SCENE 1 – THE MARBLE WAR ROOM, SAMRATNAGAR
NIGHT — CANDLELIT STRATEGY CHAMBER
Aryan stands before a massive map stretched over a marble table. His eyes scan it, marking enemy roads, river routes, and garrison towns. Around him, his top lieutenants and spy leader Viraj wait in silence. Kaamya stands to one side, arms folded, cloaked in deep green, her eyes fixed on Aryan.
ARYAN (quietly, sharp)
Rudrasen's northern forts are weak. Varundev is licking his wounds. This is when we strike—soft, quick, silent. Not with swords… but with silence and coin.
VIRAJ
You mean… buy the generals?
ARYAN
Buy them? No. We will let them sell themselves. I just offer the illusion of choice.
KAAMYA (smirking)
You enjoy this far too much, Rajkumar.
ARYAN (glancing at her with a rare smile)
It is not about enjoyment, Kaamya. It's about precision. If I'm to reclaim Kaligarh, the blade must never miss.
SCENE 2 – DUST AND DRUMS, EDGE OF A FOREST PASS
DAY — A FIELD CAMP UNDER CONSTRUCTION
As Aryan's expanding army camps in a temporary outpost, thunderous drums are heard from the east. Soldiers shift nervously. From the trees emerges a column of horsewomen, clad in dark red armor, faces covered in silken veils. Their banner bears a crescent fang and a shattered spear.
Their leader — tall, commanding, with striking amber eyes — rides at the front.
DEVIKA (whispering to Aryan)
That's her. They call her the Red Blade of Malwan.
The woman dismounts and removes her veil, revealing a strong, beautiful face hardened by war. She meets Aryan's gaze head-on.
WARRIOR WOMAN
You're Aryaveer of Kaligarh. I came to test if the stories are true… or just smoke from a dying fire.
ARYAN (smiling faintly)
And what are the stories?
WARRIOR WOMAN
That a boy king walks like a storm. That he commands armies with riddles and ruins kings with words.
ARYAN
And what do you believe?
WARRIOR WOMAN
I believe I will find out… when we ride together.
She drops a crimson spear at his feet — a warrior's token of alliance.
DEVIKA (blinking)
Did she just… pledge loyalty?
RANVI (chuckling nearby)
That's not just loyalty. That's flirting in armor.
SCENE 3 – NIGHT AT THE CAMP
AROUND A BONFIRE
The woman introduces herself as Commander Nyra of Malwan, leader of the Daughters of Dusk, a feared and independent battalion of female warriors.
Aryan watches them train, impressed by their discipline. Kaamya stands beside him.
KAAMYA (softly)
That one will not bow easily.
ARYAN
Then I won't ask her to bow. I'll give her a war worth fighting.
SCENE 4 – A PRIVATE CONVERSATION UNDER THE STARS
Later that night, Nyra visits Aryan's command tent alone. She examines his maps, then speaks.
NYRA
You're planning something vast. More than just reclaiming Kaligarh.
ARYAN
I plan to remake it.
NYRA
Most men speak of conquest. You speak of design. Tell me, Aryaveer—what do you dream of?
ARYAN
A kingdom of justice, fear, and respect. Where my enemies tremble, my people rise… and my name outlives my bones.
NYRA (genuinely impressed)
Then I'll ride with you. Until I see if your dream survives the fire.
SCENE 5 – SPY REPORT
Viraj returns with grim news: Varundev is back, alive and vengeful. He's taken three trade towns by force and begun raising a mercenary horde. And worse—Rudrasen and Varundev are planning a joint attack.
Aryan listens silently. Then, calmly, he gives the order.
ARYAN
Begin Operation Eclipse. Send crows to the spy force. From this night on, we are at silent war.
SCENE 6 – FAR AWAY, A KING REMEMBERS
PALACE OF RUDRASEN – LATE NIGHT
King Rudrasen stares at a chessboard in his chambers. A black knight piece lies toppled beside the white king.
RUDRASEN (growling to himself)
Every time I move… he's already ten steps ahead.
End of Chapter 25