The Devil's Trap - Chandra Nandini SS Story - Completed - Page 8

Originally posted by: banuprasa

Oh Dear.. I just read this FF today...

Brilliant work dear... Keep going...

Just loving it... 👏👏👏

Originally posted by: kaku17

It's such a wonderful update dear where you make us see what Chandragupta Maurya is actually made up of...he was smartest strategist the maurya dynasty has known, to be only upstaged by his grand son in near future...

Thank You Kaku uuu 👍🏼 And I extend a Warm Welcome to this IF Forum and my Thread.

Divide and rule never really fails if executed properly...glad to see chandra using that strategy and succeeding too...your CG is so much better than whats been shown off late though yesterday was good...

Thank YOUUU 🤗

I'm a new viewer...earlier when the show started i was interested but somehow lost interest...mostly due to Nandini's screeching post Nand's defeat...recently i saw an epi and came across vishkanya...and then i happened to visit the forum and read few posts...and i think the post by siva and other stories by the talented writers of the forum made me want to give the show another try...and boy am i glad i did...now i do believe that i love both Chandra and Nandini 😳...i've been binge watching previous episodes and the dynamics of Chandu and nandu won me over...

I hope Siva and other Writers reads this... Even if they dont, I , on their behalf, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for extending a Heart Felt Appreciation towards our work. As you know, this is a free forum and people write their ideas for free. Such appreciations coming you readers are our incentive. Thank you once again.

The way you have built your story is pretty engaging and it really hooks a reader/viewer in to thinking what will come next...needless to say I absolutely love the way you write...though i might not comment often please believe that i love the way you have woven this story and always wait for an update...

Wow... Honey to my eyes and ears... I am so relieved to hear that it hooks a reader. I was worried that since My Dream Plot is an extension of the actual Show, with all characters, their behaviour, mannerisms, the scenes etc etc is picked up from the Show's Actual Past, I thought nobody would actually read. Now I am at peace.

Though i've never read chanakya neet ( Arthshastra)i, i really appreciate the fact that you have undertaken a meticulous research of the same to incorporate those in the story...kudos to you...

Even I dont have the Philosophical bent of mind. But, in my view, a Show should be entertaining as well as allow the Viewer to learn something from it.

I wanted Chanakya's Brains imbibed with Chandragupta Maurya's actions to come through strongly as a King, while Nandini develops his Human side of a King through his Heart.

So, actually, I wrote the story first. Then searched for relevant teachings from Chanakya's Arthashastra and plugged them in.

So, as a reader, while he gets engrossed with the story, he also gets to learn the Grand Master's pearls of Wisdom.

In the end all i would like to say is "do update soon "😛

Originally posted by: aquameera

Khush kar diya Sangeeta 👏 Wow, getting to read and visualize such raw, hardcore intelligence of both Chanakya and Chandragupt - the way it should actually have been in the show - was blissful to say the least!!! Loved this chapter, loved how you framed every nuance of it.

I read your comments three times. Feel Blessed...

And gosh how do you do this man? Every time you beautifully weave the important excerpts and events from the past and bring them up with apt relevance to the present.

A side effect of watching CN Show regularly I guess ... And Rajat... ☺️

And the CN Nerd Award goes to... 😆

Like when Helena thinks how the past rumors had turned out to be true - your mention of Chandra and Nandini's "apparent" Suhag Raat, the infamous Hamam fiasco, the time when Helu got to know about Roopa, while she had locked Nandini away - and all this how they must have been perceived by Helena herself, not how we know it.

Brilliant! Stuff that CV's themselves have forgotten. Please don't call yourself an amateur writer anymore 😎

I take a humble bow (sorry, couldnt find the icon) 😛

And I just had to quote this incredible piece of classic Helena dilemma:

If I stay here, Chandra might just spare me, because I am a woman and his wife. Or, he will kill me on Chanakya's instructions. If I run with Mother, she might spare me because i am her daughter. Or, she will kill me for Megasthenes. Should I run, or should I stay?

Now, this is something I really would like to hear, as a Writer.. It tells me what my viewer / reader like and dislike. What touches them and what doesn't. It tells me that my reader has read it with keen interest. Its an instant feedback whether my reader has visualised it, the way I have visualised and penned it. Thank You Again.

