The women ululated in response, and quickly joined me as I led them to the palace. When we reached the palace, there was still an even struggle between my men and the enemy's. The women wasted no time and began charging toward the men, the British quickly became overwhelmed and this allowed me a clear path into the palace. I will be the one to slay the man who took my husband from me, that bastard will not escape my sword today.
As I made my way up the palace, a few British soldiers offered very little resistance as I cut through them like a scythe would through wheat. My sword now dripping with the blood of the red coats was a clear indicator to the few soldiers who witnessed my prowess quickly yielded. I finally reached the royal court and to my anger and delight I found the British brute responsible for my husband's death sitting on my husband's throne. From the Marudhu's description he was a large, bald officer sporting a thick but short mustache that was curled upwards. The man was no doubt him my husband's killer.
"I'm glad you could join me in this hour Rani Velu, but our meeting would have been a momentous occasion when I entered the palace with the former king's head in my hand."
"HOW DARE YOU, YOU ENGLISH DOG, YOU STRUCK HIM DOWN WHEN HE WAS CRIPPLED IN BATTLE!"
"Calm yourself my lady, that fool would have met his end by my hand whether he was injured or not, but I must say your command of the English language is commendable."
This detestable creature was goading me even though the situation is bleak for him, he knows he will die today, and he is masking his fear.
"You vile pale demon, I learned your tongue so that I can not be fooled by your kinds serpentine tongue so easily!"
"However you will have complete knowledge of the contempt I have for you today!"
" Do not be difficult my lady, come let us make merry in your royal bed, and I will show you the wonders of the British."
"You will forsake your heathen life once you have experienced me."
I had heard enough and I charged at him.
"You leave me no choice, it is a shame that I will have to kill a beautiful creature like you, but the lord demands the destruction of Jezebel no matter how tempting her flesh may seem."
I brought down my sword on him and he blocked it with his own. Then he attempted thrusting his sword into me only for me to easily evade his strike. I will test his swordsmanship for a few minutes before slaying him. I wanted to know if his words are true or false.
I tempered my speed and we clashed swords over and over. He could neither disarm me or force me back. No matter what he tried, he found that his efforts were futile in harming me or overpowering me. The Marudhu brothers now made their way into the court room, and quickly rushed to my side.
"Your majesty let us cut down this white dog, he needs to suffer before he breathes his last."
"NO!"
"This is my battle, he is mine to slay, I alone will avenge my husband's death, no one else!"
"As you wish you majesty, make this dog regret the day he came into this world." Chinna Marudhu said with great eagerness.
It was time for me to switch offense, I finished studying his movements and his speed. There was no possibility of him killing my husband if he did not incur the injury. I will make the battle quick but his suffering I will prolong, his last moments will be nothing but humiliation and pain. I quickly started slashing him, giving him only little time to defend himself as he was retreating with every blow. His stamina was now heavily reduced, this was the moment to draw blood. Before he could counter my next move I quickly slashed his free arm with good force. He grunted trying to mask the pain he was feeling but this was the beginning of the end for him. I was able to cut him from his legs to his sides as he struggled defending.
"Fool, you want me to believe you could have killed my husband if he were in good condition?"
"There is no possibility of a woman besting me, what black magic have you performed witch?"
"Look at you weakling, your fear has driven you into delusion, you're no more than an assassin."
Enraged by my words he raised his sword and tried to sever my head, I quickly ducked before his blade could make contact. I sprung up and delivered my own strike severing his sword arm cleanly.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" He screamed in excruciating pain.
"Victory is yours your majesty, kill this arrogant swine." Chinna Marudha said with glee.
Not yet, he needs to suffer more. He was now acclimating to the pain and tried to pick up his sword with his remaining arm. I quickly brought my sword to his foot and severed it. He immediately fell to the floor and writhed in agony.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"YOU BLOODY WITCH, MAY THE LORD OF LORDS DEAL WITH YOU EVER SO SEVERLY WHEN YOU DIE!!!!!"
I struck him on the remaining hand and severed it as well. This fool will crawl on the floor like a worm now, a fitting end to him.
"WHY LORD, WHY HAVE YOU LET YOUR SERVANT FALL TO THIS HEATHEN WOMAN!!!" He shrilled.
I heard the sound of numerous footsteps quickly approaching and I turned my attention to the entrance now that this worm is completely harmless. My army came flooding in and saw the state of the officer. They shouted triumphantly in celebration of my victory.
"GLORY TO RANI VELU!, THE BANE OF THE WHITE DEMONS!!!"
