Abhijishya really missed technology. Here she was, standing in front of the council once again, trying to outwit people atleast twice her age and she felt very nervous.

But she didn't let any of that show on her face. Last night she and Nakul had retired early as they both really needed it. Especially Nakul, who had spent three nights awake in a row.

He had asked what did she have in mind if no one fell for her ploy. Well, let's say he wasn't exactly happy to hear there was no contingency plan. Abhijishya knew her plan left some leeway because it entirely stood on the guilty party believing her word. It was simple enough. She had just used the guilty party's fear of being caught against them. But there was no solid proof for Charu's specific case.

Video recording would have been a major help in this. If only she could've installed spy camera and microphones in the residencies of all the men, her life would be easier.

Abhijishya had also called Charu to be there all night as well as this morning. She wasn't taking any chances in case someone decided to attack her.

She looked at Gopal who was intentionally ignoring her. She knew he was having too much fun watching her squirm internally.

Ugrasen spoke loudly addressing the council," Since we are all here, I believe it is time that we witness the quite awaited moment."

Everyone quietened down. Satrajit and his thirty five associates stepped forward with their sticks.

Abhijishya said," I shall require you to give me your stick one at a time."

Satrajit was the first to give his stick to her. She quickly measured the stick by placing it parallel with her forearm. The stick had not been altered with. It was exactly the size of her forearm. Abhijishya felt a little tension melt away. Bhabishree Satyabhama's father was in the clear.

"Please stand to my right," she said with a polite smile. Slowly, she repeated the same process with everyone. Nine sticks turned out to be an inch shorter. Their owners stood to her left.

"It seems like I have made a grave mistake,"Abhijishya said while bowing her head.

Everyone looked at her in confusion.

"What have you done, putri?" Ugrasen asked calmly.

"Earlier I said that the sticks of the dishonest would grow an inch longer but actually, the sticks of the dishonest would shrink an inch. Pardon me for my mistake," she said.

Ugrasen nodded. "That is alright as long as it does not change anything regarding the purpose of these divine artefacts."

"No, it does not. The group of men to my left have been dishonest in duty at the Treasury," Abhijishya said. Said men went up in an uproar.

The council was also confused. She glanced at Krishna to find him silently smiling and watching the events unfold.

"Liar! She is lying, Chief," yelled a stout man.

"Yes. She has deceived us all," agreed another man.

"Yes, yes. Mahalekhapal (accountant general) Chetas is telling the truth. She is a fraud. These are no divine artefacts," proclaimed another man.

Murmurs were heard around the hall. The group to the right felt puzzled.

"Oh? And how would you know that, Mahoday (sir)?" Abhijishya asked with a raised eyebrow.

The stout man, Mahalekhapal Chetas scoffed condescendingly. "Do you take us for fools?! We cut off an inch of those sticks ourselves."

"And why did you feel the need to do so?" Abhijishya asked with a smile.

Chetas sputtered indignantly.

"What is going on? What is he saying?" asked a confused Satrajit.

Ugrasen smiled and said,"Putri Abhijishya, if you would be kind enough to explain everything, I think it would make things clear."

Abhijishya nodded. "Of course, Matamaah," she gestured towards the men standing to her left and said,"These men just confessed to their crimes."

More whispers erupted. Abhijishya cleared her throat. Everyone looked at her in rapt attention.

"These sticks are no different than an ordinary fallen twig but their purpose is very important. I came across a fifteen year old dasi named Charu a few days ago and was quite shocked to hear that she would be serving as a dasi for twenty three years even after her mother's eleven years service in order to clear off her father late Shilpakar Mohan's debt of four hundred gold mudras. I felt something wrong about the situation because why would the Treasury grant such a hefty loan to an average Shilpakar. Then I realised the debt was given by Royal Treasurer Satrajit even before Dwarka was built. I studied that the Yadavas were not as prosperous then. I told Bhratashree Balram about this and he checked the records. The records state that four hundred gold mudras were indeed given. But I was suspicious that the record keeper could've written false accounts or even tampered with it. So I acted on my suspicion and came up with a plan,"she showed the sticks to the council.

"I collected these sticks along with my husband and told a story in the meeting. You, Mahalekhapal Chetas as well as others who have brought shorter sticks acted on your fear. You feared that your sticks would grow an inch longer and your truth would be revealed. So you cut an inch of your sticks which you confessed to in front of everyone. You cannot deny that you have been stealing," Abhijishya said.

"I also apologise to everyone else present. I took this step without informing anyone because I did not want to place unnecessary blame and suspension on anyone. I also didn't want the guilty party to be somehow alerted beforehand. If I have spoken or acted out of bounds, then please forgive me. It was not my intention to disrespect anyone," she said hoping no one was offended.

Chetas was glaring at Abhijishya with such vigor that his looks wanted to burn her to ashes on that very spot.

Surprisingly, Satrajit was the first one to speak up. "I express my gratitude to Rajkumari Abhijishya for effectively picking out these thieves. As the Royal Treasurer, it is my responsibility to see that my men are honest in their work. Even before settling here, Chetas worked as Lekhapal (accountant) for me. I cannot believe I have been harbouring a thief for all these years," he shook his head. "How many have you cheated, you foul thief? How many have you forced to be a das or a dasi?!" He shouted in anger.

"You cannot be believing the words of this outsider," Chetas shouted. "She wants to cause disagreements amongst us, Yadavas. Why are you even listening to this lowly girl?"

Balram stood up at this. "Have care of how you speak to my sister, Chetas. She has been given the name of the Yadavas,"the warning tone rang clearly in his voice.

Chetas cowed and became silent. But the man who voiced his support to Chetas said," That is because of Vasudev Krishna. He said she would be a favourable addition. But she is a scammer. She is of foreign blood and unknown origins."

