Pakistan sultanate, Fort of Lahore, Pace Garden, 9th March 1557

  As the first rays of the morning sun bathed the garden in a golden glow, Bairam Khan sat at a vishly adorned table, enjoying the greenery around him. Dressed in regal attire, he reclined comfortably in a high-backed chair, savoring the rich fvors of a vish breakfast. The table was a feast of kebabs and fruits, with the aroma of grilled beef mingling with the fragrant scent of fresh produce.

  The garden was filled with blooming flowers and well-trimmed pnts. Soldiers stood at a vigint distance ensured his safety.IN front of him, the vilgers, lined up in anxious, pleading positions. Their faces filled with desperation.

  An elderly vilger glistening with sweat, stepped forward. His voice trembled as he spoke. "Hazoor, please give us some more time. We didn't get enough yield due to the rain."

  Bairam Khan sipped his wine ignoring the pleas. "Three chances were given, and this is how you repay me?" His voice, dripping with disdain.

  As elderly man lost his face , a young man with age no older than twenty stepped forward. unable to resist his pent up anger he blurted out his inner thoughts , "That's because you're asking us within five days. It takes time for crops to grow. How can we manage in such a short time?"

  The elderly man's eyes widened in shock, and he quickly turned to reprimand the young man. "Bhuwan, mind your tongue. We are speaking to Hazoor."

  Bairam Khan's gaze shifted to the young man. His eyes narrowed with cold irritation. The atmosphere suddenly filled with tension. The soldiers exchanged uneasy gnces, ready to intervene if needed.

  Bairam Khan leaned back in his chair with contempt and amusement. "You dare question my decisions, boy? The time given was more than sufficient. Your inability to manage your affairs is your own fault."

  Bhuwan's face flushed with anger, but he remained silent sensing his powerlessness. The elderly man bowed deeply in apology and asked for forgiveness of his son.

  Bairam Khan's amusement flickered as he set aside his wine and took a sizable bite of the beef kebab. With a casual gesture, he cut a chunk of the meat, pced it on a pte, and passed it to the trembling vilgers. "Well, I'm very generous, you know. You all must be hungry. How about some delicious cow meat? I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

  A murmur of unease rippled through the crowd. The vilgers, visibly shaken, exchanged fearful gnces. At that moment, a guard approached and announced, "Your Excellency, Prince Zayne of Kashmir seeks an audience."

  Bairam Khan's interest was piqued. "Bring him in," he instructed eagerly.

  As Zayne entered the garden, Bairam Khan took a sip of wine and scrutinized him from head to toe, surprised by his short stature and youthful age. He questioned, "You are the Prince of Kashmir?"

  Zayne greeted with a nod. "Yes, Excellency. I am Zayne Hameed. It's an honor to meet you."

  Bairam Khan, savoring a grape, inquired, "I hope you're comfortable here. I've heard about the troubles with your pursuers, even after you sought refuge. I'm curious, as there have been some attempts by assassins to breach the fort over the past three days."

  Zayne responded gratefully, " I am very safe and comfortable here. It's all thanks to your Excellency for your help in my time of need. Kashmir will never forget your gesture."

  Bairam Khan nodded approvingly and took another sip of wine. "I'm gd to hear that. But remember, there's always a reason behind someone's actions. Do you understand what I mean?"

  Zayne looked puzzled. "Yes, Excellency. It's because of your great heart that you're helping a Muslim in trouble. History will remember you as a visionary sage for bringing two regimes together if I become Sultan."

  Bairam Khan sighed, gncing at the sky. "Ya Alh, why must I deal with children?"

  He then turned directly to Zayne. "I'll be straightforward, Prince. How can you benefit us if we help you recim your throne?"

  Zayne, thoughtful, considered the question before responding. "If you help me regain my kingdom, I am willing to merge with Pakistan under the Badshah's leadership."

  Bairam Khan nodded with appreciation and offered Zayne a bowl of grapes. "You have our support. But first, tell me, do you have a pn? Do you have what it takes to be a ruler?"

  Zayne's voice brimmed with passion. "Worry not, Your Grace. I am born to be a ruler."

  Bairam Khan felt a twinge of disappointment as he hoped to gain some concrete information over empty decrations. His gaze shifted to the vilgers, who were still visibly panicked.

  He then spotted the young man, who was hiding behind the elder. Bairam Khan signaled his soldiers to bring him forward. The elderly man cried out in distress for mercy, while the rest of the vilgers looked on in terror.

  Bairam Khan asked the young man with an amused smile, "Why didn't you eat it? It would have eased your hunger. Didn't you say the yield was poor because of the rain?" The young man replied meekly, not daring to meet his gaze, "Hazoor, it's against our dharma. We cannot eat this."

  Bairam Khan chuckled, "Subhan Alh, what a guy. Daring to deny taxes and audacious enough to refuse the relief that I'm offering. Impressive."

