** Feb 5, 1557, Mewar Rajputana, Sisodia's territory **
The late morning sun cast a warm glow upon the tranquil scene outside the rustic cottage where Balwindar Singh sat, his weary frame propped against the wooden doorway. The gentle breeze whispered through the surrounding trees, carrying with it the faint scent of wildflowers and earth. Balwindar, now freed from the confines of his bandages, leaned back, his brow furrowed in contemplation as he surveyed the idyllic setting.
His gaze drifted to the young woman who was busy tending to a patient in her veranda. She was Shweta, a charming 19-year-old with a candid personality.
Currently, she was treating an injured farmer who had come seeking help after hurting his leg. Balwindar found himself captivated by Shweta's presence, her warm demeanour and caring nature seeming to have a healing effect that went beyond the herbal remedies she administered.
As he watched her work, his mind wandered to the proposal made by Shweta's father earlier that morning. The idea of becoming his son-in-law and taking on the responsibility of caring for both Shweta and their ancestral lands upon the father's passing lingered in Balwindar's thoughts.
On one hand, there was the daunting task to meet with the unknown foreign prince of Samrajya, where he could expose Bairam Khan's treachery and seek revenge for his master. The thought of taking a stand for justice tugged at his heartstrings, even though it was a path fraught with uncertainty.
On the other hand, there was the tempting prospect of settling down and retiring from the tumultuous affairs of the world. The idea of finding peace and stability in a tranquil setting beckoned to him, offering a respite from the struggles of wielding power and influence over which he had little control.
Amidst these conflicting thoughts, Balwindar couldn't ignore the growing attraction he felt towards Shweta. He couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps, just perhaps, she harboured a similar sentiment towards him, but such thoughts were best left for another time. For now, amidst the tranquil beauty of the moment, he knew he had weighty decisions to make regarding his future path.
As Balwindar grappled with the weight of his decision, the tranquility of the moment was shattered by the sudden chaos that erupted outside. Voices of panic mingled with the thundering hooves of horses and the ominous clang of swords clashing.
His eyes widened in alarm as he witnessed the son of the village chief darting out of sight through the back door in horse back, a desperate escape from an unknown threat.
Meanwhile, the village chief rallied his trusted aides, their faces etched with determination as they prepared to defend their home against the impending onslaught of bandits.
Amidst the chaos, Shweta's eyes met Balwindar's, silently pleading for help. Without hesitation, he nodded in acknowledgment as she ushered the injured farmer into the safety of the cottage. Grabbing a long stick from beside the door, Balwindar positioned himself at the forefront of the fence surrounding the house, ready to confront the impending danger.
Amidst the tumultuous clamor, Balwindar's eyes widened in horror as he witnessed the bandits, numbering between 30 to 40, ruthlessly capturing the village chieftain.
With callous laughter echoing through the air, they dragged him to the village square where, under the merciless gaze of their leader, Kaliya, they executed him without remorse.
Kaliya, a towering figure standing at an imposing height of 6 feet 8 inches, exuded an aura of barbarity as he issued his commands.
"Bring all the women here! Take everything of value and kill anyone who dares to resist!" Kaliya bellowed, his command ringing out with chilling authority.
With a sense of dread, Balwindar watched as the bandits dispersed, their cruel intentions laid bare as they began to break down the doors of the village homes, intent on looting and pillaging without mercy.
As the chaos unfolded before him, Balwindar's heart raced with a mixture of fear and resolve. With each passing moment, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon him, knowing that the fate of the village hung precariously in the balance.
As three bandits closed in on Balwindar, their menacing words cutting through the chaos, he felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. Memories of past failures flashed before his eyes, but he pushed them aside, gripping the stick tightly in his hand as he prepared to defend himself.
With swift and decisive movements, Balwindar lunged forward, delivering a powerful uppercut to the first bandit on his right, shattering his jaw with a sickening crunch. Without pausing, he pivoted to face the next assailant, bringing the stick crashing down on his head with enough force to send him reeling to the ground.
Using the momentum of his attack, Balwindar hooked the legs of the third bandit, sending him tumbling to the dirt before unleashing a barrage of merciless blows upon him.
The cries of his fallen adversaries drew the attention of more bandits, four of whom advanced upon him with grim determination. But Balwindar remained steadfast, his focus unwavering as he faced the new threat.
