Page 51 of Tiger's Curse
He answered, “Ren has added a detour to our trip and would like to stop somewhere on the way. The plan is to drop the two of you off for a few days and then return to pick you up later. After that, we will proceed to Hampi.”
“What kind of a detour?”
“Ren would prefer to explain it to you himself.”
“Hmm.”
From the look on his face, I knew that no matter how I wheedled him, Mr. Kadam would not divulge any details. I decided to set aside my curiosity about the future and focus on the past instead.
“Since we’re in for a long drive, why don’t you tell me more about yourself, Mr. Kadam? What was your life like growing up?”
“Alright. Let me see. I was born twenty-two years before Ren in June 1635. I was an only child born to a military family of the Kshatriya caste. So, it was natural for me to be trained to enter the military.”
“What’s a Kshatriya caste?”
“India has four castes, orvarnas, similar to different social classes: the Brahmins are teachers, priests, and scholars; the Kshatriyas are rulers and protectors; the Vaishyas are farmers and traders; and the Shudras are craft workers and servants. There are also different levels in each caste.
“People of different castes never mingled with one another during any part of their life. Their entire life was lived within their own group. Though officially outlawed for the last fifty years or so, the caste system is still practiced in several parts of the country.”
“Was your wife from the same caste as you?”
“It was easier for me to continue my role as a retired soldier who was highly favored by the king, so the answer is yes.”
“But was it an arranged marriage? I mean, you loved her, right?”
“Her parents arranged it, but we were happy together for the time allotted to us.”
I stared at the road ahead of us for a moment and then glanced at Ren, who was napping in the back.
“Mr. Kadam, does it bother you that I ask so many questions? Don’t feel like you have to answer all of them, especially if they’re too personal or painful for you.”
“I don’t mind, Miss Kelsey. I enjoy talking with you.” He smiled at me and changed lanes.
“Okay, then. Tell me a little bit about your military career. You must have fought some really interesting battles.”
He nodded. “I started training when I was very young. I think I must have started at age four. We never went to school. As future military men, our entire young lives were devoted to being good soldiers, and all of our studies were in the art of warfare. There were dozens, perhaps even a hundred different kingdoms in India at the time. I was fortunate to live in one of the most powerful ones under a good king.”
“What kinds of weapons did you use?”
“I was trained in all variety of weapons, but the first skill we were taught was hand-to-hand combat. Have you ever seen martial arts movies?”
“If you mean like Jet Li and Jackie Chan, then yes.”
He nodded. “Fighters who were skilled in hand-to-hand combat were highly sought after. As a young man, I rose in rank quickly because of my skill in this area. No one was able to best me in sparring matches. Well, almost no one. Ren has beaten me on occasion.”
I looked at him with surprise. “Mr. Kadam! Are you telling me you are a master of karate?”
“Something like that.” He smiled. “I was never as good as the celebrated masters who came to train us, but I picked up enough. I enjoy sparring, but my great skill is with the sword.”
“I’ve always wanted to learn karate.”
“During that time, we didn’t call it karate. The martial arts that we used during warfare was less visually exciting. It emphasized overcoming your opponent as quickly as possible which often meant killing or striking a blow that would knock someone out long enough for you to escape. It wasn’t as structured as you see it today.”
“Gotcha, noKarate Kid I, skip ahead toKarate Kid II. Fights to the death it is. So, you and Ren are both trained in martial arts.”
He smiled. “Yes, and he was very adept. As the future king, he studied the sciences, crafts, the arts, and philosophy, as well as many other branches of knowledge known as the sixty-four arts. He was also trained in all manner of warfare, including the martial arts.
“Ren’s mother was also well versed in the martial arts. She had been taught in Asia and insisted that her children be able to protect themselves. Experts were brought in, and our kingdom quickly became renowned for fighting in that medium.”
