Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One-Chapter 184: Fall of Kashmir Part-1

Hari Parbat Fort, Srinagar, Kashmir Kingdom, Night of 6th April, 1557

The night sky over Srinagar shimmered with stars, a stunning backdrop to the lively celebrations below. The city was alive with excitement, decorated in vibrant colors. Rich fabrics and garlands hung elegantly from the walls, their sweet fragrance mixing with the cool night air.

Torches and lamps lit up every corner of the square, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets. The main market square, Lal Chowk, was set for the grand event, with an elevated platform prepared for the royal wedding ceremony.

Laughter and music filled the air, blending with the mouth-watering aromas from food stalls lining the streets. Children danced in joy, their voices mingling with the rhythmic beats of traditional drums.

The recent withdrawal of the Samrajya’s reinforcements had lifted the tension that had gripped the city for months after the deaths of the king, prince, and general. Their absence instilled confidence in the people, signaling that peace had returned. A week after their removal, normalcy was restored, allowing the crowd to gather in celebration without fear.

Security was tight, as befitting a royal wedding. Soldiers from border outposts had been called in to manage the arrangements, their chainmail armor gleaming under the torchlight. Armed with shields and spears, they stood vigilant, ensuring that the joyous night remained peaceful.

Little did they know that just beyond the city’s borders, a threat loomed.

Under the cover of darkness, Ladakhi soldiers infiltrated the borders, thanks to their prince Tsewang, who being disguised as General Tenzin ordered the removal of excess Kashmiri guards at the outposts, enabling his awaiting fellow soldiers to cross the borders undetected. They now lay in wait for the perfect moment to strike and seize control.

Two groups stood out at different locations: one led by commander Norbu near the gates in cover of forest, while the other, commanded by commander Tashi, waited by the secret tunnel of the fort, meant for emergencies. They were all poised for the signal.

Oblivious to these threats, there was sense of celebration inside the city. Joy rippled through the crowd as they eagerly awaited the union of their beloved princess and the rising general who had captured her heart. The royal couple would soon parade through the streets on horseback before arriving for the ceremony.

As the wedding approached, the fort doors opened, and rows of armored soldiers marched out, securing the perimeter. Princess Zara, adorned in a breathtaking red and gold pashmina lehenga with intricate Kashmiri embroidery, rode elegantly on horseback. Beside her, General Tenzin, dressed in a regal crimson achkan embroidered with gold, and jewelled Peshawari turban on his head, and a ceremonial Talwar at his side, resembled like a Kashmiri prince. The couple commanded attention as they made their way to the ceremony.

People lined the streets, eager to witness the royal wedding, while a human barricade of soldiers kept them at bay. It was the first time the royals had held a marriage outside the palace, and though it broke from tradition, the gesture of coming closer to the civilians was seen as a sign of goodwill. The crowd welcomed it warmly, sensing it helped ease tensions in the kingdom and, in turn, boosted support for the royal family.

"Look at her.. so beautiful, as if the gods themselves sculpted her!" one onlooker marveled.

Beside him, an old man with his broken front teeth chimed in, "I’ve seen 71 summers in my life, but never a jewel that shines so brightly. She’s a masterpiece from zannat (heaven)."

His ears were promptly pulled by his middle age wife, who stood nearby in a burka. "I’ll knock out the rest of your teeth! You’ve never said such things about me, and now you’re sizing the princess?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

A young woman in a hijab but not hiding her face, pushed past the couple, grinning, "Get lost and fight at home! I’m here to see the handsome general."

The crowd murmured in admiration. Royals were rarely seen outside the palace walls, and while they had heard of their grandeur, this was the first time they had seen the couple up close. The crowd chanted the couple’s names, cheering and throwing petals in celebration, as both Princess Zara and General Tenzin smiled warmly.

"I never thought our wedding would be this exciting," Princess Zara exclaimed. "What a wonderful idea to hold it outdoors."

General Tenzin joked, "And here you were contemplating the imams’ advice, worried about tradition. Allah might just be smiling down on us! Look at your subjects.. they’re rooting for you. Let them see their future queen!"

Zara playfully retorted, "Oh, no need to put a curse on the poor imam. I know you just wanted to see me without the purdah!"

Tenzin grinned, "And do you dislike it?"

Biting her lip, Zara felt a blush rise. "Not at all. It’s nice to see everyone cheering for us."

Tenzin waved to the crowd and said, "I promise you, my dear, if you listen to my words, the world will be at your feet."

Zara blushed at the term ’dear’ and smiled as she waved to the cheering onlookers.

As the festivities unfolded, tight security surrounded the venue, ensuring the safety of the royal couple amidst the joyous crowd. The Muslim kazi was prepared to perform the wedding ritual. His voice rose in harmony as he asked for the bride and groom’s consent. Both Zara and Tenzin smiled as they agreed to the mutual agreement, igniting a wave of cheers throughout the gathering.

As the ceremony reached its climax, firecrackers exploded in the sky, showering the night with vibrant colors. But amid the celebration, the Ladakhi soldiers, led by Commander Tashi, advanced into the tunnel in a coordinated rush.

Meanwhile in lal chowk,

Suddenly, two darts flew toward Zara’s neck, but Tenzin deflected them with his dagger just in time. He quickly embraced her, using his body as a shield to block further attacks. Soon, the soldiers nearby brought their shields to block any incoming.

The festive mood shattered like glass as terror swept through the crowd. A militant disguised as civilian in the crowd stabbed a patrolling soldier, sending waves of panic through the gathering. Multiple attacks on soldiers broke out as assailants, concealed among the civilians, struck with darts and daggers.

Panic surged within Tenzin; this was not part of the plan. He was supposed to persuade Zara to hand over the throne first, but with tension escalating, he sensed that the sly old king was growing impatient.