A Warrior's Saga

Chapter 5.

The contingent had reached Anumak's tribal village where they ate their breakfast. Soon after eating they headed for the dacoits' hideout.

The group of dacoits shadowing them had already sped to alert others and prepare for battle.

The contingent was back on its journey. Two days had passed since they left the village.

"Rudra, the hideout isn't far from here. We need to be careful." Mahendra said as they were setting up the night camp.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen. They don't even know we're here." Rudra replied.
Mahendra never liked Rudra's careless attitude.
"Who knows if they do?"
"Then its simpler. We fight! Have a good sleep my friend. And yes, tell everyone to keep there weapons handy, in case....." Rudra remarked. The sun had already set and night was crawling up.

"Sardar, they are too close now. If they attack tomorrow, we would certainly lose. We have to take them by surprise." One of the dacoits said.
The head was thinking about this. Whether he should fight them tomorrow, when they would be fully prepared or attack them cowardly while they were sleeping.
Before becoming a dacoit, the head was a kshatriya (Warrior Clan). He respected the rules of battle. He would never have broken them but there was no choice.
I am no more a kshatriya. They ousted me. I am a feared dacoit now. There would be no rules.
He thought.
"We will attack their camp two hours before sunrise. PREPARE FOR BATTLE! NO RULES!" The Head announced."
"NO RULES!" The men held up their swords and repeated.