I was not knowing that mine effort will not be fruitful, i am in deep grief not knowing what to do next.
All my wise men are lost now because of mine fault, i underestimated mine enemy's power, what i estimated was their mirage.
Mine wife Rose was conceived when it all started, i wanted to give my to be born son a new city in a gift, in fact best city in entire Rosewood (our state) and there was only one like that and that is Kuldeep Singh's Mersiwand (Capital of our state).
There was nothing which we Gargians was not having, wealth, power, beauty, art, literature, best in everything but greed need nothing to come, it just came to take everything from me.
Our hometown gargilla was covered by high steep mountains from all the side with just a narrow entrance at east allowing only two horses to pass at a time that also only if our 30 feet high iron gate is opened, giving us the top defense stance. Day and night hundreds of spear's men guarding the main city door, thousands bow men hiding in the hills in every direction and keeping an eye for any infiltration, lakhs of swordsmen ready to defense on a single summon call, thousands patrolling the city maintaining law and order, and lakhs are on training field getting top notch training. In Gargilla city falls at backside, first there is citygate, then army house, armory, villas,palace, servant room, city, and lastly farms, which is exactly opposite of all other cities. Gargilla was always deserving of capital title but Mersiwand is a beautiful city and is situated around the river Mersi which is main source of water for 8 out of 9 cities of our state. Mersiwand is the first city in the east from which the river mersi is passing and then it is divided into two streams out of which one flows straight to west that is our gargilla on north side of west stream and Berhund and Somaneer on the south side of west stream were as second stream flows north consisting Milci and Yuralanda on west side of north and Urgavan and Mahodara on the east side of north, were as Svaavalambee was a city with their own pond, however it's a long time since one has seen svaavalambee, it was a city in northeast till meriwand constructed wall at east on both side of river which ceased svaavalambee getting trickling water from river mercy, there's being rumor of svaavalalmbee being established in south west scarce hills but no one has yet seen, or those who has seen are not left alive.
Mersi river was named after the word mercy as it is treated as a god's mercy providing us the water, and mersiwand was named after its popular dams Hara and Rudra which acts like a wand controlling the flow of Merci in too streams. Hara and Rudra are synonyms of Hindu Lord Shiva who is also master of Mercy. Mersiwand city walls were tallest and strongest among all except us, they have their dam along the city wall protecting it from attack, river is dividing mersiwand into two part north and south, east part of south is kuldeep's fort and west is all for army whereas entire north is for common people residential and agriculture use.
There was the peace treaty between mersiwand and all the 8 Cities just because of the water, giving mersiwand advantage over all cities to dominate and to collect monopoly taxes. In case of any dispute Kuldeep use to sentence the cities of same stream with black water. In blackwater sentence they use to close the dam for their stream and leave toxic chemical in the remaining water of the stream. Kuldeep even raised wall along the river in the east till the state border so that no one can overrule their advantage.In east there is Mount Sharva starting our state territory by a massive and tallest waterfall falling from a height of about 1000 feet. Basically enjoying monopoly over natural thing on which every one is having equal rights. Kuldeep even hunts on north and west stream as he knows animals of jungle will come there for water. Along with the situational benefit, Kuldeep is also having political benefit as his two sons (Jay and Vijay) are married with the princess of north stream one of each side (Milci and Ugravan) even his own wife is from one of the city in west.(Somaneer).
SIX MONTHS AGO...
Its dawn and i was already over drunken, enjoying dance of Misilla (my favorite among all dancers), rejoicing the gold collection for the year, it was highest in entire state. Given a handsome bonus to everyone, entire city was dazzling with oil lamps, entire palace was full of chimes and then Misilla stops as moment was disturbed by someone's anklet being strumming rapidly towards us, it was rose handmaid with a shy smile on her face came till the entrance, her big pearly eye balls rapidly scanned the ballroom and paused at me, her brimming eyes made me impatient, i stood and mine gesture was clear enough to allow her, she came near to me and whispered "Lord, Queen is expecting, you are soon going to be father", her words gave me goosebumps, doubled mine happiness, i couldn't stop myself, took out entire set of chains and tossed in air and whipped towards my bedroom. Rose was lying in bathtub, aroma of bamboo potion covered the entire room, moon's reflection was clear as live in black potion, when she saw me she started blushing and stirring water of tub fusing moon's image.
