This is a story that involves sex between males. If such a story is offensive, or illegal for you to read where you live, then do not continue, go and surf elsewhere.
This is a work of fiction and in no way draws on the lives of any specific person or persons. If there is any similarity to any real persons or events it is entirely coincidental.
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My thanks to John who has read this through and made a number of corrections and suggestions. Any remaining errors , grammatical, spelling or historical or whatever are entirely my fault.
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A MEETING OF THE TWAIN Part 10
Lex and Kainshka, with their escort were making their way out to Soumatra's home for one of their hunting expeditions. The two of them always rode alone in the front, so that they did not have to ride through the dust that had been made by their escort. They were told to keep well behind.
They were talking together as they made their leisurely way. Sometimes the talk was serious, but often there was laughter. The news from England contained in Thomas's letter were discussed at length, so that Kainshka thought that he knew the village of Whitgest and its inhabitants exceedingly well. They also talked over the political situation in Europe, and the hostilities between Britain and France. They talked over Indian politics, and the affairs of Landerabad.
They were about seven miles from their usual campsite, where the track led through a craggy and wooded part of the country. They rounded a sharp bend and were at once confronted by a fallen tree. They pulled up sharply, thinking that the tree must have been blown down across the track. Immediately about twenty men sprang out of the bushes that were at this point very close to the road. They were grabbed and pulled off their horses. Rough gags were forcefully put in their mouths before they could cry out. They were bundled into the bushes, and pushed, pulled and half carried up the steep hillside. They never found out what had happened to their horses. After a few hundred yards there was a brief halt, the gags were adjusted, and they were forced to continue slanting up the hillside. They had not gone far before they heard sounds of fighting in the valley below, and both Lex and Kainshka presumed that their escort had been attacked.
They came to a small stream that came down the hillside, and then they were forced to go up the stream for about a hundred yards. Then they were forced along a level shelf with small rocky crags below and above them. When they came to a second stream they were forced to wade down the stream for about fifty yards, before continuing to contour along the side of the main valley.
They were pushed and prodded onward for nearly three hours. They both noticed that the shadows were beginning to lengthen and the sun go down. Eventually they arrived at a couple of small rough wooden huts. They were pushed inside and forced down onto the mud floor. A couple of tough looking man came in an stood over them. For the first time Lex and Kainshka were able to look at each other in the eye, but their gags remained in place, so communication between them was very limited.
After about an hour, when it was dark, a lighted torch was brought into their hut. Their gags were removed, and they were given food and some water. When they attempted to talk to each other they were kicked and told to remain silent.
After they had eaten, their feet and hands were tied. A guard remained standing in the hut. Every so often he was changed.
"I need to pass water," said Kainshka.
The guard opened the door and called to his colleagues. One of them came into the hut with a bowl. The two men pulled Kainshka to his feet, and undid his garments and got hold of his prick.
"Piss in the bowl, while I hold your lund." said one of the men.
"Not a very big one is it?" said the other looking at it closely.
"I would have thought the Rajah would have a big one."
They both laughed.
"With one this size, it shows he `s unfit to be our Rajah."
There was further laughter. When he had finished Kainshka was roughly pushed down on to the ground.
"I suppose you want a piss too," said one looking at Lex.
He was now pulled up onto his feet. His prick was now found and held pointing over the bowl.
"Never seen an English lund before. What a horrible colour."
"Perhaps it goes that colour from sticking up a Rajah. The both laughed and some of the urine slopped down onto the ground. When he had finished Lex was pushed back down on to the floor. It felt distinctly wet, so he knew in what he was sitting.
Their guard was changed at regular intervals thoughout the night. When the torch burnt low, another was brought in, so they were never in complete darkness. Several times they tried to talk, but each time they were shouted at, and received a painful kick. They looked at each other, and managed to convey to each other despair at their situation.
It had been around midday that Soumitra decided to go and meet the Rajah and Lex and to go with them the final few miles to the arranged camping site for this hunting expedition. Soumitra looked forward to these events. In the informality of the campsite he got to know both his Rajah and Lex in a more relaxed way. He had got used to the fact that the Rajah and Lex used these events as an opportunity to sleep together and express their love in the most intimate way imaginable.
Soumitra expected no trouble. He was lightly armed, sufficient to deal with any wild beast who proved awkward, although wild animals of any size kept off the main tracks in daylight hours. He rode, with his thoughts miles away, when he rounded the bend and saw the fallen tree across the track. His immediate reaction was the same as Kainshka and Lex's, that a tree had fallen or been blown down across the track. It took him several minutes to find a way for himself and his horse round the obstacle. Then very quickly around another turn he came upon a second fallen tree. This time he was clearly that it had been chopped down. Once round that obstacle he knew that something untoward had happened. A scene of disaster met his eyes. Killed and wounded men lay on the ground. He immediately recognised several of the men as part of the Rajah's personal guard. He stood for a moment thinking.
