Steam arose from patches of snow covering brown grass. The cold was retreating one step at a time under the harsh scrutiny of the winter sun. Squirrels peeped out from their miniscule dens, testing the energetic morning with equal vigour. They could smell spring walking lazily towards this land.
Not many a moment later they turned their twitching noses higher up and tensed. In the distance there was the sound of crunching snow, and these furry little animals immediately retreated back into their holes.
Two riders lazily traversed through the snowy land. A girl with wavy blonde hair was accompanied by a fair young man, each astride upon a mount of their choice. They rode in silence; their mounts advanced in a lazy trot.
The young man looked at everything around him with an expression of wonder. Though his poise upon his white bay was relaxed, his eyes sparkled with life and amazement not much unlike the squirrels he and his companion had scared away a few moments ago. He inhaled long and deep, relishing the fresh cold smell of the moisture laden morning air. A smile graced his lips - a smile so carefree and joyous it made his pretty face light up like a child no more than ten. He was absolutely lost in the beauty of the moment.
“When do you think we will be reaching that tournament?”
The girl's voice cut through the relative silence and the tranquility of the young man. She was looking straight ahead with a thoughtful expression clouding her brows.
The young man pulled back his horse a bit, turning to look at his companion.
“I don't know. Maybe two days’ ride from here?” he replied.
The girl hummed in contemplation. She did not say anything else, not even turning to look at her companion.
The young man's face took upon a sour quality, visibly peeved at her all too serious response. He leaned over the side of his bay and reached into the space of her black mare with his outstretched arm, then lightly slapped her upon her head. The girl finally turned to look at him, annoyance written clear all over her face, to which the young man responded by sticking out his tongue like a child would and then pulled ahead of her in a canter, laughing all the while.
“Leonard!” the young lady sighed out. She looked at his taunting form for a moment, and then raced after him in a gallop!
The girl chased her companion over the slopes of the snowy hills for quite a while. In their wake joyous laughter followed, as did the evacuation of all little animals from their path.
Her companion, the young man apparently named Leonard, led her zigzagging around the hillside. Even though their chase seemed erratic, they never really strayed too far off the road which led towards their destination.
Leonard slowed down a while later and the girl caught up to him with her mare. She punched the boy, who was grinning like a loon, and the two shared a little laugh.
“Idiot” she said, smiling all the while.
“You too, Mary!” Leonard shot back.
They turned their attention back to the road and started moving once more in a leisurely pace, the silence between them now much more joyous.
They travelled for a couple of hours without meeting a single traveller, passing through the landscape in peace and relative solitude. But as the sun began its descent into the second quarter of the day, the two travellers saw another figure in the distance, thwarting their solitary camaraderie. A young man perhaps around their own age was striding downhill, and he immediately commanded the attention of both travellers.
What was so singular about this young man was that even from that distance, he appeared to be not quite human; the best way to describe that inhuman aura would be ‘radiant’. His long hair was as white and brilliant as fresh snow, his bare torso covered with intricate golden tattoos, all of which seemed to originate from a blood-red stone set upon his bare chest.
As Leonard and Marian, or Mary, as Leonard called her, moved closer towards the lone wanderer, they noticed more of his features. He was pretty well built and toned, and he did nothing to hide that. His pale skin, though not quite as fair as Leonard's or Marian's, was utterly unblemished aside from his tattoos. The stone which appeared to be the origin of the tattoos strangely enough looked as if it was embedded into his flesh. It pulsated with a veiny golden light, exuding a feeling of being alive - like a n uncut ruby heart beating with golden veins, arteries and blood. His eyes were of a brilliant golden hue, his lower eyelids being lined with what looked like natural dyes of red, impossibly similar to the tattoos visible upon his torso and arms. But the most interesting phenomena was that the air around him felt warmer for some reason.
For Leonard, who looked at life with wonder sparkling in his eyes, this man was much too interesting to pass by without even a single conversation.
“Hello there, fellow wanderer! May I ask you where you’re off to? If we have our destination in the same direction, maybe we could travel together? What do you say?”