Me: - O Rose, am so happy, tell me what you want
Rose:- You already gave me everything dear, there is nothing i wish.
Me: - Still, i insist, you may ask anything, for you or for our coming Son.
Rose moved her hand towards me for getting up and asked: - How do you know it's boy?.
Me filled with pride: - in our entire ancestry, there is never being a girl born, it's a blessing from Lord shiva to our ancestor.
Rose came out of tub, grabbed her robe, turned slightly towards me, chuckled and said: - Ooo, I see, and why precisely did Lord Shiva gave such blessing to your ancestors.
Me leaning on window: - There's being a tale passed by every father to son that long ago, one of our ancestor (King Shutambhu) was once coming from a holy bath in river mercy when accidentally hitten by a bull on his male organ and became incapable of producing child. For many year he passed his life in depression and in fear of not being to have next generation, he even went to Svaavalambee, who is best known for their herbs, but nothing worked, then while returning from svaavalambee fortunately he met a passing by Aghori who guided him to go to the top of the gargilla mountain and establish a Shivling to pray until Lord Shiva appears, though it was not easy to climb up the highest pick of gargilla but he did it, he then pray Shivling day and night in unbearable cold for many months then one day Lord Shiva appeared and ask him his desire, he said that he is incapable of producing child and he wants a boy, then Lord shiva blessed him that he and his ancestor will have boys but on a condition that if any one in his ancestor did anything wrong to anyone by intention then the blessing will forfeit. From then there is a day preserved for worship that same shivling established up high.
Rose: - So you mean to say that in your entire ancestry no one did anything wrong to anyone.
Me filling glass with wine: - well, not intentionally.
Our conversation was interrupted when someone knocked the door. Rose first looked at me and then muffled behind the curtains
Me slightly opening the door: - Yes, Rana (my room guard, heavily armored, with longest and strongest sword ready to be drawn out of sheath), what make you bother me at late night.
Rana: - There is an messenger from Merciwand, waiting on city gate.
Me: - Greet him now, give him the best guest room we have and say that king will meet him in the morning.
Rana nodded then bend and left after saluting.
Rose crouching on bed: - What was it?
Me: - Nothing serious, a messenger from merciwand
It use to took half a day to cover the distance between Merciwand and gargilla so messengers from Merciwand mostly reach Gargilla at night only thus we were not shocked of messenger at this late night but still reason of coming was still making me restless. I cannot meet him at night since it is a matter of prestige.
Morning in Gargilla is most beautiful in entire state, sun rising over our thirty feet city copper's gate, makes it glow from its edges spreading a faint salty and metallic smell all over gargilla, evaporating dew covering entire city in mist, one can clearly hear tweets of distinct birds and noise of wings flapping from every direction, can clearly see snow dust hovering on mountains, passing sweet cold all over the city. Weather like this tempt citizen to remain in their blanket. After a restless night it's time to meet messenger.
When I entered throne room every one summoned there got up and greeted me by denoting me lord but messenger was standing still with attitude full of arrogance , chest full of pride , chin tilted upwards, his body posture was presenting him as king but attire itself was introducing hims as messenger.
Messenger: - Lord Kuldeep Singh, king of Mersiwand and entire east is congratulating you for your achievement, it's a matter of pride that your city has achieved the highest gold collection in entire state and it is also the matter of fact that it is highest till date. No other city has achieved such huge collection ever in history. Its is matter of fact too that Merciwand was the lowest collector and being capital of state, it is a shame thus Kuldeep Singh declare Gargilla as the new Capital of Rosewood.
There was curiosity all over the throne room, every one was stunned by the news, such impossible event was unlikely to happen ever in life, person like Kuldeep Singh who didn't even forbidden tax on water, how come he gave us the capital title, question of his being so genuine stuck every bodies mind. Big round eyes of all mine wise man was looking at him and waiting what is next to come.
