The morning sun cast a warm glow over the grand estate of Lord Ratanpal, signaling the beginning of a day filled with anticipation. Mindy, the confident and spirited companion, broke the silence with urgency. "Let's get ready; today is the day Thakopal is coming to meet Ratanpal for ministerial talks about the ongoing war on the Indus River," she remarked, her voice brimming with purpose. As I stirred from my slumber, a yawn escaped my lips, heralding what promised to be an eventful day. Mindy's words lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but entertain the hope that today might be the day I would finally gain recognition.
A polite knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and Mindy acknowledged the recent turn of events that had secured her newfound place in the aristocrat's world. "These past few weeks have gone well, if not excellently for me," she mused, her tone tinged with satisfaction. "Being the apple of an aristocrat's eye, I've been living an extravagant life in his mansion, surrounded by scores of servants at my beck and call. I enjoy sumptuous meals and indulge in fine spirits. I've become legendary within these four walls in this era."
The guard's voice broke through our reverie, reminding us of the impending meeting in the common hall. "Sir, Lord Ratanpal is waiting in the common hall, along with his guests," he announced respectfully. Acknowledging the guard's message, I replied with determination, "Okay! I'll be there in 10 minutes." As I prepared to face the day's challenges, the weight of anticipation hung in the air, mingling with the echoes of past accomplishments and the promise of future recognition. With hurried steps, I made my way to the hall.
Lord Ratanpal approached me, his red robes swaying with each determined stride. His sharp gaze locked onto me, and without missing a beat, he barked, "Where the hell have you been all morning, Tushar?" Caught off guard, I forced a weak smile. "Apologies, my lord. I may have had a little too much to drink last night." Ratanpal's eyes narrowed as he inspected my attire. "And where is the necklace I gave you? I told you it was for occasions like these," he muttered, irritation evident in his tone.
I fumbled awkwardly, a nervous grin spreading across my face. "I… forgot." With a sigh of exasperation, he reached beneath the folds of his robe and pulled out the diamond necklace. Without ceremony, he clasped it around my neck, the cool touch of the gems resting against my skin. "There. Now, walk with me," Ratanpal instructed firmly. "There's someone I want you to meet."
We stepped into a grand gathering, all eyes fixed on us as we made our way toward a man encircled by attendants clad in lavish robes. Ratanpal gestured toward him with subtle reverence. "Tushar, meet Lord Gopal Das." His tone carried weight as he continued, "This is our Mahamantri—chief minister of the realm. He rules over the town of Tot and stands as the wealthiest and most influential man in the kingdom, second only to the King himself." The air grew thick with significance as I bowed slightly in acknowledgment, knowing full well that encounters like these could shape my future.
Me: "Hello, Lord Gopal Das. Oh—sorry! I mean...
Mahamantri Gopal Das."
Gopal chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Lord Gopal Das is fine with me." He placed a firm hand on my shoulder, scanning me from head to toe, taking in every detail. "You look far more intriguing than the stories people tell about you." I forced a nervous smile. "I suppose I do," I replied, trying to sound lighthearted.
Before the exchange could linger, Ratanpal interjected, his tone laced with authority and impatience. "I think it's time we get started. The crowd has been waiting long enough—thanks to someone," he said, casting a pointed glare in my direction.
I offered a sheepish grin. "Yes, Lord Ratanpal, Lord Gopal—why don't you both take your seats? I'll have the performance begin shortly."
Gopal nodded in agreement. "Very well. I look forward to witnessing one of the kingdom's famous storytelling performances."
As they moved toward their seats, I stepped forward to address the audience, feeling the weight of anticipation settle over the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today is an extraordinary day— not just because we are gathered here, but because we have the honour of hosting Lord Gopal Das, our esteemed Mahamantri." I gestured toward him with a smile. "Let's give him a round of applause for gracing us with his presence."
The crowd responded warmly, clapping in unison, setting a lively tone for the evening.
"Now," I continued, "I'd like to share a story that is very close to my heart. It's a memory I cherish deeply, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed living it." Pausing for a moment, I let the anticipation build before diving into my tale.
"It was my eighth birthday. I still remember waking up early that morning, eager to receive blessings from my parents and grandparents. My father promised me something special—a gift I had been dreaming about for a long time. And that's how we found ourselves heading to the grand bazaar."
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I continued, the memory vividly replaying in my mind. "We visited countless shops, one after another. I was quite the picky child back then, so it took us nearly an hour to find the perfect bicycle."