He remembered that the Rajah and Lex usually rode well ahead of their escort. He thought that they had probably been waylaid between the first and second fallen trees. There had been no sign of bloodshed or fighting. There were no dead or injured horses. He presumed that the two men had been captured and taken off somewhere.
He bent down to speak to one of the least injured men. "How long ago did all this happen?"
The man thought for a moment. "At least two hours, I should think."
As he continued to think, he tore up one of his garments and bound the wounds of a couple of men.
He realised he could do nothing to rescue the Rajah and Lex. He was not armed, and he was not skilled at following a trail. The kidnapping of the Rajah and Lex was obviously a threat to the welfare of the State. Should he go back to his home? It was not far away, and get help from there for the injured men, and some experts to attempt to track down where the captives had been taken.
He thought further. If by chance the Rajah had been killed then the legitimate succession lay with Kainshka's sons. They might be in danger and needed to be preserved at all costs. He needed to warn Rani Shushmita and the Rajah's guard in Landerabad itself.
"Landerabad is in great danger, I must get to Landerabad as quickly as I can. I will send help to you," he said to the wounded, as he mounted his horse and galloped off. When he came to the first village he called out for the headman, and told him of the injured several miles back along the road. "Send help immediately to those soldiers. And don't go beyond the fallen tree." He realised that it was important that any evidence of the route the kidnappers had taken with Kainshka and Lex not be destroyed.
It was a long ride to Landerabad. He needed speed, but he knew the danger of winding his mount. The sun was low in the sky when Soumitra's weary horse carried through the gates of Landerabad Town. He made his way up to the first gates of the palace complex. The guard immediately recognised him and stood aside to let him pass.
He went into the guard room where the rest of the guard were sitting around. "I need to speak to the Captain of the Guard immediately."
"Why?" asked the man in charge.
"Because I say so! The State is in danger. Tell him I need to speak with him without delay."
The man in charge ambled off.
"I said immediately without delay." shouted Soumitra, and the man broke into a run.
The Captain of the Guard was obviously caught unprepared for an immediate summons. He was still fastening his uniform. He was a short man, with fiery brown eyes, and a bristling moustache that added to his ferocious look.
"We need to speak privately," said Soumitra.
"I think just outside would be best."
"I have reason to believe that the Rajah and the Company Resident have been kidnapped, possibly killed. They were on their way to one of their hunting expeditions, as you will know. I went to meet them. There is evidence that they have been taken from the road."
"And their escort?"
"It looks as though the Rajah and the Resident were riding ahead of their escort as is their custom. The escort was set upon and they were all killed or injured."
The Captain of the Guard bristled with outrage at this news.
"I have sent them help from the first village I came to. If the Rajah is dead then his son should be the next Rajah, but there may be plans to kill the Rani and their children and make one of the Rajah's exiled brothers Rajah."
"We are in danger. Immediate action," said the Captain of the Guard. He walked back into the Guard Room, and started giving orders. One man was sent to call out all those who were within the Palace immediately, regardless of readiness. Another was sent down to the Company's sepoy cantonment, with a request to the officer in charge to come to the Palace as soon as possible. (This was no longer Captain Peter Green, who had been replaced by a Captain Frederick Winstanley) "Tell him that we have cause to believe the Resident is in danger, but make sure you tell him when no one else can hear what you say."
The Captain of Guard turned to Soumitra, "And now we must make sure the Rani and the family are absolutely safe."
The sun was already low in the sky. "It will soon be dark, so it will not be entirely out of order to shut the main Palace doors." He gave his orders. "No one is to enter or leave the Palace without my being present here."
Soumitra and the Captain made their way in silence up through the Char Bagh to the part of the Palace complex where the Rajah's family lived. They asked to be taken to the Rani. A servant led the way.
"I think we must do as little as possible to reveal the fact that we know we are facing a crisis. The Rajah's family needs to be kept safe. There may well be enemies within the Palace, as well as those outside. I think the safest place is the roof of the Palace. Only the Rajah and I have access to it. There is a small pavilion up there where the Rani and the children can shelter tonight. The only access is up a steep and narrow staircase, which is easily defensible. There is always a single guard at the foot of the stairs. We will keep it that way, but there will be half a dozen of my men up on the roof with the Rani. Tomorrow at first light we will send a party to the scene of the abduction, and see what can be discovered there."
They were led into the room where the Rani was seated. They bowed.
