Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

Harsha was sitting idle for the most part during the journey to the capital city of the Marathas. The journey was quite cumbersome without the technology. The contingent restocked supplies every few cities.

Harsha's need was tended to in every capacity by the servants assigned to him. He was the emperor, so everyone and his ancestors kept their distance; he was left alone apart from the occasional talk with the Dhruv, who was the captain of the contingent.

He was pretty bored of the travel.

The contingent settled on the outskirts of a city for a night and the next day.

Tents were being pitched and campfires were lit up for preparing food.

"Your Majesty, we have to restock the supplies; we will be staying here for a day." Dhruv came to inform him.

Harsha stared at the campfire; he was all alone. Now he silently regretted not bringing someone to talk.

He sighed and turned to Dhruv, standing silently.

"Alright…."

Harsha just got an idea in that instance, since they were staying on the outskirts of the city. He could just go out and stroll for the day.

"Dhruv." He called as the commander turned.

He quickly glanced back.

"Come closer." Harsha called him.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I will be taking a stroll tomorrow." Harsha whispered.

"A stroll? What do you mean?"

"I will be gone in the morning and return by the evening." Harsha put a finger on his lips before Dhruv could protest. "No…I don't need any bodyguards or anyone to accompany me."

"I need some alone time."

"But Your Majesty. It will become a mess." Dhruv whispered back.

"Will it? I am sure you can handle it properly." Harsha smiled.

Dhruv let out a sigh of defeat. He knew there was no use arguing with the Emperor any further. He decided to give in and cover up for him.

Before Dhruv turned to leave once again.

Harsha instructed him. "A set of leather armor, daggers, and a sword. Leave it in my tent at night."

"Alright, as you wish. Your Majesty."

Dhruv knew the strength of the Emperor but still, the forest in the area was famous for its leopards and bear attacks. He wanted to avoid it and knowing the Emperor, sending covert spies would be a hassle since the Emperor would easily detect them.

He just decided to give in and take the blame if anything goes wrong. He supplied the requested items to the emperor quickly.

As the sparse sun rays of the morning began to peek out of the horizon. Harsha slipped out of his tent, sneaking from the patrol troops, wearing a hood over his head. He slipped through the pastures and ventured into the forests.

He took off his hood and marked the tree with his dagger before venturing deeper into the forest.

Harsha enjoyed the greenery of this era and the fresh air. He climbed trees to scout ahead and ventured deeper, passing through small creeks and ponds. He watched some ants picking up dead insects and carrying them back to their anthill. He went further and reached a river stream; it was peaceful.

He then trekked up the small hill and watched the forest stretch across the horizon. He walked ahead, marking a tree along the way.

As the time passed, Harsha looked at the sun and decided it was time to head back to the camp. It would take a bit of the walking to reach the camp by sunset.

He filled his clothskin with water and turned to leave for the camp, following the trail of marked trees. It was quite a soothing experience for him.

Harsha climbed up another tree to scout ahead before moving.

Just then, his attention turned to the birds flying away near him.

Harsha descended the tree slowly.

A faint noise heading towards him.

He stopped as he was about to jump.

He instinctively put a hand on his sword and one of his daggers.

The noise got louder. A scream pierced through the air

"Auxilio" A woman screamed as she stumbled under a tree root and fell down.

She was wearing training attire of a man and a hood on her face. Harsha couldn't see her face.

A leopard came out of the bushes, its gaze on her, preparing to attack.

"¡No te acerques! (Don't come close in Spanish.)" She crawled back, pointing her dagger at the leopard.

Harsha clicked his tongue, put his hood back on and jumped down with no hesitation.

He unsheathed his shortsword and dagger with a swift motion. The leopard growled at him.

The woman turned her gaze to him quickly.

"¿Quién?"

Harsha understood Spanish and wondered.

'A spanish woman?'

But before that he needed to neutralize the leopard.
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He pointed at the woman to shut her mouth. He focused his gaze on the leopard that was inspecting him.

It lunged at him, swiping its claws.

"Look out," the woman yelled in Spanish.

Harsha ducked out swiftly, rolling to the other side. He was uninjured. The leopard turned and rushed at him.

It tried to bite him and Harsha blocked it with the flat blade.

The sword was a bad idea; he was pushed back. Harsha discarded his sword and took out another dagger from his thigh. He wielded two daggers.

He positioned himself in front of a tree as the leopard tried to attack him. He sidestepped and the leopard crashed into the tree.

In that instant, he stabbed its side and legs swiftly, leaving clean cuts.

The leopard screeched and jumped at him. He blocked its bite with his dagger and pushed it to the side, slamming it's back to the tree.

"You dirty mutt." He cursed as its claw tore a bit of his leather armor. "I liked that armor."

He wrestled the leopard to the ground. Getting on it's back and stabbing it multiple times. He was caked with blood

Harsha finally got the leopard into the chokehold.

He discarded a dagger and stabbed it right in the head and neck multiple times before it started to squirm and roar before falling lifelessly

Harsha clicked his tongue audibly. He got some minor scratches on his forearms.

"Dumb animal." He picked up his dagger.

The woman was watching the fight with his mouth wide open. Not only did the man just overpower the leopard but he also killed it within a few seconds without any major injuries.

In the distance, she could hear the screams of others. She got up trembling, still recovering from the shock.

Harsha walked up to the lady.

"Who are you?" Harsha spoke in Spanish, pointing his dagger at her.

She was taken aback. Before she could answer, two others came running into the fray. One was a man wearing European armor and another a short lady dressed similarly to the woman nearby.

"My lady, are you alright?"

The short lady gasped at the dead leopard close by, and they turned their gaze to Harsha, who was standing there caked in blood.

"You, who are you?" The man asked.

Harsha could hear the footsteps of a couple more soldiers in the distance.

He quickly assessed the situation at hand, by the looks of it. He would be at a disadvantage if he doesn't flip the situation. He figured that the woman was a valuable asset since she was guarded by a lot of soldiers.

Harsha rushed at her, cut off her hood, revealing her long brunette hair and blue eyes. He grabbed her chin and pressed his dagger against her throat.

The man yelled aloud in the native language. "Don't hurt Lady Isabel. Noo!"

"Sister... Noo..." The short lady screamed in Spanish.

"Whoa...You know the native language. If so, tell your comrades to put their weapons down and you both as well." Harsha gestured. "Or else, her head will fly."

"Fine, fine." The man put down his weapon and walked back, raising both his hands.

Harsha glanced at the woman. Her eyes stared at him with fear.

He whispered in Spanish. "I am doing this for my safety."