Dream - A Karna SI

19. BAPTISM

Karn - 18 years

Yudhisthir - 15 years

Bhima & Duryodhan - 14 years

Arjun - 13 years

Nakul & Sahdev - 11 years

KARN's POV

I stood before the 19 men, each of them accompanied by two horses, making a total of 40 horses for our small unit. In addition to the two horses provided by Balarama, our force consisted of 20 determined men. These soldiers were minor relatives of the Yadavas, able to afford horses but lacking the status to ride in chariots. Yet, I saw potential in them-potential that could be harnessed with the right training and equipment.

The horses, more akin to sturdy ponies than the tall, imposing warhorses of legend, lacked height but were well-suited to the rough terrain we would soon navigate. My first priority was to equip them with something entirely unheard of in this age-saddles, stirrups, and bridles. These were innovations that had never been seen on the battlefield, and I knew they could change the course of our mission.

I had managed to secure the services of 10 carpenters, a rare feat in these times of war, though blacksmiths were scarce. I began by ordering the men to line up and commence rigorous endurance drills. The drills were designed not just to build stamina but to prepare them for the grueling days ahead. As they ran and worked their muscles, I measured the horses, taking precise notes for the saddles, stirrups, and bridles that I intended to craft.

The men, clearly puzzled by my actions, exchanged confused glances but said nothing. I could sense their unease-they had never seen anything like this before, and the unfamiliarity of it all was unsettling. But I knew that in war, the element of surprise was a weapon, and we were about to arm ourselves with something truly revolutionary.

As I marked the wooden logs, I guided the carpenters in crafting the saddles, which were unlike anything seen before. These saddles were not merely for comfort; they were a strategic enhancement that would change the way we fought. I had trained rigorously in the past, studying and developing these designs, and now I moved with the precision and speed that only practice can bring. I selected the finest wood pieces for the job, knowing that these saddles, along with the bridles and stirrups, would make our horses not just mounts but weapons in their own right.

Within three days, our small team of carpenters had completed the saddles, bridles, and stirrups for each horse in our company. The men watched in silent awe as these strange new devices were fitted to their horses. The saddle, with its innovative design, shifted the rider's weight from the horse's spine to its hindquarters, increasing both speed and endurance by 70%. The leather-covered bridles provided unparalleled control, allowing the rider to guide the horse with precision, while the stirrups offered the stability needed to fight from horseback without fear of falling. Together, these inventions transformed our horses into formidable tools of war.

With the equipment ready, I turned my attention to the men. They had never seen such contraptions before, and their skepticism was palpable. But I knew that once they experienced the advantages firsthand, their doubts would vanish.

"Mount up!" I ordered, and the men hesitated only briefly before complying. As they settled into their saddles, I began the drills-drills unlike anything they had ever experienced.

"Cavalry, load your bows and gallop!" My voice echoed across the field as the 19 men spurred their horses into action.

They fumbled at first, unfamiliar with the coordination required to handle both horse and bow simultaneously. But I was relentless, driving them to master these new skills.

"Vindhya! Keep your bow steady-use your legs and stirrups to guide the horse, not your reins! Maatang! Your focus should be on the target, not just staying mounted!" I barked, correcting their form as they rode.

The men were learning to fight with bows and arrows, as well as spears, all from horseback. The new accessories dramatically improved their horsemanship, allowing them to ride faster, longer, and with greater precision. But these were more than just physical drills-they were lessons in strategy, discipline, and unity. The men had to learn to trust their horses, their equipment, and each other.

Over the next week, the grumblings turned to silent determination as the men began to see the results of their training. They were becoming a true cavalry, capable of swift, coordinated attacks that could turn the tide of any battle. The transformation was remarkable; these men, who had once been ordinary soldiers, were now an elite force, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the final day of training ended, I gathered my men. "Prepare provisions for a prolonged campaign in the wilderness," I ordered, my voice firm. "We leave at dawn."

The time had come. We were ready to move out of Mathura and confront the advancing forces of Jarasandha. Our mission was clear: disrupt, harass, and weaken the enemy before they could lay siege to our city. But as the men dispersed to prepare, a sense of unease settled in my chest. I had led them through drills, shaped them into something new, something powerful-but would it be enough?

The weight of uncertainty pressed down on me, my thoughts swirling with doubts. As the sun set, casting long shadows over the city, I realized that our true trials were only just beginning.