bidisha 2013 transformation play

8/12/2019 Bidisha 2013 Transformation Play

1/64

THE CLUTTER OF THE SPHINX

by Bidisha

This is Part One, Chapter One of Transformation Play

Youre no s!e"ia#$ Youre no di%%eren %ro& anyone e#se$ The 'or#d 'asn "reaed aroundyou$(

One o% )aisses ear#ies &e&ories$ * #i+h#ess &ornin+ a he house o% abandon&en on he

!re,ious is#and$ Insru"ress -a+nia -ora#ia 'as sandin+ o,er her in si%% +rey si#./ he !ea. o% her

headdress s"ra!in+ he "ei#in+$ Hands "#en"hed in %in+er#ess +#o,es/ he nai#s b#ue 'ih "o#d$ She

'ore a srin+ o% beads ha ra#ed #i.e %ree0in+ "hi#drens "haerin+ eeh$ The shar!ened !oiner

she used in "#ass s'un+ %ro& her #eaher hi!1be#$ -a+nia -ora#ia 'as a 'arrior a+ains idio"y/ and

ha 'as her 'ea!on$

The arro+an"e o% i$ The auda"iy/( she hissed$ You are he re2e"ed dau+hers$ You shou#dn

e3!e" &ore %ro& #i%e han youre +oin+ o +e$ I## on#y &a.e you bier$(

Her headdress "au+h he #anern and 'en u! in %#a&es/ sendin+ her o he si". roo& %or

'o ni+hs and #ea,in+ a ba#d s!o %or 'o &onhs$

)aisse "ou#dn re&e&ber 'ha !ro,o.ed -a+nia -ora#ias s"o#din+ bu she had absorbed

her 'ords/ "ho.in+ he& do'n #i.e a sour oni"$ She 'as s!ea.in+ he& no' herse#%/ o sa,e he#i%e o% her dau+her$

Shes e3a"#y #i.e any baby$ Unre&ar.ab#e$(

Is dar.$ *nd b#ind/( said Sorayan "o#d#y$

Shes your o'n dau+her/( she said/ sho".ed$

You .no' he #a'$ Those 'ho err/ die$ )i%%eren"e and de,iaion are %au#s in our !er%e"ion$(

Shes !er%e" as she is$(

Si+h#ess/ dar. and %e&a#e4 * #eas a b#ind boy "ou#d be e&!#oyed %or so&ehin+/ i% on#y o sin+

or re"ie ,erse/ or be a nob#e'o&ans "ha&ber !e$ They #i.e he dus.y ones 5 uni# hey +ro' u!

and he sun &a.es he& "oarse$ To "reae one su"h as heris o +i,e birh o !iy/ o su".#e sha&e/ o

rear disa!!oin&en/ o nurure su%%erin+ and raise #a&enaion$(

S!o.en #i.e a rue is#ander/( )aisse s!a$Yes$ I a& one$ 6hy aren you4 Be"ause our reasonin+ hurs your %ee#in+s4(

No/ be"ause your beha,iours "rue#/ bu you !reend is "i,i#ised$(

Sorayan and )aisse %a"ed ea"h oher a"ross he "o/ a "hea!1ha".ed 'ooden hin+ sha!ed

#i.e a &iniaure shi!/ hun+ 'ih ne$ I 'ou#d on#y be needed %or one ni+h$ To&orro' he baby

'ou#d be a.en o he "oas$ I 'ou#d be +one by he ne3 sunrise$ No &ora# sur,i,ed he ni+h hea/

he "urren/ he birds o% !rey or he ro". s!i.es ha s#aned %ro& he sea bed #i.e +ians s!ears$

Le &e na&e her a #eas/( !#ed )aisse$

You "an na&e so&ehin+ ha doesn e3is$ *nd .ee! your ,oi"e do'n$ Your !ain disurbs he

househo#d$ Tha is so&ehin+ you &us rea#ise7 a house absorbs he &ood o% is &isress$ 6hen his

is o,er you &us beha,e ni"e#y or i## a## be 'orse %or e,eryone$(

)aisse +round her eeh in %rusraion$ She haed %ee#in+ so %eeb#e$ She had o do so&ehin+/i% on#y o "u he %ear ha 'ei+hed #i.e iron on her #i&bs$

Le &e do one hin+ be%ore 5$ Be%ore$ I 'an o ,isi he s!hin3/( she said$

Sorayan #au+hed/ han+in+ ono he ends o% he "o$

You be#ie,e8( he "ro'ed$ You be#ie,e ha rubbish$(

You be#ie,e he oraors/( she reored$

Thas be"ause heyre de"en/ nor&a#/ !ub#i" "ii0ens 'ho s!ea. %or our ineress$Allour ineress$

Theyre no %rauds or oddiies/ &uerin+ in he dar.$(

Neiher is he s!hin3$(

Shes no a s!hin3/ shes a %rea.$ Is ridi"u#ous8 Bu #oo./( a s#o!!y s&i#e o% indu#+en"e 'eed

Sorayans %a"e/ ,isi her i% you 'an$ I## +o 'ih you/ %or he a&use&en$ 9us don a.e i o

hear$ I don hin. shes 'i".ed/ 2us "on%used$ Shes su%%erin+ %ro& a de#usion$ Shes "reaed a%anasy abou herse#% be"ause he ruh is so 're"hed7 shes a &ad o#d 'o&an #i,in+ in a "a,e$

6heher or no shes a de"ei,er/ you "an say she has a nor&a# #i%e$(
http://bidisha-online.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/new-fiction-comforting-of-children.htmlhttp://bidisha-online.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/new-fiction-comforting-of-children.html


2/64

-aybe she doesn 'an a nor&a# #i%e/( said )aisse$

Thas 'ha ou"ass a#'ays say/( Sorayan snored$ 6hae,er is heir b#i+h/ hey say is a

!ri,i#e+e$ 6hae,er heir 'ea.ness/ hey say is a sren+h$ They insis heir de,ian"e +i,es he&

!ari"u#ar insi+h$ 6hen hey are 2us re2e"s/ rea##y$(

In he dar.ness ha ni+h/ 'hen he househo#d 'as as#ee!/ he baby o!ened her eyes and

oo. a +ood #oo. around )aisses "ha&ber$ The roo& hrobbed 'ih "on%ined b#a". hea$ The baby+rabbed he nein+ o% he "o/ !u##in+ i his 'ay and ha$ She "ou#d see e,ery hread o% he ne$

Beyond i she sa' he ba#"ony dra!es/ e&broidered "#e,er#y in "ob'eb si#.$ Beyond he dra!es she

behe#d he &oon and he 'or#d$ She absorbed a## his 'ih +rea ineres/ hen %e## as#ee!/ #isenin+

o he 'aer "hi&in+ in he "ouryard %ounain/ "#in.in+ o,er he ri& #i.e an in%inie %#o' o% "oins$

Oh/ -isress/ %or+i,e &e$(

The e3"#a&aion 'o.e )aisse/ 'ho sho %ro& he bed o he "o/ 'here her !rin"i!a#

'o&an/ Indi"a/ 'as sandin+ 'ih her hand o her &ouh$ The baby 'as here/ a#i,e/ unou"hed/

unseein+/ as !#ain and !er%e" as a round o% un%ired "#ay or unba.ed dou+h$ Indi"a #oo.ed shee!ish$

Is he nein+$ Is sin+ed$ I &us ha,e !u i oo "#ose o he #a&!/ or a ray o% sun !o.ed in and

burn i$(There 'as a s&a## b#a". burn 'ihin sna"hin+ disan"e o% he babys hand$ )aisse ou"hed i

and he %ibres disine+raed/ #ea,in+ a "har1ed+ed ho#e$

6hy 'ou#d I %re abou ha4( she said/ si". 'ih re#ie%$ Then she hou+h/ tonight my daughter is

condemned to die/ and her hear urned b#a". and hea,y 'ih error$

You "ou#d dis&iss &e %or "are#essness/( said Indi"a$ *nd nes e3!ensi,e$ *#hou+h I su!!ose i

isn/ o you$ No'/ 'e &us dress you %or he s!hin3/( she %#ared her nosri#s in disa!!ro,a#/ &ay

she +i,e you "o&%or$(

Oh 5 yes:$(

)aisse had %or+oen abou he s!hin3$ The ari%i"ia# s!hin3$ 6hy had she &ade su"h a %uss

abou ha4 She 'as hu&i#iain+ herse#% in her des!eraion/ "#in+in+ o nonsense/ +ro,e##in+ %or

"onso#aion$

)o you hin. shes a %raud4( she as.ed as she 'as bahed and readied$ In he "ha&ber dire"#y

abo,e/ he sa&e 'as bein+ done o Sorayan by his !rin"i!a# &an$

I hin. an iso#aed "reaure de,e#o!s !e"u#iar noions/( said Indi"a "auious#y$ She &ay be a +rea

!oe e##in+ a#es o di,er and de#i+h$ Or a #ady 'ho en,ies he &en a he heare and desires o

e&u#ae he&$ )ar.ness abes a## ;ua".1ri".ery and %#oun"y1da00#in+$ Or shes he 'ido' o% a

%ar&er or a sai#or/ 'ho "an iner!re naura# si+ns and +i,es sound ad,i"e$ She does 'ha she &us

o sur,i,e/ o aain so&e s&a## reno'n and !roe"ion/ e,en res!e"$ :Be'are hose 'ho a.e

ad,ana+e o% he des!erae$(

I& no des!erae %or anyhin+/( )aisse %#ared u!$ 6ha is o ha!!en +oes a+ains &y desire and

&y 'i##$ )on you: aren you sy&!ahei"4(O% "ourse I a&$ I dis#i.e he "oun"i#s iner%eren"e 2us as &u"h as you$ I be#ie,e a househo#d "an

+o,ern ise#% in 'hae,er sha!e suis i bes$ Bu you ha,e bu a day/ -isress$ Sure#y !ra"i"a#iy is

beer han !ro!he"y$(

The s.y 'as a s"ahin+ s"ar !in./ a i+h b#iser o% hea$ The baby had been 'ashed/ "a!!ed/

so".ed and &iened and ied ino a so#id o,a#$ )aisse "#as!ed he hard sha!e a'.'ard#y$

E,ery !ar o% &e is ri++ed 'ih so&e ri& or rin.e or asse#$ *nd ye/( she "o&!#ained o Indi"a

as hey #e%/ I& no a##o'ed o #oo. or be #oo.ed a/ or s!ea./ or be s!o.en o$(

Youre a !re"ious 2e'e# o% he house o% Sorayan/( said Indi"a$ 9e'e#s don s!ea.$(

Sorayan 'aied ouside/ a #ine o% s'ea +oin+ %ro& he ed+e o% his "a! ino he "o##ar o% his

uni"$Loo. a you/ su&b#in+ abou/( he +ri!ed a he sab#e boys/ 'ho sared a hi& and a )aisse 'ih

s#ee!y eyes$ Ho' #on+ does i a.e o hro' a sadd#e on a horse4(


3/64

6hy do hey +a!e so4( )aisse 'his!ered o Indi"a$

They .no' 'here youre +oin+$ I% youre no a &er"han or a sai#or/ or &eein+ a &er"han or a

sai#or/ or &arried o a &er"han or a sai#or/ or a.in+ your son o be"o&e a &er"han or a sai#or/

heres on#y one hin+ be'een he shi!bui#ders barns and he sea7 he #air o% he s!hin3$ The o#d

yards used o be %u## o% #ads hus#in+ %or errands bu e,en hey 'on +o u! ha %ar$ They say he

s!hin3 sna!s o%% youn+ boys you1.no'1'has and nibb#es he& a sundo'n/ as a sna".$(

The !a#an;uin 'as !re!ared/ resin+ on is sand$ )aisse behe#d i 'ih dis&ay$ I 'as adra!ed si".1bed 'ih a 'ooden %ra&e/ a %an"y sre"her %or an in,a#id$ 6hen he "urains 'ere

"#osed he hin+ be"a&e a so% 2ai#/ a "e## o% sai#s and "#oh/ a "ano!ied "o%%in$ )aisse 'as he#!ed

inside and #ay do'n/ "ur#ed around he baby$

She 'as #i%ed by %our &en/ heir hair s#i".ed and !#aied/ 2as&ine1oi#ed bodies #ean#y

ribboned 'ih &us"#e$ )aisse eyed he& hrou+h he si#. as he !a#an;uin 'as hoised ono heir

sron+ shou#ders$ -os 'ere +y&nass and a"robas or 'or.ed a he bahs$ They 'ere hired by he

ha#%1day$ They 'ere on dis!#ay as a "redi o he househo#d/ #i.e he au1haun"hed horses in he

sab#es or he !o#ished bron0e !os a he enran"e$ Bu shou#d )aisse be "au+h #oo.in+ a he&/ or

he& a her/ she 'ou#d be !unished$

The !ary #e%/ "#ad handso&e#y/ sa#.in+ s#o'#y$ They "rossed he ourna&en +rounds/

heare and asse&b#y !#a"es$ They !assed he #a'1&a.in+/ ad&inisraion/ 2usi"e and ar"hi,in+o%%i"es/ heir +uarded doors sandin+ hree "o#u&ns hi+h$ 6hen hey ed+ed hrou+h he &ar.e and

au"ion arena )aisse heard %#esh bein+ 'hi!!ed/ a hin i+h thwackon he ne". o% s#a,es/ "ri&ina#s/

ani&a#s$ She heard he ,oi"es o% 'o&en "o&&enin+ %a,ourab#y as he !a#an;uin bearers !assed$

Sorayan rode ahead/ bu".#es and "#as!s 2in+#in+$ Ne3 o hi& his se'ard/ *#us/ 'i#ed on a

bony !ony$ The sree !edd#ers "a##ed ou o he&7

Sir8 I ha,e de#i"a"ies and 'ine %or you$ On a bruish ho day a youn+ nob#e&an hun+ers and

hirss$(

Youn+ &aser/ he "a#% is %resh#y .i##ed$ I o%%er &y "he%$ He has an an+ry 'ay bu is on#y his

&anner$ He &us do e,eryhin+ hi&se#%/ %ro& sa".in+ he %ire o urnin+ he s!i$(

E#ie %riend/ &y dan"ers as. ho' #on+ you 'an he& %or$ I ha,e &usi"ians o asse&b#e and

rehearse and +y&nass o insru"$ 6e &us de"ide 'hi"h s"enes o !orray$(

6ih a sho". )aisse rea#ised ha Sorayan inended o "e#ebrae he deah o% he baby$ She

'rihed/ si".ened$ She !ared he "urains and Indi"a #oo.ed in hrou+h he +a!$ She 'as ridin+ a

+rey horse/ ne,er 2o#in+ or %au#in+$

-isress4(

Ho' "an I hear his and re&ain si#en4 6here I& %ro&/ hey !u us a'ay and %or+o abou us$

