Free The Secret of the Nagas by Amish Tripathi Page B

that practically the entire city would be lining the Sacred Avenue to catch a glimpse of the Neelkanth, for only the nobility had been allowed to meet him at his arrival at Assi Ghat.
    ‘Actually, this is your city, My Lord,’ said Athithigva with a low bow.
    Shiva frowned.
    ‘Lord Rudra had spent most of his time in Kashi, calling it his adopted home,’ explained Athithigva. ‘After his departure to his birth land to the West, the Kashi royal family conducted a puja at Assi Ghat, effectively making Lord Rudra and his successors our true kings for eternity. My family, while being different from the royal family that conducted that puja, honours the promise to this day. We only function as the caretakers of the birthright of Lord Rudra’s successors.’
    Shiva was getting increasingly uncomfortable.
    ‘Now that Lord Rudra’s successor is here, it is time for him to ascend the throne of Kashi,’ continued Athithigva. ‘It will be my honour to serve you, My Lord.’
    Shiva almost choked on a combination of surprise and exasperation.
    These people are all mad! Well intentioned, but mad!
    ‘I have no intentions of becoming a King, Your Highness,’ smiled Shiva. ‘I certainly don’t think of myself as worthy of being called Lord Rudra’s successor. You are a good king and I suggest you continue to serve your people.’
    ‘But, My Lord...’
    ‘I have a few requests though, Your Highness,’ interrupted Shiva. He did not want to continue the discussion on his royal antecedents.
    ‘Anything, My Lord.’
    ‘Firstly, my wife and I would like our child to be born here. May we impose on your hospitality for this duration?’
    ‘My Lord, my entire palace is yours. Lady Sati and you can stay here for all time to come.’
    Shiva smiled slightly. ‘No, I don’t think we will stay that long. Also, I want to meet the leader of the Brangas in your city.’
    ‘His name is Divodas, My Lord. I will certainly summon him to your presence. Speaking to anyone else from that unfortunate tribe is useless. Divodas is the only one sensible or capable enough to interact with others. I believe he is out on a trading trip and should be returning by tonight. I’ll ensure that he is called here at the earliest.’
    ‘Wonderful.’

     
    ‘The crowd out there looks like it is slipping out of control, Drapaku,’ pointed Parvateshwar.
    Parvateshwar was with Bhagirath, Drapaku and Tratya, the Kashi police chief, upon a raised platform on the Sacred Avenue. It almost seemed like all of Kashi’s 200,000 citizens had descended there to catch a glimpse of the Neelkanth. And the Kashi police appeared woefully ill-trained to manage the crowd. They were polite to a fault, which usually worked with the courteous Kashi citizens. But on an occasion like this, when every person was desperate to jump up front and touch the Lord, the firm hand of the Suryavanshis was called for.
    ‘I’ll take care of it, General,’ said Drapaku as he bounded off the platform to issue instructions to Nandi waiting at the bottom.
    ‘But he must not raise his hand,’ said Tratya.
    ‘He’ll behave as required by the situation, Tratya,’ said Parvateshwar, irritated.
    Nandi, on hearing Drapaku’s orders, was off with his platoon. Drapaku, using the hook on his amputated left hand, pulled himself back onto the platform with surprising agility.
    ‘It’s done, General,’ said Drapaku. ‘That crowd will be pushed back.’
    Parvateshwar nodded and turned to look at Shiva and his party. Shiva, holding Sati’s hand, walked slowly with a broad smile, acknowledging almost every single person who screamed out his name. Krittika, Sati’s companion, paced slightly behind Sati while Athithigva, beaming with the commitment of a true devotee, marched silently, with his family and ministers in tow.
    ‘Chief Tratya,’ shouted a panicked Kashi policeman bounding up the platform.
    Tratya looked down. ‘Yes, Kaavas?’
    ‘A riot is breaking out in the Branga