"KINGDOM OF WAR PART 1" "In the year 1563 C.E., 15 years after Suriyothai passed away," "Prince Bayinnong ascended to the throne as the King of Hongsawadee, the heir of King Tabengchaweti." "He led his army past the Maelamao border taking over northern cities on his way to the kingdom of Ayutthaya." "Once King Bayinnong had control over Kampaengphet," "Sukhothai and Sawankhalok, he led his forces to the northern kingdom of Phitsanulok." "King Bayinnong and his forces have reached the kingdom of Phitsanulok." "Hongsawadee has our kingdom surrounded." "They are great in numbers." "Never has Phitsanulok faced a war of this magnitude." "The plague has decimated our soldiers to the north." "Our kingdom is in desperate need of food." "Citizens everywhere are seeking shelter in the city." "King Chakkraphat of Ayutthaya and his men have positioned soldiers around their city in their own defense." "They do not intend to send help." "It's an insult." "When Ayutthaya was in danger due to the treacherous actions of Worawongsa and Srisudajan, we and our northern allies risked our lives leading an army to Ayutthaya to fight for the kingdom," "and to place King Chakkraphat upon the throne." "Now, in Phitsanulok's darkest hour," "Ayutthaya has abandoned us." "If our kingdoms cannot look after each other, then Phitsanulok and Ayutthaya can no longer be allies." "King Thammaracha has called a truce." "Victory is ours." "I've faced many skilled warriors, but you're the finest." "I still recall our fight at Makhamjom." "If the King of Prae hadn't helped you," "I would have killed you." "So what say you?" "Will you side with Hongsawadee or Ayutthaya?" "Phitsanulok is no longer an enemy of Hongsawadee." "It's not my desire to force you." "Is that why you must take my son, Ong Dam, as collateral?" "I swear before the heavens above that I, Bayinnong Kayodinoratha, will raise Ong Dam as if he were my own son." "No one shall harm him." "If I fail in this promise, may the heavens strike me down." "The King of Hongsawadee, ruler of all lands, has issued a royal decree... to remove his Royal Highness Prince Naresuan, son of King Thammaracha, to be fostered at Hongsawadee as a royal hostage." "No, son." "Don't go." "Don't go!" "I forbid you!" "Ong Dam, my son." "Haven't you learned to show respect, young prince?" "I show my respect... to those who deserve it." "Wise words for such a young boy." "Who taught you to speak like that?" "My heart is my only teacher." "Very well." "I will not force you to do as others do." "If anyone else were to do as you have... they would be executed." "After taking control of Phitsanulok," "King Bayinnong led his armies to attack Ayutthaya." "AYUTTHAYA" "Fire!" "Don't let them just walk into our city!" "Ayutthaya is well protected." "We cannot penetrate their walls." "Do you know why?" "Because the Ayutthayan army is fearless." "Your uncle, King Chakkraphat, and Prince Ramesuan are smart warriors." "Wars are not won by weapons alone." "They are won through intelligence." "SANPET PRASAT PALACE" "Ramesuan, how much longer must we continue to fight?" "The rainy season is almost upon us." "With the first drops of rain... the Hongsawadee army will return home." "By then, Ayutthaya will be destroyed." "Our army is smaller than theirs." "I recommend we stand and fight." "Soon the floods will wash away their forces." "By such time everyone in Ayutthaya will have perished." "King Bayinnong has proposed an end to this war." "We shall hear his proposal." "Lord Rachapakee, gather the workers and build a pavilion between Atsadawaat and Nakphramain Temples." "I once sent word requesting both friendship and two white elephants for my kingdom." "However, you did not oblige." "So I had to bring an attack upon your kingdom." "Now I'm requesting four white elephants." "How do you find this?" "Will you accept my proposal or not?" "If you truly are a magnificent king, promise me that you'll take your army back to Hongsawadee." "Then I will give you the four white elephants which you seek." "Prince Ramesuan must also return with me." "If you do as I ask, I will lead my army out of here." "Prince Ramesuan must remain here." "He is heir to the throne." "Prince Mahin can take on his responsibilities." "If they remain together, your eventual death could result in a bitter power struggle, leaving your people in a difficult position." "I swear that I will foster Prince Ramesuan as if he were my own." "As you swear before the heavens," "I shall not stop you." "But you must release my people and return my soldiers so they may protect my city." "It will be done if I may have Lord Chakri and Lord Sunthornsongkram so they can serve Prince Ramesuan." "I take it you have no objections." "PHITSANULOK" "Do not fear for our son." "King Bayinnong pledged to care for Ong Dam as if he were his own son." "A promise cannot alleviate my fears." "He still lies in the heartland of the enemy." "Hongsawadee is not our enemy." "HONGSAWADEE" "You do not need to follow me." "I'm going to the market where the Siamese captives are." "The people of Siam will not harm me." "Return home." "From now on, you needn't wait on me." "I am just another Siamese captive." "Leave." "If you continue to follow me," "I'll have you all caned." "When are you going to clear your debts?" "Your interest now exceeds your principal amount." "Have pity on me." "I'm Siamese, like you." "Leave nationality out of this." "Money is irrelevant to your birthplace." "Have pity on me." "I have no money." "Thief!" "Thief!" "Thief!" "Hey!" "Catch him." "Hey!" "Catch him." "Don't let him get away." "Catch him!" "Do you think this is a game?" "There he is!" "Thief!" "Thief!" "Kill him!" "Enough, enough!" "You're all Siamese, aren't you?" "Why must you do this to each other?" "He's always stealing things." "He needs to be taught a lesson." " What has he stolen from you?" " Food, Your Highness." "He's probably hungry." "Is a little food too much to ask?" "We're all Siamese here." "I'm no longer Siamese." "King Bayinnong has granted me Hongsawadee citizenship." "I didn't know a Siamese could betray his nationality so easily." "I'll stay where I receive benefits." "If I'm not mistaken, you're Ong Dam, right?" "And how about your father?" "Aren't we here because your father sided with Hongsa?" "Since