Thanjavur, Nayaka's Family Mansion.
After a gruelling journey through the unrefined road network, Harsha finally arrived in Thanjavur. The town was a stark contrast to the many villages and towns he had passed through on his way. Thanjavur was bustling with life, filled with vibrant and happy people. The cleanliness and maintenance of the town were impressive, far superior to other places he had seen during his travels. Guards were also seen patrolling to maintain civil order in the town.
As his carriage rolled along the town's paved road, accompanied by his contingent of guards, Harsha took in the sights and sounds around him. The air was filled with the melodious tunes of temple bells and soothing hymns, creating a beautiful atmosphere. The people moved about with purpose, and the market stalls overflowed with goods, adding to the town's lively ambience.
Harsha turned his gaze to Viswa, who was looking out the carriage window in awe at the bustling town and its happy people. Harsha figured it was Viswa's first time in such a large and vibrant place.
"Viswa, we will be visiting the Nayaka's mansion. I hope you show your best behaviour," he spoke with a deep sigh.
"Yes, Your Highness, I will not disappoint you," Viswa replied, tearing his eyes away from the window to nod earnestly.
During their travels, Harsha had given Viswa a book to read. He soon discovered that Viswa didn't know how to read or write. Additionally, Viswa lacked basic manners, resembling an untamed wild beast cub.
"Well, I will arrange something for you when we reach the mansion," Harsha said, more to himself than to Viswa.
"Umm?" Viswa responded, looking confused but hopeful.
Harsha dismissed his curiosity with a wave of his hand and turned his attention back to the passing scenery. The carriage continued its journey through the town, moving closer to the grand mansion of the Nayakas.
As the carriage approached the mansion, the guards at the entrance stood at attention, recognizing the royal crest on the carriage. The gates swung open, and Harsha's carriage entered the expansive courtyard.
As the carriage came to a halt in the expansive courtyard, Harsha stepped out, followed by a slightly nervous but curious Viswa. The guards and servants of the mansion greeted them with deep bows, acknowledging the presence of royalty.
An elderly man came forward, his back hunched and his demeanour suggesting he was the butler of the grand mansion. With a slight bow, he greeted Harsha, "Welcome, His Highness Harsha Deva Raya, to the Nayaka's house."
"The patriarch awaits your presence, Your Highness," he continued, gesturing towards the large doors and preparing to guide Harsha to the patriarch.
"Narayana and Varun, both of you take care of Viswa. I allow you to visit the town for now, but return before nightfall," Harsha ordered the two men standing beside him.
Narayana, with a puzzled expression, asked, "Your Highness, are you sure it's wise to let him roam around freely?"
Harsha leaned in close and whispered, only for them to hear, "If I hear you both discriminating against him for his caste, I will make you both pay."
The warning sent a shiver down their spines. They stood straight and saluted, "Understood, Your Highness."
Viswa, watching this scene in confusion, asked hesitantly, "Your Highness, am I allowed to go see the town?"
Harsha nodded. "Yes,"
Viswa's eyes lit up brightly at the chance to see the big town for the first time in his life. "Thank you, Your Highness. I promise I won't disappoint you."
"Guide me to the patriarch," Harsha said as he turned to the butler and walked into the mansion.
The elderly butler bowed slightly, "This way, Your Highness." He gestured toward the large door, ready to guide Harsha to the patriarch.
The mansion of the Nayakas wasn't as grand as the palace but boasted impressive architecture, sprawling over a wide area. Harsha walked through the corridors, noting the intricate carvings and vibrant tapestries, and guided to a large, unguarded study room.
'Why are the rooms left unguarded? Does he have such confidence in his own safety that he believes assassination attempts within his mansion are impossible, or does he think he can handle any threat on his own? ' he thought
The room was lined with shelves of ancient scrolls and manuscripts. The patriarch, an elderly man with a commanding presence, rose from behind a massive desk and extended his hand warmly. "Greetings, Prince Harsha. I have indeed been eager for your arrival," he said.
