Pawns

Tarabai was overwhelmed. She had received a letter with the royal seal of Neelambargarh, ordering her to make her way, with the ladies of the Kothi, to the new state. As the news of Adhiraja Ishaan Dev’s alliance broke in Suryapali, and the very excited Rani Ratnawati herself decided to arrange the wedding in the palace itself, Tarabai’s hopes of seeing Ishaan Dev again had been low. Worse, one day, a very intoxicated Trishaan Dev, in the arms of one of the concubines, had spoken of how the new Maharani of Neelambargarh now ruled Ishaan Dev’s heart and mind. Tarabai just couldn’t picture that. Not especially when she knew what most of these people didn’t. He had never shown interest in her more than as a prize. But Tarabai was wise enough to know that a few months were a long time to change perspectives on the matter of the heart. His order set her fears to rest. Even after deciding to take a second wife, he summoned her. Tarabai made preparations to leave.

Rajkumari Sumedha of Vairath was sixteen. She was fair, tall, and had curly blackish-brown hair that reached to her waist in waves. Her father was the prime minister of a small kingdom, and her sibling was the chief of arms. But they were allies to Suryapali, the kingdom famous for its best defence system, courtesy of her aunt and her father’s cousin sister, Rani Ratnawati. As a child, being motherless in her growing years and surrounded by her luckier half-sisters whose mothers kept her father occupied, she had frequented the palace of Suryapali to stay with her aunt. It was her escape from the monotony and pain in Vairath ever since her mother passed away. She had been familiar with the palace and its people. Except for the king and the heir apparent, who stayed away most of the time. It came as a surprise to her that the heir apparent, Ishaan Dev, would ask her hand in marriage. He had never noticed her, and she was downright frightened of him. Once, she remembered how she and Nayantara were playing hide and seek, and Nayantara had sneaked into the armoury. She remembered his rage from that day. And then there was Rajputra Ravi Varman. Ravi was about eleven months older than her and her closest companion throughout her growing-up years. He understood her loneliness like nobody else did. Perhaps getting overshadowed by his overachieving half-brother and seeking the validation of his father all his life made him understand her better.

When Sumedha was twelve, her evolution into a woman also influenced her heart. She found herself being drawn to Rajputra Ravi Varman like she wasn’t before. Sumedha was swept off her feet when her feelings were reciprocated. The visits decreased as she grew older, but the letters continued. After about a year of secret letter exchanges and pouring out their hearts to each other, all of which she hadn’t told a soul, they started meeting in secret. There was a temple in the forest, between the borders of Suryapali and Vairath, where not a soul would disturb their trysts of desire. Her emotions grew stronger with each passing day, as she and Ravi were entangled in the game of love and lust. 

Trishaan Dev paced his room, agitated. He had heard from the concubines how Tarabai and her Kothi were shifting to Neelambargarh. Yet, Adhiraja Ishaan Dev didn’t write to him nor summon him even once during the last few months. He felt perplexed. Has his importance and need to be decreased in the eyes of the heir apparent? Did the princess of Neelambargarh have a hand in it? That would mean danger for his future. If he had lost the favour of the heir apparent, it would mean that even when he were king, Trishaan Dev would be deprived of a respectful position worthy of his skills. But was he imagining this, or was it real? Trishaan Dev decided the only way to ensure that was through Tarabai.

Tarabai was shocked to see Trishaan Dev at her door. She was Ishaan Dev’s exclusive concubine. She didn’t serve any other man, and Trishaan was aware of the rules.

“I think you came to the wrong chamber.” Tarabai stiffened as the smell of alcohol hit her nostrils. Trishaan Dev stopped the door from closing in his face. His eyes were calm.

“I know the protocols. I am here to talk.” He said, pushing the door and stepping inside the dimly lit chamber. Tarabai frowned, stepping back to maintain a safe distance. Trishaan Dev closed the door as she gulped.

“Nobody comes to talk to me.” She said, unsurely.

“I heard you have been summoned for service at Neelambargarh.” Tarabai’s eyebrows raised suspiciously at his displeased tone.

“Who told you that?” She asked.

“Even the walls have ears, Tarabai. You must be over the moon now that he needs you again.” The taunt in his voice didn’t escape her ears.

