12 The Tongue Has No Bones

"The carriages are ready and so are the riders whom Dvi has sent for our horses. I have instructed those men to take the four horses straight to the music hall's stable. How much time should we leave in?" asked Trini.

Katyayani got up and peered outside the closed window. It was close to noon now.

"Let's have a sumptuous lunch and rest for a bit before we set-off," Katyayani spun around to face her and answered.

Eka suppressed a resigned sigh. She knew that her mistress was not keen to go back to the main residence. Apart from her grandfather, there was no one who welcomed her there nor did she have an iota of affection for the rest of them.

Bali Residence, Dima City

"Mother, does this mean I can go and attend the swayamvar* of Princess Anara as well? I will be almost fifteen at that time," fourteen-years-old, Dharani asked in an excited voice.

It had just been publicly announced that Raja* Indraneel's second daughter, Princess Anara would choose her husband through a swayamvar after a period of ninety days. Invitations were being sent to many princes and prestigious families across provinces.

Lilavati shook her head at her younger daughter's unfettered expression. Despite her strict teachings, this girl had not learnt much restraint unlike her elder sister.

"Why are you so forgetful and impetuous? Do you not know that the only female in a swayamvar is the bride? Rest of the people present will be the prospective grooms and the royal male members." Lilavati answered patiently.

"Ahhh… why do only royal princesses get to hold a swayamvar? Why can't the rest of us have it as well? Wait a minute, why did Princess Anara's elder sister, Princess Anira, not have one either? Poor thing, she was sent all the way to Kadinga, that Eastern kingdom," Dharani's face held confusion and curiosity in equal measures.

Lilavati paled immediately at her daughter's mindless words and she immediately looked around.

WHACK!

"Ouch… why did you hit me, mother? Uuuu..." Dharani started crying at the unexpected hard hit on her head.

Lilavati's face was icy cold as she said, "Are the matters of the royal family to be discussed by the likes of you and me? If a word of this conversation gets out, not just you, but the entire Bali clan will be beheaded tomorrow at dawn. When will you grow up and be a little more sensible? Do you want me to have an early death?"

Before poor Dharani could defend herself, another reprimanding voice could be heard at the room's entrance. "And why are you here so early in the morning? This is the time for you to be in your class. Don't tell me that you made some excuse and have bunked again. I think I need to speak with Father about changing tutors since I am no longer attending the classes with you. The current lot of tutors seem to have been suppressed by you."

The chiding tone of Dharitri, her seventeen-years-old elder sister rang loudly across the chambers.

Dressed in a wine-colored velvet skirt which swished elegantly as she walked, Dharitri was wearing it with a dove grey, full sleeved top made from the finest mulberry silk. Dusky rose flowers had been embroidered on it, making her look like a beautiful painting.

She had draped a milky white pashmina shawl around her body to keep warm. Thin silver anklets emitted musical notes when she moved her feet. Rose-patterned ruby stones hung from her ears and neck while plain gold bangles adorned her pale arms.

Dharitri had an oval shaped face, with plump cheeks and a bow shaped pair of lips. There was a delicate air around her which made people want to take her under their wings. A warm smile always hung around her lips, making her look approachable and amiable.

They were currently in the inner chambers of their mother's courtyard, Lilavati, who was the eldest daughter in-law of the main branch of Bali clan. Her husband, Rudradev, was the minister of Strategy & Planning in the royal court of Mandhaar.

"Umm… I actually have a stomach ache today. That's why I came to get medicine from Mother. Just because you don't have to study anymore, don't boss around me so much, Eldest Sister," Dharani replied with a pout, wiping her tears in a melodramatic way.

Girls in aristocratic households like the Bali Clan were homeschooled from their childhood. A few tutors were assigned for all the female children in the household from the age of five till they were sixteen.

They were trained to be proficient in alphabet recognition, basic letter writing, playing an instrument, household management, etiquette and some sort of a talent, which ranged from painting to playing chess to horse riding and more. The purpose of educating a girl was primarily to make their marriage prospects better.

Of course, all of the above could be ignored if the prospective bride met the biggest requirement - a big fat dowry.

Dharitri had already finished with her education and was currently helping her mother in the household management, while waiting to be matchmade by her parents to an appropriate aristocratic household.

A renowned matchmaker had been hired and provided with Dharitri's kundli* to be matched with the prospective groom.

In stark contrast to her elder sister, Dharani was an indulged child, who had been pampered both by her parents and also Dharitri since the doctors had announced that Lilavati's health would not be able to survive another delivery.

Due to this excessive love, Dharani remained insincere in most fields of education, except for painting… and eating!

Before Dharitri could chastise her for coming up with a lame excuse, Dharani beat her to it. "You both are being so unfair. I was only curious about the difference in state of affairs between the two royal sisters. Doesn't the teacher also encourage us to ask more questions in order to increase our knowledge level?"

Dharani's voice kept rising with each word.

"Hush! What kind of behaviour is this? You are not allowed to behave so frivolously as the daughter of an important minister in the royal court. At least show some respect towards his status. If you are going to act like an uneducated commoner, I might as well wash my hands off you and send you to live in the mountains with that ignorant and illiterate cousin of yours," Lilavati reacted in a harsh tone, making the girl lose her smile.

Dharitri walked up to her mother and held her arm gently. "Why did you get so worked up, Mother? Dharani forgot her manners momentarily due to her excitement. Don't scold her so severely. She is still young."

Lilavati snorted in anger. "Young? At her age, I was already married and had taken charge of the household. On the other hand, she still can't wipe her nose without the help of her nanny. Which household is going to accept a girl like her?"

Dharani pouted and couldn't hold herself back any longer. "Well, I am lucky to be born under the rule of Raja Indraneel who has changed the legal age of marriage for girls from 14 to 17 under his reign. You don't need to worry so much, Mother. I will learn how to wipe my nose by the time I turn 17."

Dharitri shook her head at her sister's childish words.

"Moreover, Second Elder Sister is not so bad. She is…" Dharani's mere mention of Katyayani was immediately cut short by her mother's furious shout.

*Swayamvar - a practice in which a girl of marriageable age chose a husband from a group of suitors. Svayaṁ in Sanskrit means 'self' and vara means 'groom'. A girl wishing to marry would select an auspicious time and venue and then broadcast her intentions. Kings typically sent messengers to outside lands, while commoners simply spread the news within the local community. On the appointed day, the girl garlanded the man of her choice and a marriage ceremony was held immediately.

*Raja - emperor

*Kundli - horoscope