Forest opening, Rebel's side of forces.

  The night was deceptively calm as Rahimulh Khan's cannons were meticulously positioned near the forest, aiming at the tents of the soldiers stationed outside the fort. The artillery crews worked quietly, ensuring the cannons were strategically pced to maximize damage. The anticipation hung thick in the air as they awaited the signal to commence the assault.

  Suddenly, the sky was illuminated with the vibrant colors of fireworks, marking the festivities within the fort. It was then that a distant explosion echoed. Smoke and debris began to rise from the fort, precisely where the gunpowder stores were located. One after another, simir explosions followed in a sequence, signalling a well-coordinated sabotage from within.

  Chaos erupted as soldiers poured out of their tents, eyes wide with confusion and arm. On the fort walls, defenders quickly mobilized, filling the battlements and ringing the arm bells to alert the civilians inside. In the midst of the turmoil, the artillerymen near the forest lit the fuses of the cannons, and a moment ter, the cannons roared to life.

  The heavy projectiles hurtled through the night, their ominous whistles growing louder as they approached their targets. The first cannonball struck the camp with devastating precision, tearing through canvas and wood. The explosion sent splinters flying, and the concussive force knocked soldiers off their feet. Screams of pain and panic filled the air as the once orderly camp descended into pandemonium.

  Rahimulh Khan watched the scene unfold with a satisfied smile. The devastation wrought by the initial volley filled him with a sense of accomplishment. Another round of cannon fire followed, compounding the chaos and destruction among the enemy troops. Tents colpsed, fires broke out, and the orderly ranks of soldiers dissolved into frantic clusters seeking cover.

  However, his satisfaction was short-lived. A thunderous roar erupted from his own camp, causing him to whirl around in shock. The firing cannons had exploded, sending shrapnel and fire in all directions. Gunners were thrown back, their bodies mangled by the bst. The air was filled with the acrid smell of burnt gunpowder and the cries of the wounded.

  Rahimulh Khan's initial triumph turned to horror as he witnessed the devastation. What had started as a promising attack, guaranteeing a smooth victory, now felt like a fishbone stuck in his throat, neither easily swallowed nor vomited out. The entire pn had been based on cannons, but who could have expected that the very weapons meant to bst the walls would unexpectedly explode among their own ranks? The malfunction of his artillery had not only halted his assault but had also inflicted severe losses on his own forces.

  On the contrary, Rao Kishan Pal, standing beside him, felt very embarrassed. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to dig a hole in the ground and hide himself. He was supposed to be the new king, and he brought this shame upon himself.

  With clenched fists and a furrowed brow, Rao Kishan Pal cursed his luck. He knew deep down that there had been signs of something amiss with the gunpowder, but he had ignored them after the initial test rounds appeared successful. Now, facing the consequences of his oversight, he knew immediate action was required to overcome the situation.

  He immediately approached his ally Rahimulh Khan and ordered him to find out what was wrong with the gunpowder. Rahimulh Khan had expert artisans under his command who quickly discovered that sand had been mixed into the gunpowder, decring it unfit for further use.

  Soon, Amar Singh Rathod approached and got the details of the mishap. Anger was evident on the cannon factory chief, Mathew, but no one was going to punish him for this betrayal.

  As the injured soldiers from outside the fort limped their way through the single gate separated by the moat, Amar Singh Rathod proposed seizing the opportunity to unch an attack while the enemy was vulnerable and in disarray.

  "The time to strike is now," the prince urged as his eyes glinting with determination. "We have injured their forces and caused confusion. Let us capitalize on this moment to breach their defenses."

  However, Rahimulh Khan remained cautious.

  "The fnks aren't prepared," he countered with concern. "Our initial pn to bombard through the fort with cannons is no longer viable. The fort's double-yered walls and heavy fortifications pose a formidable challenge."

  He outlined a new strategy as he surveyed the fort's surroundings

  "We will attack from three sides. The fourth side faces a cliff, and the moat prevents us from using a siege tower. We will send in conscripted vilgers with dders to test their defenses. Once the gates are breached on all three sides, our cavalry will charge in."

  Rao Kishan Pal listened intently, weighing the risks and potential rewards of the pn. Despite the setbacks, the prospect of overwhelming the enemy with three times the number of conscripts gave him a glimmer of hope.

  "Agreed," he finally decred with newfound resolve. "We will flood their defenses and recim what is rightfully ours."

  Under the watchful gaze of the moon high in the sky, the commanders finalized their preparations amidst the cover of darkness. The conscripted vilgers, dressed in makeshift armor and wielding swords, shields, and dders, advanced stealthily toward the fort's walls. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as they positioned themselves for the imminent assault, keenly aware that the night ahead would be a long one.

  After the explosion, Inner courtier, Fort of Bawal.

  The explosion shattered the peaceful ambiance of the banquet. The ground shook violently, and a deafening roar echoed through the courtyard. Shockwaves of panic rippled through the crowd as smoke and debris billowed into the night sky.

  Rao Todar Mal, the King of Rewari, stood momentarily stunned before the urgency of the situation took hold. His eyes darted around, assessing the danger. The royal guards, trained for such emergencies, sprang into action with quick movements.

  "Protect the King! Escort the guests to safety!" barked the captain of the guards, his voice cutting through the chaos.

  In swift and coordinated movements, the guards surrounded the King and the esteemed guests, forming a protective human barrier. They escorted the bewildered nobles and dignitaries away from the open site, guiding them towards the inner pace's secure quarters.