“And you haven’t been summoned, I see? Is that…” Tarabai stopped as Trishaan Dev placed the blade of his cold dagger on her neck. 

“Don’t compare me with your filthy business, I am an honourable man and his friend.” He snapped, “I have no business with him.” Tarabai smiled. 

“Honourable men don’t do the kind of things you do. Even the walls have ears, right?” She retorted. “And you are not scaring me at all. I know you are intelligent enough not to hurt me and get on his bad side.” She smirked, “So tell me what brought you here?” Trishaan stepped back at her words and put the dagger back in his waistband. 

“I admire your intelligence, hence I want you to be my eyes and ears on that girl.” Tarabai narrowed her brows at him.

“Who are you talking about?” Tarabai asked, raising her eyebrows. She did know the answer, but it felt a different kind of satisfaction when someone used that tone for the enemy.

“Don’t play games with me, Tarabai, you know who I am talking about.” He shook his head in a taunting tone. “The Maharani of Neelambargarh.” He smiled.

“Is she a problem?” Tarabai asked, trying to sound unbiased.

“Well, at least till he finds the second one better and makes her the chief consort.” Trishaan Dev shrugged. “That’s not any time soon.”

“How are you so sure that he will find the new…” Tarabai stopped as his smile widened.

“Oh, I know him. He may be influenced momentarily by that Neelambargarhi, but new excitement and new lust will wear that off. And he summoned you, that is a good sign.” Trishaan Dev said aloud what Tarabai was thinking.

“Is it?” Tarabai smiled faintly. “And you want me as your spy?”

“No, I want you to ally with me.” Trishaan Dev shook his head.

“Don’t you have spies already?” She asked, dismissing his words. “If I know you…”

“They don’t have access to the inner palace, you would.” Trishaan snapped.

“What is in it for me? Why will I do this for you?” Tarabai shrugged, “I wouldn’t betray him.”

“You think I would? He is my friend. I want his safety. I am doing this for his interest, and so will you. She shouldn’t come near him.”

“You think she can hurt him?” Tarabai’s heart skipped a beat.

“All I know is that a man we both care for is in foreign lands surrounded by enemies. The rest is up to you.” Trishaan left Tarabai in deep thought.

At first, Sumedha was not sure why Rajputra Ravi Varman chose to hide their relationship as if they were doing something wrong. It wasn’t before she was too deep in love to think otherwise that Ravi Varman told her that their relationship would be termed incest in Suryapali. He couldn’t afford to break the law and upset his parents. Sumedha was shocked, hurt and furious. She refused to see him anymore. Confused and heartbroken, she had stopped writing to him. Ravi Varman kept persuading her that love was not bound only to be validated by marriage. Sumedha tried to make her heart understand and failed. It wasn’t long before they started seeing each other in secret again. She just couldn’t stay away. They knew that until either of them was married off, they had their moments to hold on to and make memories to live by for the rest of their mortal lives. Did Rajputra Ravi know of Ishaan Dev’s sudden interest in her? Did Sumedha ever imagine that his half-brother would propose for her hand? The letter to her father seemed to be from the Maharani of Suryapali. She was confused.

Priyambada’s Veena made music of fury, wrath and destruction, breaking through the silent air of the morning in the palace of Neelambargarh. Or at least, Ishaan Dev interpreted so. He closed his eyes, hearing the strings pull chaos in his heart, as he breathed in the fresh morning air and undid his robe for a bath. With every dip he took in the cold water of the private Talab, Ishaan Dev felt truly challenged by Priyambada’s denial. He knew in his heart that she probably didn’t mean a word of what she had said to him, yet his mind played tricks on his dilemma. If she did care, like she showed for all these days, why did she agree to him taking a second wife? Could she, who always was so highly self-esteemed, not ask him questions and demand her rights? He sighed. She said she didn’t care. Priyambada’s strong denials made him more determined. If she wanted to play games with his emotions, he knew better tricks for her mind, too. Ishaan Dev smiled to himself. He would make her denials turn to regret what she did. He would make her accept what she truly felt. Even if not to him, but to herself.