Harsha returned the gesture with a slight bow. "Greetings, Patriarch. I heard you have been eager for my arrival."
The patriarch chuckled heartily. "HAHAHA! Of course, Prince Harsha. So, how was the journey to Thanjavur?"
Harsha smirked. "Oh, it was fine. I even picked up a wild cub on the way."
"A wild cub, you say?" The patriarch raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That sounds interesting."
Harsha's smirk widened. "Yes, a young boy with potential. We'll see how he fares."
The patriarch nodded thoughtfully. "I see. We can discuss the formalities tomorrow if you want to rest from the long journey, Prince."
Harsha waved a hand dismissively. "No need for rest, Patriarch. I prefer to get things done. Let's discuss what needs to be done."
The patriarch admired Harsha's determination and gestured for him to sit. "Very well, Prince Harsha. Let's get started."
"I suppose the Patriarch didn't invite me for fun!" Harsha remarked as he sat down on the plush sofa.
Rudra Nayaka's playful gaze shifted to one of seriousness. "Oh, Prince Harsha, I was merely extending a courtesy invite because we are partners now. This old man has no hidden agenda," he said, maintaining a straight face.
Harsha's expression hardened. "The Nayaka Patriarch who hasn't invited the first prince or the second prince is saying he invited me out of courtesy? Drop the act, Rudra Simha Nayaka," he said, crossing his legs and locking eyes with the Patriarch. The air in the room seemed to crackle with tension as if a spark could ignite it into flames.
The butler stood at a loss for words, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife. Just as he was about to intervene, the Patriarch's laughter echoed through the room, shattering the heavy silence.
"Ah! You got me!" Rudra Nayaka exclaimed, his laughter resonating off the walls. "Of course, I didn't invite you out of courtesy. But my intentions are honest," he said, his tone becoming earnest as he leaned forward, meeting Harsha's gaze with unwavering seriousness.
"So, what are your 'honest' intentions, Patriarch?" Harsha inquired, running his hand through his hair.
Rudra Nayaka scratched his eyepatch thoughtfully. "I was just curious about the prince's change and wanted to confirm the feats of the Battle of Gulbarga."
Harsha leaned back into the sofa, looking up at the ceiling with an indifferent expression. "Hmmm! You should know how true the rumours are, considering you decided to plant your person in my convoy." His tone was casual, but his words carried a sharp edge.
"HAHAHA, so you found that out as well. You've changed a lot from your previous gloomy self," Rudra Nayaka exclaimed.
With a grin plastered on his face, he continued, "Does the prince plan to take the throne?"
Harsha paused, contemplating his response. 'Hmm, what should I say here? The Nayaka Patriarch has always kept his word, I've heard from others.'
"Of course," Harsha said confidently.
' It doesn't matter whether he knows anyway. It would be assumed anyway cause i have not relinquished the right to the throne,'
"But how? The prince doesn't have a single ounce of influence under his belt. So, I am curious how you will go about it," the Patriarch questioned, his grin widening as he leaned forward, clearly intrigued.
"That's not something the patriarch has to know. I have ways to get to my goal, Outsiders don't need to know about it," he said coldly.
"That's enough, I will be retiring to my room to rest, Patriarch," His cold voice echoed through the room, although the Patriarch was unfazed by him.
"Of course, Prince Harsha," Rudra replied, nodding slightly. "But before you go, regarding the road construction inspections, we have assigned three units each to the locations. They will report to us about the progress."
"I see. It should be all good," Harsha dismissed further questions with a wave of his hand and turned to leave the room, the butler following closely behind.
As the door closed behind them, Rudra's laughter filled the room. "HAHAHA! The prince has definitely changed a lot. Those eyes are not those of a child. The other princes clearly underestimate him, and he is making full use of it," he mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
Rudra mumbled to himself "I have to keep an eye on him. I have a feeling that the developments will benefit us."
Rudra leaned back in his chair, a grin spreading across his face. "This game is getting interesting," he said softly, almost to himself.