They so#d us o sran+ers and "ousins$ Or 'orse/ o our un"#es$ Bu hey didn .i## us ouri+h and

hey "erain#y didn &a.e a !ary o% i$ I,e been hin.in+$(

Tha is no re"o&&ended$(

I be#ie,e he "hoi"es +i,en o &e are no he on#y ones here are$ I 'ish o "han+e he ou"o&e$(

You a.e a +rea ris. in sayin+ so$(6ha do I "are abou ris.s4 The 'ors is a#ready o ha!!en$(

You "ou#d as. &e %or he#!/ I a& o#d and here%ore in,isib#e$ The in,isib#e &ay +o any'here$(

I .no' &y "hi#dhood %riends are here$ I 'an o %ind he& bu I don .no' ho'$ They +o by heir

%a&i#y na&es no'$ I a& he 'i%e o% Sorayan o% he hireenh ,i##a$(

)aisse and Sorayan had been born on he !re,ious is#and/ an a#ar o% +rey sone in a +rindin+

b#a". sea ha bi o%% a #i#e &ore o% he "oas e,ery 'iner$ In he &idd#e o% he is#and sood he %e'

sone houses o% he ri"h/ surrounded by he "oun#ess s&o.y "oa+es o% he !oor$ * he %urhes

ed+e 'ere he houses o% abandon&en$ -os 'ere %or dau+hers$ So&e 'ere %or sons o% +ross

enden"y$ So&e 'ere %or he &a#%or&ed and &ad$

)aisse had ne,er &e Sorayan uni# he day o% he &arria+e/ o 'hi"h she had been a.endire" %ro& he house o% abandon&en 'ihou bein+ o#d 'here she 'as +oin+$ *s he !re,ious

is#and shran. and +re' e,er "o#der i be"a&e he "uso& %or ne' "ou!#es o be sen on o his


4/64


5/64

You are a## "ursed8( roared a ,oi"e$

6ha8( s;uea.ed )aisse and Sorayan/ sna"hin+ ea"h ohers hands insin"i,e#y$

The ,oi"e "#ashed in heir ears/ is e"hoes beain+ around he&$ They re&b#ed a he &ouh

o% he s!hin3s #air$

On#y 2o.in+$( * +ian/ +ra,e##y "hu".#e$ Co&e in and &a.e yourse#,es "o&%orab#e$(

Youre no so .een o +o in no'/ are you4( 'his!ered Sorayan o )aisse$

Youre no so ;ui". o sneer/( she 'his!ered ba"./ #ein+ +o o% his hand$The "a,e 'as "oo# and dry/ !un+en 'ih he s&e## o% ne'#y ra.ed ashes$ I e3ended %ar

ba"./ ,as and b#a"./ %i##ed 'ih he in,isib#e re&ors o% he s!hin3s #au+her$ They sa' an ani&a#

s.in on he +round/ is head and "#a's aa"hed/ s.in s#ee./ he eyes 'o b#a". +e&s$ Han+in+ %ro&

a s!i.e on one side 'as a +ar#and o% red "#ay %#o'ers/ and on he oher side a a!esry$ * he o! o%

he a!esry 'as an e&broidered &an bein+ %ed by a s&i#in+ nude &aiden$ OBEDIECE/

re"o&&ended he 'o,en 'ords$ * he boo&/ he &an 'as bein+ orn o !ie"es by do+s 'ih

ha++ard 'o&ens %a"es and ousre"hed "ro's 'in+s$ Their on+ues 'ere hin and ro!y/ s'ir#in+

#i.e b#oody 'hi!s$ Their hread hair 'as 'i#d and 'iry$ !O""IP/ 'arned he a!esry$

E#e+an/( s&ir.ed Sorayan/ hou+h his ,oi"e sounded hin$

I don hin. heyre de"oraions$ Theyre o%%erin+s/( )aisse re!#ied$

The baby be+an o 'a.e/ .i".in+ 'ih sudden sren+h$ )aisse !eed her$ Sorayan 'as!eerin+ o he roo o% he "a,e$ There +#o'ed 'o s&a## %ires/ hi+h and bri+h/ s"aered 'ih

!uri%yin+ herbs ha urned he %#a&es si00#in+ 'hie and !a#e +reen$

For'ard/ !#ease/( said he ,oi"e/ ,ibrain+ hus.i#y$

They "re! dee!er$ The !i#es o% ribues +re' #ar+er$ There 'ere &ounds o% so% sha!es on

)aisses side/ na!.ins or s&a## %#a+s "#in+in+ #i&!#y o ea"h oher$ She !u##ed one %ree$

6ha are hese 5 oh8(

They 'ere babies "#ohes$ There 'ere uni"s and iny "#oa.s he si0e o% birds 'in+s/ 'iner

'ra!!in+s/ ;ui#ed "oas/ &iniaures robes/ %urred has as s&a## as 'ine "u!s$ There 'ere he %#a

!a's o% un'orn &iens$ There 'ere %e&a#e buria# %ro".s$

)on ou"h i/( said Sorayan/ unner,ed$ He sna"hed he hin+ and hre' i ba".$

Furher in here 'ere oo#ed "hess and iron sron+bo3es subb#ed 'ih bo#s/ +o#d basins

'ih oo#ed ri&s hur#ed ino he "ra+s #i.e ah#ees dis"s$ Ro!es o% dusy 2e'e#s s'un+ %ro& hoo.s$

>ob#es b#a".ened in ha!ha0ard "o#u&ns be'een o#d s"ro##s$ There 'ere a"ors &as.s and

'a"h&ens .ni,es/ sa%%s and ,ases/ en+ra,in+s and urns$

Loo. a his hoard$ Ye nobody ad&is o ,isiin+ her/( &ur&ured )aisse$

Eiher ha or shes a +reedy harridan +uardin+ hie,es %indin+s in reurn %or a bribe$(

6ha hie,es4 Theres no he% on he is#and$(

Sai#ors brin+ hin+s ba". %ro& he !re,ious is#and$( Pained/ Sorayan "orre"ed hi&se#%/ They

#roughthin+s ba".$(

6ha do you ha,e 'ih you/ o o%%er4(

Nohin+$(Nohin+ a a##4(

I didn o""ur o &e/( he shru++ed

He "he".ed he %o#d o% his "#oa. and %ound a s'ea1da&!ed !i+s.in !ou"h$

6has in ha4( as.ed )aisse ho!e%u##y$

-arb#es$ I 'as +oin+ o +i,e he& o *#uss "hi#dren$(

*re hey he "hea! .ind ha &e# in he rain4(

No$ Co#oured sones$(

You don ha,e a broo"h/ or a bu".#e/ or a #on+!in/ or a .ni%e4(

I #e e,eryhin+ +o 'ih *#us/ i hun+ so hea,y on he 'ay u!$(

This 'as ho' ri,ia##y had he a.en i/ )aisse hou+h$ He "ouned he ,isi as nohin+/ as

&inor as a "hi#drens !asi&e/ a o.en %or ser,ans$6ha o%yourrin.es4( he said/ #oo.in+ her u! and do'n$

Theyre 'orh#ess "o&!ared o yours8(


6/64

Co&e8 6ha is a## your bi".erin+4( ru&b#ed he ,oi"e$ )o you hin. I ha,e i&e o 'ai 'hi#e

you 2os#e and ne+oiae4 :$*"ua##y/ I do$(

)aisse and Sorayan si+hed in &uua# disa!!oin&en/ #oo.ed and "ried ou$ The %ires 'ere

eyes$ The %ires hey had seen 'ere he eyes o% he s!hin3/ ri!!#in+ bri+h and %as/ a "o#d &ea##i"

"o#our i"in+ he dar.ness$ )aisse ran %or'ard in ra!ure$

Is rea#: is rea#/( she breahed/ is a## rea#8(

She sared 'ih de#i+h ino he eyes o% his #e+end/ 'ho +a0ed do'n and +a,e a 'hie1%an+ed +rin$ She %e# !roe"ed by he "reaure #oo&in+ #u3urian#y around her/ e3udin+ beas#y

sais%a"ion$ The s!hin3 had he 'ide +o#d body o% a #ion/ dee! &us"#es and sron+ bones 'ra!!ed

in a i+h "ro! o% sandy1+#ea&in+ bris#es$ Her !a's/ "asua##y e3ended/ had %urred +o#d ba".s and

b#a". "#a's as 'ide as shie#ds$ The %a"e o% he s!hin3 'as #eahery/ 'rin.#ed on he sur%a"e bu %ir&

underneah/ #i.e a## hose 'ho #i,ed on he "oas$ Her %#a/ 'ide nose and !a#e eyes in dar. s.in/

'ih b#a". shado's under he&/ &ade her #oo. o#d and "#e,er$ The dar.ness around her "ra".#ed/ so

inense 'as her ,ia#iy$ Her +rey hair 'as sru". ba". %ro& her %orehead in hi". #ines/ u".ed ino

he ru%% o% a si%% "a!e: bu i 'as no a "a!e/ i 'as a se o% 'in+s/ hard and #eahery/ hin+ed and

2oined$ They #ay a"ross her ba"./ +#inin+$

Sorayan bo'ed$

6e are hu&b#y be%ore you/( he inoned 'ih a sardoni" s'a++er$The s!hin3 #oo.ed %ro& hi& o )aisse and ba". a+ain/ s&i#in+ a s!hin3y s&i#e$

)aisse and Sorayan/( she +ro'#ed/ %ro& he hireenh ,i##a$ The one 'ih he bird &oi%$ On one

+ae!os you ha,e a "ro'/ and on he oher/ a !ea"o".$ On one !or"h !i##ar a do,e/ and on he oher/

a ,u#ure$ *nd &any oher hin+s besides$(

Our house is des"ribed in deai# in he re"ords$ Those &osai"s ha,e e3ised %or e,er/( said Sorayan$

True/ rue/( she re!#ied &i#d#y$ Her #on+ "hin 'as %urred 'ih +o#d$ On#y I& no a##o'ed in he

ar"hi,e o%%i"es/ #i.e a## %e&a#es e3"e! s#a,es and a## ani&a#s e3"e! hose desined %or dinner$ *nd I

"an assure you/ I don 'an o +o in ha "a!a"iy$ I 'as on#y &a.in+ "on,ersaion$ -y na&es

*a&&a$ -i+h sound sran+e o you 'ih a## your Ly"ii and Ci,iae and ?a#ienses 5 (

Those are he hi+hes %a&i#ies/( said Sorayan$

I .no'/ I,e &e he&$ *nd heir !reenious "hi#dren$ * #eas 'ih &e you 'on %or+e he %a"e$

Neiher do I$( She #oo.ed a he baby 'ih a hun+ry s&i#e$ Her eye ra,e##ed o he !ou"h in

Sorayans hand$ 6ha ha,e you +o here4(

9us &arb#es/( said )aisse/ a.in+ he !ou"h %ro& Sorayan and sho'in+ i a!o#o+ei"a##y$

*h8 )on be e&barrassed$ I #i.e +a&es$(

*nd: I o%%er you his$(

)aisse oo. o%% her "#oa.$ The %ire#i+h !ier"ed he hreads and &ade he& see1hrou+h/ hen

o!a;ue/ hen see1hrou+h$

*ha8 I #i.e "on"ea#&en$(

*nd :his oo$(

)aisse re&o,ed he o!a0 "hain .ee!in+ her ,ei# in !#a"e$Prey8( "ooed he s!hin3$ Li#e nu++es o% %ire$(

6here sha## I !u he&4(

Oh/ any'here$(

)aisse sa' a +aun robe1sand in one o% he "rannies$ *s she 'en o i her ,ei# s#i!!ed o%%

her head and san. o he %#oor$

)on be too;ui". o !#ease/( Sorayan 'heed#ed$

The s!hin3 obser,ed hi& "are%u##y$

Ro## ou he &arb#es/ 'hy don you$ Les ha,e a #oo.$ Your 'i%es busy 'ih he baby$ 9us ro##

he& abou as you nor&a##y 'ou#d and I## 'a"h$(

Un'i##in+#y/ Sorayan +rabbed he !ou"h/ +o ono his .nees/ an+#ed and unan+#ed his

"#oa./ !oured ou he &arb#es and "ra'#ed around/ "a"hin+ he& as hey ro##ed here and here$ He!er%or&ed/ +ro'in+ e,er an+rier/ as )aisse sood ierin+ in &ori%i"aion beside hi&$

Than. you so &u"h/( dra'#ed he s!hin3$ You "an sand u! no'$(


7/64

She un"ur#ed a !a' and 'ih e3re&e de#i"a"y nud+ed he ed+e o% one a&ber &arb#e 'ih

he ed+e o% one "#a'$ The &arb#e ro##ed a #i#e 'ay/ so!!ed and be+an o s!in$ I s!un uni# i

shaered ino a %#u%% o% +#ierin+ ye##o' !o'der$

Thas a a,ern ri".$( Sorayan "ur#ed his #i!$ Tri".s are %or 're"hes 'ho &us hus#e o sur,i,e$(

6e##/ e3"use &e$ 9us ryin+ o enerain$(

Those 'ho "an i&!ress he 'orhy 'ay 'i## a#'ays ry he "hea! 'ay/ 'ih disra"in+ baner

and 2an+#in+ "har&s and ,u#+ar e%%e"s and 5 and easy hri##s and %ri!!eries 5 (*nd nohin+ o +o on/ bu a %eisy s!iri/( %inished he s!hin3 do#e%u##y/ "#eanin+ her ba". eeh

'ih a s!rin+y !in. on+ue$ 6ha %ine #an+ua+e you ha,e$ Fro& 'hi"h saes&an is i "o!ied4(

The baby .i".ed ou and )aisse e3"#ai&ed/ sru++#in+ o .ee! her +ri!$

I& sorry/( said he s!hin3 abru!#y$ Su!id o% &e$ You## 'an o %reshen u! a%er ra&!in+ a##

his 'ay$ The basins o,er here$(

There 'as a hearh 'ih a %ire sna!!in+ around #i&bs o% &us.y 'ood$ In %ron o% i 'as a

'hie basin sha!ed #i.e ha#% an e++$ Ho' dee! inside he ro".s hey &us be/ hou+h )aisse/ %or a

%ire o be needed on a day #i.e his$

Fee#in+ shy/ she 'en o he ha#%1e++/ un!ee#ed he baby %ro& is 'ra!!in+s and ben

o'ards he 'aer/ bu "ou#dn +e "#ose enou+h$ Her ar&s and ba". 'ere a"hin+$ She 'ished she

had Indi"a o he#! her$ She sa' a she## sha!ed brass "u! han+in+ %ro& he ri& o% he basin/ s"oo!edso&e 'aer 'ih i and !oured i o,er her dau+hers %orehead$ The baby +a,e a ;ui,er o% re#ie%$

