Shiva got shocked by what he heard, he said, "what did you just say.. emperor Surya Gupta? do you know where he is? is he in danger? "the spy laughed out loud.. he said, "even if you chop off all my fingers.. I will not give you any information.. the only person I wish to speak to is the Prince.. " Shiva said, "but you tried to kill him.. " the spy said, "so what of it? The way the dagger hit him, I know that he didn"t die... I will wait.. get him to me.. I wish to speak to him alone.. "Shiva tried to make the spy talk, he even promised him to let him go if he gave the information of the old emperor.. but the spy didn"t budge.. he only wanted to speak to Pinaka..
Shiva couldn"t help.. he left few men behind to watch the spy and went to the palace to check on Pinaka..
Meanwhile in the palace, Pinaka stirred, he slowly opened his eyes, he saw his mother and Samyukta sitting on either side of the bed and laying their heads on the bed post and resting, he tried to get up but couldn"t.. he felt as if his entire body was on fire, he fell back onto the bed.. Samyukta woke up, she helped him to sit.. she gave him some water to drink..
Pinaka"s mother too woke up, she said, "how are you feeling son? " he said, "I am ok mother.. I must be alright by morning, why don"t you go to your chamber and catch some sleep.. Samyukta.. you too.. go and rest.. " both the women nodded their heads horizontally indicating their disagreement.. his mother said, "I just got you back, I was so scared that I would lose you again.. Samyukta helped me to remain calm.. she is a good girl... you have my blessings.. " Samyukta blushed attractively listening to this, Pinaka smiled in a contented way..
An attender came in, the empress said, "what is it? " he said, "your majesty, Shiva is here... he wants to see if the Prince is doing ok, he also says that he has some news.. "
Pinaka said, "let him come in.. " the attender bowed and left, Shiva came in, he bowed and said, "your majesty, I apologize for disturbing you.. " Pinaka said, "Shiva.. don"t be so formal.. you are like a friend to me.. feel free to speak.. "
Shiva said, "Prince, the person who tried to kill you.. he is a spy.. he knows something about your father.. he said he will only speak to you.. " he informed regarding the conversation he had with the spy..
Pinaka tried to get up but fell once again.. Samyukta helped him to stand.. the empress had tears in her eyes listening to this, she said, "Pinaka, your father.. I always wondered if he is still alive or.. " Pinaka said, "mother, there is no need to think negatively, let me go and speak to him.. then we can understand the situation.. "
Pinaka tried to take a step forward but he fell on his bed.. Shiva said, "Prince, we will get the spy here, we can interrogate him here.. " Pinaka nodded in agreement.. he said," Samyukta.. take mother away.. to her chamber, let her rest, once we complete speaking to him..Shiva will call you both.. you too try to catch some sleep.. "
Samyukta nodded and took the empress into her chamber.. She understood that Pinaka didn"t want his mother to be affected by whatever the spy wanted to say.. he wanted to understand everything before figuring out how to convey it to his mother.. empress Chandramathi was undoubtedly a strong woman, she waited for so long for her son and husband to return.. now she has her son.. she didn"t know about her husband.. Pinaka didn"t underestimate his mother.. he was a little cautious.. he cared for her.. he knew how fragile her condition now would be ,she looked at him fall when the dagger struck him.. how could a mother not worry..
The spy was bound in chains and brought into Pinaka"s chamber.. he looked at Pinaka, smiled crookedly and said, "not bad, you look like your father.. you are strong.. able to recover so early from the dagger strike.. " Pinaka studied him, this man was tall and well built.. he had aristocratic features.. he said, "why did you try to kill me? " the spy said, "I didn"t try to kill you.. the angle at which I threw the dagger was such that it would only leave you wounded.. I don"t have any intention to kill you.. "Pinaka said, "ok.. why did you wound me? " the spy said, "I had an old debt with your father.. you need not know what it is.. if you want to know about your father .. and wish to save him.. I can help you.. "
Pinaka said, "why should I trust you.. what is the guarantee that you are not leading us into a trap.. "the spy laughed out loud.. "Prince, you are smarter than your father.. but you don"t have time to wait for me to prove my words.. your father is caught.. he has few days left.. you decide if you want to trust me.. if you do.. I will help you find him.. but I have few conditions.. "
Note:
Krishna Chandremperor of Magadha and father of Samyukta
Surya Guptearlier emperor of Gupta empire, father of Pinaka
Kailash Nandemperor of Gandhara empire, grandfather of Pinaka, father of empress Chandramathi
Chandramathi-empress of Gupta empire, Pinaka"s mother, wife of emperor Surya Gupta, daughter of Kailash Nanda