"Trouble?" she asked, seeing the look on their faces, and rising to her feet.
"Yes," said Soumitra, "I went to meet the Rajah and the Resident on their way to the place where they intended to camp for the hunting. They were nowhere to be seen."
"But, their escort?"
"All killed or wounded."
Sushmita put her hands to her face, "Oh no!"
"We have reason to think that you and your children may be in danger. There may be some plot to put one of the Rajah's half brothers on the throne of Landerabad."
"Surely I am safe here, in the palace?"
"You may not be. We cannot rule out there may be enemies within as well as without," said the Captain. "I think the safest place would be the pavilion on the roof of the palace. Very few know what is up there, the Rajah reserves it for himself, and the very closest of his friends."
"But only he has the key to the door at the foot of the stairs."
"No! I too have a key. I may only use it in cases of direst emergency. I think such a time is now. I will station a few men to be with you, to protect you should that need arise. But I want you to collect the children and take them up there. I suggest you take only one or two female servants who you can guarantee are trustworthy. In the morning when it is light, things will be different and we may well know more. I will be back in ten minutes to escort you to the roof. Try to make your going known to as few as possible." He turned to Soumitra. "Come with me, there is something you can do."
The two of them left and made their way back to the Guard Room. There was a buzz of excitement as many of the guard had crammed into the Guard Room.
"Silence," shouted the Captain as he entered. "We have reason to believe the State is in danger. I am going to give you orders that will seem strange to you. There is no time for explanations. I am going to spend the night here in this Guard Room. If I am not here Omrah Soumitra will be here in my stead." He selected a dozen men. I want you to go, severally, not together, and meet up just inside the royal apartments. I want you armed with knives and short swords, if there is any fighting it will be indoors. Try to look as off duty as you can, as you make your way there. Do not look smart: if you can pass for someone other than a soldier of the guard I will be pleased - this once." He glared at them. "I will meet you there." He paused. "I want double the usual sentries on the walls, but let at least half those posted out of sight. Everything must appear as normal as possible. The guard on the gate inside is to be doubled, and no one is to go in or out, without my permission."
There was a short buzz of conversation, and the room began to empty as the men made their way to their various posts. The Palace guard was not strong in numbers, and the Captain was calling on everyone within the palace to be on duty through the night. He then went off to give further instructions to those within the Royal apartments.
Soumitra sat down. It was the first time he had begun to relax since he had discovered the abduction of the Rajah and Resident. He immediately felt overcome with weariness. The duty orderly came across. "Have you eaten anything, or drunk anything? Can I get you something?"
Soumitra looked up at the young man. "No. It is only now I feel thirsty, hungry and tired. Please get me something."
A few minutes later the orderly returned with food and drink. Soon after he had eaten and drunk his head began to nod, and he dozed off into a fitful sleep.
Half an hour later the Captain of the Guard returned. Almost immediately he was called out to the Main Gate. Captain Frederick Winstanley had arrived and wanted to enter.
First Soumitra told Winstanley what had happened. The Captain of the Guard said he had made preparations to ensure the safety of the Rajah's family. Captain Winstanley said he had doubled the guard on the cantonment, and that his men would be ready for whatever was required at first light. They talked over various eventualities for a while. But they needed to know more before they could act.
The night drew on and the three of them sat in silence waiting for they knew not what.
It was about an hour after midnight when one of the guards on the Palace roof spotted a fire in the far distance. It came not from down on the valley floor, but high in the hills on the north side of the valley. He called to one of his fellow soldiers, and tried to place where it could be, and why it should blaze out in the middle of the night so brightly.
"Do you think it is a signal of some sort?"
The other man thought for a minute. "It could be, it is unusual for the middle of the night, and it comes from the hills not from the valley where people live, where it could be a house on fire."
"I think we should let the Captain know."
"You're right. Though he'll probably have my unds for breakfast for wasting his time." He made his way down through the darkened Palace, and kept to the shadows by a wall as he crossed the Char bagh. He was challenged quietly by the guard outside, before making his way in the Guard Room.
"Well, young man?" asked the Captain. Soumitra awakened from his sleep.
"I don't know if it is important, but a few minutes ago we saw from the roof a very bright fire in the distance."
"Probably some poor sod's house on fire."
"It was not from the valley bottom where all the villages are, but from up in the hills to the north."
The Captain was now all attention. "You sure of that? Think you'll be able to say where it was in the light of morning?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Good lad, keep your eyes skinned, and report anything else you may think important."
The soldier went off, and Soumitra, Winstanley and the Captain of the Guard discussed the possibility of the fire being some sort of signal, and what it might signify. There were so many possibilities.
