Chapter 81: Holding the Ground Part-3
Phase 2 battle-Mughal charge, western front facing infantry
As the Mughals rushed in, Aditya quickly assessed the situation and gave the command for the royal guards to fall in.
Behind them, the musketeers stood ready, muskets loaded, awaiting the signal to unleash their deadly volley fire.
Aditya turned to the musketeers, "Musketeers, Hold your fire! Wait for my signal!"
The tension was palpable as the Mughal infantry charged closer. Aditya called for a customized musket and bandolier(ammo belt supporting other items and ammo).
He reached into his bandolier and retrieved the fast loading tube, containing the exact amount of gunpowder and a lead ball needed for a single shot. Holding the musket upright, he opened the tube and poured the gunpowder into the barrel, the fine grains quickly settled at the bottom, near the touch hole.
Next, he dropped the lead ball into the barrel, its weight making a satisfying clink as it joined the gunpowder.
Aditya then took out the ramrod, swiftly ramming the bullet and gunpowder down to ensure they were tightly packed. He removed a small amount of fine gunpowder from a separate container and primed the pan (firing mechanism), the final step before pulling the trigger.
Raising the musket to his shoulder, he took aim at an advancing Mughal soldier among the horde, who were roughly 150 meters before reaching the front line. The soldier's shield was lowered slightly, exposing his face. Aditya's eyes narrowed as he focused on his target, his finger poised on the trigger.
'BANG!'
He pulled it, and the slow match ignited the gunpowder in the priming pan with a sharp hiss. A split second later, the main charge in the barrel exploded, propelling the lead ball forward with lethal force.
The bullet flew straight, striking the Mughal soldier squarely in the eye. The impact was devastating as it shattered the eye socket and penetrated deep into the brain. Blood and brain matter splattered as the soldier crumpled to the ground lifeless without even making a sound.
Volley Fire of Line formation
As the first shot rang out, the signal was given. The coordinated volley of musketeers began from the orderly lined up muskets, each man utilizing the customised technique to reload quickly to at least 4-5 times in a minute.
The rotating line formations allowed for a continuous barrage of fire. As one row fired, they would step back to reload, while the next row stepped forward to take their place in a synchronous momentum.
The battlefield erupted in the loud thunders of musket fire. The Mughal infantry, initially caught off guard, tried to raise their shields, but the relentless rain of bullets was overwhelming.
Soldiers fell left and right, some struck in the chest, others in the throat, each shot finding its mark as the cluster of bullets tore through the incoming horde.
The chaos was palpable. Mughals screamed in pain and terror as their comrades fell beside them. The line formation of Aditya's soldiers maintained a disciplined rhythm, each volley fast and devastating.
Amidst the smoke and carnage, Aditya reloaded his arquebus with practiced speed, readying himself for another shot. The customissation of Tanegashima Hayago mechanism with the arkbuse proved its worth, allowing his forces to maintain a relentless pace that began to shape the battle into a bloody mess, right from the start
Mughals' reactions in Frontline
As the volley of musket fire rang out, the bullets tore through the air with deadly velocity. Some bullets pierced the shields of the Mughal soldiers, while some make the mughals stagger backward getting them off their sheer force, making them off-guard while exposing their body. Some bullets punched through the soldiers' armor, creating gaping holes in their bodies, blood pouring from the wounds.
There was no place to hide, no respite from the lethal barrage. The Mughal infantry, caught off guard, hesitated in confusion. Some soldiers considered charging forward, while others thought of falling back. But the relentless push from the soldiers in the rear forced them to slide helplessly into the jaws of death.
Chaos reigned in the Mughal ranks. The line formation of Aditya's musketeers was a terrifying spectacle they had neither seen nor heard of before. Its lethality was on full display, the continuous barrage of musket fire halting their advance entirely. The front line of Mughal soldiers turned into a gruesome pile of corpses, bodies crumpling and stacking upon each other under the relentless assault.
Amidst this devastation, murmurs of disbelief spread among the surviving Mughal soldiers.
"What kind of formation is this? I don't want to fight anymore" one soldier gasped, his eyes wide with terror as he saw his comrades fall one by one.
"This is Qayamat! We are doomed!" another cried out, desperately trying to raise his shield higher, only to be struck down moments later.
