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.
Thank you to those who have commented on my stories. If you want to comment on the story then do contact me on Jeffyrks@hotmail.com. I aim to reply to all messages.
A MEETING OF THE TWAIN PART 8
O, how this sprig of love resembleth The uncertain glory of an April day, Which now shows all the beauty of the sun And by and by a cloud takes all away.
W.Shakespeare Two gentlemen of Verona.
Kainshka looked up into Lex's eyes, expressing surprise and wonder.
The closeness of his friend caused familiar passions to awaken in Lex. He felt his prick begin to stiffen and harden.
For Kainshka this was a totally new experience. Physical affection was something unknown to him since his earliest childhood. He was a Rajah's son, and with his brothers brought up to be a man, to be able to ride, and hunt, and to fight in warfare, if necessary. Because he was not a frequenter of the pleasures of the women in the Zenana he knew little of the touch of another; and never the affectionate close touch of someone who loved him.
"What is happening, Lex? What is happening to me?"
Lex looked down into his eyes. "I think there is something wonderful with us. We are both just realising how much." Lex kissed Kainshka again on the brow, and pulled him close.
Kainshka put his arms round Lex.
Lex kissed Kainshka again, this time on the lips. There was no immediate response.
"Have you never kissed another person like that?"
"Not since I was a small child. By the woman who cared for me, and yes, my mother too. But now, not for a long time."
"Since you became a man has there been no woman, or man?"
"No; neither."
Lex detected that Kainshka was trying to pull his groin away from him.
"Don't pull away. I can feel you, and I'm sure you can feel me."
"My lund is hard."
"So is mine. Can't you feel it?"
Kainshka nodded.
"Don't be ashamed. We can give each other much pleasure. We can show each other just how much we feel for each other."
They resumed kissing, and Lex felt Kainshka relax in his arms. Lex pushed his prick at Kainshka, who after a moment, and with a slightest of giggles, did the same to Lex.
Lex kissed Kainshka again, and this time there was a response - the kiss was returned.
"I have wanted to do this with you for some time."
"Have you? I have had strange feelings for you. I wondered what was happening. I know some men have strong feelings for a woman, but a man for a man?"
"Our friendship is just becoming deeper and more wonderful. We are discovering that by showing just how much we feel for each other."
"I know what it is to use my hand, Lex. I have been told how a man does it with a woman. I have seen animals mating. But...."
"But what, my friend?"
"Sometimes in the night, or when I wake in the morning, my lund is hard, and it is about you I have been thinking. I use my hand thinking of you."
"And wishing it was my hand and not your own?"
"Yes. Is that wrong?"
"Some would say it is. But not me. If two men want to show their love in that way, why shouldn't they?"
"Have you ever done things with another man?"
"Yes. Many times."
"In England?"
"Yes, in England."
"In India?"
"Yes, in India."
"With an Indian?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
"A servant."
Kainshka pulled slightly away. "A man of low caste?"
"I don't know what caste he was. In England we don't have castes who can never meet or touch, we do have classes, but you can move from one class to another."
"How?" Kainshka was mystified by Lex's statement.
"You can move up by becoming richer, or doing something important and helping the country. You can go down by being foolish like losing all you money gambling, or doing something criminal."
"Have you done it with someone here in Landerabad?"
"No. Though there is one man I have wanted to do it with here in Landerabad."
"Who's that?" said Kainshka, somewhat sharply.
"A man of the highest caste, far beyond the reach on an ordinary Englishman."
"Who's that?"
"With you. Just with you." Lex kissed Kainshka, and pushed his tongue passed his lips and ran in along Kainshka's lips.
"That feels wonderful."
"There are many wonderful feelings for us to discover with each other." Lex took Kainshka's hand and led him back to the pavilion with its carpets and cushions. "Have you ever seen a naked man?"
"Yes, I have seen men bathing and swimming in the river. I have seen them many times. But I have never seen an Englishman."
"Do you want to?"
"Yes. Especially if it's you."
"And I want to discover what the Rajah of Landerabad really looks like." Lex reached out, and began to undo Kainshka's clothing. He took off his upper garments, and Kainshka's torso was revealed.
Kainshka was three or four inches shorter than Lex, and so stood at about 5foot 4inches tall. He was slim, without an ounce of superfluous flesh on him, but his muscles were well formed. His riding and hunting kept him fit. His chest was completely without any trace of hair.