you asked me to spare the kid, I will." "But if he ever steals from me again, then even God can't save him." "I'll beat him to death." "Get away!" "Do not steal again, as I will not help you." "I have no home." "May I stay with you?" "I promise to serve you faithfully." "Why do you refuse to bow to the son of Hongsawadee royalty?" "If you insist on fighting our customs, then I will force you to your knees." "Then come try it." "Come down and kneel before Prince Mangsamkiat now." "Stay away from him!" "Stop right there, Lukwaithammo!" "Prince Naresuan is the son of King Thammaracha, ruler of Phitsanulok." "There's no need for him to prostrate himself before vice-royalty." "Royal hierarchy decrees that Mangsamkiat is of lesser nobility, and should bow to Prince Naresuan." "Mangsamkiat, where is your respect for Prince Naresuan?" "Lukwaithammo, apologize to Prince Naresuan at once." "From now on, no one lays a hand on Prince Naresuan." "Violators will be beheaded." "I apologize for having offended the rank and pride of the Prince of Phitsanulok." "Prince Naresuan, tomorrow you shall join us for weapons training." "Yes, Your Majesty." "This fabric comes from Pakata." "It's so soft." "There is nothing like it in these parts." "Wearing this, you'd be the most beautiful woman in all of Ayutthaya." "This is rose essence from Persia." "Just add it to your bathwater and you'll smell like roses." "Or maybe you'd like some rubies." "Hold on." "The reason I called you is not to make a purchase." "I want to hear news of my son, Prince Naresuan." "You were in Hongsawadee." "You must have heard something." "Bring me the bird." "Your Highness." "Here, Your Highness." "If you have any news regarding Prince Naresuan, use this bird to keep me informed." "You will be rewarded well." "Yes, Your Highness." "Is this the weapons school?" "This is where King Bayinnong pointed to." "It looks more like a temple with an old sleeping monk." "Father." "He looks fast asleep." "Father?" "It'll be noon by the time he wakes." "Old monks are always falling asleep." "Ouch!" "Who hit me?" "Why have you interrupted my meditation?" "King Bayinnong sent me." "Oh, you must be Ong Dam, Prince of Phitsanulok." "However, King Bayinnong said you'd arrive later." "Aside from being sleepy, he's forgetful too." "And who are you, foul mouth?" "I don't know my name." "My parents died before I can remember." "Then I will call you Bunthing, because merit has abandoned you." "Why did King Bayinnong send me to you?" "He has asked me to educate you." "In the future, you're to be King of Ayutthaya." "You must be more skilled than any other warrior." "That is the royal order of King Bayinnong." "You shall come to my temple tomorrow." "It is the temple near the Yodia gates." "There I will teach you the King's Law." "This must be the temple." "This is the only temple in front of the Yodia gates." "Stop." "What do you want?" "Um, we're looking for Yodia Temple." "Is this the Yodia Temple?" "Yes, silly." "But you can't enter until you pay me." "What?" "We don't have any money." "Then you cannot enter." "Go away!" "That's enough, Manechan." "Don't you know who this is?" "Yes, he's Prince Naresuan of Phitsanulok." "If you know who he is, why don't you bow to him?" "Go and apologize to him now." "No?" "Akiyami, bring me my cane." "Yes, sir." "Manechan." "Do you see that sickle over there?" "Go pick it up." "What do you want me to do with it?" "Cut the grass, of course." "There." "Do you see that grass?" "Trim it up." "I will do it." "No, I asked Ong Dam to do it." "Not you, Bunthing." "I thought you were going to train me in weapons." "What is that in your hands?" " A sickle." " That is a weapon." "You call that rusty old thing a weapon?" "Even a sickle is a weapon in the right hands." "I believe you." "Will you teach us how to fight?" "If you truly want to learn, then first you must be ordained as a monk in this temple." "No different from any other student." "As for that foulmouthed boy, he will be a temple boy." "What are you waiting for, Bunthing?" "You'll be late for your studies." "The Shwedagon Pagoda contains sacred relics." "It holds eight strands of Kotama Buddha's hair in addition to other items." "Your first lesson is tactile warfare." "There are six ways to move troops." "The first, Palace Procession, which is called "Prasat Ta Phra Yu Ha"" "and is in the formation of a triangle." "There are 20 gates into the kingdom of Hongsawadee." "King Bayinnong is located in the center of the city." "King Bayinnong copied the wall of Ayutthaya..." "The second, the Mupinta procession formation." "It's shaped like a two-faced drum." "The fifth lesson, the Teejala procession formation." "The troop formation is similar to a river." "Stop." "That's enough." "Imagine the sword in your hands is a small bird." "If you hold it too tightly, you will crush it." "Too loose... and it will fly away." "Manechan!" "Get out of here." "Be on your way." "Are you okay?" "It hurts." "Ong Dam." "Help!" "Manechan has been bitten by a snake." "What are you waiting for?" "Be quick before she dies." "Get up." "Get up." "Use this ointment on the wound." "You should start to feel better tomorrow." "You know there are snakes by the old temple." "Why must you play there?" "It's my fault." "I was collecting lotus flowers for Akiyami." "Father, did I break a religious doctrine by touching Manechan?" "That's not important now." "What is important is that you saved Manechan's life." "Mangsamkiat's cockerel has defeated Tong-Oo's." "You should have sided with Hongsawadee." "There is no other chicken in the kingdom that can defeat the Prince's." "It was born from the heavens." "Ong Dam." "Whose rooster is it?" "I don't know." "But it looks feisty and strong." "It's tame too." "It might have escaped from Si-orn's house." "He raises cockerels to fight." "Mr. Si-orn." "Mr. Si-orn." "The Five-Buddhas rooster." "Is this your rooster?" "I only have local roosters, not captive ones from Phitsanulok." "Why do you call it a captive chicken?" "Because they came with the prisoners from Phitsanulok." "This one would make a great fighting cock." "Where are you from, my pretty?" "Oh?" "Is that so?" " You can talk to chickens?" " That's crazy." "Who could possibly talk to chickens?" "Cockfights are held behind the temple." "Would