In a secluded area deep within the forest, Ansari, the acting supreme commander of the Mughal coalition forces, was bound and gagged, hanging upside down from a tree branch. Around the tree, musketeers stood guard, ensuring that no one could interfere.

  Prince Aditya, accompanied by a royal guard, some Vaidyas (local medics) and Balwindar, approached the tree.

  "Lower him and let him speak," Aditya ordered with a calm authority. The musketeers obeyed, carefully lowering Ansari to the ground.

  Once the gag was removed from his mouth, Ansari struggled to rise his battered body, but Aditya gestured for him to remain lying down. "It must be painful," he remarked.

  It was clear that he had been badly beaten being tied up, yet his face showed no remorse. Instead, he kept a defiant smile.

  Ansari ughed, mocking the prince. "Your double standards amuse me prince. You won't get anything from me. I'd rather die than help a kafir and betray my people."

  Impressed by his defiance, Aditya ordered Captain Himanshu to bring the piece of wood he had requested. Ansari watched sceptically as Himanshu approached, sharpening the wood with a knife. "If you think you can scare me with a knife, you're delusional bastard prince," Ansari taunted.

  Aditya chuckled. "It's not just the knife. Look at the shape of this wooden piece and imagine how it could be used."

  Ansari's confidence wavered. "What do you mean?" he asked sensing ominous.

  Aditya leaned closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "This masterpiece is meant to penetrate your rear. After giving you a taste of hell, we'll sharpen your 'tool.' Look at this knife-like edge," he gestured to the knife as it peeled the skin of the wood and said with a maniacal grin, "we'll do a bit of sculpting. You might be familiar with the process."

  Ansari gulped, fear creeping into his eyes as he observed the sharpened end of the wood and the knife sharpening it. The thought of such a brutal torture method was terrifying tabboo, but he steeled himself, determined not to give in.

  Panic and desperation seeped into his voice as he said, "This is madness, Aditya. Please, think of the consequences if word of this spreads. It will tarnish your honor and reputation. How can you afford such disgrace? Fear the will of Alh.."

  Aditya, amazed by his audacity, replied, "You are right about disgrace, but who is going to tell the tale? Whatever happens here remains here." He turned to his men. "Captain Himanshu, what do you think?"

  Himanshu, a burly man with a scarred face on his nose, grinned. "I was a butcher before I joined the army, my prince. Skinning parts was a part of my profession. This doesn't scare me at all."

  Another soldier stepped forward, ughing. "I was a barber before joining your ranks, sire. People already looked down on me. These things don't matter to me."

  The rest of the men joined in ughter, their voices echoing through the forest. Ansari's face paled as he realized the gravity of his situation. "You're all just trying to scare me! There's no way you Hindu Kafirs will break your dharma(code of conduct). A man cannot do this to another man."

  Aditya, pying along, smirked. "You may be right, Ansari. But what about if the one granting you punishment is not a man!"

  He gestured, and the royal guard stepped forward. The guard removed his helm, revealing long hairs; it was Priya, the daughter of the woman Ansari had vioted.

  Priya's eyes burned with hatred as she took the wooden piece from Himanshu. Aditya ordered his men to hold Ansari down and remove his clothes. Ansari struggled, screaming in fear dragging his tied body," Stay away from me! YOU SATANS, DONT TOUCH ME!." But it was futile as he was pinned down and his clothes were ripped from his body. Soon, a loud voice pierced the peaceful surroundings.

  Prince Aditya halted the proceedings. "We haven't put it yet," he said.

  Ansari, realizing the gravity of his situation, finally broke. "I.. I'll cooperate," he agreed, his voice trembling.

  A smile spread across Aditya's face. "Good. Now, as a gift which part you want to be freed? hands or legs"

  Ansari's breath came in ragged gasps, sweat dripping down his forehead as he pleaded, "My hands... please, my prince. Spare my hands."

  Aditya nodded, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "Very well. Captain Himanshu, grant him his wish," he ordered, then turned to the vaidyas. "Ensure he doesn't succumb to blood loss."

  With a satisfied smirk, Aditya called for Priya and Balwindar to accompany him as they departed from the scene.

  Himanshu's grin widened as he approached Ansari with the gleaming knife, its bde catching the morning light. Ansari's eyes widened in horror as he realized Himanshu's intentions, his body tensing in anticipation of the excruciating pain to come. "Please, no!" he begged, his voice trembling with fear and agony.