)aisse %e# a +rea desire o +e in and %ee# he 'aer a## around he&$

)on a.e oo #on+/( Sorayan said$

*nd so she "a&e ba"./ e&barrassed$

6ha i% I o#d you he e#i3ir in ha basin &a.es you i&&ora#/( 'in.#ed he s!hin3/ oo #ae$

-issed your "han"e$(

The basin 'as e&!y$ There &us be a ,a#,e ha #e ou he used 'aer and sen i do'n a

+uer ou o% he "a,e/ ba". o he sea or ino a ro". se'er/ hou+h )aisse$

Con2urors %#ourishes/( +ru&b#ed Sorayan$ You s;uander our i&e 'ih hese !ey s'ind#es$ Is

%ri,o#ous$(

So/ &y ,oi"e irriaes you$ -y a!!earan"e re,o#s you$ -y #o,e#y ho&e in%#a&es your ridi"u#e$

6hy are you here4(

*s a "on"ession o her$ *nd in reurn I,e been eased/ and !aronised/ and be#i#ed/ and s!o.en

do'n o/( he "o&!#ained$

Sin"e &y 'i annoys you/ and your 'i%e su%%ers so/ I## .ee! i brie%$ Your "hi#d 'i## sur,i,e as

#on+ as that$(

She indi"aed he %ire$ Sorayan +#an"ed/ !a#ed/ %ro'ned/ urned a'ay$ )aisse #oo.ed

un"o&!rehendin+$

You don .no' he ridd#e4 I hou+h e,eryone did$ *## nob#es/ any'ay/( said he s!hin3$

6ha ridd#e4( as.ed )aisse$

The one %or "hi#dren #earnin+ heir #eers/ and re"iaion/ and rheori"/ and e#o"uion$ Thas 'hyhe e#ies %inish heir #essons a## a#.in+ he sa&e 'ay$(

I don .no' any ridd#es/( said )aisse$

I .no' i/( said Sorayan$

Say i hen/( he s!hin3 e3hored$

Sorayan sa a he ed+e o% he hearh$ He rubbed he ba". o% his ne"./ ryin+ o re"a## he

'ords$

6ha is .i##ed a ni+h 5 (

Oh/ no$ )on/( i&!#ored )aisse/ he days sri" se#%1"onro# "ra".in+$

>o on/( ur+ed he s!hin3$

6ha is .i##ed a ni+h/ re"reaed ea"h day/ "a##ed by he sa&e na&e bu a#'ays di%%eren/ a dan+er

and a "o&%or/ ha desroys and "reaes4 6ha de&ands +ro'h and "onain&en/ %i3iy and&o,e&en4 6ha is #eas ,isib#e in #i+h/ bri+h in dar.ness4 6ha !uri%ies and su##ies4 6ha

ra,a+es +rea sru"ures ye %or+es !er&anen"e4 6ha is he si+n o% ho&e"o&in+ ha #ea,es


8/64

de,asaion4 6ha is "o&%or and 'ar/ 'ha ara"s and deers4 6ha is #on+ed %or bu &ay ne,er

be e&bra"ed/ he si+h &os +#ad#y 'e#"o&ed and sore#y %eared/ he si+n o% ,i"ory and a#so de%ea4

6ha do 'e 'orshi! and dread4 6ha do 'e #i,e by/ 'hose bri##ian"e is b#indin+/ 'hose ou"h is

#i%e and deah4 Too "#ose and 'e die@ oo %ar and 'e die$ 6ha rans%or&s4 Nohin+ sur,i,es i

un"han+ed$ 6ha is is na&e4(

Fire8 Fire8 Fire is is na&e8 Oh/ 'e## done8(

* roar o% e3hi#araion shoo. he "a,e$ The s!hin3 "#aered her "#a's/ sna!!ed her 2a's and"ra".ed her 'in+s$ The e"hoes s&ashed around he&/ shaerin+ ino e,er s&a##er sounds$

Sorayan and )aisse "o'ered$ The s!hin3 #au+hed 'ih +#oain+ 2oy$

Beaui%u##y re"ied/ sire$ Thas di%%i"u# +ra&&ar/ in he %or&a# on+ue$(

Ho' 'e haed &e&orisin+ ha/( he re!#ied$ Is 'rien ou in a ,eri"a# s"ro##/ in red$ E,ery i&e

'e &e&orised one se+&en/ -aser 6iard unro##ed a #i#e &ore$ 6hen he s"ro##s un"ur#ed i

rese&b#es a !i##ar o% %#a&e ise#%/ a o'er on %ire$(

6ha do you &ean by his4( as.ed )aisse/ sarin+ a he s!hin3$

The s!hin3 +a,e a &a+ni%i"en shru+7

I #oo.ed a you and has 'ha I sa'$ Sudy he %ire/ "hi#dren/ and re"on"i#e yourse#,es$(

I don 'an ha/( said )aisse$

6ho 'ou#d4 The ou"h o% %ire boh hri##s and burns 5(U+h8 )on8 Chan+e her desiny$(

6ha is his =desiny you obsess abou4 The dou+hies is#ander re&b#es in his sanda#s and be+s

%or his %ae/ a## di+niy %or+oen/ hen ra+es and "a##s &e %ou# na&es 'hen I !redi" a ;uie "areer

&arred by +ou$(

You ha,e he !o'er$(

I do notha,e he !o'er/( he s!hin3 "orre"ed her !edani"a##y$ You are bein+ 'hi&si"a#$ I a&/ as

you see/ an un'aned o#d she1"reaure 'ih &oh1eaen ears and bri#e "#a's and roen %an+s and

a"hin+ 'in+ 2oins$ *nd &an+e$ *nd a ray ai#$ I& sure you a+ree/ &aser$ $oudon be#ie,e$(

Sorayan i+nored her$ The s!hin3 #aid !iyin+ eyes on )aisse$

You hin. so&ehin+ &i+h ha!!en a he #as &o&en/ as hou+h his is a ra! you didn &a.e %or

yourse#%$(

I didn/( said )aisse ,ehe&en#y$

So&eone did$ The &enors a+reed he ru#es$ The oraors !ro&oe he&$ The uors ea"h he&$

Your husband %o##o's he&$ He does no ;uesion he&$ No' hey !#ay ou$(

I& hun+ry/( Sorayan announ"ed$ He sood u!/ s'ayed and "#u"hed his head$ -y s.u## hurs

'ih a## his %o##y1ya".in+$(

I sa' 'ha ha!!ened on he !re,ious is#and/( said he s!hin3 o hi&$ 6ha a "aa"#ys&$ Naure is

a &ean ;ueen$(

Bu a #eas she is no edious$(

You &us &ourn your ho&e$ I doesn a.e a see1er o see ha$ You &ourn your ori+ins$ You

&ourn heir "o&%or$ Your "onen&en has been !oisoned$(Sorayan +ri!!ed )aisses ar& and !u##ed her a'ay$

Ou o% here$ -y head a"hes/( he said/ eeh +ried$ He rod on her %a##en ,ei# 'ihou noi"in+$

Is he hei+h and de!h o% he ro"./ and he dryness/( he s!hin3 !#a"id#y e3!#ained/ i "reaes

!ressure$ Thas ho' +e&s are &ade/ you .no'$ Tre&endous !ressure/ hea/ 'ei+h/ dar.ness and

i&e$ P#eny o% i&e$ Then hey #as %ore,er$(

-ad$ Shes &ad/( said Sorayan$

Can I ho#d he baby4( as.ed he s!hin3$ In "ase heres one insi+h 'aiin+$ )esiny so&ei&es

"o&&uni"aes by ou"h$(

She urned her !a' !a#& u!$ )aisse bro.e a'ay and #ay he baby on he #eahery "ushion1

!ads/ #oo.in+ a he beaui%u# o#d %a"e besee"hin+#y$ The !a' "#osed/ &a.in+ a roo% o% a#ons$

*berraions/ a## o% you/( Sorayan &uered %e,erish#y$ He #oo.ed +rey and i##$The "hi#d 'i## burn/( he s!hin3 de"ided$

)aisse san. o her .nees and Sorayan hau#ed her u! a+ain$ The s!hin3 #au+hed horrib#y and


9/64

#oosened her +ri!$ )aisse sna"hed he baby ba".$ She and Sorayan urned and ran o he day#i+h as

he "a,e e"hoes hre' he s!hin3s #au+her ba". in heir %a"es$

I 'onder a you/( auned he s!hin3$ You "o&e 'ih your ribues/ 'ierin+ and s"ra!in+$ Bu i%

you hear so&ehin+ you don #i.e/ you "anno a""e! i$ You "an #oo. a rea#iy 5 no 5 you "anno

#e i #oo. ayou/ #es youre %or"ed o "on%ron your o'n &inoriy$ You dis"o,er ha you are no he

"enre o% he 'or#d$ The ruh is a he "enre$ You are a he ed+e$ The ruh is #i.e a sna.es bie/ a

sab o% ,eno&$ I ne,er hea#s/ i a#'ays burns/ i &ay ne,er be e3!un+ed$( )aisse and Sorayan %#ed !as he !i#es o% o%%erin+s$ The hea!ed orna&ens %#ashed by/

"o#ourin+ he shado's$ The #i+h a he &ouh o% he "a,e 'as so bri+h i sru". heir eyes$ They

ree#ed ba"./ "#u"hin+ ea"h oher$ The s!hin3 'a"hed/ a &us"#ed body o% "one&!$ She %#ared her

nosri#s and +a,e he& a sar./ arro+an #oo./ hen s&a".ed her #i!s/ "rossed her !a's and #ay her

&u00#e on he&/ he s!ines o% her 'in+s .no".in+ b#un#y #i.e broo& hand#es$

F#ins and inders/ I& ired$( She b#in.ed hea,i#y$ You #oo. s&a## and %ar a'ay/ #i.e "har"oa#

s.e"hes on hese 'a##s$ I "an on#y see your si#houees$ I% youre rai!sin+ in he hea be'are o%

sna.es/ heyre s#i&y ras"a#s and hey si". in ones eeh$ Soo1ba##s and e&bers/( she ya'ned and

her 2a'bone "ra".ed/ I& 'eary as a do+$ >oodbye/ you 'o$ Than.s %or he &arb#es$(

THE CO-FORTIN> OF CHIL)RENThis is Part One, Chapter Two of Transformation Play%

)aisse and Sorayan sa++ered %ro& he "a,e/ +u#!in+ he s"a#din+ air$ Boh %e# beaen and e&!ied

by he en"ouner$ Boh 'ished hey had no "o&e$ The sea beyond he ed+e sea&ed and sirred$

*#us/ Indi"a/ he !a#an;uin bearers and he hree horses/ b#a"./ bro'n and +rey/ 'ere no'here o

be seen$ )aisse #oo.ed a he baby/ a s&ooh/ seaess/ %oress/ 'a3en sha!e$ I had a## been %or

nohin+$

They su&b#ed do'n he s#o!e/ s;uinin+ in he hard ye##o' #i+h$ Sorayan &ade a si%#ed

sound$ * %irs )aisse hou+h he 'as "ryin+$ Then he #au+hed7

6ha a %raud8 6ha a ho'#in+ %raud8(

Ho' "an you say ha4(

6ha !osurin+$ * !ro!heess she is not$ Shes a &ad/ sad/ bad a"ress in a !added "osu&e$(

6ha abou he !a's 5 he "#a's4( she as.ed/ hurryin+ o .ee! u! 'ih hi&$

Pony s.in on he ouside/ su%%ed 'ih horsehair$ Or sra'$ Or sa'dus4 Bu had &a.e he&

hea,y$ I 'onder i% he 'ho#e hin+s a %ra&ed sru"ure/ 'ih !u##eys and #e,ers and s!a"e inside$ Or

is i u! on a dais4 Cou#d i be a !u!!e4 Or so&e .ind o% shado'1"ra%/ here a he ba".$ Theres a

ha#%1&as./ ob,ious#y/ 'ih or"hes behind i/ %or he eyes$ I hin. he 'his.ers are a## her o'n8 The

"#a's are "#e,er$ The 'in+s are "hea! 5 an oi#1and1'a3 sor& "a!e$(

6hy 'ou#d she 'ai in %u## "osu&e on he "han"e o% a ,isi4(

She sa' us "o&in+$ I% you +o =round he ba". o% he "a,e you "an s!y ha#% he is#and$ Thas!robab#y 'hy she #i.es #i,in+ here$(

6ha abou he ribues4(

Theyre %a.es/ or bro.en rubbish 'ashed u! on he ro".s$( He #oo.ed sru". %or a &o&en$ I

'onder i% anyhin+ %ro& &y !arens house is here$(

Bu I sa' you in here$ You 'ere !erurbed$(

His disurban"e/ his "#ear abhorren"e and ur&oi#/ had &ade her ho!e$ He 'as no neura#/

'hae,er he !reended$ Nobody sneered so hard a hin+s hey %e# indi%%eren abou$

6e## 5 shes !erurbin+8 *n o#d ,ir+in$ Thas a sran+e hou+h$ *nd 'ha .ind o% a na&e is

*a&&a4 6heres i %ro&4 Curses/ is ho$(

His eyes 'ere +#o'in+/ his "hee.s &o#ed$ His hroa 'as red$

You,e been ou"hed by he sun/( )aisse o#d hi&$ I don hin. he s!hin3 'as easin+ 'hen shesaid ha abou he air in he "a,e$ Hea and hei+h/ and de!h/ !rodu"e sran+e e%%e"s$(

)on %uss$ I& 'e##/ I& e3"e##en$ There hey are8 I see *#uss !ony$(
http://bidisha-online.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/new-fiction-comforting-of-children.htmlhttp://bidisha-online.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/new-fiction-comforting-of-children.htmlhttp://bidisha-online.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/new-fiction-comforting-of-children.html


10/64

He !oined o an o!en1%roned barn a#&os hidden behind oher bui#din+s$ *s hey 'a#.ed/

)aisse noi"ed ha he 'a##s o% he 'or.sho!s had desi+ns s"ra'#ed on he& 5 'a,es/ or 'or&y

#ines$ The %resh "har"oa# "ried b#a". %#a.es do'n he 'a##s$

*#uss !ony 'as i#in+ dusi#y/ is reins s#a". around a barn !os$

Loo. a ha ri".ey o#d don.ey1s"ra+$ Is #i.e so&ehin+ 'hi#ed ou o% a #o+ o !#ease a

si&!#eon/( &o".ed Sorayan$

6hose !#a"e is his4(Parres he "hario &a.ers$ Hes a +rea a#en$ He sared by &a.in+ #i#e "ribs and "os %or he

&arons/ hen he &ade ben"hes %or he &asers ha##s and debain+ roo&s$ Then he &ade a

ban;uein+ ab#e and e,eryone #i.ed i$ He &ade he &usi"ians sands and he sin+ers sa##s a he

re,e#s$ He &ade he ah#ees !a,i#ions %or he +a&es$ Then he &ade so&e "harios$(

Sorayans %eaures &e#ed in 'orshi!$

Has he no ri,a#4( as.ed )aisse$

He did a %irs7 Con"enus$ They had ;uie a "ones +oin+/ %or na&e and "o&&issions$ One ni+h

Con"enus 'en %or his 'a#.: and 'as %ound he ne3 day/ radd#ed in a di"h 'ih his 'or.sho!