  Prince Zayne, feeling conflicted, was puzzled by Bairam Khan's praise for the infidel. His doubts were soon crified when Bairam Khan addressed him directly. "So, Prince of Kashmir, let's have a small test." He signaled to a nearby archer, who handed his bow to Zayne. "It takes more than help to get what you want. You must prove your spine like this guy."

  Turning to the young man, Bairam Khan continued in a regal tone, "You, young man, I'm impressed by your defiance. I'll give you a chance to bet your vilge's Jajia (tax) against your life. Are you interested?"

  The vilgers looked hopeful, while the elderly father pleaded, "Hazoor, please have mercy. We will somehow manage the taxes…" Bairam Khan silenced him with a dismissive gesture, focusing on the young man.

  Despite initial fear, the young man, seeing the hopeful eyes of his fellow vilgers, steeled his resolve and replied, "Order me, Hazoor. What must I do?"

  Bairam Khan grinned. "Mashalh. Look at that tree over there." He pointed to a tree 100 meters away. "You must run to it and avoid our arrows. If you reach it safely, I will grant your vilge three months' time. If you die, your people will convert to our religion."

  After a moment's hesitation, the young man agreed and ran on Bairam Khan's signal. Zayne took aim with the bow and missed his first shot, then the second, and the third. The vilgers sighed in relief, but Bairam Khan took the bow from Zayne and shot the young man, killing him on the spot.

  he elderly man fell to his knees, crying out, "Hazoor, you promised you would spare him!" But his desperate pleas went unheard as the soldiers dragged him away. Bairam Khan brushed off his pajamas, which had been touched by the old man, and retorted, "I said I would let him go if he reached safely. I never promised I wouldn't shoot him."

  The faces of the vilgers turned pale, realizing their safety had never been a real option. Bairam Khan passed the tray of meat to the remaining vilgers and asked, "Now, will you eat the cow meat or do we continue the game?"

  Prince Zayne blinked in confusion, struggling to comprehend the events.

  Amidst the vilgers' cries, Bairam Khan addressed Zayne with a chilling tone, "You need practice. Now, continue." Turning to the vilgers, his voice took on a menacing edge, "NEXT!."

  Rewari kingdom, Khera vilge , morning of 9th march 1557

  In the open fields outside Khera Vilge, Aditya stood with an air of cold indifference against the backdrop of funeral pyres. His gaze was fixed on the burning heaps, honoring the bravehearts who sacrificed themselves for his cause. A pang of guilt and sorrow struck him as he wondered if their loss could have been avoided.

  Bheem approached , he bowed slightly before reporting, "Your Highness, as per your order, everyone has been executed or being arrested . The king was furious when he learned of the situation and has agreed to keep the survivors in your custody. However, he insists that the judgment be passed by him, as he is the sovereign."

  Aditya did not shift his focus from the burning pyres as he asked "And the supplies and craftsmen?"

  Bheem responded, "After we forcibly brought in the first entourage, the second is still in the process of assembling and should arrive by evening. There is some panic among the civilians, but the authorities are managing the situation."

  A heavy silence lingered before Aditya inquired further, "How much are the reinforcements deyed? We need to dispatch them today."

  Bheem replied, "The reinforcements are already assembled, just waiting for your orders, Your Highness."

  Aditya sighed and looked up at the gathering clouds, signaling an untimely rainstorm. He retrieved a medallion from his pocket and handed it to Bheem. "This is a seal for Deputy Lieutenant General. You are temporarily assigned to this post. Meet with Hari Singh for the new arrangements and take Colonel Ratnakar and Colonel Nilesh with their battalions."

  Bheem's eyes widened in shock, his voice trembled. "But Aditya, this is a huge responsibility. I never imagined.."

  Aditya turned to him, his face tired and exhausted but he managed to smile that conveyed reassurance. "It's alright, Bheem. I have trust in you. Please do this for me."

  Bheem protested further, "But I don't know what to do. Why not you?"

  Aditya pced a reassuring hand on Bheem's shoulder. "I cannot disobey the emperor's orders, so I cannot go. This is a critical mission before the war begins. There is a letter for you along with the arrangements. Once you read it, you will know what to do. I believe only you can handle this, if not me."

  Bheem puffed his chest as his resolved hardened. "Don't worry, friend. I'll take care of this. But you must rest. I'm sure you haven't eaten. There's no need to overextend yourself. There are others who can handle things as well. Just give the orders."

  Aditya gave him a heartfelt hug. "Thank you, friend. If not for you, I don't know how I would have managed to reach here."

  Their moment of brother hood was abruptly interrupted as Princess Meenakshi approached them, wrapped in a shawl. Bheem took his leave, sensing her intent to speak privately with Aditya.

  Meenakshi addressed Aditya with a note of concern. "I heard there was quite an uproar in the fort city."

  Aditya, understanding the weight of her words, replied, "I didn't want to escate this. But they left me no choice."

  "Even women and children?" she pressed in low voice.

  Aditya responded with a heavy heart, "The bloodshed occurred only because they resisted. Most of them are arrested. It was a capital punishment."

  Meenakshi, looked at the pyres again. "The empire is yours to shape, Aditya. But remember, don't lose yourself in the process."