The Cloud Of the Princess Part 1 - Chapter 16

A Day before Sembaruthi and her gang of girls started to Araimedu from the Durga temple, Dhalapathi Maithreyan and King Kunjidhapadhanaar were discussing about the mysterious message that the king had received the previous day. Dhalapathi Maithreyan had looked from different angles the possible reasons for the arrival of the message and finally said

“Whatever we have discussed so far are problems on the south of Asuragiri. But we may never know if someone from the unknown land on the other side of Asuragiri has sent this message. And if that is the case, then we are absolutely naked to the solutions my lord”

The King was shocked to hear this at first. Though something at the back of his mind had suggested that there could a slight possibility for problems from the other side of Asuragiri, his senses somehow refused to accept it. There was always an aura of mystery on the foothills of Asuragiri. Common people did not live right on the bottom of the mountain. They lived at least a distance of two villages apart. So this part of Pavazhanadu, right below the mountain looked more or less like a forest.

Thick thorny bushes that had grown without leaving a gap in between, huge trees that prevented sun’s rays from entering in, forest monkeys jumping from tree to tree, venomous reptiles moving silently between bushes were the only inhabitants of this location. There were thousands of tall trees all over and it was said locally that some or the other adventure monger who once in every while tried to cross this place never ever returned back. It was also a known fact for the common man that this place was fertile a century ago and was purposefully converted into a death zone by King Aadhirayan who had founded Pavazhanaadu. Nobody these days even dared to go near Asuragiri. There were two reasons for it. One was the simple reason that people who had gone there before never came back. The second reason was that, in Padmanabar’s rule, an army training base was setup right after the area of the forest and no common man was allowed to even enter into it. This way Padmanabar, the father of Kunjidhapadhanaar not only prevented the unnecessary loss of human lives because of the death zone but also found a safe and comfortable place for the King’s special army to hone their war skills.

The Special army had three main jobs. The Primary job was of course to practice the art of fighting. The other two jobs were considered more important and a few selected officials were appointed to carry it out. The second job was to make sure nobody from Pavazhanaadu passed to the other side of the army base into the foothills of Asuragiri. The third job was to make sure there was nobody who came in from the other side of Asuragiri into Pavazhanaadu. There was a problem with this job though. Since it was very difficult even for the army men to penetrate into the thick forests below Asuragiri, there was no way to know if someone came from the other side. Moreover the secret tunnel that Aadhirayan had built more than a century back was now totally inaccessible. During Aadhirayan’s rule, there was a narrow path in the middle of the forest known only to very few men through which the tunnel could be reached. So there was a small group of army men always guarding the closed tunnel. King after King had made sure there were army men guarding the tunnel. But towards the end of Padmanabar’s rule, a totally unexpected problem occurred. A mighty earthquake occurred at different parts of the Kingdom and the forest below Asuragiri was one among those terribly affected. Hundreds of tall trees had fallen down over each other entirely blocking the path towards the tunnel. So there was no way by which the tunnel could be reached. That was the reason Padmanabar had come up with this idea of setting up the army base just after the forest region so that it served more than one purpose.

Kunjidhapadhanaar had followed Padmanabar’s implementation and the army base still stayed near Asuragiri. But the hold over the tunnel had ceased the moment the earthquake occurred and the army though was trying to make sure nobody came from the other side, did not have the least idea if the tunnel was still in tact or had opened up due to the earthquake!

The history behind the Asuragiri came into Kunjidhapadhanaar’s mind in a flash on hearing Maithreyan’s words. The King now looked into the Dhalapadhi’s eyes and roared like a wounded lion.

“Dhalapadhi… Do you mean to say that the tunnel could have opened up now? That would mean disaster to this land Dhalapadhi… This land needs to be saved!I can’t bear the insult of losing this land that had been worshipped and revered like god for hundred and fifty years now by all my predecessors. Till the last drop of my blood sticks to my skin, I would fight for this eternal land Dhalapadhi…. Go immediately…. warn the army near Asuragiri… let them prepare for a war… Destroy the forest that blocks our way to the tunnel. Destroy the trees, destroy the animals, and destroy everything there. Let that place become as barren as a graveyard. We need to find out and kill our enemies Dhalapadhi… We can’t sit here, relax and discuss the politics of the possibilities of the source of this mysterious message. I am sure it is the Kingdom on the other side of Asuragiri that has sent us this bold warning. It may be the Madhavas. It may be anybody else. But let us not wait to see the face of the enemy before we sharpen our swords. Let the war bells ring. Let all the armies from all over the Kingdom gather near Asuragiri. Let us shock the enemy. Let our swords pass into his throat before his eye falls on our face. Prepare everyone. This Sorga Bhoomi will see a war for the second time. This time it MUST have a result. It is either victory or a courageous defeat. This is the only way we can pay respect to this land that has been the homes for millions of us for more than a century. Rise up! Unite! Let us go for the kill.”

