A Slave Who Became Emperor - 43 The Meeting

Meanwhile in Indraprastha the capital city of Gupta empire, princess Samyukta gained consciousness as the dawn broke. She opened her eyes, Pinaka was sitting beside her bed, dozing off, she smiled to herself.. while she tried to get up and sit, Pinaka woke up.. he helped her sit and gave her some water..

She drank it and tried to shift herself.. but she felt a burning pain and let out a gasp.. Pinaka held her and asked, ‘what is it? ‘ she said, ‘I feel a painful burning sensation on my back.. ‘ Pinaka said, ‘that sword strike you took, the tip of the sword was poisoned.. with a strong poison made of mercury.. ‘ he recounted everything that happened from the time she fell..

Samyukta heard everything and said, ‘any idea who did this? ‘ Pinaka said, ‘yes, it is a man from Mir-Al-Zaffar’s group.. the ones that held father captive.. father recognized that culprit..he was the one bringing food and water to father while he was held captive…. that man had a long beard which he shaved off.. it took some time for father to read his features and recognize him..’

Samyukta said, ‘what would be the benefit of killing me? ‘ Pinaka replied, ‘I am sure that he didn’t want to kill you… I think he just wanted to injure you.. he never thought that father would recognize him and connect him back to Zaffar.. me and father think that Zaffar just tried to create a misunderstanding between Gupta and Magadha empires… so that we won’t form an alliance when he wages a war against Hindustan in the future..’ Samyukta nodded and said, ‘makes sense.. father knows about this? ‘ Pinaka said, ‘of course, we sent a message through Pigeon.. we received a message from him that he and your mother will be coming to see you.. ‘ Samyukta said, ‘mother would be so worried.. ‘ Pinaka said, ‘yes, even my mother is worried for you.. she fasted for your well being from yesterday.. I need to go and inform her that you are up.. so that she can drink some water and break her fast.. ‘ Samyukta’s eyes were filled with tears, she said, ‘my mother in law is my second mother.. I am so blessed.. take me to her.. ‘ Pinaka smiled, the two most important women in his life cared for each other like mother and daughter.. what more could he ask for?God has blessed him abundantly.. Samyukta went to the chambers of the empress, she made her drink water and break her fast.. the empress Chandramathi, Pinaka’s mother was very happy to see her daughter in law moving around.. she said to Pinaka, ‘now you go and accompany your father.. he has few things to discuss with you.. I will take care of Samyukta.. ‘ he nodded and went away..

The emperor Surya Gupta was in his chamber, he organized a meeting with his council members, he saw Pinaka come in and smiled at him, he asked, ‘is the Princess up? ‘ Pinaka nodded and said, ‘she is with mother now, ‘ the emperor said, ‘bless her.., her father and mother will be reaching by tomorrow morning.. I have also invited your foster father and mother to come and grace us with their presence.. I want to thank them properly for bringing you up..we will all celebrate Dusshera together as a one big family ‘ Pinaka was overjoyed, he was craving to visit his foster parents.. but he thought he would wait till everything in the Gupta empire falls in place before making a journey to Magadha empire.. but his father was two steps ahead of him..

Surya Gupta said, ‘son, let’s go and meet the council.. we need to discuss the recent events in detail.. ‘ the council met in the conference hall.. Pinaka was attending the first council meeting as the Prince of Gupta empire.. he was little nervous..

The conference hall was done in a simple but elegant way, there was a table in the middle which was in oval shape and very long, there were two chairs on the opposite ends of the table with set of chairs around it.. the main seats were each taken by the emperor and the Prince, the council members occupied the rest.. post the old emperor’s return, he ensured that all the positions in the council were held only by the people loyal to him and he imprisoned all those who allied with Devadatta..

The council members took their seats and greeted the emperor and the Prince.. many enquired about the well being of Samyukta.. the emperor addressed the council, ‘Gentlemen, we need to discuss in detail and draw a strategy as to how we will face this huge threat from the tyrant Mir Al Zaffar.. Shiva can you please recount all the incidents that occured previously.. ‘ Shiva recounted everything starting from the emperor’s capture by Zaffar, how he threatened to make Hindustan kneel in front of him.. the council heard with batted breath..

The Prime Minister said, ‘your majesty.. there is only one solution.. ‘….