Raavana's Daughter by Nadishka Aloysius

Author:Nadishka Aloysius
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sri Lanka, India, fantasy, YA literature, Ramayana, Thailand, romance, Hanuman, Mermaid, Hindu, mythology, historical fiction
Publisher: Nadishka Aloysius
Published: 2018-09-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

H

anuman spun around. The Mer-Queen had her hand extended towards the entrance - she had the use of magic!

"You wished to know why I brought you here. A common brute from above," she hissed. "A whim, nothing more. I may regret it, but seeing an Ape evade my personal guard with such agility and grace in the water, I wished to find out more about you." She lowered her arm, but the entrance stayed sealed.

"Then, it was not I who was curious," commented Hanuman as he walked back to the centre of the cave. "Why should I elect to stay and exchange pleasantries, when there is work at hand?"

"You do not have much of a choice!" she laughed, her good humour restored. "And, I am sure you too, on your part, are burning with curiosity to know more of my people."

Hanuman sat on a rock larger and smoother than the rest. She seemed to be in search of entertainment. Perhaps, he could turn that to his advantage. "What would you like to know, Lady? And would you be gracious enough to tell me who I have the pleasure of addressing?"

She seemed pleased. "So, the Ape does have a civil tongue in his head. I am Suvaana, Queen of the Mer-People."

Choosing to ignore the sarcasm, he answered, "I am Hanuman, General of the Vanara Army."

She lifted an eyebrow. "So you truly are one of the Ape People? I have lived in this ocean all my life and know almost nothing of the wonders of the main land. Tell me more."

So Hanuman described his land and his people. "Lord Brahma created us. Our main purpose now is to assist Lord Rama in his quest to rescue his wife, the Lady Sita. We are blessed with many powers, like those possessed by gods and goddesses. We live in the jungles of Kishkindha. We have our own culture and language just as any other species - we are not brutes!" He paused, to gauge her reaction thus far. "There are thousands of us and we will win the war against the Demons of Lanka!"

She brushed aside the last comment with a dismissive wave of her hand. "We shall speak of the Demons later. Tell me, why is Lord Rama worthy of your loyalty?"

This was an unexpected turn to the conversation. Wondering as to her motivation in this line of questioning, Hanuman replied, "Rama is a prince of Ayodhya. He is virtuous and just. However, as a result ofthe machinations of his step-mother he, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana were exiled to the Dandaka Forest. He roamed the forest living a humble life and providing protection and relief to ascetics being persecuted by Demons. One day, a Demoness called Shurpanakha saw Rama, became enamoured of him, and tried to seduce him. When Rama refused her she retaliated by threatening his wife. Lakshmana in turn disfigured the face of the Demoness as punishment. This news reached the Demon king Raavana, who was her brother.

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