“I don’t want anything but to see you both dead,” said Tara. “To rid Morni of all evil. Both of you in one shot!”
Kali cackled madly. “You think you’ll end all evil by killing us, Tara? Think again! Layla is still in Morni and she will avenge my death, mine and Zarku’s. You watch … ahhhhhhhh …”
Tara had stomped hard on Kali’s hand and ground it with the heel of her mojri while she had been speaking. Kali let go, the expression on her face, pure, undiluted venom. Within seconds the darkness pulled her within its depths.
Tara peeped over the edge, trembling with exhaustion. They were both gone. She had done it. It was over.
Her knees buckled and she sat down, all the fear flowing out of her in huge, wracking sobs. Finally there was nothing more inside. She unclasped the anklet and kissed it. The silver was cool against her parched lips.
You did it, Tara. You did what I was not able to do.
Will you stay with me forever? asked Tara silently.
No, Tara. You have to do one last thing for me.
Anything, replied Tara.
Throw me into the chasm.
No! I want you to stay with me. I’m sorry I ever doubted you.
Do it, Tara. I have no desire to return to the living world again. Please.
Tara once again stepped to the edge. She stared at the anklet on her palm, kissed it one last time. Then she tilted her hand. It slid off, disappearing in a glint of silver.
Goodbye, Zara.
Tara walked back to the cave. Suraj had managed to crawl over to Sadia and wake her. They sat huddled at the entrance, two woebegone figures. They got to their feet with much effort as soon as they saw her.
The darkness pressed down on Tara’s thin shoulders.
Every part of her ached with exhaustion.
“We’re going home, aren’t we, Didi?” said Suraj.
He stood up and slipped his hand through hers. Sadia looked up at her with a tired, watery smile. “I want to see Kabir.”
Tara squared her shoulders and picked up Sadia. She had a promise to keep. And one more person to take care of — Layla.
“Come on,” said Tara. “We’re going home.”
The End
— glossary —
Below are English translations of the many Hindi words used in The Silver Anklet
Aloo-puri Potatoes and fried bread, a popular Indian snack.
Ambala A district in the state of Haryana, India.
Bhiwani District of Haryana.
Biryani A South Asian dish made primarily of rice, spices, meat and/or vegetables.
Choli A fitted blouse with short sleeves.
Didi Elder sister.
Dupatta A long scarf that is part of the Indian outfit and has long been a symbol of modesty.
Ghaggar Main seasonal river of Haryana, an Indian state.
Ghaghra A long, flowing skirt reaching to the calves or ankles.
Guava Fruit that grows in the tropics.
Hissar District of Haryana.
Kalesar Forest Kalesar Forest, 150 kilometres from Chandigarh, is a sal forest in Shivalik Hills, a name given to the foothills of the Himalayas.
Kebab Seasoned, minced meat wrapped around a stick (to maintain its shape) and then cooked. It resembles a hot dog when cooked and slid off the stick.
Koel A bird that is a member of the cuckoo family.
Kumbhkaran One of the brothers of Ravana, the antagonist in the famous epic, Ramayana. Kumbhkaran — through a boon granted by Brahma — slept for six months at a time, waking only to eat vast quantities of food.
Kurta-pajama A loose shirt falling just above or at the knees and normally worn with loose trousers with a drawstring waistband.
Laddoos Indian sweet made of flour and a variety of other ingredients, rolled into a ball and dipped in sugar syrup or has jaggery added to it.
Lord Ganesh Elephant-headed god who is also considered the god of knowledge and the remover of obstacles.
Machan A vantage point/seat built high up in the trees to spot game, namely tigers.
Mela Fair/carnival.
Mithai Indian sweets.
Mojri Also known as pagrakhi, is a traditional ornamental leather footwear originating from Rajasthan.
Mushika Vâhana or a Hindu vehicle, sometimes called a mount, is an animal, mythical entity closely associated with a particular deity in Hindu mythology. Ganesh’s mount was a mouse named Mushika.
Papads A wafer-thin flatbread made of lentils, chickpea, black gram, or rice flour.
Raat-ki-Raani A shrub that goes by the botanical name of Cestrum Nocturnum. Its light-green flowers open at night and emit an intoxicating fragrance.
