For story continuity, please check my previous blogs.

      After the Emperor Mahendran sat on the marble platform, Bhuvana Mahadevi and Mamallar sat. 

     "Devi! Did the kid say anything?"  asked the Emperor.

      "He has not said anything yet, he has been complaining about me and you!"  

      "What else can I say other than complaining, father. After receiving the news of the entry of a stranger into the Pallava kingdom, are we just sitting with our hands tied? It seems that Kaliyuga will be over by the time the army commander Kalipagayar gathers his army. Shouldn't our army have left for war all this time?" asked Mamallar.

      “A stranger entered the Pallava kingdom? What is this? Bhuvanamadevi asked in a tone of surprise and disbelief. 

      "Yes, Devi! They have not entered lightly. They have entered suddenly with great forces.."  

     "Father! Why have you ordered that I should not open my mouth in the Council meeting? When everyone spoke something, I was trying hard to suppress the anger that boiled in my heart..."
Rejecting the words of Mamallar, the emperor looked at his empress and said: "Devi! Narasimhan is still a child. He did not realize what kind of war is coming.  Listen to both of you. The King of Vatapi, Pulikesi crossed the Tungabhadra River with a large army and entered our kingdom. He has millions of warriors in his army.  There are thousands of elephants.  Hundreds of carts locked with huge bullocks follow.  Tens of thousands of horsemen are coming.  Pulikesi has been preparing for this war for a long time.  Our spies are somehow misled. The Army of Pulikesi defeated our Border Guards and is coming to the capital.  We do not currently have the military strength to stop that Army.  Our forces here and there are retreating and the Pallava kingdom is in great danger.  But there is no doubt about it that in the end, we will be victorious because of the grace of Pinagapani who opened the eyes of his forehead to burnt Tripura!” 

       Narasimha, who was listening patiently till his father finished speaking, said "Father! Is the army of the Pallava kingdom retreating? What shame is this? Now give me the order. Father! I am leaving with the forces we have ready at the moment!" 

      "Wait Narasimha, wait! The time will come when you will lead the army of the Pallava. Until then, listen to me patiently. There is an important job tonight. Will you come with me?" 

      "Why are you asking? I'm coming, Father." 

       "Devi! From today I am not going to treat Narasimha as a 'child'; I am going to treat him as a peer. From today I am giving him the right to participate in council meetings. You should not call him 'child' anymore!" said the Emperor.

        Father and son left the palace told Bhuvanamagadevi to go to bed.

      Here ends the Eighth chapter of first volume.
       To be continued....