"Gajasimha is the king of lions, lord of the wild, fiercest of all fauna," she said. "You can only find it in the deepest of the thickest jungle."
"But if you ever find the beast, it usually leads to mortal death," Tusita said.
I shuddered again.
The sand flowed back into the Hora's open palm.
"I am done with the selection, Your Majesties," he said and bowed away.
"Thank you, good Hora," the King said. "Now I must let my Queen pick the date of the game."
He turned to his second wife with a nod. Queen Indradevi bowed at him and looked back at us.
"My dear avatars, your quests in this glorious game have been set," she said, looking at each face. "You shall prove your wits and might to the gods. The starting date must be before the end of Maha Sankranta, the New Lunar Year."
"Great," Tusita said with a smile. "That is when one of my seven heavenly sisters takes the zodiac throne."
We looked back at the Queen again.
"Now have a good rest, children," the Queen went on. "You still have many days ahead of you."
CHAPTER 20
That night I missed my father the most. I missed my mother, too. When I was little, I drew a picture of our family for the first time. It all started with a big round face and some arms and legs sticking out. That was my perfect life even with smudges and poorly drawn lines.
Now, my life was a whole mess of other things with new thoughts, new feelings, regrets, big dreams, and enormous doubts. I wondered if I could ever recognize my little crayon picture anymore.
My room back at home was complete with my special ceiling design. The bare wall by my window was cracked like a tree branch hanging over. I became restless one rainy day that summer and painted leaves over branches. I put bird nest up there, too, along with little baby birds peeking out with their patchy feathers and their mouths opened in hunger.
I used my watercolors from way back when I was five. The set was my birthday present. It had six different blues and enough odd hues and shades to finish another galaxy on my ceiling. It looked like the one in a science book with a complete solar system.
I liked my moon the most. I painted it in a silver shade and it was always the one that brightened my night. One day, my Dad came into my room and saw the wall and ceiling for the first time. He was shocked as if the art on the wall was a sight of rebellion.
"Oh, no! Nikita, what did you do?!" he said. But as he caught his breath, he stared thoughtfully and calmed down. He stood there for a moment then moved to stand at different spots in my room, and finally by the tree picture near my window. He climbed on my chair and took a closer look up on the ceiling. When he was done, he laid down on my bed and stared at the galaxy without another word.
But before he left the room, Dad simply looked at me and said, "Nikita, my little monkey, where did you get this talent from?"
I just shrugged, and Dad would smile then patted my head and whispered, "Your mom would be so proud."
It made the lump form in my throat. I used to often wondered what it would feel like to have my mother's arms around me. Sometimes I thought I could almost make the feeling real, but it disappeared so quickly. I thought about Queen Jayara and the sadness in her eyes before I fell asleep.
Another week passed. I couldn't wait to meet the princess again. The long wait made me feel like a barren field, blasted and parched, waiting for the rain. Just the thought of seeing Amarisa already revived my heart with joy. After the night I kissed her, I knew that somewhere deep down, the princess also felt something for me. Something that slowly bloomed like a flower as spring season approached.
The astral music echoed in the distance. I could see several Apsaras practicing their graceful moves on the wooden stage. A warm feeling rose from the pit of my stomach as I walked into the hall. My princess was already there, dancing in the middle of a group of crested dancers. I was enchanted by her beauty, which my other world would never know of.
Sunlight graced over her bare shoulders and angelic face. I caught a whiff of her perfume in the breeze. When Amarisa turned around and saw me, she stopped dancing, looking like a deer frozen by the fear of a hunter.
I smiled at her. This time, instead of frowning at me, Amarisa lowered her gaze and tried so hard to hide her blush. I grinned wider, wishing we could be alone again.
Kesar went off to take her place without saying a word. I realized then that the maiden might have noticed our unspoken exchanges. This left a bitter taste in my mouth but I swallowed back the guilt.
With a quiet sigh, I decided to join Amarisa. The princess now fidgeted when I approached her with a bow and a flirty smile.
