---
Chapter 21
The Road to Kalinga
The sun dipped low behind the towering spires of Hastinapura, painting the sky in strokes of molten gold and deep crimson. Long shadows stretched across the marble courtyards like silent guardians, and the evening breeze carried the faint scent of jasmine from the royal gardens.
Suyodhana rode through the massive gates on his favored black stallion, the beast's hooves echoing softly against the stone. His mind, however, was far from the familiar rhythms of home.
The conversation with Bharadwaja still lingered, heavy as monsoon clouds gathering on the horizon.
The Herb of Living Light.
The Crystal Tear of Kalinga.
The ancient karmic burden that weighed upon the entire Kuru bloodline like an unseen curse.
Words that promised redemption… yet demanded a journey fraught with peril.
A trek first through the snow-capped Himalayas, then onward to the distant shores of Kalinga Kingdom.
A ritual whispered only in forgotten texts—one powerful enough to rewrite the very threads of destiny woven into the Mahabharata itself.
Suyodhana exhaled slowly, his breath mingling with the cooling air.
If I am to do this, he thought, I must prepare with the precision of a warrior before battle.
Weapons that could endure harsh mountain passes and unknown threats.
Trusted companions whose loyalty ran deeper than blood.
Supplies enough for moons of travel—dried fruits, healing salves, and maps etched carefully on palm leaves.
And above all…
Secrecy.
The fewer who knew the truth, the safer his family would remain.
His steps grew deliberate as he dismounted and walked the winding corridors of the palace. Torches flickered in their iron sconces, casting dancing light upon intricate carvings of past victories and divine legends.
It was time to speak with his parents.
Not the full truth—not yet—but enough to set the road in motion.
---
The royal hall lay quiet, a sanctuary of calm within the vastness of the palace.
Oil lamps glowed softly upon low tables, their warm light bathing the chamber in hues of amber and rose.
King Dhritarashtra sat upon a cushioned throne of polished teak, his sightless eyes turned toward the open balcony where the last rays of sunset filtered in.
Beside him sat Queen Gandhari, her red silk blindfold a symbol of unwavering devotion.
A veil of jasmine incense hung in the air.
Suyodhana entered and bowed deeply, his forehead nearly touching the cool marble floor.
"Father. Mother."
Dhritarashtra's face softened instantly at the sound of his eldest son's voice.
"Suyodhana, my boy. You returned later than usual today. The forest held you long. Did something trouble you?"
For a heartbeat, Suyodhana hesitated.
The weight of the secret pressed against his chest—the glowing herb, the crystal tear, the ritual that could lift the shadow from their lineage.
He could not burden them with it.
Not yet.
Instead he lifted his gaze and spoke calmly.
"Father… I wish to travel to Kalinga."
A brief silence followed.
Gandhari tilted her head slightly, as though listening to the unspoken layers beneath his words.
"Kalinga?" she asked softly.
"And what draws you there, my son?"
Suyodhana allowed a faint smile to appear.
"I remember visiting Kalinga as a child with Pitamah Bhishma. I met their young princess once… and now that we have both grown, I wish to see the kingdom again."
A knowing smile curved Gandhari's lips.
"So… you wish to see their daughter again."
Suyodhana coughed lightly.
"Well… something like that."
Dhritarashtra chuckled warmly.
"A prince visiting another kingdom is nothing unusual."
"Alliances begin with such journeys."
Gandhari nodded gently.
"Very well, Suyodhana. You may go."
Then she asked softly,
"Will you travel alone… or take companions with you?"
"I will take Karna with me," Suyodhana replied without hesitation.
"And also Vikarna… Dushashan… and Durmukha."
Dhritarashtra nodded approvingly.
"A fine company."
"Prepare yourselves tonight. You may depart tomorrow."
Suyodhana bowed once more.
"As you wish, Father."
---
Later that evening, he gathered his brothers and sister in the courtyard garden.
Lanterns swayed from mango trees heavy with fruit, their soft glow mingling with the fragrance of night-blooming flowers.
Fireflies danced like tiny stars among the leaves.
"I will be leaving tomorrow," Suyodhana announced.
"To Kalinga."
"For how long?" one younger prince asked.
"Perhaps two months."
Dushala frowned.
"That long?"
Suyodhana nodded.
"Yes."
He looked at them all seriously.
"While I am gone, train with all your strength."
"Do not disappoint our parents."
"Do not forget what it means to be princes and princess of Hastinapura."
The siblings nodded solemnly.
Even the youngest stood a little straighter.
---
Much later that night, Suyodhana wandered alone through the moonlit gardens.
The cool air calmed his restless thoughts.
Then suddenly he noticed movement in the shadows.
Dushashan.
Curious, Suyodhana followed silently.
The path led beyond the palace walls to the orphanage he had built for children orphaned by war.
Lantern light glowed softly in the courtyard.
There stood Dushashan… speaking with a young girl.
Kanak.
One of the girls rescued from the destroyed village.
Suyodhana paused behind a tree, watching quietly.
Dushashan knelt slightly as he spoke to her, holding a small wooden doll.
"I will be leaving tomorrow," he said softly.
"With my brother."
"For a journey."
Kanak looked worried.
"When will you come back?"
"Maybe two months."
She lowered her eyes slightly.
"I will wait."
Dushashan scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Then I must return quickly."
He handed her the doll.
"Keep this safe."
Kanak smiled shyly, clutching the small gift.
"I will."
For a moment they simply looked at one another beneath the lantern light.
Watching from the shadows, a quiet smile formed on Suyodhana's face.
So… this is the side of him no one sees.
Without interrupting them, he quietly returned to the palace.
---
Morning arrived with the soft glow of dawn.
The courtyard buzzed with preparation.
Horses were saddled.
Supplies were packed.
Karna stood beside his horse, calm and ready.
Vikarna, Durmukha, and Dushashan waited beside him.
Queen Gandhari stepped forward holding a sealed royal parchment.
"Suyodhana," she said gently.
"Give this directly to the king and queen of Kalinga."
Suyodhana accepted the scroll respectfully.
"Yes, Mother."
Dhritarashtra raised his hand in blessing.
"Travel safely, my sons."
"Return with honor."
After their final bows, the young warriors mounted their horses.
The great gates of Hastinapura slowly opened before them.
Suyodhana looked back once at the palace.
Then he turned toward the eastern road.
The road to Kalinga had begun.
---