"GLORY TO RANI VELU!, THE AVENGER OF THE TAMIZHS!!!"
"GLORY TO RANI VELU!, THE BRINGER OF DEATH AND LIFE!!!"
"Behold the fool that I have brought low, I have made him as harmless as a worm, what shall be done to him?"
" REMOVE HIS HEAD AND GARLAND IT AROUND YOUR HORSE'S NECK, SO THAT ALL MAY KNOW YOUR FURY, O QUEEN OF SIVAGANGA!!!"
I turned to him and saw him writhing in agony as I approached.
"NO.... NO...NO!!!"
I raised my sword and quickly brought it down on his throat beheading him cleanly. His blood hit my face, arms and bosom. I picked up his head before his eyes shut and raised it high for all to see, so that they may know that my reign as queen will now commence.
My army cheered loudly as they saw the bleeding head. After being satisfied with my proclamation, I called one of the royal guards and instructed him to clean the head and have it garlanded around my horse's neck. He enthusiastically obeyed without a moment's notice.
"It's over, we can now rest, I am sure the British will retaliate, but after this day they will not be in haste to lay siege to my kingdom for some time."
I walked up to the royal throne, the seat that was reserved for my late husband. Now that I have won, is it mine to sit on? Yes, it was, I had avenged my husband and succeeded where he had failed. I sat on the throne, taking in the weight of lordship as I looked upon my people. All of them bowed in respect before me.
Then I heard a maniacal laughter erupt out of nowhere, I couldn't find the source of the voice so I looked around wondering where he was and who would dare interrupt my glorious moment. My subjects were looking around as well and couldn't find the individual. Then the voice seemed very familiar, like it was the one hermit's voice in that village. My suspicion was quickly confirmed as the same hermit appeared from behind a pillar, was he hiding there this whole time? How did he even arrive here? He was not among my army, was he truly blessed with yogic powers?
"VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY!!!" He said as he danced around like a madman before slowly approaching my throne.
"Stay back you filthy dog!!" Chinna Maradhu said as he readied his sword.
"Calm yourself, he is harmless and his words have come true, I want to hear what he has to say."
"Forgive me your majesty...."
I locked eyes with the madman as he smiled at me before tilting his head to the right.
"I am ever so grateful of your mercy O queen of Sivaganga."
I nodded in approval of his presence and he bowed before me.
"Speak hermit, for you words have come true."
"O mighty queen, you have conquered back your kingdom and laid low the British. But a time will come when a son of Britain, whose eyes blue like the infinite sky and his hair golden like the sun will come not to conquer your kingdom but your heart."
There was dead silence when he uttered his last words.
"HOW DARE YOU UTTER THOSE DETESTABLE WORDS HERMT, AND THAT TOO BEFORE THE QUEEN HERSELF, I WILL CUT YOU DOWN WHERE YOU STAND!!!"
Periya Marudhu said as he drew his sword.
"STOP!!!"
"But your majesty, did you not hear his words?"
"Yes I heard his words, and my anger has been reignited, however he's just a harmless old man."
How could this old lunatic possibly think that I would ever fall in love with a white man. These British dogs are the reason my husband is no longer here, and I had no plans of remarriage to any man, even of royal Tamil descent let alone a foreign man.
"Tell me hermit, how is it that you think I would ever let a British man into my heart, knowing that they are the reason my husband is no more, and the source of my people's suffering."
"O Rani Velu, you have great anger in your heart and rightfully so, but true love surpasses all understanding and vanquishes rage, pride, and duty."
The people were murmuring amongst themselves at his statement, mostly negative remarks about him.
"Hermit, take your leave before my temper flares to the point of no return, even though my husband is dead my love for him transcends the realm of the living."
He laughed and danced once more before taking his leave, but not before making his last statement as he exited the royal court room.
"O Great queen of Sivaganga, your love for the white foreigner will usurp and far surpass the love you have for the former king."
I was enraged, I wanted to throw a spear into his head as he disappeared from my view. How preposterous no white man will ever win my heart let alone eclipse my husband.
"See your majesty, the hermit spews nothing but excrement from his mouth."
"He's just a mad man, let him live the last of his days in peace."
"As you wish your majesty, shall we retrieve princess Vellacci now that the battle is over?"
"Yes, I would like my daughter brought back immediately, and also complete the task I have told you to be done once the battle is over."
"Understood your highness."
After everyone left, I was alone to ponder on the hermit's words. The hermit did predict the outcome of this battle but that was to be expected with my resources and Kuyili's sacrifice. However what if he is right, would I or should I say could I find warmth in the arms of a Britisher?