.eys and !urse +one and his hands/ 'ih a## heir rin+s/ "u o%% a he 'riss$ I &us ha,e been a

ser,an 'ih a +rud+e$ Soon a%er ha/ Parres esab#ished hi&se#%$(

Sorayan ha&&ered on he door$Parres/ =is Sorayan/ o% he hireenh8 6here are you hidin+ &y &an4 *nd 'heres &y oy4(

The door "rea.ed o!en$ Parres bo'ed o Sorayan/ nodded o )aisse/ +#an"ed a he baby and

hen #oo.ed a Sorayan &eanin+%u##y$ $es, how neutral you are/ )aisse hou+h as he 'o o% he&

"o&&uni"aed si#en#y in %ron o% her/ abou her$

*n aendan ran ou #i+h#y$ I 'as a youn+ &an/ %ashionab#y dressed/ a "u abo,e a house

ser,an/ a shade be#o' an a!!reni"e$

Aass## +e you anyhin+ you 'an/( said Parres +ru%%#y o )aisse$

Theres a "o/( said Aass in an endearin+ ha#%1bro.en ,oi"e$ Los o% "os$ For he baby$(

The youn+ &aser &ay a#so 'e#"o&e your "are/( she said/ "har&ed/ i% you ha,e so&ehin+ %or

sunsro.e$ 6e &us dra' ou he hea$(

I## as. he house.ee!er/ he .no's e,eryhin+/( said Aass readi#y$

There 'ere no 'o&en in he house/ )aisse rea#ised as she %o##o'ed Aass inside$ No e,en

ser,ans$ Behind he !ar"hed/ !#ain %ron Parress roo&s "onained beaui%u# 'ooden %urnishin+s

'hi!!ed ino 'iss and "ur,es/ s"oo!s and 2us/ %or&s and absra"s$

There 'as a ba#"ony %or #adies/ an e#e+an#y s&a## s!a"e 'ih "ar,ed s"reens$ )aisse 'as

sho'n ino i and !o#ie#y abandoned$ Aass had #e% a "o/ a basin and "#oh/ si&!#e %ood and a 2u+

o% s'ee !in. %rui 2ui"e$ )aisse #ay he baby in he "o/ dran./ sre"hed ou on he hard si#.

"ushions and ried o re"a## 'ha he s!hin3 had said$ I 'as a## #os in a b#arin+/ sense#ess !ani"$

Indi"a and Sorayan 'ere ri+h/ he s!hin3 'as a## %ron and ri".ery/ +a&es and e%%e"s$ *n

e3haused/ des!airin+ s#ee! o,eroo. her$

She 'as 'o.en %or he se"ond i&e ha day by a ser,ans "ry$ She #ea! u!$ Aass 'as onhe +round/ his !a#&s red$ In %ron o% hi& 'as a s!ar.#in+ !i#e o% %ra+&ens$

6ha ha!!ened4(

Aass +roaned in e&barrass&en$

I "a&e o as. a%er you 5 he +#ass 'as bro.en on he %#oor 5 I hou+h o "#ean i u! and I "u

&yse#%:and I hin. I,e burn &yse#%/ oo$ The !ie"es su"./ and 'hen I ried o !ee# he& o%% hey

ore &y s.in$(

)aisse san. do'n/ e;ua##y e&barrassed$

I &us ha,e dro!!ed i 'hen I %e## as#ee!$ I& sorry$ I didn hear i brea.$( She oo. his hands and

#oo.ed a he s&arin+ s.in$ Theyre burns/( she a+reed$ I &us ha,e s&ashed in a !a"h o%

sun#i+h$ Fine 'are heas easi#y$ )oes i hur4(

-&$ No oo &u"h$(6i## you +e in roub#e4(

I## b#a&e i on you$(


11/64

Aass +rinned a her "han"i#y 5 #i.e a "hi#d/ no a %#iraious youh$ She 'ondered ho' o#d he

'as and i% he #i,ed !er&anen#y 'ih Parres$ She 'ondered i% he #i.ed i$ He &us &ee &any #i.e

her/ 'aiin+ ou heir i&e in he #adies ba#"ony 'hi#e heir &aser s!o.e o his &aser$

Find so&ehin+ "o#d o ho#d/( she said$ He "hose he basin/ s!i##in+ so&e 'aer as he brou+h i

do'n$ The s!#ash re&inded )aisse7

The 'a,e !i"ures on he 'a##s$ 6ha are hey %or4(

Aass i&&ediae#y #oo.ed .een$Theyre no 'a,es/ heyre he sea &onser$(

* &onser4( she said indu#+en#y$ Aasss sin+in+ uor &us ha,e +i,en hi& so&e a#e o

e&be##ish$ Is#anders don be#ie,e ha #ore$(

Centralis#anders don$ They say is he 'or&y sha!e o% a sor& "#oud$ Bu i% you a#. o he

sai#ors and e3!#orers a he "oas/ hey be#ie,e a## sors$(

*nd do you be#ie,e he&4(

Id likeo$( His 'ounds %or+oen/ Aass #ean ea+er#y a+ains he sea$ They say ha 'hen he

days as su%%y as his/ and you "an bare#y breahe/ and he s.y s'e##s #i.e a boi#/ and he seas

bubb#e and %roh/ and your s.in burss and e,eryhin+s des!erae/ and he is#and %ries: a &onsers

bein+ born$ I "o&es %ro& dee! in he 'aer$ Firs i "ir"#es/ drin.in+ is %i##$ I #es #i%e in%use is

bends/ a## he 'ay o he i! o% is ai#$ Then i 2u&!s u!8 I dan"es in e3u#aion$ The iron'or.erssay i "ur,es #i.e %i#i+ree$ The "a##i+ra!hers say i &o,es #i.e runnin+ in.$ The s#a,e1raders say i

s#i".s he sur%a"e #i.e a 'hi!$ I &a.es 'ondrous sha!es$ 6hen is %inished dan"in+ i +i,es a

shi&&y and +oes head#on+ ba". o he sea$ The end o% is ai# %#i".s u! and s"ra"hes he "#ouds and

ou "o&e he rains$ *nd he rains %a## and "oo# us do'n$ *nd has he end$(

)aisse +i++#ed a he %ine e##in+$ I 'as "o&%orin+ #isenin+ o Aass$ I 'as #i.e bein+ ba".

a he house o% abandon&en 'ih her %riends$ Aass 'as s!ra'#ed on he %#oor a her shou#der and

she 'as ha#%1#yin+ on he sea$

The "oas#anders &a.e dra'in+s o eni"e he &onser ou$ See$( He sa ba"./ bea&in+$ Is a

ha!!y sory$(

I is$(

The sea &onsers ha!!y o be a#i,e/( he said 'is%u##y$

The s"reen s#a&&ed o!en and Sorayan sood %ro'nin+ and red1%a"ed a he end o% he

ba#"ony$

6hy are you #o##in+ in ha obs"ene 'ay4( he s"o'#ed$

Aass s"ra&b#ed o his %ee and s"urried ou$ )aisse oo. he baby and %o##o'ed Sorayan o

he yard/ 'hose %#oor shone 'ih "ur#ed 'ood1sha,in+s rese&b#in+ "hi#drens shorn hair$ Parress

%inished !ie"es sa "o,ered 'ih "#oh #i.e "rou"hed and shrouded ani&a#s$

-usn 'e bid Parres +oodbye4( as.ed )aisse$

Sorayan "ou#dn hide a #oo. o% re!e##en"e$

No$ Hes a sran+e &an$ He on#y 'ans o 'or.$ He said he had his ="hi#dren o #oo. a%er$ Funny

!hrase$ No1one ends heir "hi#dren 'ih a sa'$(You are oo "o'ard#y o a"ua##y use a sa'$(

No &ore o% ha/( he said/ an+ry and &iserab#e$ Is bad enou+h you dra+ he !oor hin+

e,ery'here 'ih you #i.e a +ir# 'ih a do##$(

In one "orner o% he barn/ on a !i#e o% sra'/ 'ere %our bodies$ They 'ere he !a#an;uin

bearers$ They had sunsro.e$ Ne3 o he&/ ho#din+ a #ad#e/ 'ih a bu".e o% 'aer be'een her

.nees/ sa Indi"a$ She di!!ed he #ad#e ino he 'aer and !oured i o,er he &en/ 'ho &oaned$

Leanin+ beside his de2e"ed !i#e o% %#esh 'as Sorayans &an/ *#us$

*#us +a&b#ed &y horse/( said Indi"a o )aisse$ I %ound hese %our ha,in+ a 'e##1earned s'i&/

and I %e"hed he& %ro& he sea$ I %e"hed him%ro& he +a&es roo&s$ He as.ed us o 'ai/ and 'e

did/ roasin+$ The day is #i.e a %urna"e$ I 'as 2us hin.in+/ he +round is oo ho o 'a#. u!on/

'hen ou he "a&e and oo. &y horse %ro& under &e$ Orrun 'as her na&e$( Sorayan #au+hed round#y$

Isn ha a %ine sho' o% "on%iden"e$ Trade/ *#us/ and rade u!8(


12/64

Nobody beas &e a +a&b#es/ sir$ I had o 'or. %as/ heyre "#osin+ he roo&s ear#y in "ase o% a

sor&$ Hea as i+h as his is sure o brea. hard$(

Orrun 'asn yours o rade/( said Indi"a$

No$ She 'as &ine/( said Sorayan$ >ood &an/ *#/ sa%e+uardin+ your &asers ineres 'heher

youre o#d o or no$(

6hy no be your o'n ride4( Indi"a "ha##en+ed *#us$

O#d Re&&y4 6ho 'ans her4( *#us !roesed$ Shes a ba#din+/ di%%i"u#/ %ussy/ nei+hin+ bone1ba+ no1one "an sand o be around$(

Indi"a #oo.ed dis+used and Sorayan +u%%a'ed/ "#a!!in+ *#us on he ba".$

*nd he !a#an;uin4 Is ha +one oo4( as.ed )aisse$

No/ is here$ In !ie"es/( said Indi"a$ The ri+h&os rod sna!!ed 'hen is "arrier "o##a!sed$ The

%ra&e bro.e 'hen i sru". he +round$ 6e brou+h he bis on he -asers horse$(

You "an "o&e ba". in &y ne' "hario/ )aisse/( said Sorayan$ Is no ye %inished bu Parres

'ans &e o es is he% and bias and send a #is o% "orre"ions$(

Bu he 2ourney ba". 'asn as i&!ressi,e as hed ho!ed$ Sorayans sa##ion and *#uss

!ony dis#i.ed ea"h oher and dis#i.ed bein+ harnessed o he "hario/ 'hi"h ro##ed 2a++ed#y/ 'ih a

'is in one 'hee#$ Pu##ed behind 'as a rades&ans "ar bearin+ he bodies o% he !a#an;uin

"arriers/ 'ho& hey dro!!ed a heir #od+in+s$ Siin+ a he "ar ed+e 'as Indi"a/ 'hod insisedha )aisse +i,e her he baby and a.e so&e res$ *#us rode ahead$

Sorayan "rou"hed unseadi#y in he "ur,e o% he "hario/ u++in+ a one or anoher srand o%

he #on+ reins borro'ed %ro& Parres$ )aisse sa u".ed in he #ed+e$ Her s.u## %e# as hou+h i 'as

bein+ sru". 'ih a +on+ ha&&er/ so resoundin+ and re+u#ar 'ere he re&ors o% !ain$ She 'as

+rae%u#/ i so!!ed her %ro& hin.in+$

Ho' do you si %as #i.e ha4( Sorayan as.ed en,ious#y$

She shru++ed$ She had ridden 'ih ha#%1'i#d horses a## her "hi#dhood$ Tha 'as he bene%i

o% ha,in+ +uardians 'ho didn "are i% you #i,ed or died$ Sar,in+/ %ree0in+/ dro'nin+ or bein+

ra&!#ed by a bo#in+ &are7 i 'as a## he sa&e$

Parres says 5 (

I ha,e no ineres in dis"ussin+ he ar o% "harioeerin+/( she said/ eeh "#en"hed/ you .no' 'ha

I desire$ 6i## you "oninue/ si&!#y o a,oid he e&barrass&en o% "han+in+ your &ind4 Tha 'ou#d

on#y or&en you %or a day or 'o$ No a #i%ei&e$(

Is he #a'$ *bnor&a#iies &us be !unished$(

For a nob#e&an here are no "onse;uen"es o brea.in+ #a's$ The ru#es "an a#'ays be:#i+h#y

sanded o ad&i &ore roo&$ Youd #ose he res!e" o% your %e##o's %or a shor i&e$ Then

disres!e"in+ you 'ou#d "ease o be 'orh'hi#e$ You ha,e !osiion$ You## rise$ They "an a%%ord o

shun you %or so&ehin+ so ri%#in+ as a "hi#d/ i 'ou#d hur heir "areers$ 6hy do you no say 'ha

you so "#ear#y %ee#4 Your #oudness 'ih *#us oday/ your rau"ous %riend#iness o Parres/ ha

du##ard/ a## 'ere o "o,er your dread/ I be#ie,e$ -ean'hi#e/ I su%%er %or your "o'ardi"e$(

Sorayan said nohin+/ bu #oo.ed dar. 'ih sha&e$

The ,i##a +aes #e he& in 'ih a shi,erin+/ hauned sound$ Inside/ 'aiin+/ 'ere he "oun"i#

'o&en$ They 'ore 'hie ,ei#s/ 'hie a!rons/ #on+ 'hie +#o,es$ U!on seein+ he&/ )aisse be+an

o s"rea&$ *#us and Sorayan 'en ;ui".#y o he sab#es$ )aisse ran %ro& he "hario o he "ar bu

'as b#o".ed and sho,ed aside$ She %e## hard/ he breah .no".ed %ro& her &ouh$ The #as hin+ she

sa' 'as Indi"a sarin+ a her in b#an. sho"./ ho#din+ he baby/ be%ore Indi"a herse#% 'as sna"hed

a'ay$

)aisse 'as bund#ed u!/ dra++ed o her "ha&ber and hro'n in$ The 'o&en %or&ed a #ine o%

ba".s a"ross he ar"h'ay$ )aisse "#a'ed a he& bu 'as !ushed o%%/ !i".ed u! and #obbed ono he

bed$ She reared u! and 'as hi ba". a+ain$

You 'ou#d .ee! &e here =i# &y "hi#d dies/( she be##o'ed as she sru++#ed$Pre"ise#y/( said one o% he ,ei#s$

