Faces in the sand…

A.N.: This is an alternate universe fiction. I have merely shifted Hotohori's age by three years. So…he was twenty two when he died as opposed to the original nineteen. I still feel he married quite too early. Magadha was indeed a real place in ancient India where the people were really advanced in everything they did and 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 it and I know it! So...let's just get on with the story.

Chapter III:

It had been six days since we had come to Khonan and from what the princess made it seem, we would be here for at least a fortnight or two. Ever since the day I had met the emperor in the gardens, we hardly were in the same room. For some reason, I wished to see him again…from afar…to observe him without having to be seen by him.

"Are you listening to me, Adithi?" I started as I turned to look at Sātviki who looked worried. I shook my head as I said,

"What was it, mother?" she sighed as she caught my face gently in her hands.

"Is something wrong? You are not yourself lately." I smiled as I shook my head again.

"I am fine." She looked skeptical as she turned her attention back to the piece of dress she was mending. I turned to look at the window only to find Vishaka stare at me intently from the other room into which the window opened – his room. Now what did he want?

There was a knock at the door and I opened it. There stood a minister of Khonan. He was looking at us quite surprised; as though this was the first time he was seeing us in our weird clothing. Whenever would these people get used to our attire!

"I am here looking for one lady Adithi." I looked back at Sātviki. What was the meaning of this? The princess had told me that I could rest tonight.

"Is she not here?" he asked confused. I turned back to face him…

"I am she." He looked at my clothing with a fleeting look of surprise. What was he expecting? A princess? It hurt me that though we had been here for almost a week, being close to the princess, they hardly knew my name. The princess probably wanted me and this man was sent to fetch me.

"The royal one is waiting for you in the library." He said indifferently. I could sense Vishaka tense a little. I smiled at him as I nodded assuringly. I wasn't offended. I felt a little happy at the little gesture from my friend. He was worried about me and that pleased me. I followed the minister as he led me through corridors after corridors. After a few turns, I forgot the way completely. If not provided with a guide, I would surely lose my way. Then all of a sudden, he stopped in front of two huge oaken doors.

"You are to go inside." He said. It was as though he did not want me there…as though this errand was a thing of force. But I was going to meet the princess wasn't I? Why was he so bothered about that? He turned around and walked away clearly muttering to himself. I had indeed learned to write and read and I was one of the few girls who weren't royalty to get that privilege. I knew I would feel right at home in the library. Shwetha was a lover of scrolls herself and so, probably she had come across an interesting book. But I wouldn't be able to read the language of these people! Though I managed to speak, I was a bit weak in the writing. With these thoughts, I opened the doors to find myself in the midst of shelves and shelves of tomes and scrolls…I heard the door close shut behind me as I walked deeper into the room.

There seemed to be no sight or sign of Shwetha anywhere. I was about to turn around – to head back to my room when,

"Lady Adithi. Welcome." I stopped dead on my tracks on hearing that voice.

I turned around abruptly to find the emperor resting on the top rungs of the ladder…at least a good six feet above me.

"Your majesty," I bowed down as he got down from the ladder to land before me. It looked as though he had removed his outer tunic which was the gaudiest of them all and now he wore a white tunic that seemed so royal and yet so simple. I felt it suited him better.

"The princess wanted a few books from the library and since I had work to do, I thought I shall search for them myself. And -" he turned around and walked to his desk and beckoned me to follow. I felt a little scared to be alone in a room where none would know what went inside but then…he did not see me in that light… or did he? He took two scrolls and turned around to face me.

"Can you read?" he asked his voice silky soft. I shook my head as I looked at the elaborate carpet that adorned the library floor. He held up one of the scrolls – one that was tied in a beautiful rich velvet cover of the darkest shade of purple.

"Do you know what this scroll contains?" I looked up for a moment to gaze at the scroll before I lowered my eyes again. He was an emperor and I was a simple hand-maid. Nothing more could ever come from this liaison.

"It is about a hero who risks all social structure to marry a woman from a different country…a different culture…a different status." I was well aware that he was circling me as he spoke. It made me feel so insecure.

"Mayhap she can teach you to read…the story so befits you." I looked up at this. What was it that he was suggesting? Perhaps he read the questioning gaze for he smiled as he stepped closer…closer than ever before…

"Why do you shy away from me, Adithi? Do I scare you so?" it was the first time he had used just my name and the way it rolled out of his mouth seemed to make the name even more beautiful. Yet I did not speak. He sighed as he shook his head exasperated.

"What will it take to make you talk to me?" I smiled a little as I shook my head.

"But I am merely a hand-maid, your majesty. I am not worth-" the thing that he did then, shocked me mid-sentence. I felt his arm around me as he drew me into an embrace and in another instant, had his lips over mine.