The audience chuckled softly, and I carried on, my voice warm with nostalgia. "Afterward, my father and I wandered through the bazaar, sampling delicious food from street vendors. We created some of the best memories that day—memories I still carry with me." "My new bicycle became my constant companion. I rode it everywhere—10 kilometres a day, sometimes more. But the fondest memories I have with that bike are the ones I shared with Disha, my first sweetheart."
A ripple of quiet laughter spread through the audience at the mention of Disha.
"Yes... that bike took me on countless adventures. And to this day, the joy of that birthday and the memories I created with my family remain among the most treasured moments of my life."
I glanced at the audience, offering a humble smile.
"Thank you for listening."
The story took just over thirty minutes to tell, but the audience seemed captivated from beginning to end, their warm applause echoing through the hall. Gopal Das leaned back, a broad grin spreading across his face. "What a marvellous tale! That was an incredible performance. The story you shared was utterly fascinating."
I smiled politely. "Yes, it truly is."
Before I could say more, Ratanpal stepped forward, his expression shifting to a more serious one. "Lord Gopal, we have an important meeting waiting for us. We must
discuss some critical matters."
"Wait just a moment!" I interrupted, a playful glint in my eyes. "I have a gift for both of you."
At my nod, a servant standing quietly in the corner stepped forward, carefully unveiling a pair of gleaming red swords. Gasps echoed through the hall as the polished blades caught the light, scattering dazzling reflections around the room.
"Here—take them," I said, presenting the weapons with pride. "I had these crafted especially for you. These are the strongest swords in the entire kingdom...
perhaps even in the world."
The crowd's murmurs grew louder as everyone admired the craftsmanship, their eyes fixed on the mesmerizing shine of the blades.
I grinned, savouring the moment. "And before anyone asks—I had one of these swords tested. It broke through eighteen shields used by our soldiers without losing its edge."
Gopal Das exhaled in awe, tracing a finger along the smooth blade. "Incredible... just holding this sword feels like a privilege."
With a mischievous smirk, he added, "Surely, whoever
meets the edge of this beauty will be honoured to be slain by it."
The entire hall erupted into raucous laughter, the tension melting away in waves of mirth. Even Ratanpal allowed himself a chuckle, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all.
Ratanpal inspected the swords one last time and nodded approvingly. "Yes, they are excellent. But we need to leave now—there's urgent counsel work waiting."
I stepped forward, my voice eager. "Can I come with you? Please?"
Ratanpal opened his mouth, clearly intending to refuse, but before he could say a word, Gopal Das interjected with a sly smile.
"You know what? I'm starting to like you. I'll allow it." He wagged a playful finger at me. "But—" he added with a grin, "just make sure you don't interrupt us." I bowed slightly, suppressing my excitement. "As you command, my lords."
As soon as I entered the chamber, I gave a slight nod toward Akshat and the commander of the fourth town's soldiers, asserting my presence and authority to the others in the room.
Everyone followed suit, quietly taking their seats, the soft scrape of chairs the only sound breaking the heavy silence.
Gopal Das leaned forward, his tone formal. "Let's begin with the reports. What is the status of our troops stationed near the river?"
Ratanpal gestured for Akshat to address the question. "The situation remains delicate. We have stationed our men at key points to monitor enemy movement, but skirmishes are becoming more frequent as the war escalates."
I listened intently, noting the gravity of the discussion.
Gopal Das, unyielding and authoritative, spoke next. "We must consider reinforcements. If they continue to push against our border, we might need to take preemptive action. We cannot allow them to breach our defences."
Akshat nodded gravely. "Our men are skilled and experienced, but we must prepare for an increase in opposition."
"Indeed," Ratanpal replied, his brow furrowing. "We will need additional resources—ammunition, supplies, and more men—if we are to sustain our defence
against these persistent attacks."
The conversation deepened, filled with strategies and proposals, a whirlwind of ideas and concerns swirling in the air around me.
As I listened closely, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride to be part of such an important discussion. I knew that every decision made in this room would shape the future of the kingdom.
But amidst the strategic dialogue, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story than what was being discussed. As the leaders continued their discourse, I wondered if I would soon find my own place within these unfolding events—perhaps even a chance to leave my mark on the world around me. Gopal Das leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. "The empire in question is ruled by Jayapal of the
Hindu Shahi Dynasty. And the ones invading them..."
He paused for effect. "The Ghaznavid Empire—the current rulers of what was once Gandhara, now part of Afghanistan."
A frown creased my brow as I sensed where this was heading. "And who leads the Ghaznavid Empire?" Gopal's gaze turned icy. "Mahmud of Ghazni." The mere mention of that name sent a chill racing down my spine, goosebumps rising on my skin. My heart pounded as a grim realization dawned: this was the man whose armies would one day enslave countless Hindus, selling them in Islamic slave markets while laying waste to the northern territories of India. I clenched my fists, fighting the unease creeping into my voice. "Tell me—what do we need to do to stop them?"
