Daughter of the Naga

Chapter 20

We left the Aswin House when it was lunchtime. The bell rang as we ran through the causeway. Our feet thumped against the stone path that led to another big open-air building. The building had beautiful roofing and wraparound porch.

After climbing up the wooden stairs, we finally entered what they called the Pochani Pavilion. It was where the avatars' meals were served. Several maidens came to welcome us inside. The buzzing noises from chattering people died down the moment I showed up. My presence was still something to be pondering about.

I tried not to make eye contact with anyone in the hall, but my heart still skipped a little. Morokot and Issarak were already there. The sea god's son, Samudra, walked in afterward. He sat down next to another girl from last night. She seemed quiet and there was an air of mystery about her. Her face showed no trace of emotions.

We sat down at our assigned tables. A bunch of shimmering Devatas appeared through the walls and glided down the hall. They each held golden platters of food and goblets of Soma drink. Tepi told me it was their habits to serve the children of their lords. But it surprised me when a Devata placed a set of plates on my table, too.

"Where is Tusita?" Tepi said, looking around the Pavilion. "She shouldn't be late. The Queens are coming soon."

Atith just shrugged. I looked at the view beyond the porch. A row of royal carriages parked at the end of the Main Square. But then I spotted one in particular that stood aloof under a big mango tree. It appeared to be rocking back and forth.

"Nikita, what are you looking at?" Tepi asked me then followed my gaze outside. Before I could say anything, we saw Vorac and Tusita emerged from the carriage.

"Oh, for Buddha's sake!" Tepi gasped.

The two girls adjusted their crumpled tunics and smoothed back their slightly disheveled hair. When Vorac turned to go, Tusita grabbed her back by the waist, pulling her into her arms in adoration. Tusita whispered something into Vorac's ear and started nuzzling her slender neck as if she still hadn't had enough of her. Vorac tried to put on a half-hearted protest, but it was just out of decency.

"Ladies, what are you two looki—" Atith said but then gasped in shock. "Oh, holy father!"

Tepi quickly covered his mouth with her hand.

"Shut your mouth and keep it shut," she muttered to him.

Then we tried to act normal again. It was quite awkward still.

More people entered the Lunch Pavilion. The twin brothers showed up and took their seats. A moment later, Vorac appeared with a blushed face, following shortly by Tusita, who had a slight smirk dancing on her perfect lips. Vorac went straight to her own place as if to avoid being noticed.

Tusita came and sat down with us.

"Guess what?" she announced with a victorious smile. "Vorac has agreed to pledge herself to our side."

Atith just grinned back stupidly while Tepi looked disgusted.

"What?" Tusita shrugged quizzically. To save her from Tepi's scorn, I decided to change the subject.

"Tell me, why are you so eager to gain her favor?" I asked.

"Vorac might not seem it among us," Atith said. "But her being the daughter of the Moon God, she has the same formidable power to influence people's mind and emotions. If she stands by our side, sooner or later the others will follow. Besides she is an excellent archer."

"Second to me, of course," Tusita said. "Just my kind of lady. Also, you haven't seen her when it's the full moon yet. Makes my heart tingle thinking about it."

"Every lovely maiden on earth makes your heart tingle, Tusita," Tepi scoffed and rolled her eyes.

Then the sound of horns echoed from a distance, signaling the royals' arrival. My heart started racing. I was going to see Amarisa again.

First, we saw a troop of palace maids pouring into the hall. Then the Kennars and the Mohoris and Mohoras. Among them was my own handmaiden, Kesar. She smiled at me, and I smiled back.

A short while later, the two Queens appeared, accompanied by our green-skinned Hora and the elephant-headed Guru. Queen Jayara gave me a soft smile when she saw me. Her smile always warmed my heart. I grinned and bowed my head in return, which earned myself a few grimaces from Issarak and Morokot. I ignored them.

But there was still no sight of the princess. After a moment later, my nose caught a whiff of that pleasant scent, which once made my heart pound with untamed joy.

Then she walked in, wearing her multi-layers of long glittery silks. It was folded out front and fastened by a flower-shaped golden belt. On her head was a pair of gold pins that looked like the wings of a swan. They held back her beautiful jet-black hair behind her ears. Her flowing lock shone like raven feathers.

As she walked, the fragrant scent emitted from her radiant skin like jasmines. Amarisa looked utterly stunning in the daytime as she was at night. I felt as if something in me died of longing every time I saw her, and I had just met her. Her beauty was like the way the sun rises and the moon shines.

Then the princess lifted her eyes to me. I froze as her piercing dark eyes entwined with mine. A jolt raged through my bones. My heart beat all the way up to my throat. I thought I was hyperventilating. Suddenly, a huge bright silhouette leaped out of the glaring sunlight.

The first things I saw were those big orange eyes and a mighty jaw with impossibly long dagger-shaped teeth.

"Oh dear!" I cried out. "A tiger!"

Almost instantly, I was drowned in a panic — not just for my own safety but also for Amarisa. I feared that she would fall under attack by this stray wild beast.

I was ready to sprint out of my seat, but Tepi grabbed me and pulled me back. She looked like she was trying not to laugh. I didn't get why no one lost their minds at the sight of a giant cat invading the place.

"Oh, Nikita! There, there! Take it easy. It's alright, darling," Tepi said, patting my shoulder to calm me down. "It's just Malis."

"What?"

"Malis was my gift to Her Royal Highness when we first met as a child," she said. "The Princess named her after her favorite flower."

I turned back to the enormous animal. Covering in thick yellow coat, the oversized four-legged beast walked in fluidly. The floor squeaked under each step of those powerful paws. The black stripes rippled over a wall of yellow fur. I watched the world's biggest tiger moving past me with my mouth hanging.

