Chapter 79: chapter 79

The acrid scent of smoke hung heavy in the air as Sanmayi surveyed the scene before her. Once-vibrant fields now lay in ashes, their crops razed to the ground. Homes were little more than smoldering skeletons of wood and stone, their walls blackened by flames. The cries of the displaced echoed across the desolate landscape, a haunting symphony of despair.“Your Majesty,” a guard approached, bowing deeply. “The attack occurred at dawn. The villagers had no warning.”Sanmayi clenched her fists, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on her. This was no random act of violence; it was a calculated strike meant to sow fear and chaos. She knew the hand behind it—Nandini’s signature ruthlessness was unmistakable.“And the culprits?” she asked, her voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath.“They fled into the forests, using guerrilla tactics to evade capture,” the guard replied. “We’ve sent scouts to track them, but it’ll take time.”Sanmayi’s gaze shifted to the villagers—children clutching their mothers’ saris, elders sitting on the ground, their faces etched with grief. She took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. This was not just an attack on the crown; it was an attack on her people, and she would not let it go unanswered.---Hours later, seated in a makeshift council tent near the edge of the ruined village, Sanmayi gathered her advisors. Maps and reports cluttered the table, their contents painting a grim picture of the spreading unrest.“This is the third attack this month,” said Kalind, his tone grave. “Always targeting villages known for their loyalty to the crown. It’s deliberate, Your Majesty. They’re trying to turn the people against you.”“They won’t succeed,” Sanmayi said firmly. “We’ll rebuild these villages and protect the ones yet untouched. The people need to see that their queen stands with them.”Ranajay, seated beside her, nodded. “And what of Nandini and my father?” he asked. “Do we strike back?”Sanmayi shook her head. “Not yet. If we retaliate without proof, it will only fuel their narrative that we’re tyrants suppressing dissent. No, we’ll be strategic. First, we secure the loyalty of the people.”“By rebuilding?” Kalind asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice. “That will take time, resources—”“Both of which we’ll find,” Sanmayi interrupted. Her tone left no room for argument. “The treasury will fund the reconstruction. Send word to the nearest towns; we’ll hire masons, carpenters, anyone willing to work. And we’ll set up camps for the displaced.”Ranajay’s expression softened as he watched her. “You’re risking a lot, Sanmayi. But I believe you’re right. If we show the people we care, they’ll stand with us.”She met his gaze, her resolve unwavering. “It’s not a risk, Ranajay. It’s our duty.”---The days that followed were a whirlwind of activity. Sanmayi traveled from village to village, overseeing reconstruction efforts and speaking directly with the people. Her presence was a balm to the wounded and weary. She listened to their grievances, offered solace to the grieving, and worked alongside laborers to rebuild homes.In one village, an elderly woman grasped her hand with surprising strength. “You’re not like the others,” she said, her voice quivering with emotion. “You’re not a queen who sits in her palace. You’re here, with us. That’s what we need.”Sanmayi smiled, her eyes misting. “I am here because you are my people. And I will not abandon you.”Word of her actions spread like wildfire. Stories of the queen who labored beside her people reached even the most skeptical ears. Gradually, the fear and mistrust planted by Nandini began to waver.But Nandini was not idle.---Late one night, a messenger arrived bearing urgent news. Sanmayi and Ranajay were in their chambers, reviewing the day’s progress, when the knock came.“Enter,” Ranajay called, setting aside the parchment he’d been reading.The messenger stepped in, his face pale and his breath labored. “Your Majesties,” he began, bowing low. “Another village has been attacked. The culprits left a message.”Sanmayi stood, her heart sinking. “What message?”The man hesitated, then handed her a small scroll. She unrolled it, her eyes narrowing as she read the jagged, hastily written words:This is only the beginning. The throne of Amaravati will burn.Ranajay read over her shoulder, his jaw tightening. “They’re taunting us.”Sanmayi’s expression was unreadable as she set the scroll down. “They want us to react rashly. We won’t give them the satisfaction.”“What do you propose, then?” Ranajay asked.“We turn their tactics against them,” she said, her mind racing. “If they want to divide us, we show unity. If they spread fear, we offer hope. And if they hide in the shadows, we bring them into the light.”---The next morning, Sanmayi convened an emergency council. “We’ll strengthen our patrols in the vulnerable regions,” she declared. “And we’ll establish watchtowers at key points. The people need to see that we’re taking action.”“What about the rebels?” Kalind asked. “Do we engage them directly?”Sanmayi shook her head. “Not yet. First, we gather intelligence. If we strike, it must be decisive.”Ranajay added, “And we’ll send a clear message to the people: Amaravati does not bow to fear.”As the council dispersed, Ranajay turned to her, a hint of admiration in his eyes. “You’re remarkable, you know that?”Sanmayi smiled faintly. “I’m just doing what needs to be done.”“And you’re doing it better than anyone else could,” he said, taking her hand. “Together, we’ll face whatever comes next.”---By the end of the week, the first watchtowers were erected, and patrols doubled in the vulnerable regions. Sanmayi continued to travel, her presence a constant source of reassurance to her people. Slowly but surely, the tide began to turn.But in the shadows of Amaravati’s great palace, Nandini watched and waited, her smile as cold as the night. For every triumph Sanmayi achieved, Nandini plotted another blow. The fires of vengeance had been kindled, and the war for Amaravati’s soul was far from over.As Sanmayi stood atop a newly constructed watchtower, gazing out over the horizon, she felt the weight of the kingdom on her shoulders. The road ahead would be fraught with peril, but she was ready. For her people, for her throne, and for the man who stood beside her, she would endure.And she would prevail.