Daughter of the Naga

We arrived at the ancient city the next day. I stepped out of our rented pickup truck and shaded my eyes from the rising sun. In front of us stood a colossal mass of stone temples. Angkor Wat was its name.A weird feeling took hold of my stomach. It was very surreal that I got to see this mysterious land for the first time.There was a wide water moat with a long sandstone causeway. Overgrown tropical trees bordered the temple ground. Everything looked like a strange new world—or old world."Are you ready to explore now, Nikita?" Dad asked in a perky voice as I was still transfixed by the sight of this ancient architecture. The main entrance began with steps leading to a raised terrace. Giant stone lions on both sides of the gate guarded the monument. Other tourists already roamed around, snapping pictures of the sunrise over the temple."Don't we need a tour guide?" I asked."How come you underestimate me?" He pretended to look hurt. "Any qu

I sat on the trunk of a fallen tree not far away from the main tents. The digging site was visible to my right and I could still see the spiral. With my drawing pad in hand, I sketched an image of the ancient discus in a 3-D form. But then I noticed something strange about it. The first ring came with the biggest snakehead, the second ring had a smaller one, so did the third until the seventh ring. But they laid in various positions.After I finished shading over the outlines, it drew my attention even more. The carvings on every stone looked like some kind of a jigsaw puzzle. On each circle, there were certain curves that seemed unfinished or cut off where they should have been continued. I stared hard at the penciled features and then a shock jolted me up to my feet.Right! Those patterns were actually a complete picture!"Dad!" I yelled, scanning around the area for him. Then I saw him with Dr. Ivan at the other corner of the area, discussing something. I pic

After the shock wore off, and the untimely hunger made my stomach growl. I noticed there were golden platters of fruit set before the Lingam statue. I crawled towards the goodies and inhaled the sweet-scented lotuses. The fresh fragrance relaxed me a little, and I helped myself with the juicy fruit. I guess if I were going to die here, I might as well die with my stomach full.After my hunger subsided, I shoved some ripe bananas and other odd fruit that looked like apricots into my brown bag. My ears caught a faint sound of faraway footsteps. Some rushing movements and voices came from the base of the temple.I quickly got up and took a peek at the ground. From the main staircase leading up to the top, a troop of shirtless men climbed the steep stairs. They wore red silk cloths around their waists. Some of them wore golden collars and belts around their bodies. In their hands were long sharp spears and swords. I wiped my mouth of the juices and turned back with wide ey

Kesar and three other handmaidens led me through the hallways towards the Main House. I was greeted by the same group of Brahmins afterward. This time they escorted me in silence.I had no clue what they were going to do to me. I just hoped that it didn't involve human sacrifice. But even if it did, I might as well let them get it over with. There was no way I could escape from this bizarre realm even if I tried.We reached the square, following the pebbled path that snaked towards the stairs. The Main House was located in the middle of the complex. It had a single spire tower with a carved gold-gilded face on top.When we reached the hall of the pavilion, a dozen women appeared by the entrance. They brought bronze bowls filled with flowers. The women spread petals of

I was back in the Moon House again. Kesar watched me as I was lying on the bed staring at the ceiling. The yellow light shimmered dimly from the lanterns. They cast dancing shadows on the walls."Are you not well, my lady?" Kesar said and placed her hand on my forehead to feel my temperature."No, I'm not," I mumbled in a dry voice.Then I tried to sit up again. Kesar helped put soft pillows behind my back. My throat felt raw. My body was burning up from all the shock I had gone through in the last two days."I think you might be sick," she said then turned to the other maidens. "Go bring the juice for the lady quickly."I rubbed my throbbing temples. The images