Chapter 14 : Pleas for Justice and War
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Palace of Virata.
Varun entered the palace of Virata with a weary look on his face. He had been gone for more than a week, while the preparation of war and training was happening.
He was accompanied by a mysterious woman, dressed in a colorful tribal attire, who had a visible bump on her stomach. She looked around nervously and walks in shyly, as if afraid of being recognized.
Ivaan and Nimit, soon joined Varun as they had been worried sick about him, ever since he was captured by the Nanda soldiers during the five-day long festival.
It was dangerous for him to visit Nanda again.
"Varun, you are back safe.....
What happened? And who is this woman?" Ivaan asked, curious.
Varun sighed and motioned for them to follow him to a private chamber. He had a lot to tell, and none of it was good.
Varun asked the attentee to see the woman before talking with Ivaan and Nimit,
He explained how he saw some spies and informers lurking in the shadows, reporting to someone, Varun followed them discreetly, and discovered that they were working for a mysterious woman who wore a veil. He heard her giving orders and instructions to her agents, and realized that she was the leader of a secret organization that was plotting against Raja Sethu.
She said that she had a plan to assassinate him during the festival.
He asked for the woman inside the chamber for the rest of what he heard.
"I have brought you a valuable ally in our war against Nanda. This is Kali, the princess of the Kuru tribe, a small state under the rule of Nanda. She is also the mother of King Sethu's unborn child." Varun said, shocking Ivaan, and Nimit she was very young compared to King Sethu.
"What? How is that possible? King Sethu is married to Queen and they have a son, Nayan, who is about to be wed and she looks younger than him," Nimit asked, incredulous.
Varun explained the whole story that King Sethu had fallen ill, and had secluded himself. Varun suspected that something was amiss, and decided to investigate.
He discovered that King Sethu was not sick at all, but was busy dealing with a tribal revolt. He had intimated and threatened Kali about killing her tribe, as the daughter of the Kuru chief she had agreed for the sake, when he visited their land a few months ago. Meanwhile he had promised to marry her and make her his queen, but he had lied. He had no intention of sharing his power with a tribal woman. He had abandoned Kali, and ignored her pleas for justice.
Kali was heartbroken and furious. She had given up everything for Sethu, and he had betrayed her. She had also become pregnant with his child, and faced the wrath of her tribe.
The king had now considered her a disgrace, and wanted to kill her and her unborn baby. Kali refused to give up. She vowed to expose his treachery, and claim her rights as his consort and the mother of his child.
Her tribe had taken their stand with their princess. They were going to attack the king during the festival but he has charged his army on them before they could.
Sethu was alarmed by the uprising, and tried to suppress it with force. He sent his army to crush the Kuru tribe, and capture Kali. He planned to execute her and her child, and erase any evidence of his affair. He also lied to his people, and said that he was ill, and could not attend the festival. He hoped to end the rebellion quickly, and resume his normal life.
Kali had witnessed the brutal battle between the Nanda and the Kuru forces. She had seen the bloodshed, death,the carnage, and the cruelty.
Varun had managed to smuggle Kali out of the Kingdom,they had faced many dangers and obstacles, but they had finally reached Virata.
Varun had also learned something else, something that could change the course of the war. He had overheard Sethu talking to his advisor, and revealing his secret plan.
He had made a deal with the king of Rana, and agreed to attack Virata from two sides. He had also bribed some of the Virata nobles.
Varun had brought this information to Ivaan, and urged him to act fast. He had also convinced Kali to join forces with Virata, and offer her tribe's support.
Kali had agreed, on the condition that Sethu would be punished for his crimes, and that her child would be recognized as his legitimate son of the king. She had also developed a bond with Varun, and trusted him.
Ivaan was stunned by this and was
disgusted by his immorality, he thanked Kali for her alliance. He decided to accept their offer, and prepare for the war. He also welcomed Kali to his palace, and assured her of his protection and respect.
"Princess Kali, you are a brave and noble woman. You have suffered a lot, and you deserve justice. I promise you, we will defeat Sethu, and make him pay for his sins. We will also honor your child, and give him or her a place in our kingdom. You have my word."
