Island's Crown

Set in **2-3 CE**, a fictional island was ruled by three different empires: - **Pathukala** – the largest empire - **Sathyera** – hills to coast - **Ankala** – the southern part They ruled under the old law, and pretty much everything was stable until a long drought hit the Ankalans, drying up their lifeline — the mighty river **Ponni**. This forced them to invade the **Chakra Kingdom**, the rice bowl of Pathukala. The Chakran prince **Thejan** went to the emperor to demand justice and revenge but was ignored. Thejan, along with his elder brother, trained the farm men, allied with other kingdoms under Pathukala, dethroned the emperor of Pathukala, and burnt their capital, **Kalam**, to the ground. Thejan was crowned emperor and became the founder of the **Chakran Empire**. ### Thirty Five years later: - **Adhiyavan** – second son of Thejan - **Sikala** – daughter of Aravan, emperor of Ankala - **Janath** – future emperor of Sathyera All of them are studying in the same **gurukulam** (college) and are in their late teens. Adhiyavan and Sikala are close and love each other, often spending time together in the dark. Ankalan messengers came to call Sikala. > "Thejan has killed Aravan and spiked his head. The last remaining Ankalan forces want to save their princess." She left the gurukulam. **The story starts from here.** ### Two years later: Five border villages were raided by Sathyeras. Thejan is not involved in politics and is waiting for Adhiyavan’s coronation. The border between Sathyera and Chakra is a huge mountain range, so huge armies cannot be moved through it. Adhiyavan suggests: > “We ask for the help of Ankala, who also share a border with Sathyera.” The entire court laughs at him: how could Empress Sikala allow a Chakran army to walk on her mainland? Thejan has given full authority to Adhiyavan, and his decision is final. Thejan asks **Senga**, his highly decorated minister, to be the messenger. Sikala refuses to meet Senga and demands Adhiyavan as the messenger. Adhiyavan changes into a commoner’s look, takes his horse — gifted by Sikala — and starts his journey. **This is where the novel actually starts.**