Book Excerpt: 'The Timingila' - Chapter One and The Legend of Tasvak

Map of Jivavarta

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The Place to Be

They say that if you are born in Sonira, you won't be jealous of heaven -- and if you are born in Igati, you won't be afraid of hell. But for the people of Trishala, their city was their glorious heaven, and it was their living hell.

Trishala was neither Sonira, the most beautiful city in the ancient land of Jivavarta, nor Igati, the frozen hell without reprieve. The people of Trishala loved and hated their city -- for them, it had its own charm.

Trishala was a trading port surrounded by three powerful kingdoms: Rongcha in the north, Adrika in the east, and Yashantika in the west. It was so strategically located that whichever kingdom controlled it could control Jivavarta. So, the three kingdoms decided to keep it free, but raided it whenever they thought it was getting too prosperous.

Things changed under current king. When King Vighasa Laznaka came to power, he made a treaty with these kingdoms, stopping the raids in exchange for a yearly tribute. With his diplomacy, he kept these kingdoms at bay, and Trishala flourished.

To celebrate the treaty, the people of Trishala started observing the festival of Varti. Every year, they painted their houses and shops with bright colors, and decorated the streets with lanterns to welcome Thelesa, the Tapasi goddess of trade, wealth, and prosperity. Tomorrow was Varti, and Trishala was the place to be.

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The Legend of Tasvak: First Emperor Of Jivavarta

A Strange Fish (Epic Poem)

This is the story of an ancient sea,

And the monster, who made everyone flee.

Timingila was a strange fish,

Being free was his only wish.

Along came the killer shark,

Whose nature was too dark.

The shark tried to eat him,

But it was Timingila, who did eliminate him.

Along came the wily octopus,

Whose arms moved with a terrifying rush.

The octopus tried to mutilate him,

But it was Timingila, who did eliminate him.

Along came the devious whale,

Who knew that he will never fail.

The whale tried to bait him,

But it was Timingila, who did eliminate him.

Thus, to remain free,

Timingila went on a killing spree.

Cause Timingila was a strange fish,

Being free was his only wish.

'The Timingila' is a fast-paced fantasy thriller by Shon Mehta, now available worldwide on Amazon and Google Play.

Read Chapter Two: Tasvak of Trishala

Jivavarta is a fictional land created by Shon Mehta, where epic tales of power, survival, and social upheaval unfold, as seen in her novels The Timingila and Lair of the Monster, along with many other stories and parables set in this richly imagined world.