Not much debate happened over Krishna’s message. The King would have given Hastinapura too to Yudhistira if that would bring his son back. And Vasusena, Sakuni and Duhsasana were also of the same mind. Bheeshma, Drona and Vidura were openly relieved.
The agreement was written by Vidura and Dhritarashtra placed the royal seal on it. Bheeshma himself put it in a container and sealed it.
“Now that there won’t be a war,” Bheeshma said to Vasusena while handing over the scroll to him. “You could take Kunti with you to her sons. You are going there anyway.”
Vasusena stood still. Take that woman with him?
“I can’t travel fast with a woman,” he said curtly. “And I want to get this over with as soon as possible. Unlike you, I am rather eager to have Suyodhana back!”
He did not intend to be that rude, but it was the mention of Kunti that did it. Bheeshma’s face was inscrutable. “Perhaps you are right. I shall send Kunti with an armed escort. I hope you won’t mind conveying that news to her sons.”
Vasusena nodded. “I will tell them.”
Duhsasana came there and Bheeshma left with a nod to both of them.
“I wish grandfather wouldn’t be so openly happy about this,” said Duhsasana.
“I know,” said Vasusena. “But this is what they wanted all the time. And now they have it.”
“Suyodhana is not going to be happy when he comes back,” muttered Duhsasana morosely as he sank to a chair. There were dark circles under his puffy eyes.
“When was the last time you slept?” Vasusena asked, concerned.
“I will sleep when he’s back with us,” muttered Duhsasana. “Do you trust Krishna? What if he does not keep his promise?”
Vasusena frowned. He had not thought of that possibility.
“I have not thought of it,” said Vasusena. “For now, we have no choice but to trust in him. If he does not keep his word,” he shrugged. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“Krishna has really been very clever,” said Duhsasana. “By making it sound as if his peace proposal was successful, he is making sure that our cousins won’t press for war.”
He sounded upset.
“I know,” said Vasusena. “But he’s got us where he wants us. We have no choice.”
“No,” said Duhsasana. “And frankly, I don’t care for the stupid Kingdom or anything as long as Suyodhana comes back safely!”
Which was exactly what was there in Vasusena’s mind too.
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