The relentless fire from Aditya's musketeers showed no signs of stopping, the disciplined rhythm of their volley creating a seemingly impenetrable wall of death.
"Look over there, reinforcements! Charge forward!" shouted an officer, struggling to keep his men from breaking ranks.
But just as it seemed victory was within reach, the sudden shout of enemy officer caught attention of Aditya . A scout was seen rushing toward Aditya's base, but before he could reach the lines, a spear flew through the air, impaling him through the torso. He crumpled to the ground, a pool of blood forming around him.
Emergence of Cavalry from two Fronts
He turned his gaze, far to the northern direction, where the horses could be seen galloping in the dust and the enemy cavalry came into view, their numbers vast and their speed alarming like a tidal wave
"Sir, incoming from south!"
Nilesh suddenly pointed south with a look of panic. Aditya's heart sank as he turned to see another wave of enemy forces incoming from the south. Realizing the enemy strategy, he quickly issued new orders.
"Prepare for cavalry!" Aditya shouted, his voice carrying over the din of battle. His mind raced as he quickly calculated their next move. The tide of battle was about to shift once more, and he needed to ensure his forces were ready for the impending charge.
"Musketeers continue the barrage, keep them at bay."
"Royal guards Commander Ujjwal, divide your forces and reposition them in front of trenches."
"Colonel Manish ,Colonel Deepak take charge of your batallions. halt the enemy advance at any cost"
"Roger sir" both responded to Aditya in unison.
"Colonel Ratnakar, reposition the reserve musketeers! Colonel Amit, have the crossbowmen ready to target the cavalry!"
Aditya's orders came swiftly, his strategic mind working overtime to counter the new threat.
The soldiers responded with practiced efficiency, the musketeers adjusting their formation and the crossbowmen readying their bolts. The artillery crews moved into position, their faces set with grim determination. The enemy cavalry approached with frightening speed, but Aditya's forces stood ready, prepared to meet this new challenge head-on.
" Colonel Nilesh, Give the report of Seige! Are they loaded?"
Aditya turned to Nilesh to know about the status of siege units.
"More than half of Pinaka (Hwacha known by them) are ready for fire, sir. All Roket artillery are loaded", Nilesh reported the current status of seige.
"Concentrate the rocket barrage on the northern cavalry! Use the Pinaka on the southern front! Prepare the remaining for immediate deployment! Fire when they reach 800 meters." he thought to himself, 'Although Hwacha arrows are not typically effective against cavalry, the sheer force of the barrage could potentially halt their advance."
As Nilesh turned to command the logistic and artillery teams, Aditya repositioned the royal guards, who held spears and shields, to act as the first line of defense near the trenches filled with caltrops. They braced themselves for the impending clash.
Behind them, Colonel Amit's 1000 repeating crossbowmen provided cover fire for the northern front, while Colonel Deepak's 1000 musketeers took position to support the southern defense.
Meanwhile in Western front
Meanwhile in western direction, Aditya's musketeers unleashed a relentless barrage of gunfire, but the advancing Mughal infantry, though battered, pressed on undeterred. As they closed the distance, the clash of steel and the roar of battle filled the air.
The front line of musketeers braced themselves, bayonets fixed to their muskets, ready to meet the enemy in fierce melee combat. The Mughal soldiers, fueled by adrenaline and the fervor of battle, charged headlong into the fray.
Bayonets clashed against shields and armor, the metallic clang reverberating across the battlefield. Amidst the chaos, friendly fire occasionally erupted, as the tight quarters and frenetic pace of combat made distinguishing friend from foe a challenging endeavor.
But the front line held firm, their discipline unwavering as they repelled the Mughal onslaught with expertly executed thrusts and parries. Each fallen musketeer was swiftly replaced by another, their ranks replenished with fresh soldiers eager to join the fight.
Meanwhile, the rear ranks of musketeers continued to reload and fire, their disciplined volleys providing crucial support to their comrades locked in mortal combat. The combined firepower of the musketeers created a lethal crossfire, tearing through the ranks of the Mughal infantry with devastating effect.
Despite the ferocity of the melee, the musketeers maintained their formation, their resolve unbroken even as the battle raged on. The clash of steel and the roar of gunfire echoed across the battlefield, a testament to the courage and determination of both sides.