Lex ran his hands over Kainshka's chest, and rubbed his fingers several times lightly over the nipples. "You are beautiful, my friend. You are beautiful."
Kainshka now took the initiative, and removed Lex's upper garment. He gasped with surprise, as it was covered with blond hair.
"You are surprised?"
"Yes, it is almost like fur." Tentatively he ran his hands over it. "Do you mind that I am not the same?"
"Not at all. It's the real you, and that's what I want."
To Lex's surprise Kainshka now took the lead; after all he was not the Rajah for nothing. He placed his hand on Lex's crotch, and looked into his eyes.
"Go on. Make your discovery."
Slowly Kainshka undid Lex's lower garment. When his prick was revealed, he stopped and looked at it. "It is big, with just a difference in skin colour."
"It's all yours. A present from England."
"I like the clock you gave me for my birthday, but I think this will be more precious to me."
Lex undid Kainshka's clothes so that they dropped to the carpet. "So now Kainshka, the Rajah of Landerabad is revealed in all his glory."
"I thought that was when I am seated on the divan, with my robes and diamonds."
"Not to me. I'll now pay true homage." Lex knelt in front of Kainshka, and placed a kiss on his prick.
Kainshka gasped with surprise.
Lex kissed Kainshka's prick a number of times, and then thrust his face into his groin placing kisses and playing with his tongue. He held Kainshka's prick and ballocks in his hands. "This are more precious to me than all the diamonds and gold you possess."
Lex now placed Kainshka's prick in his mouth, and there was another gasp of pleasure.
"Stop, Lex stop. It feels too good. I don't want to shoot my man juice into your mouth."
"I want to receive it in my mouth, but perhaps not yet."
Kainshka got down on his knees so the two of them were facing each other. For a moment they just looked into each other's eyes, and then moved closer, so that they could kiss. They shuffled even closer so that their pricks were against each other.
As if with one mind they lay back on the cushions. Their arms were around each other. For a while they looked at each other. The piercing blue eyes of the Englishman looked into the deep of brown eyes of the Indian. Slowly their faces came together again for more kisses.
"Stay sun. Stop still!" cried Kainshka. "I want this moment to last for ever."
"It cannot last for ever, my dear Rajah friend. But it can be repeated time and time again as long as we both shall live."
"But it will be difficult, dear Lex. Very difficult. No one must know. My place as Rajah would be difficult, if not impossible if my enemies knew of it. And that I was doing it with an Englishman of a different caste."
"I know. We must be very careful. We are safe up here, but we must give no clue of what we do. Much though we will want to, we must not meet here more often than we do at the moment. Chess is a good cover."
"Lex, will you do to me again what you did earlier?"
"Suck that wonderful sceptre of yours that is so hard between your legs?"
"Please."
"This time I will bring you to that point when the pearly juice of your love fills my mouth."
Lex pushed Kainshka back onto the cushions, and opened his legs. He knelt down and applied his face and mouth to Kainshka's prick and balls. He used all the skill that he had acquired over the years, to delay the climax, so that for both of them the heights of the pleasure were prolonged.
Lex kept one hand on his own prick, so that their climaxes were simultaneous. Kainshka shot deep into Lex's warm mouth. Lex pulled his prick slightly sideways so his load shot over Kainshka's foot.
"We were together!" said Kainshka in surprise.
"Yes. It is always good to be together."
"But I was hoping to do the same to you."
"Were you?" said Lex with some surprise.
"Yes. You have given me so much pleasure, I wanted to give you the same."
"Now I know that you love me. You feel the same for me as I feel for you. But there will be more times and different ways we can please each other."
By now the sun was set, and it was quite dark. They managed to find their clothes and get dressed. They gave each other a final kiss. Kainshka unlocked the top door, and they began their descent of the staircase. When Kainshka put the key in the bottom door they started talking about their game of chess.
The change in their relationship did not go unnoticed. The following morning when they parted after their morning ride Sahl and Mohi were present watching them. They saw the look the two men gave each other. Sahl smiled at Mohi, and gave one small nod of his head. Mohi smiled back and surreptitiously raised a thumb.
Two days later when they were having their early morning ride Kainshka turned to Lex. "I want to be able to spend more time with you. I look forward to the next time we can be alone, but I enjoy riding with you. We must do more things, even if there are other people around,"
"What do you suggest?"
"We can go hunting."
"Fine by me."
"Are there any outdoor games we could play."
