Saturday 7 April 2012

The Queen Of Hearts- Part 1

The stallions rode out into the dusk, their hooves pounding the ground, kicking up a red shroud of dust. Chokkanatha Nayak peered at the figure on the horseback in front and kicked the sides of his horse urging it to go faster. A slender figure handled the reins deftly, challenging him, nudging him. He couldn't make out the face, yet he knew this was someone very brave. To beat a Nayak King in his horse race needed plenty of grit and courage. He glanced to his side and found his dear friend Chieftain Achaiya closing in from his right. The two had agreed on a feast after the race- the winner had to indulge the loser with food and drink that night. Where from did this third horse rider enter the fray? 

Much to his amazement, the slender figure in the horse in front of him threw a sword at the tree that was supposed to be the finish point of the race and screeched to a halt, circling the tree. Intrigued, with Achaiya close on his heels, Chokkanatha removed his sword from its sheath and aimed at the horse rider. Unfazed, the hooded figure lifted its sword in a salute and Chokkanatha wondered at the swiftness with which the sword whooshed towards him. He could not make out who it was but liked it. He loved challenges as King of Madurai. The one before him made his head spin. A duel always brought out the best in him and his mouth curved in a quirky smile as he flashed his sword. Achaiya watched from a distance, dumbstruck in awe, his mouth gaping at the masked figure. 

The horses charged as the two fought, Chokkanatha loved the feel of sweat trickling from his temples. The swords clashed and as he drew his horse for a closer shave at the opponent, he glanced at the eyes- and loved what he saw- anger shooting as daggers from the depths of the dark eyes. The evening rays of the sun formed a halo around the white head cover and he wished to slash open the cloth covering the face, to find out who this opponent was. Someone who dared challenge the Madurai King was indeed brave, very brave. And going by the deftness with which the intruder handled the horse and sword, he could put all his Generals to shame, Chokkanatha thought lazily. So much for indulging in self thoughts, he was startled when the sword's blade whistled past his right ear lobe. 

That made him angry- almost seething in anger. Achaiya held his breath as he watched the duel, the two beasts and men on them fighting it out for lives. He better intervene now, he thought to himself and charged towards the other man. The safety of Madurai King was his prime duty, as an aspirant to General post of the Naik army, he mused. The combatant did not expect a third man to charge  over him, when suddenly Chokkanatha aimed his sword at the face cover and with a swift movement of the sword, ripped off the cover. The most beautiful and stunning face bathed in the evening sun appeared beneath, complete with a sharp nose, huge jet black eyes and full lips curved in defiance and anger, definitely the feminine features- captivating his interest.

That was when the lady on the horse stuck, Chokkanatha's sword went sailing in the air and her sword rested on his broad chest. Achaiya let out a gasp and started laughing, his laughter echoing through Chokkanatha too. The little Annamuthamma held her ground, her sword nor her eyes, both never wavering a bit. She was now confused as to why the two men were laughing at her expense. She sent a devilish glare at the duo, kicked her horse to motion and strode off in a huff. What a nerve! Men laughing at her- at her expertise in sword fighting and horse riding. They would pay for it, especially that Achaiya! The thought of Achaiya sent a shiver through her spine, her heart raced and pulse kicked up a notch. She needed a bath in the lotus pond and a quick refreshing before meeting him at the mango grove.

Achaiya felt the cool breeze washing him over as his horse snorted impatiently. " Quiet!" he hushed it and turned towards the tree- their love tree whose branches laden with ripe mangoes bent down almost touching the ground. Nimble fingers closed his eyes from the back and he instantly pulled the figure from behind in a slow and sensuous movement facing him. This Annamuthu was his- his own Queen, in their Kingdom- the Kingdom of Love. His gaze roved over her figure clad in a cloudy wisp of a cloth over perfect breasts, a thin waist, voluptuous thighs and legs that were so long that his throat went dry looking at her. When his gaze finally locked on her face, her kohl laden eyes were shooting daggers at him. Achaiya could not suppress his smile at the little spitball, he knew the reason for her anger. 

" I would have won the duel without showing my face to Chokkanatha, if you hadn't interfered", she roared. " I am a truthful soldier of the Naiks, Annam, how could i see the King losing a battle to a stranger?" he asked. " It was you who challenged me to win a duel against a brave man, to marry you, do you remember?" she prodded. " That didn't mean the Ruler of Madurai, Annam...", Achaiya answered. Annam turned her back and  jumped on to the tree, plucking a mango and tasting one. It was this innocence coupled with immense bravery that drew him to her, Achaiya thought as he neared her for his bite of mango. Annam knew he was coming for his share of the fruit and jumped down the tree, starting for the lotus pond. Achaiya closed in faster, pulled her toward him and muttered- " I love you Annam, soon i will meet your father, General Lingama Nayak, asking your hand". Annam clasped his strong shoulders and raised tip toe for a kiss. After all, Achaiya is going to be her husband shortly.The full moon above hid behind the wafting clouds ashamed by the kiss of the lovers...

