Emergence - Book One of the Alicorn Quest

By William R Jenkins Jr

In a bygone age, India’s forests whispered tales of unicorns.

The magic nestled within their spiralled horns was legendary, with villagers weaving tales of its mesmerizing properties. But these stories also painted targets on the creatures. Driven by greed, hunters came in droves, seeking the power in those horns. With every stolen horn, they boasted their conquests, leaving a trail of slain unicorns and bystanders in their wake. Darkness soon descended upon the forest, and the once-celebrated unicorns faded into myths.

Yet hope endured through ancient prophecies predicting the unicorns’ return. Symbols of their resurgence – a golden seven-pointed star and a bangle adorned with horse and unicorn carvings – were foretold to re-emerge. And in November 1861, these artifacts surfaced from the ocean’s depths, heralding the start of The Alicorn Quest.

This epic journey follows a young Indian adventurer’s quest to an unfamiliar Oregon, where destiny awaits in the form of a unique colt. As adversaries thwart his path, this colt, unaware of his future, grazes in Oregon’s

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Dec 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9781035815128

William R Jenkins Jr

William worked as an engineering designer in Pennsylvania, Florida, Minnesota and Oregon. In the spring of 2007, he retired intending to write a practical environmental engineering CAD drawing production guide. However, he chose to pursue his dream of writing fiction instead. For over twenty-years, William’s daughter has either leased or owned horses. And has competed in both dressage and western riding matches. She is also a riding instructor for young adults and kids. Her involvement with horses has provided him with an extensive background on their behaviour and nature. When not writing, William enjoys drawing, painting and photography.

Book preview

Emergence - Book One of

the Alicorn Quest

William R Jenkins Jr

Austin Macauley Publishers

Emergence - Book One of the Alicorn Quest

About the Author

Dedication

Copyright Information ©

Acknowledgment

Introduction

Part 1

Chapter 1: Mamallapuram

Chapter 2: The Bangle and Star

Chapter 3: Disaster

Chapter 4: Lost Temples

Afterword

Part 2

Chapter 5: Madras

Chapter 6: Evil Anticipation

Chapter 7: Diwali

Chapter 8: The Merchant Ship

Chapter 9: Agilan

Chapter 10: It is Written

Chapter 11: The Path

Chapter 12: Custom House

Chapter 13: Uncertainty

Chapter 14: The Tuscany

Chapter 15: Last Day

Chapter 16: Leaving Home

Chapter 17: Setting Sail

Part 3

Chapter 18: Eastern Oregon

Chapter 19: Fire Creek

Chapter 20: Annie and Samuel

Chapter 21: New Friendship

Chapter 22: Princess Kooskooskia

Chapter 23: Caring

About the Author

William worked as an engineering designer in Pennsylvania, Florida, Minnesota and Oregon. In the spring of 2007, he retired intending to write a practical environmental engineering CAD drawing production guide. However, he chose to pursue his dream of writing fiction instead. For over twenty-years, William’s daughter has either leased or owned horses. And has competed in both dressage and western riding matches. She is also a riding instructor for young adults and kids. Her involvement with horses has provided him with an extensive background on their behaviour and nature. When not writing, William enjoys drawing, painting and photography.

Dedication

To

Alamelu

Copyright Information ©

William R Jenkins Jr 2023

The right of William R Jenkins Jr to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035815111 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035815128 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgment

Thanks to Alamelu and Anumarla Govindan, PhD for sharing their first-hand knowledge of South India and its customs. And Stephen Biesty and Richard Platt for the information on ships and sailing in their book, ‘The Coolest Cross-Sections Ever’.

Also, Miles F. Potter’s, ‘Oregon’s Golden Years’ for information on the gold rush in Baker County, Oregon.

The cover illustration: ‘Unicorn in a Misty Forest Glade’ was prepared by C. Atkinson. It is available at www.shutterpoint.com.

Typography and maps were prepared by the author.