The Captain had placed five of his men in the sleeping quarters of the Rajah's family. Just a night-light burned in the two rooms. It was made to look as though the Rani and the children were asleep in their beds. The five men were in the darkness of the room, they could see the beds, but could not be seen.
They heard movement from outside, and they were immediately fully alert and tense, ready for action. It was more by an intuitive feeling rather than by hearing, they sensed that the door had been opened. Three men came into the first room, where the Rani should have been sleeping. Two of them moved silently through to the second room where the children should have been. The watching guard remained silent and out of sight.
There came a slight whistle from the second room. It was the signal for action. The man in the Rani's room thrust his sword into what he thought was the sleeping body of the Rani; at the same time the other two did the same to the children.
The guards sprang forward and grabbed and disarmed the intruders. It was all over in a moment. The Captain's plan had worked perfectly. The would-be assassins were gagged and led off to the Guard Room.
In the Guard Room Soumitra had dozed off again, and the Captain and the orderly sat in silence. They looked up as the door was opened, and the intruders and their guards came into the room.
The Captain rose to his feet. "And what have we got here?"
"These men came into the sleeping quarters and would've killed the Rani and the royal children had they been there."
"Well done, men. You've done well. Take them to the dungeon, and rouse the officer in charge and tell him I want these men to tell us all that they know by day break.. Then you can rest until day break. There will be more, much more for you to do then."
A couple of hours later the man in charge of dungeons appeared. The three noticed that his clothes were stained with blood. "I've got a couple of them talking. The third is an obstinate sod. I concentrated on the two that were blabbing. It seems the old Rani is involved. Some of those who were implicated in the plot a few years ago, have been up to their nasty tricks again. These men are the small fry; I don't think they know everything. I don't think they know much more."
"Is that bitch of a woman still with you, Omrah?" asked the Captain of the Guard.
"She was when I left home yesterday afternoon. I don't see her often, she keeps in her hut. I just get a load of abuse whenever I visit her, which is usually about once a week. She is rich with complaints," he added with a grin.
While they were still speaking three of the guards came in with a couple of prisoners. "We found these two creeping along in the shadows."
"Where were you to going in the middle of the night?"
They stuttered out a lame reason.
The Captain nodded to the man in charge of the underworld. "See if you can find out anything from these two."
The man in charge of the dungeons looked a fearsome figure. His blood stained garments were for all to see, and it required little imagination to realise what he had been doing. "Give me an hour with them, and they'll be singing like song birds." He flexed the knuckles of his fingers so they clicked, and grinned as though he was going to enjoy his work.
One of the prisoners fainted; the other started talking. The gaoler stood by smiling, he realised his presence and appearance had done the trick.
It was a plot centering on the old Rani. First, the young Rani and the royal children were to be killed, and then the Rajah. The Resident was to be expelled from Landerabad, and the French turned to for protection from the wrath of the British East India Company. The old Rani intended to rule herself! A number of those who had been slightly involved in the earlier plot were now fully involved in this one; bribed with promises of wealth and status in the new government.
Once the young Rani and the children were dead, a beacon was to be lit to tell those holding the Rajah, and then he could be executed. He was being kept captive as a sort of insurance policy if the main plan were awry. He would only be released when certain promises had been extracted.
The prisoners were taken off to the dungeons, and Soumitra, Winstanley and the Captain of the Guard began to make plans for the next day. Dawn was only a couple of hours away.
It was a painful and uncomfortable night for Kainshka and Lex. They were kept in a small hut, always under the watchful eye of one or two guards. If they tried to communicate with each other a savage kick was administered. They were given food and water to drink. They were able to relieve themselves to the increasingly coarse taunts of their guards, especially about Lex's endowments and the uses to which he could put them.
Their hands were tied behind their backs, and their feet remained tied. They both tried to communicate by expressions on their faces. Whenever the guard caught sight of this, another kick was administered. Each could see the look of anxiety, if not fear, in the eyes of the other. Eventually they dropped off to sleep.
It was well into the night when there were noises outside the hut. Anxious voices were heard. Kainshka heard something about `No signal'. He wondered what it meant.
Then the light of approaching dawn revealed the cracks in the walls of the wooden hut. Very soon their legs were released and they were dragged to their feet.
"You will have to walk many leagues today. So make sure your legs are working, we don't want to have to drag you."
Kainshka and Lex flexed their legs getting their circulation and muscles back into working order. They were given some food, and led away. Kainshka with four guards was in the front, Lex with the same number of guards followed a good hundred yards behind. This meant there was no opportunity to communicate.
