by KAL KAMEL
Imagine a world of volcanic islands, dense jungles, and shimmering turquoise seas. This is Nusantara, the 13th-century Southeast Asian archipelago, a vibrant maritime crossroads teeming with a thousand cultures. It was a world of immense wealth, where sprawling port cities were home to Javanese kings, Malay sultans, Bugis sailors, and merchants from Arabia and China. Here, empires were built on the spice trade, fleets of massive wooden ships ruled the waves, and the fate of kingdoms was decided by the monsoon winds.
Into this world steps Arya Suryanata, the grieving son of a legendary general from the Singhasari kingdom. He inherits not only his father’s command but also Naga Satria, a sentient, soul-bound keris (a distinctive dagger from Southeast Asia known for its asymmetrical and often wavy blade), a magic blade humming with the ancient power. His first command from the ruthless king of Singhasari is absolute: lead a fleet, find the defiant trading kingdom of Selat Kenchana, and break them.
But the King’s orders betray every principle of honor Arya was raised to uphold. He is torn between his duty as a soldier and the legacy of his father, a man who wielded power with wisdom, not just brutality.
As Arya's fleet navigates treacherous mangrove swamps, he finds himself in a shadow war against an unseen enemy. He is confronted not only Selat Kenchana's prideful war chief, but also by Melati, a beautiful, intelligent and enigmatic envoy who speaks of peace, forcing Arya to question if his king’s path is the only one.
Haunted by visions from the blade and tested by a power he can barely control, Arya must make a choice. The path of duty leads to destruction and a loss of his soul. The path of honor could be seen as treason. With the fate of kingdoms hanging on his command, Arya discovers that the most dangerous serpent he must master is not the one in his sword, but the one coiled around his own heart.
Background
The book was meticulously researched to bring the incredible world of 13th-century Nusantara to life. The politics, the real historical figures, the design of the ships, and the spiritual beliefs around the keris and the Nāga are all rooted in actual history and mythology. Being from Southeast Asia and from Malaysia in particular, my aim was to create a story that isn't a generic fantasy setting, but rather, a real piece of world history, a "hidden history" brought to life.
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