The whole court rose in applause of the man who had finally captured the elusive rebel leader. It wasn't any of the Emperor's men or officers who had accomplished this mammoth task. It was the former bodyguard of a visiting royal dignitary who had accomplished this. It had been the dream of every soldier and officer in Subahu's army to present the rebel leader before their king. But this man who came from nowhere had stolen the thunder right beneath their noses.

Mrithyunjay majestically marched in with his head and his chest held upright. Aparaajitha looked at him with longing and query writ all over her pale and resolute face. She was not sure about what he was planning. But she was sure about only one thing. He couldn't have betrayed her or their people. In a world of uncertainties, he had been the most certain support she ever beheld.

As Mrithyunjay was passing by, he threw a fleeting side-long glance in Aparaajitha's direction. He would never have dreamed in his wildest dreams that he would be the person causing her so much pain and trauma. But life takes us to such strange places. What wouldn't have materialized even in his dreams was actually playing out in reality.

He hastily withdrew his eyes when she looked up and walked ahead swallowing the lump in his throat. He said to himself, "I know you wanted me to go away but my motherland calls me. I cannot leave her unheard nor can I leave you all alone to fend for yourself against these wolves and jackals. I haven't betrayed you, Princess."

Subahu welcomed the hero who had captured Aditya Varma with open arms, "Seek what you will today and it will be granted....wealth, power, women....anything..."

Mrithyunjay hesitated for a moment, "Please let it be O great sovereign. I don't want posterity to say that Mrithyunjay asked for something which Maharaj Subahu, the ruler of the mighty Mahishmati Empire could not grant." The ministers and counsellors appeared rather offended, "Control your impudent streak, young man. The only reason you are still talking is because you helped us capture these rebels." There was a rather hard and inscrutable expression on Subahu's face before it underwent a chameleon-like transformation. He reassured Mrithyunjay, "Don't hesitate young man. Just ask."

"I seek two things: one, the honor of being the single and sole executioner of all these traitors according to the time-honored Kalakeya procedure of death sentence; two, it has been my dream to serve as one of your Suras. I seek an appointment in your personal army as a captain," he sought.

Envious whispers and tattles rose all around. The soldiers, captains, generals and even ministers wished they were in young man's place instead. Kamaroopi, Subahu's mother deferred, "This is not the usual procedure young man. Execution of rebels and a posting in the Suras are privileges you earn through long years of service and not a single fluke of luck. Ask something else."

Subahu turned towards Kamaroopi and asserted, "It was my word mother." He did not seem very pleased that his mother was opposing his word so openly in the royal court. If she had issues with his decisions, she could always discuss things privately with him.

"But..." Kamaroopi glared furiously that her words were being overruled. "And what about his post as the bodyguard of the visiting princess? Won't she take any offense if we appoint him as one of our Suras?"

Mrithyunjay looked beseechingly at Aparaajitha as though asking her to play along. She instantly understood what he was trying to do. He was trying to hit two birds at one shot. By presenting the rebels before Subahu, he was trying to win his trust and confidence. At the same time, he was trying to infiltrate into Subahu's inner circles of power and weaken the enemy from within.

Kamaroopi had definitely taken offense at Subahu acceding to Mrithyunjay's demands. The chasm between the mother and son was out in the open for all to see. By now, she was curious to know how Mrithyunjay was going to save her uncle, Sanga Amma and the others. He wouldn't have placed them in this precarious situation if he didn't have the confidence that he could save them.

"Rajamata, we would consider it an honor that a citizen of Suvarnadweepam was considered for a post in Maharaj Subahu's personal army. It will serve as a bridge between both kingdoms. I had to relieve Mrithyunjay from my service because I felt the post of a bodyguard to be redundant and not because of any inefficiency or insubordination from his side. He is my most loyal soldier and bravest warrior." Aparaajitha's voice quivered tremulously and lingered a bit longer as she spoke the last sentence.

As soon as he was certain Mrithyunjay's appointment was not going to cause any diplomatic fracas between Mahishmati and Suvarnadweepam, Subahu turned towards the court and proclaimed, "I hereby proclaim Mrithyunjay, the captor of the rebels, the honor of being the sole executioner who will carry out the time-honored convention of the Kalakeya death sentence for the captured rebels. The execution will take place tomorrow midnight. I also appoint him as a captain in my personal army of Suras."

