Yodha Dawn of the Warrior

By Kalpesh Vedak

Three kingdoms. Two allies. One enemy. Three priests. A young prince and a princess in love. A warrior. A teacher with wisdom like nothing before. Yodha – The Dawn of the Warrior is a tale of love, betrayal, conspiracy, war and a quest for the truth. Two kingdoms have brokered a rather strong sense of peace to unite them – but all of a sudden, a seed of conspiracy is sown, and the peace between the nations is shaken up. A challenge to save love and a fight for supremacy. Will there be dawn of a new warrior, a new Yodha?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Notion Press
• Release date: Feb 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9789352068937

Book preview

coincidental.

Prologue

Many years ago, in far different times than today, India was ruled by three emperors. Each had their empire geographically divided with the Kingdom of Trishal ruling the north-west, the Kingdom of Garuda ruling most of the central part and the Kingdom of Suvarna governing the south. Trishna, the King of Trishal, was a descendant of the Trishal tribe. The tribe had migrated to the north-west after a year long drought. The Kingdom of Trishal controlled smaller tribes in the region and collected taxes from traders who travelled through the kingdom for business. The Kingdom of Garuda extended from the south of the Himalayas all the way to the River Narmada. King Vishwa, a descendant of the Garuda tribe, had ruled the Kingdom of Garuda for the last 20 years. Traditionally, the Kingdom of Garuda and the Kingdom of Trishal were enemies and fought many wars on the banks of River Indus. But, Vishwa, influenced by his good-natured and peace-loving wife, decided to sign peace treaties with King Trishna. The clauses in the peace treaty were laid down to avoid any future wars between both kingdoms. The Kingdom of Garuda would pay an amount annually and in return, the Kingdom of Trishal would protect the traders of the Kingdom of Garuda. The third empire, extending from the Narmada River to the southern end of the subcontinent, was the Kingdom of Suvarna, ruled by King Manvesh. The Kingdom of Suvarna had large gold mines, and it was believed that the gold mines gave the Kingdom its name, Suvarna, which meant golden. The Kingdom, thanks to its large gold exports, was self sufficient and had peaceful relations with all the empires in the region. Most of the trades in the kingdom happened through the sea, which lead to constant clashes between the Army of Suvarna and pirates on sea. In one expedition, to protect traders from the pirates at sea, King Manvesh lost two of his sons. They died in a shipwreck, which was believed to have resulted from an attack on Suvarna’s ship by the pirates. The political climate was peaceful for many years, but the Cold War between the Kingdoms of Garuda and Trishal worried people from both Kingdoms.

Chapter 1

The capital of Garuda was a well planned city, constructed by King Vishwa, with the help of the best architects in the world. The King’s palace was built at the centre of the capital. In front of the palace was a smaller castle. The King had a set of rules laid down and strictly followed by the subjects. The capital was well protected to avoid an attack from enemies. All days in a year were more or less the same in the capital, but not today.

It was dawn in the Kingdom of Garuda, and the hundred-year-old Palace stood ready to welcome the sun’s rays from the east. As the sun tried to paint the bluish sky with a saffron tinge, a human-like figure walked briskly to the western gates of the palace. The figure appeared to be covered entirely by a black blanket, save only for the eyes, which glinted in the mild lights of dawn. The guard at the gates looked at the figure with suspicion, and watched as the figure stretched out a hand from under the blanket and dropped a few gold coins, which fell down at his feet. The guard bent over to pick it up, and looked away, allowing the figure to enter the palace. The intruder disappeared into the palace as the doors closed behind him. A few hours later, the sun rose. Today was the start of a two-day annual event in the Kingdom of Garuda, celebrating bravery, wisdom, art and trade. Invitations to attend the event were sent out to all Kings and Princes, to poets, philosophers, traders and warriors. The King’s personally assigned men worked over the last few weeks to make the two-day event memorable. King Vishwa himself looked into the finer details of the event, and made sure that everything was to his liking.