  "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

  As a sharp cry of pain echoed through the forest, Aditya turned to Priya, with a mix feeling of approval and reassurance.

  "You handled that well, Priya. Mastering your emotions is crucial for a warrior. If you can't follow orders, you're no different from a rogue bandit."

  Priya remained silent, struggling to contain her inner turmoil. She nodded in understanding, her eyes reflecting a determination to prove herself.

  Aditya then turned to Balwindar, "I'm assigning you the task of training her in espionage and military warfare. I'll brief you on the details of my pn ter. Don't worry about the expenses. You will.."

  With that chatter, the trio made their way back to camp.

  Few hours ter, Aditya base camp

  In the tent, Aditya and his friend Bheem sat across from each other, surrounded by various foods and fruits id out on the table. Bheem eagerly reached for a fruit, but Aditya subtly gestured for him to slow down, indicating that there was plenty more to go around. Beside them sat Jeetendar, Aditya's trainer, who observed the scene with a faint smile, while sipping the fruit juice.

  As they exchanged ughter and reminisced about past experiences, Jeetendar informed Aditya that a cavalry force of 3000 heavy-armored knights had been dispatched under his command, ready to be led by him. He also inquired if there were any updates from Rewari.

  Aditya's expression turned lighter with the news of increase in cavalry "Right on time" his expression furrowed ,"but unfortunately, there's no news from them yet."

  Jeetendar nodded in understanding and replied, "Last time we received a report that the nobles had revolted, but they are handling the situation. They sound confident and haven't asked for any reinforcements. We had sent the pigeon post of our intel. everything should be alright."

  With concern etched on his face, Aditya inquired about the happenings in the capital.

  Jeetendar's expression mirrored Aditya's concern as he responded, "Shadi Khan has been released from his house arrest and reinstated as defense minister. Reserved forces of Jaunpur is being recalled to capital. Pigeon posts have been dispatched to the southern kingdoms of Malwa and Gwalior, urging them to support Amber for defense. Meanwhile, his majesty emperor, will himself lead the army to Agra."

  Aditya concluded, "There's something amiss there. Even the Mughals didn't receive the cannons they were expecting, and the reports only mention minor uprisings. With the intel we've gathered, everything seems uncertain. It would be foolish to proceed without being fully prepared. We'll set out tomorrow."

  Jeetendar nodded, settling down his bronze gss after a gulping the juice. "I'll leave you two, to your privacy now. I'll go check on those Rajputs," he said with a wink, knowing there were matters to discuss that required discretion. Aditya nodded in agreement as Jeetendar departed, leaving the two friends alone in the tent.

  As soon as Jeetendar departed, the atmosphere in the tent shifted, becoming serious. Bheem's expression grew solemn as he brought the topic of that night, "I am sorry Aditya, I failed as a guard. Because of me, Raamya.."

  Aditya looked sympathetic, "There was nothing you can do, brother. Fault was mine. Tell me, how is she doing?"

  Bheem hesitated before responding, " She has been sent back to bengal,"

  Aditya felt shocked ,"What! but Why now?!" How is Amira doing"?

  Bheem expined "There have been reports of unrest due to Portuguese presence at port and minor incidents involving bandits. With the reinstatement of Shadi Khan to his former post, she has been allowed to return to her home kingdom to quell the unrest and put a check on Portuguese. Also, Amira is with her, since she wanted to visit it."

  Aditya listened intently, his mind racing with questions. "And Sayantika ? Has she returned back with them as well?" he inquired.

  Bheem's denial was evident as he shook his head. "No, she hasn't. Instead, she's staying in the capital in her role as minister," he replied solemnly. "She specifically asked me to pass on the message that she's praying for your success and is eagerly awaiting your safe return."

  Aditya's gaze narrowed slightly as he inquired further, "Any rumors circuting? How was my grandfather? Was he upset about anything?"

  Bheem responded, "No, quite the opposite. He was eted upon receiving news of your victory. Even the Emperor seemed rather proud; he ordered the addition of one thousand knights for your safety, without consulting anyone."

  "It appears her Excellency, hasn't brought this up to anyone?" Aditya sighed with relief.

  Bheem's expression turned grave. "I fear it's merely the calm before the storm, Aditya. She may be biding her time, waiting for the opportune moment. Given her temperament, it won't be as simple as you believe."

  Aditya reclined, taking a bite from the apple. "It seems we'll need to expedite our mission. It wouldn't be wise to keep my mother-in-w waiting."