RAABTA

Rajputra Ravi Varman had led Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev into the Dancers’ hall. He was younger than the Yuvaraja, a little darker in his complexion and had the familiar sharp nose. Although he had grown up learning to adore Kumari Nayantara as his sister, his mother Rani Ratnawati, second queen of Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev had taught him that the Yuvaraja was always his competition. His victory was not to be celebrated but learnt from and perhaps be outdone when the opportunity came. With Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev at the head of their defence forces, this win meant that Rajputra Ravi Varman had to wait for his turn longer than he expected. But then his father had surprised them with the idea that Neelambargarh would be under Yuvaraja Ishaan Dev’s rule autonomously at least until he resigned the throne. Although Rani Ratnawati wasn’t quite happy with the idea, Rajputra Ravi Varman begged to differ. The Yuvaraja being away, in an enemy state made it easier for him to be noticed and depended on, especial...

The Suryapalian Queen, Maharani Trinayani Devi was the chief consort of Rajadhiraja Trikal Dev, the elder queen of the palace and mother to Yuvaraj Ishaan Dev. She was the princess of the island state of Meendip known for its fisheries, lying south of Suryapali in the middle of Chandra Sagar. Her marriage to the Suryapalian heir had earned them a prestigious rank in the land. She also had a daughter, Kumari Nayantara, who was the youngest among the three children of Rajadhiraj Trikal Dev Varman. Amidst running the inner quarters and its politics she was also fond of playing chess with her son’s wet nurse, Gulabi Bai and engaging in debates with her sister-in-law Rajkumari Mandakini Devi, the king’s widowed elder sister. The younger queen Rani Ratnawati was more indulged in the life of her only son, the apple of her eyes, Rajputra Ravi Dev Varman. One incompetent move from Ishaan Dev would be his undoing, as she could then push Ravi Varman to his father’s preference. Given the prince’s ...

Rajkumari Priyambada ran through the dark forest. The rain and mud made it difficult for her to wade through as her skirt draped around her legs, was soaked and muddy, hugging her body, making it difficult for her to run faster. Desperate to get through without getting caught, Priyambada lifted her clothes to her knees and ran as fast as she could. She could feel her breath and heartbeat over everything but had to go on. Her knees were weak and her injured head still throbbed. She thanked her stars for paying attention in self-defence classes. A fire in the tent gave the enemy no option but to vacate it and douse its flames. That occupied them enough. Now all she had to do was find her mother and go across the border to her maternal uncle’s kingdom. Once she reached there, she would be safe. Perhaps her mother and brother are already there. Her thoughts ran as fast as she did. She didn’t know how she would find her mother, but she was not ready to surrender without a fight. Yuvaraja I...

The darkness engulfed the clearing in the forestland of Dhuari while the campfire amidst it was fighting steadily with the wind to stay ignited. In its light, a caravan of tents could be visible. The thunder rumbled, jolting her awake. At first, Rajkumari Priyambada was clueless about the darkness that surrounded her. She couldn’t understand where she was. The place was cold and unfamiliar. The sound of rain pouring outside made her more aware of her surroundings. She moved her tired limbs enough to sit up on the soft bed. Removing the soft sheet from over her body her eyes fixated on her bruised hands. Her body was dirty, tired and giving up on her alert mind. When the next thunderbolt lightened up the whole tent and her moving figure made the guards stand alert at the entrance, all the memories of the horrifying incident came right back to her. The land surrounding the mighty mountains of Heemdevi, and the five rivers, Maya, Stuti, Anant, Kanya and Gandak was occupied by several smal...

Kavi Akhilesh Ranjan had heard about the patronage of Neelambargarh’s Rajputra Mrintyunjoy Dev Varman from the bards who had visited the capital city recently. Being from a small village on the fringes of the forest of Dhuari, he had travelled for over a month to reach the state hoping to find work. After all, his farmer father knew little about poetry but much about how useless it was to feed a poor family. Throughout this time, he had managed to put together a piece, scribbling down his ideas as he abandoned home and travelled across the state, and finally put down his words in verses, in neatly cut-out paper leaves. Today was the day he had been waiting for. The Rajputra, about eighteen, looked much younger than his age but his eyes had an intelligent spark. Akhilesh Ranjan waited patiently for his turn in the garden where the Rajputra met with eminent and amateur poets. He had heard from a fellow traveller that he held such gatherings for musicians too. God Bless the soul that patr...