Fort in trade city of Manualay, Delhi’s north eastern borders, evening of April 27,1557.
Imperial army supported by rcenary forces reached the trade city by evening, their mounts laden with war supplies as they marched in through discipline formation.
The city, usually bustling with traders and artisans, wore an uncharacteristically subdued air. The streets which used to sparsely populated, today were unusually quiet with only a few wary eyes peering from shuttered windows and guarded alleyways.
Security patrols were present at every alley and corner. In every blink of eye one can sense a man clad in armour ensuring order with vigilance. Every intersection was filled with watchful sentries as their were clad with spears and swords, ready to tackle any disturbance.
As Bheem’s contingent advanced toward the city’s rear, the remnants of recent unrest beca evident.
Blackened stalls and charred wooden beams scarred the once-vibrant marketplace. A few houses bore scorch marks, their stone walls still bearing the acrid scent of ash. Yet, amid the ruins, fresh signs of defiance lingered—small banners painted with slogans against the regi fluttered furtively in secluded corners.
Despite this, the soldiers remained in high morale, their stoic deanor showed clear indifference to the surroundings as they approached the city lord’s small fort, which acted as the guardian of the region.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by a contingent of ard guards. The fort guard stepped forward, scrutinizing the imperial tokens and the sealed letter handed over by Bheem. After a tense mont, the guard nodded, signaling his n to escort the group inside, while the soldiers were escorted to the barracks and replenishnt of supplies.
The guest chamber in the city lord’s mansion exuded elegance and authority. A carved wooden table occupied the center, surrounded by cushioned chairs, while intricate curtains depicting mountain vistas and ancient battles adorned the walls. The faint aroma of incense lingered in the air.
A butler stepped in, bowing respectfully.
"Please wait here," he said in a asured tone. "The Kiledar will join you shortly."
Bheem exchanged glances with King Dravya and his colonels before taking their seats.
"Your Majesty," Bheem began, his voice low but firm. "Don’t you think sothing feels... off? The city seems unusually tense."
Dravya nodded, his gaze steady. "Indeed. Sothing is amiss. We’ll uncover it when we et the fort lord."
Monts later, the chamber doors opened, and two figures entered, both clad in ceremonial chainmail. The elder, a man of commanding presence with a tough physique, bore a bandaged right hand. Beside him was a younger man, sharp and composed, clutching a stack of docunts.
The elder bowed with a polite namaste.
"Greetings, envoy of the Imperial Prince. I am Surya Sen, the Kiledar of this fort. This is my son, Tanmay Sen, who will assist during our discussions. I was inford of your arrival in advance, and preparations have been made for your comfort."
Bheem rose and returned the greeting, presenting the imperial token.
"The honor is ours, Kiledar. I represent the will of the Imperial Prince. This is King Dravya of Gorkha, our ally, who will accompany us in the campaign."
Surya’s brows furrowed slightly as he leaned toward his son. "We didn’t receive word of the king’s arrival, did we?" he whispered.
Tanmay shook his head discreetly. "Regardless, they are here now."
Surya turned back and bowed to Dravya.
"This humble Kiledar greets the King of Gorkhas. Please make yourself comfortable."
After an exchange of warm pleasantries, both sides settled across the table.
Bheem addressed Surya directly. "Before entering the fort, we noticed heightened security in the city. Is everything under control?"
Surya sighed, his expression heavy. "I won’t hide the truth. We might need your assistance."
The room grew tense as everyone leaned in. Surya continued.
"Several days ago, we received intelligence suggesting Tibetan insurgents planned to disrupt the region. A staged hunt lured them into action, but I underestimated their audacity. They ambushed , and I barely escaped with my life, thanks to my son’s foresight and reinforcents. During my absence, they incited rebellion in the city, but we quelled it swiftly. Even so, it was a bloody affair—so of my kin were among the traitors."
Dravya offered a asured complint. "Your son seems to be a capable tactician."
Surya smiled, placing a hand on Tanmay’s shoulder. "Indeed. Without him, we might have faced greater losses."