Messenger rolling the letter: - it is all what was there in this letter, being successfully delivering the message, mine task in gargilla is finished thus I need a acceptance letter so that I can go back to Merciwand.
A strange silence covered entire throne room, what it is no one can understand, no one can believe the fairness of message, every one looking each other's face trying to figure majority of answer but couldn't conclude.
Kathore Singh, one of mine wise men, bended for permission: - Well, messenger we are glad to hear such message but it is serious matter and can not be concluded in short span, thus I request you to proceed to your way, we will soon be sending our messenger.
Messenger with mocking face: - I agree with your word sir, but such gifts are not harmful in anyway, I don't see any threat in it, such suspiciousness is a sign of cowardness.
Rana took out sword: -Mind your words, such insult won't be accepted.
I stood up from throne showing hold on sign to Rana: - Messenger, everything is not all about threats, there are other factors too which your small mind won't understand therefore I ask you to leave now, we will send our answer soon.
Messenger was impressed by mine answer and left.
Kathore singh: - Lord, i am sure that there is a trick behind this
Me pressing my head with thumb: - that we all know singh ji but the question is what is that trick.
We all were thinking about it till bell for elevenses rang and we left the discussion for post lunch.
Decision are sometimes hard to make, like an egg, if hitted little hard it can ruin entire meal, and if hitted little soft then shell won't crack, precise force is needed for perfect result.
Perception keep changes while making decision, one have to think from every angle and also several times. A still remember, once while having meal I look at my father face, entirely blank for any emotion, eyes wide open staring at my hand, I wonder what's wrong with my hand, I kept looking at my father face and my hand simultaneously to figure out the thing, it took some time for me to recognise that he is in deep thought and it's human nature to stare something but nothing, so do I, unknowingly staring at empty chair opposite to me at dining table.
Rose next to me: - Darling what makes you think so deep
Me bit shaken: - there is something I want to believe but my suspicion over it is high.
Rose frowning: - what?
Me revealing everything: - Now I want to believe that it's our coming Son's luck, as I wanted to give him the capital city of rosewood (merciwand) our Son is already destined to be prince of capital and my vision is achieved without shedding blood, but the person who had not given anything to anyone how come he handed something big to someone who is not in relation to him in anyway.
Rose: - The title of Capital is itself everything, it have power, pride, wealth and many more, may be he want something in exchange of the title or may be he is really genuine and he is following law of rosewood with full grace.
Me: - There is no law like this sweetheart, and we don't have anything so valuable which can be exchange over for it.
Rose: - Look, he has offered what he has and ask nothing for it and accepting this didn't seems to be harmful but if you have any doubt then why don't you spy for a day before your answer.
Me: - We already had a few informers in merciwand and I wonder how come news such big was not reported by them, and in fact there is no trace of any informer even after it is being revealed to everyone.
Rose : - May be there is no harm in this that is why they are not risking their identity.
Me: - I know them well, they would have been here at least to congratulate us.
Rose: - Now what?
Me after some pause: - we will wait for one more day, if no one comes then we will send a new informer to collect information from field informers.
Sun was setting in pale orange sky, time for post lunch arrived.
Me moving towards my throne in a fast pace, all court members stood up for greetings.
Me standing in front of throne in impatience posture: This evening is no ordinary evening, we have a matter of seriousness to resolve, we all know the bone Kuldeep threw on our faces is an artificial one hence what I have thought is to write a message which shall deliver that capital shall remain capital, gargilla is a loyal city to the capital, but low gold collection is a serious concern but in my calculation merciwand is capable of much higher gold collection, there is no problem with the city as capital if there is any problem then it must be in its ruling, hence I suggest you to let us guide you by providing us second throne next to you and when the task will complete I will return to my throne.
Members whispering for few minutes.
kathore:- we all respect your decision my highness but giving away what you deserve is not apt.
Me: - I am denying because I am well aware of the fact that he is not giving, he is not so generous to give away something so big, there is a trap therefore before sending messenger I would like to send a informer to collect information from other information who are already there.
