The Seekers of Selfdom - Part I

The sky is clear, a cool breeze has toned-down the scorching heat; forcing the people to take a stroll around the busy street of Atanu, a small kingdom in the north named after its king. While the meaning of this kingdom is divine, things have not been going too good for its people.

It is those times, where one king would go to any extent to overpower the other. Atanu was, however, a different type of ruler. He believed in kindness and he was happy ruling his own kingdom. He never asked for more and never had he ordered his army to overpower the adjoining kingdoms.

But the world out there was not very kind. Going by the impression of the man Atanu was, many rulers tried to strike a deal with him. He, however, declined to collaborate with any one of them and requested them to leave his kingdom in peace.

The rulers were adamant and wanted to dethrone Atanu and take over his kingdom. The geographical location had everything to do with it, located at the northern valley, it was one of the safest kingdoms.

The altitude helped the night watchers to keep an eye on their enemies. There was a mix of agriculture and trading on which the people survived. Atanu being the kind of person he was, he always helped his people and at times he would not collect tax if someone couldn’t afford it at that point of time.

This sometimes earned him the respect but criticism among the other rulers as a new wave was spreading across other kingdoms, where the people would request to waive off their taxes because they heard what Atanu did for his kingdom.

He only had one weakness, his daughter Tamina, who was one of the fierce warriors of her kingdom but Atanu always tried to protect her and never allowed her to fight in any battle. She would sometimes go mad and at times she would adore her father, who was always trying to protect her from the world.

But she was brave enough to lead her own battle and she always looked for a chance to show her skills in a battlefield. Atanu was aware of this very fact, he has seen his daughter training and felt proud that she could beat even the best of the men of his army. But he was afraid of losing her, he was afraid what if the rulers take advantage of his daughter. He was afraid if he allowed her to fight, the battle would change her completely.

Tamina had a very few friends, all the girls of her age were either married or were about to; she had no intentions of getting married and she wanted to carry the legacy of her father and keep the people of her kingdom safe.

While growing up at a very young age she understood how this world worked. She had her own battles deep within and all she wanted was to showcase her father the skills that she has inculcated in her over a period of time.

For a young girl of her age, growing up was a pain. Every now and then she had to dodge the same question of getting married to some ruler’s son. A lot of them who called themselves prince of their kingdom even tried to ask for her hand but in turn, she would ask them to defeat her in combat and then she would happily marry them.

But the request was often turned down. For the so-called prince, fighting a girl was a major issue and if by any chance getting defeated by a girl would surely put an end to their lives.

This is a story about Tamina, a fierce warrior of the 14^th century who meets Marc, a traveller and how their life changes.   

Like a crazy head she would roam around the city, carrying her beautiful smile she would often almost kill people. Like a humble being, she would always help people around her but sulk alone most often.

She is like everything in one and one in everything. You know she is fierce and a brave heart. The knight in the shining armour. She would always lead the struggle of her life. Challenges had made her so strong, people around her couldn't understand the complexity of her head.

Deep within, she always wished for her own prince. She was tired of the so-called princes around her and felt they were so naïve. She was waiting for someone who would try to make peace with the chaos in her head. Someone who would love her for the way she is and someone who would make her feel lively and happy again.

Tamina was sitting near the window of her room, combing her hair still lost in the sea of thoughts in her head. Watching outside the window, she always longed for love, someone who would try and make her happy. Someone who is equally as crazy as she is and humble at the same time.

Her loneliness has left her in a different state, she is longing for someone who will bring her back in that romantic mode but not evade the real world also.

Tamina would always take some time off and spend her time near a lake. The lake was surrounded by a dark forest and she would never take any guards with her. Though her father always tried to keep an eye on her through one of his men, she would always evade from the eyes of her father’s minions.

She knew she was capable of taking care of herself. She understood her father’s fear but she would always insist to allow her to spend some time alone in the woods.

Tamina reached the lake and tied her horse to a tree. She took her sword with her and sat down near the lake. She closed her eyes and absorbed the chirping of birds, the cool breeze, the sound of leaves and the echoes in the mountain.

It always gave her the peace her mind needed. She was sitting holding grass in her hand when suddenly her eyes spotted someone. She hid behind the trees immediately and took out her sword. She peeked through one corner and saw a man washing his face at a distance near the lake.

She has never seen him. He carried a small bag but no sword. He was alone and his clothes seemed quite dirty. She moved through the other side of the lake and keeping herself low, she made her way towards him.

She was sure he hasn’t noticed her yet. She walked a few steps and grabbed his neck from behind with her left hand and put her sword at his chest with her right hand and said, “Who are you? I have never seen you here before.”

The man was cautious and scared. He dropped his bag and said, “Because this is the first time I am visiting your city. I mean no harm.”

“Who are you?” she asked him again.

“Only if you leave me, I will tell you,” he said.

Tamina put her sword down and released him from her clutches. The man fell on the ground coughing, holding his neck he let out a sigh of relief.

“Is this the way you treat your guests here?” the man said, still coughing.

Tamina extended her hand, as he took it and got up on his legs.

“My name is Marc. I am a traveller and I wanted to meet King Atanu. I have heard so much about him. I was really tired so I thought I would freshen up a bit before you grabbed my neck. You have a strong grip,” he said.

“Why you wish to meet him?” Tamina inquired, still not sure about the man.

“I have heard so much about him and I would like to meet him in person. A fan, you can say,” Marc said with a big grin on his face.

“Why should we trust you?” she asked him again.

“You don’t have to trust me. You can just summon me in front of your king and I will take care of the rest. Look I don’t even have a knife to kill anyone. I can hardly kill an insect. I travel and I write. I would like to write about King Atanu,” he said looking into Tamina’s eyes.

She looked into his eyes and she knew he was telling the truth. His eyes seemed truthful but what if she is making a mistake, still kept darting in her head.

“I am sorry, you cannot meet the King. You should return back,” Tamina said as she took her horse and went back to the castle.

Marc stood there watching her, realising he has never been manhandled by a woman, by such beauty and he never thought a beautiful lady like her can have such a strong grip. His neck was still hurting.

“I shall try again,” he said with a smirk and made his way towards the castle.

To be continued...

Source: http://vickirby.com/fishart/fish_stuff/uploads/2012/10/VY6Y1860.jpg