What a deliciously planned divide and rule between the Yavan team. I am LOVING this! And especially, it was fantastic how you specified the Saam dhan dand bhed. Must repeat, your clarity and attention to detail is extraordinary.

Today is just My Day... Thank You once AGAIN...

This is now getting reeeallly interesting, intense and ingenious! (Yeah, I love alliterations 😳)

And irrespective of the fact that I am all geared up and raring to read the next chapter, I'd rather ask you to take your time to frame the next one, because I can imagine how much time, energy and headspace these chapters must take to compose.

Intelligent content usually does ... too bad Ekta and her CV's will never know 😆

Out of 5, I'll give this...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

+ ⭐️ stars!!!

The extra one for the intriguing pace and crispness 👍🏼

Am out of words Darling !

Originally posted by: Bronze.

Hey rajat shweta ,

It's a testiment to your writing skill if you can make a chapter about apama this interesting.

It's really interestibg to read their thought process.

Your chandra & chanakya do justice to the historical ones. They are really smart.

Keep up with the good work.

Originally posted by: rajatshweta

Thank You, Bronze !!!!!!!!!!!! 🤗

I can only hope that I entertain you with the same vigour in future chapters too..

Originally posted by: rajatshweta

Chapter 5

It was 4 am. Daasis were running here and there to do the daily routine work - get the Hamam ready for the royal ladies' bath, flowers for Daily Pooja, etc.

Helena, whose life had been turned upside down unexpectedly, could not sleep. She thought she overheard some whispers outside her window. She tiptoed near the window to overhear the conversation. The maids were having fun talking, while doing their work. Gossiping was their favourite timepass to lighten their load of work. She edged towards the window to hear the conversation a bit clearly.

The maids were giggling and gossiping about the extramarital affairs among the royal ladies. One of them commented that earlier it used to be only the young ladies and queens, but nowadays even old royal ladies have become mischievous. They giggled again. Whom are they talking about Rajmata or Daadi?

Another Daasi commented that the fair-skinned Mothers are all the more naughty, especially when they stay far away from their husbands. Helena was shocked. They are talking about my mother Apama. How dare they? If only I was not in House Arrest, I would... wait... what are they talking about ?

The first maid was saying how the Mother Yavan never wanted to leave Pataliputra to go back to her husband.

Why would a woman want to go back to a husband who is in the battlefield all the time, when she can have a luxurious time in the Palace with the Greek Prime Minister? commented the second maid.

The third maid said that she had once gone inside to supply fruits and wine to the Mother Yavan's room, when she was conducting her so-called private official meetings with that Megasthenes; and the meeting was just about dirty jokes and laughter.

The first maid laughed and said that she has always seen the Mother Yavan sitting close to the Greek Prime Minister, touching him, leaning on him etc. Why, even when her husband Seleucus came for war at Pataliputra, and stayed as Guest and left after sometime, the Mother did not show any inclination of going back with her husband.

The second maid giggled and mimicked all the excuses the Senior Yavan Queen gave her husband in order to stay here.

The third maid said while the Mother said she was staying using her daughter as an excuse, while all she wanted to do, was to have a good time with that Megasthenes. They have been doing all this right under the nose of the Patrani, while the daughter was blissfully happy that her poor mother was here only for her...

The first maid laughed and said that the royal ladies' life is always full of such scandals; they always keep an ear out on what's happening in their Sauten's life, while they remain oblivious to things happening in their own room.

All three laughed. Then the Third maid hushed the other two maids, telling them to talk low, lest they may be punished unnecessarily. She reminded them that Patrani could be roaming anywhere in the Palace, and she doesn't like to hear a single word against her mother. The other one looked around to see if anyone else is there in the room. Then they left.

Sangeeta it is true It seems that polygamy was allowed during ancient times. In practice, this seems to have only been practiced by rulers, with common people maintaining a monogamous marriage. It is common in many cultures for a ruling class to practice both polyandry and polygamy as a way of preserving dynastic succession. (both kings and queens). Apama's amoral behaviour is no surprise

Helena was standing near the window, and hence the maids could not see her. And they were standing in such a way, that she could only hear their voices and see the shadow of their head covered with pallu. She couldn't see their face.

What ? My Mother? No, No, No... That can't be true. Maids always gossip about something or other to while away their time. That's a blatant lie.