Rana: - Then allow me to be that informer my highness.
I moved towards Rana, holding both his shoulder: - You are my shadow Rana, I can't separate you from me.
kathore addressing all the members: - It's a high time for one and all to show what you can do for your land, who will come ahead for the pledge.
A lanky old man came out from the mob and bending in front of me.
Me: - Chintaram ji, you are good in finance but spying is not your trait nor your age is asking for it.
Everyone in the room started laughing like a explosion
Chintaram: - My highness I agree with your words but I came forward for something else.
I frowned and asked :- what Chintaram ji?
Chintaram ji: - I mean no disrespect to any one but your highness all your throne members are specialised in different fields, all person who were taught to be spy is already in field so in the situation like this I suggest master shall go for this task.
I after a deep thought : - Your suggestion is good but we can't risk him, and as we all know his identity is not known to any one even in our city so sending him in this task will end up his disguise.
Chintaram : - Highness you are right but try to understand the seriousness of situation, by not risking him you might be risking your entire kingdom.
Discussion and debate took time much longer than I expected, sun completely set off behind west mountains, it started getting dark, guards came in to light up fire torches, it was so silent that we can hear ablaze voices from torches.
Lastly we called off for the day with decision still on hold.
Another sleepless night was waiting for me as I moved towards my room.
Rose understood by mere looking at my hassled face.
She moved gracefully towards me with two glass of red wine in her hand and said:- Second day and yet no conclusion.
Me sharing everything to her: - we don't have any more spies with us.
Rose: - if you permit us I would like to go in this task.
Me full of surprise : - have you gone crazy it's too risky and secondly you are pregnant.
Rose: - have you forgotten those days when I use to escape from our British cantonment to meet you and all British soldiers couldn't found me for weeks because of my disguise, don't worry about my pregnancy I won't take weight and I will take care of him.
Me: - sorry rose this is not going to happen, I will think for something else.
We lied on bed in cuddle position while she was trying to convenience me with her tales full of her heroic spying traits
I didn't realise when I fell asleep on her shoulder, when I woke up I saw her with cup of tea in her hand for me.
I smiled and apologised for such behaviour
Rose: - I am glad that you slept, my lord. So what have you decided?
Me with surprised voice: - about ?
Rose wiping tea drops from my collar:- about sending me as a spy
Me: - You are most valuable to me, this is last case scenario sweetheart
I know she was disappointed as she must have thought that I don't believe in her talent, she truly is a very talented disguised spy but my fear of losing her will never let me to do this.
Question remain same that who will go in this mission, but then an idea struck my mind that we should send luga ( son of thangamal ) to go meet his father and see what he returns with, as they are real son and father so it will be less suspicious.
We were teaching luga some basic to avoid trouble and his task to complete when we hear horn of incoming outsider. Soon one of the hornblower came, he was all exhausted.
Hornblower: - There is a person in our city gate, he wants to meet you urgent, he is wounded severely, blood from his body is trickling like sewer water.
I was expecting him to be one of my informer, i ran towards the city gate, seeing me running towards him hornblower wave signal to allow him, we both meet somewhere near servant quarter. As soon as i saw him i recognise him, he is one of mine informer vaayu, vaayu was his given name, no one knows his real name. Name Vaayu was given by me as he is the fastest informer. He was mumbling something and was directing towards the main gate, I didn't paid much attention to that and took him to our chikitshalaya, as soon as we reach there ved ji left all his work and started looking at his wound.
Ved ji: - it's miracle that he survived.
Me: - how old is his wound
Ved ji:- it's a recent one lord , about half an hour , any one getting hurt this bad can't survive more than 15 minutes but this is miracle my lord
Me to the nearest person:- call kathore Singh ji, quick
Me to Ved ji:- what are the chances of surviving?
Ved ji:- it's the critical one, chances are low lord, blood has spilled a lot, please excuse us for few hours if you don't mind my lord
Me:- can I ask him few question, it's really important Ved ji.