Bes no o %i+h$ *n o,er'rou+h/ a%%#i"ed #ady on#y har&s herse#% and #oo.s undi+ni%ied/( said


13/64

anoher o,er her 'isin+ orso$

This is ireso&e/( said ye anoher/ a,oidin+ an e#bo'$ 6ere su!!osed o be nururin+ !ea"e/ no

uss#in+ abou #i.e she!herds shearin+ a shee!$(

The 'aers ready/( "a##ed a 'o&an %ro& he bahin+ roo&$

)aisse said ra++ed#y/

6ha are you 5 (

>ri!/ #adies$ *nd u!8( Hard %in+ers +rabbed under her ar&s and #e+s$ The 'o&en #i%ed her/ &o,ed a'ay %ro& he

bed and dro!!ed her side'ays ino he !oo#$ She hi he ed+e and san. o he boo&$ The 'aer 'as

'ar&/ b#ood hea$ )aisse sared o !ush herse#% u! 'hen heir hands hrus do'n/ #on+ +#o,es

sabbin+ 'hie ino #ines o% bubb#es/ and he#d her here$ Her breah s;uee0ed ou and her ,ision

b#a".ened$

By he end she #ay sodden and #i&! by he side o% he !oo#$ She #oo.ed u! a he 2e'e##ed

"ei#in+ o% he !ena+ona# roo&$ I rose o a !oin in he "enre/ hun+ 'ih a bron0e #a&! on a "hain$

The roo& be+an o s!in around he #a&!/ %ro& 'hi"h %#e' "ur,ed/ dra+onish #ines o% s&o.e$ )aisse

breahed i in$ I 'as dru++ed in"ense/ i had ha +riiness$ She hou+h abou ho' &u"h she haed

he is#and$ I had: she ried o re&e&ber 'ha: i had: su"h a sen"h$

No'/ don 'e %ee# beer a%er ha4( said he "ooin+ ,oi"e o% a "oun"i# 'o&an$

She 'as s'add#ed in so% "#ohs/ "rad#ed and !eed in sran+ers ar&s$ So&eone 'as

"o&bin+ her hair and so&eone e#se 'as !uin+ oi# on her s.in$ Her eyes 'ere "#osed$ I 'as oo

&u"h e%%or o o!en he&$ She %e# si". %ro& he a&oun o% diry 'aer shed s'a##o'ed$ The oi#

s&e##ed #i.e shar! &edi"ine/ so&ehin+ a!!#ied o a "u$ She sni%%ed and re"oi#ed and 'as sha.en/

on"e/ %iry$

None o% ha s!oi# beha,iour han. you/( said he 'o&an/ no' sern$

)aisse "ra".ed her eyes o!en/ b#in.in+ !ain%u##y$ The roo& 'as bri+h/ 'ih or"hes in e,ery

ho#der$ The ba#"ony "urains 'ere #oose#y dra'n and hrou+h a +a! she sa' he dus.y b#ue s.y$

T'i#i+h$ The day had +one$ * sri.e o% a+ony s#ashed her body$ She 'en ri+id/ sho %or'ard and

'as %or"ed ba".$

Is oo #ae$ -ee your husband and oas he %uure$(

She 'as +ri!!ed and si%%#y he#d/ a#&os #i%ed o%% her %ee by he nu&ber o% hands on her$

>e a'ay %ro& her8( shoued a %a&i#iar ,oi"e$ I 'as Indi"a$ She 'as bra"ed in he ar"h'ay$ Her

i+h !#ais 'ere rubbed #oose/ he sea& o% her s#ee,e had s!#i and here 'as a bruise on her hroa$

Loo. a you a##/ %#a!!in+ and rus#in+/( she snar#ed/ ye &as.ed/ #i.e "o'ards$ You ou+h o be

asha&ed$ Bu##ies$(

The "o,ered %a"es urned o one anoher in "on%usion$ )aisse 'or&ed one hand %ree and

sho,ed hard$ * 'o&an o!!#ed 'ih a +ur+#e o% sur!rise$ *s she %e## her ,ei# +o "au+h and !u##ed

a'ay/ han+in+ %ro& her headdress on one side$ She 'as an ordinary 'o&an/ #oo.in+ sar#ed and

a'.'ard$ The ohers shran. ba". in e&barrass&en$ )aisse !ushed he& a'ay and ran o Indi"a$Tis done/( Indi"a "on%ir&ed/ "a"hin+ her as her #e+s 'ea.ened$ *#us .ne' hey 'ere "o&in+$

So did Sorayan$ I %ou+h/ bu one o% he "oun"i# =#adies .no".ed &e do'n/ !u her %oo on &y "hes

and +o he baby %ro& &e$ *## day hey "on%ined &e o he .i"hens and "e##ar$ Is %inished no'$

These !hano&s are he #as o +o$(

The oher 'o&en ba".ed a'ay su#.i#y$ They 'ere no #on+er siniser and ideni"a#$ So&e

%idd#ed 'ih heir ,ei#s/ so&e id#ed 'ih heir ar&s "rossed and hose "#oses o he or"hes !i".ed a

heir +#o,es as hou+h hey 'aned o a.e he& o%%$

>uard her 'e##/ Indi"a/( said one/ #o'1,oi"ed/ as hey #e%$

)aisse #ay a Indi"as %ee$ She %e# as hou+h she 'as bein+ "u a## o,er in "rossin+ #ines/

iny b#ood1+e&s #i.e ruby sna.es.in$ I hur o breahe/ o &o,e/ o b#in./ o hin.$ Indi"a "oa3ed

)aisse u!/ a.in+ a## o% her 'ei+h$Co&e/( she &ur&ured/ you &us be de#i,ered o your husband$(

Indi"a dressed )aisse/ dra!ed %ine "hains on her and "#osed her hand around a !ea"o".


14/64

%eaher %an$ )aisse sru++#ed o s!ea. hrou+h he !ain$

I &us: !reend i ne,er ha!!ened$(

No/ you needn !reend ha$ Bu you &us ne,er &enion i$ The 'o&en are on#y doin+ 'ha

hey,e been o#d$ The sa&e 'as done o he&$(

Ye hey say nohin+$ They do nohin+$(

They "an a%%ord o$ They sur,i,e on he 'or.$ *nd o 'ho& 'ou#d hey s!ea./ 'ho #isens4 6e

say &u"h a&on+s ourse#,es$(6here 'as :he baby: #e%4(

Theyre no #e% any'here/ or he &ohers 'ou#d "o&e and +e he&$ )o you hin. youre he on#y

one ha rai#s a+ains 'ha is done/ or ,isis he s!hin3 o !#ead %or &er"y4 The "hi#dren are sun. in

he sea/ in bo3es 'ei+hed 'ih sones$ >uess 'ho &a.es he bo3es$(

Parres$(

Corre"$ He is a &os indusrious &an$(

Indi"a rea"hed ino her a!ron and !u##ed ou so&e o% he #on+ b#a". !ron+s %ro& he horn

rees by he s!hin3s "a,e$

I a& a#so indusrious$ I "o##e"ed hese his &ornin+/ a%er I #e% you and Sorayan$ I% you sna! he&

and "oo. he 2ui"e/ is a ba#& ha soohes burns$ I &ay e,en !re,en he& 5 he s&ihs a he %or+e

s'ear by i$ I,e &ade so&e u! %or he !a#an;uin bearers$ Is "oo#in+ in he .i"hen$ Bu he hornsdon 2us sa,e$ They a#so !unish$ The ra' sa! is !oison/ %aa# o &an$ On"e s'a##o'ed/ i su&&ons

deah$ *nd deah a#'ays res!onds o a su&&ons$ The !oison eas hrou+h he so&a"h$ :Sha## I

"oninue4(

)aisse rea"hed ou s#o'#y and ou"hed he horns/ 'hi"h ro##ed si%%#y in Indi"as !a#&$ She

nodded$ Indi"a said/

I be+ins s#o'#y bu !ier"es e,ery #ayer o% he body/ &us"#e and bone a#i.e$ I %irs obser,ed is

e%%e"s as a "hi#d/ 'hen he !hysi"ians +a,e !ub#i" dis!#ays$ :Is %unny$ I% an e#ie #ady sees su"h a

hin+ e,eryone shrie.s and e##s her o "o,er her eyes$ I% a ser,an +ir# s;uee0es ino he "ro'd and

%inds herse#% a he bi+ oe o% a "or!se/ no1one urns a hair$ They &ere#y i+nore you/ as i% you are no

'a"hin+ and #isenin+ and #earnin+ e,ery hin+$ -ind/ I on"e &ade u! a !rey !ase o !u on a

%re".#e$ I #e% i o se and i burned a ho#e hrou+h he "ouner/ round as an eye$(

Indi"a sear"hed her a!ron on"e &ore and !rodu"ed a ,ia# sha!ed #i.e a s!ind#e$ The #i+h

shone hrou+h i$ The !oison 'as red$ She sho'ed i o )aisse/ hreaded a ne".#a"e "hain hrou+h

he ar&s o% he ,ia# and hun+ i around )aisses ne".$ The #on+ sha!e san. be'een her breass and

.no".ed a+ains her hear/ unseen$

9us #i.e Parres/ I 'as &os di#i+en oday/ "on%ined hou+h I 'as o he #o'er !ars$ The "oun"i#

'o&en don .no' ha &y roo& is do'n here/ and &y "abine o% in+rediens$(

6e boh ha,e our o'n roo&s/( said )aisse sad#y$ I a#'ays 'aned ha$ 6hen I 'as a "hi#d 'e

s#e! in dor&iories$(

*re you no: %ro& a +rea house4( as.ed Indi"a/ !u00#ed$

I 'as born o a ri"h %a&i#y/ bu 'ihin a &onh I had nohin+$ One ni+h 'hen I 'as a ne'born as!ar. %ro& he %ire "au+h he dra!es/ and %ro& i he a!esries/ he &as/ he ru+s/ he bed 'here I

#ay/ he s"reen/ e,eryhin+$ I 'as so ,io#en no1one "ou#d ener/ he hea bea he& ba".$ By da'n/

e,eryhin+ 'as redu"ed o ash$ Bu I sur,i,ed$ 6hen he nurse ou"hed &y "hee. &y %a"e branded

her !a#& #i.e an ah#ees !ro%i#e on a &eda#$ Laer/ hey ins!e"ed he bed and said ha so&e !ar o%

he o,erhan+ &us ha,e o!!#ed and !roe"ed &e$ I 'as #u".$ *nd #o+i"$ Bu he da&a+e 'as

done$ The nei+hbours 'ere a#ready a#.in+ abou he unnaura# dau+her 'hod 2in3ed he house$

Nobody 'ou#d #oo. a &e or ou"h &e/ or %eed &e$ Sran+e hin+s ha!!ened around &e7 !es %#ed/

&i#. soured/ 'aer roed$ Fires ha had been dyin+ re,i,ed a+ain and hin+s s"aered abou he

roo&/ &o,in+ o% heir o'n a""ord$ Bu hose 'ere a""idens and "oin"iden"es$ Or #ies$ No doub

he %ire #e% so&e residue ha 'as oo s&a## o see/ or an i##ness ha on#y ani&a#s "ou#d dee"/ 'ih

heir %iner senses$ Id breahed in s&o.e and absorbed he hea$ Id been a&ids he %#a&es e,en i%hey didn hur &e ou'ard#y$ Bu no1one !aid aenion o ha$(

Ho' do you .no' his4(


15/64

I 'as in he #eer ha a""o&!anied &e o he house o% abandon&en$ -os o% &y %riends had

#eers o% heir o'n$ 6ha e#aborae a#es our %a&i#ies o#d$ *!!aren#y 'ed a## "aused &ar,e##ous

"aasro!hes and breaha.in+ desru"ion/ &ere days a%er bein+ born$ 6hy didn hey 2us e## he

ruh4 They didn 'an us$ 6hy "on"o" su"h ,i,id e3"uses4(

6ou#dn your uors .ee! he #eers %ro& you4(

No/ hey re+arded he& as ours$ They 'ere "are#ess/ no "rue#$ To a "hi#d/ !erha!s e,en a %a#se

'ord %ro& a !aren is beer han no 'ord a a##$ -aybe has 'ha +ui#y !arens do7 hey 'rie#eers$ -ine ne,er 'roe a+ain a%er ha$ 6hen 'e 'ere s&a##/ 'e "ried o,er he&$ 6hen 'e 'ere

o#der/ 'e #au+hed$ They 'ere he &os %anasi"a# s#anders$ They sho'ed us o be !o'er%u#

&onsers %or 'ho& nohin+ 'as i&!ossib#e$ I% on#y ha 'ere rue$ I% on#y 'e 'ere so +rea and

dan+erous$ :Theyre a## +one no'$ * #ibrary o% #ies$(

Sorayan #oo.ed iny and +rey$ He sared a his unou"hed %ood/ re&b#in+$ His %a"e 'as

'a3y/ diry$ I had #os is %#esh and youh$ Seein+ i/ )aisse .ne' ha her dau+her 'as dead and

ha Sorayans o'n #i%e 'as ruined oo$ She %e# hea sur+e hrou+h her b#ood/ !ri".in+ ino her

s"a#!$

Sorayan/( she said ;uie#y/ he 'ord brandin+ her hroa$ Sorayan/ 'ha ha,e you done4(

Sorayan shoo. his head$ He 'his!ered so&ehin+7Sna.es$(

6ha4(

I& so sorry:(

6ha ha,e you done4(

I a& so/ so sorry/ so sorry:$(

So! sayin+ ha$ Te## &e 'ha you did$(

I 'asn &e: i 'asn &e: he 'o&en oo. he baby o he or"hard$ They %ed i and "han+ed i

and bahed i and dressed i$ They o#d *#us o "o&e and do : 'ha 'as de"ided o do$ I "ou#dn

he#! &yse#%/ I had o #oo./ hou+h hey o#d &e no o$ I "a&e ou o% he sab#es and sa' he baby in

he +rass$ I 'as unnaura#: abnor&a#: a &ass o% %#esh en'ined 'ih sna.es/ a## hrobbin+ and

&o,in+:$(

Those are +rass sna.es$ There are ness in he 'a##s$ Theyre haress$ The hea brin+s he& ou$(

No 1 a## &anner o% sna.es 'ere s#idin+ abou/ and hey 'ere sheddin+ heir s.ins$ They &ade a

s#idin+/ "ra".in+ sound$ * shushin+ sound$ I ha,e ne,er listenedo sna.es be%ore$ I "ou#dn #oo.