Lex thought for a moment, and a slow smile spread over his face. "Yes, there is. A game involving twenty two players."
So it was that cricket was introduced not just to Landerabad, but to India. It was not cricket as played according to the rules formulated by the Marylebone Cricket Club: that was still some years in the future. It was cricket as played according to the rules of the village of Whitgest, and then as Lex remembered them. The men and boys took it up with alacrity. Soon, on every available scrap of land, cricket in some form or another was being played. Once a week the Rajah joined in, and Lex was there too. The old Rani was most displeased with this development, as it marked a further contact of the Rajah with the British Resident.
When cricket, according to MCC rules was introduced to India many years later, the powers that be discovered that a debased form of the game was being played in Landerabad. This led to a series of learned articles arguing that cricket was originally an Indian game, that it had reached the British Isles via Alexander the Great, and Roman troops in Britain in the Third Century! This argument was hotly argued when India became the leading cricketing nation at the beginning of the twenty first century.
It was five days after the intimate encounter on the roof of the Palace that a messenger from the Palace arrived while Lex was working with Alan Smith. The messenger asked that the Company Resident attend the Rajah immediately. Alan asked if Lex knew what it was about. Lex just shrugged his shoulders. Lex decided to walk the comparatively short distance. On arrival at the Palace he was immediately escorted into the presence of the Rajah and three Omrahs. There was a worried look on all their faces.
"Mr Alexander Penbarton," said the Rajah, and Lex immediately knew that something serious had occurred. "Yesterday evening a detachment of twenty Company sepoys and a British Officer and sergeant arrived at the boundary fort in the canyon leading to Landerabad. As we were not informed about their coming, and they do not appear to be a replacement for any of your sepoys, the commander of the fort rightly would not let them pass. Their presence in my State would make a marked increase in the number of your sepoys, well above that agreed with the Company before your arrival. Do you know anything about their presence?"
"No. Were they asked, Rajadhiraz, why they had come?"
"They said it was on strictly Company business."
"They conveyed no message for me as the Company's Resident?"
"When they were not allowed into this State, they said they had been ordered to speak first to you, and only to you."
Lex thought for a moment. "May I be permitted to make a suggestion, Rajadhiraz."
The Rajah nodded.
"May I go and speak with them, and that I go with one of your Council who can listen to why they are here, and with authority to permit them to come into your State. If the man you choose sees that they are indeed on Company business, and no threat to your State, that they be allowed into your State to perform whatever is their task."
"Will you withdraw Mr Penbarton, while I confer with my Omrahs here."
Lex withdrew into a neighbouring room. His mind was working fast trying to think what for what reason the sepoys and their British officers were there in Landerabad.
In five minutes Lex was summoned back into the Rajah's presence.
"We will take up your suggestion and Omaha Soumitra who can ride fast will go with you. I have given him authority to allow the sepoys entry. You will both leave within the hour." The Rajah gave a slight inclination of his head to Lex to signify that his presence was no longer required.
When Lex had left the room Ravi came up to him. "The Rajah asks you to wait a moment, he would like to speak to you."
Five minutes later the door burst open and in strode the Rajah. "Lex, Lex, I am so sorry I had to be so official."
Ravi quietly left the room, shutting the door after him.
"You are the Rajah of Landerabad. I fully understand."
"Do you know what this is all about?"
"No. I can only think they are come to arrest someone. I cannot think it is a sepoy. So it must be one of the four British men."
A horrified look came over Kainshka's face. "You don't think it can be you?"
"I can't think why they would come to arrest me." Then he whispered in Kainshka's ear, "Unless they have heard what we did on the roof. But I know who I would like to see arrested."
They both laughed.
"Do what you have to do. But come back quickly. Report to me with Omrah Soumitra."
When Lex got back to the Residence Alan Smith was waiting for him.
"What were you wanted for, Lex?"
"The Rajah wants me to go with Omrah Soumitra on some important business."
"Company business."
"Slightly!"
Within the hour Lex and Omrah Soumitra were making their way toward the gorge that gave access to the outer world.
They were both good riders, and both paced their horses to cover the distance without undue distress. They had to stop over night, and this gave Lex an opportunity to know Soumitra better; and also an opportunity for Soumitra to know him.
It was late afternoon when they arrived at the outer fort. The commander of the fort had allowed the sepoys and Englishmen into some of the barrack rooms perched on the mountainside. Lex and Soumitra were immediately recognised and taken to the fort's commander. The officer in charge of the Company's sepoys was brought into their presence.
