Chapter 74: Prince Pratap from Mewar Part -1

Chapter 74: Prince Pratap from Mewar Part -1

One day ago, southern most border of Rewari kingdom.

In the warm afternoon light, a group of 150 knights thundered across the countryside, their horses kicking up dust as they galloped forward.

In front, a boy of 16 years, yet majestic, was leading them with commanding respect and authority, and he was none other than Prince Pratap Singh from Mewar. He had a spear and shield on his back, while being laced with a light sword at his waist, with a no-nonsense attitude as he guided his small scout team of cavalry.

As they ventured ahead, they stumbled upon a deserted village. The streets, once supposed to be crowded, were now empty, and the huts stood silent in the harsh sunlight.

The surrounding farmlands were barren and neglected, with wilted crops and cracked earth telling a tale of abandonment. Doors hung open, revealing interiors left in disarray as if the villagers had fled in a hurry.

Despite the signs of recent occupation, there was no sign of life. No sounds echoed through the deserted streets, and no livestock grazed in the fields.

It was as if all the inhabitants of the village had suddenly disappeared into thin air

Feeling uneasy, Pratap murmured, "This is unusual," as he exchanged glances with his elite members.

"Where did everyone go?" Balwindar, the new elite commander from Pratap's forces, blurted out the thought that was on everyone's mind as he looked around.

Pratap dismounted and approached the nearby house cautiously, his hand resting on his sword. As he entered the house, he found it still empty, as if the occupants had left in a hurry.

His keen eyes surveyed the surroundings until they locked onto the broken jars and pots made of earthenware, where anything of value could be have been stored.

Prince Veerendra Singh, cousin of Pratap who is two years elder than him, entered the house hastily and asked him, "Did you find something?" to which Pratap shook his head in the negative and remarked, "There's nothing here. It's as if they have vanished into air."

As the duo came out, they were greeted with a scout member who reported," Your highness, every one of us has gone out to search the whole village but so far there is not a single soul in this village."

He also added, "We also tried to look for supplies, but not a single grain could be spotted."

Balwindar inquired with concern, "Your Highness, without fresh supplies, our base is at risk. We estimate we have a day's journey to reach capital of Rewari, but with over 2000 mouths to feed, the strain is mounting. We must find a village to replenish our provisions soon."

Prince Pratap replied with frustration, "I know that too, but our first priority should not be the problem of supplies but rather finding out what happened to the people of this village." He further added, "There is an unknown danger, and if we don't figure it out, then it might fall upon us."

Suddenly, a soldier urgent call broke the silence through empty streets, " My lord!" the soldier exclaimed with urgency. "There's a wounded old man near the cow feeding yard. He needs help!"

Pratap hurried to the scene, his heart pounding with concern. He reached the spot where the soldier had pointed.

Upon reaching there, he saw a wounded old man lying among the straws badly beaten, his wrinkled face was devoid of colour as he struggled to breathe while holding his wound in stomach. Blood still poured out, dyeing his hands with red, and staining the straws.

Kneeling beside the wounded man, Pratap gently supported his head, "What happened here? Who did this to you, elder?" Pratap asked with a soft voice.

The old man's eyes brimmed with tears as he struggled to speak. His words stammered while he pointed his hand to certain direction in hoarse voice.

"They... they took everyone... to the north," he managed to choke out between laboured breaths. "I tried to stop them... but they... they stabbed me..."

Pratap's fists clenched with anger at the old man's words, "Who were these people?" he demanded with urgency.

The old man coughed violently as he struggled to reply.

Without hesitation, Pratap reached for his leather water jar. He quickly opened it and offered it to the old man's dried lips to provide momentary respite.

Meanwhile on the side of Mughal mujahidin's.

In the scorching heat of the sun, the heavy carts laden with grains and supplies crawled along the dusty road, pushed forward by able but bruised bodied men under the watchful eyes of Mughal guards.

The women, and children followed behind, their cries of pain echoed with each lash of the guards' whips.

Mounted on his horse, their commander, Mir Kafur, idly ate an apple as he conversed with his companion, Taqdeer Shah. "Miya(brother), how long until we reach the base?" Mir Kafur inquired with impatience.

Taqdeer Shah, the deputy commander replied with stern expression, "Hazur(sir), at our current speed, it will take us another day."

Mir Kafur let out a sigh of frustration. "Another night in camp," he muttered. "I don't understand why we're burdened with these foot soldiers. We could have dragged the slaves and supplies with our cavalry and saved ourselves the time. Damn, I need to bath"

Taqdeer Shah suppressed sigh of his own, inwardly cursing his luck. If not for Mir Kafur's connections to higher-ups, he would have led the group more efficiently.

However, his daydreaming were interrupted by Mir Kafur's booming voice.

"Hey, Kalia, spare the women. They have their own purpose. We still have a night to spend," Mir Kafur called out to one of the guards, a man named Kalia Khan.

With a wide grin, Kalia Khan nodded in agreement, redirecting his attention to targeting the men and children with his whip . He smiled at the prospect of inflicting more pain.

Yet, the women and men alike, bound in chains, found peace in prayer, invoking the name of Lord shiva for rescue.

Mir kafur, amused by their pleas, mocked their faith" You fools!", declaring the superiority of his own beliefs. "Your false god won't come to save you."

He sneered with disdain. "Only Allah is the true god and he is with us. No mercy to Kafirs."

But amidst the despair, a woman found the courage to defy her captor. "You people are no humans, You all are demons."

She spit on his direction, "Whenever there is unrighteousness, God takes incarnation to destroy it." she declared with conviction. "Your doom is certain!"

Every Mughal present laughed at her words as if she were delusional.

On the other hand, Mir Kafur, amused by her threat, stared at her from top to bottom with interest.

He commanded, "Jatha (brigade) Halt!".

He approached the woman and took the tip of her saree, jokingly, "It seems someone doesn't want to wait for the night. How about a little entertainment for everyone?" She recoiled instinctively in fear, pulling her saree to escape from his grasp, while others laughed.

Before he could carry out his threat, a sudden cry pierced the air, causing a ripple of alarm among the Mughals. "Hazur, enemies have charged," the lone marksman of group , commissioned for long vision, shouted with urgency.

In an instant, the mood shifted from mockery to apprehension as the realization dawned on the Mughal forces that their adversaries had arrived, and its time to become serious.

On the contrary their commander, Mir Kafur left the tip of the saree in fear and fell back with his horse to the rear most, he ordered Taqdeer Shah, "What are you waiting for? Go! Go! I bestow upon you my authority to command."

Taqdeer Shah clicked his tongue at the incompetent leadership of the commander who fell back just at the mention of enemies.

He quickly took charge of the situation, rallying his forces to the front.

"Commence! Shield wall."