Chapter : 28 : Taking over Rudra's fort
Clutching her hand firmly, Ayush pulled Rajeshwari closer, his golden eyes glinting with mischievous intent as he leaned forward. The warmth of his breath brushed against her ear, making her stiffen.
Rajeshwari, taken aback by the sudden movement, instinctively reached for her sword, but soon realized that a response was not needed. She had prepared herself for many challenges—battles, strategies, and unexpected events, but not for this.
"What are you doing?" she asked, slightly furrowing her brow as she tried to retreat.
Ayush, however, did not let go. Instead, he smiled.
"What am I doing?" I am your partner. "I think it's common, at the very least, to hold hands, right?" His tone was calm, yet it held a playful undertone.
Rajeshwari's expression displayed a somewhat unusual appearance. She was a warrior, raised among fighters, and had rarely encountered such blatant behavior from a man.
"Even though you are my partner, we have not been officially acknowledged," she replied, trying once more to break free from his grasp.
Ayush chuckled quietly but maintained his hold. "Whether it's formal or not, it doesn't change the fact that we fought side by side, overcame an opponent together, and now stand as victors." He inched even closer, his intense gaze locking onto hers.
For a moment, the tension between them shifted, transforming from a conflict to something else entirely.
Rajeshwari took a deep breath, grounding herself. "Okay, you are victorious." "Just let me go now, or the soldiers will start to whisper, regarding us."
Ayush smiled but ultimately released her hand. He redirected his attention to the fortress below, where the signs of battle were being erased. The smoke lingered in the atmosphere, the scent of blood intertwining with the morning breeze. His team was already engaged, safeguarding the area, attending to the wounded, and preparing for the next phase.
"We have seized Rudra Singh's stronghold," Rajeshwari observed, locking her gaze with his. "But, what comes after?" His departure will not be ignored. "His backers will react."
Ayush's smile broadened. "Let them."
She raised an eyebrow. "You appear excessively confident."
"Because of the reason that I am." Ayush gazed at her. "This is just the first phase." The enemy will move forward, but we will move faster. Rudra's allies are scattered and divided. If we strike prior to their unification, we will overcome them before they have an opportunity to respond.
Rajeshwari scrutinized him intently. His speech had a certain quality, an aura of total confidence.
"You're hiding something, aren't you?"
Ayush was in agreement. Of course. I will not just capture Rudra Singh's fortress. I will use it to change the battlefield. "This stronghold will become the essential center of my campaign."
Rajeshwari smiled mischievously. "You're always focused on what lies ahead, right?"
"A ruler must always think five steps ahead." Ayush confronted the fortress once more.
"Before long, this world will submit to me."
In a different section of the Mughal Court...
Removed from the strife, deep within the grand halls of the Mughal court, Emperor Akbar sat upon his golden throne, intently listening to the advice of his counselors.
A gigantic figure, clad in heavy armor, kneeled before him. "Your Majesty, Rudra Singh has left this world." A youthful warlord, Ayush Chandra Mourya: has captured his stronghold.
The courtroom fell silent.
Akbar, resting his chin on his hand, narrowed his eyes. It seems that your request is incomplete, as there isn't any text following the name "Ayush Chandra Mourya."
"I remember this name from somewhere."
Another advisor stepped up. "Truly, Your Majesty." He was the person who escaped our pursuit months ago. "Since that moment, he has been gathering strength."
Akbar exhaled softly. "At this point, he has demonstrated that he is more than just a rebel."
One of his leaders advanced forward. "Should we proceed, Your Majesty?" "If we move swiftly, we can overcome him before he grows in strength."
Akbar halted briefly, engrossed in thought. A slow smile emerged on his face. "Not… not right now." Let him explain further. Let him believe he is invincible.
"And when the time is right..."
He raised his hand, making a crushing motion. "We will remind him who truly rules this land of Bharatvarsha (India)."
A young advisor approached tentatively. "But Your Majesty, what if he really turns into a danger?"
Akbar's smile remained constant. "Afterward, I will defeat him on my own."
The court murmured in agreement. The competition had begun.
At the Rudra Singh stronghold
The sun cast a golden light over the battlefield, its beams illuminating the stained earth. Ayush sat atop the castle walls, his eyes fixed on the horizon, where his destiny awaited. The seizure of Rudra Singh's fortress was just the beginnin, his ambitions reached far beyond mere fortifications.
Beside him, Rajeshwari folded her arms, watching him intently with keen eyes. "You speak of shaping fields of combat, of vanquishing enemies before they rise." "However, I ask you, Ayush Chandra Mourya, do you plan to build as much as you destroy?"
Ayush smiled but didn't reply immediately. He let the wind carry the tranquility for a short while before responding. "A domain built entirely on destruction is a domain fated to fail." I will not only achieve victory; I will lead. "To rule, one must build."
Rajeshwari's lips curved into a gentle smile. "Superb."
"Please tell me what your next step will be?"
Ayush confronted her, his amber eyes gleaming. "We strike before Rudra Singh's backers can react." Our next goal is the trading city of Chandrapur. It acts as the essential connection for trade in this region. If we control it, we oversee not just resources and provisions, but power itself.
Rajeshwari raised an eyebrow. A bold move. Nevertheless, Chandrapur is well-guarded. "The governor is not gullible."
Ayush's smile became wider. "That's why we won't face it directly."
Rajeshwari's eyes narrowed. "You have a plan, correct?"
"Of course." Ayush looked down at his troops, watching them prepare for the approaching march. "We will take Chandrapur without raising a single weapon."
The fire danced, casting long shadows as Ayush sat inside his tent, examining maps closely. Rajeshwari sat across from him, her sword resting next to her.
"This place called Chandrapur…" she reflected. "Are you going to receive it without objection?"
Ayush concurred. The governor is self-centered. He values gold more than loyalty. We will offer him a choice, riches beyond his dreams or ruin.
Rajeshwari scrutinized him. "What if he refuses?"
Ayush's smile disappeared. "Then, we take away everything from him: his wealth, his dwelling, and his life."
Rajeshwari let out a short laugh. "You are indeed a perilous person."
Ayush leaned forward. "Indeed, it is risky."
"However only to my adversaries."