Brinda

End of Monarchy

The crowd gathered at maddening speed to see the king of Brinda who had not been spotted for three months since the assassination attempt on his wife and himself. King Adigun had bade his time well enough, waited for such a time where and when his wife would attain proper strength mentally and physically and when they would be ready to face the kingdom again.

The rumors of them cowering in fear had reached his ears, and the endless talks on how the King of Brinda wasn't man enough was something he had listened to as well. The King took it all to the chin and bade his time until Durga and Princess Zaria could help Ambika Devi back into her tough personality and mind.

It was only then that the King found strength again.

King Adigun held up his hand while he watched the people gather around in thousands. It didn't matter that he was in open space and prone to getting attacked. It didn't matter that he had his guards keep their weapons sheathed. It didn't matter that all he had was his clothing and three women around him. Nothing mattered more than the message he was about to pass across in that very moment.

"People of Brinda!" he held both hands up as he called out to them. "I come to you in peace and I come to you as a King who will at every point in time ensure your happiness comes first and even before mine!"

The crowd fell silent and he looked around with a heavy heart. Seeing that many faces come out just to see him brought his heart joy, but it also snuck a measure of sadness in there, knowing full well that there would be those who hated him and who would stop at nothing to end his life and that of his wife if given the chance again.

"I know it is no longer news that my beautiful wife lost our child and with it the ability to bear me an heir", he continued. "I understand the ramifications this would normally bring and as such, I have come to you as your king to address the situation here and now so we can have a peaceful kingdom".

Someone interjected and in an abnormally loud voice too. "How can the kingdom know peace when it has no heir and cannot produce one? Aren't we simply waiting for someone bold enough to realize this kingdom dies with the both of you to march through those walls and make us into their subjects and slaves forcefully?"

The intuitive man caught King Adigun's eyes; his facial structure and the manner with which he spoke reminded him of someone he had seen on the battlefield before.

"Whose son are you?" he asked.

"My father was Ahmad, the man whose life you spared even though he took arms against you and sided with those who stood for Bahadur's reign", the man replied. "My name is Kalil".

King Adigun smiled and cocked his head. "Your father was a brave man".

Mumblings echoed across the grounds before King Adigun brought silence upon it again by raising his right hand.

"I called everyone here today to inform you of drastic changes which will be made to the castle, the kingship and how the Kingdom of Brinda will operate henceforth", he said. "I hereby decree that the Kingdom of Brinda must not cease in its growth, willingness to learn new culture and in the positive work we have done since my reign all because I am childless. I decree that henceforth, without an heir, the kingdom will be managed by those in charge and without blemish or blasphemy from the people!"

The crowd fell oddly silent as King Adigun climbed down from where he stood with his wife accompanying him.

"it took some doing after what we lost and after all we have sacrificed for the people, for me and my queen to understand that not having a child does not make us any less of a king and a queen or less of a ruler of this great kingdom", he added. "As long as we have breath, we have hope, and we have good counsel, the kingdom of Brinda will survive".

The orders and revelations brought a stir from those around. People grumbled and mumbled with confusion sprawling and spreading all over their faces.

"The rule of monarchs must come to an end here and now, and the new regime of leadership and choosing who will mount the throne after my passing and time, will be based solely on what the people want and desire", he said. "You will select who you deem fit to manage the throne and the kingdom and you will do this by casting votes. This way, there will be no conflict of interests, there will be no disrupting of the beautiful Brinda cultures put in place to last forever, and there will be no hatred for who the majority picks to mount the throne".

Ambika Devi tightened her hand around King Adigun's before looking at him and smiling. The breath of life he was accustomed to seeing on her bold and strongly beautiful face had returned and he owed it to Durga and Princess Zaria for helping him out at such time of peril. Their influence in nursing Ambika Devi back to health and back to where she was in that moment could not be undermined.

"A new era begins here and now within the kingdom of Brinda and I also want to inform you that there will be stern tests and measures put in place to ensure those who will take leadership of the kingdom will be able to protect it!" the Kin announced. "Those wishing to contest for the crown will be mandated to two years training into becoming warriors, and they will do so with absolute dedication and pride. Women who are interested in joining the warriors and becoming guards are also welcomed and henceforth, their roles will no longer solely be limited to what they are forced to do!"

The last part of his message came with a round of applause from most women.

"If this upsets any system in place, I am sorry. However, after seeing my wife, your queen, get attacked in her defenseless state by cowards, I strongly believe our women should have the right to fight for themselves and protect their family if they have to", the King sighed. "The messages shared with you will be passed along to every kingdom around and to those with whom we share strong bonds. The monarchy ends with my reign and the people of Brinda are implored to heed these new rules and abide by them until such a time where and when the future generation demands something better or comes up with something better suited to the people".

With the words said, he turned around and began to walk away with his wife to his right.

"That was excellently done", Ambika Devi purred into his ear in excitement.

"I really hope this brings them peace" the weary King said. "It is all I can ever want and wish them".