  With practiced efficiency, the guards formed a human corridor, ushering the king and guests towards the sanctuary. Meenakshi, adrenaline coursing through her veins, found herself carried forward by Omkar's firm hand. She gnced back to see Akriti following closely in tense expression. Vishwa Gajapathy was equally hurried along by his own retinue. His face contorted in a mixture of fear and something that could have been...excitement? She dismissed the thought as she reached the doorway. This was no longer a night of celebration, but a sudden chaos full of uncertainty.

  After a few moments, as the chaos subsided, every delegate's representative was summoned to the king's chamber. The room was thick with tension, the atmosphere filled with the scent of fear and uncertainty. The delegates, composed of nobles, gathered around a rge table lined with chairs, their faces showing a mixture of worry and anger.

  Kartar Singh, the security in charge of the pace, stood at attention beside King Rao Todar Mal. With the king's nod, Kartar Singh began to speak, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.

  "An unknown force has attacked us," he announced, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the room.

  "They have cannons and have opened fire on our escort armies stationed outside the fort. Fortunately, we have safely evacuated our forces."

  A collective gasp swept through the room as Kartar Singh continued. "The explosion you heard was from our gunpowder stores within the fort. As a result, we can no longer use our cannons, while the enemy still has theirs. However, the bombardment has mysteriously ceased. We suspect it's a ploy to lure us out. We need coordination and solidarity now more than ever."

  A collective gasp rippled through the room. Panic blossomed on the faces of the delegates. Some pointed fingers at the king, bming him for a ck of intelligence. Others, more suspicious, accused the Samrajya of orchestrating an eborate plot to eliminate them within their own territory. Demands for immediate departure and hefty compensation filled the air. While some remained to chose mute and decide ter.

  Rajendra Singh, the envoy from Gwalior, raised his hand amidst the chaos. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice measured, "we must reinforce the southern gate immediately. They might attempt a breach under the cover of darkness."

  Uma Devi, representing Bundelkhand, smmed her fist on the table. "This is an outrage!" she excimed. "Our soldiers were promised safety within these walls. How could this breach happen?"

  Vishal Rai, the envoy from Garhwal, stood stoically, his gaze fixed on King Rao Todar Mal. "Your Majesty, I believe something is amiss and has been kept secret from us," he said evenly. "We demand to know everything, including how this was allowed to happen. Our trust has been shattered."

  However, some pro-Empire arguments also resonated, but they added more to the chaos than to the solution.

  Tejpal Singh of Amber retorted sharply, "It's convenient to point fingers. It's not as if only your people have suffered."

  Baljit Singh of Punjab chimed in, "Do you think our Samrajya resorts to underhanded tactics to deal with you people? If not for our Samrat's peace decration, your existence might have been a thing of the past."

  King Rao Todar Mal, sensing the escating chaos, smmed his hand against the table with a loud thud. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to the king.

  "Enough!" King Rao Todar Mal's voice boomed. "You can bme us, but know this, the non-member kingdoms of our empire might have spies among us. It's not pusible for an outsider to detonate our gunpowder stores without inside help. We are not fools to weaken our own defenses."

  The delegates exchanged uneasy gnces, the king's words made sense. "The enemy's goal is to sow discord among us," Rao Todar Mal continued. "They want us to fight among ourselves and abandon the fort. Remember, the soldiers who lost their lives were part of your delegations. The enemy does not differentiate; they aim to leave none alive."

  This revetion calmed the room as they realised the gravity of the situation. King Rao Todar Mal then took a deep breath and spoke with serious voice.

  "I apologize for not disclosing this earlier. We did receive a pigeon post warning of a potential rebellion, but we dismissed it, believing the Jaunpur Kingdom could handle any threat. However, captured spies have confirmed their involvement along with the Mughals and my cousin brother in a conspiracy to dethrone me. They are confident, perhaps due to my past leniency towards my own blood. I ask for your cooperation now, more than ever."

  The room was filled with a tense silence. The delegates processed the king's apology, the revetion of the conspiracy and impending threat settled upon them.

  Meenakshi of Vijayanagar stood up and decred with a determined tone, "Your Majesty, rest assured that Vijayanagar stands with the Kingdom of Rewari in this hour of need. Though we may be few in number, whatever role you deem necessary for our empire to py, we will fulfill it without hesitation."

  Vishwa Gajapathy also stood up with enthusiasm and echoed Meenakshi's sentiment. "As for the Gajapathis, we never shy away from battle," he decred boldly. "If the enemy seeks war, then war they shall have. We will crush them like ants under our feet!"

  Seeing the resolve of Meenakshi and Vishwa, one by one, all the noble representatives from the delegations joined in, expressing their commitment to defend the fort and support King Rao Todar Mal in his efforts.

  Amidst the nods of agreement and murmurs of solidarity, a voice spoke up which no one anticipated. It was Diego de Sousa, the Portuguese representative, the least trusted and most suspected.

  "Your Majesty," Diego de Sousa began in measured tone, "the Portuguese delegation stands ready to lend its support. We understand the gravity of this situation and acknowledge the importance of stable defence. Count on us for anything you need."

  King Rao Todar Mal nodded gravely, his expression one of gratitude mixed with determination.

  "Thank you everyone. Your offer of support is deeply appreciated and will not be forgotten."

  With alliances solidified and preparations underway, the delegates began strategizing their defence against the impending enemy assault. Suddenly, the door flung open as a guard entered with disturbing news.

  "The enemy has unched attacks from three sides."