No, but I myself had got a lot of information through the Daasi gossips in my past. And they had all turned out to be true!!

She remembered when the maids gossiped about Chandra carrying Nandini on his shoulder in a single vastra and then disrobed her in the Hamam, it turned out to be true.

She remembered the first time she went to Chandra's Hamam and asked him to have Suhag Raat with her and he agreed. That night the maids told her that Chandra was having Suhag Raat in Nandini's room and it turned out to be true; she indeed heard Nandini crying in pain in the bedroom, and Chandra telling her that it will like that for the first time, and slowly she will get used to the pain.

She remembered how her maid came running to tell her that Chandra was bringing Nandini on horseback, while she had locked Nandini in the store room - it turned out to be true and that's how she came to know the existence of Roopa.

Could this be possible ? Mother has always been stealthy about all her dealings. Half the things she wont tell me. But they have always been for my benefit.

Wait.. If its for my benefit, then couldn't she share anything with me directly ?

She switched the poisoned Haldi bowl during Nandini's Haldi ceremony, but she dint tell me about it, until I asked.

She knew about Roopa's existence much before me, but she dint tell me, until I found out about it.

She dint tell me about writing Durdhara's duplicate letter with Nandini's name in it, until I brought the letter to her notice.

She dint tell me anything about keeping in touch with Sunanda, until I insisted on getting information about where she was going with my money.

She knows how much pleasure I get in accusing or framing Nandini and separating her from Chandra. And yet, she wouldn't share anything with me... Why ?

Mother doesn't know anyone in India!! But she has always been keeping herself busy; going in and out of her room secretively. She only keeps telling me that she has some personal work and she will tell me later.

She always told me to keep an eye on that Nandini and now, that Bindusar, and not to worry about anything else. She told me that my target is to get Chandra's attention at all costs. Could she have been diverting my attention towards Chandra and all the time having a good time with that Megasthenes ?

hahahaaa..an affair with that beggar?when did he wash his dhadi and those dirty dhothis?

She thought about the first time Apama had come down to India to visit her. That was the time she had just become Patrani of Magadh and Chandra's marriage proceedings with Nandini was going on. She remembered vividly what Apama had told her that day.

Apama said that she learnt all about Helena's life her love affair with Malay, Marraige with Chandra, suddenly becoming Patrani of Magadh through Megasthenes. Not her father.

thru Magasthenese, she became Patrani?

Helena was in her father's camp all along. Her marraige was a political alliance, which happened after her father's defeat, and with his approval. But Mother did not hear it from Father. She heard it from Megasthenes.

She remembered the day her father Seleucus came to Pataliputra for war with Chandra.

She remembered how Megasthenes came with her father for war to Pataliputra, and then suddenly got appointed in Chandra's court as his Minister. Seleucus waged war with Chandra to get Helena her conjugal rights. And Helena laid condition to Chandra that she will ask her father to withdraw war IF Chandra asks Nandini to leave the Palace. My condition to Chandra did not involve Megasthenes, nor did my father mention anything about this to me. So, why and how did he land in Pataliputra? And Megasthenes was way too happy to stay in India. Slowly and steadily he had come closer to Apama and Helena. And she had believed that Megasthenes had come to India only to help her in her administration.

My..my you are changing the track completely..so you say that Maggu is the sweet heart of Apama, and to continue her illegal affairs with him,she stayed in Magadh with that dhadiwala

She remembered how her Mother gave letter to Megasthenes, making him Prime Minister of Magadh, much before Chandra announced it !! And lately, after Chanakya has got ousted from the Palace, and Megasthenes became PM, her mother had been spending an awful time with him, making plans for establishing Yavan Rajya in India. Come on, I have also been part of those Meetings. Well, not all actually. Mother sometimes told me to stay off and enjoy my Patrani status, while she would take care of business. Could it be that she wanted to spend time with Megasthenes and calling it an official meeting ?

Indeed, Mother did not stay with Father in his room. She preferred to stay in her own room and continued with her usual escapades. She did give excuses for staying back with Me... Even I found it wierd... but I gullibly thought it was for Me.

The maids' gossips were true once again.

Mother and Megasthenes ? That Man ? Ofcourse, I never got along well with Father so much. But Megasthenes, Mother ?