The King was sweating now and he had almost up from his throne. The Dhalapadhi had never seen the King speak so furiously. He was shocked and his expression clearly indicated it. There was a silence for a minute. The ferocious words of the King were still echoing between the ceiling and the floor. The Dhalapadhi rose up from his chair, walked across with his hands tied behind. The King was looking at him like a madman who had been beaten up for reasons he did not know.

The Dhalapadhi turned and spoke.

“Ayya…I need you to listen to me carefully. From what I hear from my different secret sources, even I am strongly under the impression that this message has come from the outside world. But there is no reason to ring the war bells immediately. The method they are handling is very different and from what I can think of, this is a calculated move they have made. They are looking at the chances for a war in the future. That is for sure. But if the wanted to wage a war, why would they send a secret message through an unreliable source. They would have either sent a messenger to us or would have blasted in with their army without prior information. This message is something very serious. It means they are aiming for something more than just a war. They may not even wage a war if they get that something from us. But what that something is, I have no clue off. If in case, it is something we don’t lose by giving, we might just not end up having a war after all. So if we make our armies alert now, we are just making them doubly alert. We need to go in their way and find out what they are up to. And as I told you before, I have made a few arrangements to find out the exact mystery behind the whole developments that have taken place”

The King’s breath settled down. He looked with surprise at the Dhalapadhi.

“Aah… I am confused Dhalapadhi… I am really confused. If you are just going to tell me that you have made arrangements but never tell me what they are, how would I be able to come to a conclusion? Tell me at this moment about the arrangements that you have made to find out the problems surrounding us”

The Dhalapadhi came nearer and started to speak. At that moment both the men heard some noise and turned towards the door. A Soldier came running in. His face was eaten up by terror. He was profusely sweating and his hands were shivering.

The King commanded in a rough voice

“What brings you here when I have ordered everybody out? And why are looking like a fool?”

The Soldier stood like a stone without answering.

The Dhalapadhi spoke.

“Ayya… He is my soldier. Let me check what has happened.” He turned towards the soldier and asked

“What has happened Maanickam? Were you not supposed to be guarding the prison now? Is there some problem there?”

The Soldier replied with a trembling voice.

“ Big Problem Ayya. A ‘Kolaiveeran’ has emerged today among the prisoners in the underground prison after three years. He commands dismissal. And he is continuously blabbing something that I don’t understand but feel is very important”

The Dhalapadhi was shocked to hear that.

‘Kolaiveeran’ was a disturbing concept found out by Aadhirayan and practiced in Pavazhanaadu. It was actually a term given to one prisoner who manages to kill all other prisoners in his prison and emerges out alive. Such a prisoner was normally let out of the prison and in most cases made to join the royal army as a token of acknowledgement for his bravery and skills. The underground prison these days had at least two hundred prisoners and it was very rare for one to emerge out successful. There were only few cases of ‘KolaiVeerans’ emerging out thorughout the history of Pavazhanaadu and in all those cases there had been less than fifty prisoners at a time. The recent imprisonment of hundreds of people for alcohol consumption had made many to go to the underground prison and so the count had raised to around two hundred. So to imagine one killing everybody else and coming out successful was astonishing and at the same time shocking for the Dhalapadhi.

He asked the Soldier still not recovering from the shock.

“Who is he? And what is he blabbing continuously? “

The Soldier fear increased as he spoke the sentence. He trembled for words and finally managed,

“He is Kangeyan from Araimedu and he says that Pavazhanadu will be destroyed very soon by the cloud of the princess!!!”

The Cloud Of the Princess Part 1 - Chapter 15

Gentle rays of the rising sun fell on her eye lids as they opened up like blossoming flowers to see the entirely new world that god had created for man that day .

It took a while for Sembaruthi to realize what had happened the previous night. She had determined not to sleep the whole night but had fallen asleep without her knowledge. Her first reaction on opening her eyes was to see if the other girls were safe. She turned her head up expecting the girls to be still sleeping after a long day’s journey. What she saw took her totally by surprise. All the girls had gathered together and were standing in a semicircle around her. Their expression showed fear and they were looking at each other now after seeing her wake up. Sembaruthi passed her look from left to right. Everybody had the same expression.