'Boom!'
On the northern side, the main assault cavalry, confident and charging with full force, suddenly found themselves under a barrage of meteor-like showers upon impact. These were rockets with spears tied to cylindrical casings containing gunpowder propellant at the heads, supported by long bamboo bodies. They soared through the air, trailing smoke and flames.
They struck the cavalry with devastating impact, exploding amidst the tightly packed horsemen. The blasts threw horses and riders into chaos. Screams of terror and agony filled the air as the explosions tore through flesh and bone, sending limbs flying and leaving craters of destruction.
"Stay together! Keep charging!" their commander, Sikandar khan shouted as he tried to maintain order desperately. 'So this was the secret new weapon, Damn it, how can I miss it. Stupid peasants."
But the devastation was overwhelming. Some horses, panicked by the explosions, reared up and threw their riders. Others were struck directly, collapsing in heaps and creating obstacles for those behind.
Despite the carnage, the northern cavalry, driven by desperation and momentum, pressed on. The surviving riders regrouped and continued their charge, though their formation was badly shattered. Bloodied but determined, they aimed to break through Aditya's lines.
On the southern front, the Hwachas unleashed a storm of arrows upon the advancing cavalry. The sky darkened momentarily as the arrows descended like a deadly rain. Each arrow found its mark with merciless precision. The impact was immediate and gruesome. Horses and riders were struck, arrows penetrating armor and flesh alike.
Some arrows pierced through shields, driving deep into the bodies of the soldiers. Others found the eyes and necks of their targets, causing horrific injuries and instant deaths.
The southern cavalry, unlike their northern counterparts, was thrown into complete disarray. The relentless barrage of Hwacha arrows created a scene of utter chaos. Riders tried to shield themselves and their horses, but the arrows came too fast and too numerous. Some soldiers, in their panic, accidentally collided with their comrades and were flung off, stumbling into the following riders and causing a chain of disruption in the ranks.
"Retreat! Fall back!" their commander Adil khan quickly changed mind, realizing the futility of pressing forward. The southern cavalry, taking heavy losses and unable to withstand the onslaught, pulled back. The ground was littered with the dead and dying, the survivors retreating in a desperate bid to escape the lethal rain of arrows.
Retreat of Cavalry at Northern front
As the northern cavalry pressed on despite the chaos, Aditya quickly ordered the musketeers on the southern line to change sides and merge with the northern lines, while the rest of the spearmen held their position to prevent any entrance.
Now, 1500 royal guards on the northern side had the support of 1000 musketeers behind them as additional reinforcement.
"Royal Guards, Brace for impact! Hold the line at all costs!" Aditya shouted.
Commander Ujjwal Singh, leading the royal guards in middle, echoed the order with a booming voice. "You heard the prince! Shields up! Spears ready! Let them crash against our line!"
The royal guards snapped into action, raising their shields and locking them together to create an impenetrable barrier.
Despite the heavy rocket barrage, Sikandar Khan pressed the cavalry to clash with the enemy forces. They sighed with relief as the rocket barrage stopped when they neared the camp, only to fall into another hidden trap.
"Watch out! Caltrops ahead!"
"Trenches! we cant get through!"
The battlefield was a maelstrom of chaos as the northern cavalry, undeterred by the initial barrage, advanced through the caltrops. Horses whinnied in pain as they stumbled and fell, their riders thrown off and trampled in the confusion. Despite the carnage, some cavalrymen managed to navigate through the caltrops, only to encounter the trenches. The front ranks toppled into the hidden pits, causing a domino effect as those behind struggled to halt or swerve around the unexpected obstacles.
"Keep moving! We have to break through!"
Sikandar Khan slowed down his pace as he shouted for his men to move forward while he himself moved to the rear. His eyes widening in horror as he witnessed the disarray.
"We cant get through this."
"No, spare me!"
His forces fell into the trenches, and those who managed to stay on their feet were impaled by the spears of Aditya's spearmen. The disciplined formation of the royal guards held firm, their spears a deadly barrier against the Mughal onslaught.
Amid the chaos, Sikandar Khan saw his fallen men being shot by a barrage of crossbow bolts. The relentless hail of projectiles from Amit's crossbowmen turned the area near the trenches into a killing field. Mughal soldiers screamed in agony as bolts pierced armor and flesh, adding to the chaos and panic.