The stranger on being stopped to be interrogated with an exceptionally friendly jest merely looked at Leonard and huffed. It appeared to Leonard that the man in front of him had a resigned expression after he had asked his questions.
The stranger relented though, responding to his questions after a moment's pause.
“Hello, friend. I am travelling towards Agneya city,” the stranger replied in a velvety voice that would best be described as alcoholic. “Have you heard of the tournament they are having there? The tournament of martial skills? That tournament is where I'm travelling to. I believe you'll be travelling there too? If it be so, then we can travel together. As it appears to me that you probably wish to travel together, I can surely fulfill this wish of yours.”
Leonard beamed at the traveller in return.
“Great! So what do I call you now?”
The odd traveller turned to Leonard, then with a serene smile that betrayed the crimson linings upon his eyes, which turned down like tears at the far corners, he replied -
“I am called Karma!”
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Night had fallen upon the camp of three. A cheerful tune wafted across the camp; a fire danced along merrily keeping time with the delightful melody. The scent of wood on fire waltzed through the air cleverly masking the fainter scent of spices and meat, but with every passing moment the subtler of the two gradually gained upper hand on the former.
Marian walked around the camp, alternating her attention between Leonard and Karma. Leonard was singing a song that reminded her of her homeland - a familiar tune from the hills of a country far away, a lute strumming out some melody guided by expert hands.
Karma, on the other hand, was busy steaming some meat over the fire. A while ago he had finished preparing some rice before starting with the meat. He had long since conjured utensils, meat, spices and quite a bit more of food-related utilities seemingly out of thin air, but Marian knew better. He was utilising space pockets, which she took for granted as he did appear to be quite a powerful fellow.
Leonard had been the one who had set the camp up for the evening as Marian was gathering some firewood to light a fire. She had finished her job almost at the same time as Leonard had, but no sooner had Leonard been done with his quota of work did he sit down to tune his instrument. In a short while he was done with the adjustments and subsequently started playing his instrument while singing along. Marian really appreciated his actions - he was really a good musician and had an amazing voice, and that was without even taking account of his singing skills which, in her opinion, were top notch! In fact, it looked like Karma really loved the general atmosphere Leonard had invoked as well!
Earlier during the day, Karma had slowly but steadily started bonding with them. At first Karma seemed reluctant to join them on horseback. Only after Marian had offered him her own steed did he finally accept it. Marian had then shifted to Leonard's horse, but she insisted on taking hold of the reins.
Karma seemed terribly cautious and formal even then. It took hours of babbling on Leonard's part to get him to relax a bit. Once he did relax, he revealed himself to be quite a passionate character, though his quirk lay in the fact that he was quiet by nature despite being passionate and could not dispose of his formality. To Leonard, it was quite a strange thing to witness. He never thought a person could be genuine and formal at the same time.
They had ridden together for more than a dozen mile that day before the sun had started to dip below the horizon. At that moment Karma had broken off all conversation and had lowered his head, as if he was showing respect and appreciation towards the sun. After that they decided to set their camp at the nearest possible spot, which was not far off.
They had made camp at a spacious flat outcropping on the hillside which was lined by pines at the edge and littered by huge boulders towards the hill-face. Nothing but tawny grass and some bushes lay in between the two looming borders.
Presently, the smell of food overwhelmed the camp.
Karma looked satisfied with his handiwork, and even Leonard ceased singing. He put away his lute and began walking towards the fire in order to look at the meat being cooked. Right before he could reach, Karma's voice rang out loud across the camp.
“Marian, Leonard! Come, food is ready!”
Leonard reached a moment later and peered into the array of pots, bowls and plates with barely restrained interest.
“Mmmm! It looks so good! What do we have here? Ah! So rice it is. And what is this? Meat cooked in the hollow of a bamboo?! I've never seen anything quite like this before! Hey! This is a curry of….eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes….and what are the rest even?! It looks so spicy!”
Karma smiled at Leonard's outburst, pleased that his cooking was so appreciated.
