Barren Queen & Barren King

Under the cloak of midnight, the ship stealthily glided through the waters. A day later, inside the last compartment, a cat roaming in the room perked up at the sound of cries emanating from within an urn. Playfully, it leapt upon the urn, jumping on it relentlessly until a mishap sent the urn toppling and rolling across the floor. The commotion triggered a chain reaction, causing the six adjacent urns to teeter and tumble, their lids dislodging in the process.

Six ethereal women emerged from it. Their gazes darted across the locked room until they discovered an infant crying from within one of the urns. The eldest among the six women swiftly pulled the baby and cradled it into her arms.

"A baby!"

"How did an infant find its way here?" She wondered aloud, her voice laced with concern.

Placing a palm on the cool floor, the second sister closed her eyes, allowing a flurry of vivid images to materialize within her mind's eye. "That woman in the stall who was selling pearl necklaces laced them with a potion to make us unconscious. She is a witch. Hritachi too, was meant to be imprisoned within the urn, but that scheming bitch escaped, and this infant was trapped in her place. We are being transported to the demon king's land for their perverse pleasures. We are rapidly approaching the borders, sister,"

"Their waters will drain our powers," The youngest sister shook her head. They are the celestial dancers in heaven who came to the land, disguising themselves as humans to see the pearl exhibition but didnot suspect they were being watched.

....

"No storms, Captain. The wind remains steady, showing no signs of change for at least another two days," The sailor reported, stepping into the hull to deliver the news. "We are safe."

"Good," The Captain nodded approvingly. "We will be nearing the southeastern borders by the break of dawn. Go and inspect the urns once more before_"

Before the Captain could finish speaking, a sudden gust of wind rushed in their direction. Startled, the sailor swiftly dashed outside, his eyes widening in shock as he surveyed the darkened sky, the cumulonimbus clouds loomed, twisting like a sinister presence. "It can't be. The sky was calm just a moment ago," He exclaimed. "Captain!" he shouted in alarm. "We are about to be hit by thunderstorms!"

Streaks of lightning illuminated the tumultuous waves as the ship heaved and rolled with each crashing surge. The sails flapped violently in the fierce wind, threatening to tear free from the rigging. The Captain's voice boomed, commanding them to check the urns, but they couldn't even take another step as the rain pelted their faces, stinging their eyes.

"We will die today at this rate." one of the crew members cried out.

"He is right, Captain. The storms show no signs of abating, and we are far from any place to seek shelter." The sailor voiced, concern etched on his face. "I have an idea. If we row towards the southwest_"

"It's like rowing against the storm itself_"

"I understand, but the likelihood of the storms veering towards the southwest is relatively lower," The sailor reasoned. "There is a forest called Naimishrya at the edges of the southwest border. If we make our way there, we might find a refuge to wait out the storm's fury."

The Captain pondered for a moment, his gaze fixed on the tempestuous seas, before issuing a decisive command. "Alter the ship's course,"

With every sinew strained, they manoeuvred the ship's bow towards the southwest, exerting themselves for hours on end. Just as the storms began to relent as they neared the forest shores, the door shattered open, cracking under the force. The sisters stormed out, causing them to widen their eyes.

"Attack them." The Captain commanded, and yet the sisters soared skyward, cradling the baby. Before the confused crew could fully comprehend the unfolding events, the ship tumbled and turned upside down, sinking the men into the sea.

The sisters stood at the entrance of a lonely forest, where trees stood withered, their branches barren and charred, the vibrant leaves replaced by ashen greys.

"This place seems cursed." One of them whispered.

"We can't take this human baby into our realm." The elder sister pondered, her gaze fixed upon the slumbering child. Tenderly, she caressed the baby's cheek, her voice laced with gratitude. "You have saved us from a big danger, little one. We shall protect you from any harm."

With each step they took into the forest, the withered trees stirred to life into a lush green as if touched by some unseen magic,

"What is she?" The sister's eyes widened in awe.

.....

Deep within the palace of Mithiyana, a towering figure with broad shoulders stood upon the balcony of his chambers. His hands were clasped behind his back as his eyes gazed at the barren wasteland that sprawled towards the western horizon. The once-vibrant land has parched and cracked with deep fissures.

"Rysthan," A woman's melodious voice reached his ears gently yet insistently. "Shaman Verdanta is on the way to the palace. Let's go and welcome her."

