Shahensha Haider’s P.O.V.

The next morning,I sat on my horse,behind three battalions.I looked through the numerous men,my eyes falling on Bakshi Bano who sat on her horse,once again blending into the coat of her horse.Her bronze armour covered majority of her body and her head shield covered her head properly.

I had thought Bakshi Bano would not enter the battlefield today but she had surprised me.When I had gone out to survey the soldiers,I had seen her giving instructions to the cavalry of five hundred men.She had them listening to her without questioning her orders.

I saw Bakhtawar Mirza say something to her before he begun to gallop my way.He stopped in front of me,bowing his head.

“Shahensha,our soldiers on the mountain have reported that there have been no changes in the front line defence of Yabir’s army.We are ready to attack.”

I nodded my head as he turned to ride away.I closed my eyes,reciting Surah Fathia as I held my hand up before curling my fist and the firing of a cannon sounded as I opened my eyes.

Bakshi Bano P.O.V.

I watched as the last cannon of the enemy blew up,then the front line of Yabir’s army begun to proceed forward and I looked at the drum beater,giving him a nod.He beat it twice at which arrows flew over the head of the front line and embedded into the archers of the enemies as well as other soldiers.

“Shields.” I bellowed at which the other commanders did the same,lifting my shield as the enemies archers tried to aim for us.I could feel the arrows knocking into the shield before it stopped and I could hear the scream,groans and moans of pain of the soldiers who met in the front lines.

Our army had seemed to gather courage from Shahensha killing the traitor had filled them with a new vigorous strength to want to fight and beat the enemy.

A Black Cavalry soldier came to a stop in front of me on his horse,”Commander,Yabir is in the last defence line,it is weak.If we start attacking we will be able to capture him.”

“Rukhsar Mirza,go and pass this message to Commander Jaffar saab,tell him we will start the second and third line of defence attack.Tell him I need permission.”

Rukhsar rode away as I watched the first line of defence proceed further into enemy lines.

“Aghe baro.Hamla.”

I unsheathed my sword as I begun to ride forward,a group of ten men surrounded me,riding together.Some were archers,others were swordsmen,with only one motive in mind.

They needed to get me to Yabir,so that we could capture him and take him to the Shahensha.

As we proceeded,swords slashing and arrows flying we finally breached his last line of security where I saw him on a horse,surrounded by soldiers.

I dismounted the horse as did my soldiers and we proceeded towards them,slashing at the soldiers who came towards us with one hand and shielding with the other hand.As we came towards Yabir,I called out.

“Yabir,surrender yourself.Your friend has been killed and your men have been killed,do not make things difficult for yourself.”

Yabir laughed,arrogance shinning through his eyes that could see as he sneered at me,”Surrender to a woman?I would rather die.”

“As you wish.” A man’s arrogance would always be his downfall as my soldiers took his soldiers attention and I launched an attack on him,bringing down my sword with force,the pain from the wound I had acquired the night before an afterthought as our swords clashed.

I pushed him back with all my might,when I saw a weakness on his side,I brought my sword down on his arm if the hand that held his sword,giving him a deep wound before pulling the sword back and slashing at his knee,he howled in pain as I brought the sword down into his leg and he fell down.I held the tip of my sword at his throat,putting slight pressure,enough that I knew it would nick his skin but not cause much damage,a thin stream of blood begun to tickle down his neck.

A soldier near me called out loudly,”The enemy has fallen.Shahensha Haider Muhammed has won.”

The call begun to get repeated,the enemies soldiers dropping their swords,some running,some surrendering.Two of my soldiers grabbed Yabir by his arms,then I sheathed my sword.I turned to mount Shifan,with Yabir being dragged by the soldiers.As we passed through the battlefield,the soldiers called out Allah-hu-Akbar.

When we reached Shahensha,I once again dismounted my horse as we walked to stand in front of the King,as the soldiers dragged Yabir on his knees in front of Shahensha Haider who had been looking at me,pride brimming in his eyes.

“Shahensha,we successfully captured Yabir.” I announced as I bowed my head and Shahensha gave me a nod of his head,as he turned to look at Yabir,his hand flexing on the handle of his sword.When Yabir,looked up at Shahensha Haider,glaring at him,my blood begun to boil under my skin at the disrespect he showed Shahensha.How dare he show our King such disrespect when he had been defeated?