you like to see if yours can win?" " The father wouldn't approve." " So don't tell him." "Fight!" "Fight!" "Hey, I win!" "Pay up." "Is there a cock anywhere that can beat my redtail?" "This one can." "Still haven't learned your lesson, Si-orn?" "Honestly, I don't want your money." "Here." "Can it win?" "Of course." "It's Siamese." "It can't lose." "Get lost!" " Very good." "Very good." " It's like you said..." "The Five-Buddhas rooster can't lose." "The Siamese cockerel beat the local one." "Now I can pay off my debts." "If so, then take that chicken to my pen." "I'll take your money from you." "We'll see how good that captive rooster really is." "Do you hear that?" "He is putting down Siamese chickens." "Don't stand for it." " Exactly, we must fight." " We must fight." " Fight." " Yes!" "Yes!" "We must fight!" " We cannot give up." " Fight!" "Ow." "Ouch." "This is for your wounds." "The head monk wants to know if you're going to stop torturing animals or not." "Bunthing, take this." "Put it on his whole body, not just his wounds." "Bunthing, set our rooster free." "Like the head monk said, forcing animals to fight is a sin." "But why?" "Can't we keep him as a pet?" "Humans and animals alike long for freedom." "We should set it free." "If I didn't have a Pali class right now," "I'd go with you." "So, Si-orn, where's all that money you owe me?" "Can I pay you in installments again?" "No, you cannot." "If you don't pay me by this evening, you will be in pain." "Don't forget." "Bring me the money before nightfall." "Damn." "Si-orn." "What's wrong?" "It's Khun Dej." "He wants the money I owe him." "He won't give me an extension." "If I don't pay him by tonight, he will send someone over to hurt me." "Hey, will you do something for me?" "What?" "Your chicken." "Let it fight against Khun Dej's." " I'm positive it will win." " I can't." "Ong Dam wants me to set it free." "But it must fight before it can be free." "Freedom only comes through fighting." "That's just it." "A captive chicken will always be captive." "It's not that it can't fight, it's just afraid." "It's like the Hongsa people say... a captive chicken would never fight a Hongsa chicken." "Wait, Si-orn." "Don't say that." "Though it is in captivity, it will never back down." "So how will you get the chicken out without anyone knowing?" "I have a way." "Focus on your studies, Ong Dam." "Where's that cockerel of yours?" "What makes you sure it can win?" "If it loses, you can have my house." "But if it wins, then my debts are settled." "Fine, then." "And you pay the owner of the cockerel four baht of gold." " Is it a deal?" " Deal!" "Bunthing!" "You disobeyed the head monk." "Just this once." "What you are doing is a sin." "These people look down on our chicken." "They say he can't beat a Hongsa chicken." "Without a fight, our rooster will never earn freedom." "Fight." "Fight." "It won." "My baby won." "I told you it wouldn't lose." " Money." " What?" "Pay up." "Now you know that Ayutthayan cockerels can fight!" "That rooster is nothing." "After a face-off against Mangsamkiat's rooster, you'd cease your celebration." "Have you learned your lesson yet?" "Forcing chickens to fight is a sin." "It is harmful to the animal." "You may go to bed now." "See you tomorrow for early morning Pali studies." "Can this rooster defeat Mangsamkiat's rooster?" "What?" "You still want a cockfight?" "Can it beat Mangsamkiat's rooster?" "Mangsamkiat's rooster is very strong." "It's bigger than yours." "It can strike three times in the time it takes your rooster to strike once." "If your rooster is injured, it might lose." "What are you afraid of?" "I want to see Mangsamkiat's rooster lose as well." "Give this to your rooster as a snack." "It will make its skin impenetrable." "Mangsamkiat's rooster's sharp spurs won't harm your rooster." "Hold on." "If you win this time... you must promise not to cockfight again." "Yes, Father." "Let's go." "Do you think your cockerel is any match for mine?" "Think wisely, Ong Dam." "Mine has never lost." "Mine is Siamese." "It has never backed down, even if it isn't as strong." "Then let them fight." "Which is better?" "An Ayutthayan or a Hongsawadeean cockerel?" "Put it in the ring." "Look there." "Mangsamkiat's cockerel has spurs." "If your Siamese blood is still pure... then you can't give up." "You must show Hongsawadee that we Siamese are afraid of no one." "Take your victory swiftly." "Your cockerel is quite good to have beaten mine." "It was not raised to fight for the amusement of others or for others to gamble over." "Enough." "The fight is over." "Do not hold any grudges for the future." "I am going to release you." "Anyone who can defeat the Hongsawadee should not be oppressed." "Care for your freedom and never let anyone oppress you again." "I, the ruler of the kingdom of Lan Xang, offer my greatest respects to Your Majesty, the ruler of the kingdom of Ayutthaya." "As king, I still have no heir to my royal throne in the kingdom of Lan Xang." "I request your daughter of royal lineage," "Princess Thepkasatri, to be my queen in the kingdom of Lan Xang, so that our kingdoms may bond in friendship now and forevermore." "I know that what I ask of you is very difficult." "However, it is important." "It is for the future of Ayutthaya." "What is it, Father?" "I am at your beck and call." "King Chaiyachettha, ruler of Lan Xang... has sent a messenger to collect you for his queen." "After King Thammaracha sided with Burma," "Ayutthaya lost its allies." "You want to give me away to King Chaiyachettha?" "Without Lan Xang on our side, another war could destroy us." "You are the daughter of Suriyothai." "Every drop of blood is just as strong as your mother's." "As she sacrificed her life for her country," "I will sacrifice my body for my kingdom." "I will sacrifice myself just as my mother did before me... even though it will cause me great pain." "I have asked you to come here because I have received a letter from your father saying that King Chakkraphat sent his daughter as an offering to King Chaiyachettha of Lan Xang." "How do you feel about this?" "Ayutthaya wants to be allied with the kingdom of Lan Xang, so they can fight you together." "Your father believes I should try to intercept the princess before she arrives at Lan Xang." "Would