the immortal of maluha

hooded figures were seated on large rocks. The captain of the platoon of soldiers stood rigid in
attention next to the duo. He could not believe that he was standing next to the Queen herself.
The privilege overwhelmed him.
One of the hooded figures raised his hand to motion for the captain to step closer. On the
hooded figure’s wrist was a leather bracelet with the serpent Aum. ‘Vishwadyumna, are you
sure this is where we are supposed to meet him? He is late by nearly an hour.’
‘Yes, my Lord,’ replied Vishwadyumna nervously. ‘This is exactly where he had said he
would come.’
The other hooded figure turned and spoke in a commanding voice - a feminine one. A voice
used to being obeyed without question. ‘That man makes the Queen of the Nagas wait!’ Turning
to the other hooded figure, she continued, ‘I trust you have worked this out in detail. I hope I
haven’t entered this vile territory in vain.’
The other hooded figure moved his fleshy hands in a motion asking the Queen for patience.
‘Have faith, your Highness. This man is our key to giving the Suryavanshis a blow that they will
never recover from.’
‘Apparently, there was an Agnipariksha fight between the princess and a man in the city
yesterday,’ said Vishwadyumna suddenly, trying to impress the Queen with his sharp ear for
local knowledge. ‘I do not have the exact details. I just hope that our man was not involved in it.’
The Queen turned swiftly to the other hooded figure. Then back to Vishwadyumna. ‘Please
wait with the other soldiers.’
Vishwadyumna sensed he had said something he shouldn’t have and quickly retreated
before his Lord’s stern gaze could reprimand him. This is why he had been told in training
school that a good soldier never speaks unless spoken to.
‘She’s here?’ asked the Queen with barely suppressed anger.
The other hooded figure nodded.
‘I thought I’d told you to forget about this,’ said the Queen sternly. There is nothing to be
gained by this quest. Do you realise that your stupid attack on Mount Mandar may have let
them suspect that we have a mole in their midst?’
The male figure looked up in apology.
‘Did you come here for her?’
‘No, your Highness,’ said the hooded figure with a deeply respectful tone. This was the place
where he asked us to meet him.’
The Queen reached her hand out and gently patted the man’s shoulder. ‘Stay focussed, my
child,’ said the Queen softly. ‘If we pull this off, it will be our biggest victory ever. Like you just
said, we will strike a blow that they will find very difficult to recover from.’
The man nodded.
‘And yet,’ continued the Queen, pulling her hand back into the shelter of her black robes,
‘your preoccupation with her, makes you take uncharacteristic decisions. Do you know he has
sent a clear message that she cannot be touched? Otherwise, the deal is off.’
The hooded figure stared at the Queen in surprise. ‘How did you...’
‘I am the Queen of the Nagas, my child,’ she interrupted. ‘I have more than one piece on the
chessboard.’
The hooded figure continued to look at the Queen, ashamed about his poor call at Mount
Mandar. The Queen’s next words added to his shame. ‘You are making surprising mistakes, my
child. You have the potential to be the greatest Naga ever. Don’t waste it.’