In the camp of the Pandavas, the silence reigned. The shock of Kunti's words were finally registering amongst them. Amidst the adrenaline, the presence of those they considered enemies, the sudden appearance of Bhishma, all of them had postponed the confession of their mother. The psychology of postponing what one did not like or understand, but now, they've no such choice. 

It took them time to accept the relation they shared with one they had considered an enemy for several decades as Bhishma counselled them to not let this be deterrent to their wants. Krishna had suspiciously been silent when asked about his opinion. 

Yuddhisthira wasn't very pleased with such a case where he would take the throne instead of his elder brother but in front of the elders advise and his brothers' agreement, he acquiesced his head. On the other hand, his displeasure fell on his mother, who had stayed silent about this for a long while. He had easily understood the reason, having seen his mother's relief when he had agreed to take the throne instead of offering it to his newly relieved brother. He couldn't digest that his own mother had acted as the Queen with her own son. 

At the behest of Bhishma, a mini-court had been bought together amongst the wilderness of Kurukshetra. 

Gandhari had arrived back with Duryodhana, who had no idea what his mother had planned. When he complained about it to his wife and Ira, they had simply smiled saying that 'the pot of selflessness had become empty'. 

 Now, he had no idea what to say in the mini-court, but his mother had assured him that she will take over. The Kauravāgrajah didn't know what to understand from his mother's steely eyes as he sat down worriedly on the throne towards the side of the Kauravas. He wanted the counsel of his dearest friend, Vasusena, but he had disappeared to Mahendragiri. 

As Ashwathama, his another dearest friend sat down beside him, he said, "Where have you been, Guruputra?"

"Here and there," Ashwathama replied with a mysterious smile, "Worry less. Ira told me everything. I've a feeling this will be fun."

Suyodhana sent him an absurd look, "What are you talking off, Ashwathama? How can this be fun? The elders -"

"The elders will get what's coming to them," said Ashwathama whispering back, as he eyed the entering Pandavas and their entourage(which had both Krishna and Abhimanyu)"Worry less, Suyo. Trust Gandhari Maa. She won't let anything happen to you."

Duryodhana sighed, but nodded as the court assembled. It was filled with the kings supporting each sides. 

Dhritarashtra, who had also arrived did not take his customary seat in the throne of Hastinapura. Instead he joined his son, who looked bewildered. The King of Hastinapura had been suitably been informed by his wife of her decision and told strictly to follow them. Now what can a husband do in front his wife's ire? Nothing. Hence, Dhritarashtra simply sat down beside him eldest son, making GandharRaj sit beside him. Without Karna there, Ashwathama took the other side of Duryodhana. Both friends were uncomfortable without their third member, completing their triad. 

Bhishma entered with his two companions, Kripacharya and Dronacharya. Noticing Dhritarashtra seated with his son, he felt a kind of intuition that something big will happen - something he may not like. His nephew had never dared to support his son so publicly, even if everyone knew that the King of Hastinapura favored his sons over his nephews. He had also took note that the Queen of Anga was absent, but he didn't know whether he should be worried or happy.

The Grand Sire sat down in his seat asking the question that everyone had gathered to hear the answer too, "Duryodhana, what are your conditions in stopping this war?"

"I'll answer that question, Mahamahim," Gandhari's frozen voice was heard instead of Duryodhana's. 

Everyone glanced at the blindfolded Queen, who was accompanied by the wife of Duryodhana, KalingaKumari Bhanumati and the Maharani of Anga, Ira. Both the younger female seem at ease, while the Bhishma tensed, wondering the reasons of his eldest daughter-in-law coming to this court, since she was technically late.

"Putri Gandhari?" said Bhishma, trying to smile although at the amused look on Ira's face, he understood he hadn't succeeded in hiding his uneasiness.

Gandhari's face had a wry smile, "Kindly don't insult me anymore, Mahamahim. I am no daughter of yours. That good fortune is  best left to your favorite daughter Kunti."

Bhishma's face paled at the coldness in Gandhari's voice as he was reminded of the time when this daughter of Gandhar had fought him for her son, when he was just a few minutes old.

Kunti was shocked to see the ever graceful and kind eldest daughter-in-law of the Kurus being so cold to the father figure of the Kuru clan. She had never seen this side of her sister-in-law.

"What has happened to Jyesht Mata?" asked a bewildered Arjuna, "Why is she speaking with Pitamaha in such a manner?"

Gandhari turned towards him, "Don't call me your Jyesht Mata, Panduputra. No child deceives their mother. You and your brothers have already made it clear that I am nothing but a means to an end."

"When have we deceived you, Mata Gandhari?" asked Yuddhisthira, standing up with a surprised look on his face. Arjuna, meanwhile, had winced at the words of the woman whom he respected from childhood.

"Why don't you ask that question to your loving wife, Draupadi, Dharmaraja?" 

Draupadi's brow furrowed, "What have I done?"

"Taking Mata's blessings when I was supposed to," said Bhanumati, "Rings any bells, Samragyi?"

Draupadi gave an uncomfortable smile, while the Pandavas exchanged uneasy looks. They all knew what the matter was about. 

"It was my advice that they followed," said Krishna, his eyes not leaving Ira's, "I am the one who should be blamed, Maharani Gandhari."

Ira rolled her eyes at his divergence while she gently seated Gandhari on the seat Ashwathama vacated. She said, "Can we get back to the matter at hand?"

Bhishma cleared his throat awkwardly, "Yes, indeed," He glanced at the stone face of Gandhari before saying, "What did you want to say, Maharani Gandhari?"

