It was midnight.
There were four sentries posted at the main gate of the prison, among them three were yawning and fourth was alert on his duty. Sword was dangling on his waist and spear in hand.
Then…
Karim Shah reached there.
Sentry saluted him.
“Open the gate,” Karim Shah said authoritatively.
But sentry became more alert and fearlessly asked, “For what younger prince? This time at night…”
“I have to get Tubharjang released.”
“But elder Prince Tipu’s ordered that he will not be set free. Even in prison he is under close watch and noone is allowed to meet him.”
Karim Shah shuddered in anger. A sentry is disobeying him. But soon he overcame his anger and said, “King has sent me here. Is the order of elder brother is higher than him. He said we do not want enmity with Nizam, so Tubharjang must be released immediately.”
“Order of the king is accepted with pleasure but…” sentry replied.
Karim Shah was happy. Thinking that his plan has worked.
Next moment sentry said, “If this order would have in writing with royal stamp over it then I might have felt pleasure.”
“O, stupid! I, prince Karim order you to open the gate.”
“Sorry prince. Without written order it is not possible. And before flashing order you ought to realise that you are merely a prince, not the king. It is prison and only order of the king is obeyed here.”
When Karim Shah felt that this sentry does not care his dignity then he asked other sentry to fetch the jailor. He went inside and within moments jailor was present there.
Karim Shah asked him to release Tubharjang. But jailor too refused to release the prisoner without any written order.
Karim Shah got angry to hear the flat denial of the jailor and said, “Don not take me lightly. I am son of the king. I am prince of Mysore. While I myself order you then what is the need of a written one.’’
“But…” Jailor wanted to say something, but Karim Shah did not allow him to speak and threatened him for not complying with his order.
Then, in compulsion jailor had to release Tubharjang.
“I think I should leave Mysore in the darkness of night,” Tubharjang said after his release from prison. Still he was fearful.
“What nonsense are you talking?”
“Do you wish that I should wait for that moment when Tipu might behead me?”
“Uselessly you are afraid of Tipu.” Karim Shah said, “You need not worry in my presence. Now I will hide you at such a place where bird even have no access.”
Then Tubharjang accompanied him. On way Thubharjang explained him the same matter.
This time he made it clear that he would put his best efforts that British Resident might enthrone you after slaying Tipu.
Hearing that Karim Shah became happy. He was proud of at the friendship with Tubharjang. He thought that if there are any well wishers of mine they are Tubharjang, Nizam Hyderabad and the British, none else. He thought it better to see the British. But soon his thought changed that first he try to persuade his father.
Tipu was walking at a slow pace in his palace.
Sleep was away from his eyes.
Alike him his wife was sitting worried. Her name was Runia—Queen Runia.
“Can I dare to ask why are you worried?” Restless Runia asked.
In grim tone Tipu said, “I am worried due to Karim Shah. God know what is there in his mind. Neither he seems loyal to dynasty nor to Mysore. Do you know what had happened today?”
“Whatever has happened I do not want to know, but I know that something bad is going to happen in near future.
“What does that mean?” Tipu shuddered. “What do you want to say?”
“I have heard that Nizam has a collation with the British.”
“Yes, it is true.”
‘‘Commander of a such person if is in Mysore then is it not sufficient for worst?” Queen Runia said in worried voice.
“You mean that you also saw him with Karim Shah?”
“I even heard them talking.”
“Well?” Tipu get near to her and asked, “What did you hear, tell me! I want to know their plan?”
“Tubharjang was saying that Karim will occupy the throne of Mysore and Tipu will be pushed aside. He was saying that you persuade your (Karim) father to make friendship with the British as Nizam does.”
Tipu listening it silently.
“I am telling you the truth. He was present in the palace and passing by his chamber—I heard all this by my ears.”
Tipu gnashed his teeth and snarled, “That vile Tubharjang desires to create rebellion in our state. I should have slain him instead of imprisoning.”
“What? Have you arrested him?”
“Yes! And in the morning after consulting father I will consign him stiff punishment.”
“Does king not have information of his arrest yet?”
“No, I did not want to disturb him at night?”
“If the enemy had been overpowered then why do you worry?”
“I am not worried due to him! I am worried about Karim Shah.”
“No need to worry, you narrate the whole episode to the king. After that whatever he thinks better, he would do.”
Tipu took a deep breath and confined to bed.