Seeing his forces falter, Sikandar Khan knew the battle was lost. The once formidable cavalry was now a scene of devastation, with men and horses lying dead or dying. He desperately rallied his remaining men, to charge the other side.
"Pull back! We charge the other side!" His voice, though commanding, was tinged with desperation.
As the Mughal cavalry began to pull back, the northern trenches remain filled with bodies, while the formation of the royal guards shifted.
"Load...Aim...Fire!"
Spearmen were replaced by musketeers who quickly took position and fired devastating volley into the retreating cavalry under the command of colonel Ratnakar. The bullets penetrated shields, armor, and bodies with lethal precision. Some Mughal soldiers, struck in the back, fell instantly, while others continued their desperate retreat, only to collapse moments later.
Sikandar Khan's heart sank as he saw the full extent of the carnage.
"Retreat! Full Retreat! Everyone, fall back!"
Understanding the battle was lost, he signaled for a full retreat. His remaining men halted their charge and turned to flee, but the relentless barrage continued. Rockets launched from the rear exploded among the retreating forces, their blasts sending men and horses flying. The Hwacha arrows, though fewer in number, continued to rain down, impaling those who strayed too far from the main group.
In the midst of the chaos, a rocket explosion erupted near Sikandar Khan. The blast sent debris and shrapnel flying in all directions. A spearhead, dislodged by the explosion, flew in a deadly zigzag motion. It struck Sikandar Khan in the neck, slicing through flesh and artery. A gush of blood poured out as he tried to stop the bleeding with his hands, but the wound was too severe.
"Ugh.. no.. ret.."
He staggered as his vision dimmed and then he finally collapsed to the ground.
The retreating riders, oblivious to their commander's fate, trampled over his body in their desperate bid to escape the missile barrage. Sikandar Khan's lifeless body was further mangled by the hooves of panicked horses marking his death as the moments of pain and tragedy.
The battlefield was a scene of utter devastation. Bodies of men and horses lay scattered, blood soaked the ground, and the air was filled with the cries of the wounded. Aditya watched the Mughal forces retreat in panic, allowing himself a moment of grim satisfaction.
He turned his attention to the last remaining front of struggle.
Western Front retreat
As the Mughal cavalry retreated, Aditya swiftly issued a new command. "Unleash the barrage!"
From the rear, the rockets arced high into the sky, their tails leaving trails of smoke before descending upon the Mughal infantry. The impact was cataclysmic. Rockets exploded amidst the advancing soldiers, sending limbs and bodies flying in every direction. The force of the blasts tore through flesh and bone, reducing men to bloody, dismembered corpses. The air filled with the acrid smell of burning flesh and gunpowder, mingling with the anguished screams of the dying.
The Hwacha followed, its devastating rain of arrows and the repeat scenario of horror and blood bath followed. The mughal soldiers spirits broke as they saw both of their cavalry on retreat. But their was less time to consider othe feelings where each arrow, tipped with iron and shot with lethal force, found its mark among the cluster of warriors to be killed like sheeps. They didnt wait for any orders and began to retreat.
This time the devastation was on large scale as the range covered was beyond the protection of forest shade. many got blocked by the trees and branches but still got its mark on the fleeing soldiers. Th whole battle field turned to a scene of utter carnage, with bodies piling up with either arrows, or limbs thrown and covered in sand and mud.
Amidst the chaos, Ansari, watched in horror as his forces were almost wiped out He tried to rally his men for a retreat, amidst the screams and explosions.
"Retreat! Fall back!" But his commands were swallowed by the noise of destruction. Those who had brain turned to flee while the blockheads still stood to die in outst of loyalty. Taking his life as priority he turned to flee without any honor.
As he entered the forest, an unlucky arrow from Hwacha arrow struck him in the leg while avoiding all the curvy branches, piercing through muscle and bone.
With a scream of agony, he fell to the ground as blood poured from his wound. In attempt to save his life he grit his teeth, and made his way to retreat all while limping and dragging his injured leg.
Chase and Victory
Aditya saw the moment of vulnerability and seized it. "Musketeer battalion, charge! No mercy!" he commanded.
