Page 115 of The Burning Mountain
“You’d be a great bargaining chip, as the only male heir of Chandraketu, but…”
“But?”
“Chandra would never forgive me if I imprisoned her beloved brother. Besides, we need your help with the Lotus Key and I’d rather your help is not coerced.”
“What’s your plan regarding Kalpeet, Prince Veer? How are you going to combat his attack? More importantly, how can I help?”
Veer gave him an inscrutable look. “I thought you were going to sit this one out. Why would you help us?”
“Because it’s the right thing to do. If what you’re saying is true—and I still find that hard to believe it is—Amaravathi has alot to answer for. We don’t bargain on innocent lives to further our own agenda. And I’ll have a share in this if I remain silent.”
“You do have a lot in common with your sister,” murmured Veer. “Very well, then. Help me use the Lotus Key on the mechanism at Meru. Once the immediate threat is controlled, we can focus on other things. I’m hoping Kalpeet’s reputation that it can never be breached holds true.”
Bhupathi hesitated to say what had been itching at him. He knew it would be akin to treason, but his conscience wouldn’t let him be. “Since you’ve trusted me so far, would you care to listen to a suggestion I have?”
Veer inclined his head.
“The Kalpeet fortress has never fallen before enemies, yes?” said Bhupathi slowly. “Do you know why?”
Veer shook his head, his brow furrowed. “Because of its strategic position?”
“Not just because of that. Listen…”
Veer leanedback into his chair after a while. He glanced at the water clock and realized with surprise they had been talking strategy for close to an hour. He initially had no intention of giving his brother-in-law any more time than was strictly necessary to be polite. But Bhupathi turned out to be full of surprises.
Not only had he given information about Kalpeet, known only to a certain few in Amaravathi, but he had offered himself as a captive if it came down to it.
But with the new knowledge came the dismaying realization that Veer couldn’t keep Chandra trapped here.
The rock formation at Kalpeet recognizes only one person as the designated operator. My father will attempt to use it. But if I’m there and I wrest control from him, he would be helpless.
If Bhupathi was to go to the frontlines defending Kalpeet, as he had suggested, then that meant Chandrahadto come with him to Meru. Bhupathi seemed to understand what was going on in Veer’s mind.
“How is my sister taking all this? Knowing her, she would want to be involved front and center. But I haven’t heard anything…”
Veer’s silence was heavy with remorse, even when he knew himself to be at fault.
Bhupathi sighed. “A word of advice as someone who knows Chandrasena. I know you care for her, but you also must understand her. She is a born warrior, notwithstanding her gender and status, and she would hate to be treated as someone with no agency.”
Veer could feel the bite of his back teeth across his gums as he clenched his jaw. He hated that Bhupathi had a valid point. But an unreasonable fear of losing her took root in his heart and he didn’t know how to handle that, having never felt its power before. “I expect Virat to be there, and he’s made threats against your sister, and I can’t take that lightly.”
“Then don’t. But we both know that between me and my sister, she has greater experience in dealing with Virat’s mind control, whereas I have none. Would you prefer to sheathe a well-honed sword or use it to cut down your enemies?”
Bhupathi left him with that last nugget of wisdom and got up to leave, halting at the doorway. “I hope you’re not going to hold my father’s actions against my sister. She likely knows nothing.”
“On that, we agree. Don’t worry, Prince Bhupathi. I have no intention of doing so. You can rest assured that I have come to know and trust her.”
He felt like a fraud for even saying that much when he knew his words had hurt her. But at that time, his intention was to get her to leave, to get her to abandon her reasoning.
His head knew her arguments had merit. He had more difficulty convincing his heart.
57
A TRANSFER OF SOULS
The moon was absent. Scattered clouds dotted the sky. A chill wind swept through the forest, making the trees shiver and shudder in a nameless lament.
A Rajgarh soldier searched behind boulders, peered into the thickets of bushes, stomped his way through the underbrush of the pine forest, calling the name of his lover.