As the first bandit lunged forward, Balwindar sidestepped with lightning speed, delivering a devastating blow to his right hand, disarming him before swiftly incapacitating him with a blow to the head.
As three more assailants closed in, their swords glinting menacingly in the sunlight, Balwindar stood his ground, his movements calculated and precise. With a swift flick of his wrist, he deflected the first attacker's strike, the clash of metal ringing out in the air. Ducking under the second assailant's swing, he delivered a swift kick to their knee, causing them to stumble backward with a cry of pain.
Meanwhile, he spun to face the third assailant, his stick poised to strike. With a fluid motion, he swung the stick in a wide arc, aiming for the attacker's shoulder. The assailant attempted to block the blow, but Balwindar anticipated their move, adjusting his angle at the last moment to land a solid hit.
As the assailants recoiled from the force of Balwindar's strikes, he pressed his advantage, his movements graceful yet deadly. With each strike, he targeted their vulnerable joints, aiming to incapacitate them without causing fatal injuries. The assailants, realizing they were outmatched, began to falter, their attacks growing increasingly desperate and uncoordinated.
Amidst the flurry of blows and clashes, Balwindar remained calm and focused, his mind calculating each move with precision. He parried their attacks with ease, his stick whirling through the air in a deadly dance. With each strike, he maintained his balance and composure, never wavering in his resolve to defend himself and those he cared about.
As the skirmish continued, the assailants' movements grew sluggish, their fatigue evident as they struggled to keep up with Balwindar's relentless assault. With one final, decisive strike, Balwindar disarmed the last remaining assailant, sending their sword clattering to the ground.
With the immediate threat neutralized, Balwindar stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion but his spirit unbroken.
Amidst the chaos, the leader of the bandits, Kaliya, emerged with a contingent of ten men at his back. His eyes burned with fury as he surveyed the scene, his lips curling into a cruel smile as he prepared to unleash his forces upon Balwindar.
As Balwindar stood his ground, the leader of the bandits approached with a mocking grin, his voice dripping with false camaraderie.
"Why are you so worked up, my friend? We have no intention of harming a skilled individual like yourself. How about joining us?" Kaliya's words rang out, his eyes assessing Balwindar's reaction with a calculated interest.
Balwindar's gaze flickered momentarily to the cottage where Shweta watched from hiding, her worried eyes locked onto his. With a determined resolve, he turned back to face Kaliya, his grip tightening on the stick in his hand.
But Kaliya seemed unfazed by Balwindar's silent defiance, his amusement evident as he continued to taunt him.
"Ah, young bloods," Kaliya chuckled darkly. "My father always warned me not to underestimate the power of love. I promise we will spare your girl, but only if you cooperate. What do you say?"
In response, Balwindar raised his stick in Kaliya's direction, his stance firm and unwavering. The leader's laughter echoed through the air as he winked at one of his trusted aides, a silent signal passing between them.
"Very well," Kaliya declared, drawing his two swords with a flourish. "Let's make it one versus one then."
As Kaliya advanced with his two gleaming swords, Balwindar stood ready, his eyes locked on his opponent's every move. With the grace of a seasoned fighter, he expertly parried each strike, using his trusty stick with skillful precision.
Kaliya's strikes came fast and fierce, but Balwindar's movements were fluid and calculated. With every step, he maintained his balance, shifting his stance seamlessly to keep Kaliya at bay. As the clash of steel rang out, the dance of combat unfolded, a symphony of strength and agility.
With a swift sidestep, Balwindar avoided a powerful overhead strike from Kaliya's left sword, countering with a quick jab of his stick to the bandit's ribs. Kaliya grunted in pain, but he pressed on, launching a series of rapid slashes aimed at Balwindar's legs.
Balwindar responded with a low sweep of his stick, knocking one of Kaliya's swords off balance before delivering a forceful thrust towards his opponent's midsection. Kaliya stumbled back, momentarily thrown off guard by the unexpected move.
Kaliya took a brief pause to retrieve his swords, then swiftly closed the distance between himself and Balwindar and leaped into the air, aiming a downward strike with both swords in his hands.