Kamaroopi stormed out of the court. Eiravati and a couple of ministers were about to follow her and appease her anger. But Subahu held his right palm in front to caution them and stop them from leaving the court, "Everyone should know their limits." Eiravati and the others reluctantly sat back. Eiravati tried to reason out, "She is your mother..."

"Still..." Subahu silencing whatever Eiravati wanted to tell. He had had enough of his mother perpetually dictating things to him. He was the sole sovereign of Mahishmati. He was answerable to none for his decisions. This thought and similar ones crept in fighting for hegemony in Subahu's already puffed up brain, "The court is dismissed."

Aditya Varma, his men and Sanga Amma were being led away to the prison by the soldiers. The chains that bound Sanga Amma's hands and legs somehow got unlocked during this exercise. She broke her bonds and wriggled out of their grasp. She ran towards Subahu and stood obstructing his way out of the court.

She picked up a fistful of mud from a nearby planter and held it up to him, "How much more land will appease your avarice?  Take this." She threw a fistful of mud into his eyes. The dust had lodged itself in his eyes. As he rubbed his burning and tingling eyes, he cried out, "Hey oldie, conquest and expansion of empire is the duty of every king. I did nothing different from what kings and emperors before me have always done. So why are you riling at me when I did the same thing they did?"

She mocked him, "Bhumi yele vaadu kaadaiyya Raju. Gundelu yelevadu Raju. Na Mahendrudu MaaRaju. Nuvvu 'Raju' anna maataki kalankam. Ummuthunnaanu nee meedha nee nyayam meeda. (One who rules over land is not a king. One who rules over hearts is a true king. My Mahendra was an emperor. You're a blot in the name of kingship. I spit on you and your justice.)

"Thirty whiplashes before the execution!" The mention of Mahendra Baahubali and his own failings in comparison greatly incensed Subahu who was raging with fury.

Sanga glared back without the least bit of fear in her eyes. She jeered at him, "That is all you can do. They say that forgetfulness is like death and remembrance will give new life. Mahishmati has forgotten her past glory. It's time to remind her of who she was and what she has become. I pray that every single whiplash that falls on me will remind this weary and amnesia-ridden kingdom about your atrocities and instigate the spirit of rebellion. Beware, Subahu, beware! Your days are numbered."

Something about his father's demeanor was terribly disturbing and unnerving to Narasimha. The old lady was on the wrong side of law and his father on the right side. But for some reason, she appeared right and his father wrong. His arrogance and sense of entitlement were truly alarming. Narasimha punched his balled up fists against the wall. His fingers started bleeding as he mused to himself, "Was father always like this? Or am I reading too much?"

Aparaajitha's face reddened with anger and her hands instinctively traveled towards the knife tucked in her bosom as she witnessed her grandmother being ill-treated like this by Subahu. She would have attacked Subahu then and there throwing all caution to the winds. Mrithyunjay quietly slipped his hand in hers reigning back her irresolute anger. She bit her lips till they bled. 

Mrithyunjay whispered in a low tone audible only to Aparaajitha, "Please come away with me. There is a lot I need to tell you when we aren't under the scrutiny of a thousand different eyes." Outwardly, he requested  the honor of escorting her back to her chambers. Aparaajitha walked ahead while Mrithyunjay and Malli followed behind in silence. They knew how difficult it was for her to retain composure under the present circumstances.

After they had turned the third left, they reached an empty portico. There was a huge hallway ahead. It used to be called 'The Floating Hallway of the Hundred Pillars'. It was an architectural marvel that stood as a testament to the artistic achievements of the previous generations of Mahishmati. There were a hundred huge and magnificent pillars, aesthetically carved with intricate pieces of sculptor and figurines, that were fixed on a floor made up of a single piece of blue, shining and transparent marble. So in effect, it appeared as though the hundred pillars were floating on water.

Aparaajitha peeked back and forth before she started fidgeting casually with one of the figurines on the fourth pillar. A couple of levers and pulleys clicked and crackled somewhere else before the pillar parted into two opening up a secret, labyrinthine passage. She gave a slight smile as she said herself, "Some things still haven't changed!" All three of them ducked and quickly entered the passage unseen by any of Subahu's spies.
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After they left, a couple of clueless soldiers were seen inspecting the empty hallway and discussing among themselves:

"Where did they go?"

"They must have left."