“You may have won but you will fall one day.” Yabir shouted out before Shahensha could say a word at which Ehmad Khan stepped forward,striking Yabir across the face,only for him to step back at the order of Sahehansha Haider.

“Stand down,Ehmad Khan.” Shahensha Haider unsheathed his sword as he came to stand in front of Yabir,he used the tip of his sword to lift Yabir’s head,“As long as my citizens and hareem pray for me,let alone a man,not even an animal will hurt me.” Shahensha Haider lifted his sword at which Yabir closed his eyes,the sword got brought down with enough force to separate his head from his neck.We all watched Shahensha Haider lifted his sword,calling out,“Allhumdulilah,victory is ours.Allah hu Akbar.”

I pulled my sword from it’s sheath lifting my sword with the many other people,ignoring the pain that throbbed through the left side of my body,“Allah hu Akbar.”

As soon as the tents were packed away,the injured nursed and the dead buried.I finish make my rounds around my cavalry,we had a couple injured but alhumddulilah,none were injured which caused me a lot of pride.Yet,I felt sadness for those whom we lost.It would never be easy losing soldiers in. A battle,even if we did not know them.As I made my last round,meeting with Bakhtawar Mirze and Rukhsar in front of them all.

“Have our provisions been seen to?” I questioned as I saw the carriages ready with a soldier at the front,ready to steer the horse at the front of the carriage.

“Jee,General Ehmad Khan brought a share of their provisions on Shahensha Haider’s order.”

I nodded my head,a smile on my face as I looked around as Bakhtawar Mirza gave me a rundown about everything.I felt happy seeing how efficient my companions are at carrying out the orders I gave,“Has the messenger left?”

“Jee,he left for Hajjat fort as soon as the battle finished.He will reach a day earlier then us.”

“Good.Let us meet Shahaensha and take permission to leave.” We begun to walk to the top of the hill,where Shahensha had been seen overseeing the army pack up.We saw him walking back and forth,looking over the army as well as conversing with Ehmad Khan,whose eyes fell on us.

“Shahensha,Bakshi Bano.”

Shahaensha Haider turned around to face us,at which I stepped forward,“Shahensha,please give us permission to leave.It is my honour,my family’s and the honour of my cavalry to have aided you.If we are ever needed,we will be there to aid you.”

Shahensha Haider came forward,nodding his head as he looked at me,”Mukhtar Jahangir Alla has given a lot for his Kingdom but one of the things that he has given this kingdom,is a courageous and fearless cavalry general.We will come to meet Mukhtar Jahangir Khan soon,tell him to await our messenger.”

“I will do that,Shahensha.Please give us permission to leave.” I requested,looking down as the searing gaze from Shahensha Haider landed on me,my heart racing as it felt as if he were looking into my being as I stood in front of him.I did not dare to look him in the eye,not just out of respect for him as king but also as a woman,my haya (modesty) did not allow me to meet his eyes.

“You have permission to leave.”

My heart begun to calm down as I lifted my head,looking past Shahensha as I lifted my hand,“Shukriya,Shahensha.Adab.”

“Adab.”

I turned around with Bakhtawar and Rukhsar Mirza,walking away from Shahensha but even then,I could feel his gaze on my back as we made our way down the hill.I let out a sigh of relief as soon as we were out of the Shahensha’s gaze,my heart calmed down to its normal beat.

I looked over the cavalry as a soldier brought our horse towards us.I took the reins from the soldier,thanking him as I mounted my eyes still on my cavalry.Once my commanders mounted their horses,I turned around lifting my hand,palm facing forward before curling my hand into a fist,we begun to ride off.

Two days later,we reached the final few kilometres towards Hajjat Fort when we could hear drums being played.A smile begun to form on my face as I saw villagers from nearby villages,forming a pathway for us as we took the last kilometer,villagers who had seen me grow up since I had begun accompanying mamu-jaan to the villages and then when I had reached a certain age,I had begun to go with Nusrat Bano and Hakim Alla.Their commending words and prayers reached my ears.

“Mubarak ho apki fathe pe,Bakshi Bano.”
(Congratulations on your victory.)

