Supporting army training

Days passed, and Khilji forces had been surrounding the fort for almost four months now. While the atmosphere in Khilji camp was filled with impatience and unease, Chittod fort on the other hand was celebrating Diwali.

The whole fort was filled with colourful lanterns as well as Diyas. People inside the fort were also filled with happiness and celebration which made the atmosphere in Khilji cam even gloomier.

At the time, Alauddin's slave, Malik Kafur said to him, "Hujur, What are these people… Instead of fearing about their future, they are celebrating…"

Allauddin looked at his and said, "Let them celebrate… why should we care…?"

He had confidence that he could win the fort of chittod within two-three months. But, Malik Kafur looked troubled.

"You don't care Hujur, but our sena (sena=army) is getting more and more restless. Some even demanding that sultan should return to delhi…"

After hearing Malki Kafur, dense killing intent appeared in Alauddin's eyes as he said, "Tell the sena, those of who that wanted to go back can go back… Alauddin will stay here until he gets what he wanted…"

"Ji Hujur…" Malik Kafur bowed and left the main army camp.

The same night, some Khilji sodiers' dead bodies were thrown out of the camp. These were the same soldiers who demanded their Sultan to return to Delhi.

---

On the other hand, Aarv along with all the lords were celebrating at Aarv's house.

"Happy Diwali…!"

Aarv said loudly as he raised his cup filled with Sattu drink and gulped it down in one go. Others also followd and gulped down their drinks.

Author note: Sattu, a plant which has high protein content was used in rajasthan to keep your protein level up. Well I could add wine or madira, I just wanted to keep the novel child friendly.

While celebrating, Aarv noticed that some people were missing today. Only 43 lords have attended today's celebration out of 51. Aarv secretly notted them all down and decided that he will let his soldiers keep an eye on them in secret.

While the celebrations were underway, one of the lord started talking about the boring life inside the fort.

"We have to stay inside the fort for four more months… so boring…"

After the initial enthusiasm, the fort life for lords became really boring. There was nothing for them to do except some training and walking around the premises of the fort. Aarv looked at them and a bright idea appeared in his mind.

"Why don't you guys join my soldiers in training…? I will be happy to teach all of you…"

The guy who just complained looked at Aarv with surprise and said enthusiastically,

"Really..? "

"Yes, why not… I invite all of you…"

Some lords looked really interested because they got to witness the training methods of military instructors.

"Count me in Aarv…"

"Yes, I would also like to join…"

The other veteran lords like Pankaj looked at them with pity.

'They would probably be dead in two days…'

They all clearly knew the horrors of Aarv's training because, at some point in time, they also receive the same kind of training from their families.

"By the way, from training, I remember an important task…"

Aarv turned serious as he looked toward Supriya and Radha. "I wanted you ladies to pursue women inside the fort to train in both combat as well as support…"

Both ladies also turned serious after Aarv mentioned the topic of training. They also wanted to give training to the women but, at the time women had minimal rights. This was also because of constant attacks from foreign raiders.

"Will the Rajputs allow it…?"

It was a thing of shame for the Rajputs to let their women fight for them. Aarv also knew that Rajputs will die but never let their women lift weapons to fight.

"We will start by teaching them supporting roles first…"

For any strong army, the role of supporters was as important as the roles of warriors. Supporters could provide medicine, set up logistical points, and move rations from place to place. All in all, supporters were an integral part of the modern-day army.

Aarv made up his mind. Although Rajputs were born warriors, he wanted to train Rajput women as born supporters. He wanted to make them the backbone of the Rajput army.

For that, he had to start teaching them about medicine as well as logistics and he had two women who were the best at their art. Radha was the best in the field of medicine as well as Supriya, who was a master of logistics.

"But how should we convince them…?" both women asked in unison. They also wanted to empower women in this medieval world.

"There is only one person in the entire chittod who has the ability to convince them… " Aarv said with confidence,

"Maharani Padmini…"