Chapter 12- Taking Sides

One year after…

It was a house inner city of Anuradhapura city. This house larger than many houses in the city, but compared with the royal palace it was a somewhat small one. As well compared with the Brazen palace and almsgiving halls in the city this could tell both palace and this house small living residencies. If one looked at this house one could see small birds on the rooftops of the royal palace somewhat clearly. So this could tell this house was owned by a noble person or noble family clan in the country. Most house were built with wood, but there also had been used block, chalk stones and chalk plaster to build this house.  This house showed signs of luxury and gave feelings of freshness and newness to others rather than showing signs of majesty, honour and feeling of belonging to historical time. But some parts showed belonging to ancient times but it was mixed up with luxury surrounding. It showed this house faced large turmoil of disaster and was built up again with this background. It was belonging to the most powerful noble family in the country none other than Labhakanna noble family.

 Inside the house, there was a large room in the house which built with chalk stones and wood. The Wall of the room was filled with colorful paintings and there were utensils made of wood in the room. There was a water clock on the side of the room water that filled half of the bowl and the room was incensed with luxuries Persian incense. The door of the room was being opened and the room was lightened by sunlight.  In the room, there was an elderly person who had not seemed to be passed his sixties. He was wearing a cotton cloth that was imported from Kashmir. If another person in the royal court saw him, he surely identify this person. Yes, this person was none other than the Chief Minister of the country and clan head of the Lambhakhanna family. He was watching the direction of the door as if he was waiting for someone.   Sometime after he heard the sound of someone talking.

"Father, may I come in?"

"Yes come. Oh! Close the door too"

"Yes father "sound was replied and a young man came into the room while closing the door of the room. The room was darkened and the young man came and sit in front of this man.

"How is the situation in Ruhuna."

"All things going well father. There were rumours that a group of gangsters helping common people. They are stealing money and grains who grabbing those from poor people injustice manner. As well as they take belongings and punish people who hurt innocent people. Also, eliminate or reform robbers who stole things from poor villages. So people in there give their support to this group. Recently they have punished some tax officers who take money and grains overly from common people. Not only that now some villages are following that gangster group and only obey their rule. This situation is increasing day by day. So it is not taking too long time to take down the whole Ruhuna in this gangster group"

"Do you found who is the leader of this group?"

"Not yet. The leader of this group is mysterious. He only appears on very important occasions or situations. But the whole group followed his order strictly. This can tell he is keeping his influence in the group strictly and well-mannered way. The group is really like their leader. So it seems he treats them well too. But don't worry father, from what information we received he is surely man from our family. But looking at the time growth of this gangsters it is no doubt he is my cousin "

"So how many people follow him directly?"

"From recent reports, it is nearly 1000 or 2000. His direct followers are increasing day by day. As far as I heard now he training it into an army now. "

"Oh! Really great. Give some aid to him secretly?"

"Father…"

"What? If we have choice now? King is suspecting us now. Whether we rebel or not we surely get punished. So we have to take this step now or later. So help him financially and give food rations in secrecy."

"Father currently there is no problem in that group."

 "Do you think situation keep as it is forever? When quantity of group increased, he could not keep this trend to support them. So it will surely make turn the situation. So he need our help quickly. Before that we should give our help to him by showing we are standing on his side."

"Father …but…"

"I know what are you worrying about. Rebelling is really dangerous work. How could I forget that? I saw many of my cousins, uncles and aunties, brothers and sisters, grandfathers and grandmothers died in last time when we fought against king Ilanaga. At that time, we had not right leader. That's why we lost in there. But this time we have one. At right time we should stand with him. Then we can win this time."

"But second uncle and uncle Sankha..."

"I know. They still think working with the king is more profitable than working with his family nephew. Your second uncle still thinks the king can control more than his direct relative. Do you think kings' only option is us only? What about the Maurya clan? They are also a noble clan not only here as well in India too. Whether they are not directly related to the imperial family they are family members of the Maurya clan anyway. Not only that we should not forget this country people still find to have kings who have more ties to local tribes. So what if the king made a pact with them? So this is the right choice we can make so far. So give this idea to your second uncle. When the time comes he will understand it. Then about your uncle Sanka, I only have to sorry for him. He is blind with revenge so far. So will not join us. Therefore for time being work behind secretly both of them."

"Yes father, I understand."

"So, what about king's condition?"

"It is going to worse day by day. His sleep also affected by it. He treating every person with suspiciously. "

"So make some disturbances for time being secretly. Then king will work more crazy manner .Then people will displease him more"

"Yes father. I do that" said by son of clan head and got away from room. Room was again illuminated by sunlight. But person in room watched the direction of royal palace with concerned manner.

King Ilanaga – The first Sri Lankan king who take foreign help to get kingship from a rebellion. This happened due to clash of King and Labhakanna clan.

Maurya clan- One of noble clan who came with bhikkuni Sanghamiththa from India.