In Hastinapura :-

Chocolate orbs watched passively, hiding the obvious anxiousness at the situation below. He knew that this contest would be problematic.

"While I agree, Arjuna is very capable," said Kripa, from beside him, "I knew announcing that he was the best archer in the world would create problems."

"From when had any work in Hastinapura be done without problems?" asked Bhishma sarcastically, looking down at the arena with an impassive face.

"Shouldn't you be stopping this, Devavrata?" asked Kripa, worriedly looking at the group of two princes, one teacher and his son along with the unknown person who challenged the royals.

Bhishma sighed, as he watched the one who challenged his grand-nephew. 

His chocolate orbs took in the lion like broad shoulders, moon like gentle face and sun like resplendence of the young man. His common clothes did nothing to hide the glowing face and the warrior aura of the man. His wine orbs were playful as they gazed on the frustrated face of Bharadwaj putra Drona, while a small yet steady fire of determination burned in those eyes, regardless of the smirk playing on his lips. He felt he had seen those embers of determination before.

Bhishma was a bit astonished when suddenly Duryodhana decided to give the Kingdom of Anga to the stranger. Before he could object, a chuckle penetrated the air. 

He watched as the stranger laughed, "I am in no need of a Kingdom, my prince. I am a Kshatriya! I am also an archer. I hardly think anything else other than these information matters in this Kingdom."

He was impressed at the words, before he asked, not being able to stop himself, "And what of your status? This is the contest between the Royals of Hastinapura. Are you a royal?"

"Do I need to be, Your Excellency?" answered Karna, his wine orbs meeting Bhishma's chocolate, "After all, the moment the teacher of the Kuru Princes declared his disciple, the best archer in the world, the contest was open to the entire world at large. If he had said that Prince Arjuna was the best archer amongst the royal princes, it would be understandable."

Bhishma smirked, his eyes impressed, as he gestured at Dronacharya, "Allow the battle! I shall be the judge myself!"

Bhishma noticed the startled looks of everyone around him, hiding his amusement behind his stern eyes, while Kripa leaned in to whisper, "What in Mahadeva's name are you planning to do, Devavrata?"

"It would be a nice opportunity for Arjuna to face another archer, who is perhaps in his level," replied Bhishma, before admitting under Kripa's stern look, "I am curious about the stranger too."

Kripa rolled his eyes at his admission as he exhaled, "Do whatever you want. Who has ever managed to stop you anyway!"

Bhishma hid his grin, well aware of the curious eyes on him and his own reputation and image he must maintain in public. He stood up and started the fight and as he had anticipated, it was glorious!

He had been impressed by Arjuna and of-course, all of Pandu's sons. Dhritarashtra's sons had also been impressive in their own regard but he would admit that the children of Pandu have out-shined them. So, he had been curious regarding the stranger's capability in facing Arjuna's talent.

Bhishma watched with interest as the stranger matched Arjuna with an arrow for an arrow. The perfect defense to an offense and vice versa.

"He is good," said Kripa, as he came to stand beside him, "The sun is about to set. You need to stop this, Devavrata."

Bhishma looked at the sky and indeed as his friend had said, the sun was descending.

"Why RajGuru? Can't we wait till the sun has set?" asked the person Bhishma disliked, Gandhara's King Shakuni. His voice was soft and sweet, but the Gangaputra did not fail to notice the interested glint in his eyes as he watched the stranger.

"He is planning something," thought Bhishma with a displeased frown marring his face.

Kripa answered, instead of Bhishma, already sensing his friend's displeasing mood, "Gandhara Raj, it is the rules of any physical battle that all such conflict should happen the moment the sun rises and ends or pauses before sun sets. We cannot go against the very rules of a battle. That would be disrespectful."

"Indeed," said Ambika, her dislike for her daughter-in-law's brother not evident in the way she spoke, "Jyesht, as the eldest present and the guardian, please proceed as you see fit."

The brother of Queen Gandhari, Shakuni did not showcase his displeasure at the interference of both the Raj Guru and the Queen Mother. From the moment he had been here, the elders - mostly both Queen Mothers and the Raj Guru had always interfered amongst all his schemes. His brother-in-law, Dhritarashtra also did not completely abide by everything he says though the fool always melts at the end. If only these two wives of the late King Vichitravirya had accompanied their mother-in-law Satyavati for penance, then his troubles would be less, as if Bhishma wasn't enough.

Bhishma placed the conch to his lips, blowing on it and stopping the battle. He looked towards the arena and was surprised that Arjuna had already released an arrow before the conch was blown. He expected the challenger to simply dodge the arrow but was rather shocked to find him simply standing where he was.

Wine eyes met his own eyes, as the challenger's lips were pulled into a smirk, as the arrow touched the golden armour that appeared from nowhere on his skin. Bhishma felt his eyes widen in shock, his lips curling into a curious smirk, as he looked at the male in the arena.

Everyone's gasp was heard as the silence stretched when the arrow hit the middle of the chest but was destroyed by the armour which appeared.

"This is interesting," thought Bhishma, his eyes contemplative, "Who is he?"