Lex identified himself to the officer, and introduced Soumitra as one of the Rajah's Council, who had been given authority to allow the party into Landerabad if he could be shown that they were on strictly Company business.
"I am Major Radmore, and I have been told to show you one piece of paper, and to give you an accompanying letter," said the major. "They are confidential and for your eyes only."
"The two of us are the only men present who can read English, so it is all right for you to give them to me."
The officer handed two envelopes over to Lex. One was addressed to Mr A. Penbarton, and the other to `the East India Company's Resident in the State of Landerabad.'
Lex opened the one addressed to him personally. Dear Lex, Well done in spotting that there were discrepancies between your actual report and the one received here. The discrepancies are serious. I have therefore issued a warrant for the arrest of Alan Smith. He is to be brought back to Calcutta as soon as possible. There is trouble brewing with some of the neighbouring States to Landerabad. It is more than ever important to keep that State neutral. Let us hope your prompt action has dealt with any mischievous plans that are being made. Your dealing with this episode has more than justified my appointment of you as our Resident in Landerabad. Yours Warren Hastings Governor General for the British East India Company.
Lex held out the other envelope. "You know what is in this?"
"Yes, Sir," replied the officer.
"A warrant?"
"Yes, Sir."
Lex turned to Omrah Soumitra. "This is a warrant for the arrest of Mr Alan Smith." said Lex holding out the sealed envelope.
Soumitra's eyes opened wide.
"I have for sometime suspected that he has been acting against the best interests of the British East India Company, and possibly against the best interests of the State of Landerabad. The Company sepoys are come to make that arrest and take Mr Smith back to Calcutta to explain himself."
Soumitra thought for a fleeting moment. "I have no reason to doubt your word. We should leave for Landerabad as soon as possible. If we do some of the journey today, and we will be slower with the sepoys being with us, we should arrive back in the city sometime after noon tomorrow."
Within half an hour Lex, Soumitra and the detachment of sepoys from Calcutta were making their way up the gorge.
"We have orders to get Mr Smith back to Calcutta as quickly as possible. There is trouble brewing and the powers that be' think Mr Smith may be involved. The powers that be' in Calcutta hope that he can be persuaded to give them vital information. We have left detachments of horses at intervals on the road back. We should be able to do the journey in about a week."
Lex looked surprised. "That will be going it. Alan Smith won't like that, he likes his creature comforts."
"He won't have any say in that, even if he gets a sore arse from riding so much. I can always get some sepoy to rub ointment on any affected parts," added Major Radmore.
"He'll like that even less."
As they were approaching the City gate two horsemen emerged to meet them. They met half a mile from the gate. It was Sahl and Mohi.
"Since you left, Sahib Penbarton, Sahib Smith has been like a water buffalo in a desert. He has twice been to the Palace, and all today he has kept a lookout for you."
"Did he know where I went?"
"He saw which direction you went in, and that only leads to the gorge, and the way into this State," said Sahl.
"This morning he ordered a horse to be made ready for him, said Mohi. "When he saw the dust of a large company approaching in the distance he made off like an elephant with a mouse in its trunk towards that village where he went the first time."
"We thought you might want to know that," added Sahl.
"Thank you. Again you two have served me well. I will remember this."
Lex then turned to Soumitra and the Major, speaking first in English and then in Landerabadese Lex told them that the bird had flown.
"If we go after them immediately we should be able to catch them.."
They held a quick conference, and it was decided that Soumitra should report to the Rajah, while Lex and the contingent from Calcutta went off to arrest Alan Smith.
"Can we come with you?" asked Sahl.
"Yes. Why not?"
They reckoned that Alan Smith did not have too much of a head start; though his horses were fresh. The Company contingent began to pursue. They stopped at the river to refresh and rest their horses for a good half hour. "We don't know how far we'll have to ride, and we don't want our horses to fail," said Major Radmore.
The rest of the way across the valley floor was done at a steady pace.
"Where does this lead," asked Major Radmore.
"There is a difficult and little known way across the mountains to the next State. He will need to pick up a guide in the furthest village, and that will take him a little time."
"Is the track easy to follow?"
"No. It is difficult and needs someone who knows the way, but how far along the difficulties and dangers are I don't know."
The Major turned to his Sepoys. "Any of you men any good at tracking, even in the dark?"
One man raised a hand.
