SURIRATHNA: TALE OF A WARRIOR QUEEN

Chapter 3

Days passed by. In the kingdom ruled by Srirathnas father, everything seemed to be going on peacefully in a relaxed but systematic manner; just like how things have always been.

Srirathna would go practice fencing, learn various martial arts and fight equally with her fellow able male peers. She is her Gurus favourite student like how shes always been. In theoretical and practical aspect of warfare, politics and royal etiquette and anything that can be named, she would always give her all. Her father was still that noble, kind, witty and able king who was adored and respected by all his subjects. Her mother was still that spiritual woman, who respected and feared gods, respected and loved her husband unconditionally. The citizens of the kingdom still worked diligently and stayed loyal to the king. On the surface, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

But in actuality, things were changing in a very rapid manner. Yards and yards of silk clothes were being sewn, some more yards were being packed and readied for a long voyage. Many eatables were being prepared, packed to be safely kept for the long journey, enough to feed a big caravan. A huge ship was being built, which had very intricate, delicate carvings, sails made of highest quality silk. The cloth used for sail was created by the greatest tailer in a faraway city, which could endure scorching heat, which wouldnt whither in harshest rain or a deathly storm. The hull was thick and secure, that gave a sense of peace and security to anyone aboard. All citizens, no matter what their status in the society maybe, donated a little something for the long, devious journey that was about to start, according to their strengths.

After the ship was built, it was quickly filled with cloths, eatables, wooden containers filled with fresh drinking water, treasure of whichs worth would not be fathomable to a normal citizen. It also had all the gifts the citizens of the kingdom that had offered, out of love for the princess.

Yes, everything looked normal superficially, but the news of the most loved princess leaving on a long journey to a distant, foreign place had slowly but steadily had spread among the citizens. They were all relieved to know that the king had finally got the signal from heavens regarding the much-awaited princesss marriage, but the news that followed was very disheartening to them. The princess was not only known for her beauty, she also had won their hearts by helping his father in many kind deeds that he did. She was also noted to be helping the king during harsh times, giving timely solutions.

What concerned the citizens was that the princess was about to board a huge ship, go on a long voyage, to an unknown foreign place and try to start a completely new life in new culture among strangers. Although for any girl, it was inevitable that at a certain point in her life, she has to be sent to her husbands house, the idea of sending a girl to a place, thousands of miles away was something unfathomable to normal citizens, but they would keep quiet; fearing god who would punish them for defaming and talking ill about the king, who was considered to be sent by the god himself, as a part of him, especially to take care of them.

Some were concerned; yet there ought to be some people who would always talk ill and negatively about anything and everything. These gossip mongers would say:

what has gotten into the king? Does he not fear the gods up? Who is the groom you say? What place does he belong to? What does he do? What cast, creed religion does he belong to? The more we hear about him, the more it is apparent he does not belong to this land. What gods teachings does he follow? He doesnt follow our gods you say? Who knows? He might be trying to appease the demons. The king should know better. If not for king, at least the queen should stop the king. This is so wrong!

Who are we to blame? The king who is merely following the heavens orders? The gods in the heaven who instructed the king this way? If that is whats written in the princesss fate, who are we to talk about that? Lets not talk this way or we might get in trouble from the heavens! would say the others and shut the people up, who would speak ill.