you not be happy if your aunt were here with you?" "We have arrived in Samoso." "Soon we will be in Lan Xang." "I will probably never see Ayutthaya again." "Do not say such things." "Some day King Chaiyachettha will have business in Ayutthaya." "He will surely take you with him, Your Highness." "When?" "It could be years from now." "Or... maybe even never." "What's happening?" "Bandits." "We're being robbed." "Hide the princess." "Hurry." "Thepkasatri." "I have received word that my sister was taken by the Hongsawadee near the Phetchaboon border on her way to Lan Xang." "You knew." "Enter young princess, and sit with me." "Please do not despise me." "I have loved you for a long time now." "Is that why you had your soldiers drag me here as if I'm some kind of object, without a soul of my own?" "I could not stand to see you with the King of Lan Xang, because you are the daughter of Suriyothai, someone I respect." "You're the same as King Chaiyachettha of Lan Xang." "He loves me purely because I am the daughter of Suriyothai." "No one loves me for who I am." "I cannot stand being treated like a mindless object just because I am the daughter of Queen Suriyothai." "If you desire my body, then you will have only my body, but not my soul." "You may be a mighty king who has conquered far and wide," "but you, oh mighty king, can never conquer my soul." "Get out!" "All of you get out!" "My sister is dead." "She took her own life... for she refused to be a slave to the King of Hongsawadee." "This is your fault." "You never consider our pride." "You just give everything to our enemies." "The way King Thammaracha requested that King Bayinnong have soldiers kidnap the princess is disrespectful to us." "This means Phitsanulok has sided with King Bayinnong, and abandoned Ayutthaya." "King Bayinnong could easily defeat Ayutthaya with Phitsanulok on his side." "If Ayutthaya loses to King Bayinnong we will not be far from danger ourselves." "Lan Xang must first help King Mahin attack Phitsanulok." "Attack." "We must take Phitsanulok!" "Attack!" "I have learned that Prince Mahin has sided with Lord Ram in an attempt to betray Your Majesty." "What?" "Prince Mahin wishes to harm me?" "I was the one who requested that Prince Mahin come here and help me fight Lan Xang." "Why would Prince Mahin wish to harm me?" "This is all a plan devised by Prince Mahin and Lord Ram." "Prince Mahin requested that King Chaiyachettha come and attack Phitsanulok, whereupon Prince Mahin" "PRINCE MAHIN'S CAMP intends to seize your kingdom." "Prince Mahin sent us to apprehend you." "I didn't know this was a trick." "I am prepared to fight Lan Xang with all my might, but is this all just a trap?" "That is correct, Your Majesty." "Give the signal." "Hey, give the signal now!" "Now." "This must be the work of Phitsanulok and King Thammaracha." "There is no one else who would act like such a dog and bite the hand that feeds him like King Thammaracha." "King Bayinnong has ordered both of us to bring soldiers to aid you in your fight against Lan Xang." "Thank you both." "However, King Chaiyachettha's forces cannot win." "They have retreated." "Our men have travelled far." "Please let us fight in return." "King Chaiyachettha is an expert in warfare." "We must not underestimate the Lan Xang army." " If we follow them, we may fail." " We must not let them escape." "We received our orders directly from King Bayinnong." "We cannot disobey them." "We will hunt them down and show them the power of Hongsa." "The soldiers of King Bayinnong cannot be defeated." "There are rumors in the market that my father has come to Hongsawadee." "I know." "King Thammaracha has come to Hongsawadee to help Lord Phukaam and Lord Suahan." "Why must he come here to help them?" "If he doesn't, they will be executed." "Only King Thammaracha has requested that King Bayinnong forgive them." "Lord Phukaam." "Lord Suahan." "I commanded you to fight at Phitsanulok." "It was your carelessness that led to a loss which has debilitated my kingship." "No leader would just let this stand." "Executioners, behead them now." "Your Majesty, if you would be so kind... these two men fought hard in this war." "I request that their lives be spared, Your Majesty." "When a king requests a life be spared, I don't interfere." "You two... why have you not bowed to King Thammaracha?" "As King Thammaracha was sparing the lives of Lord Phukaam and Lord Suahan in Hongsawadee," "King Mahin returned to take the wife and daughter of King Thammaracha from their home in Phitsanulok." "Prince Mahin, listen to me." "All mothers miss their children." "But we are ready to obey our fathers and our bloodline." "My dear sister, this time it is evident that your husband, King Thammaracha, decided to side with King Bayinnong." "You seem to care more for your husband than your country." "If you fight over bloodlines, then consider where my three children's alliance stands." "Do not talk to me about this, my sister." "Are you coming to Ayutthaya or not?" "We will return with you to Ayutthaya, as long as you know it is not our will." "Your actions today emphasize the fissures between Phitsanulok and Ayutthaya." "King Chakkraphat and Prince Mahin have taken your wife, your daughter and one of your sons to Ayutthaya." "It's a signal that they wish to break ties with Hongsawadee." "I believe this is Prince Mahin's plan." "Why would you think that?" "He is taking revenge on me for being loyal to Hongsawadee." "He accuses me of being the reason their independence was lost." "Does Prince Mahin not understand that none of this is because of you but because of King Chakkraphat's stubbornness and that of the lords who support a war against Hongsa?" "They love their elephants more than their kingdom." "Prince Mahin blames me." "That is why he deceived King Chaiyachettha, King of Lan Xang, into sending his army to attack Phitsanulok." "King Chakkraphat has broken his word." "He has become an enemy of Hongsawadee." "We must not forget this." "Our allies will gather seven armies from the north." "They will secure all necessary provisions and in the 12th month, we will attack Ayutthaya." "I broke the alliance with Ayutthaya and aligned with Hongsawadee for one reason." "Ayutthaya positioned himself as an enemy of Phitsanulok." "Why would he do