📜 Previously on The Last Prince of Kaligarh:
Aryan has earned the loyalty of the legendary Wolf Riders—fearsome warriors from an exiled tribe once sworn to protect Kaligarh's royal bloodline. Now with Varka, their towering leader, and his elite riders at his side, Aryan prepares to strike at Gandhar Crossing to isolate the enemy capital. But not all is as it seems…
SCENE 1 – GANDHAR RIDGE [BEFORE DAWN]
Thick mist covers the forest ridge overlooking Gandhar Crossing—a fortified checkpoint that feeds supplies into enemy-controlled Kaligarh. Aryan crouches beside Reva, Varka, and Viraj, studying the enemy movements below.
ARYAN
(quietly)
They've doubled patrols. Someone told them we're coming.
VIRAJ
We've only discussed this route with six people. Two of them are with us here.
VARKA (calm but dangerous)
My wolves smell fear. And treachery.
REVA (angrily)
Let me interrogate the others. I'll find the rat.
ARYAN (shaking head)
No. Not yet. We use it.
Everyone looks at him, confused.
ARYAN (coldly)
Let them believe we'll strike from the south. We take the east wall instead—through the dried aqueduct. It's old, forgotten. A tight squeeze. But it'll work.
VARKA (with a dark grin)
Now you sound like a wolf.
SCENE 2 – MIDNIGHT STRIKE [GANDHAR CROSSING – EAST WALL]
Under a moonless sky, Aryan's strike team slinks into the aqueduct—a crumbling tunnel barely wide enough for a man. Wolf Riders move without a sound. Aryan leads the charge.
Inside, they crawl, breathe dust, listen to echoes of their own heartbeat. Then—light.
They erupt inside the fortress, steel drawn.
ARYAN (commanding)
Now! Take the gates!
Reva scales a tower, knocking archers off with calculated shots. Varka duels three men at once, his blade singing through the cold air. Sena and Veer crash through the enemy lines, terrifying both soldiers and horses.
Aryan locks swords with a captain who sneers.
ENEMY CAPTAIN
You rebel trash think you can scare—
ARYAN (cutting him down mid-sentence)
I don't need to scare you. I need to replace you.
The gates burst open. Ranvi leads the second wave in, laughing wildly.
RANVI
Too easy! Are we heroes now or just lucky?
REVA (shouting from above)
Don't relax! They're retreating… toward the keep!
SCENE 3 – AFTER THE BATTLE [GANDHAR KEEP – DAWN]
Smoke drifts over the ruined stronghold. Aryan walks through the courtyard, blood on his gauntlets. Viraj arrives, pale.
VIRAJ
We found something. In the supply chamber… sealed messages. Someone's been reporting to Varundev's court. Regularly.
ARYAN (quiet, but eyes like fire)
How recent?
VIRAJ
Two days ago.
VARKA (arriving)
My wolves are already sniffing. We'll find your traitor.
ARYAN (nods, calmly)
Good. But quietly. Let them think we're still blind.
He looks out over the dawn-lit valley. Gandhar Crossing is theirs. The road to Kaligarh grows shorter.
SCENE 4 – THE HERD GATHERS [SUNDARHAV OUTER CAMP – LATER]
Kaamaya rides in, her caravan carrying supplies, new recruits, and gold. She dismounts and sees Aryan, weary but standing tall.
KAAMAYA (approaching, smirking)
You took a fortress without telling me? I'd have brought wine.
ARYAN (dry)
You'd have charged me for it.
KAAMAYA (playful)
Probably. So—who are we killing next?
ARYAN (serious)
A rat. In our own tent.
Her smirk fades.
📘 End of Chapter 37