Veer ~ Rise Of The Sisodia's [#YourStoryIndia]

Chapter 2

Delhi

Strong gusts of hot air whipped around the palace walls, accompanied by the tapping of a horse racing toward the fort. A shadow of a warrior riding a lovely Kathiawari white horse appeared on the horizon. His opulent attire, sword, and turban reflected his status within the royal family. Soldiers hurried toward the impenetrable iron gate to open it as the warrior rode quickly approaching the palace's main gates. As the men bent their heads in respect, he gave them a stern nod. He quickly jumped off as the horse approached the palace and landed squarely on the blood-red Persian carpet. In contrast, palace guards rushed forward to bow in respect before him and took the reins of his beloved horse Badal, his hair flowing to the effect of the wind blowing and his eyes glowering red from anger and grief.

'Shehzade, the Sultan is waiting for you in the Deewan-e-Khas,' a guard relayed.

Hindal Mirza looked at him with a defeated expression and responded, 'I will be there shortly,' and went inside the palace, a sense of loss in his heart.

Palace Court

Sultan Ali Adil Shah appeared to be more concerned than ever. He was getting old and was limited to walking cane after spending a substantial portion of his life fighting in wars and recovering from them, and he had learned all of the lessons that he needed to know in his life. If only he could go back in time and rectify his mistake of marrying Zuhra Sultan. When his consort Pinaz Banu Begum and the harem's other minor brides tried to bear him an heir, Zuhra Sultan entered the picture. Zuhra Sultan, his younger brother's widow, had always been his loyal aide. She hoped that the Sultan would adopt her son Kamran Malik as the undisputed ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. After marrying his mother, Sultan Ali Adil Shah had reared Malik as his son, unaware of her actual goals. However, 15 years later, Sultan Ali Adil Shah was blessed with a miracle child named Hindal Mirza, whom his mother, Pinaz Begum, raised with great devotion. However, when Pinaz Banu Begum died unexpectedly a few years later, Zuhra Sultan took over the harem. She was a wholly demanding and deceptive woman with considerable holds in the Sultan's court.

While Mirza matured into a capable prince, Kamran retreated into himself. Kamran had been resentful and evasive when Mirza was declared the kingdom's future successor. The Sultan was not unaffected by the jealousy, and his misgivings had been verified with time since the tragedy five years ago.

When he saw Kamran descend the court halls, his voice was tinged with sternness, and rage roared, 'Stop right there!!' He was about to walk into the court when he heard his voice.

Kamran Milik recognized the booming voice as belonging to someone he knew. He turned around, unconcerned because the person commanding him was the Sultan of Delhi, his so-called "father."

'Yes, Abu-Jaan,' Kamran said.

'Where have you been, Kamran?' Do you realize what's been going on while you've been gone? Maharaja Vikramaditya of Bundelkhand has just lost his firstborn son, Suheldev, to the Afghan invader, Mahmud, and your brother Mirza is nowhere to be seen,' the Sultan raged.

Shehzade Kamran, you are Mirza's older brother. We know very well how busy you are in your princely duties; nevertheless, at this moment, you should focus on your brotherly obligations.

'Sultan, instead of focusing on me, you should concentrate on Mirza, or, more precisely, on Crown Prince of Dehli Mirza, who is first in line to the Delhi Sultanate throne. Whatever I can do to help my brother, I will. However, don't you believe it's time to put whatever wisdom Mirza has gained in the last five years on the battlefield to the test?' reminded Malik.

'I have utmost faith in Mirza's combat and political ability, Kamran. Nonetheless, you and I both know who needs additional training in these areas.' The elderly monarch replied, and with that, Sultan Hakim swirled around and descended the palace court, leaving behind an insulted and sulking Malik who slammed his fist on the nearest wall, shattering it.