"Duryodhana has three conditions in stopping the war," said Gandhari, "Are you agreeable to them, Mahamahim?"

"I cannot say yes without knowing what they are," said Bhishma. Gandhari gave a small saccharine smile, "Have you said the same thing to your grandsons, Mahamahim?"

"Duryodhana is my grandson too, Gandhari," said Bhishma, with a puzzled look, while Duryodhana snickered at his words, "You are well aware that the Pandavas won't ask for anything inappropriate."

"This is not a time for a joke, Mahamahim," said Gandhari, "Your actions have proven otherwise to your words from before the time of my children's birth. Nonetheless, I hope you realize that I would be speaking on my children's behalf. Duryodhana had nothing to do what I say. Will my words be alright for the great son of Ganga? Or shall I vow with blood? After all, you did kill my entire family just because I had once said no to marriage to your nephew. My word may not be enough for you. I am not Kunti, after all. I did not give divine children to this illustrious clan."

Bhishma had paled rapidly as words after words left Gandhari's mouth. Ashwathama was hiding a smile at the coarse words while Dhritarashtra did not even react to his wife's words. The King knew he would never be able to make up to his wife for the pain he or his family had caused. 

Ira chuckled, her voice rather warm to the cold words of Gandhari. She said, almost conspiratorially to Gandhari, "Maa, your sons just happened to be Mahadeva's boons. How can that be divine? Mahadeva's boons is nothing in front of Rajmata Kunti's five divine sons."

Gandhari smiled, a slow and sharp smile, "Indeed putri, indeed."

Bhishma said, the heaviness in his heart growing as uneasiness spread through the side of the Pandavas at the words spoken by the two Queens, "It's alright Gandhari. State your terms, it will be followed."

Gandhari gave a pleased nod, "Mahamahim, the first condition from Kauravas is that the Kingdom of Anga will be declared independent and the Pandavas or their allies will not attack Anga desh."

Bhishma's eyes widened, as he gave a slow nod, glancing at the tense figure of his companions. Although after what had been witness by both Drona and Kripa, none had said anything. Kripa and Drona were later informed of Karna's actual parentage and none had yet managed to digest the news. He responded after glancing at the Pandavas, where Yuddhisthira gave an immediate nod, "Agreed."

"The second condition asks everyone to forget and forgive the matter at Dyut Sabha." 

Draupadi glanced at her in shock, while the Pandavas looked immensely uncomfortable. Kunti asked, not being able to stay quiet, "How could you say that Jiji!? Are you not a woman too?"

Gandhari gave her a puzzled look, "Woman, Rajmata Kunti? I would like to inform you that the woman inside Gandhari had died ages back. Now, only the mother in me is alive. For my children, I once fought with entire Hastinapura. For them now I would fight again. You should be intimately aware that exactly how low a mother can go for her children, right?"

Kunti flinched as if she had been slapped by the older woman. The reference to Karna was not lost on the ones who knew.

"Why should I care about a woman who was forsaken by her own husbands during the act?" questioned Gandhari, as she shrugged elegantly, "I've already said what I have to after that disastrous event. I only wish to save my remaining children from yours Rajmata Kunti, that's all. You or yours have nothing to fear from me or mine." A small joyless smiled spread on her lips, "Don't worry, the throne of Hastinapura will be safe for your children. Isn't that what you wanted Rajmata?"

Krishna said, "You seem rather enraged and unfeeling, Maharani Gandhari."

"I am simply collecting my dues from the Kuru clan, Dwarkadeesh," said Gandhari, with a practiced lifeless smile, "Isn't that the reason we're here? Collecting what we're owed?" She turned towards a resigned and astonished Bhishma, "Is it agreeable, Mahamahim?"

Bhishma nodded, "Agreed, Gandharasutā."

Gandhari's lips curled into a smirk, "The last condition is that those who're mine will be allowed to leave Hastinapura peacefully without any problems. I assure you Mahamahim, that my descendants will not ask the throne of Hastinapura. That will be reserved for younger nephew, Pandu's descendants."

"Agreed." Bhishma nodded reluctantly, his tongue feeling like ash. His entire countenance gave away his thoughts on the matter. 

Gandhari got up from her seat then, speaking with Duryodhana and Ira, "Son, finish the formalities of the treaty on behalf of the Kauravas. Ira, my sweet child, please be there for the matters regarding Anga. I've not discussed this with you or Vasusena. But I know, my Karna, would not deny me."

"He wouldn't," said Ira, "Don't worry about it, Mata. I'll deal with it."

"I am glad, my child," Gandhari gently patted her cheeks, reaching out from Bhanumati, who clasped her hands gently, "Yes Mata?"

"Putri Bhanumati, everything is ready. After Duryodhana and Ira are done, which should mostly take an hour at most, we will ready to leave for Anga."

"You've taken care of everything?" asked Bhanumati shocked. 

"Of-course, child," said Gandhari, "I've a change of clothes ready for all my surviving children along with ourselves. Kindly ask them to change into it."

"Why Mata?" asked Duryodhana, with a bewildered look.

"Putra Suyodhana, these clothes belong to Hastinapura. How can we take Hastinapura's belonging with us? We'll have to return them back to it's rightful heirs." said Gandhari with a chastised look.

Duryodhana gave his mother a wide-eyed look and Ira tried hard to hide her giggles while the rest watched as Dhritarashtra handed his crown to his stunned younger brother Vidura, before walking off with his wife and daughter-in-law.

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