Introduction

Unicorns roamed freely throughout the secluded forests of India; with confidence, their lives were safe. That was long, long ago in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, India; a joyous serene and plentiful place. Villagers often shared exciting tales about the amazing enchantment of these remarkable horned-horses with anyone who would listen. Regrettably, word of the spiral-horn’s healing powers and magical-properties encouraged human predators to come from all over. Until the huntsmen and fortune seekers arrived, unicorns had led an untroubled, relaxed and carefree existence. Soon there were countless lances and poised bows, dwelling in the grassy fields where unicorns roamed.

Hunters stalked the beautiful and docile creatures in order to obtain the powers held within their alicorns. Many ruthless men would stop at nothing to seize the mystical spiral horn gracing a unicorn’s forehead. These devious raiders were willing to do anything to possess an Alicorn. Their obsession often drove them to commit the vicious murder of their competitors along with innocent bystanders. Any unfortunate unicorn held in captivity soon had its glowing horn brutally removed with an axe or sword. Those wielding the instruments of death bragged of their conquests without the slightest feeling of guilt or shame.

An ever-growing number of unicorn killings soon brought a new era of darkness to the Indian woodlands. Then the once prominent, extraordinary, horses only existed in written and spoken words of what used to be. However, many of the ancients kept optimism alive by saying in time a dramatic return would take place. They were a small number of fortunate people privileged to witness the unicorns’ free and trusting spirit. However, they too were soon only a memory due to man’s deadly, unsympathetic greediness. The brave equines stood-their-ground trying to dissuade meadow strangers from attacking them. Nevertheless, all of their efforts for a peaceful resolution to live in harmony were fruitless.

Writings of numerous learned scribes foretold the mystical unicorn’s return for hundreds of years that followed the killings. Several prophesies described creation of a gold seven-pointed star along-with a bangle containing carved-horses, and a ruby-bejewelled unicorn.

Predictions stated, at the proper time, that star would become a new unicorn’s enchanted Alicorn. The finely carved bracelet will also help guide and protect the chosen adventurer to his calling. Prophecy adamantly declares the bangle, and star shall be taken to a faraway land of fire and ice. It’s home to many wild horses, and a place with plentiful gold and silver beneath its earthen crust. The young man chosen shall have his suitability and kindness tested for the task at hand.

Several hundred years passed, and the city of Mamallapuram became a busy Bay of Bengal port. The year 950 CE, was prosperous bringing merchants’ great success trading-exports of spices and fine fabrics. The city proudly displayed fine statues and hillside stone carvings, many from the School of Sculpture. Amar, an esteemed master-of-sculpture and metal-craft well known for his creativity, and technical-skills many considered a community asset. He was influential in having young people develop an interest in knowledge of the arts. Students admired his dedication to teaching as-well-as his unique knowledge and artistry with stone and precious metals.

On 28 October, Parees, a Bedouin sorcerer contacted Amar concerning work on a gold star amulet and bangle. The artful master greeted the man and tried to have a friendly conversation with him. However, he quickly realised the mysterious man was all business. Even worse, the sorcerer shouted threats and seemingly unachievable demands while banging a table with his fist. The puzzled instructor wondered why he was to create the bangle and not the star. So, he asked Parees, who made it… and suddenly, the strange man’s anger flared.

The unusual man became further enraged, bellowing that the maker of the star was none of his concern. He told Amar he only needed to know that the previous metalworker did not finish the bangle. With that, the Bedouin angrily reached his right-hand under his scarf and withdrew a sharp, curved dagger. The colouring of his face was darkening as he shouted rage-filled words while shaking it at the master. His black moustache and beard almost entirely hid his lips, but his evil scowls were prominent.

