Ram laughed and said, tongue in cheek, That's good then!'

Bharat's expression instantly transformed and became sombre. Father is not going to let you go, Dada. Even you know that. You're not going anywhere.'

Father doesn't have a choice. And neither do you. You will rule Ayodhya. And you will rule it well.'

I will not ascend the throne this way,' said Bharat, shaking his head. No, I will not.'

Ram knew that there was nothing he could say that would ease Bharat's pain.

Dada, why are you insisting on this?' asked Bharat.

It's the law, Bharat,' said Ram. I fired a daivi astra.'

The h.e.l.l with the law, Dada! Do you actually think your leaving will be in the best interests of Ayodhya? Imagine what the two of us can achieve together; your emphasis on rules and mine on freedom and creativity. Do you think either you or I can be as effective alone?'

Ram shook his head. I'll be back in fourteen years, Bharat. Even you just conceded that rules have a significant place in a society. How can I convince others to follow the law if I don't do so myself? The law must apply equally and fairly to every single person. It is as simple as that.' Then Ram stared directly into Bharat's eyes. Even if it helps a heinous criminal escape death, the law should not be broken.'

Bharat stared right back, his expression inscrutable.

Sita, sensing that the brothers were talking about something else and that things were getting decidedly uncomfortable, rose from the bench and said to Ram, You have a meeting with General Mrigasya.'

I don't mean to be rude, but are you sure that your wife should be here?' asked Mrigasya, the general of the Ayodhyan army.

Ram and Sita had received the general in their private office.

There are no secrets between us,' said Ram. In any case, I would tell her what has been discussed. She may as well hear it directly from you.'

Mrigasya cast an enigmatic look at Sita, and let out a long breath before addressing Ram. You can be emperor right away.'

The king of Ayodhya automatically became the emperor of the Sapt Sindhu; this had been the privilege of the Suryavanshi clan that ruled Kosala, since the days of Raghu. Mrigasya was offering to smoothen the path for Ram to ascend the throne of Ayodhya.

Sita was stunned, but kept her face deadpan. Ram frowned.

Mrigasya misunderstood what was going through Ram's mind. He a.s.sumed that Ram was wondering why the general would help him, when one of his officials had been penalised on the orders of the prince, for what Mrigasya thought was a minor crime of land-grabbing.

I am willing to forget what you did to me,' said Mrigasya, if you are willing to remember what I am doing for you right now.'

Ram remained silent.

Look, Prince Ram,' continued Mrigasya, the people love you for your police reforms. There is the matter of Dhenuka, for which you became unpopular for a while, but that has been forgotten in the glow of your victory over Raavan in Mithila. In fact, you may not know this, but you have become popular among the common people across India, not just Kosala. n.o.body is hated more in the Sapt Sindhu than Raavan, and you defeated him. I can bring the n.o.bles of Ayodhya to your side. Most of the major kingdoms in the Sapt Sindhu will swing towards the eventual winner. The only one we need to worry about is Kekaya and the kingdoms under its influence. But even those kingdoms, the descendants of King Anu, have differences among themselves that we could easily exploit. In short, what I'm telling you is that the throne is yours for the taking.'

What about the law?' asked Ram.

Mrigasya looked baffled, like someone had spoken in an unknown language. The law?'

I have fired the Asuraastra and I have to serve my sentence.'

Mrigasya laughed. Who will dare punish the future emperor of the Sapt Sindhu?'

Maybe the present emperor of the Sapt Sindhu?'

Emperor Dashrath wants you to ascend the throne. Trust me. He will not send you off on some ludicrous exile.'

Ram's expression did not change but Sita could sense that her husband was getting deeply irritated as he closed his eyes.

Prince?' asked Mrigasya.

Ram ran his hand across his face. His fingers rested on his chin as he opened his eyes and stared into Mrigasya's; he whispered, My father is an honourable man. He is a descendant of Ikshvaku. He will do the honourable thing; as will I.'

Prince, I don't think you understand-'

Ram interrupted Mrigasya. I don't think you understand, General Mrigasya. I am a descendant of Ikshvaku. I am a descendant of Raghu. My family would rather die than bring disrepute to our clan's honour.'

