Traitors

Later Aarv joined Ratan Simha and Badal Singh in a simulation where they checked every possibility of enemy strategy. This simulated battle technique heightened Aarv's view on the battle techniques used by Indian Maharajas at the time.

After about four hours of discussing strategy and simulated battles, Maharaval Ratan Simha said, "And that will be for it for today's simulation strategy…"

Aarv thought for a while and said, "Annadata, there is still one important factor that we overlooked…"

Curiously Maharawl ratan Simha asked, "Which one is it…". After the simulated battle, his view of Aarv completely changed. Before, he only viewed Aarv as his benefactor but now viewed Aarv as an important character he could rely on.

Aarv looked seriously at both the king and Badal Singh and said, "Traitors, we overlooked if there are traitors in the fort of Chittod or not…"

This time Maharawal Ratan Simha looked at him angrily. His previous view on Aarv disappeared as he said, "Rajputs will never betray their kin… by saying that Rajputs have traitors in them, you are disrespecting the dignity of all Rajputs."

"You have disappointed us… Badal, see our guest out…" He angrily ordered Badal Singh to chase Aarv and his instructors out of the strategy room. But, Badal Singh did not move, he kept listening to what Aarv had to say.

Surprised, Maharawal Ratan Simha looked at Badal Singh and said once again, "Badal Singh…"

This time, Badal Singh moved forward and whispered in their King's ear, "Hukum, A few months ago, Choti Rani Saiba asked us to find out the traitors in the out territory..."

Badal Singh recounted the whole incident where they saw Arabian eagles leave the fort and their search for these traitors.

As Maharawal Ratan Simha listened, His face got uglier and uglier. He could not believe that there was a traitor among Rajputs.

Aarv looked at the concerned face of Maharawal Ratan Simha and said, "I know that Rajputs will die but never betray their people… but, what if the traitor is not a Rajput…"

Aarv took out a cloth from his pocket and handed it to Ratan Simha. The list contained descriptions of all the traitors inside the fort that Aarv discovered. Once Mharawal Ratan Simha looked at the list, he passed it to Badal Singh.

"We need to act before the night falls Annadata. Otherwise they will get away…" Aarv suggested the king. He knew that the traitors had to hide themselves before the siege of Chittod began to save themselves. If they gone into hiding, it will become very hard for the army to catch them.

Maharawal Ratan Simha looked at Aarv and said, "you don't have to worry, Bada will take care of it…" With his last concern had been put down, Aarv felt really relieved. Now they only had to wait for their enemies to show up.

As the meeting was coming to an end, Maharawal Ratan Simha asked Badal Singh, "Badal go and get the thing I asked for…"

Badal Singh bowed and left the strategy room and came back with something in his hand. He presented the thing wrapped in clothes to their Aarv.

"Take it… This is a token for our friendship…"

Aarv respectfully accepted the gift. But, as soon as the gift landed in his hands, he felt like he was holding something really warm and comfortable.

"Thank you Annadata…" He said to the king respectfully.

"Hmm... we will meet again soon..."

---

The next day, thousands of people left the fort of Chittod and started working on the vast plain in front of the fort. Their main objective was to make the ground as uneven as possible.

On the fort wall, two people were watching these working people with satisfaction. One of them was John who originally suggested the Idea at the lords' meeting.

Trebuchets were siege weapons that required a very large base to function properly. These weapons took advantage of their large base and gravity to launch rocks toward the enemy castle or fort.

John's plan was to make the ground as uneven as possible to interfere with their stable bases which were required for their proper function.

Although the plan seemed effective, the other person on the wall knew that it was only a temporary solution to the problem. Once the Khilji forces filled and levelled the ground up, they would be able to use trebuchets.

But, he did not stop the work. He wanted to create a facade in front of the people (Especially the spies) so that, he could implement his real plan into action.

He turned his attention from the people who were working toward John and said, "I will leave you in charge of these people john…"

John looked at him surprisingly and nodded, "Okay…"

"Make it quick… we only have two days before the Khilji forces enter the territories of mevad…" before leaving, Aarv warned him about the limited time they got as he left the city walls.

---

Back inside his house, Aarv called instructor Shyam over just to check on the workers they had hired.

When instructor Shyam arrived inside Aarv's house, he greeted Aarv, "Aarv babu…"

Aarv nodded at the instructor and said, "Are the Ballista's ready…?"

"Well we have completed all the ballista's a month ago…" instructor Shyam replied. To make a Ballista, the most important piece was its inner workings/mechanisms. Although inner workings of a Balista was an imperial secret during Tang dynasty in china , it was common knowledge in the modern era. So, the carpenters had no issue replicating the siege technology.

When Aarv heard that the work was done a month prior to the original deadline, he was quite satisfied. "Reward each and every one of the carperntars heavily…"

"Okay Aarv babu…"