Ugrasen said sharply," Do not forget that it is I, Chief Ugrasen of the Vrishnis that have welcomed her in our family. My son-in-law Vasudev has accepted her as another daughter. Her origin lies with us, the Vrishnis and by relation, the Yadavas."

"Pardon me, but I fail to understand what you all being guilty of cheating and stealing has to do with my blood or origins. You all have confessed and no matter how much you try to avert the focus of the council, no one is forgetting that," Abhijishya said with a sharp smile.

"Let the guards drag these thieves away. Let them be shut in the dungeons," said Kamarbhoj.

"Yes, let these traitors be taken to the dungeons," the Andhaka Chief voiced his agreements.

Ugrasen said loudly," Guards."

A few soldiers entered.

"Shackle these men and shut them into the dungeon. Their fate that be decided in the next meeting. Let them sit and think on their crime," he ordered. Then he looked at Balram. "Putra Balram, I wish you accompany these soldiers too. I don't want to give them any chance to escape."

"As you command, Matamaah,"Balram said. Soon the men were chained and taken away despite their protests.

Abhijishya sighed. First step was completed.

"You have brilliantly caught these traitors and uncovered a great flaw in our system. If these corrupt men remained, I fear to imagine the amount of harm they would've inflicted on the common people. Tell us, how can we reward you," Ugrasen said.

Satrajit nodded," Yes putri. Tell us."

"I have a few requests,"Abhijishya said.

"Yes, go on, Rajkumari," another council member said.

"I wish that the das and dasis working in order to pay off their family member's debts be freed. Of course they can serve as servants if they choose to but they would no longer be slaves," Abhijishya said trying to gauge the reaction of the council.

"A noble request. We truly do not know how many have been wronged by those men. It was partial negligence on our side too as they were able to continue their corrupt actions right under our noses," commented the Andhaka Chief. Kamarbhoj voiced his agreement along with Kukura Chief. Ugrasen nodded too.

"I also wish that the slaves who are working to pay off their debt be enquired how much loan they had taken and tallied with the records," she said. Everyone seemed to be in agreement with her on this too.

"Lastly, I want to propose an idea to avoid any such future occurances. I think a anklet or a necklace with the amount of debt inscribed on it should be given to the person taking the debt. That way on their death, the necklace or anklet would be passed to the family members. Their necklace along with the written records should be shown to the Chief and the person asked how much loan they have taken by the Chief," she said.

Ugrasen looked thoughtful. "You have put forward good points. We need amendments in our system. We have to discuss at length about the procedure before we can put it into action. But your first two requests are granted if no one has any objections."

No one voiced their objections. "Time is almost over for this meeting. Today's session ends here," Ugrasen announced.

Abhijishya sighed in relief. Small victories. It was going to be a steep climb from here. A slow smile creeped on her face. Charu was free now.

Satrajit immediately addressed her. "I must apologise for my past conduct. When you sent that girl to me, I called you an outsider as I was displeased at the sudden inclusion of someone we knew nothing apart from the words of assurance from Jamaishree (Krishna). You have proven yourself worthy."

"Please, there is no need for an apology. You are Bhabishree Satyabhama's father, an elder to me. It is understandable that you question the inclusion of an unknown person in your midst. I do not hold any grudge," Abhijishya said with a smile.

Satrajit smiled,"I must go back to the Treasury. A lot of work needs to be done as we are short on hands."

She nodded. Nakul walked up to her.

"You just won over everyone in this council today. Everyone is only speaking about you and praising you. I am so proud to be your husband," Nakul whispered.

Abhijishya flushed in happiness. She took hold of his hand and squeezed it. He grinned at her.

"It is good to see that my gift has been put to good use," Ugrasen said. She let go of Nakul's hand quickly.

"I mean the chest. I chose it because your Bhabishrees were only choosing jewellery. I thought you would like a chest to keep them in," he said with a genuine smile.

"I really like this chest very much, Matamaah. I keep my favourite set of bangles and earnings in this. Thank you for this," Abhijishya said.

Gopal came towards them. "You did well."

"Yes, it seems you are like our Kanha in this aspect. He can show you the reins of politics, won't you Krishna?" said Ugrasen.

"Of course Matamaah,"Gopal readily agreed.

Ugrasen nodded and left.

"Yuyudhana wanted me to look into some matters. I'll see you at lunch," Nakul said and left hurriedly. Abhijishya felt the abruptness odd but shrugged it off. Then she turned to find a smiling Krishna looking at her expectantly.

"It was not nice how you ignored me this morning," Abhijishya said.

Gopal chuckled. "I wanted you to handle everything today. One learns best through experiences," he easily replied. She huffed but did not contradict him.

"Bhrata, was I successful in catching everyone working in the Treasury that were cheating people?" Abhijishya asked half dreading the answer.

"For now, yes. But there will always be people who will oppress the weak, be dishonest and corrupt," Krishna said with a smile.

She nodded looking thoughtful.

"Now come along. You heard Matamaah. I shall be teaching you politics, administration and most important of all morality in them. You can excel in the first two if you are clever and knowledgeable but for the last you must be wise," Krishna said.

They both walked out of the hall.

"This is only the beginning, Abhijishya. It is going to be a difficult path," he said with a faraway look in his eyes.

"Mother Anne Marie Javouhey was known as the Liberator of the Slaves. If she could do it, I can too," Abhijishya said with determination.

Gopal smiled affectionately. He was glad to see Abhijishya finally stepping into the role she was meant for.

~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~

A.N. - What do you think of this chapter?

Tell me in the comments. Dwarka arc will be 3 more chapters I expect.

Please do vote also.

Until the next time,

Byee ;")