From the beginning, he found them quite fascinating. He was on his way towards Agneya meaning to participate in the martial art tournament being held there when he met these two people.
People who usually meet him for the first time are quite taken aback owing to his strange appearance. He knew that all too well. Marks of interweaving gold flowed across his body in intricate designs - an 'armor’ that he possessed ever since his birth. He also had a pair of very unique earrings fused to his ears from his birth, but he kept them hidden by his long hair. Finally, there was his impossibly strange heart. A heart which seemed like a crimson stone aglow. A heart that breached out of the depths of his body and peeped out at the world from the centre of his chest. Indeed, like his guru had said, he had too big a heart. But at the same time, it was also the strongest part of his body, of his ‘armor’.
But the way these two looked at him was nothing akin to what Karma was used to. They looked at his not with alarm or even cautiousness, but rather with curiosity. As if his appearance was no reason to be startled. It was then and there that he knew there was more to these two than meets the eye. Just as it was apparent that he was no ordinary person, it was apparent to him as well that they were not ordinary travellers they wished to pass themselves off as. Yet they were trying their best to hide that fact. Their sharp gaze, their fluid control, their well hidden physique, their powerful nonchalance and minute alertness - all of it pointed in the direction of Karma's conclusion.
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Karma had deliberated on that and ended up with the conjecture that they were powerful foreigners who were threatened by something or someone, hence they were intent on moving around anonymously while at the same time looking for companions on their way.
Karma shook off the inertia of thoughts and looked at the two near drooling companions of his. They must not have had good food during their journey.
Karma stood up, then spread out the food on the bowls and plates for the three of them. Steaming rice, curry and meat sat upon nine bowls and plates, three for each, in front of them in a moment's time.
“Do enjoy the food!”
Karma smiled at the two sitting opposite to him and watched them intently. He was hoping to see their reaction to what he had cooked. It was always a good feeling to see someone smile or be happy about something given to them out of nothing but goodwill and care.
The three of them muttered their respective prayers before starting to eat. Karma ate slowly and easily, unlike Marian and Leonard. The foreign duo dug into the food with noises of appreciation and joy. Between the mouthfuls, they asked different questions to satiate their appetite of curiosity as well.
“This is so good! What kind of rice is this? It is so fragrant!”
“What is this cheese like substance? Definitely a dairy product! It is so different from what I am used to!”
“Hey, can you teach me how to cook like this? I am willing to pay any price! Or better yet, will you consider joining us on our travels beyond the tournament?”
Karma answered all of the questions with patient amusement.
Their supper continued in this manner and came to a satisfactory end for everyone. Karma insisted on washing the dishes, so the foreign pair sat contented by the fire in the cold.
It began snowing lightly.
"Hey Karma! Say, where do you come from?” Leonard spoke up without turning his gaze away from the fire, “I mean, we did talk quite a bit during the day, but that was mostly me talking about Mary and myself, and you simply gave your input, your assent or dissent. You never did talk much about yourself, did you?”
Karma finished washing the last pot and dismissed the utensil like all others, making it seemingly vanish into thin air.
“Well,” he began, “I was born in the mountains - this same range, but quite far off towards the east, raised there by my mother. She had always lived alone amidst the lap of nature.”
Karma smiled, looking up towards the clouded sky, eyes unfocused and nostalgic, as though he could peer through the curtain of clouds and see the past engraved upon the distant stars. He felt as if the night was weaving some magic upon him. He could not stop the words from spilling forth.
“She was always with me through much of my childhood. She taught me all that I know. She taught me how to gather food, how to live in harmony with nature, how to love and accept everything life gives, about the value of life - so many things she taught me!”
Karma sighed and walked towards the fire, as if feeling the cold of the night for the first time.
“But she was kind. She never taught me how to be strong in body. She said I was already strong enough, it was my spirit which I needed to strengthen if I wanted to really be strong in life. But that didn't help. When she died one day suddenly, I could not do anything. I know she taught me to accept what I'm given in life, but I could not accept that.
