Kingdom of Amber, Fort of Jaipur, few days back on 11th march 1557.

  The Fort of Amber is a single-yered fortification that encompasses the entire ancient city of Jaipur, including the inner pace through extension of its long walls. To the north and east, the fort is shielded by hilly ranges covered with dense forests, making these sides less accessible. The only approach is from the south and west, where the terrain opens up into fields.

  Even though the fort features only a single yer of walls, these are both tall and thick, reinforced with multi-tiered stairs that enhance their strength. Additionally, a deep moat filled with water surrounds the fort, adding another critical yer of defense.

  On such western walls which boasted a height of 20 meters above the ground, Queen Kalyani, a young beauty of twenty draped in a regal saree, gazed out at the open fields below. The fields were dotted with a canvas of tents in the distance, and the sun was dipping below the horizon, signaling the end of the day.

  A tall figure cd in chain mail armor approached her with a look of deep reverence. It was General Puran Das who has proven his valor in previous battles.

  "Greetings, Your Majesty. Dusk is approaching. Please, retreat to safety."

  "Safety?" Kalyani replied with a sigh, her eyes still fixed on the enemy camp. "How can I think of safety when my choices have plunged the entire kingdom into chaos? I wonder if I truly deserve this burden."

  Puran Das stood silently, understanding the weight of her words as the shadows of evening began to envelop the nd.

  Turning back to him, she inquired, "Do you bring any news?"

  Puran Das replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Our spies have reported that enemy reinforcements have arrived, and they will likely attack by dawn. "

  She asked one st time before leaving her pce, "Do you think if I surrender to my father, this war will stop? So much bloodshed for just a marriage."

  Puran Das shook his head. "Forgive me, Majesty, but even if you surrender, we won't allow it until our king arrives. We received a message that our king is already en route with fresh reinforcements, and we just need to endure for three days."

  Queen Kalyani insisted, "What are the courtiers speaking of? They might be urging to throw me out. After all, we might not survive for three days."

  Puran Das said, "Your Majesty, for us Rajputs, honor is more important than death. We would rather all perish before granting others the chance to snder our king, that his army couldn't protect his beloved wife in his absence."

  He added with clenched fist as he looked at the canvas of tents outside, "Besides, letting them go unpunished will tarnish our image. Let our enemies be reminded whose nds they dared to cross."

  Queen Kalyani looked satisfied with the response. She wanted to test the morale as she herself knew the battle was inevitable. She replied with resolve, "Then I shall join the pride. With the authority of the Queen, I call for an alliance meeting. Notify the alliance members to meet me in the king's chamber before night falls."

  Puran Das bowed, "As you wish, Your Majesty," and left, while Queen Kalyani looked at the cannons pced beside her with hope.

  Few moments ter inside the king's chamber

  In the flickering torchlight, Queen Kalyani at throne with General Puran Das beside her, hosts a tense conference.

  General Mahesh Bhupati of Malwa sits on the left side with his followers stood behind of the wide table, while General Nagpal Chaturvedi of Gwallior occupies the right. The table if filled with maps of the fort premises.

  Queen Kalyani commenced the meeting with heartfelt gratitude. "Esteemed allies, the Kingdom of Amber is extremely grateful for your support during this time of distress. Thanks to your presence, we have amassed thirty-five thousand forces. Our king is en route to the fort, and we only need to endure for three days."

  General Nagpal replied humbly, "The honor is ours, Your Majesty. As members of the Samrajya, it is our duty. I look forward to preparing for the war."

  General Mahesh Bhupati, bearing a scar on his nose, replied with arrogance, "The pleasure is ours, Queen of Amber. I'll say it straight, we are here for revenge. They dared to attack our prince in Bawal; that is their greatest sin. Thanks to Lord Shiva's blessing, he is alive and returning soon. We will ensure not a single Rajput leaves in one piece."

  Pleased by their responses, Queen Kalyani stated, "We have information from our spies that the King of Jaisalmer has joined their ranks with twenty-five thousand forces. They have brought thirty cannons, and the division of their forces is unknown. We can expect an attack at dawn. I would like to know your preparations."

  She added, "From our side, we have ten thousand forces ready, including two thousand skilled archers on the walls. Our hundred cannons are battle-ready."

