Faces in the sand…
Author's Notes:
The names of the characters are from Sanskrit language (I love the language by the way! )
Adithi means 'boundless'
Sātviki means 'one filled with goodness'
Vishaka is the name of one of the stars in Hindu astrology.
Shwetha means 'fair one'
Glad I got that out of my system!
Magadha was indeed a real place in ancient India with an advanced civilization. They did have a good connection with the Orient, since there was a lot of migration between the Buddhist/Hindu Magadha and China. The great king, Ashoka who spread Buddhism all over India, was a king of this country. Lively accounts of Pātaliputra (the famous capital city of the kingdom of Magadha) and Magadha are available in the Indica of Megasthenes (c. 300 BC) and in the travel diaries of the Chinese Buddhist pilgrims Fa-hsien and Hsüan-tsang (4th–5th and 7th centuries AD).
Disclaimer: You know the drill!
Chapter II:
The moment the veils were undone, I felt as though time stood still…
The man who sat there looked no older than Vishaka! He wore golden yellow robes with some red bird that seemed to fly skywards; his head was adorned with a small box that seemed to be the crown. I found his golden yellow eyes resting once on me, having probably felt me staring at him and I lowered my head immediately – this was embarrassing! We had expected an old stooge for an emperor and here was a man who looked like a god!
"I am aware that this is your first trip to our country. I welcome you and your people with open arms and hearts. Please feel free to make yourselves at home." He then stood up and walked down the steps to where we stood and when he was a foot away from the princess, he motioned to a door to his right…and walked through it. We took the hint and walked after him. For an emperor, he seemed to be very kind. I knew our king wouldn't offer to show his guests their room even if they were greater than him!
"Here are the rooms that shall be yours for however long you desire to stay. Please-" he stopped abruptly as a minister approached him and said something into his ears. He turned to us and smiled.
"I am sorry, my lady. It seems like I have a meeting with some of my farmers. I kindly request you to excuse me." The princess bowed down as she said her voice soft and tender, "It is not a problem, my lord. Please do go." I smiled. She was probably taken aback by the handsome man who turned out to be the emperor! And from her tone and demeanor, even though I stood behind her, I knew she was blushing.
He smiled at her and turned around, and in another instant was gone.
It took another full two hours to have all the rooms allocated and being the hand-maid, I couldn't rest until the princess was rested. After that, it was my duty to help the other servants and when it was all over, I had no energy to linger. I went straight to my room... a well decorated room of silver, blue, grey and white. The colors I secretly loved. Now being the head maid was indeed an advantage. I got one of the best rooms allocated! My room was right next to my princess' and our rooms were interconnected as well! This meant we could walk into each other's rooms any time we wanted! And that would mean we could forget the primness when desired and be the good friends we really were.
"Adithi, could you come in here for a while?" I heard my princess call me. I got up from the silver and blue couch that lay in front of my huge bed and walked to her room.
The room was definitely larger than mine with a green and gold finish. I bowed down in front of my princess who was sitting there on the couch.
"Oh for heaven's sake, drop your hand-maid intents!" I smiled as I walked to my friend and sat down beside her,
"Do you find everything comfortable, Shwetha?" I asked, my eyes traveling the length and breadth of the room. She smiled as she nodded her head.
"And you?"
"My room is the grandest I have ever stayed in!" she laughed as she shook her head.
"Is that a snide way of suggesting better housing arrangements back in Magadha?" I looked at her friend with a frown,
"Now, when did I say that?" both of us laughed at this. Two carefree friends in a world full of pleasant surprises!
Then there was a knock at the door,
"My lady?" I jumped out of the couch to stand beside my friend and princess in a stance depicting docility and servitude.
"Come in." Shwetha called out. In came one of her ministers.
"My humblest apologies, your highness. Night is soon approaching. Mayhap you desire to rest?" he looked at me with an appraising look, as though I tired the princess with my mere presence. Shwetha noted this and replied with a stern edge in her voice,
"I think I am mature enough to rest when I deem fit. Now if you will excuse me…" he mumbled an apology as he walked backwards towards the door. As the minister closed the door, another knock resounded. The princess looked at me exasperated.
"Please tell the person that I am resting." I walked to the door to carry out her requests. I opened the door expecting to see some wizened man but I had the wind knocked out of my lungs when I found the emperor stand there with three ministers behind them. He had his hand raised as though about to knock again. On seeing me, he smiled.
"Good evening, your majesty." I sank into a deep bow. Straightening up, I turned around without a backward glance and rushed to tell my princess who had come. She looked at me bemused. And I couldn't blame her. I was as pale as a ghost.
"The emperor is here." It took a while for the situation to sink into her. Then she jumped from the couch and straightening her skirt and adjusting the veil over her face, she walked to the door while I walked behind her, my head bowed down.
"Greeting, my lady. We hope we have not disturbed you."
"Oh no! Indeed not! May I know the reason for this pleasant visit?" there was silence. Then,
"You were not present for dinner and it did make us curious."