a'ay/ and I "ou#dn ou"h he&$ I 'as #i.e a saue$(

You 'ere seein+ hin+s$ Youd been ou in he sun$(

I didn .no' 'ha o do so I "a##ed %or *#us and he "a&e$ He sa' he& oo$ He ran o he .i"hen

and reurned 'ih so&e sa".in+/ and 'ih ha he !i".ed u! he s"a#es and he s.in/ 'ih he baby

'ihin/ and he oo. i o he .i"hen$ *nd he hre' i on he %ire$(

)aisse 'en si##$ * 'hie !ain seared her ner,es$ They had .i##ed her dau+her/ horrib#y/

!ain%u##y/ %ri+henin+#y/ no %i%y se!s %ro& her "ha&ber/ as she #ay here$ She %e# as i% %#a&es 'ere"onsu&in+ her body/ eain+ ino i$

There 'as no sound e3"e! he s!#iin+ and s!iin+ in he hearh$ Then here 'as a ri! and he %ire

burs u! o he "ei#in+/ and he .i"hen 'as o,er"o&e 'ih he s&e## o%:( Sorayan re"hed:

burnin+$ I## ne,er %or+e$ I "ou#dn sand i$ I 'ren"hed a "oo#in+1!o o%% is sand and "as he

"onens ino he %#a&es/ s"u& and a##/ and here 'as a hiss/ and 'e a## +a,e a +run/ #i.e ani&a#s$

*nd in he hearh i 'as a##: !ie"es$ Charred !ie"es$ I ran s"rea&in+ %or *#us o "#ean i u!/ and he

did$ He oo. i/ he !u i in he "as.e and 'en o he "oas$(

* bo# o% horror/ hared and dis+us s"or"hed )aisse$ She %e# her s.in and insides burnin+$

*nd no' you ea your dinner/ "oo.ed in he ,ery sa&e %#a&es/( she said/ #eerin+/ s!i dri!!in+

%ro& her #i!s$

She rea"hed o,er hi& 5 he !ea"o". %an %e## and sru". o!en/ a "ir"#e o% eyes 5 and #eanono he si#,er1'or.ed "#oh on he ab#e$ She %e# a s!i.e o% an+er and !o'er and her hands burned

hrou+h he "#oh$ The burn !assed sron+ and dee! ino he ab#e$ S#ee,es o% +rey s&o.e and 'hie


16/64

sea& rose u! )aisses ar&s$ Sorayan sared$

6ha do 5 ho' do you 5 (

)aisse #au+hed dar.#y$

Tha4 Is nohin+$ Is &us be he oi# hose 'o&en !u on &e$ *%er hey subdued &e$ I &ay #oo.

!rey/ s!e".#ed 'ih +o#d$ I& sure i 'as e3!ensi,e$ Bu i "orrodes$ I ros$(

*s she !u##ed a'ay/ he res o% he "#oh ore %ro& he ab#e$ -ea .ni,es and !#aers

"#ashed in a dea%enin+ s#o! o% ri"hes and %ood/ +#u++in+ ino he +roo,es o% he %#oor$ The 'ine 2u+s#id a'ay %ro& is "u! and s!i##ed in a &ess o% s&ashed "#ay$ )aisse he#d her !a#&s ou/ %in+ers

"ur#ed/ he s.in s&o.in+ and b#eedin+$ Sorayan re"oi#ed$ She s#un. %or'ard and +rabbed his %a"e/

!ressin+ his head hard a+ains his "hair$ His %a"e burned/ he %#esh si00#in+ red and b#a".$ Her

%in+ers san. ino his s.in$ Teeh "#en"hed/ he ried o s;uir& a'ay/ 'ea. 'ih sho".$ The ser,ans

'ere +ahered in a "orner o% he roo&/ hri##ed$

)aisse #e +o and %e## ba". ino her "hair 'here she s!ra'#ed/ derisi,e and !anin+$

Youre a boy/ youre a boy/ youre a boy/ youre 2us a boy$ No' you,e "ursed yourse#%/ ryin+ o

beha,e #i.e he brues you ido#ise$ Brues 'ih !o#ie %a"es$ You are no nasy enou+h o do ha8

You ha,e oo &u"h ha is !ro&isin+8 Or you did$ Is su##ied no'$ Oh/ Sorayan:( her 'i#dness

and "one&! died as ;ui".#y as heyd arisen$ * b#un !ain ed+ed u! her %orear&s$ I 'ish 'ed

ne,er &e$ I 'ish I hadn "o&e here$ I 'ish 'ed been %riends$ I& re,o#ed by his 5 by us 5 andso are you$ Thas 'hy you did i$ To ob#ierae i$ Bu you,e &ade hin+s so &u"h 'orse$ Su%%er/

Sorayan$ I don hae you$ I don e&enhae you$ I need a## &y "on"enraion 2us o sur,i,e$(

She ou"hed he ri& o% his "u! and i shaered$ Sorayan and he ser,ans "ried ou$

E,eryhin+ in his !#a"e is dra'n u! oo i+h/( dra'#ed )aisse/ as a#'ays in a house 'here he

!eo!#e aren ha!!y$ Is in,isib#e bu is here/ su%%o"ain+$ :You #oo. ha#% dead/ husband$ Re%resh

yourse#%$(

She si+na##ed %or &ore 'ine and a %resh "u!$ She !oured he 'ine herse#%/ sna!!in+ he end

o% he ,ia# and re#easin+ he !oison/ #eanin+ %or'ard and !reendin+ ha she 'as %ussin+ o .ee! her

ne".#a"es ou o% he 'ay$ Sorayan !u i o his #i!s/ 'as abou o drin. and hen shoo. his head and

"a##ed %or 'aer insead$ )aisse i&&ediae#y %e# re#ie,ed$ One &urder did no re,erse anoher$ She

didn "are enou+h abou hi& o desire his su%%erin+$

I& sorry/ )aisse$( Sorayan s;uir&ed 'ih se#% #oahin+/ b#oody red srea.s on his %a"e$

Your re&orse doesn "han+e 'ha you,e done/ or is "onse;uen"es$ )on indu#+e i$ Bu I&

sorry/ oo$ I 'as obedien and i #ed o he 'ors "on"#usion$ Obedien"e is e,i#$(

Sorayan s&i#ed sad#y a her/ %or he %irs i&e/ in a nor&a# 'ay/ as o a !erson 'ho "ou#d

ha,e been a %riend/ no a hindran"e or so&ehin+ o be &o".ed$

Theres one #as hin+ I 'an o do$ I& +oin+ o see 'here you hre' he "as.e$ Te## &e 'here o

+o/ I don .no' he #ine o% he "oas$(

You "an ride in your sae/( said Sorayan nu&b#y$

You ne,er "ared abou ha be%ore$( )aisse sood u! and &ade a #o'/ sar"asi" "ursey7 Than. you

%or dinner$ I a& %inished 'ih he ni"eies o% his house$(

The horses &o,ed ner,ous#y in heir sa##s/ sarin+ 'ih an3ious 'hie1ed+ed eyes$ )aisse

!u on a !air o% ridin+ boos ha had been #e% ou o air/ !i".ed u! a 'hi! and s'i"hed i hard

a+ains her "a#%$ I "u hrou+h he so% %i#& o% her dress$ She %ound so&e ridin+ +#o,es and !u##ed

he&/ 'in"in+/ o,er her burn hands$

Ta.e he "hario/ )aisse$ P#ease/( said Sorayan$ Ta.e i/ is &ore "o&%orab#e$ I## %ind *#us

'here,er hes drin.in+ and +e hi& o ready i 5 (

*#us8 )are you say ha na&e4 Your a" %ai#s you/ as e,er$(

Hes he on#y one 'ho .no's ho'$(

Yes/ I ha,e &u"h o han. hi& %or/ in his e3!erise$ He is so 'e##1!ra"ised$(

Hes no #i.e ha$ He 'as in a %ren0y 'hen he #e%$ He 'as +reen and i##/ s'eain+/ &uerin+/re&b#in+$ He 'as sha.en by 'ha hed seen$(

6ha hed done$ He 'as sha.en by 'ha hed done$ Hes done &u"h he sa&e %or &any a &aser/


17/64

I& sure$ Ha8 *#us/ he %a&i#y &an$ I 'onder ho' he s#ee!s$ Beaui%u##y/ !robab#y$ The &a#i"ious

res 'e## 'hen hey are sais%ied$(

*## ri+h 5 %or+e abou hi& 5 I## !re!are i &yse#%$ I "an be ha hard$ Fa&ous "harioeers are

no .no'n %or heir ine##i+en"e/ a%er a##$ I## :!u 'o &i#d horses o i/ 'hore easy o seer$(

)aisse hou+h/ ensin+ he 'hi! be'een her %in+ers$

)o i hen/( she shru++ed$

The "hario 'as a he oher end o% he sab#es/ #o,in+#y !added u! 'ih hay/ 'ih Parressborro'ed reins and harnesses han+in+ beside i$ Sorayan dre' he "o,er a'ay +en#y/ %o#din+ i

ba". %ro& he 'ooden "ur,es$

6hen I reurn oni+h/ .ee! o your roo&s$ I a& ha!!y ne,er o see your %a"e a+ain/( said )aisse$

Sorayan srai+hened u! s#o'#y$ He had he harnesses bund#ed in his ar&s$ They had heir

o'n rounded %or&/ an e&!y rib"a+e o% #eaher #ines ha see&ed o breahe in his e&bra"e$

Theres no'here o +o/( he said$ 6hen sai#ors de!ar he is#and hey dro'n and ha#% heir

're".a+e s'ee!s ba". here$(

I## ris. i$ I% anyone sees &e/ you &us bear he e&barrass&en$ )on 'orry/ I 'on a.e

anyhin+ o% yours$(

I don "are abou ha:(

Sorayan shou#dered he harness and ried o !i". u! he #on+ bea& a he %ron o% he "hario$I 'as oo hea,y %or one !erson o #i%$ He hid his %a"e %ro& her as ears o% re&orse and unha!!iness

s#id do'n$

)aisse #oo.ed a hi& 'ih derision/ urned on her hee# and #e% o 'ai in he "ouryard$ She

'as s'eain+ inside her +ar&ens$ The .i"hen door o!ened and a %e' boys ran o he sab#es/

s'er,in+ a'ay %ro& her e3a++eraed#y$ She 'as +i,in+ he sa%% so&e %ine a&use&en/ she hou+h

'ry#y$

She sa' Indi"a a he ba". o% he .i"hen/ s"ourin+ he sones$ Indi"a #oo.ed u! and

&ouhed ;ui".#y/'as he drunk it()aisse shoo. her head be%ore he door s'un+ shu$ She didn

"are abou ha$ She hou+h on#y o% he "oas$ On one side 'as desru"ion/ deah/ he !as7 her and

Sorayans "hi#dhoods/ her dau+hers #i%e :and ha o% "oun#ess oher dau+hers/ she rea#ised$ She

shuddered o i&a+ine he bones ha sirred in he boi#in+ sea$

On he oher side 'as %reedo&$

The sor& be+an soon a%er$ * bree0e sared/ sirrin+ a "ir"#e around he ed+es$ I i+hened

and 'ih a 2o# a## he shuers s#a&&ed shu hen ban+ed o!en/ "rashin+ hard$ * sran+e ase

!er&eaed he air$ I 'as dir/ s.i&&ed o%% he +round$ The s.y #oo.ed hard and do&ed/ #i.e a

shie#d$ I s!#i 'ih a "#an+ o% hunder and a +ash o% b#ue1'hie #i+h sho ou$

The sab#e doors burs o!en/ 'ren"hed ba". and bro.e in heir hin+es/ b#asin+ he inside

'ih s!#iners$ The horses ra&!#ed ou/ %ren0ied/ rearin+ u! and beain+ a he "ouryard 'a##s$

Their hoo,es sho s!ar.s as hey sru". he sone$ The horses ,au#ed he #o' 'a## be'een he

.i"hen +arden and he 'a"h&ans !ah ha ran behind he ,i##as$)aisse8 )aisse8(

Sorayan "#a'ed a he sab#e doors$ Lon+ b#ades o% 'ood !ier"ed under his nai#s bu he

didn noi"e$ He su&b#ed in and +ro!ed around/ his breah shor and ra++ed$ Indi"a %o##o'ed hi&$

Co&e inside/( she shoued o,er he noise o% he sor&$ Is un"ouh o +ro,e# in hay and horses

&ess/ and i doesn he#!$(

Sorayan ran o her/ +rabbin+ her shou#der$ His eyes 'ere +ui#y and %rani"$ He urned o

#oo. a 'here he "hario had s"u%%ed 'ide #ines in he &u".$

Shes ou/ shes si## ou/ she hasn "o&e ba".$ Ride/( he sru++#ed o "a"h his breah/ "o&e and

ride 'ih &e and %ind her$(

Ho' "an 'e4 The horses are +one$ You #e% he doors unbo#ed$(

I %or+o/ I %or+o/ I didn "he"./ I hou+h I 'as he#!in+/( he babb#ed/ bu i oo. so #on+ o +ehe "hario ready$(

I didn a.e so #on+ his &ornin+$(


18/64

*#us and Parress &en did i/ hey .no' ho' o do hin+s #i.e ha/ I had o +uess$(

You &us ho!e you harnessed i sa%e#y and ha i ho#ds$ * near#y unried "hario is !eri#ous

enou+h$ *n unried "hario/ 'hi"h you .no' urns une,en#y/ !u##ed o he #o'es "ur,e o% he "oas/

'ih i&id horses unused o he yo.e/ in he hands o% an un!ra"ised +uide:(

Ho' #on+ 'i## she be4 6hy doesn she "o&e ba".4(

6hy indeed4 I% she doesn reurn/ !eo!#e 'i## b#a&e he 'eaher$ I,e seen hese sor&s be%ore$

-u"h is desroyed$ The ro".s are b#a". s!i.es$ *nyhin+ ha his he& is i&!a#ed or s&ashed$ The"urren is su"h ha :%a##en hin+s: don rise$ The #i+hnin+s shar! enou+h o s#i"e he eyes$ Or/

as so&e say/ o sho". si+h ino he b#ind$(

I didn .no' here 'as +oin+ o be a sor&8( Sorayan ye##ed/ sa&!in+ his %oo$

Yes you did$ *#us said so 'hen 'e #e% Parres$ 6hy didn you o%%er your sa##ion4 Hes so#id$ His

sadd#e is 'ide$ I "ou#d easi#y be !added$(

I:'ha are you sayin+4(

Indi"a shoo. Sorayan o%%$

I& sayin+ ha I "an o%%er no "o&%or$ On a ni+h #i.e his/ one ou+h o be a%raid$(

He +u#!ed$

You don hin.: you hin.: you hin. I:(

I hin. you shou#d "o&e inside$(*nd do 'ha4(

)o 'ha he !o'er#ess do$ Pray$ I## !ray 'ih you$(

She oo. hi& ba". a"ross he "ouryard/ 'here he #anerns #ay shaered and he !oo# 'as

bro'n 'ih soi#$ The 'ind s'e! he 'aer ou o% he %ounain and hre' i a he "ouryard 'a##/