  General Nagpal expressed his concern, "I believe our situation is critical. We have thirty catapults that can hail stones, but your cannons are not enough to stop their horde from two sides. The blind spot at the corner is no less than a chicken neck. Despite our strength, we can only refill the compact lines of the wall. It's only a matter of time before the wall colpses and they rush in."

  General Mahesh took a moment to recollect while Queen Kalyani asked, "Then what do you suggest?"

  General Nagpal replied, "You have the advantage of the moat. We can take the cavalry to the forest side, hide them, and wait for the suitable time. Let them push up to the walls, then our cavalry can fnk the enemies at our signal. As far as I'm concerned, your five thousand cavalry are just sitting ducks inside the fort. While rangers can support them atop the walls."

  General Puran Das interjected, "But Your Majesty, if we do that, there is a risk of our cavalry being wiped out by their rger force, and the risk of friendly fire is high."

  General Nagpal emphasized, "That sacrifice is necessary, Your Majesty. If we need to survive, let them converge at a point. Our siege will be more powerful."

  Silence prevailed as they tried to make sense of it. It was clear Nagpal wanted the enemy to converge to be eliminated in the siege bombardment, but the chances of friendly fire were high. It was simply asking of cavalry to become the bait.

  General Mahesh boasted, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. We are the elite of the elites. I will add another two thousand archers on the southern front while you handle the western side alone. There is no need to make extra preparations. Let them step on the wall, and we will make another wall with their bodies, leaving no heads intact."

  General Nagpal scoffed, "As much as I commend General from Malwa, for his fiery temper, we must not ignore that battles are won through strategy first, then brute strength. Let's not forget that the enemy has more than double our forces. If we don't use our head, our defeat is imminent. They have cannons too."

  General Mahesh retorted, "I didn't know Gwalior people, despite their siege expertise, were such cowards. Why don't you admit you're jealous that we have fifteen thousand soldiers while you have only ten thousand, including logistics? Besides, cannons from the fort are more effective."

  General Nagpal mocked, "Yet I brought extra siege machines, while you managed only deadweights. Don't worry, my friend, I'll make good use of their bodies once they colpse under the rain of arrows."

  "Enough!" Puran Das's voice echoed as he smmed the table with his fist. "Be mindful of Her Majesty's presence."

  General Nagpal immediately apologized, "I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. But I wanted to redirect the conversation to our critical problem."

  Mahesh grinned, adding, "I don't mind his insecurity, Your Majesty. A battle is lost before it starts if you doubt your strength. Too much caution can dampen confidence. Besides, you said we only need to endure for three days."

  Queen Kalyani replied, "I appreciate both your opinions. As far as we know, they will begin with cannons, so we will focus on those first. We will keep some cannons out of use to rotate them. The soldiers on the ground will also be given bows to replenish the archers."

  With the strategy agreed upon, the meeting was dismissed. General Nagpal quickly left the pace, his mind racing with the urgency of the impending battle. He made his way to a concealed tunnel not known to anyone other than his forces, and emerged in the eastern forest where his soldiers awaited.

  Upon entering, he traversed through the another tunnel, deep amidst the flickering torches. The sound of metal clinking echoed through the passage. Soon, he met his subordinate, Havildar Nikhilesh Bhat, who was in charge of the secret underground tunnel.

  "How is the preparation going?" General Nagpal inquired.

  "Sire, we have covered almost half of the southern path," Havildar Nikhilesh replied.

  General Nagpal gritted his teeth. "Half? The battle is tomorrow. We need this completed before sunrise. Ensure that at least one side is fully prepared."

  "Our workers are pushing hard, Sire, but time is against us," Havildar expined.

  "I don't want to hear any excuses. This is our only hope for survival," General Nagpal insisted.

  "Yes, Sire, it will be done," Havildar Nikhilesh replied, though a glint of guilt was visible in his eyes.

  General Nagpal patted him on the shoulder. "This is not betrayal. It's about strategy. Sometimes, discretion is crucial until the right moment arrives. Make sure the tunnel is closed securely after the detonation. We can't afford any mistakes."

  After General Nagpal left with further instructions, the weight of the situation bore down on Havildar Nikhilesh. He couldn't shake the doubt gnawing at him, 'Would the pn actually work as intended?'

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  //A/N: Forgot to mention, the fort of Amer that we know was built in 1590 around, so its old in tag here. However I have tried to keep same fort's setting.