Capítulo 33: The Siege Begins
Time Stamp: Vikram Era: 6 Chaitra 1637 (March 1579)
As Siddharth and Vaniika waited in the secure building, the tension in the air was almost palpable. Outside, the distant sounds of chaos grew louder, a reminder of the impending danger. Siddharth's mind raced with thoughts of the people outside the walls, and he couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
Back on the fortress walls, the defenders braced themselves for the onslaught. The approaching forces were unlike anything they had faced before—a massive, nomadic tribal army. From their vantage point, the defenders could see the enemy clearly now, a seething mass of warriors and animals surging towards the city.
The nomadic army was a fearsome sight. Warriors on horseback, clad in a mix of leather and metal armor, wielded weapons that ranged from traditional bows and arrows to long spears. Their horses, strong and swift, moved with a terrifying agility, carrying their riders towards the fortress with deadly intent.
Among the tribal army were also foot soldiers, equally fierce and determined. They moved in loose formations, their movements coordinated yet chaotic. The sheer volume of their numbers was staggering, a sea of humanity advancing with relentless purpose.their purpose ?, to scale the wall and open the gates from the inside for the elite horsemen
But what truly set this army apart were the hand cannons. These rudimentary but effective weapons spewed forth bursts of flame and projectiles, creating a deadly barrage that targeted the defenders on the walls. The hand cannons were crude, made from metal and wood, but they were devastating in their simplicity.
The defenders on the walls scrambled to avoid the deadly fire. The air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder and the cries of those who were hit. The stone walls, once a formidable barrier, now seemed vulnerable under the onslaught of the hand cannons.
Commander Vidhyadhara, standing at the forefront of the defenses, barked orders to his men. "Stay low! Use the battlements for cover! Archers and gunners, return fire!"
The archers, despite their fear, did their best to retaliate. Arrows flew through the air, finding their marks among the advancing enemy. But the sheer volume of fire from the nomadic army made it difficult to hold the line. For every enemy that fell, more seemed to take their place.
In addition to the archers, the defenders also had a contingent of arquebusiers and early cannons. The arquebusiers, wielding their matchlock guns, fired into the advancing horde, the sound of gunfire mingling with the chaos. The cannons, positioned strategically along the walls, roared to life, sending iron balls crashing into the enemy ranks. But even with these formidable weapons, the defenders struggled to maintain their ground.
As the battle raged on, it became clear that the defenders were struggling. The hand cannons had given the nomadic army a significant advantage, and their relentless assault was taking its toll. The defenders fought bravely, but the odds were stacked against them.
However, the situation grew even more dire as the defenders spotted something ominous being moved toward the battlefield. The nomadic forces had somehow acquired a heavy bombard. This massive cannon, with a barrel length of over twelve feet and a bore large enough to fire a stone ball weighing several hundred pounds, was slowly being brought into position. It was mounted on a reinforced wooden carriage, with large iron-rimmed wheels designed to handle the rough terrain.
The bombard was a fearsome sight. Its barrel, dark and weathered, bore the marks of countless battles. The iron hoops that reinforced the barrel gleamed dully in the harsh light of the setting sun. The sheer size and weight of the bombard made it a formidable siege weapon, capable of demolishing even the sturdiest walls.
Commander Vidhyadhara's face paled as he saw the bombard being maneuvered into place. He knew that the fortress's cannons did not have the range to target the bombard effectively. If the nomads managed to fire it, the walls would be in grave danger.
Down below, Siddharth's mind was racing. He could hear the sounds of battle outside, the shouts and cries mingling with the roar of the hand cannons and the booming of cannons. He knew that the situation was dire, and a sense of helplessness washed over him.
Inside the secure building, Vaniika tried to keep her brother calm. "We have to trust the defenders, Siddharth. They're doing everything they can to protect us."
Siddharth nodded, but his mind was already working on a plan. He couldn't just sit here and do nothing. There had to be a way to help, to make a difference. As the sounds of battle grew louder, he knew that he had to rise to the occasion.
The fortress walls were under siege, and the defenders were fighting valiantly. But the nomadic army, with their hand cannons and overwhelming numbers, were gaining the upper hand. Siddharth felt a surge of determination. He couldn't let his people down. He had to find a way to turn the tide of the battle.
As the defenders watched in horror, the bombard was finally positioned. The nomads worked quickly, loading the massive stone ball into the barrel and preparing to fire. The defenders could only watch helplessly, knowing that their walls were about to face a devastating blow. The nomads' precision and speed in positioning the bombard were a testament to their expertise in siege warfare. The defenders, though skilled and valiant, felt a sinking sense of dread as they anticipated the impending destruction.
With a deafening roar, the bombard fired. The ground shook as the massive stone ball hurtled through the air, smashing into the fortress walls with a force that sent shockwaves through the entire structure. Stones and debris flew in all directions, and the defenders were thrown into disarray. The impact of the stone ball against the fortress walls reverberated through the defenders' bones, leaving them reeling from both physical and emotional turmoil. The once formidable fortress walls now bore deep scars from the bombard's merciless assault, an ominous sign of further devastation to come.
The echo of the bombard's roar was still ringing in the air as the defenders recovered from the impact. Siddharth knew that he had to rise to the occasion to protect his people. Despite the chaos and destruction wrought by the bombard, Siddharth felt a surge of determination to rally his forces and bolster their defenses. amidst the dust and debris.
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