Bab 107: Flash Foods And Betrayal ( Part 6 )
Kush told him that after he was adopted by Bhargava and Ashangi, he was really happy. That was until the lovely couple up and left on their honeymoon and did not return even after months had passed. Kush had a lot of restless subordinates by that point. Many different groups that he didn't know what to do with. The Maruts who love to wander and create a storm. The barbarians who didn't like to mix and hated being given sermons by these obnoxious Aryans. The Asuras who paid lip service to his instructions, but clearly had their own ideas. The independent army of Manas that was really a volunteer body by the citizens without any experience, but lots of arrogance. The merchants and traders who kept giving him gifts and kept showing him their teeth for no reason. The devdasis who got the idea from god knows where, that they were responsible for teaching him how to run the state.
It was true. It was Vajra's idea to let Kush order the Asuras to help set up trade routes all over Aryavarta. They were basically bandits. To subdue other bandits to help their lord extend his reach to four corners should be the best place to spend their energies. Every time the Asuras allied with each other, they would cause chaos in the capital. They would topple Amaravati. The deterrence provided by Bhargava and Ashangi worked for now, but the Devas would not sit back and let the Asuras conspire against them. It was important to show them that this was not the reason Kush gathered them. Otherwise they would kill him no matter what it took. Especially when they knew he was still young and vulnerable. God knows what kind of monster he would turn into if they allowed him to grow up.
This was precisely why Vajra told him to spread the Asuras across the land.
Do not let them stay at one place and look like you are amassing power. Distance yourself with them. Pretend even that they have double crossed you and you have no hold on them anymore. You are just a child and many do not know Bhargava and Ashangi are real people. They believe they are temporary manifestations of Shakti and her consort. Amaravati won't be wary of you as long as you appear weak. Turn the Asura's allegiance to you into your secret source of power. Let your espionage department handle them from now on.
Also, your dad owns one third of the largest trade caravan in the world. Learn to assert your rights, do not just depend on what the old coots from the temple give you. Personal wealth will allow your future plans to go more smoothly. This should be the direction for developing your Asura force for now. Wait till you are ready before you truly use them.
He wrote back then. The central plateau and the drylands were like two different worlds. Vajra did not have any influence there, nor did he think events from there could influence him.
Then again…trade influences everything.
'Did you forget the intentions with which the trade coalition had been formed in the first place?' Prince Hara's rant was not finished. 'Back then, the monarchs wanted to combine all their trading channels so that they can later take over Abhaya and use it as a trading post and do business with the rest of the world! Only problem is, they did not stop to think what happens if the exchange does not stop at trading. They did not stop to think what happens if a conqueror brings his armies into the mountain passes and steps into the drylands! They were only after the riches they will amass if they were able to freely trade with the rest of the world. These motherfuckers, they keep thinking Abhaya is the one obstructing them from doing so! The truth is, Abhaya does not allow unsavory characters from entering the drylands in the name of trade. For instance, the freaking Asuras, which are a synonym for monsters in the Eastern Prairies.'
Not having seen Hara ever being so worked up, Vajradandaka only replied, 'Brother-in-law has a point.'
'For generations, Abhaya has preserved the integrity of the Western Drylands by allowing only pure Aryan races to trade with us. Why do we do so, huh?' Hara spat at the king pushing his index finger at him. 'Isn't it all for you people? Isn't it all to maintain and preserve the loftiness of the Adityas who are supposed to be the true rulers of the world? Yes, we do not allow just any caravan to pass through the mountain gates, but that's because we keep stock of the situation outside and we know who's affiliated to who. There are hundreds of different of cultures out there and if the dryland people just mix with anybody, they may lose faith the divinity of the Adityas. If they lose this faith, the gods may leave Earth! Just as it had been foretold! Isn't that why you are born? The eighth god is just a man. What can you do if the world goes to hell, huh? Add more flames, perhaps?' Hara scoffed. 'With the Asuras setting up nice and plenty trade routes all over, you think Yuga-dheera will leave this opportunity alone? He knows he cannot you and me down at the same time in order to topple Abhaya, especially not when Hangi refuses to honor its alliance. So guess who he will ally with next?'
'The Asuras?'
'Bravo. You really are smart! But just not smart enough to know not to put weapons in your enemy's hands,' Hara spit venom at the teenager and looked at Sarapriya who entered the hall at an unknown time. 'Tell him!' he yelled, turning around to leave promptly.
Sarapriya looked just as she did five years ago. Brave, valiant and beautiful. Her face shed whatever little immaturity she had back then and acquired a bit of gentleness that was characteristic of womanly beauty.
'Little Cactus, do not sit on the floor,' she lectured mildly. Only to see her brother look at the throne behind him and scrunch his nose at it. He appeared not to want to move at all.
She was displeased, but decided not to say anything about it in the end. 'Do not mind His Highness Hara. He is simply burdened with state responsibilities.'
'Umm.'
'But you may still consider his words as advice from a more experienced senior.'
'Alright.'
Sighing, Sarapriya knelt next to Cactus and put her hand on his cheek. 'Little brother, what's wrong?'
'Big sister, I was only trying to help Grass because he has no one!' Sarapriya was surprised to find her brother's eyes glistening. But before she could ascertain if they were tears, they returned to normal. 'Both Bhargava and Ashangi are excellent people, but they are hardly there for him. Ashangi always speaks in riddles and Grass is not that smart…! She wants him to just toughen up and wisen up all by himself when she disappears into thin air in the middle of a conversation. Sure, she might be the greatest teacher in the world, but what use is such a teacher when he cannot even ask any doubts? She's so silent and gloomy all the time, she might as well not have been there!'
Sarapriya took a breath and smiled, patting Vajra's face. 'It's alright…I'm sure their relationship is alright if she actually adopted the boy in the end.'
'What does it matter if she did?! She took him to the desert and dumped him against the barbarians. She took him to the Belly of Chandasura and left him in the marshes to face the Asuras. She adopted him and became his mother and left him in Manas to face Amaravati!'
'Well…Little Cactus. Some people raise their children through adversity. Not everyone advocates love. Not everyone is lucky like you to get the love of so many people.'
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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