Part II: ….but fear his wit more
(Along the borders of Malwa)
The journey which had to be covered in 2 days, Jalal and his men covered in one. There were no halts, for some reason even the men didn’t feel the need to make a stop. Perhaps the power of fury that reeked through the body of their king was good enough to keep them charged through the entire course of their march.
They knew what a hell their king was about to raise, the fact it would be against a traitor, had a deeper meaning to it. Seeing the angst pulsing through Jalal, his men knew Adham’s fate would set up a perfect example to how the spineless traitors are, and will always be treated in Jalal’s reign.
The batallion led by Jalal was brought to halt by the wave of his hand. He swayed the rein of Sultan to come face to face with his men who stood afront in a tight packed military formation. He hadn’t spoken for the last 24 hours. They were at the brink of Malwan border, and at a distance, not too far, Adham’s men that mostly included the barbaric herds of Afghan and Uzbek tribes had lined up in a dishevelled format, ready for the kill.
Hidayat Bashir at the front commanding position of the batallion stole a glance to look at his king, who had been awfully quiet since the last time he ordered him to prepare the men for the march. The mildly kohled eyes of Jalal, that looked darker, and even more threatening peeked through the helm (helmet) he wore as a part of his metallic armor and after, what it felt like eternity, Jalal spoke.
Jalal (roared): There is no justice in this world, unless it is served upon. Hence, the need to act. I shall cut the throat of every traitor and so would you. Let the world know, “None” deceives your king and those who would shall be “No more”.
The batallion gave the wildest war yell, agreeing to every single word uttered by their king. Jalal slapped the rein and sultan galloped with all his might. The vanguard of Jalal’s army rose their shields up as they pushed through the herd of Afghan and Uzbek tribesmen lined up against the gates of Malwa, fighting from Adham Khan’s side. Jalal and his trained military men sliced past Adham’s army in no time. The swords did clash, but the bodies that fell were for Adham khan to count. Whosoever was left ran for their lives back to the palace where Adham Khan had confined himself.
Jalal passed the gates to enter Malwa, and what he saw shook him from within. The houses of the common subjects were either completely destroyed or still burning, and their bodies were all over the place, men, women, old, it seemed as if no one was spared. Few of them who had survived the havoc, peeked through the debris with nothing but shear dread in their eyes for their new intruder (Jalal). Jalal’s blood boiled in fury. He signaled Hidayat Bashir to tend to the scared to death common masses, and headed to the palace to find the traitor. Jalal’s men brought down the gates of the palace via their canons, entered the palace killing every single Adham’s men who fell in their way, like clearing the forest to make the way for their king in command. Amidst the massacre, Jalal simply moved past the falling corpses, without having used his sword for even once. Like a clearing in the forest, the entire palace was cleaned off, all the mercenaries Adham had hired for his protection, and there Jalal could see, Adham Khan hiding behind the wives of the former Nawab. A glimpse of Adham was enough to gauge up the anger, what served as premium fuel was that he held the women as captives with knives on their throat. Coward!
Jalal stepped up, tightening the grip on the hilt of his sword, and came Adham’s warning.
Adham Khan: One more step, and I swear to God, I shall slit her throat.
Jalal (gave a devilish grin): Go ahead! You really think the “devil” would care?
Adham Khan, panicked, his hands shook in fear,he increased the pressure on woman’s throat to reaffirm Jalal on his intent and she yelped in pain, screaming aloud. The loud shreak of woman distracted Adham for a millisecond, and Jalal threw the dagger, tucked in his waist-band, that in no seconds pierced the wrist of Adham that held knife afront the woman’s neck. Adham screamed in pain and fell to the floor. The woman stood horrified, rooted to her place, unable to even squeal looking at the dagger still bored deep in Adham Khan’s wrist, the dagger that could have pierced her neck, if there was a slight miscalculation from Jalal.
Jalal (bending to woman’s height) : Leave!
She ran off the exit along with other women of the harem, leaving Adham Khan wriggling at the floor in pain.
