Chapter 5

                                    

                                          
Flashback, 30 years ago
Kauravi Uloopi, the daughter of Kauravya - one of the most powerful Naga chieftains whose reign had been continuing for millions of years, long before the Dwapara Yuga even commenced, was staring at the Prince of the Kurus, righteous indignation burning in the pit of her stomach. 
Arjun, on the other hand looked too aloof for a man who was very literally bound and unarmed, at the heart of the deepest reaches of Naga Loka, surrounded by the most venomous creatures of the world, all out for his blood. 
The Nagas had not taken the famous Pandava prince lightly and had him wrapped punishingly tight by several magical ropes whose ends were all held by their strongest warriors, standing at the four corners of the massive hall. 
"What do you have to say for yourself, Arjun, Prince of the Kurus?", Kauravya boomed coldly. 
"Only that, your daughter might need more than sandalwood for treating that wound. The dagger was coated by a poison which can harm all manners of mystical creatures including Nagas."
His callous words only seemed to anger the already infuriated gathering. The Nagas hissed almost in scary symphony and the guards holding his ropes pulled at the barbed strings together, which made the dark skinned man stagger just a bit. 
The only hint of discomfort was a tick on his bearded jaw, so sharp, Uloopi thought she might cut her hand against it. As soon as that particular unsavoury and unprompted thought struck her, her pale face burned aflame. 
Something which others might have perceived to be embarrassment at the Prince's words. 
The wound bound tight on her bicep burned anew. 
"Mind your words! Your arrogance knows no bounds! You have not only committed the grave error of killing Nagas but also dare to mouth off to the Princess!"
One of the Naga chiefs almost spat the burning poison collecting at his sharp fangs directly on Arjun's still stoic face. 
"Pardon me, My Lord. I was merely trying to avoid your gracious Princess, a nasty infection. It was all a gesture of goodwill despite the sorry treatment I received", Arjun stared right at her and Uloopi felt her breath catch in her lungs. 
The third Pandava prince had, in such a young age, made quite a fearsome name for himself in the rumour mills. His hawk eyes trained on her, felt like a javelin was being pointed for a swift attack. 
And like, everyone had been time and again made aware, Phalguna Arjun didn't miss his target. 
Neither did his words, apparently. 
Uloopi was right at his face the next moment, having traversed the massive distance between the top of the podium where her father sat in his throne, to the centre of the hall where Arjun stood bound and unconcerned, within a fraction of a second. 
Her dagger was against his throat the next moment and she snarled, pointed fangs out, her beautiful eyes flashing a deep vicious violet in barely concealed wrath. Even from her not so incredible height which reached the Pandava's chest, she could strike the terror of the Gods in most mortals and even immortals if sufficiently enraged. 
Only Arjun seemed, completely at ease. 
"I will rip out your throat and drink your blood and send your dismembered body for your lovely Panchala princess to cry over."
It seemed like the Naga princess was also adept at the word game of instigation. 
She knew where to hit.