could understand Maharishi Bhrigu’s interest in going there. But what earthly reason could there be for the Swadweepan emperor to go as well? Kanakhala saw Daksha letting go of Veerini’s hand and breaking the seal of the letter as she shut the door quietly behind her.
    Daksha began to cry. Veerini immediately reached over and snatched the letter from him.
    As she read through it quickly, Veerini let out a deep sigh of relief as tears escaped from her eyes. ‘She’s safe. They’re all safe...’
    On the surface, the plan to assassinate the Neelkanth worked towards the unique interests of all the three main conspirators, Maharishi Bhrigu, Emperor Daksha and Emperor Dilipa. For Bhrigu, the greatest gain would be that the Somras would not be targeted by the Neelkanth. The faith of the people in the legend of the Neelkanth was strong. If the Neelkanth declared that the Somras was evil and decided to toe the Naga line, so would his followers. For Dilipa it meant the killing of two birds with a single stone. Not only would he continue to receive the elixir from Bhrigu, but he’d also do away with Bhagirath, his heir and greatest threat. Daksha would be rid of the troublesome Neelkanth and be able to blame all ills on