The old man was also fastidious and particular when it concerned his patients. He immediately started berating Kush and Vajra without a care for their stations.
"When I heard the dryland king took you out to play, I thought perhaps you two boys went out for a walk towards the wells. But here I find you two looking like rug rats, playing kabaddi without a care for the consequences! You, dryland boy, didn't they say you were a king? Is this how a king takes care of people?"
Vajra, who by now, noticed that sand indeed got inside Kush's bandages, sobered up and looked contrite. "No, sir," he replied, looking down.
"You…" the old man who was expecting some haughty manners was stopped in his tracks. "You're hopeless! Sigh…Now that you've done it anyway, help me carry the general back to his tent. He shouldn't put any weight on his limbs."
"Got it!"
Vajra was taller than Kush anyway. The dryland people all had taller physiques compared to those from the mainland. He easily placed Kush on his back in a practiced manner and ran back.
"Don't run, little twerp!" the physician hurried after him. "Don't you have any sense?! You will upset his injuries more if you do that."
"Oh!" Vajra pouted and replied, slowing down into snail's pace.
Unable to hold himself back, Kush burst out laughing. He laughed more in this one day than all the time in the camp put together.
After spending a few carefree days in camp this way with Kush, Vajra finally put forth his plan to him. The desert had few areas of shade. The two boys occupied a spot that was remote from the main camp which thousands of barbarians shared with their new bosses, the Maruts.
Sitting under a line of palm trees, Vajra drew a rough map in the fine sand and explained his ideas carefully to Kush.
Kush stopped him before he went ahead of himself. "Wait! What makes you think the decision rests in my hand…I know you think the Maruts are mine. But they're not! The barbarians swore fealty to the leader of the Maruts. That's actually not me."
"I know. Even the barbarians know that," Vajra sat up, a fine line of red adorning the crease between his brows.
"They do?" Kush's eyes widened.
"Yes. The Maruts belong to Rudra. But you're from the Chandra faction, you're probably even their successor. Sooner or later, they'll know." Vajra shrugged.
Kush felt a buzz of confusion go off in his head. "I never told you that…And also, sooner or later is not the same as knowing it now."
"Rudra is the god they pray too. Don't they know his characteristics?" Vajra smiled and brushed it away. "You don't fit the image."
Kush felt that it made sense. Dammit. What did I break all these bones for then?
"Do you also think the same? I don't fit the image?"
Vajra frowned. "That's obvious. But why should it matter to you? Don't you already have his permission to use Maruts and all the forces under them as you please?"
"I do?"
"Yes! Didn't Uncle Bhargava already give you permission?"
"You know Bhargava?" Kush jumped. "And why do you call him uncle?!"
Vajra scratched his chin and thought about it. "That's true. Now that I'm Martanda, I should probably call him brother. He's said to be the eldest of all the Devas, though he generally doesn't associate himself with them."
"What?!"
"Are you an idiot?" Vajra chuckled. "Don't you know anything about whose fostering you all these days?"
Despite himself, Kush sat on his knees and urged Vajra. "Are you telling me Bhargava is actually an incarnation of Rudra?"
Seeing so many doubts on Kush's face, Vajra felt doubtful as well. He scratched his chin in thought. "It's most likely, yeah. Didn't you already know this?"
"But why doesn't he rule if he is also like your father, or Emperor Naga of the central plateau who is an incarnation of Kamadeva, the god of lust?"
"That's his choice, I suppose?" Vajra shrugged. "He's somebody of a very exalted status. How can we little ones presume to know what he's thinking?"
"I don't believe this." Kush asked restlessly. "How do you even know him?" What he wanted to really ask though, was, 'Is there anything you don't know!'
"He was a guest in the palace for the past two months."
This astonished Kush more than everything else put together.
"Grandfather knew him from his travels. That year, he left the affairs of the state and traveled only because he wanted to meet Uncle Bhargava one more time before he died. He was unable to locate him though and was only able to send a message. This time, Uncle Bhargava was able to make it…I presume it's because you were in the west. He must've come because he was worried about you."
"Where is he now?"
"I have no idea." Vajradandaka promptly explained. "I consulted him first because my troops are getting restless, what with the armies accumulating in the desert. They don't know about your Maruts or your intentions, but they do know the barbarians. Nothing good ever happens when these guys accumulate in such large numbers. Lord Bhargava said I should talk to you about the barbarian army, and if possible, help you subdue them fully. He said he doesn't want to interfere with your affairs unless necessary and I don't know if its true, but he said your teacher Ashangi wouldn't either. Not when your army is still in the drylands."
"That part is true," Kush frowned, thinking. "Teacher said I should bring the army out of the drylands and she'll meet me outside the Anandini pass."
"Oh…" Vajra smiled a little mockingly.
Kush flared up easily. "What? You think I can't do it?"
"Are you an idiot? Which kingdom will let you pass while taking an army of thirty thousand barbarians with you!"
Kush was at a loss. He really didn't think about that. His teacher always made these decisions and he just had to show up and fight. He knew nothing about anything. He didn't even know where his army gets its rations from. How was he to organise such a mass exodus without consulting anyone?
"Dammit!" Kush flicked a stone into the sand in frustration. What does she want from me? Why did she leave me all alone when I'm in my most vulnerable state?
As though he could read his thoughts, Vajra winked at him. "Isn't this the best though? The adults are not around. The two of us can do whatever we want!"