<blockquote>Barbareek’s head perches on the hilltop, watching the battle for the throne of Hastinapur unfold before him. His hands—several miles away—itch to pick up his bow and join the fray.
Elephants trumpet, horses snort, swords clash against shields, and arrows whiz through the air. The biggest battle of all their lives, and he—the strongest warrior in Bharat—is a bodiless spectator.
There are many things he feels in that moment: rage, shame, humiliation, relief. Mostly, he misses his torso. And his mother.</blockquote>