Kali smiled, and touched her belly.
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Kali as a loyal ally of the Virata kingdom, told them that there was a secret route through the mountains, that led to the heart of the Nanda kingdom. She said that if they followed that route, he could surprise the Nanda army, and capture the king and the palace.
Ivaan led the army and were preparing for the war with Nanda. They had learned from a Kali that Nanda had a strong defense at the main entrance, but that there was another way to enter the kingdom.
Kali had given them a map of the secret route.
Ivaan ordered Varun and Nimit to follow him, and they led a large contingent of soldiers through the tunnel.
They emerged in the valley, where they saw Kali's tribe. They were ready to attack with them, but soon the war had began as soon as the news of inflirtation was announced.
The bloodshed began killing many of the army situated in this end and some were taken as prisoners.
The king Sethu was shocked when he heard the news of the invasion. He had not expected a fight from the secret route entrance. He had focused all his attention on the main entrance, where he had stationed his best soldiers and weapons. He realized that he had been outsmarted by Ivaan, and that his kingdom was in peril. He summoned his ministers and his remaining army, and prepared to face the enemy.
Ivaan, Varun, and Nimit led their soldiers to the capital of Nanda, where they met the king and his forces. A fierce battle ensued, with both sides fighting on horses with swords, arrows, and cannons. The battle lasted for hours, with many casualties on both sides.
The battle was turning in favor of Virata, as they had the advantage of surprise and numbers.
The king of Nanda was wounded and captured, and his army was losing ground. The fate of Nanda seemed sealed, and the victory of Virata seemed certain.
But then, something unexpected happened. Nayan and Arjun arrived at the scene, with a large army of allies.
Arjun was quick to action bring the army of Rana and they were also joined by the Army of Malwa with him they learned of the attack on kingdom, and the danger.
Nayan and Arjun saw the carnage and the chaos, and he felt a surge of rage and sorrow. He saw his father, the king, in chains, and he felt a pang of guilt and grief.
He saw Ivaan and he felt a burst of hatred and vengeance. He charged at them, with his sword drawn, and his army behind him. He shouted a war cry.
The battle resumed, with a new twist.Ivaan and Varun had expected the Kingdom of Nanda to join , but Malwa was unexpected.
Prince Nayan, Arjun and his allies fought against Ivaan and his soldiers, with a renewed vigor and determination. The battle was fierce and bloody, with both sides showing no mercy.
Soon it was end of day 1 of the war and the outcome of the battle was unknown, The fate of Nanda and Virata was uncertain, as the war continue the next day.
"Now the Army, is way to big for us to fight, Ivaan we would need plan, Prince Nayan managed to get the King out of the chains.."; Nimit says wincing injured himself he had taken the attack of Arjun saving Ivaan from the attack.
Varun nods calling in for another meeting with the Nimit and other generals.
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Kingdom of Rana
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Meanwhile on the other side Anya, excutes her plan into action she had convinced her father to write for the ministers of the Kingdom of Avantipura to where eldest daughterof the king Ameya was married to.
Anya had a meeting with war ministers and they had convinced Avantipura to join forces.
Anya knew she was going above and beyond, but something about this War didn't seem to go smoothly.
The Virata kingdom had managed to attack them from the secret route, while Nanda was prepared at the main entrance.
She realised there were Internal help and favours recieved from someone in Nanda too.
Indu taps on Anya's head to get her attention, "where are you lost sister?"
"Soon the war is going to end and you are going to go from here." Indu says back hugging Anya.
Katha had also accompanied standing beside them.
"Go? Go where." Anya asks broken from her thoughts.
"You silly, she is talking about you marriage prospect to the Prince Nayan." Katha signs which only her siblings and family had learnt for her.
"Yea, or were you lost in the thoughts of prince Nayan?" Indu asks teasing her.
"I - no I was thinking about the war." Anya says and Indu stops her.
