Chapter 15: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/134247496
A/N: Dedicated to Niki, Ramsha, Gargi, Mac, Khushi, Nonie, Shailusri, Vidhya, Sri and Shelly. My dedicated readers and sources of inspiration.
Also Rohini, Medha, Krystal and Kaana. Old loyal CAS viewers who loved Chanakya niti just as much as me.
And finally my bros BB and Shyam who love Dharma and PS more than me.
Chapter 16: Approach to Contact
It was well past midnight as Acharya Devrat was leading the raiding divisions of the
Magadh into what is one of the most daring and riskiest mission yet. In the
back of Devrat's mind he was considering the distinct possibility that he was
leading the men into a trap. But there was not a choice in this matter given the circumstances.
He expected Rajkumar Ashok to join him on this avyan. But he
made the right choice. A choice that Chanakya would have approved. Defending
their captured fort held more importance. And he still had that Mudra. So other
Hindu Kush tribes could be swayed away from supporting Mahanand and Keechak
should they fail in their mission. He discussed this extensively with Rajkumar
Ashok before he left and Devrat's worries were somewhat alleviated.
However, rescuing lady Nazia is going to be tough ordeal.
Although Acharya Rudra did give him some ideas.
Meanwhile at the Fort
Everyone was scrambling preparing the defenses. Ashok was
helping out wherever possible. Bhim Ji was busy stationing soldiers. Ashok was
playing the rules that his father taught him. But he didn't feel secure. It
felt like they were trapping themselves.
Ashok walked past the scrambling soldiers. His mind
searching for ideas to avert the imminent siege.
He then remembered a chapter of that book he was reading.
And what Akramak used to say.
Don't give the enemy a chance to prepare themselves. Take
down the head of the snake before it wraps its tail around yours.
An idea struck Ashok's mind. It was one of the tales of his
Grandfather's Acharya Chanakya told him.
"Summon Bhim Ji immediately." Ashok said to a guard. The
guard bowed and left immediately.
Bhim Ji arrived after a while.
"Your highness did you summon me?" Bhim Ji said with a bow.
"How are preparations for the siege?" Ashok asked.
"We are doing the best we can Rajkumar Ashok." Bhim Ji said
uneasily. "But I don't think we can hold out for more than two weeks or so
considering the size of the approaching army."
"I was thinking the same." Ashok said with nodding. "We should take our core army and go on the attack and disperse the
enemy or at least delay their march here. While the auxiliaries help funnel the
refugees towards Assandh rather than holing up here and waiting for the enemy
to descend on us."
"It sounds like a good idea. But it's risky." Bhim Ji said
with a frown. "But it does present us with options to continue the fight should
Acharya Devrat fail to capture Keechak as we will save a lot of lives. However
we will lose whatever footing we have in Taxilla."
"Considering the circumstances Bhim Ji." Ashoka said with
sigh. "It's a sacrifice we have to make."
"Alright Rajkumar Ashok." Bhim Ji said with a heavy breath.
"We will have to get more Ashwa though."
"I leave that up to you. I will send a message to Acharya Devrat."
"As you command your highness." Bhim Ji said with a bow and
left.
At Tosali
Rajkumar Sushim had mounted his horse ready to lead out a
raid against the gathering forces of Kalinga. Senapati Radhagupt was next to
him. Airvat and his Khurasani Ashwa on the other side.
"Rajkumar Sushim." Sushim clenched his mouth trying to contain his
rage. The very sound of Radhagupt's voice made his blood boil. "You will lead
the left flank. Airvat will take the right flank. We will surround them
before they can mount a defense."
Sushim restrained a smile. Despite his annoyance with
Radhagupt, the imminent battle excited the Danav in him.
"Rajkumar Sushim." A soft voice called. It was Chanda. Sushim
turned towards her. The daughter of the Prantpal was surprisingly beautiful. And that gave Sushim more incentive to toy with her. His charisma already had her hooked.
"Good luck. It's up to you to protect us all." She said with a nervous smile.
Sushim smirked and drew his sword.
"Let's crush them. Sainiko! Move out!" He shouted.
Sushim gripped the reins of his horse as it bolted forward. Radhagupt, Airvat and
the combined Magadh-Khurasani army at his wake.
Radhagupt lead the army though the rugged
terrain. A dense forest divided them from the enemy. Radhagupt sighed as the
soldiers forced themselves to remain awake and keep up with the Khurasani division. The new recruits were unfamiliar
with this unconventional routine. Battles weren't usually fought at night.
