6 months earlier -
The kingdom of Shambala had a peculiar climate. It had snow-covered mountain peaks, vast grasslands, thick woodlands, and a perfectly sunny coastline.
It shared its border with the Vatsaya kingdom in the west, Karoliya in the North, and Anatolia in the east. The south side had the sea. Shambala had important seaports and it was on an incredibly significant trade route. Ships from various places regularly docked at Shambala adding to its prosperity.
Some people said it was because of the power of mother goddess Aditi that made Shambala so tranquil and prosperous. Her mysterious source lay somewhere in Shambala.
The palace in the capital city of Kushan was in an uproar.
Queen Kalita was agitated. The first of the suitor princes was supposed to arrive shortly. It was the tradition in Shambala and several other kingdoms that when a princess had too many suitors or she had not chosen anyone on her own. A svyamvar was organized, were princes or kings from various nations participated to vie for her hand.
Princess Revati was 21 and as any responsible father King Sachihero had organized for the svyamvar for his elder daughter.
Revati was as beautiful as the moon. She had pale skin, blue eyes, and a cascading waterfall of golden curly hair that fell to her waist. She was skilled in painting, music, and other art.
"Oh, dear! Who has placed this jar of pink flowers here?" Queen Kalita fretted as she examined the arrangements. The palace and the guest quarters were decorated to the hilt.
"Lady Maria are both princesses ready?" She asked the royal governess Maria.
"Princess Revati is ready my lady but...."
"But? "
"I am unable to locate princess Toshani, my lady," Maria replied helplessly.
Queen Kalita pressed her lips as if trying to suppress her anger.
"Find her!" She commanded.
When she commanded "find her" for Toshani it meant the palace guards, and servants would have to drag a kicking and screaming Toshani from usually a tree, or from among the wild animals of the forest.
From the barracks where Toshani would be dueling or competing with some soldier, or sometimes even from the royal husbandry where she would be assisting a cow or a horse in labor.
It usually led to the princess getting reprimed by her mother.
Her father never made her feel that she should refrain from such things for being born a girl -Though Queen Kalita constantly fretted that Toshani would not attract appropriate suitors because she spent most of her free time climbing trees, swimming in the lakes, and hunting wild boar.
Often queen Kalita would sigh as Toshani come back from a hunt mud-smeared and scratched bloody, but her father would just chuckle and return to his advisors discussing the matters of the state.
"Your majesty the princess!" Maria commented as Toshani walked in carrying some dead wild rabbits.
Toshani herself was covered in twigs and leaves which fell in a random pattern leaving a trail of muddy footprints and twigs on the purple royal carpet.
"TOSHANI!" Kalita's voice boomed.
Toshani stopped in her track and gave a weak smile at her mother. She did not expect to run into her right now. She had assumed her mother would be in the court session with her father unless....
"Damm it! I knew I was forgetting something" Toshani thought.
"Those wretched princes are supposed to arrive today! " She suddenly recalled.
"Mother will kill me now." She thought morosely.
"What did I say Toshani? What were you supposed to do today?" Queen Kalita said in a cool calm voice.
Toshani's blood froze when her mother was cool and calm it was worse.
"I.....I am sorry mother." Toshani said weakly her violet eyes trying to look as innocent as possible.
Toshani was as beautiful as Revati. Some would say she would look more beautiful with her dark hair, and violet eyes if she took efforts to groom herself. She was reckless about her appearance unless one of her maids forced her into a nice dress and brushed her dark curls into some respectable hairdo.
"Go to your room and you are not coming out unless you are decent." Her mother commanded.
"Sure, mother but can I have rabbit stew for lunch?" Toshani grinned holding up the 2 dead rabbits in her hand.
"You are not getting any food until you do as I say. Do you understand?" Kalita replied sternly.
Toshani made a face and looked like she was about to throw a royal tantrum when King Sachihero walked in along with some advisors.
He gave one look at the scene in front of him and smirked.
"Ah! I smell rabbit stew" he commented as he joined Queen Kalita.
"Look what your daughter has done," Kalita replied while the servants cowered in fear. They had already started scrubbing away the mud stains, and twigs from the floor.