Rakhi Holy thread tied by a sister on the wrist of her brother. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her for as long as he lives.
Rasmalai An Indian sweet where flattened balls of paneer (milk solids) are soaked in sweetened milk. (My favourite!)
Ritha Also known as the soap-nut tree (Sapindus mukorossi) is one of the most important trees of Asia. The fruit has medicinal value. The Ayurvedic system of medicine uses it to treat common colds, epilepsy, and nausea.
Roti Unleavened flatbread.
Saffron A spice derived from the dried stigma of the flower of the saffron crocus.
Sal tree Tall tree (Shorea Robusta) that provides good quality timber.
Shabash/Wah-wah Expressions of praise.
Shalwar A loose trouser with a drawstring waistband normally worn only by women.
Tandoor Cylindrical clay oven used for cooking and baking. The food is cooked over hot charcoal or a wooden fire. Temperatures in a tandoor can reach 480°C (900°F).
Thali A round tray made of steel or silver with smaller bowls or compartments in which a variety of foods are served.
Tulsi This is a sacred plant of India (Ocimum Sanctum). The reddish-purple flowers are used in Ayurveda to treat cold, fever, cough, and bronchitis.
Vark or Varak A foil of very pure silver and used for garnishing Indian sweets. The silver is edible, but flavourless.
— acknowledgements —
My heartfelt thanks to Uma Krishnaswami for her tough yet brilliant mentoring. Of all the advice she gave me, one piece is indelibly etched in my mind; when in doubt go deep instead of wide.
Rahul, Aftab, and Coby, you’ve been so patient and learned to ignore my crankiness when I’m writing, which is always. Thanks!
Mom, you’re always there, supporting and encouraging me. Thank you!
Dad, you’ll always be remembered for starting me down this path.
A warm hug to all my friends, especially Marsha Skrypuch and Helaine Becker.
Thanks to all the Kidcritters who continue to share selflessly, give useful suggestions, and nurture newcomers to the critique group.
And finally, thank you to the wonderful team at Dundurn, but especially to my patient and excellent editor, Shannon Whibbs.
— Also in the Tara Trilogy —
The Third Eye
by Mahtab Narsimhan
978-1-55002-750-1
$12.99
For Tara and her brother, Suraj, the year since their mother and grandfather fled the village of Morni has been a nightmare. Their new stepmother is cruel and deceptive and the men of the village have been disappearing, often returning in a strange, altered form. When a new healer, Zarku, a mysterious man with a third eye possessing strange power, suddenly appears in Morni, all are mesmerized by his magic — all except Tara, who sees through his evil disguise. With nothing but her own courage and wit, Tara tries to find her missing mother and grandfather, the true healer, in time to save her village.
— More Great Fiction for Young People —
Band of Acadians
by John Skelton
978-1-55488-040-9
$12.99
In 1755, on the eve of the Seven Years’ War, fifteen-year-old Nola and her Acadian parents face expulsion from Grand Pré by the British. Nola, he
r friends Hector and Jocelyne, Nola’s grandfather, and a band of bold teenagers manage to flee by boat only to encounter challenges tougher than their wildest imaginings. Their destination is French-occupied Fort Louisbourg, but their journey is fraught with a series of obstacles and hair-raising adventures. Will the resourceful teenagers discover what it takes to prevail in a continent poised on the edge of irrevocable change?
Minerva’s Voyage
by Lynne Kositsky
978-1-55488-439-1
$12.99
Robin Starveling, aka Noah Vaile, is scooped off the streets of seven–teenth-century Bristol, England, and dragged onboard a ship bound for Virginia by the murderous Wil–liam Thatcher, who needs a servant with no past and no future to aid him in a nefarious plot to steal gold. Starveling fits the bill per–fectly since he lives nowhere and has no parents. Aboard the ship, he makes friends with a young cabin boy, Peter Fence.
Together they suffer through a frightening hurricane and are shipwrecked on the mysterious Isle of Devils. Braving gloomy forests and tortuous labyrinths, the boys are led to a cave on the shore that houses a wizard-like old man. Beset by danger and villainy on every side, they finally discover the old man’s identity and unearth a treasure that is much rarer and finer than gold.
Available at your favourite bookseller.
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The Silver Anklet Page 19