Those are mere words...'

No. It is a code; a code that we live by.'

Mrigasya leaned forward, adopting a manner as if he was speaking to a child not familiar with the ways of the world. Listen to me, Prince Ram. I have seen a lot more of this world than you have. Honour is for the textbooks. In the real world...'

I think we are done, General,' said Ram, rising with a polite namaste.

What?' asked Kaikeyi. Are you sure?'

Manthara had rushed to Kaikeyi's chamber, secure in the knowledge that neither Dashrath nor any of his personal staff would be present. Kaikeyi's staff was not a concern; originally from her parental home in Kekaya, they were fiercely loyal to her. Seating herself beside the queen, she nevertheless exercised abundant caution and commanded the queen's maids to leave the room, ordering them to shut the door on their way out.

I wouldn't be here if I wasn't sure,' said Manthara, as she shifted in her chair to ease the discomfort to her back. The royal furniture was a travesty compared to the well-designed, ergonomic furniture in Manthara's opulent home. Money opens all mouths; everyone has a price. The emperor is all set to announce in court tomorrow that Ram will be king in his stead, and that he will take Vanvaas in the forests. Vanvaas with all his queens, I might add. You too may have to live in some jungle hut, from now on.'

Kaikeyi scowled at her, as she gritted her teeth.

Gritting your teeth will only wear out the enamel,' said Manthara. If you think you should do something more practical, then today is the day. The time is right now. You will never get an opportunity like this again.'

Kaikeyi was annoyed at Manthara's tone; her demeanour had changed from the day she had given her that money to carry out her vengeance. But she needed the powerful trader for now, so she exercised restraint. What do you suggest?'

You once mentioned the promise that Dashrath made to you after you saved him at the Battle of Karachapa.'

Kaikeyi leaned back in her chair as she remembered the long-forgotten promise, a debt she never really believed she would need to collect. She had saved his life in that disastrous battle with Raavan, losing a finger and getting seriously injured herself. When Dashrath had regained consciousness, he had, in his grat.i.tude, made an open-ended promise to Kaikeyi that he would honour any two wishes she made, anytime in life. The two boons! I can ask for anything!'

And he has to honour it. Raghukul reet sadaa chali aayi, praan jaaye par vachan naa jaaye.'

Manthara had recited the motto of the Suryavanshi clan that ruled Ayodhya; or at least, what had been their motto since the days of the great Emperor Raghu. It translated as: The clan of Raghu has always followed a tradition; they would much rather die than dishonour their word.

He cannot say no...' whispered Kaikeyi, a glint in her eye.

Manthara nodded.

Ram should be banished for fourteen years,' said Kaikeyi. I'll tell him to say publicly that he is doing so to punish him according to the rules of Lord Rudra.'

Very wise. That will make the public accept it. Ram is popular with the people now, but n.o.body will want to break Lord Rudra's rule.'

And he has to declare Bharat the crown prince.'

Perfect! Two boons; the solution to all problems.'

Yes...'

As she rode over the bridge that spanned the Grand Ca.n.a.l, Sita looked around to check that she was not being followed. She had covered her face and upper body with a long angvastram, as if protecting herself from the cold, late evening breeze.

The road stretched into the distance, heading east towards lands that Kosala controlled directly. A few metres ahead, she looked back again, and steered the reins to the left, off the road. She rode into the jungle and immediately made a clicking sound, making her horse break into a swift gallop. She had to cover an hour's distance in just half the time.

But what will your husband say?' asked the Naga.

Sita stood in a small clearing in the jungle, her hand on the hilt of her knife, encased within a small scabbard; a precaution against wild animals.

She did not need any protection from the man she had just met, though. He was a Malayaputra, and she trusted him like an elder brother. The Naga had a hard and bony mouth, extending out of his face like a beak. His head was bare but his face was covered with fine downy hair. He looked like a man with the face of a vulture.

Jatayuji,' said Sita, respectfully, my husband is not just unusual, he's the kind of man who comes along once in a millennium. Sadly, he doesn't realise how important he is. As far as he is concerned, he simply thinks he's doing the right thing by asking to be exiled. But in doing so, he is also putting himself in serious danger. The moment we cross the Narmada, I suspect we will face repeated attacks. They will try every trick in the book to kill him off.'