Balwindar instinctively raised his stick to block the attack, but the force of the blow caused the stick to splinter, leaving him momentarily vulnerable. Evading the strike, Balwindar rolled to the side and swiftly picked up the fallen sword in one hand and the broken stick in the other.
Despite being pushed back by Kaliya's relentless assault, Balwindar continued to deflect and parry the deadly attacks, exploiting any openings in Kaliya's defense to deliver precise counterattacks. With the broken stick, he targeted Kaliya's joints, aiming to disable him, but the seasoned warrior managed to keep his joints safe.
As the duel intensified, Kaliya managed to push Balwindar heavily into a corner, taunting him with a smirk. "You have a way with swords, huh? How about a surprise?" he mocked, prompting Balwindar to look back for a moment.
To his horror, Balwindar saw Shweta seized by one of Kaliya's lackeys, a hand covering her mouth while a knife pressed against her delicate neck. Panic surged through Balwindar as he forgot his surroundings, attempting to rush to Shweta's aid.
In that moment of distraction, a powerful blow struck Balwindar's head, sending him reeling into darkness. As consciousness slipped away, he caught a final glimpse of Kaliya's menacing smile, realizing too late the trap that had been set.
** After few hours **
As the evening sun began to dip below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the village square, Balwindar slowly opened his eyes.
The flickering flames of a bonfire illuminated the scene, revealing Shweta lying at the feet of the thug Kaliya. She was bound, her mouth gagged, and her legs tied tightly. Tears streaked down her swollen cheeks, bearing witness to the agony she had endured.
Balwindar attempted to move his body, but every inch was met with searing pain, as if he had been pummelled relentlessly while unconscious. Despite the agony, he summoned every ounce of strength and determination, dragging himself closer to Shweta's side.
However, his feeble attempt was abruptly halted as he caught sight of a sword planted firmly in the ground before him, placed there by one of Kaliya's lackeys. The gleaming blade served as a grim reminder of the perilous situation they were in.
Kaliya, with a smug grin on his face, replied, "Ah, after a long time, I've enjoyed such a good fight. See, I'm not merciless. I'll let you live and all the villagers go, as we've taken what we need." He gestured behind him, where several girls and women were bound with ropes, along with sacks of grains and scattered jewelry, rounded up by his men.
"But before I go, I think I should give you a parting gift, for wasting my time and beating my men," With an evil gleam in his eyes, Kaliya turned towards Shweta, who recoiled back in horror.
Balwindar struggled to get up, understanding the bandit's ill intentions, but he was unable to stand due to the beating he had received from the lackeys.
Kaliya and his men laughed wickedly as they teased the duo, with Kaliya raising his right hand in the air and slowly moving it towards Shweta's bosom, threatening to rip off her blouse and leave her exposed.
Balwindar cursed his helplessness, feeling powerless to protect the people who mattered most to him. He prayed fervently to the heavens, begging for a miracle to save Shweta, vowing to choose the first option he had previously dismissed.
In that desperate moment, as if in response to his plea, an arrow suddenly pierced through the air, finding its mark on Kaliya's approaching hand. The bandit leader cried out in agony, his disbelief evident in his pained expression as he staggered back, clutching his injured hand.
But the assault didn't end there. Another arrow swiftly followed, striking true and piercing Kaliya's knee with precision. With a guttural cry of pain, Kaliya crumpled to the ground, his once formidable stature reduced to a figure writhing in torment.
Yet fate had one final blow in store. A third arrow found its mark, slicing through the air before embedding itself in Kaliya's neck. Blood spurted forth, drenching the ground beneath him as he choked and gasped for air, his life slipped away within few moment of struggle to breath.
" Kaliya is down! Leader is dead!"
"It's Prince Pratap! "
"Run for your lives!" his peers cried out in alarm, urging each other to flee and shouting for safety.
Arrows continued to fly, hitting each running bandit with deadly accuracy. As Balwindar's vision began to fade into darkness, he caught sight of a young boy with a blurred face, dressed in noble clothes and wielding a crossbow. Though no more than five feet tall, the boy exuded an aura of authority and courage beyond his years, leading his troops into battle.
In that fleeting moment, the boy appeared to Balwindar as a spiritual figure, reminiscent of his revered guru, Guru Nanak. With that image burned into his mind, Balwindar lost consciousness, his fate intertwined with the unfolding chaos around him.