"Well, she has hunted some good plump rabbits." He grinned at Toshani.
Toshani gave back a mischievous smile.
"You have spoiled her. We are going to face hell while looking for a suitable match for her." Queen Kalita lamented.
"Nonsense! All princes would be vying for her attention. You will see." King replied while smiling at Toshani.
Toshani beamed.
"Your majesty the entourage from the Kingdom of Lorna has arrived." One of the guards announced.
"Oh no! Clear this mess up quickly. Your majesty we must leave to welcome them." Kalita said.
"Oh yes! Please let us proceed."
King winked at Toshani and whispered in her ear.
"Run!"
She grinned at her father and ran towards her room. She was planning to remain there to escape her mother's prying eyes. She also heaved a sigh of relief. She was not interested in welcoming any of those obnoxious princes and wondered why did Revati put up with them
But then Revati was the perfect one while Toshani was wild. Revati preferred to paint and read while Toshani ran wild in the woods. Both sisters had opposite personalities nevertheless they loved each other dearly.
Toshani had just reached her room and she proceeded on to remove her muddy boots, breeches, her bow, and arrow hastily.
Her maids scrambled to pick them after her.
She had already stripped naked by the time she reached the bathroom. Her sensible maid had prepared the warm bath for her just as she liked.
The lotus-shaped birthmark in her lower back glowed faintly but she did not realize it. She had a series of faint birthmarks almost unnoticeable to a normal person unless someone looked carefully.
They were placed strategically where the body chakra resides.
No one knew what they meant.
To be continued...
Prince Rudra yawned as he rode along with his brother Anbir, and the entourage of about 50 soldiers and staff. He was not really interested in the Svayamvaar of princess Revati.He was just 18, too young to participate anyway. His half-brother Anbir was one of the contestants. Rudra had just tagged along to give him company.Anbir's mother the former queen had died years ago. The current queen of Vatsaya and Rudra's mother was Queen Chitralekha."Rudra are you sleepy? We can take a break if you wish." Anbir said.At twenty-two, Anbir stood a good six feet one inch tall, only an inch taller than his dad. His body was lean and muscular from his active life. Hunting, riding, and sword training filled his day, as studies in politics, arithmetic, reading, and writing filled his night.King Tarekdeo doted on Anbir; it is said he deeply loved his former queen Jyoti until a mysterious illness took her away.He was never the same after that. He used to wander alone in the woods, caves, met seve
Rudra and his entourage were now in the capital city of Kushan, the home of the royal family, and therefore the capital of the Shambala Kingdom. Looming marble towers grew from the city's center like white tree trunks into the heavens. The streets were lined with old trees and bright flowers. The finest artists and craftsmen worked along with them in grand shops and houses. Endless gardens sprawled across the city, interspersed with inns, eateries, and tea houses that took the form of gazebos and houses.People walking around looked happy and content. The palace had architecture like no other in the district. Several centuries earlier the royal family of Shambala had shipped in an architect from an overseas city. They wanted something exotic to inspire awe in the population. So instead of the peaks in the roof, it had gold-domed towers. It had an open porch at the front, held up with most ostentatiously detailed pillars, painted in brilliant white and blue. Inside there were no door
"He's not going to be pleased." Malcolm cast a look over the aftermath of their chaos - a splatter of papers and scrolls.Four knocked out Shambala guards were slumped at the entrance. He exhaled deeply, "This was a mistake.""Perhaps we are in the wrong room?" Gopi said."This is the royal archives room and as per my Information this is where the suitors' challenge had been put," Malcolm said."The prince is not going to be happy," Malcolm said moodily."You're being melodramatic." Gopi a commander, was far more at ease."I don't understand why the prince needs the challenges in advance. He is competent enough to win anyway." Gopi continued."Careful! Any word against the prince would be treason." Malcolm had a stern expression.Gopi rolled his eyes. He was apprehensive about their whole stealing the challenge mission right from the beginning. Anbir had got tipped off by some internal source from Shambala that the blueprint of the challenges was stored in the archives.Hence, he sent