Ok, Megasthenes is tall and has some brains, but he is a coward. He is also a greedy man. He wanted access to Chanakya's Power and Magadh's Wealth.

It looks as though she(helena) is so pure and innocent of all her mother's activities .She is as vicious as that VK, nonetheless her monologue reveals her complete dependence on her mother

What's so special about him that wasn't there for Father ? How could you cheat Father ? Father is a Warrior, he considers you his Favourite Queen, blind in love with you...

I really thought you and Megasthenes are tolerating the Indian weather and these people for ME... for MY benefit... but actually, you both wanted to have some time alone, far away from Father, and planned it in such a way, that even I did not suspect it ??

You've been doing all this right under my nose, Mother ? All along, I thought you are here to avenge Father's defeat, and helping him to establish Yavan Empire here in India. And you cheated Me, to be with this guy ?

She imagined herself running out of Magadh, behind her Mother and Megasthenes with their fingers intertwined. She felt disgusted at the thought of her Mother having an extramarital affair with Megasthenes.

What plans might Mother have with Megasthenes, after reaching Greece? Will she leave Father or Megasthenes? Or will she kill Father for Megasthenes?

Oh, What will happen to me, if Father gets killed ? Will mother take my side, or will she arrange to get me killed too ? Well, she is capable of doing anything. After all, Durdhara and Roopa's murder is her doing. She attempted killing Nandini and Bindusar. How long will she take to kill me ?

If I stay here, Chandra might just spare me, because I am a woman and his wife. Or, he will kill me on Chanakya's instructions. If I run with Mother, she might spare me because i am her daughter. Or, she will kill me for Megasthenes. Should I run, or should I stay?

She did not know whether to make her escape plan or worry about her Mother's extramarital affair. The uncertainty of her future increased her confusions further.

She did what she usually does - screech at the top of her voice, grind her pearl-white teeth, turn the plate of fruits upside down and throw the Madira vase against the nearest wall.

yes virtually I can imagine all three running one after another from Magadh.

Though not I like this track on immoral character on Apama(it is nauseating)

there may a chance it may be true

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Apama was clasping her fingers in despair. She was locked in a secret room, far away from her daughter. She was gloating in her plans to counter Chandra in the Court (Refer her monologue in Chapter 1) but as a mother, she was worried about her daughter. As usual, as a conspirator, she wanted to know her opponent's move as well.

What's happening outside ? How do i know whats happening outside if nobody comes here? What Chanakya and Chandra must be planning now? How do I plan my counter move if I don't know what's happening outside?

Why has Megasthenes not come to visit me yet ? If he doesn't come to visit me, then how else can i send a message to my husband ?

God knows what happened to Helena. Is she ok ? How is she being treated? Has she been put to any kind of torture ?

Just then, the maids' morning chores began, and she heard the maids outside her room gossiping. She inched herself forward to the Window to overhear the conversation. They were discussing latest news about Chanakya finding some love letters in Mother Yavan's room in the name of Megasthenes. The other maid said she was working for Megasthenes before she got posted for this job. She said Megasthenes was not very happy just becoming a Prime Minister of Magadh; he was planning to make himself Satrap of India, after the Yavan Ladies overthrows Chandra out of power. He had planned to poison both the Yavan ladies through Madira and inform Seleucus that the ladies died on ther return journey towards Greece. She could not hear the gossip clearly, since the voices were muffled whispers.

Maggu..the samrat of Magadh..hahahaaa..after poisoning the ladies..shaky hands,stooped posture,slower walking,and stammering before the prajas, in no time,they kick him out of Magadh

What ? Is that about a letter written by Megasthenes to me (or) my letter written to Megasthenes? Who kept those letters in my room ?

I have not written any letter to Megasthenes till date. I don't love him. I love my husband. So, why would I write any love letter to Megasthenes?

Just then, it hit her like a lightning. Did I not make Roopa write letter to Malay to create confusion in Chandra's mind about Nandini? Nandini did not write any of the 3 letters.

It was Roopa, Helena and Me who wrote those letters. Similarly, did someone deliberately planted those letters in my room ? Who could that be ?

Roopa is dead. And Helena won't turn against me.

Could it be Sunanda ? But that barber woman is an illiterate. So, how could she get a letter written with my handwriting? Besides, she knows she won't get any gold from me, if she keeps the letters in my room. What will she achieve out of this?