It was a rough day for the two captives. With their arms bound they frequently stumbled and feel. Soon they were covered in bruises and scratches. They was no path to speak of, often they seemed to going along animal tacks. There were patches of thick jungle, and rocky crags. But both men noticed that their path always tended to climb, very rarely did their path descend, and then it was only to cross one of the small streams. They stopped at the hottest part of the day to rest and eat, before being dragged to their feet and forced onward. For Kainshka it was far further than he had ever walked: usually he rode a horse, or on state occasions an elephant. Lex thought back to when he had walked so far, and thought it might have been when he was a boy at Whitgest.
At long last, as the sun was almost set, they reached a place where there was a considerable overhanging rock. It was not a cave, but it gave some shelter for several yards. There was one part where the rock formed a small alcove. Kainshka and Lex were taken there, and ordered to sit. There hands were untied. They were led off into some nearby bushes to relieve themselves. When they came back their feet were tied and a guard kept careful watch over them. The rest of their captors were several yards away, where the overhang was larger, and the shelter therefore greater. A fire was soon lit, and a meal was prepared.
The sun was set when they were brought their food. They were still not allowed to talk together, though there was no effort to gag them. A sharp kick from the guard was deemed sufficient to stop them communicating. A couple of guards took each one off into the bushes so they could relieve themselves. When the group began to settle for the night, one of their guards came across to tie up hands behind their back. As he approached Kainshka recognised him, as he tried to remember where and when he had had dealings with him before, but before he could say anything, the guard quickly put a finger to his lips and shook his head. Kainshka looked away. The guard, as he tied his Rajah's hands behind his back, pressed into Kainshka's hand a small knife and whispered in his ear, "Your life's in danger, get away if you can."
A solitary guard stood in front of them, watching them the whole time. Lex went off to sleep, but Kainshka kept awake, watching for the opportunity to cut through the ropes that were binding him. The guards were changed about every hour. It was the third guard, in the middle of the night, who gave them the opportunity. He came and stood in front of them like the others, but was yawning, even at the start of his time on duty. Kainshka remained still, but watchful. The sentry was wrestling with the desire to sleep. Several times he almost fell asleep on his feet. Then he gave up the struggle and sat down. Immediately he was asleep.
That day had been a busy one for those in Landerabad. Before the sun rose plans which had been made in the night were put into operation. The Rani was informed of what had happened, and at first light, she and the children were brought down to the apartments in the Palace where they usually lived. A slightly larger watch than usual was posted on all the doors.
One or two of the guards were reckoned to be quite skilled trackers, and they and a part of the Palace Guard made their way down to the Company's cantonment, where the sepoys under the command of Frederick Winstanley were ready to move off. With him was Jock McGregor. (Jock had had several opportunities of serving elsewhere with the Company, but Lex had said that his knowledge of Landerabad customs and language made him irreplaceable. Lex never mentioned that posting him would mean two heart broken Landerabad women, and a considerable brood of their children! The Scotsman had proved abundantly fertile!) Soumitra was also in this party, as he was eager to get back to his home to find out what had happened there, and begin to enquire as to how the old Rani had escaped.
Just before the sun rose above the hills the party moved off. The Captain of the Guard would have liked to have gone with them, as they seemed more likely to see action. But he needed to remain in charge of the Palace and city in case of further trouble there.
Three hours later they reached the village nearest to the scene of the ambush. The villagers, had brought back the injured and were doing what they could to care for them. They said they had cremated the dead by the side of the road the day before.
A messenger was sent back to Landerabad to report on these findings.
An hour later they moved off to the scene of the ambush. They found the sites of the funeral byres. The three trackers went ahead to where it was presumed Kainshka and Lex had been kidnapped. Even though the trail was now nearly twenty-four hours old they hoped they would at least find the direction that the kidnappers had taken. It did not take them long to find some broken twigs and other evidence that several men had been that way.
Soumitra, with a small escort, made his way through and headed for his home.
The trackers found their work difficult. Not only was the trail fairly old, but several efforts had been made to confuse any would be followers. When they came to one of the streams they could see immediately that the kidnappers had not gone straight across. This meant looking both up and down stream. The party had always left the stream where there was a lot of rock, over which it was very difficult to track them. Nightfall found the trackers had only reached the second stream. This meant that Kainshka and Lex were over a day's forced march ahead of them, but they did not know this.
Fred Winstanley decided to make a base camp in the village where the wounded were. He sent parties of his sepoys patrolling the road up to Soumitra's fortress home, and another back to Landerabad. The Palace guard who were with him were either with the trackers, or clearing the felled trees that were across the road, or busy cooking and caring for the wounded in the village.
