Inspired by Manasi's post...
I tried to find a link between these passages in the wonderful chapter 25, with the events that are going on now in the life of Akbarkhan..The words in bold letters had fore cast the happenings in the recent chapters..
...
There might have been a tinge of guilt in the Huzoor's tone as he made that semi-convinced admission. But, Akbar was deaf to it - because he had just heard another sound. The sound of the tiniest crack - the first crack on the wall of trust that he'd nurtured for years. Thus shaking the belief that Huzoor had more regard for him than he had for the rest of his men. What a nasty way to be reminded of the reality that no one - however loyal or skilled - was immune to the treachery of power play!
So Akbar was already hinted or almost warned ..
*** *** *** ***
'Huzoor... please tell me what instructions Khalil has been given'
'To seize Parnagarh...' he shrugged 'and to destroy anything that stands in the way'
'To destroy its people? The old and sick? Women and infants?' the young man questioned through a series of gasps 'The Sahiba too?'
'If they stand in the way, then yes!'
'NOOO!'
A jarring stillness blanketed the crowd - the far-reaching echoes of Ustaad's defying roar, sending a cold shudder through their spines.
'The Shehzaade, however, found himself more 'intrigued' than offended by the 'NO' - for never before had he seen this side to the Ustaad.
Of course, the man had been wronged and possibly needed a while to cool off. Still, that brief display of unbridled rage felt strange coming from someone who could keep his calm even during the most demanding of crisis. Was the reason for that flare up merely his professional enmity with Khalil? Or was it something else?
He'd find out soon enough.
He eventually succeeded..
*** *** *** ***
'Apparently, the Sahiba of Parnagarh has been disowned by many powerful members of her own community... so, other kingdoms have gradually withdrawn support too...'
'What?'
Yes...' nodded the Shehzaade, humming another tune under his breath - a slightly less serious one. His eyes had just caught onto a remarkable observation.
The conversation had moved on from Khalil, hadn't it? The conversation was no longer about Mughal dishonour, was it? Then why hadn't the fire in Ustaad's eyes died out yet? 'Yes... possibly disowned by Bansi too...'
God! This made matters worse. Far worse. 'B... but why?'
'I don't know the details...' the prince flicked his palm dismissively 'of what I'd heard... she declined a marriage proposal'
His speech suddenly broke off. He'd heard his own words. And a couple of facts that hadn't stood out initially, did so this time around 'She went against a few powerful members of the Rajput community... but, why?' Something about those details did not ring right.
Why WOULD an orphaned 16 year old, whose life and lands were already in danger, turn down a marriage proposal from a powerful kingdom? It didn't make sense. Why risk everything?
Unless she'd met another well-wisher who...
His brows craftily narrowing together, Shehzaade glanced up, boring into the eyes of the young warrior who had been guarding the Parnagarh assignment like his life depended on it.
Aha! He'd never bothered looking in this direction, so he never realised there was a mystery lurking. But now that he'd looked, he found one. And maybe -just maybe - if he looked closer, he might find the missing pieces too.
He has solved the jig saw puzzle
*** *** *** ***
'Ustaad...' the prince rubbed his beard 'I have two doubts...'
'Why didn't Harka Sahiba use this proposal to benefit her lands? Come to think of it... she has literally signed her own death-wish by rejecting this wedding...'
Besides, are Rajputs really so sensitive? Would they all disown a kind lady merely because she turned down a proposal? No... I don't think so...' he watched the man closely. Very closely. 'So, I wonder what she might have done to deserve such disfavour from her people! Something that they didn't approve of? Something immoral? Maybe she got involved with someone...'
'Finally' he sneered - he was right! So, the great Ustaad had committed the cardinal sin of growing too attached to his 'assignment'.
*** *** *** ***
Of course, there was that one 'odd' instance, when he'd secretly burnt the scrolls to save Harka Sahiba's life. But somehow that secret didn't prick his conscience anymore! 'Have I?'
Akbar looked up slowly.
Will this stand help him to argue in favour of himself?
'You gave me a promise that day, Huzoor... remember?'
How could the prince forget? 'Ask for whatever you want, my man... and it'll be yours!'
So elated had he been by Ustaad's accomplishment that he'd offered him a gift, a 'promise' right away. And then, at the end of every mission thereafter too. Only, Ustaad had never cared to claim these materialistic gifts. At least, not until now. 'The offer still stands...' picking up a goblet of water, he took a sip of water to wet his parched lips 'anything reasonable you ask for, is yours!'
Bold:Will this come in handy to help him out of the present situation?
Having put up a cocky display of his authority, the prince slowly tilted his shoulders forward, his posture growing very intimidating 'But remember, you will serve ONLY ME... if I find your loyalties wavering, the consequences will be severe!'
Will this prove a point for Shehzaade's decision?
Ustaad didn't want Parnagarh for money, for power, for its beauty, or even for its business. The man needed Parnagarh for her sake and her sake alone.
And this was not merely attachment - the soft gentle breeze of 'attachment' would not push a man to take such steps. Only something far more potent, like the tempestuous blaze of 'love', would drive someone to such lengths. Such lengths - where a young man would do things he'd never done before. Where he would play an incredibly dangerous game and gamble everything away if he could keep her safe.
What Akbar has done now was foreseen by the shehzaade before..
'Mashallah!' Shehzaade swiftly rubbed the palms that'd turned briefly numb and cold in shock, a gleefully devious half-grin emerging on his lips. 'What a calm and smooth manoeuvre, Ustaad...' There was a bloodcurdling bitterness in his tone, but he had managed to rein in his temper. After all - this was neither the time nor the place for a reckless outburst. A day would surely come, when he would settle scores. For now, he'd just let the man enjoy his victory, and bask in the glory of newfound love. Besides, the game had been so well-played that he didn't mind losing - for a while. 'Not only have you come out of it intact, seems you've got everything you wanted too...'
The Shehzaade is just waiting for the moment..
'Not a maneuver Huzoor... but a desperate measure... I realised I couldn't sit by and let her die... not today... not ever'
What will happen in the future?
KK.
Cricket
Ganesh Kartikeya
Shiv Shakti
738