"We may be needing your skills before the night is over." He turned to Lex. "Let us get as far as possible while it is still light. The moon will be rising a couple of hours after sundown."
Sahl came up to Lex. "We know the blind beggar who has been watching the place. We will get some news from him."
"Good."
For the next two hours the party moved slightly more quickly, and reached the last village in the valley with half an hour to go before night fell. There were few people to be seen, but they all thought they were being observed. The village chief's house appeared deserted. Sahl came up to Lex, "Sahib Smith and three riders passed though through in a great hurry about an hour or so ago. They got a guide from the village to go with them."
Lex reported this to Major Radmore. "We still have a few minutes before the sun goes down. We will rest then for a couple of hours, and then the hard work begins."
The track was easy to follow for those minutes as it led to some higher goat pastures, and went along by the side of a small stream. They rested, and shared what little food they still had with them. Sentries were posted, and the rest tried to get some sleep. Most of the sepoys were soon asleep. Like military men everywhere they had an ability to slip into recuperative unconsciousness easily and quickly.
It was two and a half hours before the light of the rising moon began to shine down onto the valley floor. Major Radmore sent the tracker on ahead, telling him keep in contact with a small group following behind. The main body of men were following them at a distance too far from the tracker for any sound to carry that might warn Alan Smith and his companions that anyone was coming up the path after them. For three hours they moved slowly forwards.
Then the message came back that Alan Smith's party were resting in a shallow cave, and the glow of his camp fire could be seen. Major Radmore crept up to find out the best way to accomplish the arrest. There appeared to be one man on guard, but he was not moving and appeared to be asleep.
The capture of Alan Smith was quickly and easily accomplished. Ten sepoys crept closer, and when the guard moved rushed the camp. Alan Smith woke to find Major Radmore's sword at this throat.
The warrant for the arrest was read out, and Smith's hands were bound behind his back.
It was decided that no move should be made until dawn.
The rest of the night was uneventful, and quiet, except for the moans from Smith.
At first light they began to move back down to the village. They were about a mile from the village when one of the sepoys spotted that they were being followed. Not by some small scouting group, but by a force of three or four hundred men. They were a couple of miles behind, and did not appear to have spotted the Company's sepoys.
"It was thought impossible to get an armed force across those mountains. It is like Hannibal once again; even though it is India they do not appear to have any elephants," said Lex.
"We can't fight a force of that size. Having got Smith my job is to get him back to Calcutta as soon as possible. I have orders to avoid being caught up in any local disputes. I think your friend the Rajah needs to be informed as soon as possible."
Lex summoned Sahl. He scribbled a note to Captain Peter Green, telling him to prepare his sepoys for action. Another note was written to Kainshka, telling him of the force about to enter the State of Landerabad. Major Radmore and his party with the arrested Smith, rode off to the Gorge, on their way back to Calcutta. Lex and Mohi decided to fall back on Landerabad, keeping an eye on the activities of the invading force, for it did seem such.
Lex and Mohi took up position by a small wood about a mile away from the village, and where they could keep an eye on the way down from the village. The force arrived in the village, and for an hour nothing seemed to happen.
Lex realised that sooner or later the person in charge of the invaders would hear that a party of company sepoys had gone up into the mountains, and had returned just before their arrival, and then had disappeared towards Landerabad.
Then two horsemen appeared galloping from the village.
"Do you think we can deal with them?" said Lex to Mohi.
"Yes. They will not be expecting an ambush so close to the village."
"You take my sword, and I will use my pistol."
Lex only just had time to prime the pistol and to get back into a position, where the trees were closest to the road.
The riders were travelling side by side.
"I will shoot the one nearest. You be in position to take the other man."
It was a successful ambush. Lex's shot caught the nearest rider on the side of his chest he collapsed over his horse, and then fell to the ground about an hundreds yards further on. Lex had killed his first man. Mohi had the more difficult task. The other man was warned by the shot and had started drawing out his sword. But Mohi had the speed and agility of youth. One sword thrust disabled the rider, and he fell from his horse. The man was wounded but not seriously.
But the sound of Lex's shot had reverberated round the valley.
Lex made the quick decision to try to get the injured man back to the town of Landerabad. He ordered Mohi to keep a watch on any developments from the village.
The man was wounded in his sword arm, and was bleeding. Lex made sure the man was unarmed, then bound up the wound to lessen the bleeding. Lex tied the man's hands together so he could ride, but any fast manoeuvring would be difficult. Lex helped him to mount. The man was getting onto his horse, when Mohi shouted that a group of twenty or so horsemen had emerged from the village.
