Prisoner: Chapter 4

  'The sun shines too brightly, the birds are chirping up a storm and the river, oh God! Why does it have to be so loud? And those clouds, will they carry my message to the Raja like they carried the yaksha's in Meghadutam all the way across the country to his wife in Mount Kailash? Then why do they float about and mock me thus?' Payal sighed as she rested her chin against the window sill. The brightness of the day only brought to life the deep, heavy darkness in her heart.
  She looked down into the field. 'What now?', she thought. 'Why are those boys setting up a target there? Can't they find another field to practice archery in? No, no! I want to sulk and cry and moan today, in peace.'
  She closed her eyes and rested her forehead on the cold window sill to block out every last ray of light. 'Good grief! Here they come, to ruin my day.'
  She opened her eyes to see a file of young men each carrying an ornately carved bow walking into the field. They talked and laughed amongst themselves, princes and peasants alike, such was the rule of this kingdom.
  The old archer, Druv, called out to them to fall into position. Payal groaned, 'Druv...Raja himself was trainer by him. This will be a long morning.' She sulked and sighed, rubbing her tired face against her arm.
  "Prithvijit, why don't you come up and set an example for the others?', boomed Druv.
  'Prithvijit! Huh? Who might that be?', Payal looked down and her breath caught in her throat.
  A young man walked towards the target, his feet hardly touching the ground. Soft black curls framed his face and fell on his smooth forehead; his bare chest and shoulders radiated a cool, soothing glow. The rough dhoti, encircling his sculpted waist, could not conceal his muscular thighs which rippled as he walked towards Druv. Payal wanted to look away but she couldn't.
  Druv handed him an arrow. He put it to his bow and pulled it taught. Payal gasped as the muscles on his arms and shoulders rippled in the sunlight. He turned his body slowly and locked his gaze on the target. She felt the tension in his bowstrings resonating in every muscle in her body. She held her breath as her heart thumped deafeningly. With a loud twang he let loose the arrow. Payal ducked below the window involuntarily as she heard it whiz through the air.
  Suddenly, the whole field erupted with cheers. She looked down to see the arrow pierced deep into the middle of the target, quivering slightly. She felt a deep excitement welling up inside her. He was beaming at his friends with a triumphant smile.
  Lost in the excitement, Payal didn't realize that she was in full view. For a split second, he turned his head up towards her. His soft brown eyes locked with her's and he smiled. She felt as if her whole body was on fire, she quickly dropped her gaze and smiled back, unable to bear the intensity of his eyes. She moved away quickly from the window; suddenly aware of her smudged kohl, her unkempt hair and her tarnished jewelery. She took a moment to steady herself and looked out again but he was gone. 

Prisioner: Chapter 3

  "The King's whore", they had shouted from every window on the day she left her father's house for King Suvajit's palace. She could hear their piercing laughter long after the chariot had wheeled away along the dust roads of the village. Today, she heard it again from the Queen.

  "Look Ma", she said, "the King's whore."

  "Rani!", scolded the Queen Mother, shaking her grey curls in warning. "How dare you speak to Payal like that, in my presence!"

  "Payal? Is that your name now? I always imagined harlots to be nameless beings. Tell me demoness, have you brought Rani Ma under your spell too?"
  Payal's gaze remained on the heavily bejeweled Queen; unwavering, unblinking, betraying no emotions.

  "They say you are an Apsara, a heavenly being. They lie! You are a demon from the deepest depths of burning hell!", she shouted, her jewelry clanking noisily as she trembled with rage. "You will bring this kingdom to its knees."

  "I am warning you Rani, don't try my patience too far. Don't forget, I am in charge while the King is away.", said Rani Ma, her eyes burning with rage like hot coals.

  "Ma, stop this nonsense. You let a creature like this come into your royal presence? She sent our King to war, Ma", tears welled up in her angry eyes. 

  "Suvajit will fight for his people Rani, that is his duty, his dharma. You will never understand that, you shallow creature. Payal simply guided him down the path of his destiny. You don't have the gall to do that."

   "You bitch!", she screamed. "Look what you have done. You know magic don't you? Now bring the King back or I will wring you neck right here!"

  She fell upon Payal with hands extended like claws, her teeth barred and a look of fury in her eyes.
  "That's it! Guards!"
  Two dark, muscular guards appeared within seconds of Rani Ma's call. They wrenched the Queen away from the gasping Payal.
  "How dare you? Leave me, I command you!", yelled Rani, trying desperately to attack her again. Her eyes were red and her voice had assumed an inhuman pitch.
  "I warned you Rani", said Rani Ma, calmly. "Guards, take her to her apartments".
  "Listen to me, you cheap little harlot, see this Mahal? Each room houses a rejected queen. Atleast, the King married me and gave me a title, the title of the chief Rani. Do you think you stand a chance against that? One day he will reject you and find a new and more exciting companion. Mark my words, your 'divinity' will slip and on that glorious day, I will drive a sword into your demon heart!" Rani laughed an evil high pitched laugh which was terrible enough to freeze the blood flowing through anyone's veins.
  "Payal, are you alright child?", Rani Ma came and sat beside her, taking her hand in her own.
  "Yes Ma", answered Payal, still rubbing her bruised neck.
  "I am so sorry, tantrums like this are quite the order of the day in this Mahal. The Ranis don't have the poise that befits their title. But, you are brave, my child. You have the resolve that befits royalty. No wonder Suvajit loves you above all."
  "Ma, I am so afraid," Payal's eyes moistened.
  "Fear not my dear. Have faith in destiny, it will take it's own course. I know my son. He will fight alongside his people, knowing that you are waiting for him. You see, he feels too deeply for a King."
  "I know Ma, that is what I fear. I have faith in the Gods but I lose sleep thinking how he suffers the horrors of war."
  "He has found love, my dear. My prayers have been answered. He will come back, a stronger person because he knows that you are his strength."