The battlefield was still littered with the remnants of war- burnt ships smoldering in the distance, the scent of blood and salt lingering in the air. The Portuguese had been defeated, but Queen Abbakka knew this victory was only temporary.
Standing atop Ullal's fortress walls, she gazed at the sea,lost in thought. The Portuguese were rentless- they would return, stronger and angrier than before.
A voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"My Queen", said commander Adi Raja, stepping forward. "We captured some Portuguese prisoners. One of them is an officer."
Abbakka turned."Bring him to me."
Moments later, two Ullal warriors dragged a wound Portuguese officer before her. His once- proud armor was stained with blood and sand, and though he was injured, his eyes burned hatred.
Abbakka studied him. "What is your name?"
The officer spat on the ground. "I will tell you nothing."
She smirked. "I did not ask for your secrets. Only your name."
After a pause, the man growled, "Rodrigo Almedia."
Abbakka nodded."Then listen, Rodrigo Almedia. Tell your Viceroy in Goa that Ullal is not for sale. If he sends more ships, he will lose more men."
Rodrigo sneered." You think you have won? The Portuguese Empire does not forget, nor do we forgive. You will burn for this insult."
Abbakka's smile did not fade." Then let them come." She gestured to her guards." Send him back to Goa in chains. Let them see what happens to those who invade my land."
The guards dragged Rodrigo away but Adi Raja still looked troubled.
"My Queen", he said hesitantly, "we fought bravely, but Ullal cannot stand against the Portuguese forever. Their forces are last. We need allies."
Abbakka signed. He was right Ullal had strong warriors, but the Portuguese had more ships, more weapons and more gold. If Ullal was to survive, she needed to find those who shared her hatred for foreign rule.
But who could she trust?
A SECRET MEETING IN THE SHADOWS
That night, a cloaked figure arrived at Ullal's palace gates. The guards hesitated but let him in. Abbakka met him in the palace chamber, where torches flickered against the stone walls.
The figure pulled back his hood, revealing a sharp-faced man with dark eyes.
"My name is Ibrahim Khan," he said. "I represent the Sultan of Bijapur."
Abbakka's eyes narrowed. The Sultan of Bijapur was a powerful ruler, controlling a vast kingdom in the Deccan. He had fought against the Portuguese before but had also betrayed allies when it suited him.
"What does Bijapur want?" She asked cautiously.
Ibrahim Khan smirked." The same thing you want , Rani Abbakka the Portuguese destroyed."
She studied him." And why should I trust you?"
He leaned forward. " Because we have something you need. Gunpowder. Muskets. Cannons. Weapons that can tear through Portuguese armor."
Abbakka remained silent. Bijapur's weapons could help Ullal fight back, but an alliance with the Sultan was dangerous. If she accepted his help, she would be in his debt. And she knew that Bijapur did not offer favor without a price.
"What do you want in return?" She asked.
Ibrahim smiled. "Loyalty."
Abbakka's jaw tightened. Loyalty? Or submission?
The room was silent. The weight of the decision pressed down on her.
Of she refused, Ullal would have to fight the next Portuguese attack alone.
If she agreed, Ullal would be tied to a powerful but unpredictable ally.
Finally, she spoke. "I will accept your weapons. But Ullal does not bow to anyone- not the Portuguese, not Bijapur."
Ibrahim chuckled. " Then we have a deal.... for now."
As he left, Abbakka clenched her fists . She had made a pact with a serpent, but she would not be its prey.
The real war had just begun.