Page 37 of Tiger's Voyage

Mr. Kadam sat back in the chair and rubbed his palms in slow circles. “They were not. When Rajaram died, Deschen began to grieve. I had planned to cremate his body and take the ashes to the Ganges, but she wouldn’t let me. She couldn’t bear to be so far away from him. You see, the Hindus believe that the soul immediately departs the dead. They cremate the body as soon as possible so there is no temptation for the soul to linger among the living.

“But Deschen was Buddhist, and in her culture, the dead body is left in repose for three days in the hope that the hovering spirit might change its mind and decide to reunite with its body. Together we watched and prayed over Rajaram, and when three days had passed, I dug a grave and buried him near her garden.

“She spent all her time in the garden working and speaking to Rajaram as if he could hear her. When Kishan wasn’t hunting, he rested near his mother and watched over her. She soon became ill and as I cared for her, I carved a marker for her husband’s grave out of wood. By the time I finished the marker, I knew I’d soon have to create another one.

“I buried them side by side near our little house. It’s not too far from the waterfall Ren took you to. Shortly after that, I left in search of Ren. Their jungle is a peaceful place. I’ve been back several times to lay flowers on their graves, and I’ve replaced the wooden markers with permanent headstones. Though Rajaram’s burial did not reflect his beliefs, I do know he would have given anything, done anything, to make his wife happy. I suspect, had he been able, he would have asked me to do exactly as I did to give her a sense of peace.”

He blinked unshed tears from his eyes and shifted a book on the table. “Ah, I apologize. I did not mean to get so emotional.”

“You loved them.”

“Yes. I’ve often thought I might like to be buried near them when I die. I wouldn’t presume, of course, but it’s a … special place for me. I’ve often knelt at their graves and talked of their sons. It’s not something common in Hindu culture, but I find it … comforts me.”

Mr. Kadam pulled himself out of his melancholy mood. “Now then, we were speaking of the Ganges. Incidentally, there is some basis in fact of the healing properties of the river.”

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather not go for a swim, if we don’t have to.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to swim in the Ganges. However, the prophecy specifically mentions diving, which is why I’ve arranged diving lessons.”

“Are you sure it doesn’t mean something else? Like the Ocean Teacher thing?”

“No. I’m fairly certain we’ll be on the ocean this time. The other two prophecies were based on the elements of earth and air. I believe this prophecy has a water theme—and possibly an underwater theme.”

I groaned. “That doesn’t bode well, especially the bit about creatures that bite and sting. I can think of lots of things in the ocean that I’d rather not encounter. Plus tiger power is pretty much nonexistent in the ocean, and I’m not sure my lightning power works underwater.”

“Yes. I must admit, I’ve thought of that myself. The good news is that I believe I know what we are looking for this time.”

“Really?”

Mr. Kadam thumbed through a book and found what he was looking for. “That is what we are seeking,” he said with a flourish. “Look at her neck.”

I looked down at the book. Mr. Kadam was pointing to a beautifully artistic rendering of Durga. The goddess was wearing a stunning wide necklace of diamonds and black pearls.

“The necklace? You think we’re looking for that? And it’s hidden somewhere in the ocean? No problem.” I said incredulously.

“Yes. Well, at least we knowwhatwe’re looking for this time. Her necklace is said to have been stolen centuries ago by a jealous god— which, by the way, leads me to my second discovery.”

“And what is that?”

“The place where we will begin our search. We will be going to the City of the Seven Pagodas.”

“What’s that?”

“Ah, I will reveal all tonight,” Mr. Kadam concluded mysteriously. “I’ll tell you the whole story after dinner.”

Despite my pleading to know our destination immediately, Mr. Kadam insisted we continue our research on the prophecy. We spent the rest of the afternoon deep in study. Mr. Kadam focused on the city while I tried to learn more about the dragons.

After gulping down the fastest dinner in history, we gathered in the peacock room. Kishan sat next to me. He stretched his arm out behind me and cheekily slipped it onto my shoulders when Ren took a seat across from us. Finally, Mr. Kadam came in, settled himself, and began to tell the story of Durga.

“Durga is known by many names,” he began. “One of them is Parvati. Parvati’s husband, Shiva, became angry because she did not pay him the attention he felt he deserved. Shiva cast her to the world below to live as a mortal in an obscure fishing village. The people, though poor, were faithful and had built many temples.

“Even though Parvati lived as a human, she retained her heavenly beauty, and many sought her hand. Shiva soon missed her and became jealous of the attentions other men paid to her. He sent his servant Nandi to the fishing village.

“Nandi secretly stole her necklace and told the villagers that the beautiful maiden’s Black Pearl Necklace had been hidden beneath the waves and that it was protected by a fierce shark. The man who could kill the shark and find the necklace would be able to win her as his bride.

“What the men didn’t know was that Nandi had taken the form of that shark. He was ruthlessly protecting the necklace for his master Shiva, who had plans to sweep in to save the pearls and let the other men die trying. He hoped this gesture would be sufficient to win back the affections of his wife.

“Many men tried and failed. Some sought the necklace by trickery. They tried to lure the shark away with bloody carcasses and then seek the pearls, but Nandi was no ordinary shark. He was clever and hid. He waited for the men to dive and then he struck. Soon all the eligible men had been killed and eaten by the shark or were too afraid to try.