'here i shredded #i.e orn "#oh$

The .i"hen 'as ho and e&!y/ dar. bu %or 'o #o'1s&ou#derin+ or"hes$

I don 'an o si near he %ire/( said Sorayan/ #oo.in+ s!oo.ed$

You## ha,e o/ here are no oher seas$ This is a 'or.in+ .i"hen/ is no %or nob#e&en a #eisure$(

Indi"a 'as a he "ouner/ +rindin+ s!i"es ino &i#.$ Is he bes roo& o hear he +aes i% hey

o!en/ or i% anyone "a##s %ro& ouside$(

Oh/( he said/ "hasened$

The ,i##as are desi+ned o sa%e+uard your sereniy$ I &i+h hear any ,isior %ro& here so ha I "an

#e he& in/ or s!ea. 'ih any !edd#er$ Bu i% I 'ere o be .i##ed by he&/ and I 'ere o s"rea&/ i%

you 'ere %easin+ in he ha##/ you 'ou#dn hear a hin+$(

6ha i% 5 'ha i% )aisse har&s herse#%4( he said 'ih a 2er.$

6hod b#a&e her i% she did4 6ha +ir# 'ou#d 'an o #i,e here/ %or a## is +e&s and &osai"s4 Bu I

don be#ie,e shed do ha/ shes had enou+h o% har&$ Is %reedo& she 'ans$ Libery is bu one

ni+h a'ay and heres nohin+ o say %or$ :Ho' "are%u##y you,e hou+h hin+s hrou+h$ You

"onsider e,ery iner!reaion$ You are ru#y sensii,e$(

She !oured he &i#. ino 'o bo'#s/ added a s"aer o% s'ee !ea#s o Sorayans and "arried

he& o'ards he b#a".1see!in+ &ouh o% he %ire!#a"e$ Is e&!y &a' s&e##ed o% "oo.ed &ea$ Theb#a". bruise o% soo s&eared he 'a##s on boh sides/ rea"hin+ o he "orners$ The %#oor 'as sained/

rea"hin+ #i.e a #on+ b#a". on+ue a#&os o he door$ The sone &ane# and he "ei#in+ abo,e 'ere

roased b#a". a#i.e$ The hi+h sin. o% s.in/ "hurned b#ood and burned %a 'as soa.ed ino he 'a##s$

In he rou+h b#a". "ore 'as a +rae 'ih ere" iron %an+s$

Indi"a sa a he ed+e o% he ben"h$

You see/ -aser$ I ha,e "#eaned u! your &ess$(

Sorayan se#ed +in+er#y o!!osie/ a %irs #oo.in+ any'here bu ino he +rae$ Then he

%or"ed hi&se#% o sudy i$ He said nohin+/ hou+h his eyes bu#+ed and his %a"e 'ised$ He

shuddered and urned a'ay$

6here is e,eryone4( he said$

Che".in+ he roo&s$ I sen he #i#e ones o heir beds$ Chi#dren are a%raid o% sor&s$(The 'a##s "rea.ed and hey heard disan/ "run"hin+ sone$

Oh %or he &ysi"is& o% he s!hin3/( si+hed Indi"a$ Can she so! he debain+ sa+e sin.in+ ino


19/64

a rubb#e1!i4 6i## she %#a! in 'ih a re&edy4 )id she %oree## he sor& oday4(

No$(

There you ha,e i$ The su!ernaura# is ha 'hi"h is abo,e naure$ She is no$( She oo. a si! o%

&i#. and !eered a Sorayan$ I "ou#d he#! 'ih hose/( she nodded o his burns/ bu &y ba#&s a##

+one$ I 'as in ha !o$(

She nodded o an e&!y b#a". !o near he ben"h$ Sorayan s'a##o'ed hard and bo'ed his

head$ Re+re and re,u#sion !assed u! and do'n his body in hi". 'a,es$ Pri".#es o% s'ea/ %irs ho/hen "o#d/ &ade hi& 'an o s!#i his s.in and es"a!e$

Ha,e so&e "inna&on &i#./( said Indi"a soohin+#y$ Is a "hi#drens drin.$(

She +a,e hi& his bo'# and raised hers o hi& in sa#ue$ They dran.$

Than. you/( "roa.ed Sorayan 'hen he 'as %inished$

No a a##$ Is "o&%orin+ o drin. &i#.$(

She oo. his bo'#$ He had drun. i a##$ She sood u!/ !u he bo'#s on he &ane#/ rea"hed

o,er hi& and !#u".ed one o% he or"hes ou o% is bra".e$

I& +oin+ o he#! he ohers no'$ E,ery door and shuer &us be i+h/ e,ery %o#d !inned do'n$(

She !ushed aside he "urain o% he ar"h'ay #eadin+ o he dinin+ roo&$ I% you "a##/ 'e &ay no

hear$ *#us is a'ay and no1one e#se 'ou#d run o sais%y you$(

6ha &us I do/ hen4( Sorayans ,oi"e 'as hin and s&a##$ He #oo.ed u! a her/ ear1sained/bedra++#ed and asha&ed$

*""e! 'ha is o "o&e$ Isn ha 'hashe'as o#d4 I is a "rue# "reed$ No' you +e a ase o% i$(

Sorayan %e# a sin+ in his &ouh$ 6hen he ou"hed i here 'as a need#in+ !ain ha sho

dee! ino his 2a'$ His hand "a&e a'ay s&eared !in. 'ih 'aery b#ood$ His on+ue/ +u&s and he

inner !ars o% his #i!s 'ere b#iserin+$ He s'a##o'ed and a ho #ine s#i"ed do'n his hroa o his

so&a"h$ Sour 'hie %oa& "o##e"ed a he "orners o% his &ouh$ He %or"ed 'o %in+ers do'n his

hroa and his so&a"h "#u"hed u! and s"re'ed ou a iny %i00 o% 'hie %oa&$ He re&e&bered he

ba#& Indi"a had &enioned$ Perha!s here 'as a dro! #e%$ Shi,erin+ 'e#y/ breahin+ hin#y

hrou+h his eeh/ he 'en o he %ire$ He bu&!ed ino he end o% he ben"h/ ri!!ed a he hearh and

%e##/ hiin+ his head on he sone #ed+e$ His %ee s#i!!ed on he ashy sain/ he san. ino he +rae and

one o% is !ron+s !ier"ed his ne". %ro& he so% under1"hin o he o! o% he na!e$

Sorayans body s!as&ed in sho".$ He b#in.ed/ +a++ed/ +ur+#ed b#ood and dro'ned in i

s#o'#y/ 'i"hin+/ 'ih #on+ bubb#in+ &oans/ his hands "#u"hin+ he bars/ his %a"e "rushed ino he

soo o% he %ire/ his nose %u## o% is s&e##/ his s.in en"rused 'ih is bier !o'der/ his eyes 'e 'ih

ears o% !ain/ %ear/ +ui#/ +rie% and se#%1hae$

Su"h 'as he deah o% Sorayan$

The sor& "oninued uni# #ae he ne3 day$ Rain %e## in "o#d/ srai+h/ si#,er 2a,e#ins$ Then i

shar!ened ino s'ords$ Then i shorened ino da++ers$ Then i "on"enraed ino suds o% hai#$ Then

i so!!ed$ The #on+ seas o% he a&!hiheare 'ere "ru&!#ed "ur,es/ he do&ed roo%s and seaess'a##s 'ere ru!ured/ dis&an#ed$ The s!hin3s "a,e had "o##a!sed ino a %#a &ash o% ro".s and a##

ha re&ained o% he "oun"i# o%%i"es 'ere 'o +#orious/ use#ess/ un+uarded doors$

)aisses body 'as ne,er %ound$

SIN>IN> BL*)E

This is Part Two, Chapter One of Transformation Play%

a.hi%a oo. ai&$ She seadied he bo'/ no"hed an arro' ino !#a"e and !u##ed he au/ resisin+

srin+$ Her eyes narro'ed ono he ri!!ed ye##o'ish hear o% 'ood hiry !a"es a'ay$ 6hen she 'as

as +ood an ar"her as her siser/ )e""a/ hey "ou#d hun o+eher$Shes di%%eren/( said a %a&i#iar ,oi"e %ro& inside he hu$ I 'as -o/ her %riend En#i#s %aher$ You

"a## her a.hi%a/ a +ood is#and na&e$ Bu she has no is#and heria+e$(
http://bidisha-online.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/new-fiction-comforting-of-children.htmlhttp://bidisha-online.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/new-fiction-comforting-of-children.htmlhttp://bidisha-online.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/new-fiction-comforting-of-children.html


20/64

a.hi%a %e# a sab/ ;ui". in he +u$ Her arro' %e## s#a".#y ono he +rass$ She "re! o he

"ur,ed 'a## o% he hu and s;uined be'een he %ine bro'n si".s$ She "ou#d see her &oher/ *,ani/

bindin+ s!earheads o heir sha%s/ 'indin+ he& 'ih #eaher sri!s and .noin+ he& i+h$

6hy are you %rein+ and be%udd#in+/ -o4( said *,ani$ )on urn your hair +rey/ %ussin+ on

'hos %ro& he "o&&on herd and ho&e so"./ and 'hos no$ *nd don urn your +u&s b#a"./

+ossi!in+/ neiher$(

Is no +ossi!/ *,ani$(a.his &y dau+her$(

Bu shes no ourdau+her$ E,ery "hi#d is an is#and "hi#d$ E,eryones an is#and aun/ an un"#e/ a

"ousin/ a +rand&oher$ She## ne,er be$(

E,eryone .no's a.his no %ro& here/( said *,ani i&!aien#y/ un#ess your heads so %u## o%

nasy ni!i".in+ ha you don re&e&ber$ You ne,er "ared abou i be%ore$(

She 'as a "hi#d be%ore$ She## be a youn+ 'o&an soon$ Thin. o% he iniiaions$ 6e &us "onsider

'ha shes brin+in+$ 6ha she## !ass on o us a##$(

Hard #abour/ day and ni+h$ Thas 'ha she brin+s/( *,anis ,oi"e ran+ !roud#y/ he +ir# "an do

anyhin+$(

She #oo.ed !oined#y u! and do'n -os %#i&sy %ra&e$ a.hi%a "rou"hed/ bare#y breahin+$

-o s!o.e as hou+h he hadn .no'n her a## her #i%e/ as hou+h she/ )e""a and En#i# 'ere no bes%riends$ She "ou#d hard#y undersand 'ha he 'as sayin+/ her ears ran+ so shar! 'ih disbe#ie%$

There 'as no &ysery o her ori+ins$ *,ani had %ound her hireen su&&ers a+o on a %ishin+

"hore$ She 'as sear"hin+ a ne sa.ed a he "oas/ sorin+ he re#i"s ha 'ashed in %ro& he

!re,ious is#and durin+ he #as/ de,asain+ sor&1"y"#e$ There 'ere shaered +a&es/ bro.en

orna&ens/ s&ashed 'ea!ons/ #adies "hains$ Lo,e#y/ use#ess hin+s$ *,ani heard a "ry and %o##o'ed

i o a bo3 'ed+ed in he reeds$ The bo3es usua##y "a&e bused and e&!y/ bund#ed in srin+ 'ih

one or 'o ro".s si## inside$ I 'as ob,ious 'ha hey 'ere %or$ This one had been "are#ess#y

'ei+hed$ *,ani sabbed he #o". o!en/ he #id %e## ba". and bo#s o% +o#d and burnin+ hea burs

ou$ The bo3 'as #ined 'ih +i# and had "au+h he sun$ Inside i #ay a.hi%a/ a %e' days o#d/

"o,ered in a &iny1s&e##in+ un+uen/ s#i&y/ sea&in+/ bron0e and bea&in+/( *,ani said$ She oo.

he baby o he "o&&on "ir"#e and as.ed o na&e her and .ee! her$ They said yes$ 6ihin a year she

a#so had )e""a/ 'ih a youn+ &an "a##ed Rua&/ and he %a&i#y 'as "o&!#ee$

You bore )e""a ri+h#y/ as naure &ean$ Bu a.hi%a "o&es %ro& he is#and be%ore/( said -o$

The roed is#e$ Ha,eyou%or+oen hose #on+ ni+hs/ buryin+ he bodies and heir 're".a+e4 *##

ha 'ashes u! %ro& ha !#a"e is deah and s!#inered/ da&a+ed hin+s$(

Thas no &y %au#/ or hers$ "he)sno da&a+ed/ shes b#osso&in+$(

E,en !oisonous %#o'ers b#osso&$ Throu+h ha/ hey s!read heir b#i+h$(

*,ani #ean he #as o% he s!ears a+ains he hu 'a## and be+an "oi#in+ u! he re&ainin+

#en+hs o% #eaher$

I ha,e o +e hese o he huners/ hen %inish he s.innin+ .ni,es$ 6ha do you 'an/ -o4(

6ha 'e a## 'an7 rue .no'#ed+e o% naure$ Ho' did a.hi%a sur,i,e4 6hy is she he on#y one4You "an on#y undersand ha 'hi"h you,e "reaed$(

I a+ree8( said *,ani %ier"e#y$ I nurured her %ro& a ne'born and brou+h her u! 'ih s'ea and

oi#$(

Bu you didn makeher$(

I did/( *,ani +ro'#ed$

Shes a %ound ob2e"/ an a#ien are%a"$ )on #e her be+ui#e you/ *,ani$ The s"en is a#'ays &os

eni"in+/ on he dead#ies b#oo&$(

The sun shone on he sisers/ si!!#ed +o#d dars sie,ed hrou+h he 'ea,in+ o% he hu roo%$

)e""a/ "an I as. you so&ehin+4 Pro&ise no o #au+h$ *& I u+#y4 I don &ean on he ouside$ I

&ean/ is here so&ehin+ oher !eo!#e "an see/ bu I "an4 Youd e## &e/ 'ou#dn you4(a.hi%a had s!en yeserday 'a#.in+ he "oas and s'i&&in+ in he #a.e/ ne+#e"in+ her

2obs$ -os 'ords "hased her/ huddin+ ur+en#y #i.e dru&beas$ 6hen she +o ho&e/ she o#d )e""a


21/64

e,eryhin+$

a.hi/( said )e""a %iry/ -os a %oo#$ 6hen he s!ea.s/ birds die o% boredo& and %a## ou o% he

rees$ )o+s ho'# in derision$(

You 'eren here$ He didn a#. o &a&a res!e"%u##y$(

6ho "ares i% a oad "roa.s one 'ay or anoher4 Hes ryin+ o #oo. i&!oran$ Poor En#i#/ su".