"I must say your dancing is a beautiful sight to see indeed," I said. Amarisa did not look at me, but she tried to speak in a voice of authority.
"Please, be proper and take your respective place."
I took it as a cue to settle down beside her. The princess gave me a familiar burning glare, but she seemed to accept the fact that she could do nothing more.
"Would you allow me to learn your art, too?" I said to her.
"Only if you behave in a civilized manner," she said curtly.
"I will be on my best behavior, I promise."
"Then we must start," Amarisa said.
"What shall we start with, princess?" I asked.
"First, you need to understand the language of our music," she said. "The Kennars are all your teachers now."
"But will you, with my humble request, teach me yourself?"
Amarisa opened her mouth to refuse, but then something seemed to cross her mind.
"If you want me to train you, then I deserve the right to pick an instrument."
I was more than pleased, so without thinking I nodded.
Still smiling contently, I turned to Kesar, who did not look up from her golden flute at all. I felt a spark of pity burned in my gut, but I tried to extinguish it before it consumed me.
"I should start with a wind instrument, perhaps?" I suggested.
"I am the one to decide," Amarisa reminded me with a look.
"Oh, right." I grinned back.
Amarisa picked out a Kennara who sat at the far end of the group. He bowed and moved forward. In his hand was a one-string instrument made of half coconut skull with a long narrowed wooden handle. The single string was woven from cow gut. The rims were also flecked with gold patterns and tiny carvings all over it. It was indeed a delicate and beautiful work, but I had no idea how it must be played.
"What is this?" I asked, blinking in astonishment.
"It’s called Kse-dev," Amarisa said. "It's a single-string music instrument played in the royal orchestra and the most difficult one of all."
I looked back at her as I understood her wicked intention. Seeing my dreaded face, she was trying not to let her lips curve up into an amused smile. The Kennara handed the tool to me. Amarisa got one of her own. I was staring at the instrument in my hands. It was light and yet sturdy.
"Our people nickname it, 'the Instrument of the Heart,'" Amarisa added. She was holding it against her chest. "Because it has to be placed against one's heart to resonate the sounds."
Then she strummed the string and drew out the most ravishing melodies, unlike anything I had ever heard. The sound was haunting as if it was tugging at my own heart's string.
Amarisa used the tips of her slender fingers to strike the cord. Every so often she controlled the sounds that came out of the coconut skull against her breast. It was not only beautiful to hear but also beautiful to watch.
I listened in total awe. The artistic princess kept playing, and when the song ended, she lifted her head and turned to me again.
"You may start now," she said.
"H-how?" I asked dazedly.
Amarisa gave me an irritated look, but then she moved over and showed me how to position my tool. I caught another whiff of her wonderful scent and almost sighed in contentment. I noticed her impossibly long thick lashes cast a shadow
upon her cheeks while she adjusted my hands.
Once I knew how to keep the handle steady, Amarisa started placing my fingers over the string, introducing each note and showing how to resonate the sounds.
At some point, Amarisa was so annoyed by my inability to remember the notes that she had to come from behind me and showed me a few more examples.
She wasn't aware of how much her soft sweet-scented skin and sleek black lock brushed over my shoulder. It caused my inside to tingle with needs. I began to make more mistakes on purpose.
The rest of the Kennars watched us with a smile. Then I realized Kesar had excused herself from the Dance Hall. I made a mental note to find the maiden again once I got back.
I stayed with Amarisa all afternoon practicing my music lesson. I was determined to impress my princess, but soon I discovered that my fingers began to hurt.
"Thanks to the gods, it has only one string. If the thing had more than that, I would rather burst my own head against the coconut," I complained under my breath. A gentle giggle issued from the princess. My head lifted to find Amarisa muffling her laughter.
I smiled at her and the princess tried not smile back at me. She had never done that, and I could feel my heart swell.