Under normal circumstance, I would have run screaming in fright, but now I was too stunned by this unusual company.

Malis reached her mistress. Both stood at the same height. Amarisa held out her hand to stroke the tiger's large muzzle, making the animal's whiskers twitch. I was holding my breath. When Amarisa turned to walk again, I caught a tiny smirk on her lips. I finally understood. She must have brought her pet here to scare the living hell out of me.

After the Brahmins blew their conch shells for the Queens, everyone settled down. Amarisa sat to their left beside her weretiger. I kept staring at the beast. She rolled onto her creamy white stomach and began to lick her mighty paws. Her striped tail flipped lazily. Amarisa scratched behind the tiger's ears, causing the mighty cat to give the most nightmarish yawn I'd ever seen.

"So, how do you find your first day, my holy one?" Queen Indradevi asked. I had to think for a second to realize she was addressing me.

"Oh! Oh geez, no, please don't call me that...er...Your Majesty...I meant...yes I think it's absolutely interesting. So many strange things to see, well, at least to me, I guess," I said, totally making a fool of myself.

"Mmm...and what did you see?"

"We went to the armory," I told her. "The place was...so wicked!"

Everyone in the hall stared at me like I just grew a second head.

"I meant...fantastic!" I tried to add. "The stable, the hospital, everything."

"I see," the younger queen breathed with a nod. "Would you mind telling us about the warfare in your world then?"

By now it seemed that everyone knew where I came from.

"Oh, well, we no longer use swords and spears in my time. We have guns and tanks," I said, sensing the curiosity stirred in everyone's eyes. "We build carriages from metal that can move by themselves and even fly in the sky. Also, iron battleships that weight hundreds of tons—"

"Carriages that can fly? Are those built by humans?" Issarak asked.

"Of course!" I said. "And lots of other things."

"How can you make those things work without a divine blessing?" Issarak raised his eyebrow in disbelief.

"Oh, we sure can with science," I said. "We also invented the deadliest weapons that could wipe out an entire city in a blink of an eye."

"Holy Lord! I have never heard anything quite like this since the Great Mahabharata!" Sambo cried. "Are demons in your world that horrible that you have to use such a powerful astra?"

"Well, no...we mostly use it against each other," I said rather sheepishly.

"How stupid!" Issarak said with a scornful frown. "We only fight against the evil force— not the Creation."

"You seem to forget that some demons are also born as humans," Tepi defended me. "I believe they can be anyone and live anywhere, existing at any time and any realm—not just here."

Sambo had to clear his throat to break up the tension. Tepi and Issarak relaxed again.

"Well, my dear avatars," Queen Jayara spoke up this time. "I think it's a good thing that now we have some insight into the far future, is it not? But for now, let us enjoy a decent meal. You must be all tired and hungry."

Everyone obeyed. The maids started serving us food. We began to get busy with our plates. The Hora, who was sitting next to the Guru, hardly spoke a word since we were here. He just chomped down a whole roasted lamb using both hands. The Guru was stuffing his face with a big bowl of tropical fruit and rice cakes.

Kesar came to sit beside me again and helped me pick fish bones off my fish. But my eyes always drifted back to where the princess sat. I tried not to be too obvious, but it was almost impossible. She was so distracting with her delicate manner. Malis, who found no appetite for cooked food, had fallen asleep on the floor. I was just glad she had no interest in eating anyone either.

"By the way, if I'm not mistaken, your name is Nikita, correct?" Queen Jayara suddenly asked.

"Yes! Your Majesty," I answered with my mouth full and spat a few grains of rice out. From the corner of my eyes, Amarisa tried to stifle a giggle. My face reddened. The Queens just smiled.

"In our culture, every name means something," she said. "So what does your name mean then?"

"Oh, it means 'unconquerable', Your Majesty," I said, feeling quite proud for the first as I said it. A few gasps sounded. The Devatas poked their heads right through the walls as if they'd been eavesdropping.

"That sounds quite promising. I can feel it." The two Queens turned to smile at each other.

"I've heard from Sambo that you tried to lift Chandrahas today, was it true?" Queen Indradevi continued to ask. Another round of gasps echoed through the hall.

"Yes, I did," I said with a nod. "But Tepi said I should wait."

"Oh, why Tepi?"

"Your Majesty," Tepi said. "I just thought she deserved the right to decide for herself whether to try the sword once she's ready to handle the deal."

"Very good. I understand your intention," Queen Indradevi said. "The Moonsword has its history so not many people have the courage to lift that holy weapon. Only the brave few would try. Yet no one had succeeded. I appreciate your concern Tepi. You're wise beyond your age."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Tepi said and bowed. I made a mental note to find out what it was all about regarding the sword.

"My dear Nikita." Queen Jayara turned to me again. "Would you mind telling me how old you are now?"

The question caught me off guard.

"Oh...I'm seventeen, Your Majesty."

"Ah, what a lovely surprise! You're the same age as our daughter," she said, looking over to Amarisa. The princess dropped her gaze as if she was embarrassed to have something in common with me.

"I think you both are going to be great friends," Queen Indradevi added. "How about you take some light classes with my dear Amarisa on the weekends?"

"That is a wonderful idea, sister," Queen Jayara said with a bright smile then she turned to me. "By doing so, you can learn something deeper about our world. Our dear Amarisa shall assist you. What do you think, my dear?"

"It's my great pleasure, Your Majesties," I said with a bow, but my eyes gave a quick glance at the princess. Sure enough, she tried not to show how displeased she was. But for me, I just wanted to dance in pure glee.