“Allah aapko aur fathe se nawase.”
(May Allah grant you more victories.)

“Aap ne humari izaat bhara ya hai,Allah apko mehfooz rakhe.”
(You have increased our reputation,Allah keep you safe.)

I bowed my head,my hand on my chest as a sign of thanks to them all.I could finally see the fort walls which were covered in bright flowers which hung all over them,I saw the bright red duappata that was known to be worn by my mother on happy occasions.When I would ask her as to why on every happy occasion she would wear that specific duappata,she would smile and pull my cheek as she said that it was the duppata she had worn when she had been blessed with me,so now she only associated it with happiness.

As we got to the gates,a soldier came to hold Shifan’s reins as I got down.Ammi-jaan came towards me as I took a step towards my maternal family,she wrapped her arms around me and I held back a wince at the pressure on one of the several wounds I had acquired during the battle and the night before,I did hope my mother did not realize but I saw mamu and mami-jaan’s looks,they knew.

I leaned into ammi-jaan’s hug,taking in the comforting rose scent that seemed to never leave her body.No bed or no person could embody the comfort that came from the arms of a mother,even though my body felt battered and bruised,her hug felt like a balm that could provide relief to the deepest pain.Ammi-jaan kissed my cheek as she pulled away,cupping my face as she looked over my body time and time again.

“Allah ka lakh,lakh shukar ke tum salamat ho.Allah ne meri bachi ko salamat Rakha aur mujhe lauta diya.” She brought my head down to kiss my forehead,“Mubarak ho,tum khamyab hogay,meri bachi.”
(I thank Allah thousands of times,that you are safe.Allah kept my my child safe and returned you to me.Congartulations,you were successful,my child.)

I picked up her hand,kissing the back of it before smiling at my mother,“Aapki dua aur Allah ki rehmat se mujhe bapas ana hi tha.I am your daughter,I had to win.” I lifted my chin,boasting cause ammi-jaan to smile through her tears as she pulled me into another hug.
(With your duas and Allah’s mercy,I had to return)

“Hume bhi Bakshi ko milne do,Gulbadan.Beti sirf tumhari nahi hai.”
(Let us also meet Bakshi.She’s not only your daughter.)

Ammi-jaan pulled away from me,turning to glare at mamu-jaan who had joked around,as she wiped her tears away,“Meri bete hai,I can hug for as long as I want.”
(She is my daughter.)

Mamu-jaan smiled as he came to embrace me,his eyes brimming with pride and tears,wrapping his arms around me,“She used to be only your daughter,now she is the pride of Hajjat Fort,she has returned victorious after fighting besides our Shahensha.She has brought pride to the name of our family,she has elevated us in ranks.” He pulled back,looking down at me with a tear running down his face,his eyes had a foregone look as if he were remembering something,“Who said that it is only sons who can elevate your ranks in this kingdom?Our daughters are no less then sons.” He snapped out of the memory he seemed to be stuck in when mami-jaan put a hand on his shoulder.

“Wipe your tears away,this is an occasion filled with elatedness and joy.” She hugged me,pushing mamu-jaan slightly to the side,“Meri bachi,I am so proud of you.” She kissed my cheek as she pulled away,“I’m happy that you are back but I’m elated that you have won the very first battle that you have fought.” She reached for a bowl that a bandi held,I glimpsed into the bowl which looked as if it were filled with chillies and salt,I wanted to groan but her one gaze made me stand straight,“Do not move.”

Mami-jaan circulated the bowl around me from head to toe,three times before handing the bowl back to the bandi,“Burn this.” The bandi nodded walking away and Nusrat bano came forward to embrace me.

“I am so proud of you,Bakshi.I am exalted to be your sister.” She said as she pulled back,squeezing my hand and I squeezed her hand back,“Come.”

She lifted an eyebrow when I shook my head,shaking her head when I turned to face my cavalry,“Bakhtawar Mirza,Rukhsar Mirza,soldiers of my cavalry,you all fought bravely and made our enemies rethink their entire being.I could not be any prouder of having fought besides you all then you have made me,we have bled and we have survived.In return for your bravery,I will be rewarding you all with five hundred gold coins each.Go and rest,we will meet you tomorrow.”