The trembling artist watched fearfully as the dagger tip agonisingly entered the left side of his nose. As the wider part of the tapered-blade pushed further in, he could almost hear his flesh tearing. The master tried keeping silent when the agonising pain surfaced. He thought about ways to resist the Bedouin’s satisfaction at inflicting pain, but to no avail. The unsuspecting metal craft expert was astounded by the attack and promise of additional ones. After clarifying his demands, Parees said he would return for the finished jewellery in twelve days. Amar was certain these very real threats would trouble him and remain so throughout his production.

Three of the scholar’s students began working together on their sculptures that day, in their ill-fated school. One of the students, a close friend and design-collaborator with the others, temporarily stopped sculpting to explore. He said he told them he needed to have an escape from the constant hammering and dust-filled air. However, his two hardworking friends didn’t hear his shouting above their chiselling. Later, upon realising their friend was missing; the two went searching for him throughout the school. They soon reached the area within the school where Amar’s studio stood.

After greeting the master, they asked him about their wandering friend and soon noticed his unusually distant demeanour. The troubled teacher hesitated, and then told them the student was with him a few moments ago. The students paused searching for their wandering friend so the master could have their assistance. The young man in-question often explored the studios for hours, so they were confident he’d be alright.

The wanderer heard the commotion and called out from behind a bench at the far-end of the studio. He joined the other two students and listened to their discussion with Amar.

The master explained his production challenges, and the threats made against him to complete them. Amar seemed unconcerned about the storm and all the strange events taking place around him. He continued telling the young men about the very real threats the infuriated Bedouin made to him. The artisan’s hands were trembling, and beads of perspiration were forming on his forehead.

Pleased with successfully inciting great fear of his dagger, Parees scowled and returned it to his waistband. The storm and trembling-earth were getting much stronger with each passing moment. Any change or omission in words or actions could ruin the mix. And would bring great trouble with activation of the Alicorn amulet. They all knew the tempering and mantra recital ordered under threats by the evil sorcerer must be accomplished.

However, successfully finishing the required tasks was against the odds of achievement since the roof was rapidly failing. The studio was being overran by flood waters while strong winds were gusting through roof and window openings. These actions combined with terrifying lightning, and thunder provoked a flock of normally complacent seabirds to attack. The sculptors struggled against the treachery nature sent them while fending off the birds’ sharp beaks.

The raging sky was constantly changing colours, which provoked them into fiercely fighting to their deaths. And the sea reflected ominous flashes of green and lavender lightning strikes in close succession. Surging seawater was getting deeper and aggressively slamming against the structure walls and uprooting trees.

The men were doing their best to complete the required tempering and while accurately invoking the Sanskrit recital. However, in the midst of the ritual, rising, seawater rushed over the surface of their work table. The waves continued getting rougher and flooding grew deeper, at times almost reaching the ceiling. In order to float through the corridor, they frantically lashed two teak-tables together to use as a raft. Unfortunately, the sculptors and their instructor had to attempt a perilous escape leaving the third student behind.

Once free of the school corridor, they looked upon the terrible sights around them with sadness and helplessness. Sculptures were slowly slipping under the raging water that was relentlessly working to destroy them. The public square and esplanade statuary associated with the School of Sculpture staff, and students were vanishing. Lost were years of creativity and passion that went into irreplaceable stone tributes to deities, and historical epics.

The citizens of Mamallapuram were unprepared to resist the uncontrollable natural and supernatural forces attacking so savagely. Extreme flooding is randomly and mercilessly assaulting this land of irreplaceable antiquities and cherished pagodas. A powerful earthquake and rushing floodwaters inundated the countryside, destroying six-of-seven magnificent temples near the shore. When the earth opened, they slowly disappeared under the raging sea and trembling earth.

The incredibly clear, sparkling turquoise water from the sea abruptly became turbid and grey. Fishing vessels’ that people were so dependent on had overturned, and sank as floating debris battered them. Only a few fishermen succeeded in quickly abandoning their boats before the angry sea could sweep them away.

