Malhar felt the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders as he led his entourage through the dense forests and winding paths of the Sahyadri mountains, another day and he would be home . The journey had been long and grueling, and the cool river nearby seemed to beckon him with the promise of a brief respite. He decided to take a moment to refresh himself, knowing that the days ahead would require his full strength and focus.

"Raje," Tanaji Holkar, his trusted lieutenant, called out as they neared the river. "The water here is clean and refreshing. It might do you some good to take a moment and relax."

Malhar nodded, appreciating Tanaji's concern. "Yes, I think I will. Keep an eye on the camp and ensure everything is in order."

Tanaji nodded, and Malhar dismounted his horse, handing the reins to a nearby soldier. He walked towards the riverbank, the cool breeze carrying the scent of fresh water and the earthy aroma of the forest. The river was serene, its surface reflecting the lush greenery surrounding it.

Malhar removed his kurta and stepped into the water, feeling the coolness envelop his tired muscles. He swam with strong, deliberate strokes, allowing the water to wash away the dust and fatigue of the journey. As he swam, he couldn't help but think of Jahnvi. She was beautiful young woman, he knew the recent events had been taxing on her and it pained him to know that he had a part to play in her misery.

Malhar floated on his back, staring up at the clear blue sky. The sound of birds chirping and the gentle rustle of leaves provided a soothing soundtrack to his thoughts.

"Raje, I'm Kanchi, maid assigned to the princess. They told me I was to see you at once. " a young girl around twenty said, approaching him with a respectful bow.

"How is the princess doing, Kanchi?" Malhar asked. For the past week, he had deliberately kept his distance from her, battling his instincts and strong desire to see her.

"The princess refuses to eat. She insists she's not hungry."

Malhar sighed. "Tell her to eat something. We have a long journey ahead, and she needs her strength."

The maid nodded and left after being dismissed, but Malhar's thoughts lingered on Jahnvi. He knew she was struggling with the transition, he was aware of the uncertainty and discomfort she felt. He couldn't afford to get too close, though. Attachment was a luxury he couldn't afford.

From the moment he saw Jahnvi, something inexplicable stirred within him. It wasn't just attraction; it was a profound longing to be near her, to understand her essence. He couldn't articulate what he wanted from her exactly, but her presence captivated him in a way that defied reason. Despite knowing the complexities and impossibilities, he couldn't deny the powerful pull she had on him, leaving him conflicted yet irresistibly drawn to her.

"Raje." The soldier standing by the river bank pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Yes ?" Malhar said pushing his wet hair behind.

"I see thick smoke coming from the camp site." Malhar swam to the shore and pushed himself out of the river. He picked up the discarded kurta and quickly slipped it over his head.

"Let's go check it out." Malhar said hopping into the saddle.

•••

It had taken six nights and seven days of camping and galloping to leave the heat of the Deccan and be enveloped in the embrace of the Sahyadri.

Jahnvi pulled a fresh pair of simple cotton garments from her trunk. She had started to be self-reliant since her departure from Hyderabad. She no longer was going to get attached, not to anyone, and her first step was to not have a lady assigned to her, yet she was grateful for the company Kanchi had given her.

"Have a hearty breakfast, Your Grace, for I'm sure we shall now only stop once we have reached the palace gates," Kanchi said with a small smile.

"I'm not very hungry. I think I'll survive without—"

"I shall take offense, Shehzadi. I have cooked your breakfast myself, and what if you should faint during the last stretch? My name shall be tainted as a lady's maid. I shall not be—"

"I'll eat. Just... just leave it by the bedside," she said.

"Should I get a washbowl for you, my lady?" the maid asked as she tidied the tent.

"I shall prefer to take a dip in the river. There is a river close by, is there not?" Jahnvi asked.

"Yes, Princess, there is, I believe. However, the king was on his way to the river as well. We could head out to the river. I just thou—"

"No, no, I would very much like you to fetch that washbowl," Jahnvi added immediately.

"Immediately," Kanchi said, rushing out of the tent.

In the last week, Jahnvi had used her nights to rearrange her trunks, shuffling the contents and arranging them to her convenience. Jahnvi sat cross-legged on the floor, sorting through her painting material when the flap of the tent opened. Sensing a presence right behind her, she sat straighter.

"Please put the washbowl in the bathroom. I'll call for you if I need you," she said. She missed Farah dearly, she was sure Kanchi would be a great companion as well but she was scared that one day she too would be snatched out of her life like Farah was, she didn't want her heart to break further.

Jahnvi's request was replied with silence. It was unexpected from the usually chirpy girl that her maid was.

Jahnvi felt a breath on the nape of her neck, and the hair on her arms rose.

Jahnvi grabbed the little metal box of paint and swung it around to hit the intruder but before she could cause harm, a hand covered her mouth and the other held her wrist, nearly crushing her bones, muffling the scream that had escaped her lips from the searing pain.

"Looks like she is important. Search thoroughly; she will have something valuable in those trunks," a voice rumbled from behind her, a voice Jahnvi had never heard before.

