Rose of the Ganges: Chapter One: There is no legend
Legends. Hearing the tales of the mighty and brave entice us. Our hearts swell with excitement. Great heroes battle for kingdoms. Princes fight evil monsters to save true love. And mystical spells weave enchantment across the land. All too often the details are embellished. We simply listen to the carefree stories of those we'll never meet.
One tale speaks of a young tigress born of a two unique individuals whose teachings would forever change her life. Her name Hemangini Sethi. A Caspian tiger who swam with water buffalo, rode elephants, and tackled rough boys in her youth. She danced with intensity that rivaled her mother. And the first time she killed, she made her father proud.
Storytellers talk of the great dancer from the east. A living flame of energy and skill. The haughty courtesan facade fooled them all! None would live to see pass their encounter with the "Rose".
Come now and read a small tidbit from the book of Hemangini Sethi, the Rose of the Ganges.
Story & Characters (c) Juna of SoFurry "Chapter One: There is no legend"
There was never a great warrior fighting off dragons. An overly elaborate piece of fiction danced in the faces of adversaries. No one questions the alluring courtesan with the dagger drawn behind her back. Vuthaternock welcomed a small troupe of entertainers into his lands. Behind the guile a white lie swirled along with the veils of the "Rose", the sultry princess of the East. Never had the name "Tenspirits" crossed the lips of tribal Mongols living in the steppes. The "legend"? Nothing but dust blowing in the winds of deception. Falsehood and fodder. But what was the truth?
Hemangini or "golden bodied". Father was a Thuggee, mother a temple dancer. Hemangini learned from her father killing. A good trait. Thuggee normally train sons, but Hema's sire trained his only child. The thuggee never left his wife, the dancer; who trained Hema in dance, seduction, and reverence to the gods. Cliched to an extent, assassin father and dancer mother, but all fact.
Gods favor the devout. Hema prayed under Kali. Great Mother and Divine Grace. Money toted the feline to the west. Vuthaternock became a prime target. His power frightened a rival. They paid a kingdom's ransom for the drake's death. None suspected a sapphire-eyed "princess" was capable of subterfuge. Blackscale couldn't believe the tigress. She never doubted her abilities, but the Gods watched and waited.
Death came to one. Stolen were the memories of life. Fate wiped the slate clean. Hema fell on his sword. His victory hollow like the hole she made in his belly. His gut festered and bled. Blackscale roared. Thrown from the dais, the world spun in spots. Everything blurred for the feline. Her laugh echoed. The dragon saw the witch for what she was. Death. Cold, solid, strong death.
A divine pantheon tolled the final bell. Everyone will die to live again. Lives are constant, like the grand universe. The dragon lord left with mortal wounds. Hema traveled to her gods. Heavenly mothers and fathers shook their heads. This wasn't her way. Rebirth. Become a new soul. No sinning. She was a saint. At her lower belly rested the paw focal point. It serves as the reminder of who owns her. Blood split on purpose will decorate the mane of the assassin. A trophy disguised as stigma. Damned and blessed.
Carefully the story of Hemangini Sethi divided into parts. One act is a chance at redemption. The second leads Hema to carve a new path of destruction. But in the end the beloved "Rose" shall blossom anew.
"What is death to one who has died already? Where the petals fall, a new life is just beginning..."