Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One-Chapter 224: Battle of Kashmir Part - 7

Five hundred soldiers stood assembled outside the heavy iron gate. These men were the elite of Ladakh, skilled in all forms of combat. They wore black leather armor, each armed with a standard glaive in hand, a sword at their waist, and arrows slung across their backs.

Ahead of them, Commander Jigmet stood, his gaze fixed on Prince Tsewang, who was similarly attired. "Your Highness, please reconsider. Taking only one hundred elites is a dangerous risk. Take at least three hundred. I’m confident I can divert the Bhargavian troops with two hundred alone."

Tsewang placed a steady hand on Jigmet’s shoulder. "Worry not, Commander. Where a needle fits, a sword can only make things worse. Besides, you’ll need those soldiers to cover our retreat."

Jigmet was taken aback by the prince’s determination. The mission was almost impossible, bordering on suicidal.

Scouts had reported that the mountain fort was surrounded by Bhargavian forces on three sides, with only the northern approach left open due to the challenging terrain and proximity of the fort’s cannons.

The siege was concentrated on the other sides, but even so, who would risk taking only one hundred men? Yet Tsewang had insisted that a larger force would risk detection, and with him and his small contingent handling the distraction at the eastern gate, the approach would remain covert.

The commander knew why Tsewang had made this choice. They’d trained together, taken on countless missions since childhood, and even infiltrated Kashmir with Tsewang disguised as General Tenzin. These five hundred elites were more than just soldiers; they were brothers. Jigmet understood the prince’s desire to spare as many lives as possible, even at great personal risk. He felt a pang of pity, realizing that Tsewang’s love for his fallen mistress had driven him to see these civilians as his own people, too.

Since Prince Tsewang had successfully completed more dangerous missions in the past, a fleeting hope lingered in his heart. After all, orders were orders, and royal matters were beyond his control.

With a sigh, Jigmet bowed deeply. "I hope to see you return safely, my prince. Remember, you still carry the royal blood."

Tsewang gave a tight smile, acknowledging the commander’s unspoken concern. There was no time for sentiment now; he had civilians to rescue. With a quiet signal, he led his small contingent through the northern gate, blending into the night as they made their way toward the forest to the west.

Commander Jigmet watched as his liege disappeared into the shadows.

With steely resolve, he turned to his leftover unit, "Today, our prince has taken on a big burden. His mission is already next to impossible. Traitor or not, he is still our liege who cares for his subordinates. We are given the opportunity to lighten his burden by distracting the enemies ahead so that he can complete his mission."

"But I cannot guarantee how many would return. So tell me, who is following me into the jaws of death? If anyone wishes to turn back, now is the time."

’Thud!’ A soldier hit the butt of his glaive to the ground.

’Thud! Thud!’ More soldiers followed suit.

At first a few, then all joined, as the ground trembled with the zeal of the soldiers assembled.

With this, he led them toward the eastern side of Hari Parbat Fort.

He was fortunate that the siege had just begun, and the Bhargavian forces were only beginning to set up.

************

The eastern outskirt of Hari Parbat Fort lay open across a vast flatland, bordered by a dry forest on the mountainous terrain. This flat expanse, destined to be transformed into renowned gardens in later years, was, for now, a simple farmland for locals-now occupied by bhargavian soldiers enforcing the siege.

The Bhargavian forces had set up their camp about 1,500 meters away from the fort to avoid the range of mughals that had the range of 900 to 1100 meters max but the height can enhance it to 1200 meters.

Their wide arc encampment totalled over to six thousand troops. Their tents lining the paths leading out of the fort.

With an additional two thousand reinforcements joining after the civilians’ evacuation, more than twenty-five hundred soldiers now faced each gate, maintaining a formidable blockade on all sides.

Tents filled the expanse, interspersed with light fortifications, as Bhargavian soldiers moved briskly, reinforcing positions and setting up new defenses.

Jigmet took note of their movements, as his mind calculated the best points for disruption.

He divided his team into four contingents to target the enemy tents along the perimeter. Two groups were assigned to attack, while the other two provided cover, each contingent prepared to approach the Bhargavians from any possible angle.

He crouched low behind a stand of trees at the edge of the eastern side, his hundred soldiers hidden in the shadows around him. He studied the camp, counting the flickers of torchlight that marked the guard posts. He could see the outlines of tents in the distance, sprawled in rows across the clearing. This was his target.

