Providing Support

As Rajiv's carriage rolled into Baron Sanjay's fief, his eyes widened in surprise. A massive white stone fortress loomed in the distance, its towering walls imposing against the sky. He frowned, a flicker of confusion crossing his face.

"Was this here before?" he muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the unfamiliar structure.

This was no ordinary building—it was a detention center, constructed under Sanjay's orders. But Rajiv had never heard of it before. Had he taken a wrong turn? His grip tightened on the edge of his seat as he watched streams of people moving in and out of the fortress. Merchants? Prisoners? Workers? He couldn't tell.

Unease settled in his chest. Should he stop and ask someone?

"Commander," Rajiv called, turning to the man riding beside him, "are you sure this is the right place?"

The commander, studying the map, nodded without hesitation. "Yes, my lord. We followed the correct path. There is no mistake."

Still, Rajiv couldn't shake his doubts.

Behind them, nearly five hundred soldiers rode in formation, their armor gleaming under the afternoon sun. They were his escort, a necessary precaution for the heir of a duke. Even in supposed friendly territory, he couldn't afford to be careless.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of several soldiers approaching. Unlike his men, they carried long wooden sticks instead of swords. Rajiv narrowed his eyes. Not standard military weapons—batons, perhaps? A symbol of authority within the baron's domain? He decided he would ask them about this place.

Before he could speak, one of the soldiers stepped forward and bowed. "Sir, I am Commander Nirav. The Baron is expecting you inside. Please follow me."

Rajiv's expression darkened.

If Sanjay knew I was coming, why didn't he come to greet me himself?

As the heir of a powerful duke, he outranked a mere baron by a wide margin. The first time they met, he had let Sanjay's lack of formality slide, reasoning that customs might differ in his territory. But months had passed since then—surely, by now, Sanjay should understand proper etiquette.

Rajiv felt irritation creep in, but exhaustion from the long journey dulled the sharp edge of his anger. He took a deep breath, reigning in his frustration. This was not the time for conflict.

"Please follow me, Sir," Nirav gestured, mounting his horse.

Rajiv gave a curt nod. He turned to his commander. "We'll proceed. Have the men stay behind."

It was a matter of protocol—marching five hundred soldiers into another baron's fief could be seen as an act of aggression. Though, in truth, he doubted Sanjay's forces could stand against his well-trained troops. Still, there was no need to provoke unnecessary hostilities.

As Rajiv's carriage rolled forward, he couldn't shake the growing sense of unease. At first, there were no towering walls or grand fortifications, just open land stretching ahead. But soon, he noticed something unusual—soldiers. Hundreds of them. Then thousands. 

They patrolled in organized formations, dressed in identical uniforms of an unfamiliar color. He had never seen such a sight before. By the time his carriage reached the entry gate, he had passed over five thousand soldiers. His brow furrowed.

Did Sanjay hire this many men? But why? Who would even think of attacking him here? It made no sense. 

Perhaps he was using them for farming or some other labor, Rajiv reasoned. But the thought barely settled before a new shock hit him.

Beyond the gate, rows of tall, identical houses lined the streets, each nearly twice the height of a normal home. White stone buildings stretched endlessly in perfect symmetry, their clean, polished surfaces gleaming under the sunlight. People in matching attire walked in groups, their movements purposeful, disciplined. 

Everything was spotless. The roads, the alleys—there wasn't a single trace of dirt or waste. It was cleaner than his own estate. In fact, it was so pristine that one could lie down anywhere and not get dirty.

To Rajiv, raised in a medieval world of dust and disorder, the sight was unnerving. It was unnatural. Too perfect. He could tell that different groups had different roles, but why would Sanjay invest so much in mere slaves? This was a waste of money.

At first, he dismissed the thought, but then something else felt off. His carriage moved too smoothly. There were no bumps, no jolts. Looking down, his breath caught in his throat.

A perfectly laid white stone road stretched beneath the wheels, polished to perfection. Unlike the dirt and gravel roads he was used to, this surface was seamless, as if crafted by divine hands. His fingers twitched—he had the sudden urge to step out and touch it.

But he restrained himself. Instead, he continued staring in silent amazement, his mind racing with questions. Everything was too orderly, too advanced. Even merchants' carriages moved alongside his, only to diverge onto separate paths after a few minutes.

Where are they going? he wondered.

After more minutes of travel, his gaze was drawn ahead—to a massive white wall. It towered over everything, larger than even the capital city's walls. But something was strange. It wasn't broad, and there were no guards stationed atop it.

Is this where Sanjay's fortress is? he mused.

As his carriage approached, the gate began to open, its heavy iron doors shifting with eerie precision. What lay beyond stole the breath from his lungs.

A mansion. No—an estate so grand it dwarfed even the royal palace. It was easily ten, perhaps twenty times larger than anything he had ever seen. The sheer beauty of the structure was otherworldly, as though it belonged to the heavens rather than the mortal realm.

For a moment, his heart stopped.

He had never witnessed such magnificence in his life.

As they passed through the gate, it silently swung shut behind them. Rajiv, lost in awe, did not notice. But his commander, riding beside him, did. His hand instinctively tightened around his sword's hilt.

How did the iron gate close by itself?

There was no one there.

A chill ran down his spine. Something was not right. He would have to stay vigilant. If anything threatened the young master's safety, he would not hesitate to act—because if harm came to Rajiv, his own life would be forfeit as well.