"You think they must be aware that we were following them?"

"Not very likely! We were cautious enough."
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For a moment, Aparaajitha started reeling in the dark, enclosed space of the secret passage. Mrithyunjay instantly stepped behind to catch hold of her. She took a deep breath and summoned all her inner resources of strength before she began walking slowly and steadily. She led them across several dark alleys, taking turns and detours and occasionally stopping by to recollect if they were coming the right way or not. They must have walked a couple of miles, encountering several bats and mice whose cozy nap they ended up disturbing, before they emerged out of an empty and dry well in an old and deserted temple at the outskirts of the capital. After the three of them were safely ensconced within the temple, Aparaajitha said, "Now tell me!"
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Mrithyunjay was at a loss of words for a moment in his admiration for Aparaajitha. He had always known that she was very strong and resilient. But he did not realize their true magnitude till the present moment. She had risen above her phobia for dark and enclosed spaces when time and circumstances called for it. She had a photogenic memory that seemed to have stored every small and minute detail about Mahishmati.

"How did you remember it so accurately?"

"Mahishmati was under siege from the kings of the Penta Alliance. It happened on the first day of the Navarathri. We had just learned the happy news that mother was expecting. Rajamata Devasena, my grandmother, asked Kattappa Thatha to take both of us to a place of safety. The siege lasted for nine days. Father beat them back in those nine days. He came to take both of us back on the tenth day of Vijayadasami. That is why I remember this passage. We'll talk about the past later. I asked you to go away. Why didn't you? What dangerous game are you and my uncle playing?
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MRITHYUNJAY
A day ago at the banks of Bhagiradhi,
I was wandering about aimlessly after you asked me to go away. I did not know what to do with myself and my life. I felt as though a sense of emptiness and vacuum were closing in upon me. That was when I noticed your uncle, Sanga Amma and his men rapidly approaching one of the banks of the river.

I assumed that they had come to complete the rituals of the ceremony. When I turned the other way, I perceived a group of Suras chatting among themselves. My first attempt was to either delay them or mislead them from observing the group.

"If I catch hold of that Aditya Varma, I will assassinate him and present his head and my blood-drenched sword before his majesty."

"No, you're forgetting me, my friend. I will chop his head and that of his men."

"Let's place a bet, friends. Whoever kills Aditya Varma gets as much booze and women as he wants from all of us."

These men would certainly kill your uncle and the others if they caught hold of him. Just then, a very different kind of idea started crystallizing in my mind. What if we use this situation to our advantage? Here was an opportunity of penetrating into Subahu's famed Suras. Subahu would be sure to reward the person who helped him capture the rebels with almost anything.

As it was, your uncle and the others were sure to be discovered under such heavy surveillance whether I led Subahu's men here or not. I stuck up a conversation with these men and casually let it fall in their hearing where I had seen your uncle and his men. As soon as they heard this, they left immediately.

The vision outside on the banks was pretty hazy and blurred. It was hard to make out any definite shapes. Only the clang of the swords rang ferociously through the air. The fighting outside was very vigorous and violent. Your uncle's men were fighting tooth and nail.

One of the leaders was shouting, "Rally round me! We are all dispersed. Get into the Mandala Vyuh (A sort of circular but highly defensive military formation and battle array)."

I saw that they didn't need my help. I had to see what was happening to your uncle underwater.
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Your uncle was fighting his own struggle for life and death all alone. He was surrounded on all sides by enemies who held him tight with an iron and vice-like grip. Five terrible ruffians held each of his hands and legs, while a last held on to his chest. The fifth man menacingly brought out a sharp and cold knife tipped in poison from the folds of his dress. All these men were masked in black cloth. Instantly, he realigned the muscles of his hands, his legs and his chest in such a manner that for a single second, the five men who were holding him back lost their grasp over him.

Coordinating this with a superhuman effort of strength, stamina, and the tenacious will to survive at all costs, he jerked his hands and feet in such a manner that  his captors crashed into each other stunned and benumbed. The fifth soldier who had been holding his chest was thrown off balance by this sudden and surprise movement. He rolled off and came very close to your uncle's feet which he caught  by now. Not being near to the chest, but having the feet in his grip all the same, he brought out the knife with which he wildly slashed at him.