Both students and their master battled treacherously rough-seas when they broke free of the corridor’s surging waves. The turbulent sea jostled the Master enough to free his unstable grip on the bangle and star. The treasures plunged into the sea and quickly disappeared beneath its turbulent surface. Three of the men successfully made it to shore after fighting multi-directional wind and waves to get there.

More than nine-centuries had passed since Mamallapuram began coping with an overwhelming sadness at the loss of life. The Alicorn’s enchanted jewellery arose from the shifting sea bottom encased in rock. It dramatically fulfilled the prophesy from the ancient scribes. The young son of a mercantile merchant happened to be at Marina Beach by circumstance, that night. He was preparing his father’s raft for trading with ships at the anchorage. He dragged the craft to a nearby tree and tied-it securely as he had done many other times.

Before heading home, he stopped to watch the beautiful fireworks for a few moments. He stood admiring the sky’s sparkly explosions of colour prior to finding his way through the holiday crowd. His attention focused on an unusually-shaped, glowing object soaring in an arc over the water at excessive speeds. It was moving much faster than anything he had ever seen before.

Before plunging into the sand, the glimmering stone was spinning and trailing fire behind it. He eagerly, ran towards the rock as it dropped from the fireworks-filled sky onto a nearby beach. At first, he let the steaming rock sit there because the temperature appeared to be red-hot. Without thinking, a young man’s curiosity moved him to lift the smoking mystery-rock and cautiously cling to it.

It was an event that would forever change his life while adding magic to the ways-of-the world. Any feelings he had about festival-celebrations have been surpassed by his increasing curiosity about the steaming mystery-rock. While he’s moving towards the end of the beach, loose sand underfoot didn’t slow his pace at all. Then it was on to Mannady Street and the anxious return to his father’s house. The night was thriving, and many colourful Diwali celebrations filled Madras with wonderful sights, sounds, and aromas.

After five-minutes passed, the merchant’s son slowed from a run to a fast-paced walk. He was resolute to maintain a firm grip on the flaming rock and acquired an allegiance to it. His mind was compelling him to protect it from harm or falling into evil ownership. The young man couldn’t understand how this gift from the sky became his responsibility. Nevertheless, the erratic path bypassed others to drop from the sky very near to where he stood. It easily could have vanished in the sea or deeply inaccessibly buried under tons of Marina Beach sand. The intense orange flames coming from inside the rock subsided and its smoke almost completely stopped.

Identical twin sorcerers play on people’s fears with the only house on the street hidden in darkness. The strange entity is being held in its caretaker’s arms. He is keeping it sheltered, close to his chest while he passes the twin magicians’ house. Fortunately, he managed to slip by the house unnoticed thus far. However, passing their stables unseen and without an encounter remained a challenge. He had stepped lightly hoping he would not disturb the horse that was standing uneasily in its paddock. And was about to continue moving along, when he heard a man’s voice shouting at him.

You there, young-man, are you-not the son of the spice merchant just down the lane? Javed asks coarsely. He shouts loudly between bursts of exploding fireworks overhead.

Yes sir, I am, he apprehensively answered the unseen voice.

What’s that you have there, Javed asked sternly, as he stepped out from the shadow-laden doorway? A purple light flashing from an exploding rocket passing through the sky illuminated his body. It flew directly above him, giving his figure an added aura of wickedness.

Could it be a stone memento of sorts? He asked, walking across the yard to stand beside his twin so both sorcerers could intimidate the young man.

It’s just a bit of rock that I picked up from the seaside, sir.

The brothers made an unsuccessful effort for the young man to relinquish the stone. So, the merchant’s son walked away leaving them incoherently yelling at each other raging anger.

On the way, he passed a group of vendors carts where he encountered a man who’s a vendor-shaman. Pausing to purchase a refreshment, the sizzling rock dropped onto the ground. It broke open to reveal the beautiful seven-pointed gold star and bangle created many centuries ago. The merchant-soothsayer exclaimed just how fortunate the man was to have these wonderful treasures given to him.