The palace of Vairath was divided into two opinions. While the political wing was happy with the secured future, Sumedha was offered alongside the state, being allies of Suryapali and Neelambargarh, the ladies’ wing was worried. Sumedha’s sisters, aunts and cousins were all talking about how being the second wife was different from being the first. She could refuse, couldn’t she? Sumedha looked at herself in the mirror, all decked up. Preparations were being made to leave for Suryapali. It would be a week-long journey and a month’s stay for the wedding. Her heart fluttered at the idea of meeting Rajputra Ravi Varman without making excuses and lying to others. But it also meant they would have to end their tryst. Her cousins brought in news that was supposed to be for her benefit. How the princess of Neelambargarh was, how rumours had it that she wasn’t a good wife, providing no heir even after almost a year of marriage, and how she could step in to win his heart. Sumedha’s mind was running. Couldn’t Ravi and she escape? They would eventually be forgiven and accepted, right? Worse, her last letter went unanswered. She wasn’t sure if he had given up on them.

Rajputra Ravi Varman stared at the letter in his hand, his lips trembling a little. He knew his mother never did anything that wouldn’t benefit her or his side in the larger picture. But did she need to drag Sumedha into her politics? He wondered. Could he tell his mother it was a bad idea? But what excuse could he make? If Ravi Varman had to choose between anyone and the throne, he would choose the throne. His mother had raised him that way, reminding him how power made everyone a slave. If he had the throne, he could twist any law, change anything, and acquire what he wanted. He had in his heart hoped that if he was the heir of Suryapali and indeed the future king, he would wage a war to claim Sumedha from whoever would marry her. What he didn’t expect was for his mother to play devil’s advocate. Could he blame her? Of course not. Could he stand up to Ishaan Dev? Not now, at least. He burnt away the letter in the flame of the flickering lamp and sighed. Why did Ishaan Dev even agree? His jaws tightened. A sudden rage took over him as his imagination ran wild. Ishaan Dev had everything he ever wanted. The fame, a throne, his father’s favour, the subjects’ love and now, he was snatched away from the only person Ravi Varman wanted to hold on to. Was Ishaan Dev, with his famous spy system, aware of his secret affair? Was he trying to get back at him? Ravi Varman couldn’t help but wonder. Worse, he had no idea how he would face Sumedha, as a cousin and a brother-in-law, in front of the families.

Maharani Priyambada stopped as the string from the Veena hurt her index finger. She opened her eyes as she breathed heavily, the drops of precipitation apparent on her forehead. She looked at the blood, dripping freshly from her wound, and brought it up to her lips. The taste of her blood on her tongue and the tingly feeling on the wound made her wince a little. She stared at the blood again. Her blood was a pawn of power to these Suryapalians. Her palm closed into a tight fist as her jaws tightened. She needed to be more careful and keep her guard up. She made a mistake, a silly one. Ishaan Dev had played by the easiest rules of the books that Prithvi once taught her. Make the enemy trust you, befriend you, and perhaps even fall for you.

Urvi's bowing made her look up as she put her Veena aside.

“What is it, Urvi?” She frowned as Urvi looked a little conscious.

“It is … '' Urvi rubbed her hands together. “Well, Adhiraja informed Devdoot that his concubines would be arriving at midday, and we have to make arrangements for a Kothi for them.” She looked away. Priyambada stiffened. Never in the palace of Neelambargarh had a man indulged in such lowly activities. She stood up from the floor and pulled her drape across her chest.

“Where is he?” Urvi looked up at her words. “The Adhiraja?”

Adhiraja Ishaan Dev was applying his favourite perfume, his robe hanging loosely over his body, exposing his chest and torso, untied, and his dhoti being pleated by servants, when Maharani Priyambada’s arrival was announced by Mallal. Ishaan Dev inhaled and nodded, dismissing the men. He started wearing the necklaces laid out for his court appearance, one by one, least bothered to turn around or tie his robe correctly. Priyambada stopped at the threshold to be greeted by Mallal and noticed the room was empty.

“Where are the servants?” She frowned.

“I wouldn’t want them to eavesdrop on a private conversation now, would I?” Ishaan Dev half-turned with a slight hint of a smile. Priyambada’s eyes caught his bare torso, and she looked away.

