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

Chapter 5

Haridwar

'That deer is already dead, Veer. You don't have to stab it to death again. Here, let me skin it.'

Veer scowled at Haider. The hawk-nosed, curly-haired scout was one of fifty men who had accompanied him into his self-imposed exile a few weeks before. Since then, the group had primarily resided in a forest that straddled the boundary between the kingdoms of Kannauj and Haridwar.

Owing to the dense vegetation, the border was extremely porous. Veer and his men had undertaken brief raids into Kannauj multiple times, then sneaked back into Haridwar, where Kannauj's soldiers could not pursue them. Throughout this time, they had become friends with the residents of a village that was almost the last human settlement in Kannauj before crossing the border.

The villagers were poor but kind, and they readily offered the group whatever support they could provide.

'I understand you're just attempting to take over my chore, Haider,' Veer stated. 'But, as I've already said, I don't want preferential treatment.' We're all on equal footing here. I'll perform the same duties as everyone else.'

Haider shook his head and grinned softly. "You remind me so much of your elder brother."

Veer's expression softened. Haider's father had perished while guarding the king as Vikramaditya's bodyguard. A grateful Vikramaditya had offered Haider's mother a job in the palace and ensured that her son, like his elder son, received a proper education.

Suheldev and Haider were of the same age, and Haider had quickly become Suheldev's best friend. No one was happier than Suheldev when Haider announced his intention to join the army.

Haider had participated in several expeditions with Suheldev. Both physically and mentally strong, he had rapidly established himself to be a brave and resourceful warrior. However, he sustained a serious injury during a recent campaign. He was still recovering from his injuries when Suheldev volunteered to ride to the defence of the Somnath temple. Haider had begged Suheldev to let him ride with him, even in his injured state. Suheldev, however, had declined, arguing that there will be other wars to fight beside each other in the future. When news of Suheldev's death reached Bundelkhand, Haider's wounded had only barely healed. Suheldev, he believed, would still be alive if he had been present at Somnath.

Veer placed a gentle hand on Haider's shoulder. 'There is no higher compliment than being compared to Dadabhai.' But you and I both know I am not quite as great as he was. Not even close.'

Haider gazed at Veer with a sad expression on his face. 'I should have gone to Somnath Ji with him.'

Veer exhaled a sigh. 'You would have died as well.'

To live while my friends and comrades are dead is worse.

"Haider, you are not to blame for your injury." In any case, we can't go back in time. Instead of grieving your friends, concentrate on avenging them.'

Haider nodded, scratching his face as if forcing the sorrow away. 'You are right... Why don't you complete skinning that deer? Perhaps we could take a portion of that meat to our village friends and exchange it for some nice home-cooked food?'

Veer nodded in agreement. 'I'll give you around a fifth of what I have.' 'Take one of the men with you and go.'

***

'Please, sir, show mercy on us,' begged an old farmer, tears streaming down his face as he gripped the horseman's shoe. 'What will we eat if you take away all our grain?' We'll die of starvation.'

Orhan Khan, the Turkic commander, removed his foot from the saddle and viciously struck the man in the face, sending him flying to the ground with blood flowing from his nose.