What are you doing here?

Uncle, what are you doing here?

Dhammaputeri was surprised to see his uncle and the village chieftain at her grandpa's home.

Her uncle would not answer her. Dhammaputeri proceeded to give an inquiring glance at Simgha. Simgha dislodged his thick folded arms from his bare hairy chest and shrugged one of his shoulders into a chip and rolled his eyes around the room attempting to avoid Dhammaputeri's inquiring and probing eyes. His tanned body was streaming with perspiration. As was his face.

Grandpa was calm and quiet.

Don't worry puteri. You are safe with your grandpa.

Is your brother-in-law the merchant still at sea? The village chieftain inquired of Hajee Yusof.

Yup, as you know my sister spends her day at my house with my wife and children whenever he's at sea and my dad insists on schooling their daughter.

Hajee Yusof glanced around the living room.

Let's go Bhummi. We were too late. She's escaped.

Chieftain Karmabhummi Padnathrasong Thirunthasne was the rare Buddhist on the island. Buddhists were normally under suspicion among the domains that were ruled by the Hindu empire. The Hindu empire that claimed dominion over the island was at war with the northern Buddhist empire, hence the suspicion against Buddhists. However, this was an island of renegade citizens and war refugees and who hated the wars. It was rather strange that while conflicts never occurred on the island itself, the island was among the cluster of islands that had frequently changed hands between the two empires due to shifting boundaries.

Thanks for helping my dad as always, Simgha. He gave a friendly slap on Simgha's shoulder just before he turned to the doorway and left the house with the village chieftain.