Ch-26: The Tug of Duty

The sprawling army grounds of Hampura, usually a place of training and camaraderie, now bore witness to a tense standoff. Vijay, his heart heavy with concern, watched as not a single soldier had deserted their posts. Their unwavering commitment to the kingdom touched him deeply. Yet, the reasons behind their sacrifice remained shrouded in mystery, and he was determined to understand.

At the center of this emotional turmoil, an intense debate raged between two prominent figures. The first, General Srinivasan, though being a coward person who feared wars and involved himself in politics to rise in position, his silver hair was a testament to his years of devoted service.

Facing him was a much younger man, Commander Parambadur, whose unwavering conviction and fierce resolve belied his relative lack of experience. His commanding presence had earned him the soldiers' loyalty, and his voice resonated with a confidence that bordered on defiance.

The encircling soldiers, torn between allegiance and pragmatism, displayed faces etched with the inner turmoil of the moment. They had to respect the order of their superior General Srinivasan, as his decision was final, appealing to their survival instincts.. Yet, Commander Parambadur was like an older brother, leader and idol having followed him into many battles.

Commander Parambadur's voice quivered slightly, a trace of fear creeping into his unwavering determination. "General, we cannot abandon our homeland, our people. It is our solemn duty to defend Hampura with every ounce of our strength."

General Srinivasan, firm in his convictions, countered, "Boy, we must face reality. The coalition arrayed against us is formidable. Our forces alone cannot prevail. Surrender may be our only viable option."

The tense silence that followed was almost palpable. Soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, their faces etched with the weight of the monumental decision looming before them. The loyalty they held for, Commander Parambadur their stalwart leader, clashed head-on with the practicality and realism presented by General Srinivasan.

Amidst the heated debate that threatened to divide their resolve, Vijay emerged as a voice of authority. His commanding tone cut through the tension, leaving no room for dissent. "General, you should be leading them in the war, not enticing them to flee."

General Srinivasan, his emotions spiraling between fear and anger, struggled to maintain his composure. Vijay's words had struck a nerve, exposing his inner turmoil. With a voice quivering with suppressed frustration, he retorted, "Boy, how dare you! Your arrogance will be the end of your life. When the enemy's army attacks, let me see who will flee first."

Vijay, undeterred by the General's outburst, smirked and shifted his attention to the soldiers, the very heart of Hampura's defense. His voice was a beacon of hope amidst the turmoil. "Fear not, my fellow countrymen. We have discovered a revolutionary way to change the course of this war. And I pledge to stay with you all, side by side with Commander Parambadur, leading us toward victory."

But Vijay's impassioned speech had failed to quell the skepticism among the soldiers. Doubt still hung heavily in the air, leaving the atmosphere tense and uncertain. But just as hope seemed to wane, a voice of unwavering resolve emerged from the ranks.

Parambadur, the young Commander, stepped forward, his voice steady and resolute. "My dear friends, if this young man speaks the truth, if he offers us a path to face this calamity head-on, then I shall stand with him, and we shall fight together against the impending darkness."

The soldiers turned their attention to Parambadur, who had always been like an older brother to them. His words carried weight and credibility. Slowly but surely, their expressions began to change from skepticism to renewed vigor.

One by one, soldiers raised their hands and declared their allegiance. "I will join!" "Count me in!" "For Hampura, I stand!"

General Srinivasan, now visibly isolated, could no longer maintain his composure. Desperation etched across his face, he made a final attempt to entice the soldiers. "Remember, after fleeing, we may start our lives anew. The boy might be telling lies to use all of you to protect himself."

But it was too late. The collective will of the soldiers had shifted. They had chosen to embrace the unknown path that Vijay had laid before them, a path that offered innovation, unity, and the possibility of victory over despair. The weight of their loyalty now rested firmly with Parambadur and their promising Young Master who had dared to defy tradition and forge a new destiny for Hampura.

----------------------------------

Amid the cheers of renewed determination from the soldiers, two figures entered the scene, panting heavily from their haste. One was Anand, and the other was Arvind. They arrived almost simultaneously but bore different tidings.

As Arvind and Anand arrived panting heavily, Vijay could sense that they bore important information. Anand was the first to speak, his voice filled with urgency, "Young master, Venugopal, the old agricultural advisor, has fled Hampura with his family and riches." Vijay's expression turned grim as he made a silent vow to punish those who tried to flee during these trying times.

Arvind stepped forward, his breathing still rapid, and simply stated, "We've finished," as he handed Vijay two bows, two swords, and a quiver of arrows. The curiosity among the soldiers grew, and murmurs filled the air. This time Vijay was shocked at the speed of the blacksmiths as they finished weapons for every soldier to equip in such short amount of time.

The soldiers watched in curiosity and anticipation. Vijay took a deep breath and began to address the crowd.

"This," he declared, "is the revolution that can change the course of this war." Confusion rippled through the assembly as they tried to comprehend his words. A brave soldier, curiosity getting the better of him, asked the question that was on everyone's mind, "How can bows and swords make a difference?"

In response, Vijay swiftly tossed a bow and an arrow to the soldier who had asked the question. "Aim at those dummies wearing leather armor," he instructed with determination. The soldier hesitated for only a moment before nocking the arrow and pulling back the string. With a swift release, the arrow shot forward and pierced through the dummy, leather armor and all, as if it were nothing more than a piece of cloth.

The sword, a gleaming Talwar (sword), was next to be tested. The same soldier took it, and with a single strike, he sliced through another dummy effortlessly, leaving the crowd in awe. They stood in stunned silence, doubts erased, replaced by newfound confidence and determination. Vijay had just revealed the incredible power of innovation in the art of warfare, and it left an indelible mark on every soldier present.