Chapter 22- Last Hug

It was a month since the death of the queen and bad news started to flow one after another to the ears of Subha. After the recovery principy of Ruhuna started the war against his government and many young people started to join the army of Vasambha to rebel. After a few battles of fierce border forts that guarded the margin of the principality of Ruhuna and Pihiti was loss one after another and rebel army was started to move forward in the direction of capital.

With the loss of border forts Sankha had to escape to capital to find a shelter.

"Your majesty we have loss every border fortress." Sankha said defectively.

"Yes. I heard it "Subha said as it was not a problem of his.

"Your majesty, you can't act like this. We still have chance to win. At least we can keep Pihiti country in our hand. Please cheer up."

"I know it. But after death of queen I lost all enthusiasm to all things. "

"Your majesty, queen is dead. What about princess? If you not fight what happen to her. Please get up and plan "

"Sankha you are right. I still have daughter. I have to fight hard for ensure her safety. Let's plan futher plan."

"Your majesty, I have an idea. How about we escape to Pandya or Chera kingdom. We can get their support and win back what we loss again."

"No Sankha, I am not leaving this country. I am facing it. Where is that rebel army now?"

"From the recent report they are at Manihira "

"Okay. Let them come through south road without much trouble till Aritta Pabbatha and place our four armies in there. After they come there surround them and repel them from Pihiti country. If we have chance, try to kill Vasambha in there. If he chose different route let him come outer city and order army squad stationed in Aritta Pabbatha to return here. Then I personally join with you to fight end."

"Okay your majesty. I will work according to your plan." Sankha said and went out from royal study to execute battle plan quickly.

--

A cart stationed in near the forest of west road of outer city of capital. Sky was pouring in rain water continuously. A middle aged man was looked through trees in both sides of road as if he looking for something. With the darkness it became hard to find anything clearly. Fortunately, he found a black cloth bag placed on a branch of road with spending large time. After looked through bag he followed the instructions mentioned in piece of dress inside of bag. That dress was drawn a map and he walked along the way that map mentioned. After some time, he found a dead trunk and saw a man was wet in rain while was covering something in his hand with Palmyra leaf.

After was hearing someone came to this place that man asked vigilantly," Is this Migara?" with high sound.

"Yes Subha. I'm him."

"Remove all weapons. Come near to me." Subha said and Migara came near to him while was throwing his knife on side. After Migara got closer to Subha, he could identify his friend at last.

"Migara, I'm sorry for making such demand."

"It is okay. Is that your daughter?"

"Yes, she is "Subha said while was handover little girl to Migara. Migara looked at little girl for a moment and asked "What is her name?"

"Her name is Mahamantha. But you can call her as Mantha."

"Mantha. It is good name. I like it. I think Sumana also like him."

"Migara, promise me. Protect her as your life. I can't protect her anymore. So please give a peaceful life to her. "

"Okay. I promise you."

"Also take this too. "Subha said while was giving a bag which wet in rain water.

"What are those?"

"This is royal seal of mine. With that, my daughter will be protected even if she is captured. So protect it well." Subha said with trembled expression.

"What? Do you know how many will look this if this was missed? Do you want to make more threats for your daughter?"

"Migara, I know that. But think about it. If someday her identity came out she will face large life treat. If you have this, it will save her from getting killed."

 Migara wondered at his friend. He could do anything for his daughter. He was proud about him. Because he was taken right decision again in this last moments.

"Okay. I will protect both of them."

"Also, try to keep hidden her identity as much as possible. As well as told her about her real identity after she came age if you want." Subha said with tear filled face.

"Yes. I promise to hide her identity. I will rise her as my daughter. I will never make change. Also, when she come to the age she will know her real parents."

"Okay. I trust you. My little girl, dad going to leave you. You have to live well. "Subha said and kissed baby girl on her forehead once. Tear was fallen on the girl's face continuously.  As being aware of situation girl started to cry continuously. Lightning was running through sky.

 "Don't stay here anymore. Rebel army come here anytime." Subha said and entered into secret cave while not looking at baby girl again.

"Little girl, let's move. Today afterward I will be your father "Migara started to move to cart while was protecting baby girl from the Palmyra leaf that given by her birth father. Along the nonstop cry of baby girl resounded through forest road.

"Hey! Let's move quickly "Migara said while entering cart and it moved slowly in west road. After some time, shout of war cry heard the party of cart from the direction of capital as a thunder.

Manihira- Ancient time Minneriya called as this.

Aritta Pabbatha- This is small mountain in central pains in Sri Lanka , currently called as Ritigala mountain.