The musketeers surged forward with their bloodied bayonets in orderly lines. They chased the retreating forces while cracking their bullets until they reach the forest.
Bullets tore through backs, shoulders, and legs, cutting down men who stumbled and fell in their desperate bid to escape. Blood splattered across the ground, and the bodies of the dead and dying lined the path of retreat. The injured were impaled with bayonets as of there was no question of taking prisoners.
Ansari, limping and barely able to keep up, glanced back in terror. He saw his men falling like wheat before the scythe, their bodies getting holed either by bullets or bayonets. The systematic display of slaughter was overwhelming. He stumbled and fell again, as he had seen the incarnation of devil in his life.
But perhaps fate still had some roles in store for him, as all the devil's army stopped at the entrance of the forest. He thanked his lucky stars and didn't dare waste any time reanalyzing. Filled with terror, he rushed back to base as quickly as possible.
Aftermath
"Hold your ground," Aditya commanded with firm voice. "We will not charge blindly into the forest. " He remembered the battle of Hastings in 1066, where king Harold 2 of England lost the almost winning war as they decided to chase the retreating enemy and lose their advantage of formation.
Right now they are in a similar situation, and if they decide to rush into the forest, their line formation will become less effective. In case of a sudden emergence of hidden cavalry, the tide could turn, so it's better not to take the risk when victory is within their grasp.
Colonel Manish nodded, though his frustration was evident. "But sir, our men are eager for battle. We could crush them now."
Aditya's gaze was firm. "Patience, Colonel. We cannot afford to make hasty decisions. Our advantage lies in knowing our enemy's movements. We wait for reinforcements and gather intelligence from the villagers."
Colonel Deepak interjected, his tone urgent. "Forgive me sir, but what if they attack again before reinforcements arrive? Shouldn't we kill them when there resolve is low?"
Aditya's jaw clenched with annoyance but still replied out of humilty. "Then we defend with what we have. But we will not charge blindly into the unknown. Our priority is now to understand the situation first. Am I clear, colonel?"
Colonel Deepak, though eager for battle, nodded in understanding. "Understood, sir. We'll wait for reinforcements."
As the soldiers returned to the camp, Nilesh gave Aditya the death count of his forces. Nearly 700 died from their side while the enemy seems to loss 70 percent of what they have brought with themselves. Despite the overwhelming victory, the loss of comrades was still evident in their faces, even the royal guards who suffered the least had a sorrow full look etched in their faces.
Indifferent to this, Aditya turned to the rescued villagers with worry for their concern. he assured them of safety and asked about what they know in gentle tone as much as possible. "Don't fear us. Tell me, what you've seen. I want to know everything."
Despite being traumatised as some brave villagers recounted the tales of horror and suffering, at the hands of the enemy. the blood boiled in anger for all the listeners. Specially the mass atrocities done on women finally made Aditya's lost his level headedness.
"I swear," he declared with a burst of anger, "their limbs will be torn, their heads will be buried. Not a single soul will have an easy death." His words echoed the thoughts of everyone present.
Suddenly, a scout burst into the camp, his breath ragged with urgency. "Sir.. Unkown cavalry... approaching from.. southern direction."
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Author's Notes:
I would like to thank ABHI29 for the golden ticket. I would also like to thank my daily voters alongside the new voters who have joined my voting list. I am looking forward to your continued support ahead. Thanks for reading. :)
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Jeet_1993
Jeet_1993 got some issues, but will update by 24-5-024. I apologise for delay
This is my longest chapter. I had to trim 3 chapters in one, still it went beyond 3.5k. The battle was odd from the beginning so I had to go indepth detailing. Even at the end I lost my patience and couldn't give much to spacing. I am still unsure of my work. Comment it and let me know or you can vote me as a silent whisper. Thank you for reading. :)
Chapter 82: Connecting the Dots
Prince Aditya raised his hand, signaling his army to prepare for fire. Suddenly, a lone horseman appeared, waving a white flag.
Clad in chain mail armor and an iconic turban, he revealed they were a friendly delegation from Mewar, en route to the capital fort of Rewari for weapons exhibition.
Tension eased, and a meeting was arranged between the leaders of Mewar delegation and Prince Aditya on his tent.
Few moments before.