There were replies of thanks and praises of Allah as they all begun to disperse and we begun to make our way into the fort.As we walked through,the bandi and khwajasara stopped to offer their greetings along with congratulations.The soldiers and guards within the fort did the same,as did the other advisors and people a part of mamu-jaan’s court.

Even though my wounds had been tended to through out the journey to Hajjat Fort,the pain relieving balm had begun to wear off as we made our way towards my khwaab-gaah.I looked at mother with a smile,as she questioned me as to what I would like to eat.

“You can make anything you want,ammi-jaan.I just want to bath and change so I can eat.” I said as mamu-jaan stopped just before we entered the hareem.

“I will see you at the eating table,I have some things to sort out..” He said at which I gave a nod and he left us womenfolk to walk to the khwaab-gaah.

“Bkashi bano,aap agay.” Ikhtiyar exclaimed as we walked into the khwaab-gaah where she stood over my bed laying out clothes,bowing her head and lifting her hand,“Congratulations on your victory.”

“Shukriya,Ikhtiyar,Khaazra.” I stepped towards the bed with ammi-jaan reaching for the ties of my armour as she and mami-jaan helped me to remove all my armour,while Nusrat bano gave orders to the bandi on how to prepare my bath water.

“Bkahsi!” Ammi-jaan exclaimed in horrow,I looked at where her eyes were and saw that from the wound which I had got while protecting Shahensha had bled through the cloth that had covered it.

“Ammi-jaan,perhaps during the ride here,I bled through the cloth that covered it.” I untied the strings that held held my kameez together,pulling it down my shoulder,wincing as I did,revealing the blood soaked cloth at which ammi-jaan turned to Khaazra who had stood at the other side of the khwaab-gaah.

“Go and get Hakima sahiba,tell her to come urgently.”

I shook my head as ammi-jaan scream at Khaazra before ordering Ihktiyar to get other cloth to help with the wound,“Ammi-jaan,this is nothing.It is just bleeding because of the strain I put on it.” She pushed me to sit on the bed,I grimaced at sitting on the bed with clothing that I had worn for two days since we had ridden back from Dilarkund,“Ammi-jaan,I need to….”

“Just keep quiet.I know it was a battle and you had to get hurt but,you know I cannot see even a scratch on you.So for my peace of mind,let me just do this.”

I did not protest any further as she removed the blood soaked cloth,replacing it with the one Ikhtiyar handed her,she kept it pressed as I leaned my head against the pillows that Nusrat begum arranged behind my back and head.I heard the Hakima sahiba come in,bracing myself for what I knew she would say and the terror that would go through ammi-jaan.

I felt the cloth being removed,hissing when she put the cloth soaked with cold water against the wound,wiping away and I heard gasps go around the room.I finally opened my eyes,looking straight at ammi-jaa who held her hand over her mouth in horror,eyes filled with tears as she looked at the wound Hakima sahiba tended to.

I knew what she saw,the arrow that had hit me had been coated in poison,though the poison had no effect on me,the skin around where the arrow had pierced me has turned a dark purple with the veins around the area prominent in colour.The poison did not affect me as it should have due to the fact that since Hakim Khan,Nusrat bano and I had been younger,mami-jaan had begun to give us small doses of poison to make us immune to the effects of poison.She had the though process that since we were close with the royal family and in my case related to the royal family,it would be better to prepare our bodies in case someone tried to get rid of those close to the royal family.If I had not been as resistant to the poison I would have probably not made it the first night.I had hid this fact from Shahensha due to not wanting him to worry about what could have happened to me nor did I want Shahensha Haider to feel guilty for it.

“Gulbadan begum,” Hakima sahiba said as she begun to apply a balm onto the wound,as I closed my eyes,”It seems like Bakshi Bano has been attacked with an arrow that had poison on its tip.Luckily due to,Naseera Begum’s foresight the poison did not have any effect on Bakshi Bano,it has just infected the wound and it’s surrounding flesh.I will give you a balm to apply to the wound after it is cleaned and bandages changed.I will check up on Bakshi Bano tomorrow.”

Hakima sahiba prepared the balm,handing it to Nusrat Bano as ammi-jaan came to sit next to me,putting her hand on my knee as she looked at me with sever worry,”How did you get this wound?”

