Saman and Daya's Fantastic Adventures of the Ancient World

By rani Jayakumar

Travel with Princess Daya and her brother Prince Saman as they wander across Ancient India and into magical worlds beyond, meeting with ancient characters from stories that are real, or from mythology and legend, wandering into the fantastical colors and magic of Winterland. They begin with their own troubles, but find that they have more to offer than they know, and that their weaknesses can become their strengths.

• Language: English
• Publisher: rani Jayakumar
• Release date: Feb 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201656348

Book preview

Saman and Daya's Fantastic Adventures of the Ancient World

rani Jayakumar

Published by rani Jayakumar, 2022.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

SAMAN AND DAYA'S FANTASTIC ADVENTURES OF THE ANCIENT WORLD

First edition. February 20, 2022.

Copyright © 2022 rani Jayakumar.

Written by rani Jayakumar.

Saman and Daya’s

Fantastic Adventures

of the

Ancient World

by

rani Jayakumar

To my children,

the real Saman and Daya

Chapter 1: Saman and Daya

nce upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away there lived a Prince named Saman and a Princess named Daya. They were brother and sister. Saman was older by three years at the young age of nine, and Daya was a sprightly six years old. They lived in a castle with their parents, the King and Queen, who ruled justly and fairly over their vast kingdom.

The heart of the kingdom was the city of Kanchi, in far off India. In this southern kingdom, the Prince, or as he was known there, Rajkumar Saman, was loved by all. He was kind and gentle, very thoughtful, and had an amazing memory for things near and far. He had never explored far, but he knew, in his head, every inch of the kingdom, its features and surfaces, its coastline and mountains, its shape and feel. He was often found reading books or poring over maps. Citizens came from all over for Saman’s wisdom - what is the fastest way through the Yelagiri Hills, they asked, where shall I dig a well, why is my farmland infertile? Saman answered their requests calmly and patiently, bringing them his broad knowledge and seemingly simple solutions. For this, they were grateful and rewarded him with not only their loyalty but also trinkets they knew he would adore - new and interesting shells from the beach, fossils found in caves, ancient scrolls from their ancestors. Saman added these historical artifacts to the castle Museum and curated them carefully, adding to his already vast knowledge. His most prized possession was a small globe that fit in the palm of his hand, and which spun on its axis rapidly, showing all the lands of the world.

Princess, or Rajkumari Daya, was bright and cheerful when she was happy, and all the kingdom adored her. She was friendly and sweet, shared with all, helped her mother, the Queen, or Rani, with the running of the castle. She knew the names of all the citizens of the kingdom, and what they liked, what they were doing, and how they were. She knew what was happening anywhere in the kingdom, and her keen powers of observation were sought after. Daya wandered the land, and instead of the artifacts her brother loved, brought back memories and beautiful pieces. The people came from all over the kingdom for her wisdom, too, but in matters of the heart and hearth. Some came to thank her for her unasked help, or to ask her to help with a task for which they had no one to help. Others asked her advice, and since she knew what was going on around the kingdom, she could often advise them. Will my daughter marry? they asked, can you help my father who is ill, what shall I do now that my children are gone? Daya answered these questions with a smile, and often accompanied the dear citizens back to their homes to help them with her own hands. The citizens were so grateful they offered her all manner of beautiful things, which she adored and kept in the castle Gallery - jewelry boxes studded with gems, roses carved from sandalwood, necklaces and bracelets of rocks from the kingdom. Still, her favorite was a small necklace with a ruby heart pendant, which was given by her grandmother when she was just a baby.

They were happy, ordinary children, despite being prince and princess. They loved to play and read and enact sword fights and plays. They enjoyed gardening and running in the fields, riding the horses, and telling each other stories. They learned from their royal tutors - languages from far-off places across India and beyond, dances and ways of people around the world, mathematics and sciences, medicine and Ayurveda, yoga and meditation, spiritual knowledge and astronomy. Saman and Daya were both excellent students, learning quickly, sharing their learnings with one another, and putting their newfound discoveries into practice right away.