that?" "Because he is of a different royal bloodline." "We are descendents of Phra Ruang." "As for Prince Mahin, he is of the Suphannabhum." "They are afraid that our bloodline will grow greater than theirs, and that we will take Ayutthaya for our own." "But I don't agree with your view that Hongsa blood is thicker than Siamese blood." "I believe that leading our army to aid King Thammaracha's attack on Ayutthaya is inappropriate." "The rewards are inconsequential." "Nandabayin, your vision is narrow." "Ayutthaya is in competition with us." "It's a port city with rivers." "If we sit here and allow it to prosper, we will not be able to survive later on." "Ayutthaya and Hongsawadee are the two most prosperous kingdoms." "Later, if we decide to attack Ayutthaya, we'll face difficulty." "However, now King Thammaracha has brought Ayutthaya to us on a platter." "Without Phitsanulok, Ayutthaya is alone... like fruit waiting to be picked." "We need to pick Ayutthaya... before someone else does." "Ayutthaya, as if a piece of ripened fruit which King Bayinnong hoped to easily pick, turned out to be more difficult than anticipated." "Weeks turned to months." "Almost a year had passed." "King Bayinnong's army was unable to defeat Ayutthaya." "Hold on." "Do not fire towards the temple." "Quickly, send in your army from Phitsanulok and crush Prince Mahin and his men." "Fire." "Quickly." "Ayutthaya will not defeat us." "King Thammaracha, what are you waiting for?" "Do you still side with Ayutthaya?" "In the year 1569 C.E., in the midst of a war with the kingdom of Hongsawadee," "King Chakkraphat of Ayutthaya passed away." "Royal succession placed Prince Mahin on the throne as the new King of Ayutthaya." "Ong Dam, have you heard?" "Your grandfather, King Chakkraphat, is dead!" "King Chakkraphat is dead!" "Without your grandfather, Ayutthaya will crumble." "Soon, King Bayinnong, my grandfather will sit on your grandfather's throne." "In the first war, you lost elephants." "Now you lose your kingdom." "Now you lose your kingdom!" "You think you are tough, huh?" "Then step down here and prove it!" "Bunthing!" "I'll punch you in the mouth." "Don't showboat too much." "All Siamese are losers." "Do not worry, Your Majesty." "With King Chakkraphat's death," "Prince Mahin will ascend to the throne." "He will care for the kingdom." "But how will Prince Mahin fight off an entire army?" "Do not underestimate Prince Mahin, Your Majesty." "He will be strong when his time comes." "He can take care of the kingdom." "He will not lose." "King Bayinnong will be surprised by the effort and skill of the new King of Ayutthaya." "AYUTTHAYA PALACE" "Long live the King!" "Long live the King!" "Why have you not filled in the moat?" "When will we reach Ayutthaya?" "We have been working day and night, Your Majesty." "How much earth can one man carry?" "Seven blocks, Your Majesty." "Work faster." "We need a bridge into Ayutthaya." "If a man dies, use his body to fill in the moat, otherwise, I shall dump you into it." "King Bayinnong is looking for 500,000 more men to replace those who have died." "King Bayinnong is mistaken if he thinks he can defeat Ayutthaya so easily." "King Bayinnong should not underestimate the Siamese." "For if they are pushed too hard, they will fight back with all their might." "You are right." "If Ayutthaya can fend off King Bayinnong until the rainy season, then King Bayinnong will have to return to Hongsawadee." "However," "King Bayinnong will have a strategy for defeating Ayutthaya." "If King Mahin isn't careful, he could fall into King Bayinnong's trap." "We've been at war for a long time now," "BAYINNONG'S CAMP since the turn of summer, and we have yet to defeat them." "Soon the monsoons will return and we will have to retreat." "We underestimated King Mahin." "Without King Chakkraphat and Prince Ramesuan," "King Mahin is like a little bird that fell from its nest." "However, this young king has defended his kingdom well." "Your Majesty, I have served you for six years, yet I have never satisfied you." "Finally I may be able to bring you satisfaction." " What have you to say?" " You must first promise me that if I am able to provide you with a defeat over Ayutthaya like ripe fruit into your hands, you will bestow upon me a reward worthy of my effort." "You are quite bold." "How dare you take advantage of me at a time like this?" "If I am successful," "I request to be Governor of Takong, collecting border taxes from those who visit the Shwedagon Pagoda." "Alright, I accept." "What is your plan?" "Here's my plan." "I will pretend to have escaped from your hold and I will be your spy in Ayutthaya." "King Mahin will suspect nothing." "He will place me in charge of protecting the kingdom." "I will move the most skilled soldiers to unimportant posts." "Once their defenses are weakened," "I will open the city doors for your army and you will be able to take Ayutthaya with ease." "Who goes there?" "I am Lord Chakri." "I've escaped the Hongsa stronghold." "I request an immediate audience with the king." "I'm pleased that you have escaped from Hongsa to help us." "No one else is here to help us fight King Bayinnong." "I swear" "I will give my life in order to protect my kingdom." "From here on, I give you control over our army to protect Ayutthaya from Hongsawadee." "Why are you not firing?" "We have no gunpowder, Your Majesty." "We are waiting for..." "There is no need to wait." " King Thammaracha." " Your Majesty." "I want you to send a message to Lord Chakri to contact your wife." "He wants me to steal Ayutthayan gunpowder for Hongsa?" "King Thammaracha is a prisoner just as I am, Your Highness." "If King Bayinnong's orders are not followed, then King Thammaracha will be in danger." "I am no one's prisoner." "King Bayinnong may not be able to harm you." "However, if Your Highness does as requested, then no harm will come to King Thammaracha." "A servant of yours recently passed away due to sickness." "If Your Highness would permit me to hide gunpowder in her casket and let the undertaker remove it from the city to the burial grounds, then your husband will remain safe from King Bayinnong's wrath." "Your Excellency." "Your Lordship." "Move the cannons to the western wall." "But Hongsa will not attack from that direction." "There's