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

Chapter 1

Chanakya was sitting deep in thoughts.

Apama and Helena have been caught red-handed in action for treason against Magadh. They have tried to kill Queen Nandini by using her own twin-sister Roopa act as an impostor. They had joined hands with Nand and plotted against killing King Chandra and the heir to the throne, Bindusar. Helena had allowed her mother Apama to misuse her Rajmudra for activities and interests against Magadh. More than anything, they had murdered Chandra's best friend, the Queen of Magadh, mother of Heir to the throne, future Rajmata Durdhara.

He had ordered both Mother and Daughter to be kept in separate cells, far away from each other. Megasthenes who was hitherto acting as Prime Minister of Magadh, was brought to Palace under the pretext of some secret work, and was also kept under House Arrest. Nobody except Chandra and Chanakya, will be allowed to see any of them. Others will have to seek the Dual permission of both King and PM.

Chanakya evaluated the consequences facing Magadh, if the ladies get punished.

If Apama and Helena were imprisoned, Seleucus will once again wage a war against Magadh. His army strength is still stronger than Magadh's. His army was on their return journey towards his kingdom and they are presently at India's border. They can always return.

Last time also, Seleucus tried to join hands with Nand against Chandra. Seleucus knows that Chandra is a great warrior, but also has many enemies. He might join hands with all Chandra's enemies to free his wife and daughter.

As such, the existing Greek army reporting to Patrani Helena is more than 2 lac soldiers. Their loyalty still lies with Seleucus. Their greek colony is closeby. At her behest, if they resort to war, Magadh would face a huge setback instantly. It would weaken Magadh's position and Nand would be waiting for such an opportunity like a hungry dog.

We don't have enough time to increase Magadh army strength and train them in Greek style warfare to fight against Seleucus' army. We don't have solid reason to send the existing greek army away. And we need to use the existing Greek army to train Magadh's soldiers fast enough, without letting them know anything about Helena and Apama's treason.

Oh... what would Apama's counter attack be ? Sure, she was overconfident this time and was not prepared to see this plan fail. But, we should never underestimate a Rajdrohi and a smart invader. I am sure that she must be ready with some plan by now. We need to work on that too.

We need to punish the ladies for their treason; but buy time before another war starts; ensure our Magadh natives are prepared in greek warfare; and ensure that the existing greek army does not go against us in the meantime.

He came out of the Prime Minister's room and checked all the Rajmudras seized from Helena, Apama and Megasthenes. Their rooms were currently being frisked for any duplicate Rajmudras, important documents, evidences etc.

All copies of Orders issued during the Greek Trio's reign were brought immediately to be scrutinised by Chanakya's trusted able book keepers and courtiers. Necessary amendments were being made and new Orders were being issued to that effect to nullify the scrupulous acts done in the interim period by the Greek Trio.

All messages from Magadh to Seleucus through pigeons, letters and person etc, were scrutinised by Acharya Chanakya himself. The tunnel which was specifically used by the Greek soldiers was shut down promptly. Spies were despatched to find the whereabouts of Seleucus and his army, and to update Chanakya or Chandra on their each and every movement.

The Greek General was informed that there is an impending war from the nearest kingdoms, and hence, he will have to give a crash course of all greek tactics to the Magadh natives on a war footing. He was asked to select his best and finest greek warriors who would have the capability to train the Indian natives.

All the letters issued to Greeks carried Patrani Helena's Rajmudra. The Greek Trio's arrest happened so suddenly in the middle of the night, that nobody was aware that Helena was under house arrest. Hence, nobody from the Greek side doubted anything amiss while carrying out their duties diligently.

Chanakya then approached his Magadh General and asked him to do a specific recruitment activity :- (a) select the finest of Magadh's soldiers and send them to a specific unnamed location (b) a very small regiment of Magadh soldiers to be posted under the Greek General (c) find and gather all soldiers of Magadh who are fair looking and summon them at a specific location immediately.

He then sent word to speak to Chandra for a private discussion.