"Sure, why not? Shall we have stakes?" she answered cheerily, between sorting out her cards."Stakes? How mercenary," Rudra commented, though it was clear that this was meant to be a joke."Certainly. Perhaps, if I win..." He quieted, thinking before his smile returned. "If I win, I'd like you to tell me more about the challenges.""Are you trying to wriggle out information from me to make your brother win?" She asked."I want him to win so that we can be related and get more opportunities to meet." He gave his most dazzling smile which quickened her heartbeat."But that would be duping. Your brother should win fairly." She spoke."Hmmm, perhaps I should change my stakes. How about if I win you tell me just the first challenge?""It's still unfair." She replied." You just need to tell me what the challenge is. I am not asking for the key to solving it. It's still fair." He insisted.She pondered over a moment."Ok. And if I win...I want you to tell me something about you, which no on
Rudra strode towards the noise which he had heard while playing cards with the princess."Malcolm! What are you doing here?" He asked the Vatsaya guards who were dressed in formals for the party."Prince Rudra! We were just returning from an errand for his highness." Malcolm replied while Gopi rolled his eyes."I think I know what that errand might be," Rudra said wryly.He did not approve of his brother's erratic ways to win the contest. However, Anbir was headstrong and would do whatever he wished."This way he'll get disqualified before the contest commences." Rudra thought.He went back into the party which was wretchedly boring as described by Toshani.At the thought of her, he sought her around in the crowd. She was dancing with someone he did not know, and she had a scowl on her face.He smirked.She was amusing. Though he could not point out why he was so taken with her. It was like being pulled by a magnet. He just watched her glide around the dance floor.He joined his brothe
"Fifteen contestants, fifteen greatest warriors, princes and kings have gathered here to vie for my daughter's hand" King Suchihero paused."It truly an honor. The ancient system of Svyamvaar was established to choose the best man for a princess. There are 5 senses, 5 elements, 5 continents on this blessed Earth. Hence there would be 5 challenges. They will be revealed as we proceed." The first contest was taking place in a hall which was the size of an average auditorium. There was a central stage where the contestants were seated.The highest pavilion, near it, was filled with the royal family. Then the guests, and courtiers.Rudra shifted in his seat. He was not interested in the contest really. He was scanning the pavilion for Toshani.Anbir bristled in anger having to appear for such a childish contest for the foolish king but he restrained himself. As per his father's order, he had to win.The oracle took over from the king as she approached the stage to brief the contestants a
Bhairav leaned against a snowy boulder. The chilly air felt like little needles on his exposed cheeks. He had been trekking for hours. It was not always like this.Long ago before the ice age, Kailash was full of greenery, tropical trees, and plants. However, it changed along with several other things on Earth. At least it did not have wild animals now, only snowy emptiness.Peering through the fog he tried to ascertain his location. The Citadel would be right after the giant Shivling.Shivlings were representations of the infinite, with no beginning or end. The Shiva himself.He clutched his staff and started further.*******Rudra was waiting for Toshani at the stables. He hoped he was in the right place. She did not precisely stipulate where.A young stable boy of about 15 approached him and asked him to accompany him.Rudra nodded and followed the boy.The boy took him through a labyrinth of walkways, finally arriving at what looked like a haystack somewhere in the stable.He stopp
Toshani was feeling like a tour guide. Rudra was fascinated by everything, he wanted to visit every shop, try out every eatery, and struck a conversation with random people."Rudra you must not talk to everyone like this. We'll attract attention" She reprimanded him.Rudra was happily strolling on the cobbled road. They were in the middle of the market area. It was crowded with merchants and shoppers."I thought you were the fearless one." He spoke."I am fearless, not stupid!" She replied."Hmmm so tell me what the most fascinating thing about your city is?" He asked casually munching on a stick of kababs which he had bought from a vendor."Isn't it enough? You have seen almost everything!" Toshani grumbled.They had been wandering around for hours and she was tired.He just grinned at her. His eyes were suddenly caught by the glowing pagoda of a temple in a distance.He stared at it spellbound."What is that?" "That is the temple of Aditi.the mother goddess of Shambala," Toshani rep