a large river on that side." "Do not argue with me." "I hold the king's sword." "I believe Hongsa will attack from the west." "Move the cannons to the western wall." "Your Majesty, I do not trust Lord Chakri." "I do not believe that Lord Chakri escaped the hold of Hongsa as he claims." "If Lord Chakri did not escape from Hongsawadee, then why would King Bayinnong behead 30 of his soldiers and place their heads around Panma Temple?" "Lord Chakri is using the king's sword... to demote soldiers back to civilians and promote civilians to soldiers, which is reducing the strength of our military." "I have given my sword to Lord Chakri." "The decisions lie with Lord Chakri alone." "I trust Lord Chakri... as did King Chakkraphat." "Lord Chakri can defeat the Hongsawadee." "Do not bother me with this matter again." "Leave here and meet the others at Diamond Fort." "You are to do as I say this instant." "Hurry!" "What are you doing?" "Move to Diamond Fort." "News is spreading that Ayutthaya has lost to Hongsawadee." "Don't be upset, Your Majesty." "It is Ayutthaya's fate." "It is not fate!" "There is a traitor in Siam." "Everything is predestined." "It was inevitable." "What will happen to King Mahin?" "I cannot say." "Everything depends on one's own fate... including the fate of kings such as King Mahin." "Come." "Sit beside me." "Do not think of us as different." "I sent my soldiers to you in accordance with royal tradition in the hope of preserving my kingdom." "Do not feel sad or belittled." "I want you to stay in Hongsawadee." "As for the kingdom of Ayutthaya, do not worry." "I shall have the King of Phitsanulok," "King Thammaracha, govern Ayutthaya." "King Thammaracha will take care of everything in Ayutthaya in your place." "This is beautiful." "I've never seen dancing like this in Hongsawadee." "Not even in Tong-Oo." "Never have I seen such beauty." "My daughter, Princess Suphankalaya, trained these dancers." "Princess Suphankalaya, sister of Prince Naresuan." "From what I recall, she is just a girl." " She's now a full-grown woman." " I should like to see her now." "I give you this ring as a reward for teaching these dancers to dance so beautifully." "Take it." "I would like these dancers and their teacher to return with me to Hongsawadee." "I would like her to train my dancers... in this beautiful art." "You need not worry." "I will look after Princess Suphankalaya very well, just as I have looked after Prince Naresuan." "I know you will trust me, King Thammaracha." "Lord Chakri." "Although you were a servant of King Chakkraphat, it was your servitude to Hongsawadee that led to our victory over Ayutthaya." "I have a reward worthy of your efforts in seizing Ayutthaya." "Your deeds are worth more than any object." "Open it, Lord Chakri." "See the reward that awaits you." "Take your reward, Lord Chakri." "Yes, Your Majesty." "You two, don't just sit there." "Help Lord Chakri with his treasure." "How dare you betray your king?" "King Chakkraphat and King Mahin cared for you and gave you nobility." "They promoted you to minister, yet still you betrayed them." "If I continue to care for you, sooner or later you will betray Hongsawadee too." "Lukwaithammo, take him to the river, and let him drown along with his treasure." "Take him away." "My beloved sister, look over here." "Princess Suphankalaya wishes to see Ong Dam, but the laws of our kingdom prohibit her from leaving the palace." "Ong Dam will understand." "There's no need to worry." "King Bayinnong will be here soon." "King Bayinnong is on his way." "No need for such formalities, Princess." "Let me see your beautiful face." "Talk with me." "Do not be afraid." "I hope you like this residence." "I had it built especially for you." "It's no different from the residence you built for the Princess of Singnee or the Princess of Chaing Roung..." "It's not like that." "I took them in to build a relationship between our kingdoms." "It was my royal duty." "You are different." "I brought you here out of love." "Don't waste your words on me." "I am just another one of your captives." "Do with me as you will." "But you will never make me love you." "Are you positive about that?" "You hold no power over my heart." "Do not be so sure of yourself." "One day you will love me." "That day will never come, sire." " What is this earth, Princess?" " It is from Ayutthaya, sire." "You have brought your land to Hongsawadee?" "I refuse to live on any other land than my own land of Ayutthaya." "I'll never concede my nationality for any other." "I shall remain Siamese until the day I die." "Your faith in your lineage is strong." "From now on... you will be known as "Ammeawyuo,"" "which means... she who loves and is loyal to her lineage." "Your Highness." "Your Highness, your illness has reached your heart." "I have prepared some medicine to rid the toxins from his body." "Soon he will be better," "Your Majesty." "You must cure King Mahin." "If he dies... you will be executed." "Take your medicine and eat." "Do not be discouraged." "King Mahin... is nearing death." "You should visit him one last time." "Even though the Suphannabhum and Phra Ruang bloodlines have been enemies, the future king of Ayutthaya must learn how to forgive." "Is that Prince Naresuan?" "Your Highness." "Have you come to watch the enemy of your father die?" "It is not like that." "I have only come to see how you are." "I will die soon." "You must be happy that the Suphannabhum bloodline will end with my death." "No." "I don't think it's right for Siamese to fight each other." "Especially now." "We have become colonies." "We are slaves of Hongsawadee." "It's not important which bloodline rules the kingdom." "What's important is that Siamese rule Siam." "We must not become slaves of another kingdom." "That's very wise, Naresuan." "If only I or other noblemen in Ayutthaya thought like you... then we wouldn't have lost our land." "After hearing your words, I'm not afraid to die." "Gods and angels of heaven and earth..." "Naresuan shall be king and save our land in the future." "It is now my time to pass away." "May Prince Naresuan one day rule." "King Bayinnong, ruler of all lands... issued a royal notice stating that King Mahin has passed away due to illness." "It is not true!" "I don't believe it!" "I don't believe my