The mercantile-man was completely awestruck by the other-worldly illumination and mist surrounding the unique enchanted jewellery. His attention remained focused as the shaman whispered subtle words of mind control to him. Now mesmerised, he’s placed in a deep trance and instructed to follow the soothsayer’s directions.

The amulet and bangle are capable of unlimited powers that’ll be united with him and the chosen colt. The charmed gold pieces and its possessor will encounter this distinct colt in a faraway land. The encounter shall empower a transformation of equine to unicorn only when all requirements have been met. There cannot be any diversion from these rules set down so long ago in the ancient Mamallapuram mantra. The shaman took great care explaining the purpose of his upcoming supernatural journey to Oregon. It’ll prepare the wild horses for many diverse challenges that’ll surely occur including meeting you.

At the end of that discussion, the vendor-shaman told him, he will be compelled to leave Madras. And that the impulse for him to bring the colt and Alicorn together will become increasingly irresistible. He said when evil conflicts arise, they must be resolved with positive solutions while overcoming his own spontaneity. The wise clairvoyant told him to heed his own instinct, employ judgement and act cautiously. Desperate acts by determined foes shall continue interfering with visiting a land very different from his own.

The twin sorcerers, descendants of Parees would stop at nothing to take the gold jewellery for themselves. The shaman cautioned the selected adventurer to be on-guard whenever the evil brothers’ encounter dissatisfaction or failure. Determination and tenacity will increase where dispensing harm will be their action of choice. Desire and spiritual means for the caregiver to resist evil-doing and animosity were now in place. The benevolent fortune-teller set the Alicorn Quest in motion with assurances the soon-to-be seaman will persevere over malice. While entranced, his mentoring provided the merchant’s son with an understanding of the things expected of him.

With the passing of another hour, it was time for the wise astrologer to awaken his new associate. The young man woke up refreshed, unaware of the spellbound time spent with his host. He thanked the kind man for his hospitality, faced him with Namaste, nodded and said he felt renewed. With no active memory of his foretold future, he walked away headed for home.

His walk about the crowded streets was an enjoyable one. The balmy air carried welcoming aromas and festive music. Traditional oil lamps illuminated streets filled with hundreds of colourfully-dressed Diwali revellers and beautifully decorated-elephants. The merchant’s son wanted to relish the overwhelming allure of brightly decorated homes, and shops. But he had to hurry home, so he didn’t delay the family-holiday dinner more than he already had. When his father’s house was close-by, he shouted to let the family know he’d arrived.

Finished with dinner, he, his father and uncle debated the merits and possible negative aspects of seamanship. Having told his story and showed the rock contents to his father and uncle, the subconscious suggestions began. Things the shaman commanded came forth telling him he will follow his inner life-force. The merchant’s son was then uncontrollably compelled to discuss the topic of possibly joining a trade ship’s crew. There were words of encouragement and discussion of leaving all that he loved to sail across the oceans.

His uncle once served on a merchant ship and experienced sailing challenges, which he entered into the conversation. However, the desire to venture over sea and land in-search-of new places, and things could not be disregarded. He soon registered with the Calista, a new ship that’ll follow a rarely used and dangerous course. The trade ship will sail into many navigating encounters to reach the California coast of North America.

Some of which that will surely be caused intentionally by evil magic brought aboard by the sorcerer passenger. He is a vile man whose reputation as a mysteriously abhorrent sorcerer precedes him wherever he goes. His twin argued extensively with his brother about his right to go while the other stayed home.

As usual, he defended himself from personal attacks dispensed for asking things the other twin thought was drivel. He replied by shaking his right-fist sharply ordering him to make his trunk ready for the voyage. Being the stronger of the twins, he almost always gets his way after belittling his frustrated brother. Both sorcerers easily convinced villagers that they had the power and resources to summon spirits and demons.