His hands snaked around my waist as he drew me closer to him if this was possible. His tongue that opened my mouth to return what he had given seemed to stir some ancient response from deep within me. I, who had been struggling in his grasp, slowly felt the tenderness of the kiss. The persuasive yet undemanding softness…I felt my eyes flutter close as the kiss deepened. It seemed like an age had passed ever since he kissed me. As we slowly broke apart, I could find his eyes resting on me. I lowered my eyes again, unable to meet his gaze. This time, I also needed to hide the tears that were slowly forming in my eyes. He took hold of my hand and placed something soft in it. I looked at the object he had placed and found the scroll, tightly bound. He was still holding my hand as he gently caressed it. I hastily withdrew my hand as I took a step backwards. I had to get out of here…before something inevitable happened.

"Read it, Adithi." I looked up to find him staring right through me as though he wanted to see into my heart and read the torrents of confused thoughts that crashed inside. I bowed a little and turning around, walked slowly towards the oak doors that I simply had to cross…to be away from this enigma of a man who was confusing me…throwing me into a maelstrom of confusion.

As I reached my room, I slid to the floor…crying my heart out into my hands. Why was this happening to me? Why had he kissed me? And what was the meaning of giving me this scroll! I wanted to throw something heavy around but since I could not, I cried myself to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up really sore, having slept on the floor all night. The scroll was the first thing I beheld that day. I smiled as I took the scroll into my hands and opened it gently…

"Adithi…" someone knocked at the door and I felt the door knob turn. I had to get up before they opened the door…right into my back. I barely got up when the door opened to reveal Sātviki.

"You just got up? It is almost mid-day. The princess has been kind enough to let you rest but – what's that?" she was eyeing the scroll I had.

"Where did you get that?" I followed her eyes to stare at the scroll which was half open.

"This was for the princess…but I felt too tired last night…" she smiled at me as she nodded her head. She took the scroll from me when a parchment fell out of it. Sātviki opened it in front of my shocked and surprised eyes. She read the letter with an increasingly anxious face…her eyes narrowing as though she found the words difficult. She then looked up at me with surprise and shock. I took the proffered parchment and opened it. It was written in a script I was quite familiar with – Prākrit - the native language of Magadha. What was this doing inside a scroll in the library of Khonan? The hand in which it had been written was not quite neat…almost childish…as though this script was quite new to the writer. I scanned through what was written; having a better grasp at the language than Sātviki and felt like the world was standing still.

To the beautiful hand that shall open this parchment…

Meet me in the Gazebo beside your room at midnight tomorrow… I shall await your arrival.

Saihitei.

I felt winded. What was all this about? Was this for the princess as well? Some thing told me it was not. It was as though he knew I would open it. Had he known I would open it? I was deep within my world of thoughts when,

"I cannot believe this! The emperor fancies the princess!" I looked up abruptly at this. She was beaming at me. So…it was for the princess. Then…what of last night? She continued on.

"We shall have to tell the princess…but-" she looked at the yellow parchment in my hand.

"About the meeting…would it be safe for her to go and meet him? It wouldn't be proper." She said in an anxious voice.

"But he is an emperor and we are under his care…he has been kind and courteous. I don't think we need fear anything." She pondered in silence for a while giving me time to hide my trembling hands behind me. Then,

"I know! You can go with the princess! That way, the meeting shall take place and we need not fear anything." Sātviki smiled pleased with herself as I gazed at the floor. So, it had been for the princess, after all.

"Adithi, are you alright?" I started as I turned to face Sātviki who was looking at me worried. I smiled as I shook my head.

"I am fine. Your idea seems wonderful. I shall go and tell the princess, immediately." I turned and walked through the connecting doors into the princess' room. She was reading a scroll…the other one I had not brought from the library last night. She smiled on seeing me enter. Had he placed a note in this scroll as well?

"The emperor was kind enough to let me have this scroll. Oh…and he told me you had a scroll with you as well." I nodded mutely as I held out the scroll. She took it from me and opened it only to have the letter drop out of it. She looked at the letter bemused and turned to look at me.

"What is this?" I smiled or at least tried to.

"This is a letter from his majesty…or so the lady Sātviki believes." She opened the letter hastily. There was a torturous moment of silence when she read the contents and let out a cry of happiness. She turned to look at me,

"Is it true that emperor wanted you to give me this scroll?" I merely nodded my head. What else could I say? She looked back at the letter and hugged it to her bosom.

"I did not know Saihitei fancied me so! But…Sātviki shall not let me go and meet him." Her eyes became downcast at once. I smiled.

