The strings are in good control by the Shakuni of this Mahabharata. Ragini has started her latest hunt - the destruction of enemy in familiar grounds where they start losing their attentiveness. This reminds me of Pandavas returning to Hastinapur after the Lakshagraha and Draupadi's Swayamvar. Sanskar and Swara likewise "married" will return back to home to face new challenges of Shakuni a.k.a. Ragini, aided by hotheadedness of Duryodhan a.k.a. Lakshya.
RP is a Vidur all the way. Often in the background just like Vidur was in comparison to Pandu and Dhritarashtra, he essentially sees the real picture. His eyes do not miss the grey edges of truth nor do they miss Shakuni's "good intentions" and Duryodhan's blind hunger.
Your new character, I dunno if u thought of it but it made me reminisce Jarasandha. Bhism's enemy and supreme king of Magadh. He is powerful and wise and most importantly knows how to reach his ends.
This chapter's Sanskar reminded me of Karn and his stand against Jarasandha. Is that an inkling for the future?
The King and the Queen return back to their kingdom just like Yuvraj Yudhisthir and Yuvrani Draupadi. In ur fic they are already king and queen. Is it going to be a dice game again? Will Draupadi suffer again??
PS - Thanks for the scrap. And I went into Mahabharata again. It seems I cannot type any comment without bringing the epic in context😕