Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One

Baloch region, Macch town outside of Bolan pass , morning of 12th April 1557.

The morning light cast long shadows over the plains as the Mughal army trudged forward. The battle at Dhadar had drained them, and the thick smoke from the fires had clouded their retreat, slowing them down.

Every step forward felt heavy as they struggled to regroup and move towards their next objective, that is the Machh town. Faujdar Amin glanced over at Farhan, who was marching at the head of his column with dark and brooding expression.

Amin, sensing the frustration in Farhan’s mood, quipped, "You seem even more annoyed than usual. Didn’t expect them to set the forest on fire, did you?"

Farhan, not even bothering to look back, scoffed. "We’re late, Amin. What’s done is done. No point dwelling on it."

Amin sighed but said nothing more. Farhan was right; they were late, and with every passing moment, their chances of completing the mission on time grew slimmer. If the Bolan Pass wasn’t taken soon, the entire campaign would fall apart. Worse, Amin feared Zahid’s wrath if their delay cost them victory.

As they neared the Bola River, the soldiers’ spirits lifted when they saw a few Mughal banners fluttering on the other side. Horses were tethered under the trees, and rafts were ready on the bank for them to cross. Amin and Farhan exchanged a look before leading their men across the river.

On the other side, a soldier greeted them with a bow. "Hazur, the Battle of Machh is already won. Subedar Zahid has taken the town. We are to gather the remaining soldiers here."

Farhan’s eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Am I hearing this right? Machh was taken by Subedar Zahid already?"

The soldier, sweating profusely, nodded. Though not directly under Farhan’s command, he was visibly anxious due to the difference in rank. He stammered, trying to explain, "Y-yes, hazur. Our Subedar didn’t wait. When the scouts reported the enemy’s lax vigilance and no obstacles on the path, he ordered an immediate attack. By Allah’s grace and with our cannons, we overpowered them. The town finally fell."

Farhan grabbed the soldier by the shoulders, shaking him slightly. "Do you know what you are saying? With just cannons and a small cavalry? Wasn’t this supposed to require the full force of our army?"

The soldier nodded, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Yes, hazur. The town was weaker than expected. The battle was swift."