The whole Kaurava clan was kneeling down in front of Karn
Karn shot up a death glare at Shakuni
"I don't have the habit of repeating my words....Mamashree...Das Shakuni.."
Shakuni limped towards Duryodhan and knelt down in front of him. His own plans had backfired because of Krishna and Karn
"Samrat Karn, can we proceed with our ideas?" Krishna asked Karn, and he nodded. Krishna knew what Karn was thinking, even before he could tell him.
Karn went towards Duryodhan and hugged him.
"Please fall at the feet of Panchali...I will set you free and give you back your kingdom, in fact all the kingdoms of Aryavrat...." Karn cried
"Never!..." Duryodhan muttered
"You have to choose between your kingdom and your ego...I am sorry..but I have no other option to protect you and many innocent lives from dying..."
"You are a betrayer...Karn!...I never harmed you or your foster family..." Duryodhan growled with anger
"Would you try to disrobe my wife too?" Karna asked
"Why would I ?" Duryodhan asked
"You treated me as your friend...I will reveal everything to you...Not only the Pandavas are my brothers, but also Draupadi is my wife...you tried to disrobe my wife... Dushasan tried to dragged my wife to the whole sabha..."
Karna stepped back breaking the hug.
There were pearls of sweat on Duryodhan's forehead. He had hurt his friend.
"She is your wife too?" he muttered
Karn nodded pressing his lips.
"I had to save her because she is my wife...and I have promised to take care of her...and I did..."
Duryodhan looked at Karna with anger and bitterness,
"You cheat!" he cried
"No I am not...Karn never goes back on his word..." Karn replied
"But I want war with the Pandavas..."
"Not unless I order you to do so..." Karn narrowed his eyes and turned to the sabha
"Mahamahim Bhishm...are you ready to do anything I ask for?" Karna asked
"Yes...your majesty..."
"Will you be able to murder Mamashree Shakuni..?"
Bhishm thought for a while,
"I am not a murderer ..." Bhishm cried
"So are you saying that I am wrong?....Don't worry...you have all the liberty to say what you feel..."
"Yes, Samrat...murdering a person...is Adharm..." Bhishm cried
"But will you do so if I give you the orders?" Karna questioned and turned to Dridhrashtr
"Maharaj...that crown does not suit you...it would be better if it is given to Vasudev...."
Karn turned back to Mahamahim Bhishm
"So..? What would you do..?" Karn asked sitting on the cushion nearby
"I am sorry Samrat...I will oppose it..." Bhishm said clearly
"Why didn't you do the same thirteen years ago?" Karna asked with a smile in his face
Bhishm was baffled. He lowered his eyes down.
"No Mahamahim...please do not lower your eyes...I feel bad..." Karn
"I, Samrat Vasusen! Promise that I will free all of you from this slavery...unless and until everyone of you do not touch the feet of Panchali and apologise to her..." Karna exclaimed
"And for those who demand war...each and every one of you must engage in a one to one combat with one of the Pandavas...and their allies"
"I am leaving it to your choice...Touch the feet of Draupadi and apologise...or...engage in a one to one combat with the Pandavas and their allies..."
"I being the Samrat, will decide whom should be fighting with whom...This combat can result in deaths...and it is allowed...now it is up to you to choose between fight..and apology...."
"You have 1 prahar (3 hours) to choose what you want....No one here is in charge of any royal administration...no one here is a prince or a king...everyone of you present here in this sabha are normal human beings...take the decision accordingly..." Karna walked out of the hall taking long strides.
Krishna smiled at everyone pathetically and went out of the hall.