| Selection - Anan: Book One |
| from Chapter 1: Princess Sondari and Masla |
The princess gradually calmed down and regained the reserved manner that exists between royalty and their retainers. As her manner changed, Masla also naturally reverted to this long-established, customary relationship. Unsettled by the tremors in his heart each time the princess looked his way, Masla said, “Your Highness, let us start looking for a place to stay. I don’t think you are in any state to sleep outdoors.” He rose to his feet and stretched in a deliberate manner, looking towards the moonlight.
Though Princess Sondari heard Masla’s words, they passed through her mind without registering. The princess was absorbed in a single thought—Anan. She had felt disappointed when she realized it was Masla, her father’s retainer, who had saved her life, and not Anan. Ashamed that, in her dream-like stupor, she had convinced herself that Anan had rescued her, she was painfully reproached by a complex feeling that stemmed from her disappointment—a feeling that was neither anger nor sadness.
Were the words of Seson all untrue? He always told us: ‘Those who believe in Buddha and harbor no doubts about Buddha’s teachings shall be uplifted from their confusion.’ Anan, who came to visit many times on Seson’s behalf, spoke in the same way. My father believed deeply in those words and faithfully practiced Seson’s teachings, in his way of governing and in his private life, too. Yet now, in the end…
As she began to take in what Masla had told her, thoughts of Anan and Shakuson quickly vanished from the princess’s mind. With a violent shock and dizzying impact, her mind slammed into the reality that her father had met his end. Masla’s words, which she had carelessly ignored a moment before, now resounded clearly, as immovable fact, with a deafening roar that threatened to tear her apart.
“Masla, you said my father is dead…and the castle has fallen to the enemy…?” Murmuring these words as if in a state of delirium, Princess Sondari fell down lifeless onto the grass. Once again she lay still and unconscious.
Masla was startled. Crouching down by her side, he again lifted up the princess and carried her along, resuming the journey with long, powerful strides.
Once again, Masla felt buoyant about his hopes for the future. Right now he was the only person Princess Sondari had to rely on. To hell with Anan and Sakyamuni, he thought. How could their pompous preaching save the princess?! Far from it! It was their holier-than-thou teachings that led to the death of her father and brought the country to ruins. Just wait and see. With my own hands, I will smash their cursed order. There is no way the princess can remain devoted to a backstabber like Anan. Yes, starting tomorrow, I will put all my efforts into making things right. As his spirits lifted, his pace quickened. His legs began to fly like the wind. The moon was growing strikingly brilliant in the night sky.
|
|
 |
| Preview Our Books! |
Selections from many of our books are available.
Please click here—
> Index of Selections |
|
