Chapter 107: Rebels of Bengal
Bengal kingdom, Outskirts of chittagong port, near Karnaphauli river, Rangunia village, 3rd March 1557.
The sun dipped low in the sky, its rays filtering through the dense forest canopy as twenty traders laboriously pushed their heavy carts along a narrow, winding path. The carts were laden with supplies of sugarcane and rice. They were accompanied by a detachment of thirty soldiers from the Bengali Delta Merchant Group, dressed in light leather armor.
Leading the escort was Subanto, a seasoned soldier renowned for his keen eye and sharp mind. He raised a hand to signal a halt to the procession, his gaze narrowing as he scrutinized the path ahead. "Hold," he called out, his voice cutting through the stillness.
The traders and soldiers halted in unison, their gazes fixed on the scene ahead. Instead of a clear path, they confronted a shattered wooden bridge dangling precariously over a wide gap. Once robust, the bridge now lay in ruins, its planks splintered and ropes frayed.
"This is unexpected," murmured one of the soldiers, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The traders exchanged worried glances, their murmurs rising in a chorus of concern.
Subanto stepped forward, examining the broken structure with a critical eye. "The bridge is impassable," he announced firmly.
Debashish Mukhopadhyay, the leader of the caravan, approached. "We must reach the port by tomorrow. Try to look for a shallow side of the river. A lot has been invested in this journey; we cannot afford to turn back empty-handed."
Subanto nodded, his expression grave. "It’s dangerous to cross the river. Look at the bridge. It’s deliberately sabotaged, and finding a detour as night approaches will be perilous. We should spend the night here."
A young trader, his face smeared with dirt and sweat, stepped forward. "Sir, there’s a safer route about a mile downstream where the river diverges," he suggested tentatively. "We won’t need to cross the river there and can enter the city with our supplies."
Debashish turned to Subanto. "You heard him, Subanto-Da. I trust you won’t let us down, especially when I’m covering all your expenses."
Subanto nodded thoughtfully, weighing the options. "Very well. We’ll take that route," he decided. "But stay alert. We don’t know what caused the bridge to collapse."
The group adjusted their course, moving cautiously through the underbrush. The soldiers kept a vigilant watch, their hands ready on their weapons. The traders, though tired, pushed the carts forward.