"I need no saving," she said, tossing him a dagger. "But I need a partner. Durgadas murdered my father too."
The moon hung low over the burning ghats of Singapuram. Ten years ago, Prince Vikram Simha had watched his father, the old king, fall to a poisoned arrow. The traitor was his own uncle, Durgadas. Young Vikram escaped with a loyal servant, vowing to return not as a boy, but as a lion. vijaya simham madhubabu novel
The final battle took place in the royal courtyard. Durgadas, armored head to toe, faced Vikram one-on-one. "I need no saving," she said, tossing him a dagger
Now, he stood at the edge of the forest, his broad shoulders wrapped in a torn soldier's cloak. His sword, Simhanadam (Lion's Roar), hung at his hip. News had reached him: Durgadas had grown cruel, taxing the poor to build golden statues of himself. Worse, he had imprisoned the priests who refused to crown him king, for without the royal Simha Mudrika (Lion Ring), his rule was illegitimate. Vikram had that ring. Ten years ago, Prince Vikram Simha had watched
"What rule?"
Vikram parried. "And you forgot the first rule of Kalinga."