"We are sorry, my lord. We were a little tired. But rest assured we are indeed very happy with the accommodations. The emperor of Khonan is indeed courteous and kind as the rumors say." He laughed…a beautiful sound.
"Indeed! As are the women of Magadha beautiful." I looked up a little to meet the gaze of the emperor momentarily. I immediately lowered my head, my cheeks burning.
"Then I shall bid you a good night's sleep. I am sure we shall discuss some important matters in the morning." The princess laughed.
"I am afraid the ministers would be the people who shall deal with the discussions… I do not think I am skilled in that area."
"You are modest, my lady." He said.
"Well then, have a good night's sleep and may no bad dreams trouble you under this roof." In another few moments, they had left. I smiled at the princess who not so very surprisingly was blushing a little.
"I think I shall retire for the night." I nodded as I saluted my princess and walked back to my room. The first night that I would spend in Khonan – a country with a benevolent emperor and a wonderful palace.
The next morning, I woke up to the songs of the birds. I smiled as I sat up in my bed. This was indeed very comfortable! I was being treated like a noble woman myself! And didn't I enjoy that! I wrapped a shawl around my bare shoulders and walked to the window which looked out into what looked like a beautiful garden, complete with its own gazebo and pond. The morning sun was barely rising and the dew that still had not left the grass glistened in the slowly rising sun and yet mostly it was dark.
I walked out through the tall bay window. The first step on the soft grass seemed so soothing. The mist that still clung to the air seemed to refresh me, ridding any trace of sleep that might have clung to my eyes. Being a servant, I always got up early. But now that I was the hand-maid, there wasn't much to do when the princess did not need me. I slowly walked to the gazebo which shone like a white and red structure in the middle of the garden, a little into the magnificent lake that seemed to glimmer in the rays of the rising sun.
As I neared the gazebo, I found another person already sitting there…on the railing. The robes the person wore were flowing and it took me a while to recognize the person.
"His majesty." I whispered as I side stepped from my path and walked to a clump of trees from where I was sure he would not see me. I could not be seen this way and now I simply had to wait for the emperor to leave. He was sitting on the railing, his hand beneath his chin as though in deep thought, staring at the pond. I lowered my eyes and backed into the trees when I saw him rise from the railing.
"I think you can come out now." I heard him say. I felt like an idiot as I walked out of the hiding place to stand before him. He was smiling at the rising sun, his eyes dancing with mirth.
"What is your name?" he asked when I was a foot away from him. I mumbled my reply, too scared to speak out loud.
"I am afraid I didn't catch your answer." I looked up to find him staring at me, himself leaning gently against the pillars of the gazebo. I lowered my eyes immediately…
"Adithi, my lord." I said again, this time loud enough to hear. I heard him walk closer.
"It is a beautiful name." I smiled a little as I felt my cheeks burn.
"Thank you, your majesty." I said. Then…I felt him gently lift my face with his fingers. I looked up in shock at what he was doing. I found him smiling at me, a soft and gentle smile that seemed to dispel all the mist around me.
"Why do you keep staring at the ground? Is it because my face is so gruesome?" I shook my head. I did not want to offend the emperor.
"No your majesty…I thought it would be very impolite to-"
"-Oh indeed!" he smiled again…his golden brown eyes shining.
"I'd like it very much if you would look at me when I am speaking to you." I lowered my eyes a little.
"I am sorry, your majesty. I cannot do as you ask me to."
"Hmm? And why not?" his voice was soft and kind. He did not sound offended. I looked up at him to find him a little closer than before. I moved back a little.
"It wouldn't do for me to look at you directly in the eye." I moved backwards and lowered my head.
"And I thought my ministers were the ones who were such obstinate creatures! You seem to rival them in obstinacy. Yet there is no creature who is my minister with such beautiful a face." I felt my cheeks burn as I blushed.
"I am sorry, your majesty. You must excuse me." I bowed down and turned around.
"Wait…"
That I did not. I ran like the fastest deer in the woods – back to my room. Once I was inside, I closed the bay window through which I had exited and fell onto the bed. I felt my heart skip beats as I slowly breathed myself to calm. The emperor was indeed a charming person!
The morning was spent with me staying beside the princess, attending to whatever little thing she might need. As the royal ones sat down for lunch, we were surprised to find the emperor seated right across us.
"Good afternoon, lady Shwetha." He wished her with a light bow. She smiled as she sat down right opposite to him. I stood behind the princess as usual. Five minutes into the dinner, the emperor turned to look at me, his eyes roving over me.
"Is something wrong with my hand-maid, you majesty?" I heard the princess question him softly, her eyes also on me perhaps to check if I was dressed properly. I was indeed robed in a deep maroon skirt that reached my calf and a single cloth draped around my torso with another white shawl veiling my upper body. The only part of my body that was visible in this attire was my back and that too only when I turned around. I did not know what he found so interesting in my frontal stance.
"You seem to have a weird society where you come from, lady Shwetha. The women are very docile and quiet."
