Lust Or Love?

Chapter 3

"I think for now we should delay our plan. "

One of the minister told about his thought.

"Indeed!" Said the other.

"For now it's more necessary to find more about Ajmer! "

"And from what we know now from Rashid, they are stronger than what we thought of them. "

Prime minister Arjun joined in the conversation.

"Additionally chittor and a few other are helping them. "

Said the head scholar. "What if even sultan of Delhi decided to help them? "

"That could be the case......he isn't happy with us after we attacked on mathura which is under his control. "

Said the army general, kumar.

"For now we should wait for the right moment and gather more information about their army and fort. "

"Huzoor? ....."

The ministers and the scholars looked at each other bewildered and confused.

Surya was looking at the ceiling of the court room clearly not paying attention to whatever was being discussed.

His mind wasn't working on these things anymore the only thing he remembered was the beautiful face he saw this morning near the pool. She was the most beautiful girl, he had ever laid his eyes on. She had dark black hair with the same colored of eyes. She had natural dark black eyelashes. But the question was.....A so beautiful girl was working as a maid?

She can't be here on her own, she would have gone into a through inspection of her past and family at the entrance and then another with the head queen Shivanya.

He wondered again and again on different aspects that what forced her to work here? Need for money? Or something else?

"Huzoor....?" He heard someone say and then his eyes focused and realized he was looking at the ceiling.

He was embarrassed!

"What do you think about it your majesty? " the head scholar said.

"Aa...aam...I..I need more time to think about it.....deeply because we have to see all the consequences before taking a decision! " woof! He saved himself from the embarrassment he was going face because he hadn't heard a word they said.

But then his mind countered the fact that it had never happened before! He had never zoned out like this.

***

The sun went into the arms of the awaiting clouds and then the darkness embarrassed the palace of Umarkot as the flock of birds started to return to their trees and men to their homes. Each having the same wish a peaceful night. But the fearful and devastating things never comes knocking on your door. They come, knock you out and leave!

***

"The time has come to pay tribute to your madr-e-vatan! And host It's flag in whole Hindustan.

Time has come to show your power and loyalty to your king. So, embrace the chance! And fight.....fight for the blood. " roared a unknown voice in the dark forest in outskirts of Umarkot.

Which was followed by the sound of numerous sneering of horses and as thousands of men shouted togather, "Delhi Sultanat zindabad! (Sultanat of the Delhi may live long! )

***

"Huzoor....Huzoor! " came two men in torn clothing of soldiers with blood flowing down from everywhere in their body where the eyes could see. And their face shows the fear.....fear of death!

King surya stood up from his throne during the late night court as well as the courtiers.

"Sultan shamsuddin had attacked on us! "

***

The drums rolled and beated conveying the message to all that the enemy had attacked!

And then the shankh (conch shell) were blown as the symbol of war. Within seconds the main metal door of the palace was pushed open.

It was still dark when the two armies faced each other. And then a evil laughter was heard from the opponent.

And the response was immediate!

"Har har Mahadev!" The sound echoed throughout the battle field.

As the swords clanked, archers strung their bows! And the darkest fears came to play!

'Revenge' was the mantra as blood was shed ruthlessly.

The attack was sudden without any pre notice and which send the Surya into a thought fullness. That if they could win over this.....his horse strode fast as he killed men with a sword in one hand and fire torch in the other. He was going to loose, he knew......as he glanced at the large army in front of him.

"Your majesty we should inform in the palace! " The voice of army general Kumar was trailed off behind him. Surya knew what he was talking about.....it was time to send the message to the women that maybe their husbands, brothers and sons are never going to come back!

He turned around to look in his eyes directly. Even in that faint moonlight Kumar's eyes showed disappointment. It was expected, his two days old new born child would never remember him as his father. And god knows what will happen when his young wife will receive the news!

King surya wanted to say so much, to tell him that everything will be alright and the only thing came out of his mouth was a sigh as he nodded. He looked helplessly at Kumar and he mirrored his expression.

***

Hours passed and finally the dawn broke and a slight Orange aura was spread across the sky. It was the start of a new day but the end of thousands of life.

The whole battlefield was filled with the groans of the soldiers who are left handicapped for the rest of their life. And the sound of eagle and vultures as they feasted on the dead bodies. A pungent, sickening smell was everywhere.

And with the first rays of light the slight hope of Surya died down, It was the end!

He looked around him, the fortunate alive people were very few but they have now lost the glow in their eyes which hold the power and prayer to return to their beloved ones.