They took a new chemical process into the kitchen to concoct special potions to cure sleepiness and help plants grow. They applied their knowledge of herbs to help their parents’ small ailments. They arranged the garden in mathematical formations. They lay on the castle terrace in the evening, staring up at the stars, identifying constellations and watching planets and galaxies go by. They spent entire days talking to one another in a foreign language, or even one they had made up, much to the chagrin of their parents, who wondered what mischief they were up to.

Chapter 2: The King and Queen

The Rani and Raja, King and Queen of the kingdom, were just rulers. They had been nominated by the populace overwhelmingly to be king and queen, and they knew their duty to the people. They loved their land, but they loved Saman and Daya more. Their dreams were pinned to their children, and they would do absolutely anything for them and their happiness, even if it meant the end of their own lives.

The Queen, or Rani, was once, long ago, an ordinary common child named Pareena. Her parents were farmers, caring for a small stretch of land that was now on the far side of the kingdom. Unlike the other farmers of the kingdom, who mostly grew vegetables, legumes, and rice in long tilled rows of land, these farmers grew fruit trees and herbs, greens and flowers, animals of all sorts, all intermingled in one area, a land that soon became a magical garden. The Queen grew up in this enchanting place, surrounded by wildlife, learning its language, and learning to reply. Her gentle, kind nature made the animals feel safe, and the plants thrived under her touch. As she grew, she gathered flowers and harvests to take to market, or sold eggs or milk from the animals. Even as a child, she was very pretty and kind, with eyes that glowed luminous green, and the merchants buying her wares often pinched her cheeks or told her she should one day marry their sons. She simply laughed and shook her head. Soon, instead of Pareena, everyone took to calling her Hazel, because of her eyes.

The King, or Raja, was the son of the Maharaja, the Great King. As Rajkumar Nayan, he was a playful boy. He loved to play and run in the streets, and often escaped the castle, only to be found playing cricket with merchants’ children. He wandered the kingdom, dressed in commoners’ clothes, listening in on conversations and finding out what was happening. He loved to explore the reaches of the kingdom, climbing mountains, walking up and down hills, scaling trees, splashing in rivers. He could be found at different times and in different places, and he always returned covered in mud and dirt, much to the dismay of his caretakers. They scolded him for his behavior, but laughed, because everyone in the kingdom loved him. The children followed him wherever he went, climbing alongside him, but he was the boldest, and the strongest, and he would lead the way, even when it was dangerous.

One summer, villagers ran screaming from the nearby forest, claiming that a fearsome monster was there and crushing and eating their cattle. The Great King was worried and sent his best soldiers to defeat the beast, but they were killed or came running back, eyes wide with fear. They said the monster was ten stories high, and breathed fire from its nostrils. It had scales on its back and shiny wings, and claws the size of swords. The King was unsure what to do, and called for his trusted advisors. They suggested a plan to draw out the monster from the forest and lure it away to the nearby kingdom, where they could deal with it. The King and Queen opposed this - bringing the animal out was one thing, but to allow it to terrorize the smaller neighboring kingdom would mean certain harm to those who lived there. Instead, they kept sending larger groups of soldiers, catapults of fire, and whatever weapons they could.

Then, Prince Nayan volunteered to go. His mother was distraught - she couldn’t believe that he would go to certain death. He assured her he would be safe, and taking his two sharpest swords, left. On the way, his grandmother offered him a special talisman, a necklace with the symbol Om, which would protect him from the beast. Nayan gave his family, who were teary-eyed, a quick farewell, and left for the forest.

When he got there, the monster had burnt a large swath of forest, and could be seen through the thick trees, its gray-green scales shining and wings battering against the trunks. It lashed out with its claws as far as it could reach, and set another roar into the branches. Nayan shouted, calling its attention to him, and came closer. It batted at him and he swung with his sword. He saw that it did not walk, but kept swinging and turning, so he ran around and around,