After King Virendra Singh left for Chunar, both brothers became preoccupied with their own concerns. Prince Anand Singh was troubled by thoughts of Kinnari, while Prince Indrajit Singh was worried about Rajgriha. To conquer Rajgriha would have been a trivial matter for them, but the thought that Kishori was trapped there, and that Agnidatt might torment her to trouble them, prevented them from daring to attack hastily. The moment they were freed—that is, when the thought of Virendra Singh's presence no longer restrained them—Kishori's love surged within Indrajit Singh, and the restlessness mingled with his anxiety only grew.

At last, he said to his friend Bhairon Singh, "Now I cannot rest without going to Rajgriha. The place where poor Kishori was snatched away from us before our very eyes, that very estate—I will not be at peace until I have laid it to waste and reclaimed Kishori. Nothing in this world will please me until then."

Bhairon Singh: "You are right, but what will you do there alone?"

Indrajit Singh: "For the wicked Agnidatt, I alone am more than enough."

Bhaironsingh: For that wretch Agnidatt, you alone are more than enough, but not for the whole city.

Indrajitsingh: I have nothing to do with the whole city.

Bhaironsingh: But in the end, won't the townspeople take his side?

Indrajitsingh: You must have realized that yourself after taking possession of Gayaji.

Bhaironsingh: That's true, but it's wise to keep our own position strong.

Indrajitsingh: Very well, then I'll instruct Anand to send a sardar with a small force to aid us on a certain day.

Bhaironsingh: That can be done, but it would have been best if you stayed for two or four more days, so I could make a round of Rajgrih.

Indrajitsingh: No, I am no longer in a mood to listen to such advice.

Bhaironsingh: (after thinking for a while) Well, as you wish.

In the evening, the two brothers mounted their horses and, accompanied by their two ayyars, many companions, and sardars, rode out of the palace for a stroll and to enjoy the fresh air. According to custom, the sardars and companions followed about twenty-five paces behind the brothers' horses. Whenever Indrajitsingh or Anand Singh turned to look back at them, these men would quickly ride forward, listen to any instructions, and then fall back again. The two ayyars, however, walked on foot, holding the stirrups of the brothers' horses.

Whenever these two brothers went out for a stroll, the townsmen and women, even the little children, would be delighted to see them. From every mouth, the same words could be heard: "God has heard our prayers, that such princes have set foot here, and the shadow of that selfish, ungrateful traitor has been lifted from over our heads."

When the two brothers, riding thus, reached the outskirts of the city, Indrajitsingh said to Anand Singh, "I am going to Rajgrih with Bhaironsingh for some business. Exactly eight days from today, that is, on Sunday, send