Chapter 15: Hunt went Wrong

Chapter 15: Hunt went Wrong

**Old fort gate**

The next morning, as planned, Aditya, Afzal, and Amira gathered at the grand entrance of the palace. Two magnificent elephants stood beside them, their massive frames adorned with intricate patterns and colorful fabrics, a testament to the grandeur of the royal entourage. One elephant was for them, and the other for the guards.

Aditya stood tall and resolute, his gaze fixed on the horizon as he anticipated the day's adventure. Beside him, Afzal wore a confident smile, his excitement palpable as he eagerly anticipated the thrill of the hunt. Amira, with her vibrant presence and spirited demeanour, radiated an air of anticipation as she prepared to join her companions in the forest.

Mounted on elephant, Amira and Afzal engaged in light-hearted banter, their laughter mingling with the gentle rustle of the leaves overhead. "Lets make a bet. I'll bag more deer than you two, today," Amira teased, her eyes alight with mischief.

Afzal chuckled in response, his competitive spirit rising to the surface. "Don't confuse puny rabbits with the actual deers. Anyways, don't be surprised when I emerge victorious," he retorted playfully, a twinkle of determination in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Aditya remained deep in thought, his brow furrowed with contemplation. Despite his prowess with a bow, he found himself hesitating to join in the hunt. Memories from his past life haunted him, casting a shadow over the exhilaration of the moment. He recalled the tales of his childhood hero Salmon Khan, whose legal troubles over hunting deer had left a lasting impression on his conscience.

"Aditya, why do you hesitate?" Amira's voice broke through his reverie, her concern evident as she regarded him with furrowed brows.

Aditya shook his head, a somber expression crossing his features. "I'm afraid I cannot join you in the hunt, Amira. My conscience weighs heavily upon me, I should rather target something dangerous."," he confessed, his voice tinged with regret.

Afzal mocked," is that an excuse big brother?"

"It's alright, Aditya. We understand," Amira said gently, a playful giggle escaping her lips as she glanced at the majestic elephant beside them. "Perhaps you're just not as fond of elephant rides as we are," she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Despite his initial reluctance, Aditya found himself joining his companions for the hunt, riding atop the elephant with Amira and Afzal by his side. As they ventured deeper into the forest under the guidance of the mahout, the thrill of the hunt coursed through their veins.

As the day wore on, Aditya paced restlessly, unable to shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at his insides. A sound caught his attention, a low growl echoing through the air. Aditya's senses snapped to attention, his instincts sharpening as he scanned the surrounding area for signs of danger. And then, he saw it – a shadowy figure lurking amidst the trees, its eyes gleaming with predatory intent. In the blink of an eye, the creature emerged from the shadows, its form illuminated by dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above. It was a leopard, its sleek muscles rippling beneath its spotted fur as it bared its teeth in a menacing snarl.

Out of nowhere, the peaceful vibe of the forest got totally wrecked when this leopard just pounced out of the shadows, heading straight for Amira who wasn't even paying attention. Aditya, quick as lightning, jumped right in, wrestling with the wild beast as it clawed and bit at him.

In a desperate struggle, Aditya managed to drive his dagger deep into the leopard's skull, but not without sustaining injuries himself. As he fell from the elephant, his friends and the guards rushed to his side, calling out his name in concern.

**Two days later in Kings chamber**

Aditya entered the king's chamber, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. He bowed respectfully before Emperor Hemu and handed over the report, his palms slightly sweaty with nervousness.

Emperor Hemu scanned the contents of the report with a thoughtful expression, nodding to himself as he processed the information. "So, this is the final report," he murmured, his gaze shifting to Aditya.

Aditya nodded in affirmation. "Yes, Your Majesty Emperor. I believe they will take action soon, but they're staying silent because of the army. Once we leave this place, there will be chaos."

The emperor rose from his seat, his footsteps echoing in the chamber as he paced back and forth. "Are you sure this could happen in other places as well?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Aditya met the emperor's gaze squarely. "Yes, Your Majesty Emperor. It's bound to happen," he replied with conviction.

The emperor paused, nodding in understanding. "Very well. I will take care of it. You did well in bringing this to my attention. It's the right time to nip the problem in the bud before it blooms," he declared decisively.

As Aditya turned to leave, the emperor called him back with a sudden question. "Do you like Amira?" he asked, catching Aditya off guard.

Aditya took sometime to think and recall the moments he spent with her, the resemblance of Riya still lingered in his mind but he was no fool, not to differentiate between reality and illusion. "It's hard not to like someone as appealing as her, Your Majesty Emperor. But I know where my priorities lie," he replied honestly.

The king nodded approvingly. "Good. And how are you feeling now?" he inquired with genuine concern.

Aditya smiled. "I'm all good, Your Majesty ," he assured him.

"Alright then, take some rest. We will leave for Delhi once the Mughals leave and be prepared for a heroic welcome. You are the empire's face now for mass appeal," the king instructed, his tone firm yet encouraging. "I've received news that the Mughals have started to retreat to the border and it may take much time, which we can take as a sign of their seriousness for the treaty. The rest will be decided in the capital. Also, tell Jeetendar to train you in swordsmanship. I will appoint a substitute guard for him to take in charge here. He will be your personal instructor."

Aditya bowed respectfully. "As you wish, Your Majesty Emperor ," he replied, feeling a sense of pride at the trust and care the emperor had shown towards him.

With that, Aditya left the king's chamber, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the tasks ahead.