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Helena was walking to and fro in her cell. She was under House Arrest. She was not merely a warrior's daughter. She was Chandragupta Maurya's Queen. First wife of Chandra. Patrani of Magadh. Chief Queen of Magadh. Now caught red-handed in acts of treason by none other than Chandra himself, and Chanakya.

She felt like running back to Greece with her mother. But Helena, being Mukhya Maharani of Magadh, cannot go anywhere outside Palace without Chandra's or Chanakya's permission. Helena, for once, cursed herself for snatching that Chief Queen post from Nandini.

Helena is not a commoner to leave a place as per her will. She being Patrani of Magadh, cannot run from the Palace without properly handing over her responsibilities. Especially when she is under House Arrest. Which means, she will necessarily have to face Chandra, Rajmata Moora, Daadi, and ofcourse, that Nandini... She shuddered at the thought of facing all these people. After all, she had very conveniently played with their feelings, for a very long time for her own benefit. It would be embarrasing to meet the same people eye to eye with the same confidence she carried all these days.

She has lost everything she had earned. She could never make Chandra love her. He knew that she had loved Malay deeply. She had made it clear that she married Chandra only for taking revenge against Malay and for becoming Magadh's Queen.

She first lost Chandra's favour by telling him that because of Her and Her army, he was able to become a King. She then lost Chandra's trust once by asking her father to fight against him for want of a Child. Now she had gone and done it again. She tried to keep him only for her.

Well, whats wrong in owning one's husband ? Can she not expect him to be only hers ? So what if he has other wives ? After all, She is his first wife. He belongs to Her. She has all the rights over him. So what, if it means eliminating others that interest him, from his life?

Now he knows that she had attempted to kill His Nandini. His Lover. His Child. Murdered His Best Friend. Tried invading His Motherland. She had infuriated her husband to no end. And she knows Chandra's anger very very well. After all, she had put his anger to good use against Nandini every time.

Chandra generally does not punish a woman. Yet, he had given a Live-Walling Punishment for Nandini for a poison attempt against the King. What plans might he have for Me ? For all that I have done against him ?

If the Praja comes to know of my treason against Queen Durdhara's murder, and Prince Bindusar's killing and kidnapping attempts, they would throw stones at Me until death, the minute I step out of the Palace gates.

Has Mom thought of an escape plan for us ? I am sure she must have. When will she come to take me ? Oh, why Mom doesn't share all these plans openly with me ?

Helena was scared out of her wits, thinking of the outcome.

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Apama was busy evaluating Pros and Cons of her own situation. She is a Queen of her Kingdom; a favourite Queen of Seleucus. Ofcourse, if she gets punishment, Seleucus would wage war to avenge his Queen. Chandra's army is after all very weak and outnumbered. Yes, Chandra is a great warrior, but he has many enemies, whom Seleucus can make use of. But what about Helena ? Will they allow her to go ? What punishment might she get ? How can she prevent her daughter from being punished ?

I am a Guest here. These Indians revere Guests as Gods. And I am a woman. My stupid Son-in-law will not punish a woman severely. He respects women and treat them with high regard. And I am his Mother-in-law. Equal to his mother. I had saved his life during his Haldi ceremony with that Nandini. Its because of my husband's army, he was able to win against Nand. Its because of my daughter Helena, he was able to win Magadh. Chandra owes his life to Me and My Family... So, chances are that he may not punish me at all.

And I still have my army of 2 lac soldiers right at my doorsteps. If I order them to fight against Magadh, they will do my bidding promptly. And the Magadh warriors are not aware of greek warfare tactics. They will fall terribly. I can always scare Chandra and Chanakya, that I will leave Magadh along with my army. Its the addition of the Greek Regiment that scares Nand and other enemies of Chandra. Or just threaten them that I will usurp power of Magadh through my army.

Worst come worst, If I take the entire blame on my shoulders, Helena will be out of bars. Then, crimes against her might be cleared and her status will get reinstated as Patrani. Then, she can arrange for my escape from here. Then, news can be sent to Seleucus to arrange for war.

Oh... If only I can meet my stupid daughter and explain her my plans; else, I don't know what she might confess or do in her stupidity...

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