( After Manavak narrated his story, Kamru climbed a high tower and started speaking. He took the torch lying there in his hand. Flames were rising from his mouth like a torch. )
"Respected Manvakji, you've narrated the history so easily. But go on… tell us more. No, no, it's not your fault, Manvakji! It’s just that you’ve aged now. It's natural for your memory to falter at this point, isn’t it, honorable elder Manvakji?"
"Be careful, boy! No one has ever spoken to Manvakji like that before. Should we consider your act a game or insolence?" said Commander Vapradev.
"It would be more appropriate if you see it as reality and seriousness, Chief Commander," said Kamru as he bowed his head in a gesture of respect to the commander.
"Boy!" said Manvakji. "I don't think I have hidden or left anything unsaid. Tell me, citizens! What do you think?"
"Manvakji never speaks untruths," said someone from the gathering.
"Yes, yes… Manvakji only speaks the truth. We trust his words as we do the words of God."
"This boy seems to have gone mad," various comments began to echo around. The murmurs of the people turned into an uproar, at which point the elder king swung his staff in the air. The herald shouted, "Silence! The Maharaja is about to speak."
Everyone fell silent and became still.
The eyes of the elder king and Kamru met. "Boy! Say what you have to say, but remember, at your age, it’s easy to become impulsive. It’s crucial to adopt humility and respect, even if forcefully. Without them, your words won’t be valued properly."
"Greetings, King of Kalinga!" Kamru folded his hands in respect.
"I am merely your subject, a humble servant ready to live and die under your protection. But…"
"I am a citizen of Kalinga, Maharaja! From childhood, we are taught humility and respect. Yet, today, if I am expressing such insolence, then please, O King, see how much pain and frustration fills my heart, which I can no longer contain. King, today, whatever Kamru says, listen kindly! But do not judge his words or their manner. Kamru's heart is deeply troubled and pained today, O King!"
"In the last 600 years of Kalinga's history, what has Kalinga truly gained? The blessings of the Nirgrantha monks, Ajivikas, Bhikkhus, and saints – this is Kalinga’s unparalleled achievement. Despite having accumulated so much grace, why has Kalinga faced defeat twice? Why did we have to lose Kalingajin? And why, even now, is Kalinga not willing to make the effort to bring Kalingajin back?"
"The reason for this is the history we are taught, which tells us two things: that Kalinga is a land of pilgrimage and that the Kalinga subjects, despite having a desire for freedom after facing defeat, are destined to remain forever subjugated..."
"This is untrue. I never said that the people of Kalinga are destined to remain enslaved. That is a false accusation," Manvak flared up like fire.
"Calm down, elder Manvak," said Kamru. "Up until now, you have been dignified and noble. Why are you suddenly getting so angry? Has Kamru touched a nerve of yours?"
"Boy!" roared the elder king. "I gave you permission to speak, not to insult the elders."
"But, O King! What about the injustice done to the entire populace due to the history we are told?" Kamru replied. Realizing his outburst, he immediately folded his hands. "Forgive me, great King! But why are such pages missing from history that recount when Kalinga defeated or exhausted Magadh or another kingdom? When the freedom-loving people of Kalinga overthrew the representative of any other kingdom established here? Has nothing of this sort ever happened in Kalinga’s history? Has Kalinga remained free without ever fighting for it?"
"Forgive me, O King! But your brave and noble prince, Kharavela, has received blessings from Arya Balissahji and went straight to Pataliputra. There, in the royal court, he upheld the dignity of Kalinga before Emperor Samprati. Why does this elder Manvak not speak of this? Why has everyone here grown old? Why does no blood of rebellion flow through anyone’s veins? Why does Kalinga not prepare to attack any other kingdom?
"The dead enthusiasm and joy of these people will never be revived without conquest. Until we attack Pataliputra and reclaim Kalingajin, the grieving soul of this city will never find peace. Therefore, I say, elders! Step aside and let the young king and the young men write a new victorious history for Kalinga!"
As Kamru finished speaking, Commander Vapradev roared, "Insolent boy! Beware!" and aimed an arrow at Kamru. In an instant, Kamru knew what he had to do. He had anticipated this. He threw his torch, which clashed with the arrow and fell to the ground. Darkness enveloped the pole, and Kamru leaped.
As he descended, he flipped through the air three times, landing on his feet with the third flip. "Seize that boy who has dared to defy the king!" came the command from the commander. Kamru was quickly surrounded by soldiers. Panic spread among the people, and they fled toward the dim light of the stars and torches. Kamru’s heart raced. How would he escape this circle?
Suddenly, from his left side, a voice called out, "Don't worry. I am with you. You take the left, I'll handle the right."
Who was this helper? Kamru had no time to think. He swiftly blocked the weapons of two soldiers advancing toward him with both hands. He snatched their weapons and pushed them down into the dust. This was the innovative fighting style of Kalinga, and no enemy had a defense against it. The soldiers were astonished, and their weapons were now in Kamru’s hands.
On one side, Kamru, and on the other, his mysterious helper, fended off the soldiers. When they finally broke free from the circle of soldiers, a horse was waiting for them. The helper grabbed Kamru’s hand, and they both leaped onto the horse. The horse sped off into the darkness, out of sight. Vapradev ordered a pursuit.
Meanwhile, the horse came to a stop in a deserted area. Kamru turned to the helper and asked, "Who are you? Why are you helping me?"
The helper replied, "First, you must answer this question, friend! Who are you? And by what strength did you dare to challenge the king’s policy, brother?"
"Stop the horse for a moment," Kamru demanded. The helper was confused. What was happening? He pulled the reins, and the horse halted by a tree. Kamru deliberately fell to the ground. The helper jumped off the horse and approached him. "It seems you don’t know how to ride a horse, Kamru," he began, but before he could finish his sentence, Kamru leaped up and struck the helper’s skull with such force that he fell unconscious.
"Forgive me, helper! I do not know your name, but I will always be indebted to you. There are some secrets I cannot reveal," Kamru said, as he placed the unconscious helper back on the horse and sent it galloping toward the city.
"Kamru! You’ve returned," Kinkini exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around him like a vine, running her hands over his head and back. "Are you alright? You’re not hurt, are you?"
Kamru gently stroked Kinkini’s black hair and said, "The disciple of Acharya Tushaliputra is no child, Kinkini!"
"Hmm! I was so worried that I ran to Arya for help," Kinkini replied.
"Victory to Kalingajin!" came a voice from nearby. Kamru and Kinkini separated and bowed to the elderly figure standing tall and majestic, even in the dark.
"The victory of Kalinga and the return of Kalingajin have begun, Kamru! The wheels are in motion. Victory will soon be ours. Victory to Kalingajin!" The elder figure moved forward, and Kamru and Kinkini followed closely behind.
Meanwhile, the horse continued galloping until it was intercepted by soldiers. They surrounded the horse and lifted the unconscious rider off it, laying him before Commander Vapradev. When they removed the veil from his face, the commander stepped back in shock.
"Impossible!" he exclaimed. The man lying before him was Bappadev, his son.
(To be Continued...)
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