Sita had met the wealthy businesswoman the previous day. She had immediately felt sympathy for her. People did not speak kindly of Manthara behind her back. It did not seem right to Sita, especially keeping in mind that she had lost her beloved daughter, Roshni, in tragic circumstances.
One of Manthara’s aides quickly placed a folded chair behind her, allowing her to sit. ‘I am sorry, princess. I find it difficult to stand for too long.’
‘No problem, Mantharaji,’ said Sita. ‘What brings you to the market?’
‘I’m a businesswoman,’ smiled Manthara. ‘It’s always wise to know what’s happening in the market.’
Sita smiled and nodded.
‘In fact, it’s also wise to know what is happening everywhere else since the market is impacted by so many things.’
Sita groaned softly. She expected the usual question: Why was Ram insisting on being punished for the crime of firing a daivi astra?
‘Mantharaji, I think it’s best if we wait for …’
Manthara pulled Sita close and whispered, ‘I’ve been told that the Emperor may choose to abdicate, making Ram the king. And that he may choose to undertake the banishment of fourteen years himself. Along with his wives.’
Sita had heard this too. She also knew that Ram would not allow it. But what troubled her was something else. Where did Mantharaji hear this?
Sita maintained a straight face. Something didn’t feel right. She noticed that Manthara’s bodyguards were keeping other people in the market at bay. A chill ran down her spine.
This meeting wasn’t an accident. It was planned.
Sita replied carefully, ‘I have not heard this, Mantharaji.’
Manthara looked hard at Sita. After a few moments, she smiled, slightly. ‘Really?’
Sita adopted nonchalance. ‘Why would I lie?’
Manthara’s smile broadened. ‘I have heard interesting things about you, princess. That you are intelligent. That your husband confides in you. That he trusts you.’
‘Oh, I am a nobody from a small city. I just happened to marry above myself and arrive in this big, bad metropolis where I don’t understand much of what you people say. Why should my husband trust my advice?’
Manthara laughed. ‘Big cities are complex. Here, often, the diffused light of the moon lends greater insight. Much is lost in the glare of the sun. Therefore, the wise have held that for real wisdom to rise, the sun must set.’
Is that a threat?
Sita feigned confusion.
Manthara continued, ‘The city enjoys the moon and the night. The jungle always welcomes the sun.’
This is not about business. This is about something else.
‘Yes, Mantharaji,’ said Sita, pretending to be puzzled. ‘Thank you for these words of wisdom.’
Manthara pulled Sita closer, staring directly into her eyes. ‘Is Ram going to the jungle or not?’
‘I don’t know, Mantharaji,’ said Sita, innocently. ‘The Emperor will decide.’
Manthara narrowed her eyes till they were thin, malevolent slits. Then she released Sita and shook her head dismissively. As if there was nothing more to be learnt here. ‘Take care, princess.’
‘You take care, Mantharaji.’
‘Druhyu …’ said Manthara loudly.
Sita saw the right-hand man of Manthara shuffle up obsequiously. Though the look on his face was at odds with his manner.
Sita smiled innocently. Something’s not right. I need to find out more about Manthara.
Chapter 27
Sita read the coded message quickly. It had come via Radhika. But the sender was someone else.
The message was terse, but clear: I will speak to Guruji; it will be done.
There was no name inscribed on the message. But Sita knew the sender.
She held the letter to a flame, letting it burn. She held on to it till it had reduced completely to ashes.
She smiled and whispered, ‘Thank you, Hanu bhaiya.’
Sita and Jatayu stood in the small clearing. It was their predetermined meeting place in the jungle, an hour’s ride from the city. Sita had made it in half that time. She had covered her face and body in a long angvastram, so that she wouldn’t be identified. She had a lot to discuss with Jatayu. Not the least being her encounter with Manthara.
‘Are you sure about this, great Vishnu?’ asked Jatayu.
‘Yes. I had initially thought that the city would be more dangerous for Ram. He has so many enemies here. But now I think the jungle may be where the true danger lies.’
‘Then why not stay in the city?’
‘Can’t be done. My husband won’t agree to it.’
‘But … Why not? Who cares about what others …’
Sita interrupted Jatayu, ‘Let me give you an insight into my husband’s character. General Mrigasya, one of the most powerful men in Ayodhya, was willing to back Ram replacing Dashrath babuji as king. In fact, my father-in-law himself wants to abdicate in Ram’s favour. But my husband refused. He said it’s against the law.’
Jatayu shook his head and smiled. ‘Your husband is a rare jewel among men.’
Sita smiled. ‘That he is.’
‘So, you think Manthara will …’
‘Yes. She is not interested in the game of thrones. She wants vengeance, especially against Ram for having followed the law; for not executing her daughter’s juvenile rapist-murderer. It’s personal.’
‘Any idea what she is planning?’
‘She will not do anything in Ayodhya. Assassinating a popular prince within the city is risky. I suspect she will try something in the jungle.’
‘I have visited Ayodhya before. I know her and her cohort. I also know whom she depends on.’
‘Druhyu?’
‘Yes. I suspect he will be the one who will organise the assassination. I know whom he will try to hire. I can handle it.’
‘I have a suspicion about Manthara and Druhyu. I suspect they are loyal to …’
‘Yes, great Vishnu,’ interrupted Jatayu. ‘Raavan is their true lord.’
Sita took a deep breath. Things were beginning to make sense.
‘Do you want us to take care of Manthara as well?’ asked Jatayu.
‘No,’ answered Sita. ‘It’s been difficult enough to stop Raavan from retaliating after what happened in Mithila. Manthara is his key person in Ayodhya, his main cash cow in the north. If we kill her, he may break his pact with the Malayaputras to not attack Mithila.’
‘So … just Druhyu, then.’
Sita nodded.
‘Let us meet tomorrow. I should know more by then.’
‘Of course, Jatayuji,’ said Sita. ‘Thank you. You are like a protective elder brother.’
‘I am nothing but your devotee, great Vishnu.’
Sita smiled and folded her hands into a Namaste. ‘Goodbye. Go with Lord Parshu Ram, my brother.’
‘Go with Lord Rudra, my sister.’
Sita mounted her horse and rode away quickly. Jatayu picked up some dust from the ground where she had stood and brought it reverentially to his forehead. He whispered softly, ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vishnudevaya. Tasyai Sitadevyai namo namah.’
He mounted his horse and rode away.
Sita waited outside Vashishtha’s private office. The guards had been surprised at the unannounced arrival of the wife of Prince Ram. They had asked her to wait since the Raj Guru of Ayodhya was in a meeting with a foreign visitor.