"Lady Sātviki wants me to accompany you. That way the meeting can take place and it wouldn't seem immoral." Her eyes lighted with happiness as I said this. I knew Shwetha treated Sātviki with the utmost respect. And whatever she advised was followed with no second thoughts. She smiled as she got up from where she sat and twirled me around, obviously thrilled.

"Now what shall I wear?" she said as she released me with a really aching head. I walked over to my friend who had thrown open the wardrobe door.

"May I help?" she turned around to smile at me as she said,

"I'd be offended if you did not." I smiled as I turned to look at the dresses she had. Everything was so new and pretty…it wasn't surprising. He would probably go for one who had all sorts of riches like her…someone who would match his splendour.

"How do you find this?" I smiled as my friend held up a silken skirt that shined golden. I nodded my head approving of the dress she had picked up. She then went on to choose accessories to go with the dress and the entire day was thus spent in selecting the proper clothing and jewels for Shwetha. By the time I could retire, it was nine in the evening. The princess had indeed not met the emperor through out the day as she later related to me…he was too busy with meetings and like. I was excused so I could get ready to accompany the princess.

I sighed as I felt the lukewarm lap around my waist as I soaked in the tub, midway through my bath. I did not know the meaning of the kiss he gave me last night. Then, this note to the princess…was he toying with me then? I did not know and neither did I wish to…for if he was, it would hurt me terribly. But then…it had been a simple kiss. Nothing more, I reminded myself.

"Adithi! Could you get ready faster? I feel very anxious." I sighed as I got up from the tub, not minding the water that sloshed all over the pristine white floor. In another hour, I was dressed in a black skirt and a matching blouse…one with sleeves this time…for I felt I couldn't wear the ones without sleeves in front of his roving eyes and this way…the princess would shine in comparison. An idea that Sātviki gave me. I fastened the black thread all servants of the royal household wore…one with the seal of Magadha on a small silver pendant. I looked in the mirror as the pedant shone in the candle light. The face that greeted me was a simple one – one that did not possess the radiant beauty that Shwetha had. I sighed as I picked my shawl. I was adjusting the shawl that I would drape over my blouse when the door opened. There stood Vishaka.

"What is the meaning of this?" he asked his voice low and deep. I looked at him bemused. What was wrong this time?

"I don't understand you Vishaka." I said, correcting the black thread that was tied to my left ankle – another symbol of servitude to the royal ones of Magadha.

"Is it true that the emperor had called you to the library?" I looked up at this.

"He merely wanted to give the princess the scrolls she wanted." He scoffed.

"Then why wasn't she called?" I rolled my eyes as I straightened to face my friend.

"I do not know. But it would be right for him to call the lady-in-waiting, wouldn't it? Knowing that I was always around the princess, I would be able to deliver the scrolls? He-"

"I don't like him." My friend interjected darkly. I looked around hoping there were no ministers who were listening.

"Vishaka! Be careful of what you say, won't you?" he merely shrugged angrily as he turned around and walked out of my room. I was about to follow him when the princess burst into my room with a hair ornament in her hand.

"This just won't stay, Adithi. Could you help me?" I thought of what Vishaka had said as I fixed the princess' hair. Why hadn't the emperor given it to the princess directly? Surely he wasn't shy!

"Ow! Please be careful, Adithi." I started a little. I laughed lightly as I shook my head.

"You will have to forgive me, Shwetha. You seem to move a lot. I lost my grip." She laughed as well as she stayed still this time enabling me to fix the hair ornament. She turned around to show me the numerous jewels she wore…her bare shoulders seemed to be dusted with gold.

"Do you find me pretty?" I nodded my head, too astounded to speak. She looked ravishing with her raven black hair up in an elaborate style that seemed to be somewhere between a bun and a braid. And the way her eyes sparkled seemed to make her seem like a divine creature amidst mortals. I smiled as I ran my finger over the lower lid of my right eye, taking some of the kohl that we applied for the eyes and placed it behind her right ear – a common custom in our land to ward off the evil eye.

"You look beautiful, your majesty." I said softly as I bowed down a little. She blushed as she turned around and walked towards the mirror.

"Do you think he will find me beautiful?" I felt a strange sensation…as though some one was wrenching my inside very tightly.

"He will have to be an idiot not to." I said truthfully, more to myself than to the princess. She smiled as she straightened her veil and walked to the door that opened to the gardens.

"Shall we leave, Adithi? The night is cool and pleasant. Quite the time to fall in love, don't you think?" I nodded my head mutely staring at the carpet right before my princess' feet. I did not know what to think right then.

The tale shall grow…

Author's Note:

So…who was the note actually for? For your answers all thee need to do is review away, my friends!

- Anarya of Lorien.