“I am here to speak of your guests.” She spoke rather coldly. “This is not a private conversation.”

“Every conversation between us is private to me.” Ishaan Dev spoke, irking her a little. He liked how her jaw tightened, and she stayed silent. “Who are the guests?” He frowned as she gave him a stare. “Oh, you mean Tarabai? She is not a guest; she will stay here. She is of service to me and…”

“I don’t want to know how useful she is to you.” Priyambada looked up, “I am here to inform you that the Inner Palace is still under my authority, and I will not allow any concubines to be housed in my home.” She spoke firmly as he looked up at her words. “You can make arrangements for them elsewhere, and I won’t have any interest in any of your business.”

“But they will have to come here when I need them.” Priyambada stiffened at the sheer audacity of Ishaan Dev to talk like that in front of a lady. “I think you understand…”

“I said I won’t allow them to live in the palace premises.” Priyambada interrupted. “Where and how they function is not my topic of interest.”

“Right. Because you don’t care.” Ishaan Dev turned his back to her, adjusting his necklace in his reflection as she frowned at him. “But then you have to make arrangements for the Kothi. As you said, it is under your authority. You don’t expect anyone else to do that, do you?” Ishaan Dev stopped as he heard her storm away towards her chambers.

“Don’t be late to the courtroom.” He reminded her as she walked away faster.

“Urvi.” Priyambada stopped Urvi at the passageway. “Find an empty property behind the palace premises, and make sure it is clean and ready to…” She inhaled. “House those women.” Urvi nodded and left as Priyambada paced her room. He hadn’t thought of calling on Tarabai all this while. Why did he suddenly change his mind? Her thoughts ran confused. Just before he was about to get married, for real. Priyambada shook her head. These men, their lust, their greed for power, and their emotions were too complex to understand or trust. Priyambada, at that moment, suddenly felt sorry for the bride. She didn’t know what she was getting herself into.

The courtroom rose for their king and queen as they took the high chairs. Ishaan Dev waited for the ministers to settle and handed Devdoot the books of accounts to pass on to Vamsi Gupta.

“Well, I have scrutinised the books of accounts and found some mistakes.” His words made Maharani Priyambada look at him as Vamsi Gupta looked away.  A buzz went across the courtroom as all eyes were on Vamsi Gupta.

“I suppose the accountants made some silly mistakes.” Ishaan Dev defused the air of tension. “Be more careful with the supervisors you appoint.” He said as Vamsi Gupta nodded.

“Anyway, I have found enough funds to be allocated to the war victim scheme that the Maharani wanted to have for the civilians. And I feel it is a wonderful concept too. Unique for us.” He nodded. 

“When does it come into effect?” Vamsi Gupta looked a little pale.

“As soon as we make the documents ready.” Ishaan Dev smiled. “I declare a tablet in the praise of the lord, and declare the efforts of Maharani Priyambada on the war victim scheme to be added to the Lord’s temple complex.” Priyambada inhaled, as the ministers looked surprised.

“But Your Highness, only Kings can have such…”

“I make the rules here, and I say Maharani’s idea is worth being noted down in the history of this state.” Ishaan Dev rose. “You are dismissed.”

“There was no need for…” Priyambada’s words stopped him at the passageway.

“You can simply thank me.” He smirked as Priyambada almost let out a sarcastic smile.

“Thank you for what?” She asked, “Capturing my kingdom?” Ishaan Dev nodded, still smiling, and turned away as Priyambada watched him leave with a sigh.

“Devdoot.” Priyambada looked up from her scripture as he bowed. “I want some of your spies at work. I need information.” Devdoot nodded. “On the Rajkumari of Vairath.” Devdoot looked a little taken aback by her words. Judging from his looks, Priyambada looked away, dismissing him. She wouldn’t lose her spot as the Maharani of Neelambargarh at any cost. She needed to protect her people. For that, she needed to be alert. No matter how many tablets he made in her praises, as a means to please her people and gain their support, life had taught Priyambada the hard way that fortunes turned quicker than tides. I need to know what she offers and what Neelambargarh is in for if she gives him an heir. Suppose she is another pawn or player of the game. Priyambada was determined.