Page 108 of Sumanika

We both stood up and walked towards Bhaisa's chamber. My gaze fell on Suman with the baby, strolling her in the sunlight, and I noticed her looking at me. She quickly turned her gaze away as I walked closer to Bhaisa.

"Is Rahu and Ketu together today?" he asked as he took a seat on the couch.

"Suman, where's my princess?" he said, looking at Suman as she walked closer and handed him the sleeping baby in his arms. He sat in the sunlight, and we both took a seat across from him on the couch.

"Pranam, Bhaisa," I said, looking at him as I freed the princess's small hands from the fabric, allowing her to move a little more freely.

I smiled as he caressed her cheek to wake her up.

"Rudraja, my princess, look who’s here to meet you? Both your Kakusa's," he said, and she yawned, opened her big eyes, and smiled at him.

"Aaaaaannn," her sweet voice filled my ears, and I didn’t know it then, but seeing her, I felt she didn’t deserve this. She shouldn’t have to lose any of her family to these senseless wars, nor should any child.

She began playing with Bhaisa's neckpiece, and he turned his attention to us.

"So, what brings you here this morning?" he asked, and I inhaled sharply.

"Bhaisa, we need to tell you something," I said, and he furrowed his brows.

"Is Mehrangarh planning against us?" he asked, and my eyes widened in shock.

"How do you know?" I questioned, and he chuckled slightly.

"So you think I’m too busy to know where, what, and how my brothers are doing?" he replied, and I bit my lip.

"But it's more dangerous than we think," I asserted, and he nodded.

"Tell me everything," he urged, playing with the princess’s little fingers as she yawned, feeling sleepy again.

"Bhaisa, they have something called cannons, and we won’t be able to fight them with just soldiers," I said, and suddenly our attention was drawn to Abhinandan.

"Rudra," he called, and we looked at him as he walked towards us and sat beside Bhaisa.

"Come, Abhi, we have something to discuss," Rudra Bhaisa said, and he smiled, looking at the princess.

"Aw, our little niece is enjoying her sunbath," he said, touching her fingers before looking back at Rudra Bhaisa.

"Well, I’m somewhat aware of it," he said, and he nodded.

"So what do you suggest, Agastya?" he asked, turning his tone a little serious, and I inhaled deeply.

"I think we should prevent them from coming this way across the mountains in the first place. No contacts, no war, no problem," I said, and Ranvijay Bhaisa added.

"I agree with that. Why don’t we stop them from invading in the first place so their powers weaken before they enter?" he said, and Abhinandan asked.

"How will we do that exactly?" he inquired. I inhaled sharply.

"The first state that comes near the mountains is Mehrangarh, which is already compromised as they are helping them out. The first kingdom they would come across is Pratapgarh, and we cannot overlook the fact that Pratapgarh is currently under the watch of a Subedaar, not a King. It would be easy for them to take that, and it could become a weak point for us. Because if one falls, two wouldn’t be much of an effort. We cannot let them win even one," I said and paused for a moment.

"We should keep an army on standby in Pratapgarh. Even if our plan fails, that would be the first point of contact for the fight. Plus, no women and children stay in Pratapgarh, so it will be a safer option to lead a fight from there," I added, and Rudra Bhaisa agreed.

"But, Agastya, moving heavy troops could alert Mehrangarh. Plus, Princess Rashmika and their army chief are in Suryagarh now," he cautioned.

Suddenly, Abhinandan interrupted. "Well, that's a good thing. We can keep them busy, and at least Mahabaleshgarh should start moving the troops. Also, no one would suspect anything because both kingdoms are under my rule, and I could easily say that I am rebuilding that empire," he concluded, and Ranvijay Bhaisa nodded.

"Exactly, and we should not move our soldiers because they clearly have cannons, and we cannot place all our army in front of them in plain sight. The more we attack in small intervals, the better. They will get tired, and this way, we can see how much gunpowder they have left to blast," he said, and I immediately interrupted.

"They have a lot, Bhaisa. A lot means a lot. Mehrangarh has been buying yellow sand from Songarh for the last four years and has taken a majority for that. Mehrangarh is rich in other minerals too. Moreover, they have more than a hundred cannons in their possession, so you can guess how much they have," I informed him, and Rudra Bhaisa inhaled deeply.

---