"I'm aware this is the end of your lesson," she said and started to rise from her seat, but I caught her soft hand —this time very gently like I was afraid I would break something so delicate. Amarisa turned back to me, somewhat surprised, yet she didn't pry my hand off like she normally did.
"Your Highness, may I have your permission to see you again afterward?" I asked, looking right into her sparkling eyes.
"Are you not supposed to be at the encampment?" Amarisa said.
"Yes, but after the training is over, I would like to practice my music with you again."
She bit her bottom lip in consideration. Then she glanced around the hall as if aware of the people there and then she spoke in the gentlest tone I had ever heard.
"Perhaps, you'd rather go to a quieter place that suits your own talent," she said and gestured with her other hand to my satchel. "The garden shall offer you such inspirations, I believe."
It took me a moment to understand her words. She had just secretly granted me access to the forbidden Asoak, and cleverly so! I nodded and released her hand again with a bright smile.
~*~
I walked back to my chamber and found Kesar sitting on the edge of my bed. She was folding my clothes, neatly stacking them on top of the others.
I stopped by the doorway and watched the Kennari in silence. She was placing some blooming jasmines between the fabrics to make them smell good. I realized no one could take care of me the way Kesar could. But once in a while, I heard her sniff as if she had been crying.
"Kesar?" I called out to her and took a few steps forward. The maiden frantically wiped her eyes before turning around.
"Yes, my lady?" She bowed. I went and pulled her up by the arms. Kesar still kept her eyes down, yet I could see tears glimmering over her damp lashes.
"You cried?" I asked, tipping her chin up. Kesar tilted her head away.
"Dirt got into my eyes, that is all," she said and tried to smile. Before I could speak, she turned to grab the pile of folded clothes and carried them over to the wooden chest. I shrugged off my bag and followed her. Kesar kept arranging stuff around as I stood there.
"Kesar," I said. "I know how you feel."
Kesar stopped her chore for a moment, but she still didn't turn to me. I couldn't endure her silence treatment any longer and spun her around to face me. She stared into my eyes in surprise. Then I encompassed my arms around the maiden.
"My lady, what are you doing?" Kesar said in a startled voice, but I kept holding her in my arms.
"Kesar, I know you're angry and hurt. It upsets me greatly," I said. "I'm sorry for all this but I just can't help these untamed feelings, please, you must understand!"
She went silent for a moment.
"Of course, I do understand you," Kesar said softly. "I dare not in my life blame you for anything. I must have done too little good deeds in my past to deserve you."
I released her from my embrace.
"You deserve someone who loves you true, Kesar," I said. "I'm not the one for you."
The maiden looked up, and after a moment, she smiled again.
"I can see that the princess and you shall be the best of all pairs," she said. "Who am I to deny the harmony of this fated love?"
"Harmony? Love?" I scoffed. "I don't see the faintest of such! I wish she knew how much I am being in love with her. "
"Soon, my lady, I promise you, or else you can punish me, Princess Amarisa desires you more than your eyes can see."
I stared at her a while longer.
"Kesar, tell me truly, will our friendship remain unchanged?"
The maiden dropped her gaze and nodded.
"As long as you still have needs of me," she said but then she sighed, "Though I must confess the arrows of Kama are just as cruel to me as they are to you."
"The arrows of who?" I arched my eyebrows at her. "What are you talking about, Kesar?"
"Nothing, my lady, you must be tired from the lesson," she said with a smile again. "Allow me to prepare your bath and serve your meal."
Before I could say anything else, Kesar bowed and turned away, leaving the room.
~*~
Tepi and Atith came to my chamber and woke me up at a foolishly early dawn. I didn't feel ready to get out of the comfort of my bed yet, but with some dragging and pulling from the maids, I managed to get dressed. Kesar wasn't in the chamber though. She seemed to avoid me now, but I needed to let her be and hoped she would come back to me when she felt better.
Then we set off at first light to the Elephant Terrace.