Back in Landerabad it was an uneventful day. Rumours of the attempted coup quickly circulated in the town, especially that the Rajah had disappeared. As always, rumours fed more fearful rumours. The Captain of the Guard sent out patrols into various parts of the valley State. They came back with reports that some places seemed uneasy; but whether this was because of the unaccustomed presence of the Palace Guard, or some evil intent they did not know.
As soon as Kainshka thought the guard was asleep he began to manoeuvre the knife, so that he could begin to cut through the ropes tying his hands together. This was not easy as he could only move his fingers. Once he dropped the knife and took several precious minutes finding it, and getting it into a position where he could resume cutting. After what seemed an age to Kainshka the rope parted, and his hands were free. He immediately began to cut through the rope binding his feet. His movements aroused Lex, as he came too with a loud snort that Kainshka thought would have been heard in Landerabad. The guard did not stir, but Lex, now wide awake watched as Kainshka cut the ropes. This did not take long, and then Kainshka moved over to Lex and began to cut through his bonds.
When they were at last free, they rose slowly to their feet. Kainshka took hold of Lex's hand and keeping to the shadows they crept away. Unfortunately the other guards were lying by the way they had come up to the hollow, so that they had to move further up the hill away from where they wanted to go. They moved as fast as they could go, but though the half moon was shining brightly, their way was not clear.
When they had gone about two hundred yards, Lex thought it safe to whisper. "What is the plan? What are we to do?"
"We need to get away from those men as far as possible. Then we need to get down to the road."
The ground was not for night travel. It was rocky, with patches of thick thorny scrub. They stumbled over the rocks, often slipping and bruising themselves. They knew the danger of a broken limb, so took as much care as they could. The patches scrub soon afflicted them with deep scratches and torn clothes.
"What about wild animals?" asked Lex.
"I think we are making sufficient noise to announce our presence, and most animals, even the odd tiger, will take evasive action. I think most snakes are to be found lower down."
For the next two hours the scrambled over the rocks, and pushed through the scrub. Very quickly they were exhausted.
"We will need to stop soon," said Kainshka. "The moon will soon be setting, and then it will be far too dangerous to keep moving. We must wait for the dawn."
They continued to move forward and whenever possible down hill for a further twenty minutes.
"The moon is going very soon," said Lex.
They came out of a patch of scrub on to a more open patch of land. The land fell sharply away in front of them.
"We will stop here, and await the dawn," said Kainshka.
"I only hope they have no skilled trackers with them. I am sure we will be easy to follow."
"They will be unable to track us while it is still night. By day they may be able to move quicker than we have done, but by then we should be able to move as fast as if not faster than them. We can really start trying to cover our tracks more."
They sat down with their backs against a large boulder.
"I wish we had some food and drink," said Kainshka.
"I know; when it's light we can try to find one of the streams that come down from the hills. Food is a much more difficult problem."
They sat for a while in silence, and then Lex felt Kainshka's hand come across and hold his own.
"I'm glad you are with me. Your presence has given me courage and strength."
Lex just took Kainshka's hand and brought it up to his lips and kissed it.
"Thanks, Lex."
Half an hour later Kainshka spoke again. "I'm feeling cold now."
"Let's cuddle up, and keep each other warm."
"But I smell. It seems ages since I bathed, and with all the exercise I stink."
"I can smell my stink. I can put up with yours, if you can put up with mine."
"I'm sure I can. I'd prefer your stink to anyone else's."
They moved, so they were holding each other close.
"That feels better, Lex."
"It sure does." Lex gave Kainshka a kiss on his forehead, and soon they dropped off into an uneasy sleep.
It was less than two hours later, that the stirring of some birds, and a lightening in the eastern sky woke them.
"It will soon be light enough to move, Kainy."
It was a dramatic dawn. They had not realised the wonder of the position they were in. They were on a ledge, and the ground fell away in a cliff in front of them. They were in a position where they could see over a large part of the valley, though they did not immediately realise this, as there was a blanket of mist below them. The sun suddenly seemed to rise above the eastern mountains. The sky was for a few moments full of colour.
The two stood hand in hand watching the dawn, and very quickly the sun burnt up the mist below them. They could even see the city of Landerabad in the very far distance, with the pinnacles of the Royal Palace glittering in the morning sun.
"That is beautiful, Kainy. I think your State is the most beautiful place on earth."
"More beautiful than the fields and woods of your England?"
"That is different. That was my home. This is now my home. Here is even more beautiful because the love of my life is here with me."
"Thanks, Lex. Do you realise we spent a night alone together, and we did not do what we usually do?"
"I know. We didn't need to. It was a wonderful night. We were together, holding each other to keep warm. But in some way it was made more wonderful because we were alone in the wild, we were, and still are in danger. Kainy, I feel closer to you now than ever before, because of what we have gone through together."
