Book Excerpt: Ponniyin Selvan Book 3 River Prince By Nandini Krishnan

Ponniyin Selvan Book 3 River Prince continues the tale of the Choza Empire and introduces the audience to Prince Arulmozhi Varman, Ponniyin Selvan. Along with fighting on the battlefield, the prince also finds himself in a web of controversies and politics within his family and court. The book narrates exciting fighting sequences and is a read full of adventure, action, conspiracy, and romance.

Here's an excerpt from Nandini Krishnan's River Prince

The day passed fairly quickly for Vandiyadevan. He spent half the daylight hours sleeping. The hours that he was awake, he devoted to reflecting on Poonguzhali's unique character.

What a wonder she was, he thought. What a lovely name she had, one that rolled off the tongue ... and yet, her nature appeared to be so very stern, even harsh. But was she simply harsh? Or did her abrasive behaviour hide a certain vulnerability? She had spoken so very casually of killing a leopard. And then, there were times when she acted like a lunatic. To what could this be attributed? Perhaps she had been through a particularly traumatic experience at some point in her life? Or, perhaps a particularly exhilarating experience? Either could have driven someone to insanity. Maybe he was overthinking it. Perhaps he was imagining a past that did not exist. This odd nature of hers might well be congenital.

Her parents seemed quite normal, pleasant and calm. How was her mental makeup so very different? Well, that's as may be, but what had driven her to care so much for him, to strike up such a rapport and form such a close bond? She had made supreme efforts to ensure he was not caught by the men from Pazhuvoor. And she had promised to row him to Lanka. Was she up to something? Was this a trap of some sort? No, he could never believe that. What had prompted her to change her mind, though? And what was this return favour she had made him promise he would do her? Why had she insisted she wouldn't tell him what it was until later? What could it possibly be?

Even as he was mulling this over, he realised Poonguzhali had predicted quite correctly that the forest would be filled with sounds of commotion through the day. He could hear raised human voices, the hooves of horses, running feet, the panicked cries of frightened animals, the screeches of birds ... these would rent the air for a while, and then the world would sink into absolute silence. Those sounds were surely owed to a manhunt for him? He thought often of the physician's son's betrayal.

What a moron! That idiot had decided he was in love with Poonguzhali at first sight, it seemed. It was as absurd as the stagnant water in a pond aspiring to subdue the Vadava Mugagni, the final conflagration that would subsume the earth. Or a mouse hoping to marry a lioness. And yet, this girl had put the man's foolishness to some use. How easily she had roused his jealousy! All it had taken to turn him into a traitor was half a naazhigai of conversation with her. It was incredible, the power a beautiful woman exercised.

Vandiyadeva, you must admit something to yourself. You thought you were quite the smart one. No one could match you for your wiles, you thought. And yet, this wild girl who has never known civilisation has beaten you hollow! Would anyone else have thought up a scheme to drag you from the open sea into this ancient, hidden ruin as she did? If she hadn't run away with your clothes, what would have become of you? You'd have been apprehended by the Pazhuvettaraiyar brothers' men, that's what. No, you cannot ever afford to be so cavalier about your own safety, not anymore.

Excerpted with permission from River Prince: Ponniyin Selvan Book 3 by Kalki, translated by Nandini Krishnan, published by Eka- Westland.