Sivaram Govindaraj

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (248)

248 Stories

1590 karma pts

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“A MINGLED YARN” by Sivaram Govindaraj

It won’t be surprising if you didn’t recognize Rubi Isle. It isn’t on earth but is on planet tellus – earth’s twin planet about 800 years younger, evolving. Among its citizens was the woman Chili, who was 18, a good-looker with an even greater body. You wouldn’t believe it if told she was mother of a two year old son. She had enough encumbrances and so let the little fellow in the care of her mother who lived some distance away. Chili lived with her husband Zeq a very wealthy ex-soldier thrice her age. Zeq was a recluse who mostly stayed hom...

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“KEY TO PEACE” by Sivaram Govindaraj

KEY TO PEACE That night, Crown prince Zax of Zygos summoned Kap commander of the armed forces and said “Kap, I want to share a secret with you. I want to go to war against Rubi Isle and conquer it.” Rubi Isle and Zygos were contiguous territories on planet tellus which is earth’s twin 800 years younger.  “Sire, the army is ready. The chariots, the archers, the javelins, the sharp shooters, the hatchet men are prepared. Our man-of-wars are also ready for naval assault.” “I’ve spoken to my father the king and he has left it to me to use t...

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“DANCING IN THE RAIN” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Rubi Isle is not of planet earth but of earth’s twin planet tellus about 800 years younger, evolving. Zygos was contiguous territory ruled by its queen. The prosperity of the kingdoms was largely due to agriculture. Good relations existed between the two kingdoms.That year it so happened there was a severe drought in Zygos. The queen called a meeting of the concerned to discuss the issue.A farmer said “The drought has occurred over 2 consecutive seasons. We’ve suffered severe losses.”The queen asked the chief witch Wizma – an old woman - who...

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“ZAP'S LUCK” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Zap was a citizen of Rubi Isle on planet tellus - earth’s twin, 800 years younger, evolving. He was handsome and very well built at age 18 and lived in a quarter allotted to him by Kit who owned a sugarcane plantation. Zap was a bachelor. That morning as Zap stood surveying the field to start work, Kit came there which was unusual. Kit gave a bag to Zap and said “Zap, as you know this year’s crop was damaged and I’ve suffered a big loss. I had to take loans to sustain myself. You’ve been a hard worker which I appreciate but I’m unable to kee...

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“INDECENT PROPOSAL” by Sivaram Govindaraj

 Fez gave a bag containing money as bribe to Velcro – the mediator.  Mediator was a high office and Velcro had a lot of power. He had been appointed by the king of Rubi Isle on account of his knowledge of the laws of the land and his ability to amicably settle disputes. Rubi Isle was on planet tellus – earth’s twin about 800 years younger, evolving. Velcro didn’t open the bag or count the money. He left it standing on the table where he sat while Fez sat near him. Now I come to Fez. He was a hereditarily rich man who owned agricult...

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“CLOUT'S LEGERDEMAIN” by Sivaram Govindaraj

The kingdom of Rubi Isle is on planet tellus – earth’s twin. Only it was born about 800 years later. The land was fertile with perennial rivers and so agriculture flourished. One of those grown rich was Lodz and he had shifted to dealing in gold and jewellery leaving agriculture to be looked after by his sons Tab and Zep. Lodz was a widower having lost his wife early. Tab was 22 and Zep was 20.They had settled in Yudel, the agricultural area, and they lived in a spacious house. They had a cook cum housekeeper – a middle aged woman who lived ...

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“PLAY A DEEP GAME” by Sivaram Govindaraj

When I set my story on uncharted territories like Rubi Isle and so on I preface it by saying that these are on planet tellus – earth’s twin, about 800 years behind, evolving. If Rubi Isle had a newspaper this is what it would have covered:  From the RI TIMES: Heavy rain in RI! Many areas flooded. Trees uprooted and houses damaged. A notable among the damaged houses was JOKEND the recently constructed mansion built by Blitz the real estate developer and builder. It was rented by young widow Madam Kyla. It had only two occupants Kyla...