"We are going to Win Anya, even the Demon tyrant can't stand against the force of four kingdoms. They are going to fail and finally everything will be put to an end and I really hope he dies the same death as of the people's life he took." Anya says remembering the face she had draw few days ago, the face she can't seem to forget, which made her angry even the thoughts of him.
Katha pinches Indu's ear, and signs "Stop talking about violence and thinking about bad for others."
"She is right Indu!" Anya says teaming up on Indu.
"Huh? Am I not even allowed to think bad for the Demon himself? I'm not much of a Angel as Katha. You can here more listen" Indu says rubbing her ear.
Indu continues
"The next time I meet him I swear to god I - will..." Anya stops her...."Stop talking about meeting him, there is only one news I want to hear now and that's his defeat." Anya says pulling back.
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Kingdom of Nanda
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2 days had passed and on the 4th day the army kept on increasing and as per the plan by Varun until and unless the war leaders weren't killed there was no stopping.
Ivaan was determined to take down the King this time he had to take him down alive as his promise to get Kali her recognition.
The battle was fierce and bloody, as swords clashed and arrows flew. Ivaan fought his way through the enemy ranks, looking for the king. He spotted him on a chariot, surrounded by his guards. He charged towards him, shouting his name and his challenge.
The king saw him and laughed. He was not afraid of the young prince now that his force of the army had increased.
He had ruled his kingdom for decades, and he had faced many enemies. He had also taken many women, and he did not care about their fate. He had enjoyed Kali's beauty, and he had discarded her like a rag. He did not even remember her name.
He ordered his guards to attack Ivaan, but they were no match for his skill and fury. He cut them down one by one, until he reached the chariot. He leaped onto it, and faced the king. He raised his sword, ready to strike.
But before he could, a figure jumped in front of him, blocking his way. It was Nayan, the young prince of the king. He was the son and his heir
Unaware about his father's crimes, or his cruelty. He only saw him as his role model and his protector.
He had seen Ivaan's attack, and he had rushed to save his father. He drew his own sword, and faced Ivaan. He shouted at him to stop, and to leave his father alone. He said that he would not let him harm him, and that he would defend him with his life.
Ivaan was shocked to see Nayan before him.
Ivaan did not want to fight Nayan but he was coming in between the King and him.He did not want to kill him. He tried to reason with him, and to tell him the truth. He told him about Kali, and what his father had done to her. He told him that his father was a tyrant and that he deserved to be punished to get out of his way.
Nayan did not believe him. He thought that he was lying, and that he was trying to trick him. He said that his father was a great and noble king, and that he had never done anything wrong.
They could not reach an agreement. They could not avoid a fight. They clashed their swords, and they fought. They fought with skill and courage
The fight was brief, but intense. They exchanged blows and parries, until one of them made a mistake. It was Nayan. He stumbled , and he lost his balance. He exposed his chest, Ivaan did not hesitate. He thrust his sword, and accidentally fatality pierced Nayan's heart.
Nayan gasped, and he dropped his sword. He looked at Ivaan, and he saw the horror and the sorrow in his eyes. He felt the pain and the coldness in his chest. He knew that he was going to die. The image of Princess Anya flashed before him in his final moments, blood gushing out of his mouth chocking him.
He fell to the ground, and his breathing fainting to almost non-existent. Ivaan caught him, and he held him. He closed his eyes to honor him for the warrior he was and placed him on the ground.
He looked at the king, and he saw the fear and the anger in his eyes. He felt the rage and the hate in his heart. He knew that he had to finish his mission.
He swung his sword, and he cut frow the chest and the king was injured and down.
On the other end Varun had taken down Arjun captured him chaining him. Similar to Nimit who had defeated the King of Avantipura and army general all were caught live and chained down.
Claiming their win, they had succeeded. Finally Nanda was his he declared the end of the war and the rest of the soliders were held captive finally to claim his win,
The flag of Nanda was taken down raising the flag of Virata.
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I love Nayan's charater so much, but it's imp for the plot
Im sooo sorry
Rip Nayan Sethu Nanda ððï¸
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