Ashoka and Kaurvaki (sorry for the typo guys) flee to safety once again. He tells Kaurvaki that now they are equal. We both helped each other once. They bicker over which direction to go in now. She heads left. He goes in the right direction.
Kaurvaki mutters to herself. You always help people by getting emotional. Let him go in that direction. He will think of me when he lands in some problem. She encounters soldiers. Ashoka was right. I should have taken right. She looks tensed at the soldiers surrounding her from all the sides. Ashoka hits them using a slingshot. Kaurvaki says some good people do turn up to help other good people. Ashoka pulls her aside in time before more soldiers find her. They go ahead. Ashoka brings Kaurvaki to another safe corner. The soldiers leave from that area. Ashoka lets go of Kaurvaki’s hand. They are about to go when they find a family standing there.
The soldiers tell their commander about the girl helping the boy in escaping. Commander asks them to find them asap. They might be hiding in a house here. Look for them.
The man asks Kaurvaki and Ashoka why they are hiding themselves from the soldiers. Tell me who you are and please leave. Kichak will kill all of us because of you otherwise.
Bindu says Radha Gupta went long ago. There has been no news so far. I feel the condition of Takshshila is worsening day by day. It will be wrong to wait. We should send Sushim soon. Mahamatya talks against it. It is a big place and too far from here. We have lost Ashoka already. We should take all the precautions, time and then do something. Radha Gupta is Chanakya’s disciple. He will certainly return with some info to us. Let us wait for more time. That info will help us in planning a strategy to attack on Takshshila and to keep Sushim safe. I will try my best to connect to Radha Gupta. Bindu agrees. Mahamatya leaves. Bindu apologizes to Ashoka. You would have been alive today had I planned something similar before sending you there. He misses Ashoka. Your father failed in protecting you.
Kaurvaki says there can be only two people in a place like Takshshila. One, those who do injustice; and two, who bear those injustices! The man points out that they both don’t look from here. You don’t bear injustice too. Are you the one who threw the stone today? Ashoka agrees. It was I. I was only trying to save an innocent man. If she was not with me then I would not have let you come in any problem. I don’t want her to fall in any problem because of me. There is a knock on the door. The family gets scared. It must be the soldiers. They are about to break open the door when the guy opens the door. The soldiers check the house thoroughly. Ashoka and Kaurvaki are hiding in the storeroom. The soldiers don’t find them inside.
Commander looks suspiciously at the man as he breathes a sigh of relief. They turn to go but the commander finds something wrong. He comes back inside. What work do you do? The guy says I am a milkman. Inside, Ashoka looks at Kaurvaki. The guy offers milk to the commander. He sends their son outside. The commander asks the couple to say something good about Mahanayak Kichak. The commander is convinced by their words. Mahanayak’s speciality is nothing can be hidden from him, neither rebels nor cheating. Kaurvaki’s bangle makes some noise. The commander gets distracted from a second. He next hints the couple not to shelter the rebels. We hate traitors equally. The guy speaks in a similar manner. The commander agrees to remember him and his welcome. He finally leaves. Ashoka covers Kaurvaki’s mouth as she was about to sneeze.
The lady feels the soldiers will return. Ashoka and Kaurvaki thank them for saving them. We apologize to you for causing trouble for you. We shall leave now. The couple requests them to eat something before leaving. Ashoka and Kaurvaki agree.
Siamak explains to his father about poor, medium and high class people. Bindu is impressed by his research. You are so young. Siamak says age is no bar for knowledge. If that was the case then Chandragupta Maurya had not won. Ma wanted you to realise the same thing. She chose a wrong path though. I will never disappoint you. Bindu has full faith in him for the same. I know you will never take a wrong path. You are my son, a Maurya-vanshi. I am sure you will never cheat Magadh. He hugs Siamak. Sushim thinks Ashoka just got out of their way. Now I will have to get Siamak out of my way!
The kid (Som) is enjoying horse ride on his father’s back. Kaurvaki happily looks on. She gets emotional seeing their bond. Ashoka observes her. That day isn’t far when Kichak’s tortures will end. People will freely roam around with their head held high then. Kaurvaki adds that that day wont come till Samrat Bindusar will rule on Magadh! Ashoka is taken aback. He tries to explain that she might be justified in her anger but maybe he isn’t directly responsible for it. Why do you hate Samrat Bindusar so much? She replies that she hates not just Samrat Bindu but every person who is related to him in any way. You would have understood my point if you were in my place. Ashoka wonders what happened with Kaurvaki that she hates his father so much.
