Anarkali

warm glow over the thatched roofs of the villagers' homes. Anarkali

ed, her mother, Shazia, burst into th

Abdullah Khan Uzbek's forces have launched an attack on Delhi. They've alre

r the side of the bed. She had heard rumors of Abdullah Khan Uzbek's growing discont

i asked, her voice trembling

still confined to the city, but we need to be prepared. Your fathe

father, entered the room, lo

and serious. "We need to leave Azadpur immediately. We ca

in alarm. "Leave Azadpur

y forest. It's not safe, but it's better than st

pack quickly and gather all the supplies we

supplies. They packed food, water, and other essentials into baskets

and uncertainty. What would happen to them if they were caught

ouldered a large pack, and Shazia carried a smaller one. Anarkali carrie

se of sadness wash over her. They were leaving behind

narkali said, her voice

I know, daughter. We all are. But we'll be okay. We'll find sa

Anarkali, her parents, Junaid and Shazia, huddled together behind a thick scre

illage in the face of Abdullah Khan Uzbek's advancing forces. Anarkali's heart

o our village?" Anarkali asked,

ear the worst. Abdullah Khan Uzbek's forces are ruthless

ders. "We'll be okay, daughter. We'll wait until it

the trees, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. But despite the seemingly peaceful atmosph

ocked on something in the distance. "What was

they saw nothing. "What did you hear?" Anar

heard the sound of horses' hooves. Bu

d on his arm. "We'll be oka

tay here forever," he said. "We need to come up with a

voice barely above a whisper.

s time, she saw it too, a plume of smoke rising into the air, follo

as grim. "It's

heart raced

hey be able to escape the rebels, or wo

their faces twisted with cruel intent. Anarkali, her parents, an

blazing with determination. "We won't let you harm

ss his cheek, stepping forward. "You think you can stop us?" he

h anger. "You won't hurt

s fists flying. A handful of other villagers

hey still had the upper hand. The sound of clashing steel and

e with fear. "Anarkali, we have to get out of here," she whispered

fear. She looked around frantically, tr

ght sight of his family and shouted to them. "Shazia,

bbed Anarkali's arm and pulled her towards t

she saw her father fighting off the soldiers. "Father

Your father will be okay, he's a brave man. But

knew that her father was fighting to protect them, and she w

er, but Anarkali's heart remained heavy with fear. What would happe

p running and find a safe place to hide. She w

i's breath came in ragged gasps. She stumbled, her foot cat

ia urged, her voice low and

chest. She didn't know where they were goin

forest, their feet aching and their bodies exhausted. They had been

y further, Shazia stopped suddenly, her

r voice barely audible over the sou

g up ahead. The moon cast a silver glow over the clearing, i

xhaustion. "We'll rest here," she sai

relief. She collapsed onto the grass

es fixed on the darkness beyond the clearing. Her mother, Shazia

any sign of danger. She was exhausted, but she couldn't sleep. Her mind was raci

the distant hooting of owls, Anarkali felt a sense of responsibili

zia, who was sleeping

darkness, her heart pounding with fear and uncertainty. But s