After that, I went travelling. Trying to find strong people to teach me. But no one would accept one such as me. Because I was without a cast. Then I learnt about society and its rules. I was forced to learn quickly about how caste determined everything in this world of human beings. And I understood the meaning of my name. Karma. Deed.
But this world was not ready to accept an outcast. I was lower than even the lowest being of the lowest caste because I had no cast. I did not belong.”
Leonard looked perturbed at the sudden burst of emotions accompanied by a sudden story from a man who was usually much more silent. But he understood at the same time. This was the unleashed passion of a man who had always been on the observing end of the spectrum. With nowhere to belong, he could only observe, never express. Now that he was finally opening up, the gate holding back his emotions and his passions burst apart.
Karma continued his tale.
“Soon, I heard of an immensely strong man who only took in people who were from the scholarly cast. So I began studying. All my time before this had been spent in watching students learn the different martial arts from afar and practicing on my own when I could. I applied all my practice to sneaking into libraries, stealing tomes and scrolls to read. It did not matter then, for I was already in the habit of stealing for the sake of filling my belly. Once I was satisfied with my level of knowledge, knew that I would at the very least understand what I was being taught and pass myself off as a child of the scholarly cast, I set out to find him. This was how I weaved the longest and the only lie of my life.
After I found him, I begged him to take me in. He agreed. Soon, I began my training. But just as I thought everything would end well, disaster struck. Just the day I was to complete my tutelage under him, my lie was discovered. My guru cursed me to forget all that I was taught and never be able to learn it all again. When I begged him to forgive me and told him my tale, explained to him what drove me to do what I did, he relented. Even then, he firstly divined my life and lineage, which can be done only with the consent of the one being scrutinized. Once he was done, he took me to the side and told me who my father was. That was the first time I learnt about my father and my inheritance.
After that, he told me that he could not revoke the curse, as I did lie to him. The stain could have been completely removed only if I was absolutely faultless. But he did understand and recognize my need, therefore the stain of the curse could be mitigated. Using that clause, he diminished the curse to me being barred forever from the strategic arts of large scale warfare and command while retaining all the arts and strategies of combat that I may personally use.
It was fitting; I learnt a lot. Firstly, I learnt how much of a dreadful thing lying is. Secondly, I learnt who my father is and the gifts I received from him. Now I pay my respect to him every day. Thirdly, I was freed from even the possibility of needless ambition for power, since I could never command battles, could never cause it and garner success, while being fully capable of defending myself and anyone who would stand by me. And lastly, I remembered all the forgotten lessons I had learnt from my mother. Only that day I truly understood what she had taught me, and how valuable it was.”
Karma finally looked up from the fire where his eyes had remained so fixed throughout his tale. He was smiling at Leonard.
His eyes sparkled, as if finding a priceless treasure; they were alight with hope and happiness. His countenance appeared unburdened, relieved of a great weight he had been carrying all the while.
“Thank you,” he said with a smile as bright as the sun.
Leonard simply smiled back and nodded. He understood. There was no need to speak. He was used to speaking all the time, but at this moment, he could not speak and lighten the gravity of this moment.
Marian, however, could not digest it. She looked at Karma with troubled eyes.
“Why,” he enquired, “Why did you thank us? I mean, aren't we travellers who you just met today? Why did you give bare yourself before us and then thanked us right after? How can you trust us just like that? What if we were to betray you?”
Karma looked at her, his smile never fading away. He looked embarrassed, and that expression upon him looked innocent, like a child being caught commiting a mischief. He was unused to embarrassment of this kind. The last time he had been embarrassed in this manner was with his mother when he was young, that moment being buried in a distant past. It made him feel happy and warm.
“I understand your confusion,” he began, “If I may be so bold, I thanked you for being such great people. You were the first after a long, long time to accept me. I know it is very presumptuous of me, but it felt like you were my first friends. I could not help it! Therefore I thanked you.
I know we just met today, but you see, people usually are afraid of me or just shun me when they learn about my casteless nature. How you two have been treating me is so different that I could not help but feel delighted.”
He looked away, a somber mood overwhelming his embarrassment.
