The days following the envoys' arrival were marked by a restless energy in Rajagriha. The palace, so recently filled with the warmth of celebration, now felt taut as a drawn bow. Every conversation seemed to carry a double meaning; every gesture, a hidden purpose.
Jarasandha wasted no time. Invitations were dispatched across Aryavarta: to Malwa, Vatsa, Kosala, Panchala, and even distant Dwaraka. The message was clear—Magadha would host a grand council, a gathering of kings and princes to discuss the future of the land.
Padmavati oversaw the logistics, ensuring the palace could accommodate rulers and their retinues. Vasumati worked closely with Arya, reviewing lists of guests and quietly vetting the backgrounds of every foreign attendant.
Arya's network reported that Malwa's king hesitated, but Vatsa and Kosala responded swiftly, eager to test Magadha's resolve on its own ground. Rumors swirled that Drupada of Panchala was considering attendance, his ambitions undimmed by recent setbacks.
Udayan, ever observant, watched the preparations with growing fascination. He peppered his tutors—and Arya—with questions about the council's purpose.
"Why invite so many rivals?" he asked one evening as the three children studied a map of Aryavarta.
Arya answered, "Because sometimes, the best way to know your enemies is to bring them close. And sometimes, a council is a battlefield in disguise."
Sumana traced the route from Avanti to Rajagriha on the map. "Will there be peace, or more fighting?"
Asti replied quietly, "That depends on what the kings truly want—and what they fear."
As the council's date approached, Arya's vigilance grew. She intercepted a message from a Vatsa courtier to Malwa's envoy, hinting at a secret meeting outside the city walls. Arya dispatched Malini and two trusted guards to follow, their orders clear: observe, but do not intervene—unless Magadha's security was threatened.
Padmavati fielded subtle inquiries from Magadha's own nobles, some uneasy about the influx of foreign power. She reassured them with calm authority, promising that the king's hand remained steady and that Magadha's interests would not be sacrificed for the sake of diplomacy.
Vasumati, meanwhile, kept the Avanti delegation in line, quelling rumors and ensuring her brother's trust in the alliance remained unshaken.
The first of the rival kings arrived in Rajagriha under heavy guard. Malwa's king was regal and cold, his eyes missing nothing. Vatsa's delegation was smaller, but their leader, a sharp-tongued noblewoman, made her presence felt in every council chamber.
Kosala's prince arrived with gifts and smiles, but Arya noted the way his guards mapped every exit and entrance. Drupada's emissary brought word that the king himself would soon follow, and that Panchala's interests would be "assertively represented."
Jarasandha welcomed each guest personally, his manner gracious but his words measured. He made it clear that Magadha was both host and master of its own fate.
On the eve of the council, the palace was a hive of activity. Servants hurried through the halls, guards doubled their watch, and Arya's agents moved like shadows, ensuring nothing was left to chance.
Jarasandha gathered his family—Padmavati, Vasumati, Sumana, Asti, and Udayan—for a private meal. He spoke little, but his presence was reassurance enough. The children sensed the tension, but also the unity that held their house together.
As night fell, Arya stood alone on the balcony, watching the lanterns flicker in the distance. She knew the days ahead would test every bond, every alliance, and every secret Magadha held.
The council was about to begin. The storm had gathered; soon, it would break.