The night was calm, too calm. The waves lapped gently against the shores of Ullal, whispering secrets to the wind. But Rani Abbakka chowta knew better. She stood atop the stone walls of her fort, gazing at the endless sea. Somewhere beyond the horizon, the Portuguese warships lurked in the darkness, waiting.
A scout rushed up the stairs, painting. "My Queen, the Portuguese fleet has been sighted! They approach from the west with twenty warships."
Abbakka turned to her commander, Adi Raja. "Are our defenses ready?"
Adi Raja bowed. "Yes , My Queen. Our archers are in position, the fireboats are ready, and the navy is stationed near the mangroves as per your plain."
Abbakka nodded. She had spent months preparing Ullal for this day. Unlike other kingdoms that had fallen to the Portuguese cannons, she would not fight them in open battle. Instead, she would use the sea, the land, and the very darkness against them.
The first cannon blast tore through the night, it's thunderous roar shaking the ground. The Portuguese ships had begun their attack. Fireballs arced through the sky, crashing into the fort's outer walls.
But Abbakka did not flinch . "Hold the walls", she ordered. "Do not fire yet."
The Portuguese fleet, led by the seasoned admiral Jaāo Peixoto, believed they had the upper hand. They had crushed other coastal kingdoms with ease. Ullal to them, was just another small territory to conquer.
But as they drew closer, their ships entered a deadly trap.
Abbakka raised her arm. "Now!"
Suddenly, small wooden fireboats hidden in the mangroves burst forward, sailing straight toward the Portuguese warships. These fireboats, loaded with oil and burning torches, slammed into the enemy fleet turning the waters into a sea of flames.
Panic erupted among the Portuguese sailors.
"ABANDON SHIP!" some screamed, leaping into the water as the fires spread.
From the fort walls, Ullal's archers rained arrow down on the disoriented invaders. Some arrows carried burning cloth , igniting Portuguese sails. Others struck down enemy soldiers as they tried to reach the shore.
Jaāo Peixoto, furious at the turn of events, ordered his men to storm the beaches. He knew that if they could land, their superior weapons and armor would crush the local forces.
But Abbakka was ready.
As the Portuguese landed, they found themselves knee- deep in hidden quick sand pits that her men had prepared along the shore. Many soldiers sank into the mud, struggling to move , while Ullal's warriors rushed forward with spears and swords, cutting them down.
Peixoto himself charged into battle, his sword flashing in the moonlight. He was a fierce warrior, striking down several Ullal soldiers with ease.
But then Abbakka, stepped onto the battle field.
Dressed in warrior's armor , she rode her Wearhouse into the chaos, her long sword gleaming. She cut through enemy ranks her movements swift and deadly.
She saw Peixoto ahead, locked in compat with Adi Raja. She galloped toward the, her sword raised.
Peixoto turned just in time to block her strike. Their swords clashed with a sharp ring, sparks flying.
"You fight well for a woman," Peixoto sneered, trying to overpower her.
Abbakka gritted her teeth. " And you die like a fool for underestimating one."
With a swift move, she dodge his blade and slashed across his chest. Peixoto stumbled back, blood staining his armor.
Seeing their leader fall, the Portuguese soldiers panicked. Some tried to flee back to their burning ships, only to be met with more arrows. Others surrendered, dropping their weapons in defeat.
As the first light of dawn broke over Ullal, the battlefield was silent. The air was thick with the scent of salt and smoke. The Portuguese fleet was destroyed. Ullal had won.
Abbakka stood among her warriors, her sword still dripping with the blood yher enemies. She looked at her people- brave men and women who had fought for their land.
" This is only the beginning," she said. "They will return."
But for now, Ullal stood victorious.