Som is hungry. The couple gives him some drink after drinking which one gets energy and feels no hunger. The couple sadly looks at their son.
Amatya and the monk come to the Takshshila Vishwavidyala in Takshshila. Kichak has got it closed as he fears people will understand the difference of right and wrong if they get educated. The monk speaks against Kichak. Such a ruler is the biggest enemy of the citizens. Amatya had come here to find a way to meet Kichak. Without meeting him, I cannot tell him that it was I who sent that letter to him and not Sushim. The monk asks him what he is thinking. Amatya decides to make sure he makes Kichak meet him anyhow if he cannot reach him.
Next morning, Ashoka gets up. He notices Kaurvaki feeling discomfort in sleeping as the sunlight falls on her. He smiles. He removes the cloth tied around his wound. He hangs it on the rope before the window. She sleeps peacefully. He goes outside.
Ashoka notices the man looking at the gold coin. Som says I got it as it fell from this Bhaiya’s bag while he slept. The man asks Ashoka if this is his. Ashoka nods. The man points out at the royal stamp on it. How did you get it? Ashoka shares that he is Magadh’s prince Ashoka! The couple look at him in surprise.
Kaurvaki wakes up too. She wonders where Ashoka went. He dint even wake me up.
The couple kneels down before Ashoka. Ashoka makes them get up. He looks at Som. Your place is in my heart. Your bavery and unison is our strength and hope to spread peace in Takshshila. The man says everyone thinks you died on the ship. Kaurvaki is still on her way till outside. Ashoka tells the couple that he got lucky to have help from the other ship. It was important for my mission’s success to keep my identity hidden. The man assures him no one will get to know of this. Som calls out for Kaurvaki Didi. Everyone goes quiet. Ashoka and the man talk about how to meet Kichak. Ashoka gets to know that the previous ruler of Takshshila (Sudama) stays in some old ruins. Kaurvaki is irked as no one cared about any other state than Patliputra. Ashoka thinks to do something before his father’s name is maligned between the citizens.
A few ladies tell everyone in the palace about Narayan’s Narsimha Avatar. Bindu asks Drupad what he understood from the story. Drupad says God punishes bad people. Bindu is happy. He pays the ladies who had come to say the story. They leave. Dharma suggests inviting such ladies every day to the palace so their kids can get good lessons in life. We can end their problem by giving money to them. Charu says your suggestion is good but the treasury has other responsibilities too at the moment. Dharma nods. I have decided to give up my ornaments for the same so I can help them. Bindu leaves the responsibility on her to organise such meetings. You should rest now. I will drop you to your room. Charu is irked. She has become another problem for us after we got her son out of our way.
Kaurvaki thanks the couple for allowing them to stay there. Som hugs her. Som quietly whispers to Ashoka that he heard everything. I am sure you will bring food for me. Ashoka agrees. You have to hide it from everyone. Som agrees. I will also share my secret with you. I know the truth behind that water that my parents give me. I drink it to keep them happy. Ashoka agrees to keep it a secret. They leave.
Outside, Ashoka tells Kaurvaki that that will go to Takshshila Vishwavidyala now.
Amatya asks the teachers from where they will get stones to make statues. The monk (Anand) is confused. Amatya tells him to wait. You will know when it is time. Anand agrees to help him any way he can.
Ashoka and Kaurvaki look at Takshshila Vishwavidyala. He asks Kaurvaki to go inside as it is her destination. She suggests him to seek Bhanta Buddheshwar’s help. Ashoka remarks that he does not look like he says he is. She says a similar thing about him too. We start getting attached to people even after knowing this. I feel his life is somehow attached to ours. Life was not given to us to only live for ourselves. The end decision is yours. Only he can help you now though. It will be a help for you to reach your goal. She goes inside. Ashoka thinks she is right. I will need a place to stay till I find Sudama.
Kichak is angry at his commander and soldiers for being a failure. You could not find a kid! What will the people think? They wont fear me if you will continue doing so. His sister tells him not to be angry. We must think through. She orders the soldiers to find that kid. The commander leaves yet again with a few soldiers. Kichak is awaiting a message from Patliputra. Ashoka died so many days ago. This isn’t a good sign. I have to know what they are thinking.
