A Promise and The Future

Vikram Era: 5 Shraavana1, 1637 (July 29, 1579), Citadel Hospice

Siddharth walked down the dimly lit corridor of the citadel hospice, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls. His heart raced with a mixture of anxiety and relief. As he reached the door to Aicha's room, he took a deep breath and gently pushed it open.

Inside, Aicha lay on a narrow bed, her face pale and bandaged. She stirred at the sound of the door, her eyes fluttering open. When she saw Siddharth, a faint smile crossed her lips.

"You're awake," she said weakly.

Siddharth nodded, walking over to her bedside. "How are you feeling?"

Aicha tried to sit up but winced in pain. "I've been better," she admitted. "But I'm alive, thanks to you."

Siddharth shook his head. "We both made it through. That's what matters."

He pulled up a chair and sat down beside her. The room was filled with the soft hum of the hospice, and for a moment, they just listened to the peaceful sounds around them.

"I'm sorry about what happened," Siddharth said, breaking the silence. "I should have been more careful."

Aicha waved off his concern. "We were both caught off guard. There's no way you could have known."

Aicha sighed, her eyes clouding with the memory. "The creatures... They were relentless. I managed to fend them off until the rift closed. After that, I carried you as far as I could before we were found."

Siddharth looked at her with admiration and gratitude. "Thank you, Aisha. I owe you my life."

Aicha's eyes softened. Siddharth continued ,"We owe each other. But we can't let anyone know about what we saw. The rift, the creatures—it has to remain our secret."

Aicha nodded solemnly. "I promise. No one will hear about it from me."

Aicha reached out and squeezed his hand weakly. "Good. We need to protect each other, no matter what."

Siddharth squeezed back, his resolve strengthening. "Agreed. Now, rest and get better. We'll figure out the next steps together."

Aicha nodded, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. "What are your plans now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Siddharth leaned back in his chair, thinking. "I need to get back to my sister and assure her that I'm fine. She's been worried sick. s."

Aicha smiled faintly. "You have a good heart, Siddharth. Your sister is lucky to have you."

He returned her smile, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "And I'm lucky to have met you. Rest now. We'll talk more when you're feeling better."

As Aicha closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep, Siddharth sat by her side, the events of the past days weighing heavily on his mind. He knew their journey was far from over, and many challenges lay ahead. But for now, he was content to be there for Aicha, just as she had been there for him.

Vikram Era: 7 Shraavana, 4677 (August 1, 1570), Citadel Courtyard

The courtyard of the citadel was bustling with activity. The defeated soldiers of the Yarkand Sultanate, now prisoners of war, stood in organized groups under the watchful eyes of the citadel guards. The air was thick with tension and uncertainty as they awaited their fate.

Commander Vidhyadhara stood on a raised platform, flanked by representatives of the Lohara Kingdom and the Gupta Pala Empire. Siddharth watched from the sidelines, his mind still reeling from the recent events. He noticed Aisha among the prisoners, her face calm but her eyes filled with a mix of defiance and resignation.

The commander cleared his throat and began to speak. "By the decree of King Madhava Gupta and in agreement with the Lohara Kingdom, it has been decided that the prisoners of war will be integrated into our society."

A murmur of surprise ran through the ranks of the prisoners. Vidhyadhara continued, "Those of you who wish to fight will be formed into a separate battalion under the command of an officer of our empire. This battalion will serve for five years. After that time, you will be granted your freedom and the status of free citizens."

The commander paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "For those who do not wish to continue battling, you will be employed as trainers and teachers in our schools. You will assist in teaching martial skills, strategy, and tactics. The state will take responsibility for teaching you our language and customs."

Siddharth saw a flicker of hope in the eyes of many prisoners. The commander went on, "Until your language training is complete, you will serve as auxiliary security forces for the crown prince's envoy. Your expertise and knowledge will be invaluable to us."

There was a moment of silence before the commander concluded, "As compensation to the Lohara Kingdom for their support and as part of this agreement, all reclaimed equipment and weaponry will be handed over to them."

Aicha glanced at Siddharth, and for a moment, their eyes met. He gave her a slight nod, acknowledging her bravery and resilience.

The Lohara Kingdom's representative stepped forward, accepting the terms with a formal nod. "We agree to these terms. The reclaimed equipment will be a valuable asset to us."

As the proceedings came to an end, Siddharth made his way to where Aicha stood. "It seems your future is decided," he said quietly.

Aicha nodded, her expression unreadable. "Yes, it seems so."

"You'll make a great trainer," Siddharth said, trying to offer some comfort.

Aicha managed a small smile.

Siddharth looked around at the bustling courtyard, at the faces of the prisoners and the soldiers. He concluded. "We have a lot of work ahead of us."