The Thirteenth Day (28 page)

‘Stupid boy. You will always be his puppet. Never anything more, don’t you see?’

Radheya shrugged, ‘If that’s what you think...’

Bhishma sighed and was silent for a long time before he spoke.

‘I’ve watched over the Kuru Empire for more than fifty summers. I have raised three generations of its princes. I did everything I could to stop you boys from killing each other, even sent the Pandavas away for thirteen years. After all this, I must see my life’s work go to dust. You were my last hope, putra. I had hoped that you would sacrifice your loyalty to Suyodhana for the good of the Kurus.’

Radheya went forward and touched his feet. Bhishma raised his right hand weakly in blessing.

‘But who should have been sacrificed? Suyodhana or the Kurus? I fear you’ll find out very soon.’

Radheya walked away. As he left the tent, he heard Bhishma’s voice call out to him.

‘I pray for you boy, all of you.’

Radheya walked out of the tent enclosure and climbed on the horse that was waiting outside. He rode back to the Kaurava camp.

It was a starless night in Kurukshetra. But the moon was bright and lit his path. A solitary tree standing on the road shivered with ecstasy, its leaves sighing with pleasure as the wind caressed it with its long, gentle fingers. A wandering minstrel sat under the tree, a small fire keeping him company. He had a one-string instrument in his hand and a voice that carried down through the lonely road.

‘A hundred thousand men he slayed

their bodies shining with blood.

Nine hundred elephants, eight thousand chariots lay

ornaments embellishing the mud.

Two thousand princes he slew

with his bow, his axe and his mace.

Till the treachery of six

brought shame to the Kuru race.

A hundred thousand men he slayed...’