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Hampi Royal Palace, Emperor's Room
The Emperor's chamber was vast, its walls adorned with intricate carvings and colorful paintings depicting scenes from epic tales and royal hunts, Thick marble pillars, and inlaid with precious stones.
Fragrant incense wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of fresh flowers arranged in gleaming vases. The soft glow of oil lamps cast a warm light, enhancing the rich colors and details of the room.
The Emperor was seated on a plush, gold-trimmed sofa, sipping his wine with a nonchalant expression, his eyes half-closed in contemplation.
Seated before the Emperor was the first prince, Chandra, who had come to report in person.
"So, what is it? Why are you interrupting me at this time?" the Emperor asked, taking a sip from his glass, his voice carrying a hint of annoyance at the interruption.
"Father, I have completed the mission you assigned to me," Chandra replied, bowing respectfully.
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, placing his glass down on the table beside him. "And what of it? Have you achieved the results I expected?"
Chandra straightened, meeting his father's gaze with determination. "Yes,"
Chandra was assigned a mission by the Emperor in person: to create some havoc by funding the rebels in the Qutb Sultanate. The Qutbs have been quite a pain for the Emperor, but an all-out war right now wasn't needed is what the Emperor had thought, so he needed to keep the Qutbs in place by funding the rebels so they don't form alliances and start a war against them.
"Is it going to happen as we expected?" the Emperor asked, laced with both curiosity and the weight of expectation.
"Yes, Father," Chandra replied confidently, standing tall before his father.
"I have funded three separate rebel groups and orchestrated their cooperation, all while disguising our involvement as merchants from the Kasim Sultanate and the Yadava Kingdom." His eyes gleamed with the pride of a well-executed plan, yet he maintained his composure, knowing that his father expected nothing less than excellence.
The Emperor's eyes narrowed slightly, assessing the information. He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "And you've ensured that our tracks are completely covered?" he inquired, his tone sharp and probing.
Chandra nodded. "Absolutely, Father. We took meticulous care to leave no trace. Our agents are skilled, and the rebels believe the support comes from rival factions within the Sultanate. The Qutbs will be too distracted dealing with internal strife to suspect our involvement."
A slow, satisfied smile spread across the Emperor's face. "Hahaha, that's good. That bastard Zafar needs a good beating. We're just restricted by resources; otherwise, I would have personally gone and shut his trap."
Chandra's chest swelled with pride at his father's approval, but he kept his expression humble. "Thank you, Father. This plan will keep the Qutbs occupied for the foreseeable future, preventing them from becoming a threat to our borders."
The Emperor picked up the bottle of wine and poured a drink for Chandra, filling his own glass before taking a sip. "Zafar isn't the main threat from the Qutbs anyway," he remarked, swirling the wine in his glass thoughtfully. "That bastard is subpar compared to his first son."
Chandra accepted the drink with a nod of gratitude, listening intently as his father continued. "He is the real deal out of all the sons he has. If push comes to shove, we could see him assume the throne, which is the least favourable situation for us."
The Emperor's words hung in the air, heavy with the implications of a potential shift in power within the Qutb Sultanate. Chandra's mind raced, considering the ramifications. "Father, should we assign someone to assassinate the prince?" he suggested, his voice low and cautious.
The Emperor took another sip of his wine, his eyes narrowing as he pondered the proposal. "Assassination is a risky move, Chandra. It could backfire and unite their factions against us. However, if done correctly, it could remove the most significant threat to our empire's stability."
Chandra leaned forward, his expression earnest. "We have agents who could carry out the task discreetly. We need to ensure that the blame falls on internal rivalries within the Qutb Sultanate. If we eliminate the first son, it would destabilize their succession plans,"
The Emperor considered his son's words carefully. "It's a dangerous game we're playing, but you're right. The prince's death must appear as an internal power struggle. We need to gather intelligence on his movements, his allies, and his enemies. Only then can we plan an effective strike."
Chandra nodded, determination etched on his face. "I'll put our best spies on it, Father. We'll find a way to weaken their position without exposing ourselves."
