the immortal of maluha
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morning. I think it may be a good idea for Veerini and Sati to accompany you. The rest <strong>of</strong> us<br />
can catch up with you two days later.’<br />
Sati looked up in alarm. She wasn’t sure why, but something told her that she shouldn’t<br />
agree to this plan. Ano<strong>the</strong>r part <strong>of</strong> her said that she had no reason to be scared. In all <strong>the</strong><br />
eighty-five years she had spent as a vikarma, she had never broken <strong>the</strong> law. She had <strong>the</strong> selfcontrol<br />
to know what was right, and what wasn’t.<br />
Shiva though had no such thoughts. With very obvious delight, he said, ‘I think that is a very<br />
good idea, your Highness. Nandi and I could travel with both her Highnesses back to Devagiri.’<br />
‘It’s settled <strong>the</strong>n,’ said a visibly content Daksha. Turning to Parvateshwar, he said,<br />
‘Parvateshwar, please ensure that <strong>the</strong> Arishtanemi escort are broken up into two groups for <strong>the</strong><br />
return journey.’<br />
‘My Lord, I don’t think that is wise,’ said Parvateshwar. ‘A large part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Arishtanemi are<br />
still in Devagiri preparing for <strong>the</strong> material transfer. Also, <strong>the</strong> standing contingent in Mount<br />
Mandar cannot be reduced under any circumstances. We may not have enough soldiers for two<br />
caravans. Perhaps, we could all travel toge<strong>the</strong>r day after tomorrow’<br />
‘I am sure <strong>the</strong>re won’t be a problem,’ said Daksha. ‘And don’t you always say that each<br />
Arishtanemi is equal to fifty enemy soldiers? It’s settled. The Lord Neelkanth, Veerini and Sati<br />
will leave tomorrow morning. Please make all <strong>the</strong> arrangements.’<br />
Parvateshwar went unhappily back to his thoughts as Shiva and Sati started whispering to<br />
each o<strong>the</strong>r again.<br />
‘You did go for a shudhikaran, didn’t you?’ asked Sati seriously.<br />
‘Yes,’ said Shiva. He wasn’t lying. He had gone for a purification ceremony on his last night<br />
at Devagiri. He didn’t believe he needed it. However, he knew that Sati would ask him <strong>the</strong> next<br />
time <strong>the</strong>y met. And he didn’t want to lie to her.<br />
‘Though I think <strong>the</strong> concept <strong>of</strong> doing a shudhikaran is completely absurd,’ whispered Shiva.<br />
‘In fact, <strong>the</strong> entire concept <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vikarma is ridiculous. I think that is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> few things in<br />
Meluha that is not fair and should be changed.’<br />
Sati looked up suddenly at Shiva, her face devoid <strong>of</strong> any expression. Shiva stared hard into<br />
her eyes, trying to gauge some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> thoughts running through her mind. But he hit a blank<br />
wall.<br />
It was <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> second prahar <strong>the</strong> next day when Shiva, Veerini, Sati and Nandi<br />
departed for Devagiri along with a hundred Arishtanemi. Daksha, Parvateshwar and Kanakhala<br />
stood outside <strong>the</strong> guest house to see <strong>the</strong>m <strong>of</strong>f. Brahaspati had been detained by some<br />
scheduled experiments.<br />
The entourage had to sit in <strong>the</strong> same carriage as <strong>the</strong>re were guidelines that a minimum <strong>of</strong><br />
four carriages had to be kept aside for any caravan that carried <strong>the</strong> Emperor. Since <strong>the</strong> royal<br />
procession had come in five carriages, that left only one carriage for this caravan.<br />
Parvateshwar was deeply unhappy about <strong>the</strong> unorthodox way in which members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> royal<br />
family had to travel without any dummy carriages, but his objections were overruled by Daksha.<br />
Sitting on one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> comfortable s<strong>of</strong>as inside <strong>the</strong> carriage, Sati noticed that Shiva was<br />
wearing his cravat again. ‘Why do you cover your throat all <strong>the</strong> time?’