"I know. I feel the same. It is almost as though our relationship has been consummated at an even deeper level."
"I love our bodily intimacy. I love, and worship every part of your body, but our relationship is more than all that."
"There is a oneness of our deepest selves, Lex. I agree with you."
"In our European Christian thinking, we talk about our souls. Our souls are one."
They turned towards each other, and hugged and kissed.
"If we survive all this, Lex, I will return to build a small shrine here. But now we must get on our way. They will be trying to follow our tracks now."
Lex pointed down to their right. "I think there may be some water down there."
They clambered down over some steps rocks, and at the bottom found a small stream trickling among the rocks.
The descent into the valley was not easy. It is always easier to find a way up a craggy slope from below, than to find a way down from above. There were many occasions when they had to retrace their steps, and to ascend for some way, before they could continue their downward path.
If they were being followed they did not know. They neither heard nor saw any evidence of a pursuit. But the fear was always there. There were times when they slipped and slithered down steep rock faces, and forced their way through pathless scrub. Their clothes were soon torn. Scratches and bruises, and several bloody cuts appeared on their bodies.
"I don't think anyone would recognise you as the Rajah, Kainy!"
"I'm not sure you would be recognised as an Englishman. Your face has become the colour of a pale skinned Indian. I think the tears in your clothes reveal the whiteness of your skin where it is usually covered up."
"Except when you have you way with me."
"I hope we get out of this alive, and we live to enjoy many more such times."
"We'll get out of this, don't you worry."
It was in the middle of the afternoon when they reached the largest cliff face they had encountered. They peered over the edge trying to find a way down. To their left and right the vicious scrub reached to the edge.
"Do we try to the right or to the left?" asked Lex.
"I don't know. Either way is going to be difficult."
"I think the vegetation has got worse as we have come down. The thorns seem more, longer and sharper than further up."
They began to make their way to the right. It was not easy. Eventually they found a steep gully that looked to go down to the bottom of the cliff. It was moist, and there were plants growing in several places, and loose rocks that looked as though they were about to roll down to the bottom.
"Do you think we can get down there?" asked Kainshka.
"If we're careful. We'll have to keep close together. If the person above dislodges one of those rocks so it falls it could sweep the bottom person away."
With great care they began their descent. They kept close together. Lex led the way, testing each foot fall. Several times he deliberately dislodged a rock or stone, so that it fell ricocheting off the sides of the gully. It would have been lethal to anyone caught below. The rocks crashed into the bushes far below.
Fortunately they kept close together. Kainshka slipped on a wet surface and began to fall. Lex had a firm hand hold and was able to grab Kainshka's clothing as he slithered past with gathering speed. If the hand hold had not been firm, Lex would have been pulled off as well. Kainshka felt around with his feet and hands, and managed to find a firm hold.
"You saved my live, Lex!" gasped Kainshka.
"It was certainly a close thing. We must take care. Let's climb down to that bit of a cave, and get our breath."
They climbed down and stood close together in the small confined space. Kainshka put his arm round Lex, and they kissed. Slow their hearts stopped racing, and their breath became more even. They continued their descent. They now took additional care; trying to make sure they always had a reasonable handhold or good foothold. Their descent was now very slow.
By the time they reached the scree at the bottom and clambered down that into the bushes the sun was getting low in the sky. They did not have far to go before they reached the road.
"We must take care, Lex. We do not know what has happened since we were captured."
"True. Though I don't know that many people would recognise us, the state we are in. Which way do we go?"
"I think I know where we are. But we need to get back to Landerabad. So let's start walking that way."
They were now exhausted, and slowly they began to trudge along the road. They had not gone far before they heard the sound of horses coming towards them.
"I think we should get into the bushes, in case it is someone after us," said Lex.
They went into some bushes to see who it was coming towards them. It was the sound of several horses. A detachment of ten Company sepoys came into view, under the command of sergeant Rob MacGregor. Lex jumped to his feet, and shouted out.
The detachment halted, and turned towards them. Neither of them was recognised.
"Jock! Jock! It's me, Lex Penbarton."
Jock dismounted, "Good Lord! I dinna recognise ye. And the Rajah too!" he bowed towards Kainshka.
"It's good to see you, Jock. What has happened?"
"When it looked as though the two of yer had been captured. The alarm was given. Omrah Soumitra had set out to meet the two of you, and when he saw what had happened he galloped all the way back to Landerabad. There was an attempt to kill the Rani, and your children." Jock bowed towards Kainshka "But they are safe and sound, thanks to the Captain of the Guard. There are several patrols up in yon hills looking for ye. But it good to see ye both safe and sound; even if a little worse for wear."