Along with King Vishwa, his daughter and their personal helpers lived in the palace. The King lived on the topmost floor. Like every room in the palace, the King’s room was built with great detail and intricate craftsmanship. The room was built such that a ray of sunlight or a small lamp in a corner was enough to brighten it completely. Facing the east, the window offered a complete view of the capital. The King, after completing his morning chores, stood beside the window, dressed in saffron robes. He wore a necklace with a small pendant of Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s carrier. King Vishwa was the tenth descendant of the Garuda Dynasty and believed that the Lord protected his kingdom and his people.He had lost his wife to a fatal disease, when his daughter was just a year old. He did not marry again, and most of his subjects believed it was his love for the Queen that stopped him from marrying again. Some others believed that he did not want a stepmother for his daughter. Everyone was aware that the kingdom had no successor, but Vishwa never regretted it. He understood that every dynasty had an end, just like a human’s life span. He hoped that his kingdom would have a successor who believed in the principles he valued, during his reign over the last two decades. He often thought that the man who would marry his daughter would succeed him to the throne. The sun’s rays fell on his face, and the wind blew in his long hair. His beard almost touched his chest, with shades of grey in it. His eyes were lined with wrinkles, a sign of the hard work he had put in, to keep the empire together. He scratched his beard with his fingers, each of which was decked with a ring and a rare stone in it.

Father... He looked around to see his daughter. Apart from her, no one was allowed to enter the room without a prior appointment. But today, she stood at the entrance as though seeking formal permission. The King smiled and said Priyavati, you can disturb me! The room had a circular bed. The wall overlooking it had a painting of the late Queen on it.

For you I am just Priya! Priyavati said, raising her neatly curved eyebrows. The King smiled in response. She walked towards her father and noticed his tears. She knew that he was missing his Queen. She held his hands and then hugged him. It was the very day, about twenty years ago, when the King lost his Queen, when a husband lost his wife and when a daughter lost her mother. The King was aware that he could never replace the love of a mother for his daughter. The responsibility he believed he had now was to find his daughter, the Garuda Dynasty’s last princess, a suitable partner.

How is everything? she asked her Father.

I hope everything is as I had planned it! The King replied with sarcasm. You know, Priya, for a King, his eyes and ears are his ministry! Most of the time! They all look confident. Everything must be in control. I want to make this year’s event one to be remembered!

Why? Priyavati asked.

The King walked towards the corner of the room, where a small iron box was kept. He picked up the box and brought it to Priyavati, placing it on her open palm. Open it. I have a surprise for you.

She quickly opened the box, but to her disappointment it only had a mirror inside it. What is this? She asked, frowning.

Please check what lies under the mirror! said the King, with a mischievous smile.

Her eyes were nearly blinded from the glint and shine from the jewels. She closed her eyes and then slowly opened it again, to see a diamond necklace. I gifted your mother this many years ago when I asked her to marry me! the King said, sensing the wonder on his daughter’s face. It is time for you to wear it!

Sure! Why not? she said, as she turned around to let her father tie the necklace around her neck.

Priya, I won’t tie it. It needs to be done by the man who will marry you. Priya quickly turned around and looked at her father in shock.

You asked me why this year is going to be one to remember. The answer to that starts with the necklace and it ends with it being tied around your neck!

King Vishwa placed the necklace back in the box. I think it is time for you to choose the man who can take care of you, love you and marry you! Priyavati blushed. I don’t want to leave you! She hugged the King again.

He smiled. The two-day annual event was begun to get people together and to show the world the talent that the Kingdom of Garuda has. I named it after my wife. It was my way to remind the Kingdom that their Queen was truly the best thing that had happened to their King. It was your mother who asked me to change some policies. It was her initiative why the Garuda Dynasty made peace with its neighbouring kingdoms. She wanted me to spread love, as she believed that love alone is the secret to peace and happiness. Many warriors, poets, philosopher visit the capital, so do kings and princes from far and wide to watch the events. I would like you to meet the people who will display their talents. Meet the Prince or kings of our neighbouring kingdoms. Make a choice, because whoever you choose possibly might succeed me to the throne

How can I decide? Do you expect me to meet everybody? the Princess frowned. Vishwa laughed and touched her head, I will help you with this. If you want, I can shortlist some and give you a few choices. You can choose from them! with those words, the King left the room. Priyavati looked towards the mirror in the room. She was worried and hoped that the King would not hurry her into choosing someone.