I was still trying to rub the sleep from my eyes once we got off the carriage. As we went through the Gopura and entered the training field, I noticed the entire encampment was fairly quiet at this hour.
We saw Tusita standing at the Main Square. Vorac and Samudra also appeared from the Pochani Pavilions when they saw us coming.
Tusita was shading her eyes. The sky turned slightly pink from the light of dawn. When we joined her, Tusita turned to us with a bright smile.
"So," Vorac said to her. "Where are they?"
"Journeying far and getting near," Tusita said, still didn't take her eyes off the skyline. "You must be patient for something this special."
I looked in the same direction as the rest, but all I saw was a great range of dark green mountains and the various shades of lit clouds. Atith was the first to jump up in excitement as he pointed to the horizon.
"They're coming!"
We heard some distant whining and snorting sounds in the air. Some flapping noises echoed through the sky. I looked up and saw a flock of giant doves soaring towards us. I had to squint my eyes to look, but once they got closer, I realized that they weren't doves at all. My eyes went wide. The creatures flying towards us were enormous white horses with beautiful white wings on their backs. They galloped through the wind, spreading their wings through the morning sky.
"Welcome to earth," Tusita said breathily then she turned to us and opened her arms as if to make an introduction, "Avatars of Meru Gods, let me present you the gifts from the hand of heaven, the celestial flying horses from the Palace of Indra— the Ashvas."
My mouth flung open.
"Holy cow!" Atith said in a giggly voice. He kept punching Samudra's arm playfully and making weird noises.
"Or you could say holy horses," Vorac said. My mouth still opened.
"Stronger than the tides and faster than the wind!" Atith agreed. "I can't believe I get to see them!"
Even Tepi seemed amazed by the winged creatures.
I watched the winged horses set their hooves on the ground and went galloping through the field. Dirt twirled around as all six of them flapped their powerful wings before folding them back to their sides. The horses had white sleek c
oats with their long silky mane flowing down their mighty shoulders. They were extremely beautiful and sparkly like they were made of cloud. The animal all whined and bobbed their heads as Tusita ran off towards them.
"Good lads!" she said and went to hug them one by one. "Nice to meet you, too."
We walked up to the heavenly herd and studied the handsome animals in amazement. The Ashvas tossed their heads, flirting their wavy tails around, and neighing joyously under their wings.
"Oh, my god!" I breathed. "I think I’m dreaming."
"No, you’re not, Nikita," Tusita said to me as she stood proudly before us. "The Ashvas were the first horses that emerged from the depth of the ocean during the Samudra Manthan."
"Samudra Manthan?" I asked.
"The Churning of the Ocean of Milk," Samudra who stood beside me answered, "Samudra means 'Ocean'. Many ages ago, the gods and demons wanted to retrieve the Amrita, the Elixir of Immortality. They began to churn the ocean together for a millennium."
"During the Great Churning," Tepi continued. "The first horse, Uchaishravas, the king of all horses, was born. Then the Ashvas also arose from the foams of the sea, but Indra took possession of these handsome creatures and brought them to his celestial home. The rest he decided to sever off their wings so that they would remain on earth and not fly back to the Sky Palace when he presented them to mankind. These Ashvas here are the ones we have left."
"Nikita, you have to bond with your Ashva before you can ride one," Tusita beckoned for me to come closer. I slowly stepped forward, not very sure of what to do. I managed to keep my bones attached after all the riding lessons, but now if they wanted me to tame these winged horses, I would have to pray to every god out there to save my behind.
"Don't be afraid," Tusita said. "They're friendlier than horses on earth, I promise."
"Oh, that's a relief then," I said, somewhat relaxed. I stretched my hand out and spread my palm as if I was a blind person. Then one of the Ashvas stepped out front and I recoiled a little.
Tusita reassured me again. I took a deep breath and moved forward. The same horse lowered its head as I slowly and cautiously placed my touch on its white smooth cheek. I smiled, feeling the instant connection sparked between us.
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