Radhagupt was aiming to attack the Kalingans at dawn. His guptchar had spread
out through the forest to ensure that no scouts could spot the approaching army from Tosali. Radhagupt hoped that this battle was a decisive one. He wasn't sure
if he had enough personnel to hold of the Kalingan army. The Khurasani Ashwa with Airvat were certainly helpful. But Radhagupt was unsure if it was enough. Not with Rajkumar
Sushim refusing to use his army. Radhagupt knew the moment that Sushim was aware that if he assumed command of his secret army, he would be branded a traitor, a traitor that was conspiring with a dynastic enemy to boot. So that was out of the question.
Radhagupt tightened the grip on the reins of his horse. They had to give it all
in this one attack.
At the palace of Patliputra
The sun was rising. Bindusar was on the terrace looking out to his magnificent capital as Dharma stood close to
him wrapped around his arms. After a very tiring day at the court he managed to finally spend some time with his favorite wife. The wife from whom he separated for ages. They had
spent a wonderful evening together that had an ear to ear grin plastered on
Bindusar's face. He was in a good mood.
"Samrat." Dharma said softly.
"Yes?"
"Have you been able to find out who Sudheshan was working
for?" Bindusar frowned.
"No." He sighed. "He is determined. Despite the best efforts
of our interrogators he is remaining silent. Wish his resolve was this firm in
his loyalty to me. I can't seem to hold people's allegiances towards me. Just
when I think I have rooted out all the traitors another one betrays me. Am I
that bad in choosing people?" Bindusar asked his voice strained with despair.
Dharma moved her hand and touched Bindusar's face. She
turned him towards her and looked into his eyes.
"Samrat." Dharma began. "The throne is like a bed of thorns.
But only the one who sits on can truly see it for what it is. To everyone else it is the ultimate object
of desire. Even pious men can be swayed by
power. You can't know what is in everyone's heart. You cannot control what they desire. It's impossible to. Every Samrat has to tackle with
treason every now and then. Those who can't inevitably fall. Like Dhana Nanda."
Bindusar chuckled. "You have been
studying." He kissed her forehead. "I know I have said this countless times
already, but I feel like my father would have been disappointed with me. If
only I hadn't neglected my studies when I was younger." Bindusar said somberly.
"Samrat." Dharma pulled Bindusar closer making sure he looked
into her eyes. Bindusar pressed his forehead against Dharma's. "Your father
would have been proud of you. It's one thing to establish an empire. It's a
completely different challenge to consolidate and expand it."
Bindusar smiled and brushed his lips against Dharma's.
Dharma returned the smile as a faint blush crept into her cheeks.
"I feel stronger when I have you by my side." Bindusar said
with adoration. "I will do my best to ensure that our empire continues growing.
And with our son now taking the responsibility of the Kingdom, I am sure I can
do it."
"Samrat." Dharma began. Bindusar's smile faltered for a bit.
"Call me by my name." Bindusar said looking into his wife's
eyes.
"But-" Dharma protested.
"Call me by my name." Bindusar repeated. As the sun cast a glow around them.
"B-Bindusar." Dharma said with a coy smile that made Bindusar's heart soar. He smiled as he
drew his wife closer. The breeze danced softly around them as the sun rose above the horizon.
On the border between Tosali and Kalinga
Radhagupt looked on as the two flanks of the Magadh army
surrounded the completely unprepared Kalingans. Radhagupt smirked as the
Kalingan army cursed furiously, hastily retreating into the hills. Rajkumar Sushim was
leading the army well. Radhagupt was both pleased and disappointed. He is well
trained. But his heart has become so rotten.
Sushim was swinging his sword at every soldier he could reach. Channeling his
anger and hatred into his blade. The unprepared Kalingans could barely stand
before him. He and his men tore through their ranks. Airvat doing likewise on the other side.
Radhagupt and the center joined the combined Magadh-Khurasani army in as they routed the forces of Kalinga. The battle had gone easier than he initially anticipated it.
Airvat pulled up next to Radhagupt. "I don't think they can fight back anymore."
Radhagupt nodded. "Gather all the forces and collect all the Astra and supplies you can find. I think we have secured this frontier for now."
"How do you think Rajkumar Ashok is doing?" Airvat asked.
"I am not sure." Radhagupt said uncertainly. "Let's just hope the reinforcements we sent reaches there on time. And it's enough."
Airvat nodded grimly as Rajkumar Sushim and his guards galloped towards them.
At the fort near Taxilla
Ashok was getting ready to lead his army out as he finished
putting on his armor. The gold plated cuirass and the greaves no longer felt heavy or foreign to his
body. He strapped the sword of Chandragupt to his back. The weapon had become an
extension of his arm. It was almost strange not to hold the sword in his hands all the time.
Preparing for battle had become a normal routine for Ashok.
His body coursed with adrenaline and his mind was exultant with anticipation at
the prospect of every impending battle. All this made Ashok certain of one
thing. That he was born for war.
