‘I recall the song you sang, on my daughters’ tenth birthday,’ said Pari, and he recited. ‘A husband mourns his…

Historical fiction – India
‘I recall the song you sang, on my daughters’ tenth birthday,’ said Pari, and he recited. ‘A husband mourns his…
‘No.’ ‘Never?’ ‘Never,’ I said. ‘You are a better person, just as was my wife, than I could ever be,’…
‘I missed my dear wife so painfully that one day, when brooding by the river, she appeared in my vision.…
‘When you were in the forest, meditating, have you had visitations?’ ‘Visitations?’ ‘Apsara maidens out to test your resolve. Erotic…
If Chitragandan took umbrage at my words or tone of delivery, he did not betray it. Instead he invited my…
‘As ruler of Parambu, the welfare of my people took precedence over personal considerations,’ said Pari. ‘That was until my…
‘Because of their mother’s untimely demise, I never celebrated my girls’ birthdays. I was cruel to my children, true. But…
In the winter months of Margali and Tai, …
A breakaway Kalavar clan, under the chieftainship of an ambitious young warlord, Muradan, was Warmilan’s ardent supporter. The Kalavars, fierce…
Days later, when Pari returned to the river with an escort, lush green creepers of jasmine had claimed the royal…