"Oh do you find my company quiet then?" she interjected. The emperor's eyes left me and were now focused on Shwetha.
"Oh. I am sorry for having phrased my question so. It is peaceful when there is silence." He said with a charming smile towards my princess. She smiled as she blushed gently.
"Your majesty is very kind." He nodded, accepting her compliment. Then he turned to look at me.
"The attire of the people from Magadha is very beautiful." I flushed as he said this…his eyes staying on the curves of my body a moment longer.
"Why thank you, your majesty." He smiled at Shwetha as he sipped from his goblet. I lowered to speak into Shwetha's ear, careful to hold the cloth that covered my torso close to my neck…preventing any unfortunate slips. I could see him smiling into his goblet.
"Can I be excused a little, Shwetha?" she looked at me questioningly. I merely stared at her. Then she smiled. And with her nod as answer, I bowed to the rest of the royalty present and turned and walked away as fast as I could. Once I was out of the room, I breathed relieved. I did not know what I thought of him…but for a moment, I was confused…he so very confused me.
"Adithi?" I turned around to find Vishaka stand there, looking bemused.
"Why are you running like this? Why aren't you with the princess?" I smiled as I turned to face him.
"I wasn't quite feeling well. Why aren't you-?"
"-a simple charioteer wouldn't be invited to eat with the princess, would he?" he retorted bitterly. I smiled understandingly. If there was one thing he hated, it was social hierarchy. I wasn't a big fan of it myself, but Shwetha was such a kind and understanding person to serve…it didn't bother me. But he…he had to answer to the various really traditional ministers who I knew weren't that very friendly with servants.
"Oh come on, Vishaka! I wasn't eating there myself, you know!" he nodded his head.
"How ever could they eat with content when you were there…starving!" I smiled as I walked towards him, my hand cupping his face. He stopped to look at me.
"You worry too much, Vishaka. I am fine." He smiled as he ran his hand over my head, caressing me like a child.
"How can I not worry? We have been friends ever since we were children and for some reason, I cannot take it when you're not taken care of properly."
I nodded my head as I moved away from him. His wife was a really lucky woman – one part of me felt really jealous!
"Adithi! What are you doing here! Aren't you supposed to be with the princess?" I turned to my left to find Sātviki's head popping out of one of the rooms. I smiled at her as I turned to walk towards her. She was seated in her room, a simpler one with a bowl of fruits in front of her, probably for eating. Today was Friday and she did not eat anything save fruits on those days.
"May I enter?" I asked the woman who sat there…well past into her fifties; she still looked like a goddess.
"Yes. And may I ask you what you're doing here?"
"She isn't feeling well." I heard Vishaka from behind me.
"What! Come here! What is wrong? What happened?" I smiled as I went and sat beside Sātviki.
"I am fine."
"It could be because she was starving there while they were stuffing their faces." She looked at her son with a stern glare.
"I am sure Adithi can speak. She is not that weak, is she? Now go to the stables and see if the horses need something. You might even make friends out of some of the stable boys here." I laughed lightly when I saw Vishaka roll his eyes at this. His mother was the exact opposite of what he was. If there was one thing they had in common, it was a beautiful countenance and a loving heart. When Vishaka had left the room, I turned to Sātviki.
She was looking at me keenly, as though seeing something I wasn't aware of myself.
"What happened?" I shook my head,
"Nothing. I wasn't feeling well. A bit queasy, I guess. It has to be the fatigue from such long a journey. A good rest should aid me in my recovery." She looked at me unconvinced before she placed her hands around me, half hugging me.
"I knew your mother well, Adithi. And she had the same habit…denying fatigue and sickness and…she…" I lowered my eyes. I knew what she meant. My mother was said to have worked for the royal family till the last day of her life. She was a person well known to everyone in the royal family. And that I was her daughter was a thing of pride, my uncle would say.
"I understand, mother. I am fine, honestly." She smiled as she nodded.
"Then go and rest. I shall send some food for you once the royal ones have finished their lunch." I smiled as I kissed her gently on the cheek. She kissed me back and let me go. I walked out of her room and was on my way to my room when there were footsteps behind me. I turned back to see the princess walk back from lunch. But behind her, stood the emperor.
They stood where they were on seeing me stand there, in the middle of the corridor. I sank into a deep bow before him and backed away into the wall.
"Then I shall be seeing you, Saihitei." I looked up at this. Who was Saihitei? The emperor smiled as he nodded his head. Was that his name? Apparently it was. For I heard him reply,
"As shall I, Lady Shwetha." The princess passed me by and I turned around and walked behind her. I did not dare look behind. I knew he was looking at us. But then…perhaps he fancied the princess…perhaps…I slightly turned around to find him standing there his eyes on my back and a smile on his lips. I quickly averted my eyes and followed my princess back to her room.
The tale shall grow…
Author's Note:
I am sorry this chapter is a bit big. Hope you don't mind. Please read and review.
- Anarya of Lorien.