At Urumi Nachiyar's Headquarters in Vijayapuri,
"Yendaro veerulu Varendarivo veera gaadhalu
Yennenno thyagalu Vaarivenneno swapnalu
Anni nee paada kamalaalaku arpitamu
Jayathu Jayathu Matha Vijayapuri Bhagyavidhatri
Jayathu Jayathu!"
(So many brave warriors and so many their brave legends
So many sacrifices and so many their dreams
All these are offerings at your sacred feet
Victory to you O Mother of Vijayapuri who writes our destiny
Victory to you!)

The entire clan was celebrating the moment of victory against their evil oppressors. All the houses were decorated with mango leaves, chrysanthemum and marigold flowers. The porch in front of all the houses was washed with water and anointed with cow dung to ward off evil and bad omens. Intricate and colorful flower patterns were drawn with rice flour and decorated with colorful flowers on top.

The ladies were all dressed in their brightest hues of handwoven cottons for which Vijayapuri was very famous. Every household in Vijayapuri had a handloom and every lady of the house knew how to fashion the fanciest clothes and furnishings for her household.

Apart from this, weaving baskets and pottery was another major accomplishment every man and woman of Vijayapuri knew. Once the baskets were woven and the pots sun-dried in the torching heat of the Vijayapuri sun, the children of the house would paint them in the brightest hues and colors.

The first basket was always filled with chrysanthemum and marigold flowers and offered to the guardian deity of Vijayapuri, Goddess Annapoorna. The first pot of the year was always kept aside for the annual festivities dedicated to the goddess. It was used for making Pulagam (A kind of porridge made out of rice and lentils and offered to the mother goddess) during the festival.

In the evening, the women and girls would dance round a big bonfire clapping their hands and tapping their feet to the folk tunes of yore. These annual festivities of Vijayapuri usually came eight days before the Rama Navami. But Urumi Nachiyar sat in a corner, usually silent, not participating in any of the celebrations.

"We have won. Aren't you happy, Nachiyar?" Dharma, one of their clan elders asked.

"No, Aiyya. All these people around me are fools. They live and dream of an ideal world. But I live in the real. This victory came at the cost of several promising lives. Abinaya sacrificed so that we all could celebrate this day. This victory, this freedom is not here to stay. An even bigger army will be sent under an even more cruel and tyrannical Overlord. We all will be back in hiding in the mountains and forests of Vijayapuri. Once again a reign of terror will be unleashed. Both you and I will watch helplessly."

"True, Nachiyar", Dharma agreed. "It wasn't like this when Empress Shodasi Devi was ruling Vijayapuri."

"Unless we have the power to change and influence the center, any changes we bring about are cosmetic and superficial. There has to be someone who can galvanize everyone in the entire empire under their single banner. We have to back that someone and their cause to be heard. But who will that someone be?", Urumi Nachiyar mused silently.
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At the Palace of Mahishmati,
The roaring chant had begun once again in front of the palace at Mahishmati. The bustling clamor of noises started competing with one another for attention.

"Where is our Prince Narasimha? We want to see him now."

"Has Maharaj Subahu imprisoned him for insubordination?"

"Is it true that the bandits of Singapuram have abducted him and are demanding an enormous sum of money as ransom?"

"I heard that the paid mercenaries sent by Maharaj Trivikram of Gandhar have assassinated him. Is it true?"

"We want an official explanation."

Rajamata Kamaroopi shut her ears and bellowed for the guards, "Just clear those vermin!"

The guards stood helplessly staring at one another without speaking anything.

"Speak! Or else, I'll have you all beheaded."

Finally, one of the guards meekly ventured an explanation, "Rajamata, there are thousands and thousands outside. We are just a few hundreds."

"Get lost, you losers! Tell the minister in charge of the palace affairs to come immediately."

She paced about the room restlessly awaiting the minister's arrival. Kamaroopi had a very dreadful temper of which everyone including Maharaj Subahu was wary. She was very ruthless when it came to awarding death sentences and life imprisonments without the least bit of hearing or trial.

"What's happening, Amatya? Just clear that crowd."

The man hung his head down in shame.

"We have tried everything, Rajamata. They refuse to listen."

"Summon our army", she ordered.

"Our entire forces are with Maharaj Subahu and Vijayamarthanda. We have only a few hundred soldiers at our disposal."

Kamaroopi was getting exasperated, "Talk to the people and convince them. It's your job."

"None of our ministers or captains have any kind of credibility or connect with the common people of Mahishmati."

"What? Even with our Kalakeya citizens?"

"Yes, everyone. They say they are fed up of wars. They want a peaceful and enlightened rule. They want Prince Narasimha to be officially declared as the Yuvaraja of Mahishmati. They are seeking his official coronation", the man spoke extremely cautiously as though fearing backlash at any moment.

