Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One

Kashmir border,capturedfort inKohala Valley, afternoon of April 22, 1557

In the cool breeze, standing atop the fort walls, a team of Bhargavian artillerymen prepared their cannons for the oncoming Ladakhi soldiers.

The air buzzed with tension as the soldiers moved with well-practiced precision, readying for the first real test of grapeshot in battle.

The gunners gathered around the imposing cannon which was mounted sturdily on wooden wheels.

Beside it lay an open ammunition crate which held the new shells to be first fired upon this battlefield. It consisted of dozens of small iron balls packed tightly together, held by a thin canvas casing shell.

These iron balls were slightly larger than a marble gleamed in the sunlight. Their surfaces were rough and unpolished.

"Load the grapeshot," Sardar Pratyush ordered with a firm voice. He observed the loading crew from a few steps back as he measured the enemies coming in range of 350 meters from their position.

The gunners worked swiftly.

One soldier lifted the heavy grapeshot shell and carefully slid it into the muzzle of the cannon with precise care. Then other one used a long ramrod to push it securely into place to ensure that it sat snug against the gunpowder charge at the bottom of the barrel.

Once the grapeshot was set, another soldier added a small priming charge to the touchhole as he carefully poured in fine gunpowder.

As they finished the loading process, the team fell back into position, ready for Pratyush’s command.

From the lookout, Bhola called out urgently, "The Ladakhi soldiers are advancing! Fire when ready!"