An interlude to Sunset

The part where Divinity enters - Krishna

"Thank you, my friend." After alighting from the chariot Krishna placed a hand on Daruka's shoulder in camaraderie. "You should rest now."

"I am quite alright, my Lord. I will just freshen up the horses so that they are ready if we need to travel again."

The entrance was secluded but not abandoned and soon Krishna caught sight of Mahamantri Vidur making his way towards them.

"Pranipat, Mahamatri." Krishna greeted and heard his address echoed by Daruka.

"Pranipat, Vasudev," Vidur greeted back. "My blessing, Daruka. You will find your regular chambers ready and your horses will be taken care of by the royal stables."

Daruka moved to protest but stopped; Krishna had imperceptibly shaken his head. "My gratitude, Mahamantri," was all Daruka replied, before making his way inside the palace.

Krishna was watching Vidur and was again fascinated by how extreme valour yet such calm wisdom can co-exist. Humans beings, in general, managed to distress him so often and yet they never cease to fascinate him. Especially when they came as someone like Vidur; one who has just met him will never know that the soft spoken, judicious and righteous man was a fearsome archer who,if needed, could destroy entire armies in a blink.

"Welcome to Hastinapur, Vasudev. Please do not mind that it is only me who stands to welcome you; I had a feeling that you would use this entrance"

Krishna smiled and folded his hands in supplication.   "I am honored by your presence, Mahamantri and require no other. But do tell me, how is Parth doing?"

A dark cloud of emotions settled on the Mahamantri's face. "His condition seems to worsen by the prahar, Vasudev. Nakul and Sahadeva have been pouring all their formidable knowledge into their medicines and it is somehow keeping putra Arjun afloat; but only that much. He is showing no signs of improvement and..." Vidur paused and placed a hand on Krishna's shoulder, looking up at him. "He has been calling for you, Sri Krishna Vasudev. He is screaming your name in a way that it is bleeding the heart of the entire Hastinapur palace. Even the servants and the maids are unable to keep their tears in check, such is the agony that the Gandivdhari is suffering from."

Krishna's heart plummeted further; his Parth was suffering and yet again, he stood helpless. He cannot intervene in the workings of fate; at least not unless it was Arjun's very life at stake. But what of his friend's sanity?

"Pardon me, but I should go to him, Mahamantri. I will meet up with you later. Pranipat."

Without waiting for Vidur's leave, Krishna moved swiftly and made his way along the somewhat familiar passages towards Arjun's chamber. Fortunately, the only people he met on the way were the soldiers and the servants. He was in no mood to speak to any of the royal household members of the Kauravas, at least not before he had a chance to see Arjun and also speak to the other Pandavas.

Krishna remembered the last time he had visited Hastinapur with Arjun. It was not long after Parth's marriage to Draupadi. The palace was old and would often get muggy due to the heat. That day, Parth was in a peculiar mood of contemplation, and it had been impossible to make him sit in one place. It was only after they had managed to escape to the gardens, that he felt somewhat at ease and Parth settled down. They had spent the whole afternoon and the entire evening and night in the gardens in complete silence. Only ever so often Krishna had brought out his flute and played some melody or another and Parth had finally drifted off to sleep claiming right to  Krishna's lap, as a pillow. Only the benevolent moon had been witness to the bond of tender and untainted friendship between a mortal and an immortal.