tales of Suchita

In a land far away, so far that you’d need to go by ship and wait until you reached the end of the world to find it, lived a queen who was kind and just. She had many subjects but no advisors. She lived by the principle of ‘Mother knows best’ and more often than not, she did.

One night she had a dream that a boy needed her help. She woke up in a cold sweat, so petrified that it took her a moment to realize she was in her bed, and not near the boy.

For the next couple of days, she was in a frenzy, barely eating or sleeping, and being uncharacteristically brusque with her subjects. She finally retreated into her rooms, seeking answers.

After a fortnight, the answer came to her and she immediately started to prepare for the journey. But she couldn’t simply leave her people without a ruler so appointed five of the wisest to form a Council. She left them in-charge, giving them her ‘Mother knows best’ rulebook plus a strand of her hair encased in a glass tube. She told them before leaving, “This tube will keep you safe and send me your tidings. Farewell countrymen and pray that my quest is fruitful.”

She left without a backward glance, knowing if she looked back, she wouldn’t be able to go on. She took a boat, alone, and sailed out into the sea, looking for the boy in her dreams.

She knew she was out from the end of the world when different smells started to assault her senses. The sun felt warmer, the water murkier, nature less friendly. But she was unafraid. Her thoughts were completely focussed on the boy and she didn’t realize the shore the waters were taking her to was familiar…so familiar, it was home.

As soon as she disembarked and her feet touched the moist sand, she felt her mind exploding into brilliant red pieces. It was so spectacular, she had to squeeze her eyes shut and when she opened them, the boy from her dreams was in front of her. Only this time, he was covered in grime, there was a cut on his forehead where blood had crusted, and there was a haunted look in his eyes.

Did you win, he asked
Did you get my home back?
He pointed behind him,
Who will tell the tale of the vanquished
The one that were left crying on the battlefield?
The boy took her hand and walked her through
The field steaming with rivers of blood
Did they not do heroic feats
Did they not have just cause?

The queen tried to run, as she attempted to let go of his hand
But the boy’s hand griped her like a vice
Uncompromising, unbending like cold steal,
Who will save these lost souls
Who will avenge the fallen warriors
You had promised you’d stop the bloodshed
Instead you ran away.

Instead of atoning, you decided on a fresh beginning
The boy took her to her castle
as the past that she had tried to erase came crashing back
She had not been kind, nor had she been just.
She had rallied many armies to her cause
And together they had spread their rule
Uncaring of the wreckage they left behind.

Look what they’re doing queen mother
In your name, they continue the slaughter
Won’t you return
And save my home?
The boy was crying now
Showing clear skin behind the grime
Looking grotesque and heartbroken.
Won’t you raise your sword
And help me mother?

The queen was finally able to take her hand back and the vision of the boy in front of her faded. She yelped back in dismay when she saw his broken body on the field. She may have run away from all this, but the haven she had formed in the land far away glared mockingly at her. What had she done? Was this going to be her legacy? Violence in front, a dubious peace behind?

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This is 22 of 26 Myths and Legends. To know more, click here.