The Aryavarta Chronicles Kurukshetra: Book 3 Read Free Page A

threw me into a cart and we set off. Some time during the night, they began getting into the cart, in twos and threes… After that…I don’t know…’
    The statement made all three men uncomfortable, Sanjaya the most, for this had been his idea and he had gone ahead despite Suka’s caution. He had known well what was likely – one expected no better from Danava mercenaries. Their violence, he had reasoned, would spare him and his companions the necessity of torturing a woman, for Philista, he believed, held the single piece of information that could change everything. He said, ‘You are at Hastina. We had you brought here as soon as we heard of Govinda Shauri’s intentions.’
    ‘Which are?’ She let her head droop, coughing from the effort of speech.
    ‘Ostensibly to broker peace between Syoddhan Kauravya and the exile Dharma Yudhisthir. Now that Dharma has garnered the support of Matsya’s rebel scum, Govinda finds it convenient to ally with him once again.’
    Philista lifted her head to look directly at Suka. ‘Govinda could never really stay put and keep his nose out of others’ affairs.’ Her eyes moved from Suka to the other two men. ‘I can understand why a Firstborn might find his imminent arrival disconcerting. But surely that news is welcome to Sanjaya and Devala?’
    Sanjaya felt his heart fall yet again at the thought of how it ought to have been so, but was not. In the aftermath of the Great Scourge, when the Firewrights were all but extinct, the feeble rumours of a last plan, of a hidden Secret Keeper who would some day rise to resurrect and lead the ancient Order, had been all that had kept hope alive. Over time, the promise had turned to prophecy, but the prophecy had then been lost as myth. When the truth had finally emerged, it had seemed to both Sanjaya and Devala that the myth had been preferable: There was indeed a Secret Keeper, but his identity, and consequently his allegiance, was held by the one man both of them considered their greatest enemy.
    Devala appeared to share the emotion, for he snapped, ‘Vathu! We do not have to explain ourselves to you! Answer our questions, woman, else I have no scruples about beating it out of you.’
    ‘Hush, Devala!’ Suka intervened. He held Philista’s gaze as he bent down, his manner somehow turning the conciliatory gesture into a menacing warning. Bringing his lips close to her ear, he whispered, ‘There will be no need for such threats. Not with one as intelligent as she is. She knows what terrible times lie ahead. War is an undeniable possibility, and when it comes it will not leave her people, the Yavanas, untouched. Of course, if we can stop Govinda, it may prevent such terrible bloodshed…’
    ‘If you think that you can use me as leverage, you are wrong,’ Philista said.
    The words made Devala lose some of his aggression and he found himself following Suka’s conciliatory tone. ‘Leverage? When has Govinda cared about anyone, especially those who have cared for him? No, you are not leverage. But you may hold information that determines the destinies of your people and ours… Don’t confuse love with loyalty.’
    Philista stared at the three men through brimming tears. At length, her shoulders slumped in defeat and the defiant spark in her eyes faded into stony emptiness. ‘There is only one thing you could want from me. You want to know who the Secret Keeper is, don’t you?’
    Suka made to respond, but she continued, turning towards Sanjaya and Devala, ‘Look at you! You would rather ally yourself with the Firstborn, your sworn enemies, than join hands with those who share your cause…Why? Because you cannot bear to let go of power. And here we have the Firstborn, who are ready to sanctify and accept those they once condemned, as long as they swear allegiance to the Firstborn way of life. To all of you, the end justifies the means. I don’t think the Secret Keeper, whoever he or she may be, should be any different from you,