The Emperor nodded getting up and walking to the window, swirling his wine as he stared out the window. "Just gather information for now. If he becomes a threat, report to me first. Only then will we consider taking action."
"Understood, Father," declared the first prince.
The Emperor turned back, a curious glint in his eyes. "That's not the only reason you came to report to me, is it?"
"No, Father," Chandra replied.
The Emperor smiled slightly. "So, I shall grant you a reward for your contribution. Ask away."
"But know this," the Emperor continued, his tone turning serious, "I won't endorse or support you for the throne directly if that's what you're thinking of asking. Bhairava is also a worthy candidate, just like you."
"Only Bhairava?" Chandra's voice carried a hint of surprise.
"The others are not up to par with you both right now," the Emperor stated plainly.
Chandra took a deep breath, considering his next words carefully. "Father, I understand your position. I seek not a direct endorsement, but perhaps resources that could help me strengthen my standing."
The Emperor, still holding his wine glass, inquired, "What resource do you need?"
Chandra replied with a steely determination, "Lend me the 'Yamaduts' for a mission in the future."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, impressed by the bold request. "That's a hefty request. Are you sure about that?"
"Yes, Father," Chandra affirmed confidently.
"Very well then," the Emperor agreed, nodding slowly. "You may have the Yamaduts under your control for a single mission anytime. I will inform them."
"Thank you, Father," Chandra said, bowing deeply in gratitude.
The Emperor took another sip of his wine, watching Chandra closely. "Remember, the Yamaduts are a powerful asset. Use them wisely."
"I will, Father," Chandra replied.
Yamaduts were the Emperor's personal squad, composed of the best spies and assassins in the whole empire. They only moved at the direct order of the Emperor, utilized during major wars or when it was inevitable.
Chandra, satisfied with the result, now had a powerful trump card by his side—a resource that Bhairava lacked. With the Yamaduts under his command for a single mission, Chandra possessed a force potent enough to alter the odds on the battlefield with a flick of his wrist if necessary. He knew that having such an asset would significantly bolster his position in the complex game of power and succession.
Chandra nodded solemnly and left the chamber, his mind racing with plans for the future. Neelakanta was waiting outside the royal complex for the prince to finish the meeting.
"Your Highness, we have gained some leads on 'that' situation," Neelakanta reported with a slight bow greeting Chandra.
"What did you find?" Chandra asked curiously walking towards the Northern complex.
"We investigated the border villages near the Kasim Sultanate and discovered fifteen rotten corpses with swords bearing the Kasim Sultanate's crest," Neelakanta replied following along with Chandra.
"So they did send assassins to infiltrate our borders?" Chandra mused.
"Not only that, the villagers mentioned that a small group of four lodged there for a night but vanished in the middle of the night as if they were never there," Neelakanta continued.
"Did they see their faces?" Chandra inquired stroking his chin.
"Yes, but only one man's face. However, the villagers couldn't discern the features clearly in the dark, so we don't have any solid leads on that group," Neelakanta explained with a sigh of disappointment.
"So this group is targeted by the Kasim sultanate assassins, is that what you're saying?" Chandra asked, his expression turning contemplative.
"Yes, Your Highness. It seems likely," Neelakanta confirmed.
"Did you find any traces on the corpses?" Chandra asked, his eyes narrowing.
Neelakanta nodded. "Clean cuts, mostly. Except for one corpse, which was dismembered very badly into a few different pieces. It was a gruesome sight."
Chandra speculated with a frown. "It seems the group left in a hurry, either due to time constraints or because they had injured members and needed to get to safety quickly."
"Should we conduct a more thorough investigation into this matter?" Neelakanta inquired, his tone serious.
"Yes, absolutely," Chandra affirmed. "We need to understand why did they send assassins into our empire. If they are targeting someone within our borders, that means the person is an important figure, they pose a significant threat. Investigate every lead, no matter how small. We must be prepared for any future incursions."
Neelakanta bowed with an determined expression. "Understood, Your Highness. We will leave no stone unturned."
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