She was pulled up on her feet and now she saw a group of men, around five, shuffling around her tent, opening her trunks. Among them, a burly man with a scar across his cheek seemed to be in charge.

Jahnvi felt the man's hand move from her mouth, and before she could let out a scream, a sharp blade was placed around her neck. The man holding the blade had a cold, calculating look in his eyes.

"Who are you?" she managed to ask, but her question was royally ignored. Another man, lean and wiry, snatched her hands from her side and tied them behind her using a piece of fabric, securing her to the supporting pole of the tent. A ball of rag was stuffed into her mouth, gagging her shut.

She watched helplessly as they tore through all her belongings and collected all her jewelry and whatever else they deemed valuable. The man with the scar supervised, giving orders in a low, commanding voice.

A cold gust of wind hit her. She turned her head to see the flaps of her tent open, her maid entering with a washbowl. The maid's eyes widened in horror at the sight.

"What is happening?" she screamed, dropping the bowl. It fell with a loud clank, spilling water everywhere.

"Get her," the man who had tied Jahnvi ordered his companion, a stocky fellow with a heavy beard. He rushed toward the maid but slipped and fell on the wet floor, giving Kanchi the opportunity to run away.

"We need to leave, now." The leader said. "Take all you can and run."

"I've secured a few bags of gold. I couldn't locate the King's tent; the rest of the men have fled to the forest. We don't have much time," said a new voice from outside the tent. Another man, taller and dressed in dark, inconspicuous clothing, entered. "We should have attacked the king's tent directly and gotten the treasure."

"These jewels are worth more than all our inheritances combined. Now hurry if you don't wish to be slaughtered," the scarred leader snapped.

"What about the girl?" the bearded man asked, eyeing Jahnvi nervously.

"We take her," the leader replied. "She ensures a safe route out. The longer we linger, the more danger we invite. Move swiftly."

The bearded man nodded. "You heard him. Pack up and let's go."

As they hurried to finish their looting, Jahnvi's mind raced, desperately seeking a way out of her dire situation. They pulled her along with them, and it surprised her that no one was lingering around her tent. The camp was usually bustling with soldiers and servants.

"I have lit a few tents on fire. It should be a sufficient distraction to give us time to escape," the hooded man said, and the leader nodded as they stealthily made their way toward the trees.

"They will be fetching water from the river. We need to go uphill," the leader instructed, leading the way through the dense undergrowth. Jahnvi struggled against her bindings, trying to slow them down, but the bearded man gave her a sharp yank, forcing her to keep pace.

Jahnvi's heart pounded in her chest as she searched for any opportunity to escape or signal for help. The forest around them grew denser, and the sounds of the camp faded behind them. She knew she had to act fast, but with the blade at her throat and her hands bound, her options were perilously limited.

•••

Before Malhar could mount hai stead soldiers and workers had rushed to the river where he was taking a swim, buckets in hand and worry etched on their faces.

"Raje!" one of the soldiers called out, breathless from the sprint. "The tents near the south settlement of the camp caught fire," he said, urgency lacing his words.

"How? Is anyone hurt?" Malhar demanded, quickly pulling his kurta over his head, the fabric sticking to his damp skin.

He watched as his people formed a human chain, passing buckets of water with determined efficiency towards the camp. Their unity and quick response filled him with pride, even amidst the chaos.

"Just a soldier," the man replied. "He had come to collect fodder for the goats. Luckily, nobody was around those tents at that point."

"Burnt tents with no humans around? It was a distraction," Malhar muttered to himself. He picked up his sword resting on a nearby rock and rushed towards his horse, mounting it in one swift motion.

He spurred his horse towards the camp, heart pounding in sync with the galloping hooves. As he approached the burning tents, he saw his people throwing buckets of water and dry dirt to douse the flames. The fire, though fierce, was being contained and wouldn't spread to other tents. He breathed a sigh of relief.

"Raje, we just heard and rushed in," Tanaji Holkar said, approaching with Sampat Rao in tow. "Luckily, the fire was away from the human dwellings."

"The fire is a distraction. It was lit on purpose. Find out what we are missing; something has to be wrong," Malhar commanded, his voice steely with determination. He steered his steed away, eyes scanning the camp for any signs of further trouble.

As he rode, a distraught woman came running towards him, her face pale and eyes wide with terror. He looked at her for a second longer and realised it had been the same girl he had called for a couple of minutes ago, Kanchi.

"They took her, they kidnapped the princess!" she cried out before collapsing to the ground, her strength spent.

Malhar's heart froze. His eyes narrowed, a cold fury settling over him. "Alert the camp. We ride out immediately," he ordered Tanaji and Sampat, his voice brooking no argument.

AN: A little extra chapter, whipped it up because you guys wanted a peek into Malhar's psyche.
Let me know what you guys feel, and I love you all for all the support.
Drop down the city you come from.
Until the next chapter
Lots of love
xoxo