Part 5 - A New Beginning
Devesh wandered through the streets of the City of Victory, delighting in seeing the vast gardens and the rivulets and streams, which flowed through channels of polished, smooth stone, the water coming from the river Tungabhadra. The bazaars that lined the streets were plush with such rich colours and sounds, and Devesh found himself intoxicated with the smell of spices and other goods, that had once been so familiar to him. Oh, the joy of being home! He had forgotten how beautiful it all was, even if it were yet to reach the height of its spendour.
From where he stood he could see, rising above the other buildings the great temple of Virupaksha, dedicated to Shiva and the local deva Pampa. The temple was surrounded by elegant courtyards and lush gardens, and Devesh remembered how he had often strolled amid the flowers and the waterways with Lakshmi...but she was gone, and would not yet be born. He had hoped to marry her, and the thought crossed his mind that maybe he could again.
But there was more serious business to deal with first. The palace complex lay about a mile to the southeast, the palace almost as grand as the temple, sitting upon the plateau of Kamalapuram. It did not take him long to walk, and soon he was at the front of the palace, which was guarded by two bored looking sentries. Devesh approached them, smiling confidently.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
"A servant of the great Lord Krishna. I wish to see Lord Deva Raya II. You will let me pass."
The guards looked confused for a second, before nodding, and stepping aside. Devesh floated past, and said a silent thank-you to Lord Krishna. He stepped into a courtyard, and stopped. All was silent, apart from a bird tweeting softly in the tree. Devesh held out his hand.
You will come to me. The bird flew gracefully across the court and landed on his hand. Devesh caressed it's red feathers, and whispered,
"Guide me to the Emperor."
The bird darted into the air, and Devesh followed its fluttering form through a network of courtyards and gardens, ignored by all and any guards, until he reached a vast room decorated extensively with ivory. Along the walls were depicted, in stunning detail, scenes from the epic Mabharatha, and at the end of the room sat the Emperor, who was being attended to by various courtiers. He was a young man, no more than twenty, garbed in the finest green and yellow silks and cloths. His appearance was vibrant and splendid, and Devesh knew that a great man sat before him. When Deva Raya II saw Devesh he looked up sharply, in shock.
"What the...how did this vagabond find his way here? Guards, deal with him!"
The guards made as if to grab Devesh, but stopped in their tracks. Something in their minds spoke to them, telling them to come no nearer. They could feel they were in the presence of a power greater than royalty. Emperor Deva Raya II was not a stupid man, and raised his eyebrows inquisitively.
"My poetry will have to wait. I see you are no mere vagabond, Sir...?"
"Oh...Devesh. Devesh Chandra."
Deva Raya II motioned towards Devesh. "Come closer, come closer." Devesh complied, and the Emperor stood up and walked around him, as though inspecting a statue.
"You managed to pass all the guards and find your way through the palace complex. Only an assassin could be that stealthy."
"I assure you, Emperor, I am no assassin. I have no weapon, nor poison concealed about my person. Your guards can check, if you desire."
The guards search turned up nothing. Deva Raya II sat back down, and stroked his chin, mightily intrigued. "So if you are not an assassin, then why are you here exactly?"
"I'm..." Devesh stopped. What should he say? Saying he was a demi-god probably would not be the best idea. "I'm a...mystic, a soothsayer, and I have learnt much of the wisdom of the gods. I have...premonitions."
Devesh knew that the historical Deva Raya II had been a devout man, and was very much willing to listen to mystics. Devesh continued.
"I can see the future, and know of the workings of destiny and fate." He could tell he had the Emperor's attention, and continued, "I came to the palace to warn you of a great doom that will befall this great City of Victory!"
"A great doom?!" said Deva Raya II, alarmed. "What great doom?"
"It is not clear to my mind right now..." he shut his eyes, pretending to be trying to recall. "...but it comes from the north. I came to help guide you, glorious servant of the devas, towards the path of wisdom and enlightenment. To deny me would be to displeasure Lord Krishna."
The Emperor nodded, as did the rest of the courtiers who had been listening. Devesh was nervous, but he knew at least his words had weight, and were true. Lord Krishna
would indeed by displeased should Deva Raya II not heed his advice. The Emperor appeared to come to a decision, and smiled.
"Of course, Devesh Chandra. It would be unwise of me to let you leave without giving you a chance." Devesh smiled with relief. His demi-god powers had not let him down.
The Emperor lay back down on his couch. "But such higher affairs can wait until tomorrow. How would you to hear a recital of one of my poems?"