The Ambaram “STOP” The baritone of Chief Nicholas struck them like lightning, causing Arnold to freeze in his long strides. Valentina’s body tenses behind him. Her crest whirls and body sways a little, but she digs her feet hard in the ground. The long journey was taking a toll on her. It was noon, time for lunch, and the medicines of the witch. Arnold turns to face a furious chief. His deep pools focused on the old man and sense the distress wafting off the Princess’s body. In the next moment, he pulls her swaying figure to his chest before she could’ve lost her footing. Her body was burning. The simple gesture flusters Valentina, but she didn’t argue for the sake of this act and complied obediently. A heavy exhale was heard from the chief followed by hushed whispers of the onlookers. Arthur presses his lips together in a firm line failing to choose either celebrate over Arnold’s permanent departure or grimace for unfulfilled revenge. The other family members gawked at the protecti
Baden Bloodshot and dark eyes examine the battered display on the polished brass. The direct golden rays of the scorching sun penetrate through the blinds, which were hanging loosely from the windowsills, brightening every inch of the grand bed-chamber. The light gave the buff man a clear view of the damage faced by his once spotless flesh. Before, he was proud of it. The beautiful and perfectly sculpted features over an ivory flesh that used to leave both males and females breathless and drooling. He used to be confident in the department of physicality and the tempting sexuality he oozed to lure the prey of a particular gender. He was sure that his one dazzling grin could bring any woman in the kingdom on their knees and beg to worship his body like the temple of God. He was described as an incarnation of Adonis by the people. Those who had seen him once in the past would look for opportunities to steal another glance. But today, when he examined the once godly features in the mirr
The Ambaram He wipes the sweat covering his body like second skin using the loose cotton shirt he wore in the morning. As he did so, the females surrounding the training area drooled hungrily. Their desperate eyes drank in his brawny body packed with tight muscles. The counters of his abs, glistening under the thick layer of dripping sweat, sent their heart to a new thrill, and filled their minds with no so innocent images. They licked their lips, imagining themselves licking those stoned bars of his torso. The biceps on his shoulders flexed as he rubbed the cloth around his neck and chest. His cheeks turned red under the heat of the scorching sun, glaring right above his head. It was noon, the time of lunch. The training and intense workout were already over and the tired juveniles bowed their heads in respect as they went past him to break the bath. They were all panting and gasping. Every single nerve in their body throbbed in protest. A few supported the weight of those who could
The Ambaram The fog was thick, making it impossible to see in a long distance. It was as if the fluffy clouds have decided to catch some rest before their next flight. The trees looked scary under this newfound blanket of weather. The temperature was dropping slowly and the cold wind carries the essence of wintery steps. Thickly furred creatures ventured without a care in the forest whereas few went to the hibernation in their caves, relying on their biological cycle to wake up on the first whip of spring. When the rays of the sun failed to penetrate through the lingering fog, the birds decided to not travel far, depending on the food nearby. The berries of trees will help them to survive from the bone-chilling winter. Arthur looked at the scenery in distaste. He hated such weather. The burning woods in the fireplace heated his office, providing his otherwise numb limbs some warmth. The winter has struck earlier this year. Almost thirty sunrises before. The regular activities of the
The Ambaram She didn’t expect what she saw next as she gawked at the scene spellbound and breathless. Her initial fears of it being one of Henry’s men subsidize. The insecurities of getting discovered in the heart of the Ambaram as the princess of Alvar but not Arnold’s woman desisted. No potential harm will come on her in this presence as it didn’t come to haunt but heal the wounds that are carved deeply in her soul. Stupefied, she saw him moving with a fluidity that might put the gentle strokes of the silent river to shame. His sword was a completely different case. The sharp edges cut through the air with ferocity causing the invisible element to swish and scream in anxiousness. The point of the sword stabs the unseen enemy with a force that might break through the spine of a bulky being if they were present in real. His wrists twisted skillfully when they mechanically swung the weapon as if have grown up playing with it. The sword was heavy, yet he lifted it with such ease as if h
The Ambaram As the icy wind cuts through the sleepy forest of Ambaram, the dried leaves from the top of old trees that were barely appended to the thick and thin branches finally resigned their lives at the top and descended to the solid grounds. They were deteriorating under the harsh attacks of a cruel climate. The dry weather was sucking the moisture out of them. The shady fog wasn’t allowing the sunlight to reach them, limiting their source of nourishment. Soon, the trees will discard them completely and as the spring will come around the corner, new buds will sprout, marking the commencement of a new season. Valentina was sitting on the wooden stairs of the porch, curled in a thick blanket. Her nose was dipped in a book. Arnold has left for his duties at the chief’s house early in the morning, a few hours ago from now, leaving her alone in the entire cottage. Surprisingly, today he took Diam with him, unlike the other days. According to Arnold, the poor beast was itching for a r
The Ambaram “Come on, monkeys, it isn’t that hard. Just grab the ropes and climb fast. Stop complaining like little girls.” Arnold yelled over the group of boys who were glaring at their now scratched and bruised palms. The rope was old but strong. It has smoothened over years; still, it hurt their rough flesh. Well, it wasn’t entirely the fault of the rope but the cruel teacher who has been biting their ears for the past two hours to climb again and again. Some of them were on the verge of passing out, whereas others resigned by falling on the ground with throbbing calves. Pussies Arnold thought and snorted at their laidback attitude. With this progress, they won’t match even half of the level of the tribal warriors. They were too slow and delicate. Their expression was morphed with pain and struggle. Earlier, he was planning on taking them to hike but judging the harsh weather, they prepared an artificial atmosphere in the ground by using poles and thick branches of trees. Arnold
The Ambaram There are different kinds of people scattered in the world. Even if a few of them share similar physical appearances, the same cannot be said for their nature and thought process. The individuals are influenced by the transpiring circumstances of life. The one who receives all riches turns out to be needy and dependent, but it doesn’t mean all people of this kind are corrupted and proud. Many in this horde are humble and well-wishers. The individuals that grow under the pressure of responsibilities and expectations often turn out to be puppets, a being born to only care and please others, always making sure that people around him are happy. But a few from the same margin become Rebels, the one who has promised themselves to live life on their terms. The list of circumstances is long and so is the woven lives falling under distinct categories. One important aspect that sometimes turns out to be an authoritative and dominant structure of this dynamic system is darkness