‘They are definitely worried. But why?’ Sembaruthi thought for a second. She immediately realized the reason. She along with the other girls had slept at the corner of the room away from the window. But now she was here, near the window, sleeping in an uncomfortable position with her back to the wall. ‘Now they will ask what happened last night. What do I reply them? Should I tell them the truth? Will they even believe it? Who is going to believe the story that a dark figure was playing an uncharacteristic tone in a flute in the middle of the night and there were a number of people who were hiding behind the bushes and trees and listening to the song that was being played. And what reason would I say them for going and hiding behind the bushes and watching this mysterious man? No way. I cannot tell them what happened. That will raise unnecessary doubts in their minds. But then what else do I say? I can’t sound stupid either. Imayaazh may seem a funny girl. But she is as cunning as a fox. She’ll immediately find out if I lie. ’ Her mind was searching rapidly for an answer. She took her eyes off the girls and looked towards the door. She saw the Poosari walking slowly into the Mandabam.

The Poosari came in and gave a surprised look on seeing the girls having gathered around Sembaruthi.

“Is anything wrong? Sembaruthi … What has happened to you my child? Are you sick?”

Sembaruthi saw something and was thrown into confusion and fear. The Poosari had wrapped a white piece of cloth around his forehead and had it tied behind his head. Questions flew into Sembaruthi’s mind at a rapid pace. ‘Why is the Poosari looking different today? What is the cloth that he has tied on his forehead? Can it be like this? Did the stone I threw hit on the Poosari’s forehead? Is he trying to hide the wound? How can I find out?’ She could imagine the Poosari walking towards the man playing the flute in the dark. As he was nearing the tree, the stone should have hit him and he must have cried out in pain. But … But the cry in pain definitely sounded younger than the Poosari’s voice. May be it was the Poosari’s accomplice who lived here. But the Poosari said that nobody lived with him in this place. Was he lying? Yes. He must have been. It could definitely not be a coincidence for so many people to have gathered at this obscure place without the Poosari’s knowledge. She was too confused to decide something.

Imayaazh spoke with a voice that expressed worry.

“Ayya…Even we don’t know what has happened to Akka. She was sleeping next to me last night. She had told us to get up as early as possible to leave in the morning .We all got up and got ready and only before a few minutes we realized that she was missing. We started searching for her and found her here below the Durga painting. It is a surprise how we did not realize that she was sleeping here. May be the pillars here and the wall in between hid her from us. “

The Poosari’s voice now showed more worry.

“Sembaruthi. What is this my child? You are not a girl who does things without reason. Is there something that happened last night? Were you afraid of something? There are a number of forest dogs in this locality. Did something like that frighten you? Do tell us my child. Look at your friends. All of them are worried. Shall I call the doctor from the next village? You can take rest here today and start to Araimedu tomorrow.”

Sembaruthi responded with a voice that had no emotions.

“I am fine. There is no reason to postpone the journey to tomorrow”

One of the maids who was standing on the left corner asked.

“Akka. You sound very different. What happened last night Akka?”

All the girls asked the same question at the same time.

“What happened last night?” “What happened last night?”

‘The question has been asked! How am I going to answer this? What happened last night? If it is the Poosari whom the stone hit, then I will not let this old man get away easily. If he is up to something big here, I will find that out. He can’t just talk like a sweet caring old man and escape from me. Here I go. Let me see how he will answer this.’

Some idea had shaped up in her mind at the spur of the moment. She spoke whatever that came to her mind. Her voice still showed no emotion.

“I did not get sleep last night. May be because I had slept for a while we were traveling in the Palakku. So I got up and walked here and there in the Mandabam. That is when I saw this Durga Devi Painting. It was looking frightening especially because of the dim light from the torch that was falling on it. The forest dogs were also shouting somewhere at a distance and I was almost shivering with fear. I decided it would be safe to go back to sleep and turned back. It was at that moment that somebody hit my head with some sharp object. The pain was terrible and the unexpected blow made me fall down right here with my back to the wall. I am alright now. The pain has ceased but a few questions have not.” She now looked straight into the Poosari’s eyes and asked the questions. The so far emotionless speech had faded and the words that followed were spit like fire balls from her mouth onto the Poosari’s chest.

”Ayya Poosari… Who do you think this mysterious man could be? Did you not say you were alone in this temple? Or are there more people in this temple even without your knowledge. Or may be you just think it is the Durga devi in the painting who hit me from behind. What do you say for this Ayya?”

The Poosari looked more relaxed than ever.