You have tied a rakhi on my hand, my sister,' said Jatayu. Nothing will happen to you or the one you love, for as long as I am alive.'

Sita smiled.

But you should tell your husband about me, about what you are asking me to do. I don't know if he dislikes the Malayaputras. But if he does, it would not be completely unfair. He may harbour some ill-will about what happened at Mithila.'

Let me worry about how to handle my husband.'

Are you sure?'

I know him quite well by now. He won't understand at present that we might need some protection in the forest; maybe later. For now, I just need your soldiers to keep a constant but discreet watch on our positions and prevent any attacks.'

Jatayu thought he heard a sound. He pulled out his knife and stared into the darkness beyond the trees. A few seconds later he relaxed and turned his attention back to Sita.

It's nothing,' said Sita.

Why is your husband insisting on being punished?' asked Jatayu. It can be argued against. The Asuraastra is not really a weapon of ma.s.s destruction. He can get away on a technicality, if he chooses to.'

He is insisting on being punished because that is the law.'

He can't be so...' Jatayu didn't complete his statement. But it was obvious what he wanted to say.

People see my husband as a naive and blind follower of the law. But a day will come when the entire world will see him as one of the greatest leaders ever. It is my duty to protect him and keep him alive till then.'

Jatayu smiled.

Sita was embarra.s.sed by her next request, as it seemed selfish. But she had to be sure. And the...'

The Somras will be arranged. I agree that you and your husband will need it, especially if you have to be strong enough to complete your mission when you return fourteen years later.'

But won't you face difficulties in getting the Somras out? What about...'

Jatayu laughed. Let me worry about that.'

Sita had heard all that she needed to. She knew that Jatayu would come through.

Goodbye. Go with Lord Parshu Ram, my brother.'

Go with Lord Rudra, my sister.'

Jatayu lingered for a bit after Sita mounted her horse and rode away. Once sure that she was gone, he touched the ground she had been standing on, picked up some of the dust that had been touched by her sandals, and then brought it reverentially to his forehead; a mark of respect for a great leader.

Chhoti Maa is in the kopa bhavan!' exclaimed a surprised Ram, referring to his stepmother, Kaikeyi.

Yes,' said Vashishta.

Ram had earlier been informed that his father would announce the ascension of the prince to the throne the next day. He had determined his next course of action. He was planning to abdicate the throne and install Bharat as king instead. He would then leave for the forest. But Ram had misgivings about this plan as it would, in effect, mean publicly dishonouring his father's wishes.

Therefore, when Vashishta came in and told Ram about his stepmother's move, his first reaction was not negative.

Kaikeyi had lodged herself in the kopa bhavan, the house of anger. This was an inst.i.tutionalised chamber created in royal palaces many centuries ago, once polygamy became a common practice among the royalty. Having multiple wives, a king was naturally unable to spend enough time with all of them. A kopa bhavan was the a.s.signed chamber a wife would go to if angry or upset with her husband. This would be a signal for the king that the queen needed redressal for a complaint. It was believed to be inauspicious for a husband to allow his wife to stay overnight in the kopa bhavan.

Dashrath had no choice but to visit his aggrieved spouse.

Even if her influence has reduced, if there's one person who can force my father to change his mind, it would be Chhoti Maa,' said Ram.

It looks like your wish will come true after all.'

Yes. And, if ordered so, Sita and I will leave immediately.'

Vashishta frowned. Isn't Lakshman going with you?'

He wants to, but I don't think that's necessary. He needs to stay here, with his wife, Urmila. She is delicate. We should not impose a harsh forest-life on her.'

Vashishta nodded in agreement. Then he leaned over and spoke earnestly. I will spend the next fourteen years preparing the ground for you.'

Ram smiled at his guru.

Remember your destiny. You will be the next Vishnu, regardless of what anyone else says. You have to rewrite the future of our nation. I will work towards that goal and make sure that we are ready for you when you return. But you have to ensure that you remain alive.'

I will certainly try my best.'

Chapter 28.