Could it be Helena then ? She knew that I duplicated Durdhara's letter. She knew that I used to make Orders in Seleucus' handwriting to get my work done in Greece. But, she herself is under arrest now.

Who is my enemy here? Who could be playing my own game against me? Who could be knowing my truth?

Whatever be Apama is not playing with Maggu gives me great relief

then who is the manipulator to play with the letters

Oh God, if Chanakya has hold of the letters, he will instruct Chandra to inform Seleucus immediately. Seleucus is a hot-headed man, and very possessive about Me. If he receives this kind of news, he will not wait for any reasoning. He will behead Me the minute he sees me. As per their Greek Law, a man has the rights to behead his wife, if she commits adultery. There won't be any trial for adultery committed by a married woman.

And Megasthenes planning to murder Me and My daughter? That wretched man..

Do I worry about me ? Do I worry about my daughter? Do I worry about the letters? Do I worry about Seleucus' reaction? Do I worry about my rescue operation?

Apama you are the wheeler-dealer of all times..think over..some crooked thoughts will emerge from your filthy mind

Ok. Calm down Apama. You handled many conspiracies in your lifetime. Just use your brains to get yourself out of this one too. The priority here is to reach Seleucus, at the least possible time, before Chanakya informs him of the Love Letters.

I have to ask Seleucus to rescue me first. Only If I reach Seleucus first, I will be able to explain everything to him. Only then, I will be able to manipulate him to wage war against Chandra again and rescue Helena and Megasthenes. Helena or Megasthenes are not capable of convincing Seleucus.

But Helena? No, Chandra will not do anything to Helena. She is a woman, his wife and a Queen. Chandra will have to inform the Public about Helena's doings and that itself is a humiliating experience for a Man of his stature. No, Chandra will not take drastic steps against Helena immediately. After all, I have seen him handling Nandini as Rajdrohi. The treatment would be a bit humiliating for Helena, but its not that bad. Helena might have to bear the ill-treatment for some time. Meanwhile, I will arrange with Seleucus for her rescue.

yes that is a bitter truth..Helena being Mukya Maharani, CGM won't do anything hastily with her

She tried to bribe the maid who came to replenish her Water Jug, with her necklace, in exchange for a scroll and pen. The maid looked around, stealthily accepted the bribe, and came back with a scroll and pen.

Apama wrote a letter to her husband in her mother tongue, stating that she is in trouble, and requested him to come and rescue ONLY HER.

The maid, who was actually an appointed spy in disguise, promptly handed over the scroll to Chanakya. Chanakya had hired the greek guy, right hand and Assistant of Megasthenes, to be his spy. He promptly read the contents of the Scroll and translated the letter to him. Needless to say, the greek guy was paid heftily for his services, in gold, to keep his mouth shut. He was kept in a secret location, closely guarded by Chanakya's soldiers.

Great Chanakya..they sweep all corners thoroughly

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[ Flashback... ]

Chandra was walking towards the Private Discussion Room.

He was his Acharya's favourite student. He had spent most part of his life with his Acharya and learnt many valuable lessons from him. His Acharya had trained him to think through his brain; Nandini had taught him to put his heart also to use. Now that his Heart and Brain were working with equal vigour, he could visualise all the events and incidents that happened in his life through his Heart; while his Brain correlated that with that of the lessons he had learnt from his Acharya in Takshashila.

He realised that while the theory part of all lessons taught by Chanakya was easy to memorise as a University student, his life's practical lessons had been too painful and tough to handle.

WE know, students often get 100% in their practicals and fail in theory papers miserably in university exams..but for a brilliant student like Chandra,it is a child's play to get win win situation in real life also

Chandra reached the Private Discussion Room. Chanakya was waiting for him. They took a stock of all facts, records and witnesses available to them.

Chandra first updated Chanakya about the latest evidences that he has discovered about the Scroll that was misused by Avantika, her confessions, the 3 letters with Nandini's name - of which, First letter had Helena's handwriting on it, the Second letter and the Scroll where the handwriting matches perfectly but no records exist, and how he is unable to identify the Third letter handwriting.

Chanakya took the third letter from him and instantly recognised it. He had been scrutinising all records that were issued and signed by Megasthenes and Apama. He immediately recognised Apama's handwriting. As for the letter and Scroll where the handwriting matches perfectly, he confirmed that it was Roopa's. Sunanda has already been captured and was in their custody. He had arm twisted her and found out all the truth from her.

