'Burn if you must
But, rise from the dust.'

Year - 1995....

The world where royalty failed and Z country was colonised by L country and poverty was prevailing in all the regions.

"Sarojini....."

"Sarojini...."

"Saro....."

"Angaye andha nilave enna paathutu irukke???"

24 years old, Sarojini turned her head towards the person calling her from downstairs. It was her only sister-in-law, Geetha. More than sister-in-law, she could call her as her mother. Because she didn't even remember how her mother looked.

Sarojini: Varen Anni...

Geetha: Unga annanaiyum unnaiyum kuptu kupte en thondai ellam pogudhu...

Sarojini: Kochikadhinga Anni... Annan enga???

Geetha pointed towards a closed door.

Sarojini: Naan poi kutitu varen...

They were family of three. Her brother, Shivamoorthy, worked as an archaeologist and her sister-in-law was a home-maker. She recently completed her masters in History.

She knocked on the door and didn't get any response from the room. She then noticed that the door is unlocked.

Sarojini: Anna...

She noticed that her brother was reading some old books and making references on his notes.

Sarojini: Enna anna pandre???

Shivamoorthy: Sshhh...

Sarojini: Sari satham podale... Porumaiya kekuren... Sollu... Enna pandre???

Shiva then looked at his baby sister's face. If sunset had a face, then it would be her. She had a dusky complexion and a clear face. She was as beautiful as the sun.

He smiled at her.

Shivamoorthy: Recently, we found something in that site I have been working, Saro...

Saro: Apdi enna kandu pidichinga???

Shivamoorthy: About a King...

Saro: Royalty dhaan thothu poche... Avanga appove jeichu irundha Namma country ipdi irundhu irukkuma??? Namma wealth ellam adichitu poitangale...

Shivamoorthy: Indha history eh dhaan ellarukum solli tharanga.. Ana adhu nijam illa...

When he mentioned history, her interest piqued.

Sarojini: Enna anna soldre??? Indha King apdi enna different??

Shivamoorthy: If he had survived, our country wouldn't have fallen victim in the hands of L country.

He was backstabbed by his own brother and got killed. He fell for deception and trickery from his loved ones.

If they had fought him from front, he would have won them valiantly.

Sarojini: Nee soldradhu ellam sari dhaan... Aana oru king Idhe ellamum gavanichu irukka veandoma???

Shivamoorthy: His made his brother the crown prince and commander of his army. He truly trusted him.

Sarojini: Ennavo anna... Indha maari evlovo kings veezhndhu irukkanga... Why are you interested in this particular king???

He then extended his notes...

Shivamoorthy: Idhellam avar aatchi panna 10 varusham pannadhu... Adhoda evidence ellam innumum indha mannu le irukku... Even after 500 years...

If people get to know about him, the current government will have to rewrite our history. Who knows the people of Z might even find the boldness to fight against L and their corrupted government.

Our independence is coming soon...

Sarojini really got interested when she read the notes.

Sarojini: Avar aatchi pathi mattum dhaan irukka??? Avar aalu epdi irupparam???

Shivamoorthy: Yean kalyanam pannika poriya???

Sarojini: Mudinja pannika dhaan poren... Adhuku modhal le avar azhaga irukkanum...

Shivamoorthy: Heiii....

Appo kooda Avaru Raja Saro...

Sarojini: Oh Raja na ennavam??? Naan mattum appo porandhu irundha... Saro ennai ethuko ma nu kenja vechiruppen...

Shivamoorthy: Kanavu dhaan... Sari enaku velai irukku... Don't disturb.. get out... I need to file all these documents and bring them to the public's attention.

Once people know about it, L cannot do anything...

Saro: They funded this project to find the hidden wealth... But you're bringing them a demon...

Stay safe anna... Illana Idhe Vitru...

Shivamoorthy: This is my life's work, Saro...

She nodded her head in understanding.

Shivamoorthy: Are you willing to visit my site tomorrow??? I'll show you the places he lived...

A smile plastered on her face...

Saro: Varen varen varen varen....

Shivamoorthy: Okay.. kutitu poren..

Geetha: Idhu dhaan nee kutitu sapda vara azhaga, Saro???

