Devi and Chandra

Chapter-1 The Former Princess

Tamralipti, Pundravardhanabhukti
376 CE

The sound of the waves and the wind crashed against her ears. The sea was forging its own song, and she felt a sense of calm run over her. The scent of the marine atmosphere was filling her nose as she looked around- fisher people gathering their nets and throwing them into the water, merchants and ferrymen yelling on the top of their voices, wooden chests being brought down from the huge ships that had arrived from Bali-and oh -the pungent smell of the fish struck her once more.

She brought her eyes back to the azure expanse. As she stared ahead, as far as her eyes could take her mind, she saw the skyline touching the sea line- as if there were some point where they met, and which was physically accessible to her. She smiled, aweing at the beauty of nature. If she were a painter, she could have just used two shades of blue to create the scenery that was in front of her now! Or maybe she would need some white to paint the cotton of the skies...

The waves and the wind thundered in her ears again, and her green overrobe swung wildly. She plunged her line of sight into the sea, struck at how jewelled the sea appeared- sunlight was reflecting off the tip of the waves, making it seem as if crystals were floating on the water. She was feeling calm, cool and at peace. Her skin was enjoying the spray of water against it. Suddenly, she imagined herself decked in the attire of a bride, and floating too- her robes flailing, the vermillion on her forehead and hairline diminishing--

"Rajakumari." A sombre voice dissolved her floating apparition. "It's the third prahar of the day already. We should go now."

Devi rolled her eyes, and turned around. "I wish I could just lie down her all day," she said with a sigh. "Live my life like the fisherwomen maybe. Right now, I'm actually feeling envious of them- they have the beach, they can go anywhere, don't have to marry some random man, they can eat fish- I wonder how that even tastes like!"

"You're not marrying some random man, Princess. You're marrying the heir to the imperial throne."

"I know, I know. But I don't even know how he looks now!" Devi exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. "Also, Lalita, why are you so serious all the time? I mean, look at Bidyut. Just his greetings are so energetic- and you are such a spoilsport. I'm sure if he were here, he would have asked me to try fishing with the fisherpeople."

"I could have done that, Princess, even though women of noble birth, like you, aren't supposed to-"

"By that means, you're not supposed to give me advices, Lalita, nor am I to be friends with you," Devi said in a higher tone. "We've been together for twenty-two years now. You should know better than that."

"My apologies, Princess-"

"Lalita you know I'm not a real princess!" Devi snapped. "I lost that position when Samudragupta subjugated my father. I'm just the daughter of a provincial governor now. That's all."

Lalita bowed to the hot-headed lady in front of her. "As long as even few people treat you like one, you're a princess, Dhruvaswamini."

A warm feeling crept inside Devi's heart. She smiled, and took hold of her beloved friend's hand. "Let's go, dumbass. All you know is flattery."

They had taken just a few steps when a sharp pain ran through Devi's body. "OW!", she screamed, and immediately dropped to her knees. Blood was oozing out from her left heel.

"Devi!" Lalita knelt beside her. She inspected her foot, and snorted.

"It's a sharp seashell inside your heel. I told you to wear your jutis, Devi!"