Mami-jaan spoke before I could,”The severity of the poison makes me believe that it was not intended for you.” Mami-jaan lifted an eyebrow,”Who was the arrow meant to harm?” Even though there was a sign of recognition as to whom the arrow was intended for.

“We had been discussing with the Shahensha,when the generals and commanders left to go give our information to the soldiers to pry out the spy.Only myself and one other commander stayed with the Shahensha,when a commotion occured and the commander went to check.Assassins came through,while protecting the Shahensha I got shot with an arrow.”

I saw pride brimming in ammi-jaan, mami-jaan and Nusrat’s eyes,but I could also still see the worry that they felt for.I reached for ammi-jaan’s hand putting my hand on top of her hand,“It’s the worst one wound out of all the scratches I got.”

Ammi-jaan nodded her head,“Glad to know.Khaazra?”

“Jee,hukum?” Khaazra questioned coming towards ammi-jaan.

“Go and see if Ikhtiyar has readied Bakshi’s bath.”

“Jee,hukum.” Khaazra walked away leaving us alone,when I looked at Nusrat bano who came to sit next to me.She held my hand as she smiled at me.

“My wedding has been fixed for the days after ammi-jaan and abbu-jaan’s wedding anniversary.”

I smiled as I squeezed her hand,my heart filled with love and adoration for the blushing girl in front of me,“MashaAllah,I am extremely happy for you.Your wedding will be so lavish that the entire kingdom will never forget it.”

Khaazra came back into the room to inform us that Ikhtiyar had the hamam khaana ready for me.Ammi-jaan redid the ties of my kameez so that I could be covered as we went to the hamam khana,mami-jan promised to meet us later but Nusrat bano came with us.Ammi-jaan’s eyes teared up when she helped me remove my kameez,she saw the other wounds and scratches on my back and arms.I gave her a reassuring smile,to make her know that I was fine.

Ten days later,I dueled Rukhsar Mirza along with Sahra Mirza.My wounds had healed with the one by my shoulder already in the last part of its healing.I managed to disarm Shra Mirza while also putting Rukhsar Mirza on her back.

“MashaAllah,who would have thought that not being in practice for ten days would hinder your skills.” Rukhsar Mirza said as I gave her a hand to help her stand and I smiled.

“Only a fool would make that mistake and none of my soldiers are fools.” I sheathed my sword,carrying it in hand as I begun to drape my duppata over my head,“That’s it for today,I’ll see you in two days.”

“Adab.”

“Adab.” I greeted them before walking out of the training grounds,through the hallways,greeting everyone along the way.I took a deep breath,as I thought back to the past couple of days.I had been pampered by my mother and aunty like they had not seen me for years rather then just a couple of days.I had got credited and applauded in the darbaar as well,mamu-jaan had in fact not even wanted me present in the court as he wanted me to heal completely.

There had been a feast organized for all the villages and those from far,messengers had come through with compliments for me.Including a messenger,with the message that Shahensha had heard about Nusrat Bano’s wedding so he and his wife,Sahal Begum would be attending the wedding which had caused massive excitement amongst the dwellers of Hajjat Fort.

The Shahensha coming to Hajjat Fort along with the Malika meant a lot,it would mean that the Shahensha would bestow mamu-jaann or the family with something.I felt pride that I could be the reason my family would be bestowed with this honour,my head lifted just inches higher.

(Queen)

“HOW COULD YOU ALLOW THAT!?”

I frowned hearing my mother’s scream as I entered the hallway of the hareem,I briskly walked towards the courtyard where mamu-jaan stood infont of ammi-jaan,his arms outstretched as he reached for ammi-jaan who slapped his hands away.

“No,how could you allow this,bhai?How can that woman be anywhere near my child.I will not allow it.” Ammi-jaan’s duppata sat on her shoulders,her hair seemed to have been disarrayed as her eyes were wide with fear and worry.I walked towards them just as I heard.

“I had no choice,Gulbadan.Shahensha Haider ordered Ahmed Khan,he did not want to it as well.Unfortunatley,Ahmed Khan will be bringing Masuma begum to Hajjat Fort.”

As mamu-jaan’s words registered,I froze in place,my sword slipping from my hand.