Chokkanatha lay on his silky bed in his harem, with the full moon gleaming above. He had been restless the whole evening, the meeting with the lady on the horseback had driven him mad. He longed to run his fingers through the thick mane of her hair. He itched to touch her and see if she was the same spitfire in bed too. A deep longing and yearning started to stir in him. Though he nursed the secret ambition of marrying Malarkodi, the daughter of Thanjavur Ruler Vijayaraghava Naik, the spitfire of a girl he met today had definitely aroused him- beyond words. One more girl added to the Royal Harem would not be a big issue, he thought. But he had to know who she was...may be Achaiya knew her. With heady conviction that he must know who she was the very next morning, he tried to lull himself to sleep, but in vain. The full moon continued its hide and seek...with Achaiya and Annam in each others' embrace and Chokkanatha hatching plans for Annam...the future Queen Mangamma!



TO BE CONTINUED...

p.s.: This story is pure fiction,though it relies heavily on the life history of Rani Mangamma. ( Queen Mangamma).

28 comments:

  1. Ah interesting!! Waiting for part 2

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    1. LOL!!! Looks like someone was peering from my back:P ( same dialogue, heard yesterday;)) Never knew you liked this kind of fiction:) Thanks for the comment, Meera!

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  2. Wow an interesting story so well depicted. Waiting for Part 2!

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    1. Thanks for the comment, Krupaa. Part 2 will follow soon:)

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    2. Fiction based on history is something new...compelling reading so far...

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    3. Thanks for the comment, Alka! Happy you liked it:)

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  3. Feels like I am reading something from Panchatantra. It is amazingly interesting! Can't wait for Part 2! Bring it out soon :)

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    1. Thank you so much for the cute compliment, CD:) Part 2 will be out in a couple of days:)

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  4. I generally don't like history based fiction stories... But i loved this one... Waiting for part 2 :)

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    1. Madhulika! Thanks for the encouragement:)

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  5. Pretty interesting story that derives from history.

    http://rachnaparmar.com

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    1. Thank you so much for the comment, Rachna:)

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  6. interesting...always like epic love stories.....am fascinated about your culture and dressing.

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    1. Thank you for the comment,Ibhade. Hopefully, i could give you some insight to our Tamil customs and dressing through this story:)

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  7. You know what? I always look forward to your stories and you NEVER disappoint.

    Don't make us wait too long, okay?

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    1. Thank you so much for the comment, Purba:)Will post part 2 tonight!

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  8. A gripping start.The description brings before the mind eye the fiery duel,the swish of swords and the clang of metal.The story is heading to a clash of interests between the king and Achaiya.I do not want the lovers to be separated.You have already made me restless wanting to know what the future parts would unfold.Your story brings to my mind one Tamil writer Chanakyan who wrote historical novels in style.

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    1. Thanks a ton for the comment, KP. I too don't want the lovers to be separated, but fate is otherwise for the Queen. If their love had succeeded, South TamilNadu would have lost development- roads, temples, chathrams...And oh...so happy that my style reminds you of Chanakyan. He is my favorite writer too!

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  9. It's fun to read the first few paragraphs as we are in a age of jets and a horse race with a twist transferred me to my childhood. Amazing read, on to the second part.

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    1. Ah...your comment is like a whiff of fresh air, Saru. I was pretty much worried as there were not many comments welcoming the historical fiction. Now that i get some encouragement from people like you, i am compelled to write the other parts soon:) Thank you!

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  10. Very nice story, beautiful imagination and written beautifully.

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  11. What a beautiful start! Loving the love triangle, what lies ahead in the fate of the queen will be indeed interesting to see!

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    1. Arti, thank you so much:) Read on the other parts:)

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  12. A nice start.. seems like a Triangular lov story , should hav been easy to understand if the plot opened with the instrucitons on who is who..( will b able to undersatnd better)how everwill read later blogs.. and comnt.. Add to pl use some easy english so as to read faster fior big columns like this

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    1. Thanks for the comment, Anonymous. And the names and positions lie scattered just to increase the interest of the reader. Read between the lines to find out:P The english is indeed simple, however will try to make it simpler:)

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  13. Interesting historical fiction storyline. I first read your recent post and realised that you've written previous parts..so straight back to this..And glad I did not miss them! I have never heard of Queen Mangamma though!

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  14. Quite interesting. I am sure if you write a series, it will be worthy of publication as a book. My best wishes and I am sure you will come out with a book very soon.

    A.Hari

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Hey, just let me know your feedback:)