"We need to get back to the Palace as soon as possible. First we need something to eat, and a good drink." The sepoys were equipped with water bottles, and couple of these were handed over to Kainshka and Lex. They gulped down the water.
"There is a village a couple of miles back. There will be some food there." Jock gave orders to his men. Two were told to hand their mounts over to Kainshka and Lex, and to walk back to the village. Jock helped Kainshka and Lex mount their horses, as he could see just how tired they were. Then at a slow pace they trotted back to the village.
There they were given more drinks and food. Word soon got round the villagers that the Rajah himself was in their midst. They tried to crowd round but were kept some way away by the sepoys' though two or three younger children managed to get close and gazed up open-eyed at their bedraggled Rajah and the Company Resident. While they ate and drank they planned what to do next.
"I want to get back to Landerabad as soon as possible."
"Move off at first light?" asked Jock.
"No. I want to get there as soon as possible. Can you provide me with an escort and we will ride through the night. You say the road is safe. No one will be expecting us on the road by night."
An hour later Kainshka and Lex, with an escort of a dozen sepoys, left. It was a three hour ride. Several times Lex wondered how he kept awake. He found talking with Kainshka or Jock the best way to keep awake, as he had to concentrate on talking loudly and clearly.
It was the middle of the night when they arrived at the gates of Landerabad town. These were large, thick, and securely bolted. One of the sepoys banged on the gate. It took several minutes before on of the guard responded. He said that he could not let them in without the permission of the Captain of the Guard.
"Then get him, at once," shouted Kainshka, irritable and exhausted with the events of the last twenty four hours. It was many minutes before the Captain of the Guard appeared on the parapet above the gate. Kianshka showed himself, and soon the gate was opened.
Both the Captain of the Guard, and even more so the men guarding the gate were mortified at having barred entry to their Rajah. They grovelled in the dust crying out for mercy.
"Get up, you men. You did nothing wrong. You were obeying orders and they were the right orders." Kainshka wearily got back on to his horse, and the troop began the steep ascent to the Palace complex. The Captain of the Guard rode beside Kainshka and told him of everything that had happened in the Palace, and through the State as a whole.
When Kainshka, with Lex a few steps behind him, reached the private apartments it was to find the Rani and the older children awake, dressed and ready to welcome them.
The Rani rushed into Kainshka's arms for a long embrace. Then Ashokah came to greet his father. "Papa, I am glad you are safe and well. But you do stink!"
"Yes, son, I know I do. I have not washed for three days."
"I am punished if I don't wash at least twice a day."
"Quite right too. But go and thank, Lex, he saved my life."
Ashokah moved towards Lex. "I must warn you, young man, I stink every bit as much as your Papa."
The boy stood an arm's length away from Lex, and held out his hand to be shaken, European fashion. "Thank you for looking after my Papa."
But Lex noticed that the boy's nose twitched, and that he did stink a great deal.
Somebody had thought of the Rajah's bodily needs. "There is a bath for you, Rhajahiraz," said a servant, with a look at Lex, wondering what to do about him.
"We will bathe together. Now you children, off to bed. I'll tell you all about it in the morning. Do I get a good night kiss."
"No" said Ashokah, "In the morning when you're clean."
"The Rajah's bath was no small modern western affair. It was more like a small pool. Servants removed the tattered clothes they were wearing, and helped them into the bath. Lex, in spite of his tiredness, noticed with some amusement that the servants eyes frequently wandered to his crotch. It was for them the first time they had seen an Englishman as he really was.
There were four servants who bathed Kainshka and Lex. The warm water cleansed them. They were helped out of the bath and made to lie on a couple of couches. There they were dried, and their injuries attended to. A stinging substance was applied to their cuts, and a sweet smelling ointment was rubbed into the bruises by gentle fingers.
At Kainshka's insistence they were placed into bed together. "We spent last night hugging each other to keep warm on the edge of a precipice, with less room than in this bed."
They were soon asleep.
The plot was developed at the instigation of the old Rani. Her plan was to murder the young Rani and her children for displacing her. Kainshka's and Lex's lives had been preserved by their captors because she wanted to be present when they were both tortured before being killed. When all this eventually came to light, Kainshka and Lex realised that they had escaped a painful fate.
The day after the Rajah's return to Landerabad search parties were sent out to find and captured the old Rani. She was eventually captured close to where Kainshka and Lex had spent their last night in captivity. She had reached the camp early in the morning only to find her captives had escaped.
Kainshka sentenced her to death by strangulation. The guard who had slipped the small knife into Kainshka's hand, had been a young man to whom the Rajah had shown clemency over some minor offence. He had got caught up with the plotters because he worked for one of the old Rani's associates. Kainshka rewarded him.
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