The carriage came to a smooth stop. As soon as it halted in front of the grand entrance, Sanjay was already there, waiting. He took a step forward, his expression calm but observant.

Rajiv, upon seeing Sanjay, felt a wave of relief wash over him. A genuine smile replaced his earlier frustration. He stepped out of the carriage, his boots landing lightly on the pristine white stone road. The grandeur of the palace behind Sanjay still left him in awe. The anger he had felt earlier? Completely forgotten. What he had witnessed in the town alone was enough to shock him, but the palace—this masterpiece—was beyond imagination.

Sanjay extended a hand, and Rajiv clasped it firmly. No words were needed in that moment; their eyes conveyed mutual respect and familiarity. With a brief nod, Sanjay gestured for him to follow.

Inside, the atmosphere was both lavish and welcoming. They settled onto a plush sofa, its softness a stark contrast to the rigid wooden chairs Rajiv was accustomed to. Sanjay reached for a glass bottle, pouring a dark, fizzy liquid into a cup before handing it over.

Rajiv accepted it with a raised brow. "Still drinking this strange black water?" he teased, swirling the liquid before taking a slow sip. The cold, crisp sensation tingled on his tongue, refreshing him instantly. He let out a satisfied sigh, setting the cup down with a relaxed smile.

Sanjay chuckled. "You'll get addicted if you keep drinking it."

Rajiv smirked but then leaned forward, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. "Tell me, Sanjay," he began, his voice quieter now. "How did you build all this?" His eyes held a mixture of disbelief and admiration.

Sanjay took a moment before answering, his fingers tapping lightly against his cup. "I had help."

Rajiv frowned slightly. Help? From whom? He wanted to ask, but he knew better than to press too hard.

Instead, Sanjay smoothly changed the subject. "By the way, why didn't you just send a messenger? Traveling all this way must've been exhausting."

Rajiv's expression darkened. "This isn't something that can be discussed through letters," he said, his tone heavier now. "It concerns our survival."

Sanjay's relaxed demeanor faded, his brows knitting together as he sat up straighter. "Go on," he urged.

Rajiv took a deep breath. "Before I explain everything, I need to know—have you chosen which prince to support?"

Sanjay blinked, caught off guard by the question. "What do you mean? Why would I support any prince?"

Rajiv exhaled slowly, as if he had expected this response. "Because war is coming."

Sanjay's grip on his cup tightened slightly.

"The king's health is failing," Rajiv continued grimly. "Each prince is gathering his own forces. It's only a matter of time before the kingdom is divided."

Silence stretched between them. Sanjay had known this day would come—he just hadn't expected it so soon. A war for succession… He could already see the chaos it would bring.

Rajiv, noticing Sanjay's thoughtful expression, softened his tone. "You don't have to worry. If you align with the second prince, I can guarantee your safety. And once he takes the throne, you'll be rewarded beyond imagination."

Sanjay's eyes flickered with understanding. So this was the real reason for Rajiv's visit. A warning, yes—but also a recruitment. Rajiv wanted his allegiance. And as the largest steel supplier in the region, Sanjay's support would be a powerful asset in the coming war.

But an idea was already forming in Sanjay's mind. He let a small smile play on his lips, masking his true thoughts.

"I could consider supporting the second prince," he said casually. "What exactly would that require from me?"

Rajiv's face lit up with relief. This was his primary mission—his father had entrusted him with convincing Sanjay. And now, it seemed like he had succeeded.

"You won't have to do much," Rajiv assured him. "Your role would be simple—just continue supplying steel, but this time, to our army."

Sanjay tilted his head slightly, pretending to consider it. "Supplying steel?"

Rajiv nodded eagerly. "Yes, the same amount you're already providing the royal family—ten tons."

Sanjay's expression turned thoughtful before he shook his head. "That won't be possible. Supplying ten tons on top of my existing commitment would be excessive. The best I can manage is an additional five tons."

Rajiv hesitated, weighing the compromise. After a brief pause, he gave a small nod. "Alright. Five tons will do for now."

"When do you need it?" Sanjay asked.

"Starting next month," Rajiv replied without hesitation.

Sanjay smiled. "That's manageable."

Rajiv finally allowed himself to relax, leaning back slightly into his seat. If Sanjay had refused, it would have caused serious complications. But now, everything was falling into place.

Sanjay, still deep in thought, asked, "But won't the royal family stop the succession war? I've been supplying them with ten tons of steel for months now. The royal army should be strong enough to intervene."

Rajiv shook his head. "You don't understand how things work here. The royal army isn't allowed to take sides in the fight for the throne."

Sanjay frowned. "Why not?"

"Because they need to remain intact to deter any outside forces from attacking during this period of instability," Rajiv explained. "That was a rule established by the founding king of our nation. The royal army exists to protect the kingdom, not to determine its ruler."

Sanjay nodded, realizing the logic behind it. "That's actually a smart policy. But what about the king himself? Can't he just name an heir and settle things before a war breaks out?"

Rajiv sighed. "In theory, yes. The king has the power to choose any successor he wants. But in reality, power is divided among several influential factions, each trying to install their own candidate. That's why, throughout history, only on rare occasions has a prince ascended to the throne without a war."

Sanjay leaned back, letting the information sink in. He had known politics in the kingdom were complex, but now, he was beginning to understand just how deep the power struggles ran.

P.S.: Sorry, I'm not feeling well these days and haven't been able to proofread. Please leave a comment if you find any mismatched sections.