The future sailor’s family and betrothed frequently wept when preparing sacks of essentials for the long ocean-voyage. Their time in Madras until the day they’ll be on route to Marina Beach passed quickly. The future mariner was daydreaming about life somehow taking a series of directions beyond his control. Then the rowdy call of a large crow suddenly interrupted his thoughts. It was the loud cawing sounds of the curious bird he met at the Customs House.

One the guards was named Vicar due to the well-ordered band of white feathers around his neck. It was a distinctive and rare feature that actually did look like a clergyman’s collar. The rambunctious bird hopped about and flew a couple circles around the daydreamer before perching on his left-shoulder. He smiled as the crow jumped to the ground, cawing raucously, stepping sideways then flying off effortlessly.

The newly appointed ship’s assistant-cook shaded his eyes while watching the crow glide over the housetops. He felt there was something special about that feathered acquaintance but couldn’t identify what it was. Shortly thereafter he spotted an unusual cloud formation in the clear sky. In it, the vision of a galloping horse appeared within his view.

At first, he thought it was his imagination, but its influence is very persuasive and convincing. While continuing along the path home, he accepts it as a sign of good luck and safe travels. Now he must focus on the task at hand to help his family prepare for the Calista’s departure. He quickened his pace, and felt sadness thinking about leaving his betrothed for an undetermined amount of time. The thought of leaving her makes him doubt himself and question his strength going through with it.

The cart merchant thought about the young adventurer and his approaching sea voyage. And his high desert travels to an eastern Oregon meadow. Then he metaphysically transported himself to that meadow near a beautiful evergreen forest reaching for the sky. He arrived before a number of wild-horse harems where he granted several equines the ability to understand him. His soft-spoken words described a young man from India soon travelling great distances.

The journey will take him over land and sea to meet a very special-colt in this valley. And his trek shall be unlike any he has ever experienced. It will test his abilities to act on both, human and equine challenges that most certainly will arise. He could have been transported there supernaturally and free of conflict and transgression. However, the Alicorn Mandate of old requires a test of his abilities and love of the earth. He must earn the trust, alliance and loyalty of the chosen-horse. This young adventurer shall encourage the equine’s success as he guides him to achieve his purpose.

As night began to fade, the shaman delicately placed a star-shaped diamond in the colt’s left front hoof. The brilliant gem will make him ready for his benefactor’s visit and aid in his protection. And when the horizon showed signs of the new-day, he smiled, waving farewell to the mare and foal. Soon after his departure, the herd made its way to a nearby stream which prompted the colt’s curiosity. There, the young colt inadvertently left his mother’s side and wandered beyond the meadow’s edge. It was a lonely and frightening period filled with new sights, sounds and aromas for the young horse.

Before long, he’s lost in a heavily wooded section of the forest where all trails looked the same. He experiences many challenges and brushes with danger while searching for a peaceful place to regain his strength.

Emergence of the Alicorn Quest

Part 1

Chapter 1

Mamallapuram

October 16, 950 CE

It is early morning of a balmy mid-October day on the Chola coast in south-eastern India. Today the dawn is heralded with a cloudless sky and soft tropical breezes. Colourful billowing sails of all types and sizes are glowing brightly in the morning sun. A new day of trade, fishing and art production is beginning in the bustling port city of Mamallapuram.

The settlement began in the seventh and eighth centuries. Its birth brought unparalleled works of architectural splendour into being during the reign of the Pallava kings. Pavilions and shrines hewn in rock seem to come alive in the glow of the rising sun. Retreating shadows reveal the workmanship of five monolithic pink granite Rathas stand carved from single pieces of stone. The temple symmetry and attention to detail are the result of generations of those who used their minds and backs to fulfil their kings’ dreams. Their vision of a sprawling metropolis with temples, and fine sculptures has blossomed into reality through the decades.