Breaking from his reverie, Rysthan turned around, a small smile forming on his lips at the sight of the woman standing before him. However, his heart sank as he noticed the absence of her usual radiant smile, the spark that always danced in her vibrant eyes. A surge of worry washed over him, etching lines of concern on his brow. "Is something bothering you, Verna?"

"Nothing, my lord," Verna replied, her voice strained as she forced a smile that failed to reach her eyes. "I shall take my leave now_"

Before she could take a step away, Rysthan seized her hand and pulled her into his embrace.

"Release me, Rysthan." She pleaded. "This is not our private chambers."

A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he watched his wife's futile attempts to break free from his grasp. "I shall not release you until I receive answers from you, my queen. You very well know I stand by my words." He playfully declared, his eyes dancing with a mix of affection and determination. Rysthan lifted her chin, locking his gaze with hers. "Tell me what's bothering you?"

"I...I can't shake off the feeling that Mithiyana is cursed because of me," Verna confessed.

"Is this truly what you believe, or are these the echoes of my sister's words?" He calmly questioned. He knew his mother and sister always stirred troubles in his wife.

"It doesn't matter, my lord. There was no single drop of rain since I stepped into this kingdom after our marriage, leaving our kingdom to wither in a barren wasteland. I hoped our child would bring the luck, which I couldn't. Five long years have passed since our marriage, yet, my womb has remained barren, incapable of bearing the fruit of our love. What further proof shall I provide to convince you of the curse I fear I have brought upon this land, my lord? I am but a barren queen, unable to grant you an heir. Please...listen to your mother's words, and consider a second marriage. Lady Lyra is a good candidate_"

Rysthan's touch silenced his wife, his firm finger pressing against her quivering lips. "Never shall these words escape your lips again, Verna," he commanded, his voice resonating with unwavering authority. "Both men and women bear the weight of responsibility to bring a life. If you think you are at fault, then I must also shoulder the blame as the barren king." With tenderness, he drew her closer, enfolding her in a warm embrace. "No other woman could ever replace you, Verna. Should we remain childless, then they don't matter to me. Never entertain the thought of sending your man to another woman."

Verna held her husband tightly as tears slowly rolled down her face. She ached for the joy of her child's laughter filling the palace. She knew the burden her husband carried, the pressure to seek concubines and produce an heir, yet his ears remained deaf to their words.

.....

An hour later, the bustling courtyard of the grand palace stood as four men attendants carrying a palanquin gently lowered it to the ground and drew the curtains. Clad in a sacred red robe, a woman stepped out, her presence commanding respect.

"Greetings, Shaman Verdanta," Verna bowed respectfully.

"Your presence never fails to fill my heart with joy, Verna," Shaman Verdanta replied, a warm smile gracing her face.

The woman standing behind Verna scoffed. "Always trying for attention." She mumbled.

Verna led the Shaman to the magnificent living area of the palace, where the king, his brother, and a host of esteemed court officials gathered, awaiting. After a few pleasantries, Rysthan brought up the topic of the drought that plagued their kingdom.

"If your kingdom is suffering from drought, why have you not nourished the trees of Naimishrya with water, Rysthan?"

"Shaman Verdanta." Rysthan exhaled a deep sigh. "Are you perhaps mocking me? Our kingdom has been suffering through an unrelenting drought for five years, with not a single drop of water to quench our parched throats. Where will we find the means to water such a big forest?"

The Shaman smiled as she slowly stood up, and before leaving, she gazed at Rysthan over her shoulders. "Take care of Naimishrya forest. It will take care of your kingdom."

Though Rysthan struggled to comprehend the Shaman's enigmatic words, the king embarked on a journey towards the Naimishrya forest. As he approached, his eyes widened in awe, witnessing the miraculous transformation of the once withered forest into a lush green oasis.

"Is it a miracle?" The soldiers exclaimed.

In that very moment, a plaintive cry reached his ears—a tiny infant's cry. "Search the forest" Rysthan commanded the soldiers.

Deep within the heart of the forest, the soldiers found a circle of majestic peacocks encircled. As Rysthan's gaze fell upon them, the avian guardians gracefully parted as if acknowledging him, unveiling a wondrous sight before the king's astonished eyes—a baby.

Just as one of the guards moved forward to pick up the baby, Rysthan abruptly halted their advance, his own trembling hands reaching out to cradle the infant. In that precise instant, a bolt of lightning pierced the sky, followed by a rumble of thunder.

A single raindrop descended from the sky.