“I know, if you wished to betray me, you probably could. And honestly? I am not used to unraveling myself in front of anyone. The decision I took in doing so was perhaps reckless, even stupid maybe. If you were to betray me in some manner, I would have to graciously accept it as the result of my own impulsive carelessness.
But can you blame me? I, who never had any friends aside from the birds, animals and insects from my old home, the mountain forest where I grew as a child? After this long, long spell of solitude I never wished for, how do you think I would react when I finally find people who treat me so kindly, with such warmth? Would I not want to be friends? Would it be a sin to entertain this notion? Would it be a mistake to wish to share, after such a long time of keeping all to myself?
I know, I am merely a moth in the dark flitting off towards the first warm fire I saw burning.”
Karma turned his head to looked at Marian in her eyes with a sadly serene expression.
“You know, I would accept it wordlessly if you were to betray me. After all, I learnt to accept everything that life gives me.
Thank you for your kindness. And….I apologise if I have overstepped my boundaries.”
The last vestiges of warmth had left Karma's face as he looked away. His visage hardened into a neutral expression guarding his thoughts and emotions as powerfully as the armor he was born with.
Marian, on the other hand, had so many different emotions raging within her that she could appear nothing if not troubled. All the rage, the frustration, the confusion, the hope and childish joy, the sadness and bitterness - all of it coalesced into a decision.
She would be damned if she was the one who shattered such an important moment of innocence, growth and joy for this beautiful person in front of her. She could deal with her own troubled mind later. For now, she had to protect this fragile man as much as she could. At the very least she could save this person from being used by evil people for their own sake. There was no way that she would allow this person to suffer being a pawn like him. There were enough people like her, who could not think even two feet beyond themselves.
Her decision made, Marian walked up to the now withdrawn and guarded man, aware of Leonard's joyous gaze trailing her all the while. She knelt down beside Karma wrapping him up in a warm hug. In the back of her mind, a dislocated voice that she ignored perked up in surprise -
‘How warm is this person?’
"Hey, Karma,” she spoke in a gentle tone, not unlike a mother talking to her child, “You don't need to be sorry for anything. I know, I have my differences. But you should never be sorry for something so beautiful!”
She ended the embrace and held Karma by his shoulders, looking straight into his surprised eyes.
“Of course we are your friends! In fact, I would be honored to be considered one of your very first friends by you! And…..I would try my level best never to break your trust. So please, never think so lowly of yourself. After all, that is your name, right? Karma? Deeds, as you said? As long as you prove yourself with your deeds and remain as beautiful a person as you are, you are never any less than any damned person of any high caste. At least to us, to me and Leonard, your friends.
And you thanked us, right? Let me thank you in turn. I am really happy that I can call such a beautiful soul my friend.”
Karma remained rooted to the spot for quite a while, face marred by shock. Then he suddenly leaned forward, threw his arms around Marian and held her close, eyes closed shut, while she patted his head like a child. Warmth was bubbling in his heart - he felt as if flames would burst from his being unbidden. He knew it was blasphemous, but to him it felt as if this person who he held in his arms was brighter than even the sun!
Tears trickled down his eyes silently, surprising him, but nothing could chase away his smile, his happiness in this moment.
'Am I crying?’ he thought, 'Is this what friendship feels like? It's so warm, so happy! I am forever indebted to them.’
Karma opened his eyes, though he did not yet break the embrace. It was so happily warm!
'Mother, do I make you proud? Are you happy? Everything you worked for with me - can you see the first fruits? For the first time, my meager deeds have earned me something really precious! I have friends!
Father, even if you are not here now, and it is night, I hope that you are looking at your son right now from somewhere. I hope you can see how happy I am with the life you gifted me! I hope the radiance of this moment can match at least a fraction of your own and return some light, no matter how feeble, to you!’
All the while, Marian had her face scrunched up as she held Karma tight and caressed his hair, as if she was in great pain. Even as the night deepened, all the embraces ended, Leonard's teasing and Karma's embarrassed voices receded, and all three lay down to sleep, conflicting thoughts, experiences and emotions continued to haunt Marian.