The grand city rises from the Bay of Bengal’s pristine turquoise waters amid endless sandy beaches and rustling palm trees. Its docks welcome ships from many faraway places, each bringing cargo and passengers to engage in the spice and textile trade. Residents are a close-knit community of merchants, farmers, fishermen and artists. And like their ancestors before them, each contributes goods or services that benefit all. However, beyond commerce the city is an enchanting place of spiritual well-being, solace, and artistic expression.

Seven Pagodas and The School of Fine Arts proudly stand on a promontory overlooking the sea. Dramatic sculptures and hillside carvings created by school’s students greet all who enter. Many deity statues and hillside carvings and are set near the shoreline. Though normally tranquil, on occasion it becomes a cruel unyielding sea that seems jealous of the sculptors’ work. It was then that an endless procession of waves started running into shore.

Merciless tides are forever thrusting sand at the stone carvings in an attempt to wear them away. Thus far they have been unsuccessful in their relentless thrashing. The deep carvings of the sculptors’ chisel are winning against the challenge.

The last remnants of any remaining cool evening breezes are retreating. They are quickly disappearing in order to make way for the hot, still air soon to take its place. The sky is clear except for a barely visible, narrow, grey band of indistinct clouds and haze. They are gathered at that unreachable, distant place where the sea and sky appear to converge.

At this hour, the waterfront is alive with sights, sounds, and pleasant aromas. People are entering the esplanade to go about their daily tasks. Children play on the beach, running in and out of the warm seawater gently lapping at the shore. And most of the women are dressed in long colourful, dhotis with modesty fabric draped over their shoulders. Their garments are in shades of green, blue, red and yellow, highlighted by glimmering beads and gold bangles.

The breeze embraced silk shimmers brightly from the growing clouds gathered in the bright sunlight. Merchants are plying their wares, and farmers are lining up in the marketplace. Along the esplanade, vendors show silk and cotton fabrics hanging from improvised clothes lines. And the farmers are proudly displaying fruits and vegetables harvested early this morning, hoping to sell them all.

A flock of screeching seabirds is crowding around the marketplace. They take turns diving at the resident roguish crows competing for any scraps that fall on the pavement. Several elephants are being coaxed to pull heavy loads of stone from the quarries. Others are hauling goods and construction materials to the beach across from the port’s anchorage.

A dozen temple priests are hanging large banners of red and yellow silk on structures around the esplanade. Once positioned the distinctive decorations gracefully dance on breezes carried in from the sea. Many of the merchants are burning incense, sending up an aromatic haze of spice scented smoke. It floats gracefully above a small group of weavers working at their looms near the temples’ seaside entrance. The sweet-smelling aroma is mingling with the scent of traditional native foods cooking in the carts below.

Women from neighbouring villages came early this morning to decorate the shrines in the temple courtyards. They are placing yellow chrysanthemums and white jasmine at the reflecting pools. And fruit offerings at the statues of the gods in preparation for the festival season which will soon begin.

At the start of each day, the students gather around a cluster of stately casuarinas trees near the east side of the studio building. They patiently stand in darkness discussing plans for the day with each other. That is until the rising sun begins poking through the intricate openings in the nearby Shore Temple carvings. Their work will begin when the soft light of dawn illuminates the hillsides and school studios.

Some nearby hillsides have wooden scaffolding for the stone carvers to stand on. Monkeys often accompany the sculptors, scampering across the supports, begging for fruit or bread. Their antics bring some comfort to the sculptors during long days persistently chipping away at rock faces. The tedious task defining massive carvings of deities and epic scenes often span years.

Of the seven pagodas, this is the most prominent, standing proudly where the land meets the sea. Before long, the morning sun will complete its daily routine. Spilling across rooftops and into windows it begins chasing away the morning’s last cool sea breeze. This is the best time for the artists to wield their hammers and chisels during these hours of cool air and bright light. The pleasant conditions are short-lived, and will soon be replaced by extreme afternoon heat and decreasing shadows. That, however, does not diminish their continuing efforts to transform lifeless granite into beautiful works of art.

