Forbidden: A Tale Untold (JenLisa)

Part 7 - Art & Foe

The soft melody of the Khlui, a traditional Ayutthayan flute begin the presentation. Followed by the doleful sound from the Saw Sam Sai, an Ayutthayan type of cello, joined the somber melody. It was picked up by the sound of Krachappi, a type of Ayutthayan traditional guitar, lastly the ching, Ayutthayan percussion, and taphon, Ayutthayan drum, gathered to create a mixture sound of grim and bizarre melody all in one.

By then, Somdet Chao Fa Indraratcha have unsheathed her sword, the Daan Darb Dharb, and have taken her fighting posture. She let the music filled her soul and let the peculiar melody possessed her. She moved with precision, every step was another life, every slash was another soul, either the enemies or hers, and she'd be damn to let the enemy succeed. She was dancing, the sword was the extension of her hand, her steps were fluid and lethal, the melancholy dance of death.

She was taken aback to two years before, through the neighing of horses and trumpets of the elephants. The area was roaring with sounds of wars, of shouts and shrieks and pleads. She was bathed in enemies blood. Too young, too exhausted, too focus. The enemy must die and the king must be enthroned. Her king father, Somdet Ramesuan, the rightful king of Ayutthaya Kingdom, the son of Somdet Ramathibodi, founder of Ayutthaya.

She slashed through the enemy's soldiers, up ahead, her king father was dueling with King Borommarachathirat I son and successor, King Thong Lan's main general, General Pha Duang. The general was a very skilled warrior, a veteran in war, he never loses. Although her king father was just as skilled, he lacks the experience compared to the veteran warrior. From what she saw, her father was losing, and losing fast. Without thinking twice, she sliced her way towards her king father. Two enemies came before her, twisting her sword, she reflected the incoming blades before hacking through the first opponent's neck. With just as swift, she ducked her body, barely missing the second opponent's incoming blade, before plunging her sword through his heart, twisting it at the same time, effectively killing her opponent. She was coming closer towards her king father, although she doubt it that she will make it in time.

Just as she turned towards her king father, she saw that the general was ramming the final blow upon him. Without a second thought, she lurched her sword like a spear towards the general, aiming for his exposed midriff. It drove through accurately and succeeded in detracting him. It gave an opening for her king father to counter with his own attack. Without lingering for any second, King Ramesuan lunged his swords towards the general's heart.

Footsteps, slow, steady and unerring. Calmest heartbeats amongst the sea of poundings. The music was picking up, as so the steps of Somdet Chao Fa Indraratcha. Slice, stab and plunge, she kept her pace with the music. Faster she went, possessed thoroughly with the bewitching melody. Although she let her body gotten lost in the tune, she opened her senses and focused. She picked up on the calm heartbeats. She followed the soft footsteps. It was getting closer, almost to its quarry. She heard the sound of the wind, aiming for its objective. Without dithering, she speared her sword, it swooshed toward its target, plunging him vertically on his throat. At the same time a knife followed through from a different direction plunging his heart. It came from the minister, Jeong Mong-ju. They looked at each other, surprised that the other was able to detect the offender. The culprit was aiming to stab the king from behind.

"Assassin! Hurry, catch the perpetrator!" The general shouted while pointing at the Siamese princess. The other ministers were in panicked state, loud murmurs and shouts were all over the court. The king was shaken, shocked at how easily he could have been killed. The shrills of the queen and the princesses clearly didn't help on the situation.

By then, the palace's court was surrounded by Goryeon soldiers, though Somdet Chao Fa Indraratcha's own men came and surrounded her, creating a barricade and to fight shall there be one. Two hundred of the best of Ayutthaya was with her. With only two hundred men, she could conquer tenth their size.