The Deadly Duel

When Kantereav, commander of the army, strode into the council chamber, he could see that King Vikram was in a bad temper. The King was pacing up and down the chamber, muttering and shaking his fist in the air.

Catching sight of his army commander, the King thrust a document under his nose.
“Read this,” he almost shouted. “That murderous swine King Trivikram has sent me an ultimatum, demanding that one of my knights meets him in single combat with battle-axes, otherwise he will overrun this kingdom with his army of savage tribesmen.”

“And what does he demand if he defeats our man in single combat?” Kantereav asked.

The King’s face was like a thundercloud. “He demands my daughter’s hand in marriage, and the assumption of suzerainty over this kingdom.”

“And what if he loses?” Kantereav asked, with a smile on his lips.

“He does not even mention it,” muttered the King. “But I would sooner kill my daughter than let her marry that fiend.”

Kantereav said, “We have little option, Your Majesty. The hordes of tribesmen under his command would sweep through this kingdom like a cyclone. I will fight King Trivikram. So send word by his envoy that I will ride to his castle in the morning.”

“You are renowned for your bravery,” announced the King.

“But this rogue stands head and shoulders taller than you. And everyone knows that killing someone in single combat is a daily pastime with him.”

“I can at least try to strike a blow for the Princess,” Kantereav said.

The King looked at him curiously. “Well, may God be with you.”

At the break of day, Kantereav, with just one trusted soldier, cantered out of the palace gates, eager to get this sorry business done with. He had barely entered the forest when he heard a scream somewhere ahead. Putting his horse to the gallop, and rounding a bend in the path, he was surprised to see the Princess in the grip of two ruffians.

At the sight of the charging knight, the two ruffians let go of the Princess and scampered into the thicket. Dismounting, Kantereav walked across to the Princess. “Why are you riding alone in the forest?” he demanded.

“Forgive me, my lord,” she answered calmly. “But I came to warn you. Yesterday, one of my servants plied the envoy from King Trivikram with wine. In his cups, the man bragged you would be stabbed in the back. So please be careful.”

He smiled at her concern. “Never fear,” he said. “I would never trust that evil king to fight fairly.”

“For my sake, please return safely,” she said softly.

Kantereav ordered his attendant to escort the Princess back to the palace, whilst he galloped on, grimly determined to defeat his opponent.

When he arrived at King Trivikram’s castle, the tyrant himself met him at the entrance. “Let’s waste no time,” he bellowed. “I will soon make short work of you, then by nightfall, the Princess will be mine.”

A space in the courtyard was soon cleared, and Kantereav, grasping his battle axe firmly, strode to meet his foe, who stood there brandishing his great axe and shouting obscene oaths. King Trivikram was undoubtedly strong, but with his great bulk, his movements were slow, and Kantereav had little difficulty in avoiding the hefty strokes aimed at him.

Kantereav began to grow more confident as the minutes slipped by because it was obvious that his opponent was beginning to tire. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw one of Trivikram’s men draw his sword. Swinging around quickly, Kantereav flung his battle axe at the oncoming swordsman, who crashed to the ground like a felled tree. Scooping up the fallen sword, Kantereav turned to meet King Trivikram rushing at him, swinging his mighty axe. Dropping to his knees, the axe swished harmlessly above his head. Then, biding his time, Kantereav lunged upwards with the sword and ran King Trivikram through the body.

At the sight of their leader’s lifeless body, King Trivikram’s men stood too surprised to make a move. Then, through the castle gates came King Vikram, accompanied by the Princess and a body of cavalry.

Facing his king, Kantereav with a smile said, “I managed to win, Sire.”

“I can see you needed no assistance,” said the King, eyeing the two corpses. “But the Princess begged me to come to see that there was fair play. You have saved our kingdom, my son.”

The tribesmen, without King Trivikram’s leadership, drifted back to their hills and started fighting among themselves.

Kantereav, proclaimed a great hero, married the Princess and in later years became known as the great warrior king of India.