brother died of illness." "It was those treacherous Hongsawadee!" "They killed him!" "That's right." "You killed King Mahin!" "What is that?" "It looks like a casket." "Maybe it is one of the head monk's relatives." "Or maybe his wife." "When did the head monk get married?" "Before he was ordained." " No, it is not a casket." " Then what is it?" "Belongings which King Bayinnong acquired from Ayutthaya." "What kind of treasure?" "Why would he keep it at the temple?" "Why don't we sneak in and take a look tonight?" "The head monk sleeps very heavily." "Once he is asleep, you two can climb though that window and I will keep watch." "A gun." "What kind is it?" "It is so long." "I think it is... a royal gun." "Whose gun is it?" "I don't know." "It looks like this part opens." "Stop there." "Don't touch that." "You have not learned your lesson." "It is because you touched those weapons that you must be punished." "You did something which is prohibited." "You must never touch them again." "Tell me what is on your mind." "Whose weapons are those... and why can't I touch them?" "They are royal relics belonging to the King of Ayutthaya." "Only a man with the greatness of King Chakkraphat has the right to touch them." "Why are they being stored here?" "King Bayinnong brought them from Ayutthaya after defeating the Siamese." "However, there were many omens, and a soothsayer prophesized that King Bayinnong was not yet virtuous enough to possess the weapons." "With his vast kingdom, he must be virtuous enough to possess them." "That is true." "But he is yet to be as virtuous as King Chakkraphat." "That is what brought on the omen." "But why keep them here?" "It was by order of the soothsayer." "He said that I must oversee these weapons." "He foretold that there would be someone with virtue strong enough to possess them." "Upon that day, my duty will be fulfilled." "I need your help with something." "What is it?" "I have a student who is an orphan." "I have looked after her since she was an infant." "Now she is all grown up and is almost a fully-grown woman." "I would like to request that Your Majesty take her into the palace." "You need not worry." "I shall take her in." "What is the girl's name?" "Manechan." "She will be very pleased to hear the news." "No way." "I don't want to go." "You cannot stay here anymore." "You are nearly a woman now." "And as a woman, you cannot remain amongst monks." "Do you understand?" "If you remain here, you will become nothing more than a temple hand." "However, if you give your service to Princess Suphankalaya, you will become a woman of the palace." "Don't you love me anymore?" "Whether I love you or not, you still must stay with Princess Suphankalaya." "Let her go." "What's happened?" "The head monk is sending me away to be Princess Suphankalaya's servant." "I can't live here anymore." "What should I do?" "That's wonderful." "You'll get to learn lots of new things." "I don't want to go." "I want to stay here with you two." "You can visit whenever you are missing us." "Whenever Worajan comes to our temple, you can come with her." "Go." "Here you will always eat leftovers from monks." "You will eat much better there." "No." "I won't leave you two." "Just go." "We're not going anywhere." "We will still be here at the temple, right outside the palace walls." "Really?" "Really." "Promise me." "I promise." "I promise too." "I asked you to bring me Manechan, the head monk's pupil." "Why have you come back with this little monkey?" "Believe it or not, under all of this dust you will find Manechan." "I don't believe you." "Help her clean up then." "For a minute there, I thought you brought back a monkey." " I don't want a bath!" " Manechan!" "So, it really is Manechan." "You're not a little monkey after all." "Yes, ma'am." "King Bayinnong, you requested my presence." "What is your concern?" "Go and wait outside." "Please come in." "Could you please tell me how much progress Ong Dam has made in his training with you?" "Yes." "Ong Dam has learned all the King's Law." "There is no more that I can teach him." "Do you believe that, one day," "Ong Dam will become a great king?" "Yes." "I have no doubt at all." "If I may say with the utmost humility," "I foresee that in the future Ong Dam will become as great a king as you are." "I had been told of the same prophecy." "The first time Ong Dam came to me in Phitsanulok..." "In the future, Ong Dam will become a great ruler." "He will conquer surrounding kingdoms as you have done." "That means I should slay him so that he will never grow to threaten me." "This you must not do, Your Majesty." "Because his fate and yours, Your Majesty, have become joined to the benefit of both." "They cannot be separated even if you kill him." "It will mean that you'll destroy your own dynasty." "After I died, my kingdom would die with me." "Prince Nandabayin knows only about warfare." "He knows nothing of how to govern his people." "As for Prince Mangsamkiat," "I've been observing him since his childhood." "I do not believe he could become a king." "After my death, all the kingdoms that I now control will rise up in revolt against Hongsawadee and attack us like a swarm of crows." "Then..." "Hongsawadee will be destroyed." "The Tong-Oo dynasty that I have built will be swept away." "Only Ong Dam can preserve my legacy." "Ong Dam's royal blood is of the Phra Ruang dynasty." "He is not a Tong-Oo, Your Majesty." "Manechan, Father." "Manechan is the secret that we share." "You are my master... and I am her father." "Her mother was Chantradevi, daughter of Samingsawtu, who was the treacherous assassin of King Tabengchaweti." "Lady Chantradevi." "Because Lady Chantradevi, one of King Bayinnong's consorts, was the daughter of Lord Samingsawtu, a man of royal blood, and the man who planned the assassination of King Tabengchaweti," "Lady Chantradevi had to be executed by way of royal law." "Her father's actions resulted in seven generations of family being punished by execution." "If it wasn't for you" "Manechan would have been executed in accordance with that law, just like Lady Chantradevi and Lord Samingsawtu." "Do not worry, Your Majesty." "I shall teach Ong Dam just as I once taught you." "As for Manechan... destiny will decide." "It depends on whether both of them get along or