Nanda stops hammering, drops his mallet to the floor, wipes the perspiration from his brow and jumps down from the scaffold above his sculpture. Every part of hammering, chiselling and finishing the stubborn granite takes a lot of time, patience and stamina. Nanda must sit and rest after labouring four hours trying to wear down the stone’s resistance. His fingers move over the surface of the rough stone as he ponders the next place his chisel will strike. He carefully begins marking the area to receive attention when he resumes work.

After outlining several areas in chalk, he cautiously steps across the four large stone rollers that cradle the twice-life sized mass of stone. He jumps over the ropes anchoring it in place. And then turning to assess his progress, does not notice the midday light in the sky is fading. The sea is sending a storm onshore making the sun quickly disappear under an ominous veil of clouds.

Soon there will not be enough light in the studio for detailed sculpting. After finding a suitable flat spot at the front of the sculpture’s base slab, he sits down. Soon his mind starts to wander and lose concentration, which is a common occurrence for most artists. After a moment, he brushes some clinging stone chips from his white dhoti.

Next, he shakes his head from side to side, trying to clear his ebony, shoulder-length hair of grit. His thoughts soon turn to the acquisition of this large piece of rock beside him. And how fortunate he was to find a stone that was just the right one for his current project. It wasn’t easy, and he certainly couldn’t have done it by himself.

So, he turned to several men from the quarry and the school for help. He recalls telling them he needed a large piece of granite that would be suitable for the subject he was about to sculpt. A stone of correct proportions, free of cracks and marbled with subtle colours. They all agreed to help with the difficult task, asking nothing in return. It has been three months, since he carefully searched for and selected this large block of granite from the lowest hillside behind the Shore Temple.

A crooked smile crosses his lips as he recollects exploring the hillside under the hot south Indian sun for three days before finding an appropriate granite block. He remembers how excited he was when he summoned the stone cutters to quarry from it and haul it to his studio. And remembers how he watched them work for two weeks before separating the large mass of rock from its place in the hillside.

It was very difficult for the twelve men hammering their chisels into the unyielding granite. They guided the stone to remain vertical and positioned it onto the transport rollers. The risky challenge moving it to his studio was the only task that exceeded it. It took about a week to transport the stone using levers, rollers, ropes and an elephant. The rollers crept along, slowly moving the heavy stone from the quarry to his workplace. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they finished placing it directly under his studio windows.

Nanda is startled when a sizeable chunk of rock falls onto the stone floor in the workplace next to his. The loud thud was noisy enough to break Nanda away from daydreaming. That part of the studio is assigned to his friend and fellow apprentice, Bhim. Like Nanda, Bhim is twenty-two years old and started his apprenticeship at the age of twelve. He stands a head taller than Nanda and is quite a bit stronger. A reality his fellow student is tested regularly on the game field.

Bhim cries out loudly when the rock drops extremely close to his feet, Aiiiooooo!

Are you alright over there?

Yes, but sometimes I’m thinking this damned stone has a mind of its own! Bhim shouts, jumping away from the falling stone’s path.

It broke away from the top of the rock pillar I am going to use for my next sculpture.

The broken column of granite is next to an outside wall, in the corner nearest the doorway. In the centre of the room, a life-sized horse sculpture dressed for battle stands as if waiting for a rider. It is finally finished after a year of coaxing the stubborn horse out of the stone. Today Bhim is smoothing the surface of the statue with hard rubbing stones and a fine sand paste. However, before it is moved, it is must wait for the figure of Kalki, which is standing awaiting completion at the horse’s right side. The Kalki sculpture is being readied by Mani, a senior apprentice and friend to both Bhim and Nanda.

Mani began the Kalki sculpture at the same time Bhim started his. He captured the very essence of Kalki in his sculpture. And collaborated with Bhim to make certain the scale of both sculptures would match. The powerful granite figure has his sword raised high above his head as told in the Hindu legend of the last avatar. Before long, the exquisite horse and rider