Jalal knelt down and pulled the dagger off Adham Khan’s wrist, and he cried at the surge of pain. Jalal looked down at him with all the disgust and cleaned his blood off the dagger, sweeping it across his lavish robe.
Adham Khan (panting): Please Brother! Please, spare me. Forgive me! I swear to God, I don’t know what came over me.
Jalal held him up raking his hair and pushed him off the stairs. Adham balanced himself again on his knees.
Adham Khan: Please Brother! Have mercy. Please…I do not wanna die.
Jalal (gave a guttaral laugh): That’s Ironical. I thought you loved death. Look around, more than half of the common people of Malwa are already dead. You robbed them off their home, money, honor, didn’t even spare their lives. WHY SHOULD I? You betrayed me, hurt my people all the worse you could, and expect me to let you live? Oh dear brother, haven’t you learned anything about me?
(Jalal smirked) Don’t you know “the devil” is incapable of mercy? I shall break every bone, every joint in your body before I rip the appendages apart.
With this Jalal plunged his feet into Adham’s chest with a force so hard that it threw him feet’s apart. Adham rolled over, the thrust was so hard that blood came running out of his nose and mouth. In one stride Jalal grabbed his arm, twisted it and a crackling sound of his injured wrist, accompanied with his shrill voice in pain, filled the hall.
Jalal’s men looked over each other’s shoulder. The king had to be stopped, or he would actual rip this scumbag off. But who would dare to stop him. Jalal seemed too far gone, totally snapped off his humane self.
Another blow at the Adham’s knee made him kneel afront Jalal, and Jalal crushed his ankle off underneath his foot. Another shrill voice of pain echoed the hall. Jalal hooked his neck in the perfect clasp of his arms, about to bring the show to its end. Jalal’s men averted their gaze, they knew here came the end, one twist and down goes the traitor.
Suddenly, some one called out Jalal’s name with all his might.
Abdul: JALAL..!!
Jalal looked up and met Abdul’s gaze. Abdul could see the vision of his friend was totally dazed. An aura of darkness, and chill had clouded him. This is what evil does to him. The devil in him risens up every single time, evil provocates. It becomes so much difficult then after to pull him back to his usual, normal human self.
Abdul came close, while Jalal still had Adham in his deathly grip.
Abdul (softly): Leave him my friend. He is not worth it. You don’t wanna stain yourself with this scumbag’s blood on your hand. Put him on trial. That’s the way it works, my king, and you know it better than me.Please! Let go. Calm down.
Jalal didn’t loosen up his grip, as if Abdul’s words fell on deaf ears.
Abdul (insisted): If not for him, atleast for Maham’s sake. He goes on trial, that’s the way law works in your kingdom . Doesn’t it?
Somehow the name of Maham Anga, pulled Jalal out of state he was in. He loosened the grip, and Abdul took this as an opportunity, silently asking Hidayat Bashir to take Adham in custody. Hidayat Bashir complied.
Jalal turned his back on Abdul and stood in silence, trying hard to calm his nerves down. Abdul put his hand on Jalal’s shoulder.
Abdul: I’ve something to tell you, but please promise me you’ll keep a hold on yourself. The matter has to be dealt delicately Jalal, and anger clouding your wit is the last thing I want to worry about.
Jalal closed his eyes in an utterly vain attempt to calm his racing pulse, turbulent mind and opened his eyes tp look back at Abdul.
Abdul: It is Bakshi’s well being at stake.
Jalal heart froze, he gritted his teeth and clenched his fist.
Abdul: And…and…
Jalal: AND?
Abdul: and Amer’s too..
Jalal felt his heart stopped, he closed his eyes and yelled with all the hatred in his voice.
Jalal: Sharif’ud’din
Abdul (pressed Jalal’s shoulder): We’ll get him before any damage is done to either of the two. Just listen to me and think a way out of it. The time calls for devil’s wit, not his wrath my friend.
Jalal stood unmoved, Abdul was right, two of his most prized possessions were at stake. He could do no mistake. He had to think a way out of the situation, and he would. He definitely would, afterall there was no other way.
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