Jainagara (current Jaipur) - Mohan's Perspective
The cold evening breeze carried the scent of sandalwood and incense as I stood by the palace balcony, overlooking the bustling streets of Jainagara. The city never truly slept; merchants haggled under dim lanterns, spies exchanged whispers in dark alleys, and the wheels of power turned ceaselessly in hidden chambers. My thoughts, however, were far from the present. My mind replayed the intelligence reports about the ambush on Yuvraj Harsha in Deeg.
A thousand men. The sheer number disturbed me. Such coordination, such confidence—it reeked of an internal betrayal. Spies from both the royal network and Devi Nandini's inner circle had failed to uncover the true mastermind, but we had a lead.
A middleman.
A man described by the captured enemy commander matched the profile of a reputed Pandit in the Krishna temple of Mathura. He was a respected figure, often assisting the Rajpurohit of Emperor Harishchandra's brother, Lord Shurasena's family, in temple rituals and court ceremonies. An unlikely suspect, but in matters of power, even the most sacred could be corrupted.
I could not afford hesitation.
I turned and rang the small bronze bell beside me. Within seconds, a shadow emerged from the dimly lit corridor—Raghav, one of my most trusted operatives.
"Prepare for my departure to Mathura," I instructed, my voice carrying an edge of urgency. "We travel under the guise of merchants. Our carts will be filled with Mandore's finest textiles and metalwork, and we'll take an escort for protection. Inform our agents stationed in Mathura to track the suspect's movements. I will decide our course of action upon arrival. We have to capture him. If he is not the same person as we thought, we can start searching again, but we can't leave him alone. If it proves wrong and an innocent person is disturbed, so be it."
Raghav bowed slightly. "Understood, my lord. I will arrange everything before dawn."
As he disappeared into the shadows, I exhaled slowly. Mathura... The city was a jewel of culture, wealth, and politics, but beneath its grandeur, the scent of treachery lingered. And I intended to unearth it.
I had to go there myself for this operation.
The Journey to Mathura
Dawn broke over Jainagara as our convoy departed. The caravan moved steadily, carts laden with textiles and crafted steel from Mandore, blending seamlessly with legitimate traders making their way to the bustling markets of Mathura. Our disguises were flawless, but my mind remained unsettled. The road to Mathura was long, and the weight of responsibility bore down upon my shoulders.
By midday, we crossed into the vast plains that led toward the holy city. My men remained alert, eyes scanning the landscape for any signs of ambush. This was not merely a journey—it was a test of our strategy and foresight. I had studied Mathura's political landscape carefully. The city was a melting pot of influences, its temples and trade routes intertwined with the ambitions of kings and spies alike.
At dusk, we halted near a quiet stretch of the Yamuna River. The men gathered around the campfires, speaking in hushed tones, their breaths visible in the cool night air. I sat apart, sharpening my dagger, my thoughts consumed by the mission ahead.
Raghav approached, his voice low. "Our informant in Mathura has sent word. The Pandit is well-guarded, but he moves alone at times. His connections to the royal court remain uncertain."
I nodded. "Then we watch, we wait. Mathura will reveal its secrets soon enough."
Mathura - The Court of King Shurasena
The flickering torchlight cast long shadows across the chamber as King Shurasena leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest of his gilded throne. Beside him, Ugarsena stood, his eyes alight with the hunger for power.
Opposite them, Jagdish, the kingdom's chief spy, knelt before his king. His voice was calm but laced with urgency. "Maharaj, Emperor Harishchandra has triumphed over the Rashtrakutas. Emperor Indra is dead, and Ujjaini will soon be in their grasp."
Shurasena let out a slow, measured breath. "And the rumored weapons?"
Jagdish hesitated before speaking. "From Mandsaur and Gwalior, our spies report something… unnatural. Arrows that explode upon impact. Bows with an extended range beyond what should be possible. Our attempts to uncover their secrets have failed. The weapon forges in Mandore are heavily secured."
Ugarsena slammed his fist onto the table. "This is troubling, father! Mandore's power grows unchecked. Their steel, their infrastructure, and now this—these weapons will make them invincible! How can we ever hope to take what rightfully belongs to us?"
Shurasena smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with cunning. "Power alone does not determine the victor, my son. Influence, subterfuge, and patience shape the fate of empires."
He stood and walked toward the window, gazing at the distant horizon. "I have already planted seeds of discord. There are lords within Rajputana who are weary of Harishchandra's growing dominance. And… we have a mole inside Mandore's court. One close to Yuvraj Harsha himself."
Ugarsena's eyes widened. "Then why wait? We should act now—"
Shurasena turned sharply. "You don't have to take tension, Ugar. I have thought about all this, and I have crafted a plan for a successful coup. I will become emperor and fulfill my destiny. My father gave his throne to Harishchandra simply because he was the eldest, ignoring me. But I am the superior warrior! What does he have? Just friendship and respect from some vassal lords and courtiers. That will be his weakness."
He walked back to the throne, his fingers tapping against the golden armrest. "I have already managed to sway some vassal lords to our side with promises of power. However, some remain difficult to approach. If I present my plan prematurely, it could backfire. Three lords, in particular, are very close to Harishchandra."
He turned to Ugarsena with a calculating smile. "Now, you only have to focus on preparing our hidden army and ensuring our guards remain loyal. We will achieve our goal without direct confrontation with Harishchandra, but we must prepare for civil unrest and external pressures."
Shurasena placed a firm hand on Ugarsena's shoulder. "You will become king after me—of the entire Suryavanshi Empire. Harishchandra and his son are wasting time building infrastructure when they should be expanding our borders. Their new weapons are powerful, but they lack the vision to use them properly. Their hesitation will be their downfall."
A sinister chuckle escaped his lips. "And as for Yuvraj Harsha… I have another surprise waiting for him."
End of Chapter ...
to be continued ...