“Sembaruthi, It surprises me when you talk like this. Of course I said I am alone in this temple. But I did not mean it in the sense that you have understood it. Take this for an example my child. Do you think I prepared all the food that we ate for dinner last night? I am an old man my child and I no more have the strength to cook for a number of people. Of course I have a boy who helps me at it. But it is highly improbable that he would have hit you from behind. I saw you girls locking the door the moment I left the Mandabam. So how could this boy have entered in? No way Sembaruthi. Moreover look to your left. See the metal bar lying there. May be it was kept balancing on this painting on one end and on the window the other end. And May be you came from the right and turned back to your left. And hit the bar and it fell down.”

Sembaruthi was stunned by the explanation that the Poosari gave. ‘How could he come up with such an explanation immediately? And so he accepts that there is one other person other than him here. He might either be the man with the flute or the one who got hit. I have to see him’

“Ayya... You may be right. But can I see that boy you mentioned just now?’

“Sembaruthi! There is no reason on earth why you should doubt him my child. But unfortunately what I am going to say will just add to your doubts. The boy has left early today morning to see his family in Lakshanur. But if you are doubting him, it is like doubting me” The last few words came strongly.

Imayaazh responded.

“Akka. Even I feel that the Poosari is right. Especially when he is so confident about the boy’s innocence. And I think there is no point in staying here further. We are already late and it would be better if we can start immediately. The Sevagars have also come back. The chief Sevagan came and announced that they were ready to leave anytime. If you can get ready, we can leave Akka.”

Sembaruthi was still looking at the Poosari.

“Imayaazh. Before we leave, I just have to ask the Poosari one more question.”

The Poosari looked at Imayaazh for a second and spoke. “Ask me my child. What do you want to know from this old man?”

“Why have you tied a cloth around your forehead?” She paused for a second and continued, ”As if somebody hit you with a stone.”

All the girls in the Mandabam were looking with a confused expression at Sembaruthi. The Poosari also showed a hint of a confused look for a second.

He recovered immediately. “I am not sure of the intent with which you are asking this my child. But the reason is simple. Today is the second Pavurnami of the chittirai month. It is a custom for a Poosari to tie this on this day before he starts the proceedings in the temple. Today is an auspicious day my child. And the whole of this week is favorable for people who begin long distance travels. You girls were mentioning last night that Kumudhini got married a month back. She could have very well gone to Eezham with her husband immediately after her marriage. The reason why she is leaving this week must be because of this. Also, you could have seen a number of travelers on your way yesterday while coming here. Success is sure in all endeavors for people who travel this week. Hope all of you have a good journey today. I am really happy that you were able to come here. I should say I am lucky to have met you after a long time. But the only thing that worries me is that, my child, you seem to be disturbed and frightened unnecessarily” He looked at Sembaruthi.

Sembaruthi did not reply. There was silence for half a minute. Imayaazh broke the silence.

“Akka. Get up and get ready. We shall wait in the Durga Sannidhi.” Sembaruthi got up and left the place without speaking much.

Imayaazh turned to look at the Poosari.

“Ayya. I think Akka is afraid of something. She should be alright once we start our journey. We shall take care of her. And I apologise on her behalf.”

The Poosari gently smiled. He came closer to Imayaazh and spoke in a low voice.

“Imayaazh. When women start worrying for unknown reasons there can be only two reasons. One – They are missing their loved ones too much. Two – They are beginning the divine journey towards motherhood. In Sembaruthi’s case, it can be either one of these”

Imayaazh gave a quick smile.

“Ayya Poosari. I never expected old god fearing Poosari’s to be so informed about a young women’s mind”

The Poosari smiled.

“Experience teaches you a lot of things Imayaazh. Some of them don’t stick. Some of them stick for ever”

All the girls went to the Durga Sannidhi, prayed to the goddess and waited for Sembaruthi to come. After she came, Imayaazh thanked the Poosari and they started towards the Palakku. Sembaruthi did not speak a word throughout. She came out, went into the Palakku along with the other girls.

The Sevagars were waiting and as soon as the girls entered, the Pallakku started moving north towards Araimedu.

More than half an hour passed and the Pallakku had gained a steady speed now.

Sembaruthi had still not spoken a word.

She had closed her eyes immediately on entering the Pallakku and had not opened it since then.

Suddenly her eyes opened.

She stared hard at the maids who were chatting on the other side.

She turned in a flash and pulled away the screen that was separating the Sevagars who were pulling the Pallakku and her.

She saw with red eyes the Chief Sevagan Sivaraman with a white cloth tightly wrapped on his forehead!