Chapter 6 : Afia of the Afeemkul Tribe

" We have before us, the pale sea demon in the Banjaran overcoat over the blood bathed rubrum kasaya. Lips of poison and udra shakti inherited from the Goddess of the ocean, Maitra Sagari and the energy of the skies inherited from the Great Demon King, Yavaran. Undisputed in his power and strength over the subcontinent."

Izwan giggled at this as the Bandhani of the tribe read out the announcement for all who had gathered before the Chief of the tribe and his enchanting young daughter.

Iravan, tied to Izwan with his back to him, was hardly conscious. He had been given a special magical dose of Afeem spells to render his powers useless.

All he could do is use his commonplace human-like senses and right now suffocation was the strongest one in him. He still managed to hit his elbow at Izwan's spine who was giggling at Iravan's fate. Izwan was however, much too captivated by the beauty of the tribal warrior princess who sat in front of him.

Iravan's face was to the opposite where the only feast for his senses was the number of punches he was counting to run through the crowd in front of him in his grand escape. They were in the middle of a large forest ground circled with ancient trees. The grass was trimmed at places of gatherings and the high seats were made of heavy forest wood. Iravan could scan many of these scents in the ruins of his memories, the smell of the animal skin the people wore, the jasmine in women's hair, the heavy scent of Afeem that filled his lungs. 

 "Beaming with youth and charm at nine hundred years of age,the keeper of mysteries of the seas, the skies and the mind, Iravan Yavaranam Sagari is to be betrothed to Princess Afia, the great warrior of the Afeemkul tribe of Tantrahimaya, daughter of chief Varahi Kuldevi and chief Abhrami Kuldev" the people standing in the bright sunlight applauded and danced and the dew from the grass filled the air like sparkling stars.

The arrangements began at once and within a few hours Iravan was conscious enough to see everything that was happening around him. He was nauseas of the sea of flowers laid all around him in a big circle. He was dizzy from violent sneezes and constantly wondered about Izwan as he sat on the ground with his hands tied. 

"It will be over soon" said Afia.

"What? My life?" Iravan tried to laugh but failed.

"Your humour is no better than your hollow promises."

"For the last time, 'Princess' Afia, I don't know what you're talking about."

Afia's grace only added to the gravity of her strength and power. She was wiser than her rage, which was still the most feared phenomena of the tribesmen.

She stomped over the flowers and walked towards the centre. She drew her heavy sword from a long slip of woodcloth, slowly, abruptly placing her foot on Iravan's back causing him to fold forward, she put her sword on the back of his neck and placed her lips near his cat like ears.

"So you're telling me…" she whispered, her hair eclipsing Iravan's left gaze, "You don't remember begging for your life?"

"I was flirting with you." Iravan jested.

She pressed her sword harder against his neck. Iravan closed his eyes in uneasiness.

"There. You win. Just like you did last time. You know why you win, Afia?" Iravan spoke with sudden calm. Afia's eyes wandered in confusion, taken aback at the sudden novelty in Iravan's affect towards her.

"You don't win because you're strong. You win because you're wise." he paused. He could feel the pressure of the sword become lighter. "We were just kids. I had a kingdom then, now I have nothing. You on the other hand, have lost nothing. You're born to"

Afia abruptly drew away. "You demons feel nothing." she said as she walked away, leaving the scent of her hair on Iravan's shoulder.

" at least tell me what you've done with Izwan!" he shouted after her, receiving no answer. As he kneeled under the moonlight, the hours passed with the vanquishing of fire lamps in the huts all around him. "There goes the last one" he said as he felt the cold come in.

"The full moon is close" he said to himself in grave countenance.

With the sun overhead, Iravan saw children running around with baskets of wild fruits, leaves, vials of chiya and troublesome wild flowers. He sneezed again.

Soon as the afternoon was setting into the evening, the entire ground was lit with diyas and mashals, people were merry with their stomachs and minds filled with doses of chiya and the young girls and boys of the tribe flushed with excitement as they danced for the marriage.

"Could at least treat me like a groom." Iravan said to himself as he sneezed for the hundredth time. "Iravan! Why you look rather crimson? And there I thought you didn't want to get married!"

"Izwan? I thought they killed you! Oh I'm so happy to… Izwan? Izwan, hey, are you drunk?" Said Iravan, at the height of his discomfort, watching Izwan stumble and struggle to walk straight.

The flowers had acted up quite terribly and Iravan could hardly breathe let alone catch the stench of alcohol that wreaked from Izwan. Iravan threw his head low in despair "now we're really done for."