In a secluded area deep within the forest, Ansari, the acting supreme commander of the Mughal coalition forces, was bound and gagged, hanging upside down from a tree branch. Around the tree, musketeers stood guard, ensuring that no one could interfere.
Prince Aditya, accompanied by a royal guard, some Vaidyas (local medics) and Balwindar, approached the tree.
"Lower him and let him speak," Aditya ordered with a calm authority. The musketeers obeyed, carefully lowering Ansari to the ground.
Once the gag was removed from his mouth, Ansari struggled to rise his battered body, but Aditya gestured for him to remain lying down. "It must be painful," he remarked.
It was clear that he had been badly beaten being tied up, yet his face showed no remorse. Instead, he kept a defiant smile.
Ansari laughed, mocking the prince. "Your double standards amuse me prince. You won't get anything from me. I'd rather die than help a kafir and betray my people."
