Your Majesty, what is your decision?

With that opening statement, the court session came to life, its purpose and gravity unfolding before our eyes.

At the outset, my advisors meticulously brought me up to speed on the latest happenings and pressing concerns that had unfolded within the kingdom during my absence. Fortuitously, the realm had not been beset by any noteworthy disasters, and the citizenry appeared to be content under the steady hand of Regent Dusshala in my absence. What further bolstered our confidence was the remarkable growth of the royal treasury, which had accumulated substantial assets over the course of the past six months.

Following the conclusion of these preliminary matters, we shifted our focus to the primary agenda of the day. The Sindhu Kingdom was renowned for its military prowess, even though it lacked demigods of the caliber of Maharathi Bishma and other celebrated warriors. The bedrock of its strength lay in our formidable military forces, led by the reigning monarch, Jayadratha.

The military formation of the Sindhu Kingdom consists of one Akshauhini Sena, comprised an impressive array of 21,870 chariots, 21,870 elephants, 65,610 cavalry, and 109,350 infantry, totaling an imposing force of 218,700 warriors. This calculation did not factor in the charioteers, who played a non-combatant role. Remarkably, this formation adhered to a precise ratio: 1 chariot for every elephant, with 3 cavalry and 5 infantry soldiers. This structure mirrored the military organization of the Kuru dynasty, which also maintained an Akshauhini Sena. Such a potent military force was a rarity across the vast expanse of Aryavarta.

In its ranks, Sindhu Kingdom proudly counts 48 Atirathis who held positions as generals and commanders. Each Atirathi possessed the remarkable ability to face off against 12 Rathi-class warriors or an astonishing 60,000 warriors simultaneously, their expertise extending across a wide spectrum of weaponry and combat skills. This prowess compensated for the lack of Maharathis, who, by definition, could battle 12 Atirathi-class warriors or an awe-inspiring 720,000 warriors simultaneously. Among the illustrious individuals holding the coveted title of Maharathi were legends like Abhimanyu, Ashwatthama, Atikaya, Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Arjuna, Ghatotkacha, Balarama, Trishira, Prahasta, and many others.

Jayadratha, while not bearing the title of Maharathi, possessed a distinct advantage, having been blessed by Mahadev. He could engage in combat with 4-6 Atirathis simultaneously, a testament to his formidable abilities. Even within our ranks, there were variations in strength and prowess.

Beyond the illustrious warriors, the administration of Sindhu Kingdom included 52 ministers responsible for a myriad of affairs, overseen by two chief ministers, or Maha Mantries. The court, despite its occasional divisions, ultimately operated under the sovereignty of the king, who retained the final authority and decision-making power.

Maha Mantri Utsaka, a man in his early sixties with a long, thick beard and a regal yet unassuming attire, stood up. While he had the appearance of a kindly neighborhood grandfather, there was an air of both wisdom and shrewdness in his demeanor, hidden behind his eyes.

"Your Majesty," he addressed the assembly, "recently, we've observed restlessness among the armies of the Madra and Matsya kingdoms along our borders. This situation has stirred unease among the residents of our border cities. I respectfully suggest that our king leads a simultaneous offensive on both borders, demonstrating your majesty's newfound strength."

"I must respectfully object to this advice, Your Majesty," another elderly man in his mid-sixties rose to his feet. He possessed a relatively short and stout frame, yet his countenance radiated wisdom. With a small white beard and long hair, dressed in plain silk garments, he exuded an aura of sagacity and benevolence. He was Mahamantri Maitra. Bowing slightly, he addressed the monarch, saying, "Your Majesty, the restlessness observed along our borders appears to be mere theatrics."

Curious, I inquired, "What do you mean, Mahamantri Maitra?"

He continued, "Your Majesty, based on intelligence reports from our spies, it seems that the kings of both Madra and Matsya are involved in a continuous exchange of correspondence."

