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XXXIV
A STRONG WOMAN
"Honoured Queen! A terrible thing has happened! Something undesirable has occurred! I never even dreamt that such a thing would happen”.
“What happened? Please tell me what happened”.
“Mahadevi ! The kings of the southern realms have hatched a conspiracy. They have united and are marching towards our kingdom.
"Who are they ?” "Rajdev, Alankardev, Sahyadri and others have united.”
The official spy came; and conveyed to the Queen secret information. Queen Simhika was stupefied to hear about this unexpected turn of events. Countless fears and doubts arose in her mind. King Nagush had set off on his campaign against the kings of the north, with a large army. Countless heroes, warriors, kings and men of militaric prowess had gone away with him. Even the Chief Minister had gone away with him. The people of Ayodhya were unaware of this unexpected occurrence. They never even dreamt that the kings of the south who were friendly with Ayodhya would turn hostile; and adopt such a crooked way in the absence of King Nagush.
This is diplomacy you see! Friends become foes; and foes turn friends. The kings of the south knew that King Nagush had gone away to the North; and thought that Ayodhya was unguarded. They deemed this an excellent opportunity to swoop upon Ayodhya. They, at once, met and had consulta
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