Saro: sssssss.... Marandhuten Anni...

Vaa Anna sapda polam...

Her brother also got up from his table and they both walked out of the room.

Saro: Anna keka marandhuten... Andha king Peru enna???

Shivamoorthy: Aditha Varman.. oru 6 foot irundhu irukkalam nu theriyudhu.. we found his cremated remains.. Romba azhaga irundhu iruppar nu theriyudhu...

She could see the excitement in her brother's face when he talked about that King. An unknown feeling scratched her mind. She was also interested to know more about him.

------

Next day....

They both started early from home and reached the site soon. She visited the site where the cremated remains were found. Her eyes teared up unknowingly.

Shivamoorthy: Enna aachi???

Sarojini: Theriyale... Dhoosi nu nenaikren... Sari indha remains ellam move pannaleiya???

Shivamoorthy: Museum ku maatha porom... Ana adhuke neraiya prachanai...

They want to post his name as the last king who failed in the war... But that isn't true. so I didn't sign the documents.. Officer naan sign pannama move aagadhu... So I'm waiting for them to change the statement.

Sarojini: I'm so proud of you anna...

He smiled and asked her to follow him. He showed her around the places.

She was truly amazed to see such a developed city underneath the ground.

Sarojini: Idhellam epdi boomiku adi le pochi??? 500 years dhaane aachi???

Shivamoorthy: War... The mutiny of Z killed not just it's people but also the lands. Continued bombings pushed the land further down to the ground and ellame keezha poiruchu...

There is still a place intact.. aduthu Namma Anga dhaan porom...

She walked with him and found a large chamber.

Shivamoorthy: Idhu yaar plan le kattinadhu theriyuma??? Aditha Varman plan le... This is his own bed chamber.

Sarojini: Ivlo perusa???

Shivamoorthy: Yes he had four wives after all.

A trace of frown and disgust was seen in her face.

Shivamoorthy: Don't frown... Their times were different.

He actually built this chamber to withstand any attacks. Adhan.

Idhu melaiye vandhu oru ton weight le edhachi paaraiye potta thavira indha chamber idiyadhu...

Sari enaku sila notes edukka veandi irukku... Nee Inga paathutu vaa... Don't touch anything. Okay???

Naan andha side check pannitu varen...

Sarojini: Sari...

She walked around the chamber and noticed a portrait on the wall..

Sarojini: Neenga dhaan Aditha Varman ah???

Hmmm.. Nalla dhaan irukkinga... Naan unga time le irundhu irundha kandippa solliruppen unga thambi eh nambadhinga nu...

She then saw his brother's portrait. Rajendra Varman...

Sarojini: Ivan pere nalla illa. Ivane epdi nambuningalo???

As she walked towards the door, she noticed someone talking on the walkie talkie.

Person 1: Sir, neenga sonna maariye pannidren... Avan uyiroda irundha dhaane indha Raja kadhai veliya varum... Avan ippo andha chamber le dhaan irukkan...

Ippo weight eh erakkuna Avan sethuruvan... Avanoda sendhu andha rajavum...

She understood that the other person was talking about her brother and their plot to kill her brother. She rushed inside the chamber and noticed her brother. She also heard the noises of heavy vehicles above the chamber

Her brother was standing near a window to the other chamber. She thought of a plan.

Shivamoorthy: Edhuku odi Vara, Saro???

Sarojini: Don't blame yourself, anna... I'm doing this knowing well of consequences. Live well.

She shoved him towards the window. He fell out of the window into the other chamber at the same time a huge rock fell on the King's chamber.

All the evidence were destroyed along with his sister. Shivamoorthy screamed in agony.

-------

Her body was in extreme pain. She was trying to move her legs and hands under the rubble a moment ago. However, she was able to move them freely then.

She felt something was wrong. She was not under rocks anymore. She was lying on silk sheets as she traced them with her fingers. Her hand was suddenly held by someone.

She slowly opened her eyes and noticed the face in front of her.

His well-chiseled face looked much more handsome than the portrait.

Her lips whispered a name "Aditha Varman"

*Author's note: First update of part two... Things will make more sense as we move further into their story. Please vote and comment if you like the update.

Thank you all...