Prince Pratap eyes widened in surprise, by the battlefield's sheer number of corpses and destruction. The fallen soldiers lay in twisted heaps, many impaled by arrows. The most gruesome sight was the splattered limbs of both men and horses, strewn across the field.
Pratap looked grim as he surveyed the battlefield. "Look, Bhaiya," he pointed at the corpses scattered across the ground. "These dead men seem to be from the Mughal group, but I don't see any enemy corpses here."
Veerendra, riding alongside Pratap, responded with a horrified expression. "It's not that there are no enemy corpses. The truth is, they couldn't even reach the enemy."
Pratap, still fixated on the carnage, turned his head to his cousin. "What do you mean?"
Veerendra pointed towards the base camp visible in the distance, at the farthest northern direction. From a distance, Pratap saw a base camp with many men in blue uniforms.
As they approached, Veerendra added, "It seems they just had a battle, but looking at the numbers and the destruction they caused, it's impossible to believe they used traditional weapons alone. "
"Something seems not right."
Pratap got alert as he sensed something unusual about the soldiers' movements in the camp. Suddenly, a thought struck him. He called out, "Balwindar, send a white flag and get more details."
He halted the delegation, signaling them to stop. "We won't proceed further until we have permission to approach them."
Few moments later.
Balwindar returned with astonishing news, "Your Highness, it's the rumoured mercenary army under Prince Aditya, who is our main target of interest."
Pratap was dumbfounded. "Mercenary army? How could they have caused such destruction? Wasn't they supposed to be support forces. Did you find anything?"
"Yes, Your Highness. It seems they were supported by the imperial army, and I saw them unpacking many siege carts. I believe those might be the new weapons supposed to be sold," Balwindar reported.
Pratap shook his head in disbelief, scanning the battlefield again. "I never expected the weapons to be so formidable."
Relief washed over him as he realized they had avoided a potential conflict.
"I'm glad we sent the messenger first. It could have been a disastrous misunderstanding."
"Indeed, Your Highness. They have agreed to the meeting and granted us permission to set up camp near their base," Balwindar informed.
Prince Pratap took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of awe and gratitude.
Veerendra placed a reassuring hand on Pratap's shoulder. "Pratap, let's go and meet him. We need to unravel the mystery of this carnage."
Pratap pondered for a moment. "I think you should stay here, Bhaiya. We don't know what kind of intentions they have. There is no free meal, and if things go wrong..."
Veerendra agreed. "Then let me go. You are the crown prince."
Balwindar bowed slightly. "Forgive me, Prince, but given their impression, I don't think they bear any ill will."
Pratap replied, "Balwindar, you will come with me. Bhaiya, I need someone to look after our delegation. I am sure you believe in me. Also, there is something I need to confirm."
Veerendra sighed, understanding how stubborn his cousin could be. "Okay, I will pray for your safe return."
Pratap nodded in gratitude as he made his way to the Samrajya's base camp with Balwindar by his side. As they reached the Samrajya's camp, Pratap couldn't help but notice the peculiar design of the soldiers' uniforms. While he had seen muskets before, the dagger-like customizations added to their headgear gave them the appearance of spears, which intrigued his interest.
In a remote corner of the camp, something caught his eyes that widened his eyes . His thoughts raced with questions and disbelief as he surveyed the scene.
'Injured villagers... treated alongside soldiers? How is this possible?' he mused inwardly. 'Back my camp, such a sight would spark severe protests, yet here... nothing.'
His narrowed his eyes in suspicion, 'Are these soldiers truly so different from mine? Why they don't mind the caste status ?'
Then, Balwindar's subtle gesture caught his attention, redirecting his focus to the carts shrouded in black robes. 'Could those hold the answers?'
Pratap wondered with determination. 'Whatever secrets lie within, I'll have to uncover them.'
Finally, they reached the center of the camp, where a grand tent stood, signifying the quarters of the camp's leader. Pratap's heart raced with anticipation as he prepared to uncover the truth behind the mysterious events unfolding before him.
As they stepped into the tent, Pratap's eyes widened at the sight of the rumored prince adorned in a foreign dress with extravagant designs beyond his imagination. Pride for his own attire swelled within him, yet a hint of envy stirred as he admired the intricate craftsmanship of the prince's attire, longing to experience such luxury himself.