Ved ji:- alright go on while I prepare medicine, be quick lord
Ved ji went in to insulated room to fetch turmeric. Here in gargilla medicine plants are grown in insulated room because they are crucial and outside temperature may completely ruin or may decrease the quality of plant.
Me to vaayu:- tell me what you have
Vaayu was trying to tell but can only utter some words which were not clear, I tried a lot but Ved ji took over me.
I was wondering what took kathore ji so long when he arrived and bowed to me
Me:- kathore ji, Vaayu is being attacked half an hour ago which means enemy is in our territory and as he was pointing towards east I doubt they are still there.
Kathore:- order me my lord, what should be our move.
Me:- take two troops with you with fastest horses, keep one troop for back up and ask to report me what he shall see while your troop be on field for action.
Me:- Rana, send a person along with kathore ji and ask Sambhu (army head) to see me.
News of a spy returned with wounded badly spread entire gargilla like a fire which made luga curious and suspicious of said spy to be his father. He came running to chikitshalaya, he took long breathes when he found that it is not his father. I can feel his tension in fact anyone can as it's natural. His legs were trembling so he sat relaxed with hands on his face pressing against his eyes. I was not feeling good for him, I was moving towards him for consoling when Sambhu arrived.
My entire emotion vanished and My mind got diverted towards Sambhu
Me:- Sambhu, is there any one on tower watch.
Sambhu:- yes my lord.
Me:- send someone to ask what he can see towards east about a mile and instruct him to keep an eye there.
Sambhu directed one of his man by hand gesture
Me:- we expect enemy Sambhu , I can smell war , there is something big about to happen, double the guard for couple of days, keep the army on march, fully armoured and armed, night torches will not be blown off, archeries to stock arrow and to take positions, tower to keep continue eye towards east.
Sambhu:- sure my lord, shall I announce alert in city too.
Me:- no, let's not harass them, but trigger alarm on enemy's first sight
The person returned from watch tower with report and said:- lord we see too many smokes from east, looks like a vast military force is in rest there.
Sambhu:- anything else you saw or found strange .
Reporting person:- no lord
Me:- any banner.
Reporting person:- no lord, there were no banner
Sambhu:- are you sure?
Reporting person:- yes sir, quite sure
Sambhu gesturing person to exit.
Me:- it's quite strange Sambhu, it's clear sign of an attack.
Me to Rana :- call ration incharge and kathore Singh ji
With the sign of hand movement two men ran to fulfill task
Me to luga: - I know you are worried about your father
Luga looking to me with eyes full of tears but not yet rolling down
Me keeping hands on luga shoulder: - I am sorry I can't even insure about your father status.
Luga:- I know my father, though he is good but in situation like this I am worried
Me:- I will see what I can do to get information about your father.
Luga:- can we send a rescue team?
Me:- I wish I could but that won't do any good kid, if your father is good yet then it will eventually blow his cover and along with your father all other person won't be able to cross the border.
Luga:- then allow me to continue the mission, I wanna go and come along with my father
Me:- kid, this is no game, this is battlefield and as per the scenario sending you there is pure risk
Luga:- I can't sit Idly knowing my father is in danger
Me with great sigh :- look kid, what if your father is on his way, in that case we will lose both.
Luga:- it's too late to still expecting him to come on his own lord, I must see him in any case
Me:- okay but remember it's not on me, it's your call
Luga with disappointment:- I know lord it's spy rule, but this one is for my father
Luga turned away
Me:- listen kid, what's your name?
Luga:- Luga lord
Me:- okay luga, listen very carefully, enemy is one mile away towards east, take a curve root, avoid enemy.
Me giving him my best knife:- you are real brave luga, you have increased your father reputation, I wish I could help you with more still I pray that you find your father and come back soon.
Luga Hugged me and left, it felt like my own son hugged me with heart full of grief. This kid shown what guts really means. No one except my relative dares to hug king but he did so, no offence but still it's rare
Kathore Singh and ration incharge comes in
Me to ration in charge:- how many ration day we have?
