The door of the tower room suddenly rattled loudly. The women screamed and cowered in the corner. It banged again.

Chitrangada looked terrified as the door burst open and several savage-looking soldiers holding crooked weapons entered. She had never seen such men or weapons before.

There were terrified shoutings. Realization struck Chitra this meant the Kingdom had fallen to the barbarians.

**********

1 day earlier -

Vikram had underestimated Shivaditya. It was true that he had left for the northern provinces however he would never leave Chitrangada unguarded.

One of the important aspects of maintaining a huge Empire was to have a strong spy network and maintaining strong ties with the allies.

Dev and Shivaditya were in their tent planning the next strategy to restore balance in the conquered provinces.

"Your Highness there is a messenger from Navsarika. He says it's urgent."

The guard announced.

"Sure let him in," Shiv responded.

A soldier dressed in Navsarika armour entered. He seemed to have been travelling continuously.

"Your highness I have an urgent message for you." He said.

"Yes please go ahead."

"The chief counsellor Maansing had asked for your urgent help. Navsarika is in danger."

Shiv and Dev both looked at each other.

"What kind of danger?" Dev asked.

"Please read the details in this letter."

He forwarded a letter with the royal seal to them.

As Shiv went through it his expression changed from worried to angry.

"Jayaraj!" He yelled after going through it.

Jayaraj came rushing into their tent.

"We are going to Navasarika right now. Order all the generals to move their armies towards Navsarika."

Shivaditya commanded and walked out while Dev went through the letter. His face hardened. His worst fears were coming true.

********

Chitrangada was an image of ferociousness.

Holding her sword at the hoard of barbarians. They were taken aback for a minute. Not used to seeing a woman capable to fight.

"Stay back otherwise I will kill each one of you," Chitra warned.

Her amber eyes burned like fire. She counted there were 5 of them. She could hold them off for now, but in case there were more she would not be able to fight them. She didn't have a choice. It was better to die fighting than get captured.

They said something in a different language which she couldn't decipher. But she could easily understand their intentions from the way they leered at her.

"Chitra No!" Kalavati screamed.

"Oh, so this is the Princess Get her!" The big man in the middle who was probably their leader shouted to others.

"Run!"

Chitra shouted at the women present in the room while the hoard ran towards her like a pack of wolves.

"Mother please save these women. I will join you soon I promise." Chitra almost pleaded.

Kalavati finally nodded and she ushered the women out of the room.

She had no idea how many of them she injured or slain. Her arms were aching by the time the last man was down. Blood spattered the walls, drenching her silk skirt in red.

Ignoring her cuts and bruises she ran down the fleet of stairs towards the central hall. There was smoke everywhere. Chitra coughed when she reached the hall.

Fortunately, her mother and women were present there unharmed. Some Navsarika guards have joined them.

"We won't be able to go leave the castle, My lady, it is surrounded. If we leave the grounds we'll all get captured." The guard informed Chitra.

"There is a secret passage," Chitra said.

Kalavati looked at her surprised " how do you know?"

Despite the situation, Chitranagada couldn't stop smiling.

"I used it to sneak out mother."

Kalavati's mouth fell open, but this was not the right time to confront Chitra about it.

"Ok now listen....." Chitra explained the secret passage to the guards and ladies present there.

"Where are you going Chitra?"

Kalavati asked as Chitra started in the opposite direction.

"I am going to look for my father. I can't leave him in this mayhem."

"CHITRA STOP!" Kalavati yelled.

"I can't mother. If something happens to him I won't be able to forgive myself."

"But if something happens to you I won't be able to face your husband."

Chitra chocked back a tear.

"He'll understand mother." She replied with sadness.

She didn't wait for further arguments and ran towards the main entrance.

******

"At this rate, we won't be able to reach Navsarika before morning, your highness," Jayaraj said.

He looked regretful.

Shivaditya was frustrated beyond measure.

"The palace is already under attack! I can't even reach on time!" Shiv looked hopeless.

They had been riding non-stop ever since the messenger arrived with the letter.

"I will kill Vikram! And destroy entire Gurjar-Pratihar if something happens to Chitra." Shiv gritted his teeth.

"That won't help Shiv. I am worried about Poonam as well. Just conserve your energy until we reach." Dev consoled him.

******

Chitra ran through the billowing smoke looking for any survivors. There were bodies everywhere consisting of soldiers, barbarians, courtiers.

She didn't find her father.

"Your highness!" Someone called her.

She turned around to find a general in the uniform of Gurjar-Pratihar.

"His majesty has sent us with the reinforcements. We'll manage the barbarians. Please come with us.

We'll escort you to safety." The general said.

"Vikram sent you?" Chitra asked looking suspicious.

"Yes, your highness. It's not safe here please come along with us."

"I need to find my father." She said.

The general exchanged glances with the other man.

"His majesty is battling outside the castle walls, your highness. You can't go there."

"Are you sure? Why should I trust you?"

Chitra was adamant.

She never got the answer. A large hand covered her mouth from behind. Her sword was snatched away from her hand. Another handheld her midriff while she struggled.

"Come on quick !" the general said to the person holding her in his grip.

Darkness fell as her eyes closed. She fell limp in her captor's arms.

******

Shivaditya reached the Navsarika border in the wee hours of the early morning. The smoke and screaming could be seen kilometres away.

"Chitra please be safe" he prayed as they reached the burning city.

With a battle cry, his imperial army started slaying the strange-looking barbarians.

"Turks!" Devburman said as he gritted his teeth on anger.

"Shiv you proceed towards the palace. I will clean up these vermins from the city. " Dev said.

Shiv nodded and he proceeded with his generals towards the palace.

To be continued...