Kamaroopi pursed her lips, "Would that convince them to leave?"

The man weakly acquiesced to the question.

"Tell them that the Prince will be coronated as the Yuvaraja of Mahishmati on the eve of Rama Navami and get them dispersed. That will keep them quiet for the present."

"But...", the minister demurred.

"No ifs and buts. Just do what I say."
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At a Secret Underground Meeting,
Athikay, the leader of the Suras, was flexing his muscles in front of the fire lit to keep the dark underground chamber from becoming too cold.

"What is the situation outside, Shatadru?"

Shatadru jumped in his own shoes in his state of surprised shock, "Do you have eyes behind your back, Athikay?"

"I like to keep all my senses open." Athikay smiled a slow drawling laugh that was extremely frightening in its intensity.

"Extremely volatile", replied Shatadru. "Though I don't understand why you were so intent on spreading all those rumors around Narasimha."

"Opportunity, my friend. A wise one takes the first chance. He doesn't wait for a second one."

Shatadru continued, "Rajamata Kamaroopi has announced that Narasimha will be officially coronated as the Yuvaraja of Mahishmati on the eve of Rama Navami to quell the mutiny brewing among the common populace."

"So, finally! It is time for some fireworks", Athikay rubbed his hands in anticipation. "If you had understood everything I did, my dear Shatadru, you would be where I am. The Rajamata has fallen into our trap. If she fails to execute what she promises, perfect anarchy will prevail throughout the empire."

When Shatadru was preparing to take his leave, Athikay reiterated, "And do not bungle this time the way you did with that band of imposters. We never learned who and what their mission actually was. It was an opportunity lost. I am not a very forgiving man."

Shatadru quietly nodded his head. He took a few steps ahead before he turned back, "What if Narasimha comes back in time for the coronation?"

Athikay smiled, "We will see!"

After Shatadru had left, Athikay spoke to himself, "I have always lived in the shadows. I have always thrived on whispers and controversies. I have always capitalized on the smallest of opportunities. I have always twisted and manipulated people to dance to my tunes. Years ago, when King Mahendra was ruling Mahishmati, I was the real brain behind Subahu's campaign against his cousin. In return, my dear friend, Subahu, made me the third most powerful man in Mahishmati after himself and his brother-in-law, Vijayamarthanda. But really me! The third most powerful! I could never rest till I was the most powerful man. Now when I am on the verge of achieving that goal, if you come in my path, then I may have to dispatch you to where you cannot come, my dear Narasimha."
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In Eiravati's Personal Chamber,
"It's been days since I last saw him. I keep getting all these bad dreams. I feels as though a part of my heart has been wrenched apart", said Eiravati as she sobbed and broke down before her friend, Trinethrini.

Trinethrini tried to console her friend, "Narasimha is a warrior, Eira. He is a gift of the gods. He was born to accomplish great things. That is what Goddess Jwalamukhi told me. Why he defeated Subahu himself in wrestling! I think you are worrying unnecessarily", Trinethrini argued.

"I know that. But just because he is strong, doesn't make him infallible. A mother's heart tells me that he is in danger. Until I see him safe and sound, I won't partake food."

Trinethrini threw up her hands in frustration, "Come on, Eira. This isn't the first time Narasimha has been off like this. He will come back."

Eiravati vehemently shook her head, "He has always told me whenever he went off like this. He wouldn't go off for so long without seeking my permission. You are simply trying to divert me. If he wasn't really missing, why would most of our army, his father and uncle be searching for him high and low?"

Trinethrini hung down her head. She too had no answers to any of her friend's questions. She was also extremely anxious about what had happened to Narasimha. At a time when she would have been extremely grateful for a prophetic spell or two about what was happening, her powers seemed to have completely evaded her. She tried and tried to meditate countless number of times but in vain. There seemed to be some sort of mental curtain that was blocking her vision and insights.

Eiravati suddenly clutched Trinethrini's hands and begged, "Trinethrini, you are blessed with the gift of prophecy, aren't you? Just look within you and tell me where my son is?"

"I am really sorry, Eira. My powers of prophecy aren't working for some reason. I can answer your questions only when Goddess Jwalamukhi blesses me with a prophetic spell. I have tried even before you asked me. But all my thought waves are encountering a blank and impenetrable brick wall. I am unable to see anything beyond that."

"Is there anything we can do to make your powers come back? You are our only hope, Trinethrini", Eiravati said.

Rajamata Kamaroopi who had overheard the conversation between the two friends joined Eiravati in asking Trinethrini to help them, "I know I have always sneered and made fun of you and your gifts, Trinethrini. But the circumstances are dire. Can you tell us where Narasimha is?"