Chapter 2

Dressed in gold robes, King Vishwa took to his throne. He had called an early meeting with his courtiers. To the right of the throne, there were three priests dressed in saffron robes with their long hair tied up into buns. Bhimacharya sat at the centre, Somacharya and Buddhacharya sat to his left and right respectively. To the King’s left, was the second-most powerful man in the kingdom, popularly known as the Yodha. He was both taller and younger than the King. He was the best warrior. The Chief of Garuda’s Army, Neelbhadra, stood beside him. He was famous in the Kingdom of Garuda for his strength on the battlefield. He had become a role model for many warriors, making him as popular as the king. His body was described by fellow warriors to be stronger than stone, his arms were bigger than a tree trunk. When he walked in the capital, people would watch him with excitement. He won many battles for the dynasty in the six years that he had been part of the army. His skills and bravery compelled the King to appoint him as the Chief of the Army, a senapati .

The King looked at him with a smile before starting the proceedings for the day. Both men shared immense respect for each other, the King fondly narrated the story of his first meeting with Neelbhadra many times. It was about seven years ago and Vishwa was hunting in the forest. He was accompanied by a few of his personal guards. He was dressed for the hunt in attire that covered him from his lower abdomen to his knees. He proudly displayed his strong and well sculpted body. The King saw an animal that was white as snow. To his surprise, it was a young deer. The King shot an arrow at the deer but missed the animal by a hair’s breadth. The deer, to save itself, ran away and the King followed it. The soldiers on foot followed the King. The forest was too dense for the horse to keep pace with the deer, so the King got off the horse and ran on his feet. He was not planning to kill the deer, but to capture it. He had planned to preserve it before someone else hunted it down. In the past too, the King had captured such rare animals and let them roam in his private sanctuary. The soldiers who followed the King could not see him anymore as he had run into the trees. They called out to him but there was no reply apart from their own echoes.

Far from the soldier’s calls, the King kept following the deer, running as fast as he could. Suddenly, he slipped and lost his balance, falling into a marshy rivulet which carried him with its flow. He tried to swim out, but the force of the waters was too strong for him. The river carried him for a while and dropped him into a deep lake. The King slowly swam out of the waters, breathing heavily. He crawled out of the waters with his back badly injured. He was soaked in his blood. He sat beside the bank and began cleaning his back with the water from the lake. The calm waters appeared to have some movement within, which alerted King Vishwa who quickly got up and backed away from the lake. He kept his eye on the waters. Two eyes peeped out of the water, but before Vishwa could react, the beast jumped out of the river onto the King’s body. Any ordinary person would have died out of fear, but the King caught the beast mid-air and fell back on his injured back, hurting it further. The pain made the King cry out loud. The beast was a crocodile, one that he had now held by its mouth. He used all his force to keep the crocodile away, but slowly the King was losing his grip. The effort of pushing the heavy crocodile tired him and he was about to faint. The crocodile was slowly opening its mouth, ready to swallow Vishwa. After another minute of excruciating effort, the King closed his eyes and prayed saying, Be easy and I will be your food for today! said the King and released his hold. The crocodile looked into the King’s eyes and got ready to bite into his head. The King closed his eyes, but instead of feeling the crocodile’s teeth he felt water on his face. He slowly opened his eyes to see the crocodile on his body no longer had a head. The King pushed the crocodile’s body away and saw Neelbhadra with his sword dipped in blood. The head of the beast lay still on the ground. Neelbhadra helped the King up. He realized that the King was weak, and picked him up on his shoulders, to carry him to his hut. The King was so tired that he slept on Neelbhadra’s shoulder. He opened his eyes the next day and looked around to find a house full of different types of weapons. He wondered if even