not." "It's up to fate." "No one can change that." "The more time passed, the more King Bayinnong grew fond of Prince Naresuan, which eventually made other royal family members envious." "This envy resulted in actions that no one could have anticipated." "I have never declined to help you before, but this..." "I cannot do." "The reason you have so much wealth is because of me, is it not, Khun Dej?" "I can take back what I once gave." "Think about this very carefully." "If the young monk is still here in three days, you will die." "Bunthing, over here." "Bunthing, over here." "Have you been waiting long?" "I was about to leave." "Let's find a quiet place to talk." "Near that bridge." "There's no one there." "Are you sure it's alright?" "Of course." "I need to tell you how I feel about you." "Come on." "I'm sorry." "I'm sorry." "Young monk!" "Young monk, young monk!" "I just saw Bunthing being dragged off by Beum and Thongdi." "Where?" "Near the bridge." "They went towards Yodia market." "Watch out, Ong Dam." "It's a trap." "Help me, Beum!" "I can't swim." "Help!" "I can't help you." "I can't swim either!" "Help." "Help me!" "Don't help them." "Let them drown." "Wait, Ong Dam." "We made a mistake in trying to hurt you." "From this day forward, the two of us will never attempt to harm you again." "Who told you to do this?" "Khun Dej." "He was ordered by Lukwaithammo to kill you." "Be careful, young prince." "They will never stop." "They will find another way to kill you." "Lay right there." "I will care for you." "Worajan, I need you to deliver a message to my sister." "What shall I tell her?" "I am leaving for Ayutthaya, but not alone." "I want to take my sister with me." "If I stay here," "I am in constant danger." "A member of the royal family wishes to eliminate me as a threat." "And another thing..." "I can no longer stand by and watch Mangsamkiat force Siamese people to harm each another." "Are you prepared enough to leave?" "I have gathered people who know the route as well as 300 citizens of Phitsanulok." "We are ready to lead Her Majesty to Ayutthaya." "I will inform Princess Suphankalaya immediately." "Are you not happy to be returning to Ayutthaya?" "I shall gather your things." "Ong Dam will return tonight." "Worajan." "Do you think Bayinnong will just let us go so easily?" "Don't forget that we are serving as collateral." "Does that mean we are doomed to suffer here until we die?" "As long as we remain in Hongsawadee, and Ayutthaya is a slave state, we will stay prisoners." "What about Ong Dam?" "Will Ong Dam be able to flee?" "Oh, Ong Dam." "Ong Dam must return to Ayutthaya." "Ong Dam is our only hope." "And will King Bayinnong allow Ong Dam to escape?" "King Bayinnong is the only one who can help Ong Dam escape." "Manechan, where are you going?" " To see Ong Dam." " You cannot." "The way back to Ayutthaya is very far." "You will be a burden that hinders Ong Dam's escape." "Will he be able to escape?" "If it is his destiny." "It depends on the princess." "I believe that..." "Princess Suphankalaya has a plan that will ensure Ong Dam's escape." "If you have something to say, then say it." "Correct me if I am wrong, but I think you have changed your mind about loving me." " Isn't that right, Ammeawyuo?" " I... uh..." "You don't have to tell me that I am handsome, rich, a great negotiator and a master of war," " a king who has won every battle." " More than that." "You are a great king." "You have the virtues of a king and your kindness is legend." "It is for one reason alone which I would give you all of my heart, body and soul, that is your compassion in this situation." "You want me to allow your brother to return to Ayutthaya." "You know?" "I know everything that happens here." "Very well, Ammeawyuo." "If you are offering yourself in exchange for your brother, then I am happy to oblige." "Even though I know that in the future, he'll stand against Hongsawadee." "I swear that my brother will not betray Hongsawadee." "You will see for yourself on the day of my passing." "Prince Naresuan will bring troops down upon Hongsawadee." "You must believe me." "Thank you, my king, for freeing a caged bird." "Your virtues are great, my king." "I give myself to you for your virtuous deed." "You need not love me for this reason." "It is not what I want." "I only want to believe that one day you will love me without expecting anything in return." "You will love me just for me." "Your sister probably won't make it." "What should we do?" "If we had not prepared everything, then it would not matter." "However, our plan is in motion." "If we don't leave and word gets out, we will be punished." "Shall we wait a little more?" "We can wait no longer." "My sister loves Hongsawadee more than her family." "Maybe there was something that stopped her." "Forget it." "We must leave now." "Holy Father, I must leave now." "I will return to Hongsa." "I promise." "Where are you going, Prince?" "I knew it." "Khun Dej has failed." "Does he think he can get away?" "King Bayinnong can help him no more." "Get him." "Hurry, Ong Dam." "We'll take care of this." "Let no one harm the prince!" "Don't touch the prince!" "I will die for you!" "Stop now." "Prince Naresuan is getting away." "Don't let him escape!" "By royal order, no one is to harm Prince Naresuan of Phitsanulok." "Anyone who opposes the order will be executed." "This isn't over." "We will meet again." "You wait." " Let's go." " Yes, Your Highness." "Bunthing." "I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye." "I understand." "A great duty awaits you in the future, Your Majesty." "I should warn you about one thing." "All of the knowledge I've given you has no importance." "True importance lies in yourself and the people around you." "They are willing to die for you, because they believe you're willing to die for them." "That is the most powerful weapon in the world." "Far more powerful than what you have learned here." "May your journey back to Ayutthaya be free of danger..." "Prince Naresuan of Siam." "Bunthing." "What is it, Your Highness?" "Did you see the head monk here last night?" "No, Your Highness." "Did he come here last night too?" "Come on." "We should get moving." "Ayutthaya is waiting for us." "Hey, wake up." "We have to go now." "Hey, it's time to get going."