"Rajkumar Ashok!" A soldier bustled in, his voice laced with
panic. Ashok frowned.
"What is it?" He asked turning towards him.
"The enemy is here!"
"What?!" Ashok was flabbergasted. Already?
At the Hindu Kush
Devrat and the Magadh army were chasing after the
surprisingly quick caravan from Taxilla which was said to contain Keechak and
lady Nazia. The ambush he prepared for was for naught. And the way the caravan
was moving it didn't seem to be aiming for the castle of Mahanand. Something
wasn't right.
"Are we walking into a trap?" Devrat asked quietly to
Aadarsh.
"Probably." Aadrash said uneasily.
"I don't think so." Saroj said from the other side. "They
had a chance to trap us for a long while now."
"Where do you think they are leading us?" Devrat asked.
"They seemed to be moving without any specific destination. At first I thought
they were trying to lose us. But it doesn't seem like that anymore. And it
doesn't seem like a caravan that is transporting a bride."
"I think we are being intentionally lead around." Aadarsh
said quietly. "We are far away from the fort. Further than we should have
traversed."
"We should turn back." Saroj said quickly. "I think Rajkumar
Ashok is in trouble. I knew we should not have come here."
"Oh is that so?" Aadarsh asked dryly. Saroj ignored him.
"Saroj is right." Devrat said grimly. "That caravan doesn't
look to have Keechak or lady Nazia."
The words barely left his mouth and an arrow whistled past Devrat.
Back at the fort.
"What is going on?" Ashok asked climbing the steps of the
front tower. Bhim Ji was on the edge of the tower preparing the archers. He
looked deathly pale.
"We are too late Rajkumar Ashok." A soldier said. "We are
surrounded."
Ashok looked around. And a sea of soldiers met his eyes. The
overwhelming numbers rooted the Mauryan Prince to the spot.
Ashok spotted a flashy figure at the head of the army. Even
from a distance he could tell who his opponent was. Even though he never saw
him in his life. Even though the only image he has of him is the monstrous visages in his
nightmares, he was certain who his opponent was. It couldn't be anyone else.
Ahead of the massive forces, Mahanayak Keechak leading his
army in his armored chariot was a magnificent sight.
Keechak was laughing to himself. The plan that he and Amatya
Rakshas constructed was so well executed.
How foolish these mongrels are. Did they think a King like
myself will allow himself to become a man who delivers women to lowly chiefs?
Nazia's wedding will be a celebration of your annihilation Maurya!
Mahanand was riding next to Keehcak uneasily. Keechak's
charisma and growing power and Amatya Rakshash's eloquence had managed to convince the Hindu Kush Chief to join his
side on the eve of his marriage to Nazia. His network of spies had worked well to keep Ashok unaware of his approach to the fort. And now was the time to eliminate the last obstacle to his mastery of Taxilla.
Keechak drew his sword. "Alright men! Prepare to attack!" And
his order was met with terrifying roars.
Ashok clenched his fists. "Bhim Ji. What's done is done.
Let's prepare for battle. Get someone to alert Acharya Rudra." Ashok ordered an attendant who quickly bowed and left.
"The enemy are huge in number." Bhim Ji said grimly.
"But we can hold them off." Ashok finished hesitantly.
"Not indefinitely." Bhim Ji said looking towards the
Taxillan army. "All we can do is hope that Aadarsh is coming back. I already sent a messenger. But there isn't much hope of him reaching Aadarsh." Bhim Ji finished quietly. His voice low enough so the other soldiers couldn't hear him.
Ashok nodded and extended his hand. The attendant handed out
the bow. He knew what he had to do.
"Saare Dhanurdhan taiyar ho jaaye!" Bhim Ji shouted. Ashok turned towards his gathering soldiers.
"Soldiers of Magadh!" Ashok began. "This is it! This is
what we came here for. We must not lose! I know the enemy are large in number.
But we can take them! Aadarsh is on his way back. And when our cavalry returns we will crush them!"
The soldiers of Magadh responded with valiant roars that strengthened Ashok's resolve.
Keechak bared his teeth hearing the battle cries of the Magadh army. That's more like it. Nothing less I would expect from the Magadh army.
"What is a battle without a challenge? Eh?" Keechak asked Mahanand gleefully who could only laugh nervously in response.
Ashok stood behind the line of archers as Bhim Ji moved to
the next tower. This was going to be the first siege that Ashok was going to
defend. He just hoped he had what it took to lead the soldiers.
"This is it. Acharya. Pitaji. I hope I don't let you down." Ashok thought to
himself as the archers prepared to fire.
Please forgive me for being so late. Had a busy couple of months. Plus had to get over a writer's block. Next update will be up by Sunday.
Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 17: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/136004202
Edited by babur1527 - 7 years ago
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