Ration in charge:- about 3 weeks my lord
Me:- any shipment for trade
Ration in charge:- nothing to arrive but we to deliver a consignment of flour, in fact it's ready to dispatch lord
Me:- stop all export , fill storage to maximum, purchase what we get as quick as possible
Ration in charge left in hurry
Me to kathore Singh ji:- kathore Singh ji , there is a huge military force 1 mile away towards east, don't engage just take a quick survey and come back
Kathore Singh ji:- as you order my lord
Though citizen was not informed about the upcoming threat but it felt like everyone knows, fear and silence is what I can hear. I think double guards and army on March is enough to explain the situation.
I was there next to vaayu hoping for its recovery, he was in deep sleep, sunlight from window start fading indicating evening, low heat was turning vaayu cold, torch lights were not enough to keep him warm, ved ji closed all the windows, lighten more torches, and ask four person to keep rubbing his feets and palms. Night gonna be tough for everyone, its being almost two hour but no one came back, gate opened once only and that also for luga to go out. I almost gave up on vaayu and left to my room.
Same day midnight
Quick knocks on my door, i wake up in hurry, my mind was not reacting, its like i and my mind slept together but only i woke up. I scramble to get to the door.
As soon as i opened door, Rana said: - kathore ji has arrived and wanna meet you in urgent.
I wore rob hasselly and went to throne room while rose was sleeping.
Kathore singh:- Lord, all our spies are killed brutally, its kuldeep singh army, they are marching towards gargilla, it's about 4000 spears men, 2000 heavily armed cavalry, 2000 swordsmen and can see smoke from far distant, expecting another army on hold by.
Me:- take a breathe kathore Singh ji, send our best diplomat to Berhund, give a friendly message to them and ask whether they will join us in this war.
I hold kathore Singh ji and said:- we need them Singh ji, tell them that ever in their life if they felt that gargilla helped them then now is the time to repay us, if they stand today for us then they have our support for life.
Kathore Singh ji moves quickly towards gate and then stopped for a while, then turned to me and said:- lord..., I saw Ananth ji (luga's father) being tied to a tree,their soldiers were mocking them, throwing rotten foods on him, some even pissed on him, it looked he was torchered very badly.
Me:- luga is long gone Singh ji, I afraid he didn't encounter them, though I instructed him to take a curvy path for 1 miles, but he still is a kid
We both saw wet eyes of each other and can clearly see trouble ahead.
Diplomats left for berhund.
Out there luga was running like horse but his curve was not enough to dodge Kuldeep's army, it is darkness who is saving this boy till yet. His curve was close to enemy circle, he then get laid on the floor and was moving on his arms when he saw two soldiers came out from somewhere to the corner while dragging a person.
Luga bewildered, shut his mouth by his hand to stop his gasping sound and freezes there to make any noise. Soldiers after coming out a bit from circle slammed the person on floor, unzipped and started pissing on his face. When soldiers brought light towards person face to ensure that they were pissing right on his face then luga can clearly see his father face which gave luga a big jolt. Tears started rolling down but he didn't moved a inch. When they were done they took Ananth back dragging same way.
Luga stood up and ran towards gargilla.
I know that there is only this night which is there between war.
When I came back rose was still sleeping I laid beside her and was waiting for any news from berhund.
When I fell asleep I didn't realise , only thing I can remember is a hazy dream of me being on a black Mule in a battle field with everyone dead except me and luga. Luga crying on his knees in front of his dead father with no eyes and no limbs, complaining me that he can't even see his dead father nor can feel his father's body despite his father's body is right in front of him.
It's few hours to sunrise yet no progress, enemy army is right on head now. With first days of sun, horn was blown on gate and hence knock on mine door.
Before Rana can tell anything I moved towards the throne room.
A soldier :- lord there is a messenger on city gate
Me:- being him here and allow no one else but him
Soldier :- as you say lord
Soon There was a teenager standing in front of me but without message.
Chintaram ji to messenger : - where is the message boy?
Messenger addressing me : - the message which is to be delivered needs no written letter lord.
Shock was all over the throne room
Chintaram : - deliver then
Messenger: - as in previous message we declared gargilla as the capital of rosewood so the lord of capital is here to take throne.