The man was about to repeat the same action to his left knee as well when he was weighed down from his position by a dead weight. To his horror, he found that it was the body of his own comrade. There was a slight and thin cut near his throat. The blue and clear waters started turning red and smelt of blood.

The man stared on in disbelief. Aditya was not armed. Then how did he do this. Before he could think any further, two more of his companions started drowning in the waters, blood oozing from their bodies. He withdrew all his ideas of attacking Aditya when his own life was under threat and shouted to his remaining comrade who was still alive, "Friend, get out of here. Something is going wrong."

But the man at the other end, "How can we go like this leaving our enemy? What will we tell Maharaj Subahu?" The man at this side was not at all convinced by his comrade's arguments as he personally saw defeat staring at him under water. "Only if we remain alive, we can do something. We'll tell whatever suits us to Maharaj Subahu. Let's get out of here!"

The man at the other end by now seemed convinced by this soldier's arguments. He said, "Yes, you're right! Only if I remain alive will I be able to tell something." The first soldier was flabbergasted when he heard these words, "What do you mean?"

From the other end, a knife suddenly pierced into his chest as his own comrade said to him, "I mean that your moment of death has come and you are standing in front of it."

After this, I touched Aditya's feet in a gesture of obeisance before I tore a small piece of cloth from my tunic and tied it at the spot where the dead man had slashed at your uncle's right knee.

Once this was over, both of us came above just to the surface level to take a fresh and deep breath of air outside the water without emerging completely from it. Aditya remembered how a few moments ago, one of the assailants who was standing to his left came very close to his ears and said, "I am here. Nothing will happen. I will loosen my grip on you. Just elude from the others's grip and keep yourself out of the way, I will take care of the rest."Aditya smiled a smile of recognition as soon as he heard these words.
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The rebels on the bank were fighting relentlessly. It was becoming very difficult for Subahu's men to penetrate past this battle array. Even the twenty odd men fought like a hundred that day. For a moment, even the unusually cold, clinical and brutal leader of the Suras felt like saluting these brave and indomitable rebels fighting to the last drop of their blood on the battle field.

He knew he would have to hack and mow them down in order to succeed in assassinating Aditya Varma. But for one odd moment, he thought he would give anything to be fighting alongside such men instead of against them. But war was like that. You were forced to shed the very blood of the men whom you would otherwise have respected or saluted.
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Your uncle resolutely held me back from barging into the battlefield like a charging bull, unmindful and heedless of everything, "No, just let me go. I will teach them a lesson. I cannot remain hidden under water like a coward any longer."

"I am along with you in the water. So I have to be a coward as well by your admirable logic", he said.

I was instantly and suitably chastened, "I didn't mean that. I just wanted to go out and teach those Suras a lesson!"

"In good time, we will. But we will not waste this God-sent opportunity of intruding into the enemy ranks", he said.

I hung down my head while nodding at his words in perfect acquiescence. After this, it was your uncle who first broke the silence, "How long can you remain in water without coming up for taking breath? I can manage three minutes if I take a deep breath now. And you?"

I said, "I can manage three too!

We swam towards a particular spot on the opposite bank which was shaded and sheltered with a heavy canopy of green and huge boulder rocks which would prove as an ideal camouflage cover for both of us to emerge out of water undetected and unidentified by the enemies. We crept out from that spot and quickly sneaked for cover unobserved by anyone.
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The leader of the Suras was terribly infuriated that only thing he ever hated and feared in his life, FAILURE, was staring straight into his eyes. The signal agreed upon after the success of Aditya's assasination between him and his men never came. That meant that all that blood he saw was not Aditya's but his own men's.

"After all this happened, both of us planned this whole elaborate charade together", Mrithyunjay concluded.
End of Mrithyunjay's narrative
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After hearing everything, Aparaajitha asked, "So that's the reason why my uncle and his men were maintaining such a low profile in Subahu's court without the least bit of opposition or protest?"

"Yes", replied Mrithyunjay. "It was part of our plan. The Kalakeya death sentence involves drowning a person with his hands and legs tied and a boulder attached to his feet in a crocodile-infested water body. We had made arrangements for rescuing everyone after the death sentence was executed. But I think Sanga Amma was unable to control herself after seeing Subahu and lashed out at him."

"What about the whippings then?"

Mrithyunjay sadly shook his head.
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Author's Note:
Hope all of you liked this chapter. If you liked what you read, kindly support, vote and comment on this story.