THE TWIN BROTHERS
-7. A Shocking Revelation

There was horse racing, jumping over a fire altar, javelin throws, wrestling, mace fighting, archery and even long jumps.  The best part of the show was towards the end where sportspersons who were blind displayed their skills in archery by hitting their target to precision merely by the sound generated by the object!   The thunderous applause to which the participants were greeted to after the event had come to an end, showed that everyone had enjoyed it thoroughly.  King Suketu felt pleased at this response of the audience.  Chandrakanth, too, was impressed by this event.

Meanwhile, in Chandrakanth’s kingdom, King Salya came to meet Suryakanth.  He spoke with him for some time to which Suryakanth shook his head in the affirmative.  Finally, the King handed Suryakanth a drawing of a beautiful lady and took his leave.  After the King had left, Suryakanth became very restless.  Certainly, something was bothering him!

The next day, Chandrakanth decided to leave for his kingdom in the early morning.  He met the King and complimented him for the impressive show he had organised the other day.  “I hope that this bond of friendship which has developed among us would blossom into an everlasting relationship on which we can always count upon.”  Chandrakanth spoke as parting words. 

“Certainly, O Prince!  I am sure that by this time your mother must have fully recovered from her illness.” 

Chandrakanth hugged him warmly and bid him adieu.

It was once again by afternoon that Chandrakanth and his charioteer, Manu, reached the road, which was surrounded by a jungle on either side.  Manu picked up speed and as they were going along they found that some small trees had fallen right in the middle of the road!  If they had to proceed, the road had to be cleared by moving these trees to the side of the road. 

“You see that, O Prince?”  asked Manu. 

“Yes, I do, Manu!  This might have happened due to some strong breeze that may have blown out here.  Let us clear the road fast and get going.”  Chandrakanth opined.  As they neared the blockade, Manu stopped the chariot and both of them got down.  “O Prince, these fallen trees do not have their roots at the end of their trunk.  This indicates that the lower portion of their trunks must still be rooted on the ground where they once stood.”  Manu observed. 

“Absolutely right, Manu.  Apparently, these trees must have fallen from the front row.  But I do not see any broken trunks out here!”  Chandrakanth exclaimed. 

“Does it mean that someone cut them inside the jungle and kept them here?  But why would anyone do that?”  Manu asked perplexed. 

“It is strange, Manu.  Anyway, let’s clear the road fast and get out of here.” 

As they put the trees on one side of the jungle, suddenly they heard someone scream, “Help!  Help!”  Alarmed both of them looked up.  They could not see anything clearly  due to the presence of  abundant trees.  Again they heard this cry for help!  They ran inside the jungle from where they heard this voice and were shocked at what they saw!  Up on the tree a big snake had coiled itself round a terrified man.  They also saw an axe, a bow and an arrow on the ground.  As the snake closed in on it’s victim, Chandrakanth swiftly moved into action.  With a sharp arrow, he cut off the face of the snake!  Slowly the faceless snake loosened it’s grip on the man and fell to the ground.  The man was in a state of shock and was perspiring profusely. 

“Take it easy, friend!  I have killed the snake!  You can now relax and slowly come down!”  said Chandrakanth affably. 

In a few moments the man regained his composure and climbed down the tree. 

“What are you doing in this dangerous jungle, my friend?”  the Prince queried.

The man’s eyes were filled with tears and he fell at Chandrakanth’s feet!  The Prince immediately helped him to stand on his feet and asked puzzled, “Why are you crying?  It appears that you are traumatised by this incident!  Relax!  You can see that the snake has been killed!” 

“O Prince!  I am your culprit!  I came here to kill you and see what has happened!  You saved my life!” 

Both Chandrakanth and Manu were aghast to hear this.  “You came here to kill me?  But why?  What enmity do you have against me?”  the Prince queried. 

“I do not have any enmity towards you, O Prince!  But your elder brother certainly has a grudge against you!  That’s why he asked me, who is one of his most trusted aides, to kill you!”  the man revealed.

“Brother can never do such a thing!  How do I believe you?”  Chandrakanth queried startled. 

“Why would I put myself in trouble by telling a lie, O Prince?  Tell me, weren’t you given instructions that you should never go to or start from Devnagiri in the afternoon or evening so that you don’t come to this road in the night?” 

Chandrakanth was baffled to hear this. 

“How did I come to know about this?  It was your brother who told me about it!”  the man disclosed.  “Few days ago he called me to his chambers and asked me if I knew about this place.  I answered in the affirmative for I had been here on more than an occasion.  He wanted me to come to this place and kill you and the charioteer when you would return from Devnagiri today!  Thereafter, he wanted me to burn your bodies in this jungle itself and leave alone the chariot!  I was shocked but did not dare to go against his command.  I knew as to why my master had choosen me for this task for I am an ace archer.  He assured me that you will start from Devnagiri early morning today and at no other time, for you have been given clear-cut instructions in this regard due to the danger this road poses.  Thus, by afternoon I had to be ready to hit my target, he said!….”