Sigiriya, the Lion Rock: From Legend to Ruin - The Localist

A soldier galloped down the palace gardens, the black flag in his hand ripping at the wind. Three women stopped their laughing and splashing in the fountains to watch him pass, smiles dropping. As the rider disappeared through the gates, and the screams started echoing through the stone passageways, a figure, high above the temples and guilt halls, stumbled towards the rocks edge.