The morning after the Festival of Lights, Rajagriha basked in a rare moment of calm. The city's streets were littered with the remnants of celebration—petals, spent lanterns, and the faint aroma of incense. But within the palace, the mood was already shifting. The festival had been a show of unity, but beneath its surface, new tensions had begun to stir.
Arya rose before dawn, her mind restless. She met Malini, her most trusted agent, in the shadowed corridor outside the council chamber.
"Last night, Malwa's envoy slipped away for an hour," Malini whispered. "He met with Vatsa's noblewoman and a merchant from Kosala. Their words were guarded, but I caught a phrase—'the league must be ready before the council is called.'"
Arya's eyes narrowed. "So the rumors are true. They're moving to form a new alliance—one that could challenge Magadha and Avanti."
Malini nodded. "They fear your strength, Arya. But they also fear what might happen if you grow any stronger."
Arya sent word to Jarasandha and the queens. The time for vigilance had passed; now, they must prepare for open maneuvering.
Jarasandha called an emergency session in the great hall. Padmavati and Vasumati sat at his side, their expressions grave. Arya stood at his right hand, her presence a silent warning to any who might underestimate her.
"The Festival has ended," Jarasandha began, "but the true contest is just beginning. Malwa, Vatsa, and Kosala are not here for friendship alone. They are testing our resolve and seeking allies among our rivals."
Padmavati said, "We must not answer their schemes with panic. Let us show them that Magadha's unity is more than a festival display."
Vasumati added, "Avanti stands with Magadha. My brother's word is iron, but even iron can be tested. We must keep our allies close and our enemies closer."
Arya outlined her plan. "We will send trusted envoys to Malwa and Vatsa, bearing gifts and invitations to a council in Rajagriha. At the same time, our agents will monitor every meeting, every message. If they mean to form a league, let them do so in the open—where we can see and shape their moves."
Jarasandha agreed. "Let them come. We will show them that Magadha does not fear alliances, but commands them."
In the palace gardens, Sumana, Asti, and Udayan played under the watchful eyes of their tutors. Their laughter was genuine, but their games had grown more complex—strategy, negotiation, and the art of reading intentions.
Udayan, ever curious, asked Arya when she visited, "Why do grown-ups always talk in circles? Why not just say what they mean?"
Arya smiled and said. "Because sometimes, saying what you mean gives away your strength. And sometimes, it's safer to let your rivals wonder."
Sumana nodded, absorbing the lesson. Asti watched the clouds, thoughtful as always.
Within days, envoys from Malwa and Vatsa accepted Magadha's invitation. They arrived with gifts and guarded smiles, their words polite but their eyes measuring every gesture.
Padmavati hosted a dinner in their honor, filling the hall with music and laughter. Yet beneath the surface, the conversation was sharp as a blade.
The Malwa envoy, Rudra, raised a toast. "To unity in Aryavarta—may it last longer than the lanterns of last night."
Vatsa's noblewoman added, "And may old friendships be renewed, not replaced."
Jarasandha replied with equal poise. "Magadha welcomes all who seek peace. But let none mistake our hospitality for weakness."
The message was clear. The game had moved to a new board, and every player knew the stakes.
As the palace settled into uneasy sleep, Arya lingered in the corridor outside the council chamber. She watched the shadows flicker in the lamplight, her mind already racing through contingencies.
The council would soon be called. The league would soon reveal itself. And in the heart of Rajagriha, the next great test of Jarasandha's reign was about to begin.