Then he saw a winding stone stair case, he pulled out his sword and walked towards the staircase.. as he ascended, he saw armed soldiers standing in his path.. they didn"t stop him.. they were looking at him.. one of the soldiers said, "he looks like emperor Surya Gupta.. is it true that the Prince has returned.. "everyone looked at him, then one of them mustured courage and asked, "sir, are you the lost Prince? " Pinaka nodded, all the soldiers bowed to him. . one of them said, "your majesty, general Devadatta asked us to show you the way to his chamber, we are mere slaves doing our job, we hope your majesty understands.. " Pinaka smiled, he said, "you are brave, how is my mother? " the soldier said, "your majesty the empress is safe, there is no need to worry.. " Pinaka nodded and said, "I would like to meet my mother first.. " the soldier said, "your majesty,.. " he faltered.. Pinaka said, "don"t be scared, speak.. " the soldier gulped and said, "your majesty, the empress is being held against her will in the chambers of Devadatta.. " Pinaka"s eyes burned with fury.. "what? that b.a.s.t.a.r.d, how dare he.. he is going to die today.. lead me to him"

The soldiers got scared looking at his countenance, Pinaka looked like the G.o.d of death.. what will happen.. one of the soldiers said, "your majesty, we served your father.. he was a great emperor, now we are serving general Devadatta. we didn"t abandon our positions because we had to feed our families, we never thought that you would return.. " Pinaka looked at him and said, "I don"t hold anyone of you in contempt, you were bound by fate.. now I will lead you all into a better future once I kill that serpent.. Gupta empire will flourish.. I promise.. but now that I am back I hope you will all be loyal to me.. "

Every soldier bowed in front of Pinaka on their knees and cried, "hail Prince! " he said, "raise, let"s go now and put an end to all your sufferings.., "

They felt their blood churn, no n.o.ble has spoken to them this way, the Prince was down to earth and treated them with kindness, it was only proper for them to show loyalty to him.

Together they marched towards the chamber of Devadatta.. the guards outside his chamber carried the news to Devadatta.. he looked towards the corner of his chamber, the empress was bound in shackles and was stoved into the corner like a rag doll.. if her eyes could kill, Devadatta would be burnt a thousand times by her gaze.. her eyes seemed to exude fire.. she said, "today is the day you die.. my son has come.. he will liberate me and the kingdom, " he smiled in a crooked way and said, "let"s see. "

Devadatta was a heavily built tall man, he looked like a human beast.. he had dangerous eyes and his face and body was full of scars. .. Pinaka entered the chamber, he saw Devadatta and then looked at his mother, the empress saw Pinaka, her eyes became wet, the son who left her as a baby came back.. she tried to stand but slipped and fell, her legs were locked, he cried, "mother.. " and leapt towards her, he helped her to stand up, he looked at Devadatta and said, "remove the shackles.. now.. " he commanded ruthlessly.. Devadatta smiled in a sinister manner and said, "I am not here to do your bidding.. " Pinaka took out his sword and striked at the shackles, clang.. they broke open.. he looked at his mother and said, "you are free mother.. " she said, "my son, you are back.. do your duty to your land... set the people of the empire free.. "

Pinaka said, "guards, arrest Devadatta.. " then Devadatta sarcastically said, "not so fast my Prince.., I am holding the position of power here.. I didn"t take the t.i.tle of emperor, but don"t underestimate my hold.. the army is under my control.. the court is full of my men.. I give you one chance.. take your mother and flee.. I will leave you both alive.. go to your grandfather or your father in law and hide behind them.. you are not man enough to face me.. "

Pinaka looked at him with contempt, though Pinaka was not bulky, he was powerful, he was young, tall and muscular... he said, "what do you know about being a man, being in a position of power should make you treat the people of the empire as your children.. the women whom you should care for like daughters were treated as wh.o.r.es.. is it your manhood.. levying taxes for petty reasons.. robbing the people of your own kingdom... what sort of a man are you.. " saying this Pinaka took out his whip, crackled it in the air and struck Devadatta with it, it left a deep b.l.o.o.d.y gash across his chest..

Devadatta didn"t step back, he said, "impressive, you gathered all the information really fast..once I kill you I will catch hold of that dog Shiva and torture him and make him pray me to grant him death instead of his wretched life..why don"t you wrestle with me? if you win, I will leave the kingdom.. but if I win, your mother will serve me tonight.. " Pinaka crackled his whip once again and tried to strike Devadatta.. he caught the whip in mid air and said, "deal? "

Pinaka pulled the whip out of Devadatta"s hand and said, "you can"t imagine how your death will be.. I am ready to wrestle you.. be prepared to die you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!"

Devadatta said, " let"s hope your combat skills are as powerful as your mouth, he hit a gong and summoned an attendant, he said, "prepare the wrestling field.. "