Enemy's Woman

Chapter 3 - A mission and conspiracy

The King sat on his royal throne with the weight of all the Chalukaya empire on his shoulders. His principal advisor nervously stalked the throne, back and forth, back, and forth.

"Do you agree with the High Council?" The King's words cut through the air.

"Maharaj, I hold my reservations, but your word is the word of God if you say he is ready to lead, he is," Ramgupta, the principal advisor to King Bhojraja, croaked. Bhojraja rose from his royal seat, "Summon The crown Prince".

Bhojraja walked slowly away from the throne. He was old. He had aged much beyond his years trying to keep his huge empire safe from chaos.

Bhojraja had been childless for years. His 3 queens and several concubines had failed to sire an heir for him. He had given up the hope of getting his heir and declared his half-brother's son Prince Devburman as the crown Prince when a sudden stroke of good luck fell over him. His youngest queen bore him a son, Prince Shivaditya then after few years princess Kamakshi was born to the same queen.

Bhojraja was well into his 40s by that time and he left no stone unturned to shower love on both his children. The Prince and the Princess were carefully groomed to rule the Great Chalukaya Empire.

Unfortunately, Prince Devburman was no longer a crown Prince, his place was taken by Shivaditya as per the customs, but he was no less important for him. He was in the council of advisors and would make an excellent ally for Shivaditya. Bhojraja was assured of that.

Prince Shivaditya walked briskly towards the court. He paid no attention to the splendour and attendants who fell to their knees in respect as he walked. He was tall, muscular with years of battle practice behind him. He had sharply chiselled features that accentuated his bronze sun-kissed skin.

He had been born to be a warrior. He had been at wars since the age of 18. Huge empires had more enemies.

Now 24 he had just returned from his southern expedition.

The chief attendant announced his arrival as he bowed deeply paying respect to his father, the chief advisor, and his uncle Shubhraj who was sitting on his usual seat towards the left tapping his fingers on his cane.

Shubhraj was the older half-brother of Bhojraja. Born to a concubine he was third in line to the throne.

Bhojraja even though younger surpassed him because he was the son of the chief queen. Shubhraj was in the council of advisors. Did he feel cheated over the unfairness of this? he never revealed so.

"Welcome my son" Bhojraja smiled at Shivaditya and hugged him "You have made me proud by crushing the southern rebellion."

"I was just doing my duty father" Shivaditya bowed humbly.

The King walked over to the window and searched the streets of the capital, "Chalukaya has reached a pinnacle of influence and power that my father's fathers could only dream of. No country on Earth would dare challenge us in war. We have taken the right spot as the leader of the world. There is no external threat to us. The same cannot be said internally" The king paused.

Shubhraj raised his eyes to look at the King, his interests suddenly piqued.

"We are in the midst of a civil war." The King paused to lower his eyes to his hands and draw in a breath, "I cannot deny this war any longer. If something is not done, Chalukaya will split into two and lose its great power and prestige. We cannot let this happen."

"What do you want me to do father ?" Shivaditya asked.

"There's news that trouble is simmering in the north, the reports say they are bandits, but I feel its much more sinister. These are rebels who are gaining support from some local landlords and generals. They are hiding in the Dandak forest" The king paused.