'ih ha !rea"her %or a %aher7 =6e "an e##/ by he s&e##/ ha he !eas are diseased/ be%ore heir

s.in bears he s!os/ and dos/ o% ro$(a.hi%a #au+hed/ hen reddened an+ri#y$ -os hins had su##ied he ha!!iness o% hireen

years in one &o&en$

6e 'ere #u".y 'ih our%aher/( she said/ and )e""a nodded$

Rua& had been .ind$ He died %i,e su&&ers a+o e3!#orin+ he "ra++y "ur,e o% "oas ha

surrounded he ,o#"ano/ Cha&a"a$ The sea "hurned here in dra+s and 'hir#!oo#s/ sudden dun.s

and sa,a+e#y su".in+ s!ira#s$ One ou"h o% he oar and an enire boa "ou#d be +rabbed and

de&o#ished$ -any boa!eo!#e esed he&se#,es a+ains i and %ai#ed$

I)mhe !ro!er is#ander/( said a.hi%a$ -os he unrus'orhy one$ 6has he doin+ s!ea.in+ in

!ri,ae/ a'ay %ro& he "ir"#e4 He shou#d sa,e i %or a +aherin+$(

He .no's hed be shoued do'n$ Peo!#e #isen o &a&a/ no -o$(

>ir#s/ I need you8( "a##ed *,ani %ro& ouside$)e""a and a.hi%a rose and sre"hed/ ro##ed u! heir &as and s.ins and +o ready %or heir

"hores$ )e""a 'as ea"hin+ so&e o% he youn+er is#and "hi#dren ho' o %ish/ sai#in+ in he sha##o's

o se#e he nes and bas.es$ a.hi%a 'as a""o&!anyin+ *,ani o he &ar.e$ The sisers 'ou#d see

ea"h oher a+ain a da'n$

Sone %rui/ !u#! %rui/ !ih %rui/ 2ui"e %rui8 >rains and +rasses/ seeds=n!ods$ Herbs %or he hairy/

berries %or he ba#d8(

Lur rubbed her hard !a#&s o+eher/ sna!!ed her %in+ers and "ra".ed he sri!ed "#oh o% her

sa##$ Her ne"./ ears/ %orear&s and an.#es shone 'ih she##s/ e,ery &o,e&en a""o&!anied by a

#on+/ shi&&yin+/ re!i#ian ra#e$

Shoos and roos/ shea,es and #ea,es/ I,e +o i a## and I## e## you ho' o .ee! i7 hi+h and dry/

2us #i.e us here in his ha,en/ bouny is#and/ he on#y !#a"e here is/ eh4 *,ani/ a.hi%a "hi#d/ ha,e

a %ee#$(

I## a.e a ai# o% ye##o'1and1'hies/ !#ease/( said *,ani/ !oinin+ o a bun"h o% #on+ ,e+eab#es

'ih %#o!!y +reen #ea,es$ *"ua##y/ &a.e i 'o/ he +ir#s ea #i.e anyhin+ hese days$(

Tru#y so$ The youh#y a!!eie is a hin+ o "o,e and en,y$ 6ha ,i+our$ 6ha ,iri#iy$ 6ha

,ia#iy$ *nd in reurn I## ha,e &y roo% !a"hed/ !#ease$(

a.hi%a sood a #i#e 'ay behind her &oher/ ;uie 'hi#e he o#der 'o&en a#.ed$ Theyd

"o&e o e3"han+e so&e !os %or a %e' s&a## hides$ *%er ha/ hey had o reurn a shar!ened b#ade

o is o'ner$ *,ani 'as "arryin+ i a"ross her shou#der$ I hun+ ense#y on is ro!e$

Thas a %ine hin+/( Lur +u&&ed/ sarin+ a i in ad&iraion$Is a ha#%1"ir"#e s"yhe %or one o% he #and1enders/( said *,ani$

Oh/ one o% he& needs your s!e"ia# ou"h/ does he4 Nobody 'hes a b#ade #i.e you/ *,ani/

es!e"ia##y 'hen is a %a,our o a %riend$ *#hou+h youd e3!e" a #and1ender o .no' his 'ay %ro&

one end o% a .ni%e o he oher/ sin"e 'or.in+ 'ih .ni,es is a## hey do$ Bu "erain &inisraions

need a 'o&ans hand$ a.hi%a/ do you .no' 'hen a b#ades +ood and ready4(

6hen a sri.e 'ih a %in+ernai# "auses i o sin+/( a.hi%a ans'ered !ro&!#y$

Oho 5 ni"e and easy8 Youre #earnin+ 'e##$ No'/ 'ha e#se,e I +o4 So&ehin+ o ease you

hrou+h iniiaion i&e4(

Thas "heain+/( *,ani re!ro,ed her$

Chuh8 Is naura# o e,ade su%%erin+/ du&b1%oo# su!id o run o i 'ih your eyes shu and your

ar&s o!en$ 6ha e#se4( Lur shoo. so&e s&a##/ !a#e bu#bs in a sha##o' bas.e$ Tasy 'hie &oon1arses/( she 'hee0ed$ Too &u"h o% he& and you## be round yourse#%/ #i.e &e$(

She su". ou her s'o##en #e+$


22/64

Lur8( e3"#ai&ed *,ani$ You ha,e o ha,e ha seen o$ 6e &us soohe he in%#a&&aion/ is

nohin+ o do 'ih 'ha youre eain+$(

Oh/ is so&ehin+/ I e## you$ Is a+e$ Bu here you +o$ No1one #i,es %or e,er$ E,eryhin+ si".ens$

Bu be%ore ha/ e,eryhin+ ri!ens/ don i4(

Lur +a,e a.hi%a a +roes;ue 'in.$

The #and1enders sha". 'as in he be##y o% he is#and/ 'here he +round di!!ed s&ooh#y#i.e a 'ide/ sun1"a"hin+ dish$ To +e here/ *,ani and a.hi%a had a #on+ dry &ar"h hrou+h hi+h1

dee! ye##o' and +reen "ro!s$ *,anis b#ade .e! s'in+in+ ba". and s"yhin+ he #i+h/ %#ashin+ ino

a.hi%as eyes$ a.hi%a b#in.ed i a'ay$ The bas.es 'ere ba#an"ed on her head/ "asin+ a "ir"#e o%

shade #i.e a b#a". "a!e around her ne".$

-a&a/ 'ai$ I 'an o a#. abou he iniiaions$(

*,ani +roaned$

I .ne' i$ I## .i## Lur %or brin+in+ i u!$ Shes a roub#e&a.er/ hidin+ horns in a## ha s&ooh

baner o% hers$(

I 'asn her$ I heard -o/ yeserday$(

Tha 'heed#er$ He #i.es o "ha i ou/ -iser -edd#er$ *## in &y bes ineress o% "ourse$ Hes been

ineresed in &y ineress sin"e Rua& :'en$(He said I 'as a dead#y b#oo&$(

*,ani #au+hed$

Hes a !oe$ Bu he &eans 'e##$ Hes 2us bein+: hi&se#%$ 6ere 'onderin+ 'here o !u you/

no' youre o#der$ 6e &us a## he#! he &os !eo!#e in he bes 'ay/ %o##o'in+ our naura# abi#iies$(

6ha i% you de"ide so&ehin+ and I don #i.e i4(

Then ry so&ehin+ e#se$ Is ri+h and %air o use your inborn a#en %or e,eryones bene%i/ no 2us

onese#%$ No1one #i.es a ho++er$(

6ha ishe iniiaion4(

You .no' I "an say$(

6hen is i4(

I doesn &aer$(

Is i a es4(

No/ is a "e#ebraion$(

Lur said Id su%%er$(

Shes 'ron+ 5 and I& an+ry 'ih her %or ryin+ o %ri+hen you$ *n iniiaion is serious/ no

dan+erous$(

6i## I ha,e i&e o !re!are4(

You,e had a## your #i%e o !re!are$ You didn rea#ise/ be"ause i "a&e abou naura##y$(

The "ro!s s;uee0ed hi+h around he& in s'ee!s and %rin+es/ 'or.in+ o+eher #i.e a i+h#y

re!e##in+ ne$ No !ah had been "u so *,ani "ra".ed a #ine %or a.hi%a o %o##o'/ !arin+ he se&s

'ihou brea.in+ he&$ a.hi%a oo. ho#d o% a srand and !u##ed i$ I "ha%ed her hand/ ou+h asro!e$

)on do ha/ heyre ,a#uab#e/( said *,ani$ Theres !o'er 'o,en in he&$ Thas 'hy hey

resis$ Land1enders don #i.e res!assers ra&!#in+ heir +oods or ri,a#s sudyin+ heir !#anin+

!aerns$( She see&ed ner,ous/ her +a0e s.ierin+ o,er he hi".#y shi%in+ seed1heads$ I ha,en

been here in a #on+ i&e/ no sin"e Rua&: 'en$ I 'as di%%eren hen$(

The "#oser hey +o/ he &ore he !#ans !ushed he& ba".$

6e &us +o a i s#an'ise/( *,ani de"ided$

She used a## her 'ei+h o !ress he sa#.s aside$ *%er e,ery nud+e %or'ard/ he sron+

ye##o' se&s s'e! shu and sea#ed behind he&$

6has he #and1enders na&e4( as.ed a.hi%a$

Siorys$ Hes an odd one$ Hes +o a dau+her "a##ed Yriana$ Shes odd oo$ They don "o&e ou/e3"e! o he !#annin+ "ir"#es/ and heyre "o&!u#sory$ There are !ena#ies %or 'or.ers 'ho don

aend$ E,en hen/ he says a'ay$ She +oes$(


23/64

6ha &ade he& odd4(

-is%orune$ Yrianas &oher died +i,in+ birh o a son 5 Yrianas 'in 5 around he sa&e i&e I

%ound you$(

The "ro!s absorbed heir ,oi"es$ I %e# as hou+h hey 'ere a#.in+/ no on a #i&i#ess !#ain/

bu in a iny buried s!a"e$

The 'in died as a baby hi&se#%/ %ro& a ain in he 'aer/( *,ani "oninued/ a#hou+h so&e said

Siorys did i/ be"ause he "ou#dn %or+i,e he "hi#d %or #i,in+$()o you be#ie,e ha4(

No$ *nd here 'as anoher siser/ s#i+h#y o#der han Yriana$ You .no' he s'e##in+ Lur has in her

#e+4 The siser had i in her hroa$ They don .no' 'here i "o&es %ro&$ She !assed o% i %i,e

'iners a+o$ Soon a%er Rua&$ I ha,en seen Siorys sin"e hen$ 6hen he sen he s"yhe o be %i3ed/

I "ou#dn say no$(

*,ani %or"ed ba". he #as srands/ 'ih a.hi%a se!!in+ "#ose behind$

You .no'/ a.hi/ -os no 'ron+ o be "are%u#$ Hes obsessed 'ih disease be"ause he 'ans

hin+s o %#ourish here$ 6hen a herd or "ro! 5 or a %a&i#y 5 is b#i+hed/ no +ood &ay des"end$ The

si".ness %esers 'ihin$ Theres no "ure bu %or he #ine o end$(

Yriana 'as 'aiin+ %or he& in %ron o% her #o' b#a". sha"./ hun"hed and 'ary$ Her braids%e## in hin s"ra"hes a"ross her %a"e$ a.hi%a %e# a !ri".#e o% dread$ 6hae,er !o'er 'or.ed inside

he !#ans o re!e# un'aned ,isiors/ she 'as sure i a#so sen 'ords and 'arnin+s ri!!#in+ he oher

'ay/ a.in+ se"res and !assin+ he&/ si## 'ar& 'ih breah/ o he #and1enders ears$

*,ani s&i#ed broad#y/ i+norin+ Yrianas +#o'erin+ e3!ression$ Her ;ui". eye s.i&&ed he

sha"./ %ro& is ra++ed roo% o is !a"hy !#aiin+ and une,en#y #eanin+ dusy sides$

Yriana/ +ood day$ 6e ha,e so&ehin+ %or your %aher/ i% hes near/( she said in a s#o'/ round/ 2o##y

,oi"e$ I ho!e 'ere no disurbin+ you4(

No a a##$ Hes been 'aiin+$(

Yrianas ,oi"e 'as hin/ s'ee and rin+in+/ #i.e a !#u".ed 'ire/ a bo' srin+$

*nd I& a.hi%a$(

I .no' 'ho you are/( said Yriana so shar!#y ha a.hi%a %ro0e in "on%usion/ her s&i#e s#iherin+

o%% her #i!s$

They #e% he bas.es 2us inside he enran"e and %o##o'ed Yrianas dra++in+ hee#s o he

"#eared 'or.1s!a"e behind/ shaded %ro& he sun by #on+ "ano!ies o% !e++ed "#oh/ heir !aerns

b#ed 'hie by he sun$ The 'a##s 'ere "o,ered in ra".s o% .ni,es and s#i"in+/ "uin+ and ha".in+

oo#s$ Yrianas %aher/ Siorys/ 'as #ashin+ sa#.s ino hard !ar"e#s$ * sa". o% %inished bund#es #ay

si%%#y a#on+ he side o% he sha". ne3 o a #on+ 'or.ab#e$

Siorys srai+hened u! s#o'#y$ He see&ed shy/ 'ih a sron+ body &ade "rea.y by

o,er'or.$ He in"#ined his head$ *,ani in"#ined hers$

>ood day/ Siorys$(

*,ani$ Is +ood o see you$(Ho' are you4(

6ere boh 'e##/ han. you$ *nd you4(

I& 'e## oo/ and sos )e""a/ and a.hi%a here$(

Ha,e you "o&e %ro& ho&e4(

Fro& he &ar.e$( *,ani he#d ou he s"yhe$ 6e %i3ed he hand#e %or you/ and shar!ened he

b#ade$ Tes i$ I% is no ri+h/ e## us and 'e## see 'ha 'e "an do$(

Siorys rea"hed ou %or i$ For a &o&en/ *,ani he#d he hand#e o% he s"yhe and Siorys

'ei+hed he end$ The 'ines had "u dar. #ines ino his s.in$ He #i%ed i ou o% her hand and !u i

on he ab#e 'ihou #oo.in+ a i$ He said/

I .no' is !er%e"$ Is .ind o% you$(

a.hi%as hi! nud+ed a rused hoo. ha 'as han+in+ %ro& he ab#e ed+e$ I %e## srai+h/ is#on+ ooh s#i"in+ he ab#e #e+/ and ro##ed near *,ani/ 'ho !i".ed i u! and +a,e i o Siorys/ 'ho

+i++#ed 'ea.#y and !u i ba".$


24/64

Sorry/( &u&b#ed a.hi%a$

6has one &ore s"ra!e4 E,eryhin+ heres s"ra"hed o s!#iners any'ay/( he shru++ed$ Le &e

bidisha 2013 transformation play

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