Chanakya shared with Chandra about the new facts that he had discovered post Helena's and Apama's arrest.

Chanakya showed him Durdhara's letter retrieved from Helena's room. Her letter mentioned the word "Sauten but did not mention Nandini's name. Chandra expressed his doubt to Chanakya, that he specifically remember seeing Durdhara's letter with the name "Nandini written on it.

Chanakya immediately diagnosed that the use of Handwriting Expert has been used to duplicate Durdhara's handwriting, to frame Nandini in Durdhara's murder.

yes forensic department works in full swing

Chanakya had also retrieved the Medicine Box from Apama's room, which had a specific poison and also its antidote. He knew that Nandini had more knowledge in medicine and also interested in reading a lot of books. He had immediately sent for Nandini and requested her to collect more information about the poison. She promptly went to the Library and came back with the relevant book.

They learnt that the Origin of both the poison herb and its antidote is not from India. It's videshi medicine. Chanakya recalled that he saw Apama hiding something in her body, in Durdhara's room, post which Durdhara's health conditions had deeply worsened. But, when he had checked Apama, he could not find anything on that day. He now understood that she must have taken the antidote for it.

All Daasis who were working for Helena, right from the beginning, were brought one and by one and interrogated. There was this one Daasi who confessed that she and Helena had drugged Roopa and locked her up in a store room, thinking that it was Nandini. This was just on the day when Chandra and Nandini were to leave the Palace to go to Patalgram for the Pooja.

Chandra immediately deduced that Helena had kidnapped Roopa (thinking it is Nandini), while Nandini was kidnapped by someone else and left in a cave where he rescued her.

Both Sunanda and Megasthenes have been captured and to be interrogated. All the Greek spies have been captured and killed. One of the Greek Spy who was sent to give information to Nand has been deliberately kept alive.

It was now vivid that Nandini's innocence and Chandra's weakness for his family had been used with malicious intent by the Greeks, for their own selfish motive. Chandra's heart was now singing with joy. Now, they have proof that Nandini is innocent in all crimes and charges against her. The worry is to make the Greek ladies confess about it.

They both realised how deep the conspiracy has run and how long it has gone without their notice. It was time to take action.

Running a kingdom is not an easy job...can't even enjoy a single evening blissfully with his loving wife..how the emperors conduct their lives in ancient times..with abundant wealth and power,would they have got atleast one peaceful night?

Before putting forward his views, Chanakya wanted to know the views of Chandra first. Chanakya had spent a great deal of his lifetime with Chandra. As an Acharya, when he first met the orphan boy Chandra from Patalgram, he had instantly recognised that this boy was destined for imperial greatness. But, he knew Chandra had always longed for a family and normal life, since childhood. His desire for Love and Affection from his near and dear ones was his Achilles' heel. He knew that some day, this attachment would become a root cause of all problems in Chandra's life as a King. That's why he had deliberately trained and regularly advised Chandra to think with his brains.

But today, Chandra will have to take decision not only as a Family Man, but also as a King. He knew that this is a tough time for Chandra. Tough times call for tough decisions.

Chandra, with a kingly demeanour, crisply replied "Split the Greek Family; Strengthen our Indian Army, and briefed him the rationale behind his decision, and how he plans to go about it. The Teacher smiled with pride. He did groom his Student well.

Fantastic and relevant move by the shyshya of Great Chanakya

If the Military side is weaker to protect the kingdom, the war threats and conflicts can be handled through Non-Military methods to achieve the goals : Saam (Council or form Alliance), Dhan (Lure with Gifts and Compensation), Bhed (Create Rifts), Dand (Punishment).

The competitive strategies to deal with stronger enemies are : Sandhi (Treaty for Peace), Viraham (war confrontation), Asanam (Wait till the appropriate time to strike), Sharanam (seek shelter), Yaanam (obtain new territory), and Dwaidhi Bhaava (keep alternatives options on hand)

They wanted to end the conspiracy. They wanted to punish the ladies. They wanted to avoid war. They wanted to save lives and minimise damage.

Both discussed about a mix and match of both strategies to form the Game of Distraction, Division and Diversion.

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