Shaivyaa : Sword Of Justice ✓

It Burns, It Hurts

Two days later:

Varanavata

"Salutations to Yuvaraj!"

Yudhishthira nodded at the stranger who was bowing to him.

"Mahamantri Vidura has sent a message for you. He has said, 'That animal is only wise who can dig a hole in ground when its abode is on flames.'" the man said very casually.

Unable to understand anything, the four Pandavas looked at each other. But Yudhishthira realized what it actually meant. He quickly rose to his feet.

"Pranam, Aarya!" He joined his palms respectfully with a smile, "We are glad to meet you! How is Mahamantri? We are eager to hear his advice."

"Jyeshtha! Careful!" Arjuna's whispering voice warned.

"Worry not!" Yudhishthira looked at his brother with smile, "he is sent by Kaka himself!"

"How could you know?" Bhima's immediate question came.

"Simple! He repeated the similar words that Kaka himself told me before leaving." He looked at the messenger, "Aarya, you are as respectable for us as Kaka Vidura is! Pray, tell us what he has said!"

The messenger was overwhelmed to get so much respect from the Yuvaraj of his land. Such a humility! His eyes got moist. Now he realized why Mahamantri Vidura was so hell-bent to save Pandavas!

These good people cannot be let die! He felt protective. They had to be saved from this danger, at any cost!

"Yuvaraj, Mahamantri has said that Purochana has been instructed to set fire in this palace on the next Krishnaa Chaturdashi. He has advised you to escape before that."

"But for escaping, we do need a tunnel!" Nakula sounded anxious.

"Don't you worry for that, Rajkumar!" The man smiled, "that's my responsibility! I am a miner of Hastinapura. Mahamantri sent me for this purpose only."

"But Krishnaa Chaturdashi is not much far!" Sahadeva reminded, "will it be possible to complete the work before that?"

"Definitely!" The miner smiled a confident smile, "leave it to me! I will make it ready much before that day!"

***

When Devika opened her eyes, at first she could not recall anything. Neither could she identify the place where she was.

She found herself lying on a large bed, and few maids were fanning her. She glanced around. It seemed to be some special chamber of royal palace. But how did she come here?

Her head ached as she tried to recall. Ignoring the pain she raised herself to a sitting position. And then only she realized that not only head but her entire body was paining a lot.

"Rajkumari!" One of the maids said, seeing her awake, "you need something?"

Devika looked at the maid in vacant eyes, and shook her head silently. She did not understand why the maid addressed her as Princess. How could they know her identity? Which place is this?

"Samhita, go tell our Rajkumari that she has regained consciousness." One maid said to the other. Devika saw her leaving. She raised herself a little more, wishing to stand on her feet. But before that, a pair of golden arms stopped her.

"Devi! Don't!" A melodious voice said anxiously, "you are too weak to walk! Take rest!"

"Lakshmanaa Didi!" A surprised Devika managed to utter very feebly, "you here...that means...I'm in Madra?"