The Naga Warriors 1: Battle of Gokul Vol 1 by Akshat Gupta

Author:Akshat Gupta [Gupta, Akshat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Mythology & Folk Tales
Publisher: Penguin Random House India
Published: 2024-05-27T00:00:00+00:00

11

Armies on the Move

Vedant’s junior messenger, who had barely escaped death in Sardar’s camp, was escorted into the court with the help of two more men. He looked completely battered and bruised, his clothes still dusty from the perilous journey. The trauma of Sardar Khan’s actions was evident in his eyes as he recounted the horrifying event with the scroll.

Vedant listened with mounting dread, his fingers anxiously tapping the armrest of his throne. The soft glow of lamps cast shifting shadows across the room, and the air was heavy with tension.

When Vedant thought the messenger had finished, he turned to his commander-in-chief, Krishna. However, the messenger had more to add.

‘My king, I need to inform you that there is going to be another battle before Sardar’s army reaches us. They are headed to Gokul, where a small group of Nagas awaits. It is my understanding that Sardar is heavily invested in beating the Naga sadhus in Gokul and until he accomplishes that feat, it will remain his priority.’

Vedant mourned, ‘If only we had joined forces with King Manohar. Together, our combined strength would have been formidable. We could’ve repelled Sardar Khan.’

Krishna nodded in agreement. ‘Your father always believed in unity. He always said that it was our strength and our shield against any enemy.’

Vedant’s face darkened with regret. ‘I should have heeded your advice earlier. I let the honeyed words of Jugal Kishore cloud my judgement.’

‘Maharaj, we have allies in places we might not expect. The Naga sadhus in Gokul are not just simple ascetics. They are warriors, bound by their devotion and disciplined training,’ said Krishna. Another mantri chimed in, ‘Yes, my lord. I’ve heard tales of their valour and unmatched combat skills. Their leader, Ajaa, is especially renowned. They might be our best bet against Sardar Khan’s army.’

Young King Vedant looked up, his eyes showing a glimmer of hope. ‘Do they have enough numbers to counter Sardar Khan’s forces?’

The commander-in-chief replied, ‘On their own, perhaps not. But with our aid and manpower, they can become a formidable force. Their knowledge of the terrain and their guerrilla tactics, combined with our trained soldiers, could turn the tide.’

Vedant took a moment to process this. He knew allying with the Naga sadhus was unorthodox, but desperate times called for desperate measures. And so he decided to form an alliance with the Naga sadhus.

King Vedant made a decision that surprised many in his court; to take the offensive rather than passively wait for the inevitable clash with Sardar Khan. He gave orders to head towards Gokul immediately. His commander-in-chief had advised this move, suggesting that their best chance lay in aiding Gokul and forming a united front against the invader.

Hundreds of Afghan flags—green, bearing a double-bladed sword embroidered in gold—fluttered in the air, signalling the advancing army’s formidable presence. The ground trembled as Sardar Khan’s vast army marched on its way to Gokul. Their coordinated steps echoed like rhythmic thunder, which announced their approach from miles away. The gleaming green and black uniforms of the soldiers reflected the early morning sunlight, casting a shimmering glow.

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