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“AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Rubi Isle is part of planet tellus (earth’s twin, 800 years behind, evolving) and was prosperous due to fertile land and systematic cultivation. Fez was the son of a big landlord of RI who was very rich. Though Fez was about 20 he wasn’t married: He was longing for Liril. RI had a culture group which gave performances of music and dance for entertainment. The ace dancer of the group was Liril, a very beautiful woman of only 16. Fez was Liril’s ardent fan. He had been courting her since long sending her gifts and even costly jewellery. H...

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“AS THE STORY RAN” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Rubi Isle adjoins the kingdom of Zygos (located on planet tellus, earth’s twin, 800 years behind, evolving). A well known woman of RI was Marini who owned a brewery and ran a tavern near the sea port. Marini was about 30 and always had a pleasant smiling face which drew many women patrons to the tavern. They would often gossip and share their problems. Marini’s husband was a sailor and would often be on the sea. That evening it was raining and Marini rightly expected fewer patrons. The first to enter was her close friend Reema. She was about...

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“THEREBY HANGS A TALE” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Zygos and Rubi Isle are adjoining territories on planet tellus (earth’s twin, 800 years behind, evolving). Zygos was noted for growing cotton and producing cotton products. Goff was a magnate of Zygos who owned cotton plantations, produced products of cotton and marketed them. He was about 30 and was a widower. Flex, his next in command, was about 20, was handsome and had an athletic build. Because of his position, Flex came into contact with important people in Zygos. That was how he met Jelly the Chief Minister’s (CM) youngest sister who w...

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“FROWNS OF FORTUNE” by Sivaram Govindaraj

I am fond of visiting flea markets where antiques and objet d’art are offered at reasonable prices. That Sunday I went to a restricted one – by a group. I saw 17th century coins on sale. The sales pitch: “Even museums don’t have these”. I saw a young man with a beard signal to me and went to him. He said “I am Ross. I am a student and my parents don’t have enough money to buy me a computer. Instead they have given me various vintage articles left behind by an ancestor who had been in the British army in times of yore. I’ve decided to sell wh...

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“FEZ BELT” by Sivaram Govindaraj

If I tell you this story is set in Zygos you might refer an atlas or ask google. None of them can tell the exact location of the unmapped territory which is a kingdom on planet tellus – earth’s twin 800 years behind, evolving. Zygos was prosperous mostly due to extensive plantations of cotton. One of the wealthy citizens who owned cotton acreage and dealt in cotton was Fez – a short and paunchy man with a thick moustache. He would be busily moving between various places promoting his business. He owned a large house and had a horse drawn car...

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“SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Zygos is territory on planet tellus (earths’s twin, 800 years behind, evolving). There if you mention the name Hicoq, anyone would say you are referring to a wealthy man of the place. Though he was descended from a humble fisherman’s family, he had by his enterprise started a shipping company for passengers. His boats were strong and reliable and people mostly preferred to travel in them. Hicoq lived in Zygos with his wife and only son Coq. The father had tried to induct the son into the family’s business activity but had failed. The reason:...

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“JUDGING RIGHT” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Can a man return after death? A monk claiming to be all knowing called on Mr.Citizen exhorting him to become a monk. “Your worries and concerns will thereby cease.” Mrs.Citizen overhearing the appeal joined in saying “Monk, you claim to be all-knowing. Can you answer my queries on being with a woman?” Monk sought time as he had never been with a female. Later he saw the funeral procession of a young king. At once using his ability at metempsychosis, he moved his soul into the dead king and was back in the palace to consort again with h...

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“NYMPH IN THE WELL” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Zygos was a kingdom on planet tellus (earth’s twin 800 years behind and evolving) and was ruled by King Phoz. Phoz was aged and had no successor. That day he summoned his Chief Minister (CM) – an elderly man - to discuss the matter. Phoz said “I’ve just received reports that the queen of neighbouring Circa – our enemy - is planning to seize Zygos after I am gone. She has a stronger army than ours. Unless there is someone to rule Zygos after me.....” Phoz fell silent. CM said “I’ve also been thinking about a successor to you Sire. I feel we s...

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