Mahamantri Utsaka interjected with narrowed eyes, "Hmph, that's likely because there have been rumors of a potential marriage between the prince and princess of both kingdoms. All they seek is to form an alliance, and given their preexisting opposition to us, whether they form one or not may not matter."

Mahamantri Maitra respectfully countered, "Your Majesty, the reason for our concern lies in the delicate balance of power. Previously, our kingdom's might equaled that of both these kingdoms combined, resulting in fewer challenges to address. However, the significant increase in Your Majesty's strength has disrupted this equilibrium," deliberately avoiding any acknowledgment of Mahamantri Utsaka's presence.

I nodded and urged him to continue, saying, "Please go on."

"Your Majesty," Mahamantri Maitra continued, "given the recent disruption in the balance of power, it is conceivable that they may seek alternative methods to exert dominance over our kingdom. I suspect that they may direct their efforts toward our citizens as a means to divert our attention and resources."

Intrigued, I inquired further, "And how do you believe they plan to achieve this?"

"Your Majesty, based on my analysis, their strategy may involve targeting our water sources and economy," Mahamantri Maitra replied. The Sindhu Kingdom's heavy reliance on the Sindhu River was a crucial factor in this context. 

Following the conquests of the Sivis and Sauvira kingdoms, the Sindhu Kingdom found itself sharing its borders with the Madra and Matsya kingdoms. Both of these neighboring realms boasted formidable military forces, each fielding a half Akshauhini Sena. Additionally, the rulers of these kingdoms, King Virat of Matsya and King Shalya of Madra, held the esteemed rank of Atirathi. Notably, King Shalya possessed exceptional prowess, allowing him to simultaneously engage multiple Atirathi-class warriors.

The Sindhu River, with its source in the Himalayas, meandered through several regions, encompassing Gandhara, Kambhoj, and Madra, before making its way through the Sindhu Kingdom and finally merging into the sea.

"Your Majesty," Mahamantri Maitra continued, "according to the intelligence reports from our spies within Madra, it has come to our attention that the Madra forces have strategically positioned a substantial amount of equipment and resources within cities located along the Sindhu River. I am led to believe that, should conflict arise, they may proceed with the construction of dams designed to obstruct the river's flow, potentially causing adverse effects on our crops and farmers. Furthermore, the Sauvirs region, comprising extensive desert areas, heavily relies on trade with the Matsya Kingdom. If this trade were to cease due to the outbreak of war, a severe food shortage could ensue, leading to loss of life among our citizens."

Turning my attention to the head of the intelligence department, I signaled for him to address the matter. He rose from his seat and respectfully bowed, saying, "Indeed, Your Majesty. Our spies have corroborated the exchange of letters between the two kingdoms, as well as the gathering of equipment and resources in the cities along the Madra Kingdom's riverbanks."

I nodded in acknowledgment and instructed him to resume his seat.

"Your Majesty," Mahamantri Utsaka rose to his feet, his voice resolute, "this is precisely why I have advocated for an offensive against both kingdoms. Remaining passive in this situation leaves us vulnerable to unpredictable actions from our adversaries. Silence, while affording them opportunities, may prove detrimental to our interests. Moreover, we must consider the ongoing conflict within the Kuru Dynasty. Your Majesty, it is imperative that we take decisive action."

In contrast, Mahamantri Maitra countered, "No, Your Majesty. Initiating any form of warfare at this juncture would inevitably result in countless casualties. Our citizens would suffer from hunger, and the loss of Atirathis from our ranks could have unpredictable consequences. While the Kuru Dynasty may not be our enemy, they are not our trusted allies either, and we cannot rely on them for defense in times of need."

The court was divided, each advisor presenting a compelling argument.

The court stood divided, each advisor presenting a persuasive case. As the tension in the room mounted, both Mahamantris turned towards me simultaneously, inquiring, "Your Majesty, what is your decision?"

I found myself in this challenging situation, I couldn't help but humorously think, "What a way to begin my first day at work," while wiping away imaginary tears.