Battle in bhaktapur

Nirpendra's men were quick to escape from the jungle. Everything so far had gone terribly wrong. Nirpendra wasn't sure if Rajendra was on their side or not. They had no way of contacting each other so he couldn't confirm it either. 

Their plan of ambushing had failed, and in fact he was the one who got ambushed. How in the world did they even know his location? He'd tried his best to be stealthy in the forest as well. Nirpendra had suspicions that Rajendra was involved in this but there was no confirming that. 

But at least, even when everything went wrong, they were able to get out of there unscathed. Although they did lose the commander whose name Nirpendra did not know, he was the only casualty. It could've been worse if let's say, Nirpendra wasn't able to make his escape from the assassins and their men had no way of knowing that assassins were after them.

Everyone's mind was in the same situation.

"Didn't you know? Commander Vijaya died to some assassins but luckily the king was able to make his escape."

"Oh wow. Thank god we left that forest quickly. To think that assassins capable enough to kill commander Vijaya were in that forest…"

"You are incorrect. It was not due to their skill. Commander Vijaya was outnumbered and he had to protect the king as well."

Some soldiers in the lowest chain of command were gossiping amongst each other within the large company of 250 soldiers moving in the same direction. 

Nirpendra, who was at the front of this company, was approached by one of the four captains who saved him from the previous attack.

"Your majesty, are you feeling fine now?"

"Yes, don't mind it. It's just a shallow cut and the medics bandaged it."

"That is truly good to hear… Your highness, how was commander Vijaya in his final moments?"

Nirpendra thought about this question for a moment. The commander had been able to properly warn him about the ambush which effectively saved his own life. He felt heavily indebted to him. 

"That's right. He was vigilant till the last moment."

The captains had a solemn expression on their faces. They should have not been very inexperienced with dealing with deaths of their fellow mates but this wound cut deep because Vijaya was a young man with great talents and was the best contender to become the next Commander in chief.

"But his sacrifice was not in vain. The kingdom will forever be indebted to the likes of him."

Nirpendra consoled the captain. Who nodded thankfully and respectfully. 

Soon enough, the company could finally see Ivan's army in the far distance. From their position, they looked like tiny ants skirmishing around while locked in battle with the Patan forces in the outskirts of Bhaktapur.

"They're already in combat!" The captain was taken aback.

Their original plan did not include Ivan going to battle this quickly. So Nirpendra thought that his company would reach the original battalion before the battle. What in the world could have happened to change this? He could only hurry there and find out.

"We need to hurry." 

***

"Commander Ivan! We're heavily outnumbered and taking severe losses! We need to fall back!"

Ivan was a stern looking bulky man in his forties. He was unresponsive for a few seconds as he looked at the fighting going on up ahead with a contemplating expression. Nobody was sure what he was looking at exactly but a few seconds later, his stern expression turned determined as if he had reached a viable answer.

"No! We cannot fall back!" Ivan said resolutely before rushing ahead of the front lines. Five opposing soldiers turned towards Ivan and rushed towards him simultaneously with their swords.

Ivan was a strong man so he started by attacking the first enemy himself, who fell over after taking a powerful kick. The second person who tried swinging at Ivan was decapitated by Ivan in a swift manner. The third person took a heavy kick on his stomach. The fourth person fell over after colliding with the third. And finally, the last person's sword clashed with Ivan's in an ear-piercing clang.

The last person was equally strong so Ivan could not easily overpower this person. Many soldiers from the opposing kingdom were delighted at this spectacle.

"Look! Our commander won't fall to Ivan!"

"That's right! Ivan is no big deal!"

However, the next moment, Ivan started forcing the sword down with all of his strength. Previously in a stalemate, now the opposing Commander was trying his best to handle the sword that was weighing down on him with the strength of a hundred beasts.

The opposing commander could not handle such a force for long and he landed on the knee for greater support. And yet, Ivan's strength was still dominating the opposing commander. 

Finally, when the pressure was too great, Ivan's blade slid past the commander's sword and it severed him diagonally starting from the left shoulder and ending in his right waist.

The battlefield seemed to pause at this moment as everyone looked on at this significant battle taking place in front. Taking this opportunity, Ivan knew to raise the morale of his troops.

"Everyone!" His voice was loud and clear and easily heard across the large battlefield, "Raise your swords! Fight for your life! Fight for your kingdom! Fight for Glory!"

With a large roar, everyone seemed to suddenly be possessed by something as they screamed battle cries in unison.

"Glory! Glory! Glory!"

The front lines, where the opponents were supposed to have the upperhand with twice the numbers of the opponent, were slowly being overrun by the Kantipur forces. 

Whenever two soldiers from Patan tried taking on a man from Kantipur, the latter seemed to somehow kill the both of them and move on like a beast or, in the least, slaying one of them before falling.

This scene was both jarring and motivating for the commander who requested Ivan to retreat their forces.