After two weeks.
In city of Manyakhet, the Rashtrakut capital.
I was sitting in the entrance of the city just calmly because the army general of imperial Rashtrakut army Virochan raya thinks I am attacking the capital and things just became so messed up that before getting a contract a warlike situation has occurred because of my stupidity as what would everyone think of a mercenary group in country where even small Kingdoms got big armies and now that we are at a capital city, and a big business man is also involved I cannot step back from here,.....how much of a fool I am.
Raghuvir came infront of me "Ahh managing a army is not easy we need to stop in a big city we don't even have proper equipment-" " then why didn't you take them back in Vatapi how will we able to manage a big army like this now".
He looked calm and replied that it's his first time to then I became calm and apologized to him.
Suddenly a man came and announced, "ATTENTION! Here comes Maharajadhiraj Samrat Samarth son of Amoghvarsh of Rashtrakut comes at your presence".
The Rashtrakut Emporer was tall, muscular, dark of skin, a golden crown on his head, and wearing many jewels. His prominent moustache was seen as a signature trait of monarchs in Al Hind. 5 sworn guards surrounded him.
He came in front of me and talked to me in his deep voice, "You give your men in battle for money", "y-y-y-yes m-m-m-m-m'lor....a m-mean y-y-y-your G-G-G-Grace".
He laughed loudly and said I am still safe because Lord Heggade already wrote a letter and told him about my companies presence. He also tells, "If it weren't for Lord Heggade you would have already been eliminated by my imperial forces. Come at royal palace take your important officers and your rest men can camped outside city walls". I agreed on that.
In private Mr. Adivarah was already sleeping because of headache, Raghuvir who already was listening to everything took Venkatesh Sangam, commander of infantry and Krishnaraj Tuluv, commander of cavalry with their things and proceeded to palace. Throughout the walk the whole city witnessed all these strong and experienced warriors following a Rookie like me.
When we reached the palace I was shocked to see that the imperial palace was one or two floors bigger than the mansion of Lord Heggade. It made me clear that how much of the imperial treasury was empty at a point and now it is just stable or average just because of policies made by late Lord Heggade, father of Lord Arya Heggade.
Though, palace was luxurious as every noble's residence is. We were given proper seat in throne room and served with juices. The throne was big in size but has small width.
The Emporer then announced, "We are here to give these Pindaris contract for fighting for our war of trade in east". Then the Emporer looked towards me and explained, "After our last war with those filthy Gurjar traitors halted then our treasury was drained and army was exhausted and seeing this political turmoil many took opportunity. In South our vassals chols rebled by becoming independent and chers took our some part of cost, in South West our vassals pallavs also became independent by rebling, same happened with Kaling with making us isolated from Eastern Ghats and a new Kingdom of Chedi ruled by kalachuri dynasty has emerged, who are even fighting with remaining pal territory and has allied itself with Kaling and they hold the South East and our army has ceased the war for now, and your first contract would be continuing the war with them and securing our trade. So I ask you Al biruni, lord general of the Pindaris do you accept our contract".
I think and looked at my commanders and by making eye contact with them, I had decided.
"Yes, we are willing to sign the contract".
Now there is no going back.