The storm island was a brew of eeriness and beauty. Every afternoon, destructive storm swept over it. The evenings however witnessed cloudless sky with beautiful lights playing across it. It was like an ever repeating enchanting mystery.

The ships replenished their stocks of food and fuel here, while the merchants sold their goods to the natives.

Every fourth day of the week, the beaches came to life with merriment and celebrations. The storm islanders made offering in the form of grains and fruits to the storm. It was believed that these offerings satisfied the Operator who prevented the storms form destroying the huts and fields of the storm islanders.

"This year we have witnessed a surplus of crops." The chief of the Island was telling Shivashakti. The royals of Ogaan along with Dasonda, Alinoy, Shian and Veerbhadra were feasting in the humongous hut that belonged to Chief Goram.

On the oval table before them three plates of corn and cottage cheese, two large roasted turkeys greased with wine and rosemary sauce, seven loaves of bread, fresh oysters, fish cooked in coconut milk and a bowl of rice puddings were spread, to satiate their hunger for the night.

"Mmhmm, you need to share this fish recipe." Dasonda exclaimed as he took a bite of the fish curry. They were accompanied the chief's two wives and five children two of whom were of Ajinkya's age.

"Father why cannot Surya eat with us?"

"Because he hasn't earned a seat on the royal table yet." Veerbhadra replied curtly.

"But he is your son," Ajinkya reasoned.

"That doesn't entitle him to eat with the Emperor, your highness."

"When I become the Empress," she replied quietly "I shall change those ridiculous rules."

The chief's hut, was made of mud walls and thatched roof. It was larger than the other houses. The mud floor hid beneath a moth eaten carpet. Ornaments and swords hung on all its walls. It had a damp smell about it. Ajinkya enjoyed the island but had no inclination to stay at the Chief's hut. Adhaata was served mashed potato and overboiled rice. All her milk teeth were in place but still she was fed semi solid food.

"May I be excused?" Ajinkya asked timidly.

"But you hardly ate anything," the chief asked perplexed "is the food not satisfactory for my lady's palate." He looked worried.

"On the contrary the food is delicious," Ajinkya replied politely "but the shrimps from the afternoon are proving to be hard to digest for my little stomach." She rubbed her hand on her stomach.

"Run along my love." Vayu granted her leave "but don't go wondering, stay on the beach, or return to our camps."

Tents had been set on the outer edge of the forest leading to the beach. Fires were burning as men and women from the fleet huddled around singing and chatting. Ajinkya walked out of the Chief's hut, Aboli on her heels.

"Take me to Surya." It had been eight months on Ogaan, before they reached the Storm Island. Surya had slightly warmed up, but turned stiff if his father was around. Ajinkya liked the quiet brooding boy. She followed the large black wolf into the dark forest as the lights faded behind them.

Surya was sitting at the foot of the only waterfall on the island. Crickets buzzed behind the bushes. The light wind made the trees rustle from time to time. Ajinkya crept behind Surya and covered his eyes with her hands.

"Now what is your demand princess."

"Don't call me that." She retorted with a scowl.

" Princess," he said rudely "that is what you are."

"Don't say like that." She replied indignantly "See what I brought for you." She took out a Roasted turkey leg and half a loaf she had sneaked out from the Chief's spread, and held them infront of Surya.

"I am not your pet, whom you feed your leftovers." He nastily pushed it away as the food flew away from Ajinkya's hand and fell on the pool at the foot of the waterfall.

"You are rude." She replied as her eyes brimmed and her lips quivered "I didn't eat anything so that we can dine together as I promised." She got up swiftly "You are rude Surya." She told him one last time before running away from the waterfall. Aboli growled at him before taking off after her.

"Good lord," Surya murmured as he got up "Ajinkya wait," he shouted as he ran after her.

He found her sitting below a tree, her head buried between her knees, her hand encircled her legs.

As he approached, Aboli who lied infront of her, lifted her head and growled.

"What do you want, " Ajinkya lifted her head to look at the source that made Aboli growl.

"I am here to apologize for my rudeness." He replied timidly. Ajinkya's bloodshot eyes and tear streaks on her cheeks made him feel guilty for being an asshole.

"May I be permitted to join?" He asked Aboli with the rare smile playing on his lips. Aboli grunted and moved away from Ajinkya's side.

He took out a pouch of nuts from his pocket and offered them to Ajinkya.

She tenderly took some.

"Our worlds are different princess." Surya spoke, "my father doesn't approve me engaging in activities with you and your sister. I am expected to guard you," he said sadly "not dine with you."

"But Haron and all those other guards are there to protect us." Ajinkya retorted "I want you to be my friend. Look at Haron, he always hangs out with Anakul. Nobody protests." She continued indignantly. "Why can't we be friends too. I love playing with you and listening to your stories." She hugged the little boy. Surya was taken aback since this was the first time anyone other than his mother had hugged him. He put an arm around her as they sat there silently listening to the crickets.

"You want to go to the camp fires?" He asked her after a while. She nodded lightly.

"Come on, he sprang up and extended a hand to pull her up." They rushed back to the beach with Aboli. He took her to one of the camp fires were a bard was singing a sad song. People drank wine from leather pouches sitting around the bonfire. They quickly moved to allow the princess and her human and canine companions to sit.

"Please don't stop for us." She told the bard.

"For the princess," he said raising his wine skin "I  have a special one."

He stringed his harp and played a melody to accompany his words.

"The sun longed for her,
To hold her in his arms,
He thought of her, flawlessly shining,
Yet he knew they can be
never together,
Her memories, were all that kept him moving.

"The moon's heart ached
For her lover's embrace
She waited for the day
To reunite with him.
Not caring for the doom their union meant.
She ran after him again.

"The sun heard her voice, asking him to wait
It tore through his heart, yet he never halted.
The children of Ethar he needed to save,
Even if it meant he would burn alone forever and always."

"He yearned for her calm,
She longed for his rage.
He ached for her adoration
She craved for his passion.
But deep down they knew,
Their union,
will only bring......doom."

Surya sadly looked at Ajinkya. The song reminded him of the princess and himself. Ajinkya was awed by the bard's performance and started to applaud. Everyone joined in. The bard bowed and started another poem.

The night rolled on into day break. It was their last night on the Storm island before they continued their journey to Zaiden. The people of Rajdhani danced and drank without a worry in the world, with the islanders. As drums and harps fuelled their moods, they danced until their calves strained and their lungs gave out. They lapped up the sensation of land, before they ventured into the never ending ocean.