Bheem leaned forward. "Have you gathered any useful intelligence?"
Surya gestured to his son. Tanmay stepped forward, laying the docunts on the table.
"According to captured prisoners, the Namgyals have allied with Tibetans in a defense pact. Their combined forces aim to secure this trade post which had been an interest for those eastern mountaineers for a long ti. A joint army is mobilizing, and they planned to invade us at the ti of crisis."
Bheem frowned. "We cannot spare troops to deal with this new threat. Evacuation might be your best option until the campaign concludes."
Surya’s fist slamd the table. "Evacuate? Abandon the fort and the city? That’s unthinkable!"
Dravya intervened calmly. "Strategically, spreading our forces would weaken us. There may be a larger sche behind this alliance. Also, I doubt they know that the plan has failed since they were able to penetrate. They might change the plans."
Surya insisted, "We cannot be certain on re speculations when we know they want to invade. They always wanted to get a hold of this location, and with the Ladakhis giving the route, they wouldn’t miss the chance."
Bheem explained, "Still, they will be surrounded by the empire if the Namgyals are defeated. The most effective strategy is to march on their Ladakhi capital directly and force their surrender. Once the Namgyals fall, their Tibetan allies will retreat."
Surya’s frustration was evident, but before he could retort, Tanmay placed a hand on his arm.
"Father, they are right."
Surya looked at his son, startled. "Yo...You agree with them?"
Tanmay nodded, placing another set of papers on the table. "Fresh intelligence confirms that Kashmir has been retaken by imperial forces. I couldn’t add up as the topics got escalated."
Bheem’s eyes widened. "Kashmir? Retaken already?"
Dravya looked equally surprised. "So quickly?"
Surya’s expression softened with renewed hope. "If that’s the case, can’t they spare reinforcents to aid us?"
Tanmay shook his head. "It’s more complicated. The imperial forces are blocked at Zoji La Pass, heavily fortified by Ladakhi defenders. The pass is the only route, and the Ladakhis know it. They are likely attempting to delay reinforcents while their allies consolidate power. It will be a prolonged conflict."
A heavy silence enveloped the room as everyone absorbed the gravity of the situation.
Surya Sen finally broke the stillness. "What about the city’s residents? They’ll be slaughtered if we fail, and I don’t think we have much ti to prepare for evacuation of everyone."
Bheem’s gaze sharpened as he turned to him. "Do you know when they plan to attack?"
"Within two to three days," Surya replied, his voice steady but grim.
Bheem nodded thoughtfully. "I have an idea, but I’d like to hear your suggestions first," he said, glancing toward his colonels.
Colonel Ratnakar spoke first, his tone asured. "We could deploy a battalion to block their path and trigger a landslide for an ambush before they reach us. Our cannons are powerful enough to make it effective."
Colonel Manish shook his head. "I disagree. Blocking their path would alert them that their plan has failed. They might retreat and regroup, which would only prolong the threat. However, if they believe the city is vulnerable, they’ll stay and fight. Better to draw them here, delay their advance, and weaken them. It’ll reduce our burden when dealing with the Ladakhi forces at the capital."
Colonel Nilesh leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "I suggest keeping so artillery support stationed here. Our long-range equipnt can decimate hundreds of n in one strike, and its superior range ensures we can target them before they get close."
Bheem nodded in agreent. "I’m inclined to think along the sa lines. We’ll leave a portion of our long-range artillery and a few units to fortify the castle’s defenses. anwhile, we’ll send an urgent ssage to the capital requesting reinforcents. By the ti the enemy sets up camp, you’ll only need to hold them off for a day or two before fresh troops arrive."
Tanmay interjected, his brow furrowed. "Won’t that risk alerting their forces? Especially given the ambush at the capital a few days ago."
Dravya, who had been silent until now, stood abruptly. His face darkened as he recalled the tragedy that had befallen his sister. "You don’t need to worry about that," he said, his voice low but resolute. "By the ti they realize what’s happening, it’ll already be too late for them."
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