A Love Collided

Every night since her brother’s wedding Chanda had been plagued with disturbing dreams. The dreams would start nicely enough with meadows full of sunshine, until she would encounter a figure. At first she would try to communicate with the person and as her curiosity brought her closer she would find the being was a male. The more she would have these dreams she would come to realize that all the figures were always male and they would all do the same thing; chase her. For the life of her, she could not understand why; but what would a child know of lust? She often awoke crying out of fear and yet she dared not tell anyone of the dreams. What would be said of the princess with dreams of being chased by strange men with burning eyes and strong determination?

More than anything she wanted to ask her brother of the meaning behind her dreams, surely he would have understood and could have made the dreams go away…that was if he hadn’t been so preoccupied with that woman. Several times she tried to speak to him, but if it wasn’t Divya that had his attention it was the duties of the tribes. And even once she tried to lock herself away and refused to leave her bed chamber until her brother would speak to her. Unfortunately her mother had no patience and practically tore down the doors herself to put a stop to Chanda’s “childish-ness”.

On this particular morning the orange haired child moped about her quarters. “Mistress, your Queen mother asks for your presence in her chambers.”

“Why?” Chanda cast her golden eyes upon her personal servant. Safali was the same age as her mistress with hair that was pale yellow, eyes of scarlet, and a tale of browned copper.

“She said it was an urgent matter, Mistress.”

The princess released an irritated sigh, “Very well”

The queen was not a woman to be trifled with. She had a temper that could melt gold instantly, she could intimidate the strongest of warriors, and her beauty added as a poison. She would demand once and only once. Being a woman of power she never had time to dote on Chanda, this did not keep the queen from having a close watchful eye on the youngest princess. The adventurous little girl was always chided and punished by orders of her mother.

If anything, Chanda thought Kiv told mother about my spying. That no good priest probably wants to be on good terms with her!

Safali knocked on the mighty white doors of the queen’s chambers. “Who calls?” asked the gueen’s guard

“Her young highness, Princess Chanda comes at the request of the queen.” The doors opened revealing the many colored curtains that decorated the chamber. The orange haired nagaling entered maintaining perfect posture for if there was anything that Chanda hated most it was having to put up an air of dignity for her mother.

Chanda could hear her mother’s firm sultry voice fill the room like she was speaking to some one of status. As the young girl approached her golden eyes caught sight of the person to which her mother addressed. The woman was a high priestess dressed in the crisp white fabric that was required of the maidens that served the sun. The woman’s golden hair was cropped close to her head which allowed the beauty of her features to be seen. Her face was heart shaped with rounded cheeks that gave her eternal youth. Her nose turned up slightly and her full pinked lips pulled into a smile that made her disposition of utter kindness. But her eyes of the palest yellow was so fae-like that it made her seem so eerie, yet she was the most beautiful woman Chanda had ever met.

“This is my youngest daughter, Chanda.” Her mother introduced

“Hello little Chanda,” the priestess spoke so gently it sent shivers up the girl’s spine, “it is a pleasure to meet you. Your mother told me of your prettiness, but I am so glad I have the opportunity to witness it.”

“It is nice to be in your presence High Priestess.” She greeted back respectfully. It was strange to hear that her mother spoke of her at all

“Chanda, this is Sheila, a friend of mine from a long time ago.” It was difficult for the young girl to tear her eyes from the stunning woman, “We were from the same tribe before our paths were planned for us.” The young princess noted how her mother emphasized the words paths and planned. “Sheila is regarded as one of the most powerful of the priestesses. It is an utmost honor to be her apprentice.”

The young girl’s eyes met her mother’s. “Now, now do not go and make me shy in front of your princess daughter.” Sheila motioned for Chanda to approach her by extending her hand and Chanda could not help but be drawn to her, “Power comes from within us. Every one of us has energy; some of us have a stronger source. That is why power such as that of a priestess must be harnessed; they must be trained to control their ability of channeling their energy.”

“Begging your pardon High priestess, but what does power have to do with me?”

“That is the reason Sheila is gracing us with her presence, Chanda.” Queen Mohini looked upon her daughter proudly and for the first time the young naga felt unnerved

“Dear young princess, you may not understand it now, but you have within you a most powerful energy.” Sheila brought the nagaling close to her, “And I have chosen to train you. I feel that no other priestess could be able to handle the strength that you hold. Your destiny has been chosen for you. You, princess Chanda, are to be my apprentice.”

The orange nagaling couldn’t describe the feelings that came over her. If she left she would finally be away from her mother’s chiding hand. She would be away from her brother’s wife…she would be away from her brother. She looked at her mother, her long red hair kept in thick braids and her scarlet eyes that beamed with the sun’s light. “I proudly accept my destiny.”

Shelia smiled radiantly and petted Chanda’s long orange hair, “Wonderful my darling, we shall be leaving tomorrow morning to the Court of Aruna Dev.”

“Tonight we shall have a feast announcing my daughter’s news,” Queen Mohini went to her youngest child and embraced her, “You are a proud asset to your father’s kingdom. Train hard and do not fail your king.”