The royal palace of Champa stood at the heart of the ancient city, its sandstone walls rising proudly above the bustling streets below. By the time Karna arrived, rows of palace guards had already assembled along the entrance, their spears raised in salute while attendants waited with ceremonial offerings of flowers, water, and fragrant incense.
Standing at the top of the marble staircase was Acting Governor Viraj Sena. The broad-shouldered commander stepped forward with both palms joined.
"This servant welcomes Maharaja Karna to the Royal Palace of Anga."
Karna inclined his head politely. "My thanks, Governor."
As they stood face to face, Karna's brows almost imperceptibly drew together. A faint scent of madira lingered upon the governor's breath. His eyes carried a slight redness, and though his posture remained perfectly upright, Karna could tell immediately that the man had been drinking not long ago.
Princes and Kings do drink Madira. Karna was aware of it, but only those who are clouded in arrogance and neglect toward the citizens usually drink in broad daylight.
He studied Viraj Sena for a brief moment. *He still speaks clearly… his steps remain steady… his mind is not clouded by Madira.*
Whatever irritation arose within Karna disappeared almost as quickly. The governor had undoubtedly been interrupted by the sudden announcement of his arrival. Since he still carried himself with dignity and had properly fulfilled his duty, Karna chose not to mention it.
Instead, he spoke calmly. "You have maintained Anga on behalf of Hastinapura until my arrival."
Viraj Sena lowered his head respectfully. "It was merely this servant's responsibility, Maharaja."
After the customary welcome, several attendants stepped forward carrying silver trays. "Please allow us to escort Your Majesty to the royal chambers. A feast has already been ordered—"
Karna gently raised his hand. "We shall attend to those matters later."
The attendants immediately fell silent.
Karna's gaze shifted toward Viraj Sena. "Governor, before I concern myself with comfort, I wish to understand the kingdom entrusted to me."
Viraj Sena nodded. "As Maharaja commands."
"I would like the principal officers of Anga summoned. The Chief Minister. The Military Commander. The Treasury Minister. The Minister of Revenue. The Border Commissioner. The Superintendent of Forest Affairs. I wish to hear the condition of the kingdom directly from each of them."
Viraj Sena immediately turned toward the waiting attendants. "You heard His Majesty. Send messengers. Summon every minister to the royal council immediately."
"At once!"
Within moments, attendants hurried in every direction throughout the palace. Some rode on horseback. Others rushed toward government offices. One messenger headed directly for the military barracks. Another disappeared toward the treasury. The palace, which only moments earlier had been preparing for a royal reception, suddenly transformed into a hive of activity.
Nearly an hour later, the great council chamber gradually filled. One after another, the kingdom's highest officials entered through the carved wooden doors—an elderly scholar carrying several bamboo scrolls, a stern commander still wearing battlefield armor, a dignified man whose ink-stained fingers revealed he had come directly from reviewing accounts, another official who arrived with dust still clinging to his robes after returning from inspecting the city granaries.
None had expected the new king to convene a council immediately upon entering the palace.
Viraj Sena rose from his seat. "Maharaja. The council has assembled."
Karna nodded before taking the royal seat. His eyes slowly swept across every official gathered before him. No one spoke. The chamber remained completely silent.
Finally, Karna broke the silence.
"Whether I wish to retain your posts or appoint new ones, it will have to wait until I see your abilities with my own eyes. But that was for later. For now, I wish to know Anga. The truth. Not the pleasant truth. The complete truth." His calm voice echoed throughout the hall. "If there are weaknesses, speak of them. If there are failures, do not hide them. If there are dangers, reveal them. A king cannot solve the problems he is never told about."
He paused, letting the words settle, then added in the measured tone of one who had seen many kingdoms rise and fall, "When a physician examines a patient, he does not ask only about the healthy limbs. He seeks the place where the pain lies. Only then can the medicine reach the root. So it is with a kingdom. Tell me where Anga hurts, and we shall begin the healing from there."
The officials exchanged brief glances before an elderly man slowly stepped forward. Joining both palms, he bowed.
"This servant is Somadeva, Chief Minister of Anga. If Maharaja permits, I shall begin."
Karna gestured for him to continue.
Somadeva slowly walked toward the enormous map spread across the center of the chamber. "Your Majesty, Anga today is not the same Anga that once stood under Raja Dhundharaj." He pointed toward Champa. "Under the governance of Viraj Sena, the capital remains stable. The courts function according to law. The granaries remain stocked. The administration continues to operate. Schools, temples and hospitals receive their regular support." He smiled faintly. "For that, this servant must acknowledge Governor Viraj Sena. Since Hastinapura entrusted him with the temporary administration, he has maintained order within the capital."
Viraj Sena nodded his head in appreciation.
Somadeva continued. "However…" His hand slowly moved away from Champa. "The farther one travels from the capital… the weaker the authority of the throne becomes." The room grew noticeably quieter. "The heart of Anga remains loyal. But the limbs have begun moving according to their own will." He looked toward Karna. "That, Maharaja… is the greatest challenge awaiting you. A body cannot walk if the arms and legs refuse the commands of the head. So it is with a kingdom that has been without a true king for too long."
The elderly minister stepped back.
Next, a heavily built man in armor approached. "This servant is Pratap Varma, Commander of Anga." He saluted before unrolling another military map. "Even after the fall of our previous king, under the mercy of Hastinapur, our army remains functional, and we continue to work with Hastinapur's soldiers and keep the eastern roads secure. Our cavalry continues regular patrols." He paused. "But maintaining the army has costs."
He pointed toward the western frontier. "Eight forts protect our western border. Four remain fully manned. Two operate with barely half their required strength. The remaining two…" He sighed softly. "have stood abandoned for nearly three years."
Karna finally spoke. "Why were they abandoned?"
Pratap Varma answered honestly. "We lacked the soldiers to maintain them. Governor Viraj Sena also requested reinforcements from Hastinapura several times. But the requests were rejected as Hastinapur cannot allot more funds."
Karna gave a slow nod.
The council chamber remained silent after Commander Pratap Varma resumed his seat.
Karna's gaze slowly swept across the remaining ministers. "Who wishes to report next?"
A middle-aged man dressed in simple white robes rose from his seat. Unlike the others, no weapon adorned his waist. Instead, he carried a bamboo ledger so thick that its edges had begun to fray from years of use. Joining both palms, he bowed.
"This servant is Harigupta, Keeper of the Royal Treasury."
Karna nodded. "Proceed."
Harigupta carefully unfolded several account scrolls before speaking. "By the grace of the previous administrations, Anga's treasury remains stable." He pointed toward several neatly arranged figures. "The royal vault presently contains sufficient gold to maintain the capital's administration for nearly three years, even if no further revenue were collected."
Several ministers quietly nodded.
"Military salaries continue without delay. Temple grants remain uninterrupted. Granaries receive regular funding. The irrigation canals surrounding Champa have likewise been maintained." He paused before continuing. "However… the treasury merely appears healthier than the kingdom truly is."
Karna looked up. "Explain."