Chapter 83: Deal of Hostages part -1

Chapter 83: Deal of Hostages part -1

"What hostages? Do we have anyone influential in captive to negotiate with?" Adil Khan inquired.

"No, but there is an influential person who consider the hostages very important," Ansari replied.

"And here I thought you could come up with something sensible. Who cares about ordinary peasants? Those Hindu kafirs despise the peasants the most as the lowest caste. Please tell me this isn't your entire plan," Adil Khan questioned, exasperation in his voice as he rolled his eyes.

"Our prime target, Aditya, cares," Ansari explained, stroking his beard.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Adil Khan asked, his scepticism evident.

"In the battle, he risked his front lines to save most of the villagers," Ansari replied calmly.

"Are you serious? He really risked the front lines?" Adil Khan's eyes widened with a glimmer of hope.

Ansari nodded with a smile.

"Then this... changes a lot. But we have barely 300 villagers left, and most of them are women. Do you think that can change anything?" Adil Khan questioned after pondering for a while.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures, Prince. If it doesn't work, we'll have our horses ready. I can assure you that you will get refuge in Pakistan sultanate for your esteemed support," Ansari replied with assurance.

Suddenly, an officer arrived with news. "Salamat-e hazur."(long live excellency)

Ansari turned his focus to the officer and asked, "What brings you here?"

The officer bowed politely and replied, "New villagers have been captured by the patrol team, sir. In total, there are 20 able bodied traders."

"Mashallah, put them on defense construction," Ansari rejoiced, standing up and holding his shoulders. "See, even Allah is with us with the increase in numbers." He extended his hand to help Adil Khan to his feet. "Have faith, Your Highness. We have come this far already. You can have as many women as you want for today."

Adil Khan looks at his face and then the hand and after a bit of pondering, clasped his hand reluctantly.

Base camp of Aditya's forces near Sahibi river

Aditya stood at the entrance of the forest, surveying the construction of palisade logs from the fallen trees near his base camp. The wooden logs, each sharpened to a lethal point, were being stacked together with the hammering of iron nails. Their length was adjusted enough for them to carry in carts for quick transport. Royal Guard Commander Ujjwal Singh, clad in his armor, stood beside him, observing the progress.

"These palisades look sturdy, Your Highness," Ujjwal Singh remarked. "From the looks of it, they seem an effective deterrent against any enemy approach. The sharp points can slow down the approaching infantry, making it hard to cross, and the walls might provide safe cover for our musketeers."

Aditya flattered, "It's nothing compared to the main use. It will also funnel their forces into predictable paths, making them easier targets for our siege and musket volleys. in a bunch. "

Aditya continued, his mind working through the layers of their defense. "The palisades will also create choke points. If they try to climb over, our spearmen will be ready to meet them. Your role will be crucial here. This way, we can hold our ground and inflict maximum casualties on offense "

"Rest assured, I must say, Your Highness, you are a genius strategist. Blood never lies," Ujjwal Singh praised.

'Only if u know my reality!,' Aditya pitied inwardly as he felt too exhausted with so much unnecessary buttering.

As they discussed the strategy, Colonel Nilesh approached them in urgency.

"Your Highness, the pigeon post to Delhi has been sent successfully. Also, our spies have infiltrated the Mughal camp. They are gathering intelligence as we speak."

Aditya's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Good work, Colonel. Pass the command to Colonel Manish and Colonel Deepak to prepare their platoons for special missions tonight. We need to ensure every detail is in place."

Just as Nilesh saluted and turned to leave, a guard hurried towards them with grave expression .

*HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!*

A smile spread across Aditya's face, and he began to laugh loudly, a sound that echoed through the tent and left the messenger visibly confused.

Finally, Aditya leaned forward as his expression turned serious.

"For me, you people are not mercenaries but mere bandits who trespassed our lands, kidnapped our villagers for plunder, committed heinous crimes against our women, and dared to attack the prestige of our empire."

"If I wish, I can dump you all in a pit and no one would know."

"But I would like to see the faces of your people when your Badshah commands that baldy commander of your to give the order to behead you all in front of your brethren."

"He is a docile kid and will never disobey his friend's request. So, I am willing to give you a safe retreat, but it will be on my terms. First, you will return half the villagers, and next, you will leave the war horses in exchange for war damages."

Pratap got goosebumps as he observed Aditya's face, lying with a straight face. If he didn't know his plan beforehand, he might have believed his current nonsense about sparing them.

He pitied the future of these Mughal mercenaries who dared to cross paths with such a wicked and scheming bastard. He reassessed Aditya's character as dangerous manipulative guy and wondered if he would really give the 50 percent discount but decided to play along as he also didn't want the villagers to die.

The messenger hesitated, "But... war hor..."

"...or else we have no deal. They won't be any use in the forest terrain either, unless you want to desert individually to be captured later for torture." Aditya grinned evilly.

The messenger panicked at the loss of war horses, which meant the loss of cavalry, but sensing the way the conversation had gone, as predicted by his current supreme commander, he agreed. "Since we are in the wrong here, we will accept the condition."

"We will clear the village by early morning tomorrow, leaving behind the rest of the villagers in the village square. You can have half of the villagers along with the war horses in exchange for supplies, but we will retain the horses for logistics and a written decree of your will for safe passage to our sultanate."

"Very well," Aditya concluded. "Let's meet in the evening just before dusk. But you must empty the village by next morning without any tricks, or my promise of safe passage might not hold any value in the face of my musketeers."

The messenger nodded, visibly relieved while Pratap and Ujjwal singh had worried faces, and took his leave. As he exited, Pratap confronted Aditya.

"You were right, the Mughals are so shameless; they hid the involvement of Agra and pushed it all on Rajputana. But I am amazed at your shamelessness too. Did you realize that you just orally promised them a safe return? "

Aditya chuckled at the words of the brave but naive prince. "I am just following Chanakya Neeti. A metal can only cut a metal, as no other thing can suffice that. Besides, I don't think the dead will hold any value for an oral promise."

He stood up as he as he gave a hand on his shoulder, " Once a great sage has mentioned, that everything s fare in love and war. I hope you will never forget this lesson my friend."

Pratap looked at him with deep thought as he tried to think the hidden meaning of this statement.

Ujjwal Singh asked Aditya as he himself stood from his place, "Forgive me again, Prince, if I am rude, but why are we not attacking them directly and wiping them out?

Villagers are bound to be collateral damage. Their ancestors will be proud of their sacrifice. I fail to see any merit in putting this extra effort on these peasants."

Both Aditya and Prince Pratap gave a death glare to the commander, which made him fall silent and sweat out. Sensing the atmosphere tensing up, Aditya bellowed his next set of orders as he placed himself in front of them properly

"Prepare the forces for the some serious exchange.

We need to place the trap, where we will bury them.

Move the carts at a safe distance from their patrol.

Send more scouts disguised as villagers to avoid being caught as soldiers of our forces...

We will see if these mercenaries can even witness the moon at the peak of the night."

Ujjwal Singh and Pratap exchanged glances, understanding their set roles. The plan was set in motion, and all eyes now turned to the evening ahead, where strategy and cunning would determine the outcome.