Amatya tells Ashoka it is difficult for him to believe it that he is an ordinary kid after what he did. Ashoka says ordinary people also do big things when the situation becomes unbearable for them. Amatya thinks to use Ashoka to accomplish his mission. I am impressed by your thoughts. I want you to help me in spreading peace here. Ashoka agrees to help him any way he can. Amatya asks him to go to the old palace. Ashoka nods. We are hungry. Amatya gives him food. Ashoka and Kaurvaki go aside to eat it. Amatya thinks it will be good if Ashoka succeeds in reaching the old palace. If he is caught then I can get a chance to meet Kichak as a Bhante!
Ashoka covers his face with a shawl. I have promised Som to get him food. I will look for Sudama afterwards only. Ashoka drops food in shock as he finds Som dead. The house is completely burnt down. Tears roll down his eyes. He thinks of the family. Som’s father calls out for Ashoka. Ashoka rushes to his side. The guy says the soldiers are around only. He dies before completing his sentence. Ashoka vows not to spare whoever has done this to the family! He angrily walks out of the house.
The commander enquires the same man (who Ashoka had met on his arrival at Takshshila) about the kid (Ashoka). He is not from Takshshila. The man asks him how they will recognize kids from their faces. The commander hits him. Soldiers tell him not to get into an argument with a beggar. The man laughs hearing it. I am a beggar! The soldiers catch hold of Ashoka as he tries to walk up to the commander. The man is tensed to see Ashoka getting caught. The commander asks Ashoka who he is. Ashoka accepts that he is the one who threw the stone at the soldier. He has dropped his gold coin at Som’s house by mistake. The soldiers lock Ashoka in a trunk and take him with them. Ashoka tries to look for a way out.
Charu is irked with Dharma for pretending to be so good and caring before the ladies. She acts so much before everyone. I lost my son yet I stand strong before everyone! Plus her growing closeness with Samrat is troubling me. I don’t know why I listened to Rajmata. I would have taken care of Dharma and her unborn son by now otherwise! Mahamatya shares his doubt on Rajmata’s intentions. Her aim is not to see Sushim on the throne. Charu deduces that Helena is not their friend then. Mahamatya suggests keeping their plans to themselves. She can use them against Sushim in future. Charu says she still knows enough of our secrets. She might be planning something to hurt Sushim. Mahamatya wants to first find out why Rajmata is supporting Siamak so much. We will then plan our next plan.
Amatya writes a letter to Helena. I am taking time to put my plan into action. It is difficult to reach Kichak. I made good plan today. it will be my first move towards our plan. Kaurvaki notices him writing a letter. Who is he writing it to? Why he looks so tensed? His bag falls. Gold coins fall down. He picks them up hastily. Kaurvaki hides when he looks in her direction. She wonders why he is not calm like other monks. Why do I sense something odd about him? She recalls his angry replies to her on ship when they were in trouble. Amatya goes out with the letter. Meanwhile, Kaurvaki checks his bag. A monk is carrying so many gold coins? She takes one with her and keeps the bag back in its place. I know I am doing wrong but I need it to fulfil my mission. I find this man wrong, deceitful. It isn’t wrong to do wrong with wrong people. She turns and finds Anand standing there.
Kichak is enjoying his leisure time. His sister asks the soldier what he is doing here. He shares that the commander is bringing a kid here. She dismisses him. I should see if it is the same kid who shook the confidence of Kichak!
Anand advises Kaurvaki not to give way to negativity. We become what we think. She says I wouldn’t have done it if I had a choice. I am not doing it being selfish. My mission is big. He points out that if there is guilt then it is wrong. There is a reaction to everything we do. I wont stop you though! He leaves from there.
The same man has blocked the way of the commander using some cows. The soldiers get busy clearing their way. Ashoka keeps trying to get out of the box but in vain.
Charu throws water on Sushim to wake him up. You must have heard the story of rabbit and turtle. You are too overconfident about your win. Siamak is slowly progressing towards his aim. He is making every possible attempt to fill in Ashoka’s place. Sushim refuses to let it happen.
Kichak’s sister pulls the commander to a corner. They are both in love with each other it seems. A soldier walks past so they compose themselves. They go out to check on the kid. The box is empty. Ashoka had escaped from there as soon as he got a chance. Kichak’s sister taunts the commander. He vows to bring the kid before Kichak!