Chapter 1

Once upon a time, there existed a rich and flourishing kingdom named “Asprat” in a distant part of India. It was ruled autonomously but came under the larger Indian kingdom. It was connected with the outside world but yet elusive. In Asprat lived a skillful mason called “Gva”. Gva was working on a stone building which was planned to go up to the moon as it was believed in Asprat that moon is the heaven. Gva tried to explain everyone that it was an impossible task; not only because there is a limit to building stone structures but also because moon revolved around the earth. But the work went on and Gva decided to leave Asprat if he wasn’t allowed to move on from the moon tower work.

Right about then, a part of Asprat was being split into a separate kingdom by the supreme ruler of India and a Asprat knight (Pa) was being assigned as the ruler for that new kingdom called “Mershad”. Gva lived on the newly split Asprat side but the moon tower now came under Mershad. Gva was offered a new home in Mershad with better pay but he decided to stay back in Asprat because the moon tower was driving him crazy.

Pa called in for Gva and assured him if that if he moved to Mershad, he would not have to work on the moon tower. Pa said that he didn’t want to lose such a skilled masonry as Gva and if he can he will even appoint Gva as his palace masonry. Being appointed as palace masonry was the biggest honor for any masonry, but for Gva it was just an escape from the moon tower. Gva soon decided to move to Mershad and started loading his belongings on his bullock cart.

Gva arrived with his bullock cart to Pa’s palace and was intercepted by his chief knight “Bha”. Bha asked Gva to move to the moon tower for some time till they find a place for him. Gva sensed something was wrong and explained Bha why he cannot move to the moon tower and that he should confirm with Pa first. But Bha was resistant and persuaded Gva to move temporarily to the moon tower. Gva asked to meet with Pa.

Pa was sleeping in his royal bedroom and was hearing the entire argument from there. He came out and summoned Gva to his room. He told him, the supreme ruler has ordered that the moon tower work should continue smoothly and not be disrupted until Mershad is settled and its operations are in full swing. Gva was asked to continue at the moon tower for a few months but he refused. He reminded Pa of his assurance and why he moved to Mershad, but this agitated Pa. Pa blasted Gva for disobedience and asked him to stay outside his palace in a camp till he discusses this issue with the supreme ruler. After a few days, Gva was expelled from Mershad and he wasn’t allowed to go back to Asprat either as per orders from the supreme ruler.

What conversation happened between Pa and the supreme ruler?

Why was Gva so afraid to live in the moon tower? Was there more to the moon tower than meets the eye?

What did Gva do next?

To find out, stayed tuned for the next part of this saga.