"Vidur!"
Narayanrao's whisper was sharp as they crept through the narrow paths leading away from Fort Panhala.
Vidur turned slightly, his eyes scanning the dark hills ahead. "What is it?"
Narayanrao pointed ahead. "We're near the ridge. The men are in position."
Vidur nodded, his mind clear. We strike fast, or we don't strike at all. He glanced back at the Maratha soldiers, their figures barely visible in the moonlight. "Stay low, stay quiet," he muttered under his breath.
The group moved forward, their footsteps soft on the dirt path. The night air was cool, and the only sound was the rustling of leaves as they approached the ridge. From here, they would see the Mughal camp, sprawled out in the valley below.
As they reached the ridge, Vidur crouched down, peering over the edge. Below, the Mughal army lay asleep, unaware of the danger closing in. Tents stretched out across the valley, flickering campfires lighting the scene. Siege weapons loomed in the background, ready to tear through Fort Panhala's walls.
"Perfect," Vidur muttered, his eyes narrowing. "We hit the supplies and the siege engines. Fast and hard."
Narayanrao crouched beside him, his eyes fixed on the camp. "We'll have to be quick, Vidur. If they catch us down there…"
"They won't," Vidur replied, his voice steady. "We're in and out before they know what hit them."
Vidur raised his hand, signaling the soldiers to move. They descended the ridge, slipping into the camp like shadows. Vidur led the way, his heart pounding in his chest. One wrong move, and we're finished.
They reached the edge of the camp, moving silently between the tents. The first Mughal guards fell without a sound, their throats cut by Maratha blades. Vidur glanced around—so far, everything was going as planned.
"Set the fires," Vidur whispered to Narayanrao. "We hit the supplies first."
The soldiers moved quickly, dousing the supply wagons with oil before setting them ablaze. Flames shot up instantly, licking at the night sky, casting an orange glow over the camp. Shouts of confusion rose as Mughal soldiers scrambled to wake, but Vidur didn't wait.
"Go!" Vidur urged, leading the charge toward the siege engines.
Narayanrao was at his side, his eyes flashing in the firelight. "We need to destroy them before the Mughals organize."
Vidur nodded, grabbing the nearest rope holding a siege engine in place. With a swift motion, he sliced through it, watching the massive structure collapse. The sound was lost in the growing chaos as the Mughal camp descended into panic.
"Move!" Vidur shouted, his voice cutting through the noise. "We don't have much time!"
Just as they toppled the second siege engine, a loud horn blasted through the air. Vidur froze for a moment, his eyes widening. The alarm. They know we're here.
Narayanrao turned to him, his face tense. "We need to get out—now."
Vidur didn't hesitate. "Fall back! Everyone, retreat!"
The Maratha soldiers moved quickly, pulling back from the camp as the Mughals began to organize. Vidur led the retreat, his heart pounding as they scrambled back up the ridge. The fire was spreading through the camp, but the Mughals were already forming ranks.
"They're faster than I thought," Vidur muttered, glancing back at the camp below.
Narayanrao's eyes darkened. "Too fast. They'll chase us."
As they reached the top of the ridge, Vidur saw it—Mughal cavalry moving into position at the base, blocking their escape route. His stomach dropped. We're cut off.
"Narayanrao," Vidur whispered, "we need another way out."
Narayanrao's eyes scanned the ridge quickly. "There," he pointed to a narrow path leading down a steep ravine. "It's risky, but it'll take us out of sight."
Vidur glanced at the path, his mind racing. It was narrow and treacherous, but they didn't have a choice. "Tell the men. We take the ravine."
The Maratha soldiers shifted direction, following Vidur and Narayanrao down the steep, rocky path. The ravine was narrow, the walls closing in on either side, but it offered cover. Vidur led the way, his heart pounding with every step.
"They're right behind us," Narayanrao called out from behind, his voice tight.
Vidur gritted his teeth. We need to move faster.
They pressed on, the sound of Mughal hooves growing louder behind them. Vidur could feel the tension rising. One mistake, and they'd be overrun.
"Almost there," Vidur muttered under his breath, urging the soldiers forward.
As they rounded the final bend, Vidur spotted an opening ahead—a way out of the ravine. Relief surged through him. We might just make it.
But before they could reach the exit, a shout rang out from behind. Vidur turned, his eyes widening as he saw Mughal soldiers pouring into the ravine.
"Vidur!" Narayanrao shouted. "They're coming!"
Vidur's grip tightened on his sword. "Form up! We hold them here."
The Maratha soldiers formed a tight line, their backs to the exit of the ravine. The Mughal soldiers charged, their blades gleaming in the dim light. Vidur raised his sword, his heart steady.
"We fight," he said quietly, his eyes locked on the advancing enemy. "And we survive."
The first Mughal soldier reached Vidur, swinging wildly. Vidur blocked the blow, countering with a quick strike that sent the man tumbling back. The Maratha line held firm, pushing the Mughals back with every strike.
"Hold the line!" Narayanrao shouted, his voice fierce.
Vidur fought with everything he had, his movements sharp and precise. They couldn't let the Mughals break through—not here.
As the battle raged on, the Mughal forces began to falter, their numbers thinning in the narrow space of the ravine. Vidur saw the opportunity.
"Now!" Vidur shouted. "Push them back!"
With a final surge, the Marathas drove the Mughals out of the ravine, sending them scattering down the hillside. Vidur watched as the last of the enemy retreated, his breath heavy.
"We did it," Narayanrao said, his voice filled with relief.
Vidur nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "We're not done yet. Let's get back to the fort."
The night was far from over, but for now, Vidur and his men had survived.
They had struck the lion. Now they had to prepare for the beast's return.