Under Skies of Silk

The Karkota Dynasty, Kashmir Empire, 739 CE

Aditya
Aditya Sura was taught that obedience and faith are the only things she can rely on for happiness. But when fate deals her a life-long sentence of servitude to the Kashmir emperor, she must rethink everything she knows to uncover a path of her own choosing. An artist by trade, Aditya will use every skill and ounce of courage she has to navigate dangerous and mysterious desert roads in search of freedom.

Kalhana
Kalhana Vanija is a merchant's son travelling from town to town when he lands fist first in the military of the Karkota Empire. Rising in the warrior ranks to the world of commanders, lavish dinners, and elephant armies, Kal must learn who he is beyond the fearless brute the world sees.

Against all odds, love will lead them from the ancient Hindu Kush and the Kashmiri valleys to the opulent era of imperial Tang cities. A love story in the sun and the stars; in a world where myth and history blend, Aditya and Kalhana face tyrannical emperors drunk on the conquests of war and a myriad of players vying for power across the great silk road.

In her debut novel, Lori Nol explores the timeless ways that spirituality, art, history, and faith guide us through unexpected life paths. A journey through the history of the Silk Road, Under Skies of Silk weaves real-life history of emperors, wars, territorial battles, and temples with the myths and stories that guided the resilient and powerful players of the magical Silk Road.