the immortal of maluha

‘What do we do?’
‘Was it Veerbhadra’s scouts who returned with the news?’ asked Shiva.
Parvateshwar nodded. Shiva turned towards Nandi, who rushed out immediately. Moments
later, Veerbhadra stood before them.
‘What route is the Chandravanshi detachment taking, Bhadra?’ asked Shiva.
‘Up the east, along the steep mountains on our side. I think they intend to enter our valley
some fifty kilometres up north.’
‘Did you take a cartographer with you as Parvateshwar had instructed?’
Veerbhadra nodded, moved to the centre table and laid out the map on it. Shiva and
Parvateshwar leaned across. Pointing to the route with his fingers, Veerbhadra said, ‘This way’.
Shiva suddenly started as he noticed the ideal defensive position on the map, deep north of
the Suryavanshi camp. He looked up at Parvateshwar. The same thought had occurred to the
General.
‘How many men do you think, Parvateshwar?’
‘Difficult to say. It will be tough. But the pass looks defendable. It will need a sizeable
contingent though. At least thirty thousand.’
‘But we can’t spare too many men. I am sure the battle with the main Chandravanshi army
to the south will also happen tomorrow. It would be the best time for them to take up positions.’
Parvateshwar nodded grimly. The Meluhans might just have to retreat and manoeuvre for a
batde on another, more advantageous position, he thought unhappily.
‘I think five thousand men ought to do it, my Lords.’
Shiva and Parvateshwar had not noticed Drapaku move to the table. He was examining the
pass that Shiva had just pointed out.
‘Look here,’ continued Drapaku, as Shiva and Parvateshwar peered.
‘The mountains ahead constrict rapidly to this pass, which is not more than fifty metres
across. It doesn’t matter how big their army is, each charge by the enemy into the pass cannot
comprise of more than a few hundred men.’
‘But Drapaku, with a hundred thousand men, they can launch one charge after another,
almost continuously,’ said Mayashrenik. ‘And with the mountains so steep on the sides, you
can’t use any of our missiles. Victory is almost impossible.’
‘It’s not about victory,’ said Drapaku. ‘It’s about holding them for a day so that our main army
can fight.’
‘I will do it,’ said Parvateshwar.
‘No, my Lord,’ said Vraka. ‘You are required for the main charge.’ Shiva looked up at
Parvateshwar.
I need to be here as well.
‘I can’t do it either,’ said Shiva, shaking his head.
Parvateshwar looked up at Shiva, disillusionment writ large on his face. While he had
prepared his heart for disappointment, he had hoped that Shiva would prove him wrong. But it
appeared clear to Parvateshwar that Shiva too would be simply watching the battìe from the
viewing platform being made for Daksha.
‘Give me the honour, my Lord,’ said Drapaku.
‘Drapaku...,’ whispered Mayashrenik, not putting in words what everyone else knew.
With only five thousand soldiers, the battle at the northern pass against the Chandravanshi
detachment was a suicide mission.