Gopal shot me a hard look. "Don't get carried away.
This isn't our battle to fight."
"But what if the Shahi Empire falls?" I pressed, frustration edging into my tone. "Won't we be next?" Ratanpal cast me a sidelong glance but remained silent, allowing Gopal to respond.
Gopal sighed, as if the weight of the situation bore down on him. "Yes, that's precisely the danger. If the Shahi Empire crumbles, we'll be next in line." He paused, carefully weighing his words. "That's why we'll support them—with supplies and whatever else they need. But make no mistake... we are not marching into that battlefield ourselves."
I knew that nothing would convince these powerhungry bastards.
The meeting dragged on, discussing what supplies should be sent if needed. For the past five minutes, I had sat in silence, weighing my options.
"Listen, Mahamantri," I said, addressing Gopal. "Will
you make a deal with me?"
"Don't say something stupid, Tushar," Ratanpal cautioned.
"Wait, Lord Ratanpal," Gopal interjected. "Let him speak. Tushar, what is the deal?"
I took a deep breath. "Do you remember the story of
the bicycle I spoke of? Is it real or not?"
Gopal nodded, his brow furrowed. "Yes, I remember.
What about it?"
"What if I told you it's real? And that you could have one—only if we convince our king to send military support to the Shahi Kingdom?"
Everyone stared at me in shock, except for Akshat, who wore a small smirk.
"Men, he gets it!" I said, nodding toward Akshat. "I've already transported it to the garden outside," Akshat replied.
"We should all go check out my great invention," I suggested.
Gopal led the way, exiting through the front door of the mansion. We found a crowd of guests gathered in the garden, staring at the bicycle.
"Wow! Is it all made of iron?" one child exclaimed. I shook my head. "No, it's made of steel—a new kind of steel that's purer than the one we normally use. It's stronger and more readily available."
"Akshat helped me make this steel, and he built the cycle according to my instructions," I added.
Gopal leaned in, curious. "Tell me more precisely how it works."
"It's quite simple," I explained. "Look at these two wheels. They're not attached because the cycle moves on the wheel in the back." I pointed to the metal disc connected to the rear
wheel. "And these wooden pedals—"
"As you push the pedals with your feet, it makes the back wheel rotate. There's a chain that connects the two," I explained, gesturing to the mechanics. "This is a seat to make travel easier over long distances. And this handle is crucial; you can change direction just by moving it toward where you want to go."
"The wheels are made of wood and bamboo," I added. "Mahamantri Gopal, would you like to ride it?" I asked, a hint of enthusiasm in my voice.
"Can I?" Gopal responded, surprised. "Yes, please!" I urged.
Gopal stepped onto the cycle and began to pedal. However, he wobbled slightly and fell over, causing a ripple of laughter among the guests. It seemed he might have had a bit too much to drink this morning. "It's very fascinating," Gopal said, getting back up, his face flushed. "But can it replace horses?" "Yes!" I replied confidently. "It can be used for
traveling, in warfare, for transporting goods, and so much more."
"Gopal, why would people buy this? And why would we transport goods on it instead of a horse?" Gopal asked, skepticism in his voice.
"Let me explain," I replied confidently. "You can travel much farther in a single day compared to a horse since it doesn't need rest or food. It's silent and doesn't leave waste. Plus, it can handle tough terrains like mountains, rivers, and valleys with ease."
"And for transporting goods, we can create a different version specifically designed for that purpose," I added.
Gopal's eyes widened in realisation. "That sounds very promising. But it will take time to teach soldiers how to ride it."
"Don't worry," I assured him. "We'll figure everything out. Akshat will take charge of manufacturing the
cycles and training the soldiers."
"Let's not forget about me," Ratanpal interjected. "I'm here too, and Akshat is our chief blacksmith. Don't you think I should have a say in this?"
"Wait, Lord Ratanpal," Gopal said, raising a hand. "If what Tushar says about this invention is true, then this matter needs to be addressed by the supreme council." "And it could be of great significance to the kingdom," I added, hoping to emphasise the importance of my invention.
Ratanpal nodded. "That certainly is true."
Gopal sighed. "I'm sorry, Lord Ratanpal, but I cannot hide Tushar's identity from the king any longer. We must introduce him to the supreme council and present all the inventions he demonstrated before them."
Ratanpal glanced at me, a serious look in his eyes. "And I will take responsibility for him, ensuring he's not seen as a spy."
"Things are about to get spicy and interesting."
Ratanpal remarked, a hint of excitement in his voice.