He gave a sharp nod to the first squad positioned nearby. "Set the fires on my signal. Make it look like the beginning of a full-scale assault."

the hundred soldiers standing scattered in one line lit the arrows with fire and with taking aim let their arrows loose. they didnt wait for a second and ran out. while the other hundred covered their retreating path.

The fire arrows arced high, landing among the tents and igniting them. Within moments, flames spread, sending Bhargavian soldiers scrambling in chaos. The boundary guards gave chase, but hidden archers picked them off from the shadows. Seeing their men fall, lower-ranking commanders halted the pursuit and sent word up the chain of command.

Suddenly, another wave of fire arrows ignited tents to the south, adding to the panic. Then, a massive explosion erupted in the eastern part of the camp as flames reached an ammunition storage, setting it ablaze. Horns blared, drums thundered—the Bhargavians were thrown into disarray.

Commander Jigmet wiped the sweat from his brow as he watched the towering plumes of smoke and the mushrooming fireball from a safe distance.

Though unexpected, the explosion worked perfectly to their advantage. He waited for his other contingent to regroup, then swiftly led his men back to the northern gate, retracing their previous path.

The chaos had left the northern front unguarded, allowing them a clear return.

Before stepping through the northern gate, Jigmet cast a glance toward the western forest, murmuring, "I’ve done my part, my prince. May you accomplish yours."

Meanwhile, on Prince Tsewang side

Since the northern terrain facing the northern gate was unsuitable for a siege, a thousand soldiers were assigned to patrol the city and monitor the exit of city that lies further at northeastern direction.

As a result, only a few soldiers remained at the newly established base camp, which was designated for the evacuation of civilians.

This situation was reported to Tsewang’s by his scourts and it turn out to be his advantage, allowing him and his hundred elite troops to enter the forest with fewer obstacles as they traveled toward their northern target.

He divided his team into squads of ten and led them toward the encampment area.

From the cover of the trees, they rained arrows down on any visible guards, swiftly reaching the camp perimeter.

Launching their attack in as much stealth as possible, they engaged the guards on the outskirts. The arrows flew and blades glinted in the moonlight, taking the lives of Bhargavians before they could even comprehend who struck them.

Tsewang set two squads to cover their retreating comrades while he entered one of the tents. Inside, he was met with the sight of five frightened children and two women huddled together. They panicked at the sight of his sword, screams escaping their lips.

Feeling a rush of panic himself, he raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Fear not! I am General Tenzin, your late princess’s husband. I am here to rescue you all. follow me."

Gradually, the women calmed down, realizing he was not an enemy. They hushed the children, trying to keep them quiet.

"Quick, we need to leave!" Tsewang urged. But just then, a loud crash echoed from outside, breaking the tension.

It was the husband of both the women, a look of confusion on his face. "General Tenzin! What are you doing here?"

Tsewang’s urgency spiked. "We don’t have time! We need to go!", He grabbed his hands and tried to pull him out.

"Perhaps you should leave, General," the man replied releasing his hand. "We’re safe here. The Ladakhis are the real enemies! The empire has come to our rescue. If you insist, they will certainly help."

Tsewang was taken aback, shocked by the loyalty of those he had come to rescue. Confusion washed over him as he tried to reason with them.

The more he urged, the more the ground beneath him shifted, and by the time he stepped outside, he found himself surrounded by Bhargavian soldiers, their swords poised at the throats of his wounded squads.

"Surrender, General Tenzin," Rudra called out as he approached him with sword drawn on his hand. He laid it on his neck and continued, "Or should I say Prince Tsewang?"

Tsewang was stunned by the sudden influx of soldiers.. nearly a thousand had gathered, as if they’d been stationed nearby all along. The scout report had indicated only a few hundred at this area, so where had these reinforcements come from?

He scanned his surroundings, noticing more civilians emerging with their families from the tents. None of them wore chains or bonds; they didn’t appear to have been captured or mistreated. Perhaps he had been mistaken from the very start.

Now caught in a trap of his own making, Tsewang realized the dire consequences of his mission. What was intended as a rescue operation had devolved into a blunder, and he found himself at the mercy of his enemies.