Sensing Pratap's daze, Aditya chuckled inwardly, interpreting the young prince's thoughts with amusement. Gesturing graciously, Aditya invited them to sit, while Balwindar discreetly cleared his throat to draw Pratap's attention.
Caught off guard by his own distraction, Pratap felt a twinge of embarrassment as he realized he had neglected his duty to assess the surroundings, a critical task for any warrior in unfamiliar territory.
Beside Prince Aditya sat Royal Guards Commander Ujjwal Singh clad in imperial armour. Pratap couldn't help but notice the commander's imposing presence, and despite his seemingly unarmed state, Pratap couldn't shake the feeling that Ujjwal Singh was more than meets the eye.
A short table adorned with an array of fruits and delicacies stood between them, a gesture of hospitality that put Pratap at ease. He returned Prince Aditya's smile with a nod of gratitude, reassured by the absence of any concealed weapons.
Balwindar, sensing the need for introductions, leaned forward. "Allow me to present Crown Prince Pratap of Mewar," he began, gesturing towards Pratap.
"And I am Balwindar, his trusted bodyguard in charge."
Aditya's eyes widened slightly as he heard the name. He quickly composed himself, hiding his surprise.
'Prince Pratap? The legendary Maharana Pratap from Mewar? What a catch,' he thought. The current image of Pratap, young and innocent-looking, clashed sharply with the towering, muscular warrior Aditya had envisioned from his memories of modern Earth.
'Let's not judge a book by its cover. This is a golden chance to form an alliance with the future legend, and if possible, make him a subordinate. He seems influenced by my dress code, after all,' he thought inwardly.
Aditya plastered a charming salesman's smile on his face and responded, "What a pleasure to meet the Crown Prince of Mewar, especially after the intense battle we just endured. It would be a pleasure to help the mighty Rajputs, but I must remind you that our situation is a little tight."
But Pratap's straight-faced reply caught Aditya off guard, "Let's not dwell in formalities, Your Highness. From the looks of it, we know what dangers you have gone through, and I have news that might be of help to you."
Aditya was intrigued as he readjusted his assessment, 'Seems he is as sharp as ever. He'll be a tough guy to rope in.'
He scratched his chin and asked, "Please tell me what news you bring."
"On our way to Rewari, we encountered Mughals kidnapping villagers and hoarding supplies. We attacked them and rescued the villagers, but I am afraid they won't be the only targets. We got news that the base of the Mughals is in Chandanpur village, which is near your current base," Pratap informed.
Aditya sighed in exhaustion and replied, "You are right. We got news that they have captured many villagers as hostages and even used some of them as meat shields to ambush our site. They didn't spare women and children, and there are some casualties."
Pratap's vein popped at the mention of women, but he maintained his calm demeanor and assessed the situation. Then he voiced his concern, "Your Highness, I'm glad you know so much. Then why are you not attacking their base? It doesn't seem like you're incapable."
Aditya joined his hands and placed them on the table as he leaned forward. "I am more than willing to wipe them from the face of this land, but I need cavalry support for an offensive, and our cavalry reinforcements are yet to arrive. We have to wait."
"Well, then, Your Highness, I wish you good luck. If possible, I would like to trade for supplies with gold," Pratap replied with the same straight face.
Aditya willingly rolled the dice to Pratap, hoping to maintain the upper hand as he noticed the prince's mutual intention in bringing the news and expected to secure some future bargains. However, the prince didn't play the expected card, leaving Aditya feeling disappointed. He decided to bring it up himself.
"That was the case before, but with your arrival, Prince, I think if we can form an alliance for the offensive, I am sure you will get a good discount in trade deals." He tried his final card with a pang of embarrassment.
"But I don't think it's worth putting my national interest in jeopardy for someone else's internal matters. Also, Your Highness, by saving your citizens, I already deserve some reward." Pratap put his own concerns.
Aditya raised his eyebrows in suspicion at Pratap's ambiguous mention of a reward and asked straightforwardly, "Oh sure, but it seems you have something in mind?"
Pratap asked, "I want to know how you defeated the ambush. By the looks of it, the Mughal ambush seems to be twice your actual numbers if we simply look at the carnage. But we cannot overlook the fact that it's possible a significant portion might have retreated, so the scale might be larger than it seems."
