Page 54 of The Burning Mountain
Chouda, Chandra’s eldest uncle and current patriarch of the Choudachoora clan, sat at a rough-hewn desk made of driftwood. Various maritime implements decorated the walls of this room. Veer assumed this to be the place where he conducted his wide-ranging businesses.
Chouda leaned forward to address him. “Your Highness…”
Veer held up a hand. “Please…I’m traveling incognito. You may address me as Veer. After all, I’m your nephew by marriage. I think we can do away with the formalities.”
“Er…yes.” Chouda cleared his throat, seeming uncomfortable but complying with Veer’s request. “Chandra has mentioned that you desire a ship? She left out a lot of details, which I understand you forbade her to reveal.”
“It’s a matter of kingdom security,” said Veer smoothly, leaning back into the well-upholstered chair. “The less you know, the better. Don’t worry, although the journey could prove to be dangerous, it’s not for a heinous cause…”
“No, no…it’s not that.” Chouda was quick to disabuse him of that notion. “I raised Chandra as my own. Back before she and my sister left for Amaravathi, they lived here with our extendedfamily. Neither Chandra nor her mother have ever asked for anything, and we haven’t given Chandra a wedding present either. Our clan is only too glad to help.” He fixed Veer with a disturbingly direct gaze. “It’s just that…this journey seems very dangerous. Will my niece will be accompanying you on the ship as well?”
There was a hint of rebuke in his words that irritated Veer, but it also made him grateful that someone in her family cared enough to look out for her.
“Rest assured, Chouda, Chandra will be in safe hands. I hadn’t planned to come to Sumedh at all. The king of Vivismati is like an uncle, and I’m sure he wouldn’t refuse my request, but Sumedh was nearby, and Chandra convinced me her family would be willing to help and would maintain secrecy.”
Chouda seemed to digest Veer’s information, then squared his shoulders and said, “Very well. I’ll provide you with the fastest ship in our fleet. But I’ll not willingly put anyone in my employ at risk. You’ll have to find your own crew. There are some who sell their services in the marketplace. If you wish, I can validate if any are trustworthy and reliable.”
Veer thought that was fair and agreed. Just then, a knock came at the door.
“Enter,” called Chouda.
One of Chandra’s younger cousins came in and whispered something in Chouda’s ear.
“He is here? Now?” asked a surprised Chouda.
The young man nodded and left, leaving a frazzled Chouda calling for servants to bring refreshments immediately.
“Is something wrong?” asked Veer.
Chouda stared at him blankly, like he had forgotten his presence. “Oh…ah…King Samudra is here.”
“And you didn’t know he was on his way?” Veer’s brow rose. “Isn’t it a tad unusual for a king to pay an impromptu visit?”
“Actually, this Samudra king doesn’t stand on ceremony as much. He has a close association with the sea merchants. And as I am the head of that particular guild, I’ve met him several times before.” Chouda paused in his act of tidying up his desk. “He has visited my mansion before.”
“What kind of person is he?” asked Veer, having never met King Samudra. From all accounts, he was well regarded by his neighbors. Except by his uncle. King Pourava harbored an unexplainable dislike for him.
“He is an able king and very loyal to his duties,” said Chouda. “We have no complaints regarding his rule.” He seemed to debate something with himself and spoke grudgingly. “I guess I don’t need to tell you. The kings of Sumedh are elected at the death or retirement of a prior king. Only people who have demonstrated and proved their affinity to the sea are crowned the ruler, forsaking their birth name once they take up the mantle. And King Samudra, who is actually Samudra the Fourth, was crowned seven years ago.”
“And what was he before then?”
Chouda stared at him wide-eyed, as if no one had ever asked him that question. “I’m actually not so sure.”
The most perfunctory of knocks sounded before the door swung open, and a tall man strode in, followed by Chandra’s younger cousin again, who appeared to be imploring the king to wait so he could announce the arrival.
Samudra was younger than Veer had anticipated. Roughly his age, with a pleasant smile on his suntanned face. Crow’s-feet extended from his striking sea-green eyes and grooves bracketed his mouth, but those lines added more character to his face. By conventional standards, he would be considered handsome, Veer supposed, especially with those unique light-colored eyes indigenous to the people here.
Veer recalled that Samudra was a contender for Chandra’s hand seven years ago. King Chandraketu was keen to have him as a son-in-law. Even if he was newly crowned seven years ago, he was still a king to Veer’s status as a prince. No wonder Chandra’s father preferred him over Veer. The reminder sat like a rock in his gut.
“Chouda! It’s good to see you.”
Chouda had gotten up hastily and now bowed deeply at the waist.
“Your Majesty. It’s an honor to receive you. Although, we would have been much obliged if you had given us prior notice of your arrival so we could prepare a proper welcome.”
Veer hid a smile. Chouda appeared to have a real skill at couching insults in pleasantries.
Samudra gave no indication that he felt insulted and threw himself into one of the hardbacked chairs with the ease of one who had been here before, gesturing at Chouda to do the same. “Please, don’t be so formal. And who is this person? I haven’t seen him at your house.”
