The return to Fort Panhala was quick, but the weight of what had just occurred pressed heavily on Vidur Pant's mind. His body ached from the battle in the ravine, but the adrenaline still coursed through him. They had hit the Mughals hard, caused chaos in their camp—but the beast they had struck would soon retaliate.
"Vidur," Narayanrao called as they passed through the gates of the fort, the soldiers close behind. "We made it back, but the Mughals won't wait long. They'll regroup and come after us with everything they've got."
Vidur nodded, his face grim. "I know. That raid won't stop them—it'll only slow them down."
Narayanrao looked up at the towering walls of the fort. "We've got to strengthen the defenses. They'll come with more men, and more firepower."
Vidur's eyes scanned the fort. How long can we hold? The thought gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside. "Get the men ready," Vidur said firmly. "We need to prepare for their return."
Reinforcing the Fort
The fort was alive with activity as the soldiers worked tirelessly to reinforce the walls, repair the gates, and set up traps around the perimeter. Vidur and Narayanrao moved through the fort, inspecting the defenses and ensuring everything was in place.
As they neared the main gate, Santaji Ghorpade approached, his face drawn with exhaustion but his voice steady. "Vidur, Narayanrao—word from the scouts. The Mughals are regrouping faster than we expected."
Vidur frowned, his eyes narrowing. "How soon?"
"By tomorrow," Santaji replied. "They'll be ready to strike."
Narayanrao cursed under his breath. "We don't have much time."
Vidur's mind raced. Tomorrow. So soon. He felt the familiar weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. There was no room for error now.
"We'll have to be ready," Vidur said, his voice calm despite the growing tension. "Strengthen the gates and position the archers along the walls. If they get through, we fall back to the inner keep."
Narayanrao and Santaji nodded, moving swiftly to carry out the orders.
Later that evening, Vidur found himself standing alone atop the ramparts, his eyes fixed on the dark hills beyond the fort. The sky had turned a deep, bruised purple, and the stars were faint against the lingering smoke from the earlier fires.
The night was still, but Vidur knew it wouldn't last. Tomorrow, everything changes again. The thought echoed in his mind, but he forced himself to stay calm.
His hand rested on the cold stone of the wall, and for a moment, Vidur allowed himself to breathe. We've faced them before. We'll face them again. But even as he thought it, there was a flicker of doubt. The Mughal forces were vast, relentless, and now they were coming for revenge.
"Vidur."
Narayanrao's voice was soft as he approached, his footsteps barely audible against the stone. Vidur didn't turn.
"They'll come tomorrow," Vidur said quietly, his gaze still on the horizon.
"I know," Narayanrao replied, standing beside him. "But we're ready."
Vidur gave a small nod. "We've done everything we can."
Narayanrao glanced at him, his eyes searching. "What's on your mind?"
Vidur's jaw tightened. "I wonder how many men we'll lose this time. We've already lost so much." His voice was heavy, filled with the weight of command.
Narayanrao was silent for a moment, then spoke quietly. "We fight because we have to. You know that."
Vidur exhaled slowly. "Yes. I know."
Morning came too soon. The sky was still dark when the first Mughal scouts were spotted on the horizon. Vidur stood at the top of the ramparts, watching as the enemy forces slowly took shape in the distance. They're here.
"Vidur," Narayanrao said, appearing at his side. "They're moving into position."
Vidur nodded, his eyes sharp as he took in the sight of the Mughal army assembling below. More than we expected. His stomach clenched, but his face remained calm.
"We hold them here," Vidur said, his voice steady. "We don't let them break through."
The Maratha soldiers were already in position, lining the walls with bows and readying their weapons. The tension was thick, the air heavy with anticipation.
Narayanrao glanced at Vidur. "Any final orders?"
Vidur's eyes flicked toward the gates. "Tell the men—no matter what happens, we fight to the end."
Narayanrao nodded, turning to relay the message.
The sun was barely above the horizon when the first Mughal cannons roared to life. Vidur watched as the massive stones slammed into the fort's walls, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Dust and debris rained down, but the walls held.
"Archers!" Vidur called, his voice cutting through the noise. "Fire at will!"
The Maratha archers let loose a volley of arrows, slicing through the air and finding their targets among the Mughal infantry. Below, the Mughals pushed forward, their shields raised as they advanced toward the fort.
"They're moving the siege engines forward!" Narayanrao shouted from beside Vidur.
Vidur's eyes narrowed as he saw the massive battering rams and towers inching closer to the fort's gates. They're bringing everything.
"Prepare the oil!" Vidur ordered. "We'll burn them before they reach the gates."
The Mughal forces pressed harder, the sound of the battering ram pounding against the gates filling the air. Vidur stood at the front, his sword drawn, his face set in determination.
"They're trying to breach the walls!" Narayanrao called out, his voice strained as he directed the soldiers.
"Hold them back!" Vidur shouted, his voice ringing through the chaos. "Don't let them break through!"
The oil was poured down from the walls, igniting as soon as it hit the ground, sending flames roaring up around the base of the siege towers. Mughal soldiers screamed as the fire spread, but the battering ram continued to pound against the gates.
"Vidur!" Narayanrao shouted, running toward him. "The gates won't hold much longer."
Vidur's heart raced, his mind calculating the next move. We fall back if they break through. Hold the inner defenses.
"Get ready to fall back!" Vidur ordered, his voice clear despite the noise of the battle. "If they breach the gates, we hold the keep!"
The gates finally gave way with a thunderous crack, and the Mughal soldiers surged forward into the courtyard. Vidur was ready.
"Fall back!" Vidur shouted, leading the retreat toward the inner keep. The Maratha soldiers moved swiftly, forming a defensive line around the entrance to the keep.
"We hold here!" Narayanrao yelled, his sword flashing in the dim light as he cut down a Mughal soldier.
Vidur fought beside him, his movements sharp and precise as he fended off the attackers. We can't let them break through here. This is our last stand.
The battle raged on, the courtyard filled with the sound of clashing steel and the cries of wounded men. Vidur felt the weight of each strike, the exhaustion creeping into his bones, but he couldn't stop. We have to hold.
Just as the battle seemed endless, a distant sound reached Vidur's ears—a horn. But this time, it wasn't the Mughal horn.
"Vidur!" Narayanrao shouted, his eyes wide. "Reinforcements!"
Vidur's heart leaped as he turned toward the horizon. There, in the distance, Maratha cavalry was charging toward the fort, their banners flying high.
"They're here," Vidur whispered, a surge of hope filling him.
The sight of the reinforcements sent a wave of energy through the Maratha soldiers. They pushed back with renewed strength, driving the Mughals away from the keep as the cavalry stormed into the courtyard.
The Mughal forces, caught off guard by the arrival of reinforcements, began to falter. Vidur pressed the attack, his sword flashing as he cut through the enemy lines.
As the last of the Mughals fled the fort, a great cheer erupted from the Maratha soldiers. Vidur stood in the center of the courtyard, breathing heavily as he surveyed the scene. They had held Fort Panhala—again.
Narayanrao appeared at his side, grinning despite the exhaustion on his face. "We did it, Vidur. They're retreating."
Vidur nodded, though his mind was already on what came next. This was only the beginning.
"We've won today," Vidur said quietly. "But Aurangzeb won't stop."
Santaji Ghorpade approached, nodding in agreement. "We'll be ready."
Vidur looked out at the hills beyond the fort, where the enemy had retreated. The battle may be over, but the war had only just begun.