Ujjwal Singh got angered by this direct question but couldn't say anything to the prince due to protocols. He turned to Aditya, "Your Highness, don't feel pressured. There's no need to divulge something of national importance to outsiders, especially if it's too crucial. We can still wait for the cavalry reinforcements. It's a pity they don't know the gratitude of the opportunity you gave them."
Aditya signaled him to stop with a hand gesture as he replied, "We have siege equipment no less than cannons that helped us turn the tide of war. I don't think you will understand until you see it in battle. Join us, and you might witness its glory."
Pratap smiled, "I have no doubt in its glory, but won't we be able to see it in an exhibition? What gain will we get if we aid you?"
Aditya felt pressured as he struggled to reply. It was the first time after the Emperor that he was out of his depth, and he wondered if all legends would be like that. After taking some time to consider, he replied, "How about a 50 percent discount on the deals of your purchase in the weapon exhibition? Certainly, I won't be able to give it for free."
Pratap chuckled, "Of course not, Your Highness. That's a deal worth taking. Since you've decided to bestow us with such a gift, I think we should also return the favor."
He looked at Balwindar and nodded. Balwindar took a deep breath as he recounted the tales of his journey to everyone present, detailing how he got duped by the conspiracy of Bairam Khan and his journey from Pakistan to Mewar.
He expressed his wish for Aditya to help him take revenge on the Mughals. Aditya was shocked upon the discovery as he connected the dots and asked Commander Ujjwal Singh to bring in the parchment, which still had stains of blood and dust.
Ujjwal Singh handed it to Balwindar as Aditya began his findings, "We got this from the body of Mughal commander Sikandar Khan. They had plans of attacking the cannon factory and delegations in Bawal(capital of rewari) after ambushing me. They had further plans to bring the whole Rajputana into conflict with Samrajya by baiting Amber too. Now it seems the dots are connected."
Pratap was also shocked upon the revelation as he confirmed it with Balwindar and responded with worry, "Then shouldn't we hurry up? If it concerns Rajputana, you have our full support."
Aditya smiled as he finally able to rile up the quick-witted prince and gave assurance. "Do not worry. I have a plan." He turned to Balwindar and replied with a cold voice, "And you will have to prove to me if you need my help. Are you ready for the challenge?"
Mughal camp
Ansari was treating his legs with the haqims when Adil Khan stormed into the medic room, grabbing his kurta in a fit of rage. "You said you could win this easily without cannons. So many of our men have died, I risked everything to revolt against the empire, yet your commander is nowhere to be seen. How do you explain this?"
Ansari, maintaining his composure, freed himself from Adil Khan's grip and met his eyes with defiance. "Calm down, prince. The damage isn't yours alone. We too have faced the brunt of defeat."
Adil Khan's patience snapped as he began pacing the room, pulling at his hair in frustration. "We're finished, we're finished..." He stopped and looked at Ansari with a desperate gleam in his eye. "No, they don't know me, nor do they know you. We can still run while we have time."
His fleeting hope was dashed by Ansari's cold reality check. "I'm afraid they know everything. They even have the villagers. Those rats might point out our location, and our commander is probably dead by now, given there's no trace of his return from the retreat."
The revelation crushed Adil Khan, and he sank into despair, collapsing onto a nearby stool.
Ansari watched him for a moment before speaking, his voice measured and calculating. "We still have one thing that can not only save us but change the tides of battle."
Adil Khan looked up, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "Tell me, what is it?"
Ansari's lips curled into a sinister smile as he stroked his pointed beard. "Villagers as hostages."
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Author's Note:
I am very sorry guys for the late update, something happened and I got entangled in it. please check the author thoughts section for later time of update.
Also I would like to show my gratitude to sailfish for the gift of pizza. this is the first gift to this book has received and I appreciate it whole heartedly. Also, I would like to thanks wolfhunter5292 for the 2 new GT tickets. Honestly, I am overwhelmed by the love u guys have shown me, after the last update with votes and comments to which I thank you all whole heartedly.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Jeet_1993
Jeet_1993
notice: weather is bad today for release, i m still editing in mobile due to power cut for continous rain. will publish tonight at 26-05-2024.
new note: my battery at 1 percent, will update asap tommorow morning 11 am IST. no power to charge. I applogise for delay.
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