Trinethrini paused, "I derive my powers from Goddess Jwalamukhi who was born out of a volcano. If I am in the vicinity of a live volcano, my lost powers could get reactivated. But the nearest live volcano is on the Gauri Parvat within Kanchu Kota. Nobody is allowed to go there. So...."

"You don't worry about all that. I will authorize and make all the necessary arrangements for you and Eiravati to visit Kanchu Kota."

Trinethrini bowed in agreement. Kamaroopi gave a big sigh of relief, "You really do not know what a big help you are doing to the empire, Trinethrini. Rapid enemy movements, armed uprisings, military rebellions and sightings of strange ships at night have been reported in several parts of the empire. Subahu and Vijayamarthanda are scouring in different directions for Narasimha. The people are vociferously demanding to see their young prince. If we do not discover him before Rama Navami, everything will be lost."

Trinethrini fidgeted uncomfortably and mumbled within herself, "I wish I wasn't helping you or your son by finding Narasimha."

Kamaroopi pricked her ears curiously, "Did you say something?"

"Yes, of course. I was saying it is my duty towards you and Maharaj Subahu", Trinethrini replied.

Kamaroopi looked a bit unconvinced but she let it pass in the bigger scheme of things.
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On the way to Urumi Nachiyar's Headquarters,
Bhavani and Narasimha had bribed the washerman and his wife who washed clothes for Urumi Nachiyar. They borrowed his donkey and the washed bundle of clothes and started walking towards her camp based on the directions he had given.

After the friends had walked a long while without talking anything, Bhavani complained, "My legs are aching. I can't go any further."

Her whining and complaining brought out an unexpected smile out of Narasimha even in the current turbulent circumstances. He said to her gently, "You can sit on the donkey."

Bhavani bickered, "I thought about that possibility too. But the beast can carry either me or the burden."

"Okay, since the beast is out of question, you expect me to carry you?" Narasimha queried with a teasing smile.

"Aiyyo Rama! How annoying you are! When did I tell that?" Bhavani blushed unconsciously at Narasimha's words.

"Oh! Should I summon someone else then?" He took great delight in occasionally annoying her and getting the rise out of her.

She stomped her feet in frustration and turned aside with an angry pout. Narasimha put the bundle of clothes behind his back and said, "You can hop onto the donkey, Kshatrani. I'll carry the clothes."

"You knew what I intended to say all this while and yet..."

He gave an impish smile. She also broke out laughing as she mounted the donkey, "You're impossible, Narasimha!"

His face suddenly assumed a grave expression when he heard these words. She asked, "Is anything the matter?"

"I was reminded of my mother. She often used to say exactly the same words", he remembered with nostalgia.

"You're missing her, aren't you?"

He simply nodded his head. Bhavani continued, "Tell me about her, Narasimha."

"My mother, Eiravati! She is like this bright ray of sunshine that lights up even the darkest corners of our palace. Every day would begin with a salutation to the sun god for shining his light upon us. She wouldn't eat or drink anything until she had done her parayana (recitation) of one chapter each from the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita. She would feed at least a hundred poor people and Brahmins with her own hands at noon time. She is the Queen of Mahishmati. But I rarely ever saw her wearing many jewels, not because she didn't have many, but because she parted with them so easily whenever she saw anybody around her suffering."

"Has she ever spoken to you about your father, his policies or his way of governance? Anything? Anything at all?" Bhavani asked out of curiosity.

Narasimha shook his head, "Nothing at all."

Looking at his drooping shoulders and furrowed brows, Bhavani said, "I know how difficult the truth is going to be for you. We need not go through with it. Let's turn back."

"No! I want to know the truth. I'll make something out of the truth when I have to deal with it", replied Narasimha.

"I have seen you carry your own rival on your back when he was wounded. I have seen you fight for the rights of the underprivileged Gopal. I have seen you fight and defeat the evil Tantrik and his imposter 'Yeti' friend. I have seen you stand up against your own father in the judgement he delivered against Sanga Amma. I have always thought you were very brave."

After a pause, she said, "But this is the bravest I have seen of you."

"You praise me too much, Bhavani. I am ordinary just like you or anybody else. I have done what anybody else would do."

Bhavani shook her head, "No, Narasimha. It is your simplicity that makes you think so." With a smile, she added, "You are more your mother's son than you know."

"I've always had questions about a lot of things. But I have received only questions in return for questions. This is the first time I may actually find out answers to my questions. They may not be what I want. But I want them all the same", Narasimha pondering about everything that had happened recently.
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Author's Note:
Thank you to all my friends and loyal readers for the love and support you have showered on Shatru Sesham. Hope you liked this chapter. I am going to India for a family vacation. I will be traveling this whole summer. So there will be no story updates of Shatru Sesham till the second week of August, 2019.