"We'd better get going. Quickly, Mohi."
Soon they were on their way. They thought the dead man on the roadside might delay them for a few minutes, but they did not know if they could outrun their enemies because of the injured prisoner they were taking.
When the prisoner did start trying to slow down, Mohi drew his sword and gave a slight jab into the buttock of the rider. "We will only leave you behind as a dead man, so if you value your life, move!"
Fortunately for the several miles where the path lay down the side valley before joining the open plain of the main valley, there were twists and turns, and patches of woodland. They did not know how far behind were their pursuers, and hopefully the real chase would be when they could be seen.
They had got about a mile out into the open plain when Lex turned and saw that their pursuers could see them and now knew who they were chasing.
Slowly their pursuers gained on them. Lex reckoned that killing, or at least injuring their prisoner further, would gain them a little time, but he hoped it would not come to that.
The open valley floor was about ten miles wide at this point. In the distance Lex could see the town of Landerabad with its palace glittering in the sunlight above the town. It all looked so peaceful.
They were about three miles from the town, and their pursuers less than half a mile behind when Lex noticed movement at the city gate. A sizeable force was emerging.
After another mile, when the intervening distance was down to about a quarter of a mile, Lex noticed that a group of mounted men, were galloping towards them.
When their pursuers saw this they turned round and went back the way they had come.
The group that had ridden out meet them consisted of Kainshka and his immediate body guard.
"You all right, Lex? I was so worried about you."
"You should not have ridden out like that. You could have been in danger."
Kainshka shrugged his shoulders. "But you were in danger?"
"I don't matter. I'm only the East India Company's Resident. You are the Rajah of Landerabad. If anything happens to you, everything changes; if anything happens to me, the Governor General will appoint another Resident."
"But you are my friend," said Kainshka more softly, but still in the hearing of some of the party.
"Well. I have brought you back a prisoner. He should be able to tell us something. Do you know what is going on?"
"Only a little. I gather that Alan Smith watched where you went very carefully, when he saw you going towards the gorge he was like a man possessed. He visited the Palace, and managed to speak to the Rani. It was as though an ant hill had been kicked. Two of my Council left the City within the hour. Then when the dust of your Company sepoys was seen approaching from the gorge, he too left the City as fast as he could. Two more members of my council slipped out of the City. They should not leave the City without notifying me. But I think that shows which side those men are on. Fortunately your Sahl and Mohi had the sense to follow Smith to the City gate, and see where he went. Your side of the story you know. Then Sahl returns and demands to see me. He had some difficulty in getting past the guards, so there was some delay. I called a meeting of those members of my Council remaining in the City, and we decided to get together as many men as we could and prepare for all eventualities. Sahl took it upon himself to tell Peter Green what was happening. Your Company sepoys are formed up and all ready to go."
Kainshka turned to a couple of his escort. "Take the prisoner quickly to the Palace. Tell my gaoler that I want to know as much as possible about who is invading my State, and why. And I want to know within two hours at the most."
He then turned back to Lex. "My gaoler knows how to make prisoners talk. We have not time to be kind."
The prisoner with his guards rode off quickly. Lex and Mohi dismounted and started to walk their panting horses back towards the city. Kainshka too dismounted and the three walked. The escort moved a discreet distance away.
"We will have to think and plan very carefully. I suspect that the invaders expected to surprise you. We have foiled any such plan. But they will want to strike hard and quickly before you are strong enough to deal with them. What strength do you have?"
"I have my small Palace guard, though how reliable they are is uncertain. The Rani will have been at work with them, you may be sure. I am certain of my immediate body guard, I know they hate her. I have five elephants that are capable of fighting."
"And you have fifty sepoys of the East India Company."
"Yes, and they are impressive men, Peter Green has trained them well."
"It is a pity there are not a lot more of them," added Lex.
"I think the morning will reveal what they are up to, and by then the prisoner will have talked."
Peter Green came up to them as they got nearer the city, as well as the rather elderly Omrah who was in charge of the Rajah's soldiers. A decision was made to bring every one into the City except for some horsemen. A watch was set on the walls.
"Lex, may I stay the night at the Residency? The palace is too far away, if anything happens in the night."
"You are welcome."
"I will join you at sundown."
Lex, together with Sahl and Mohi made their way to the Residency.
They stood together in the stable yard. "You two have done well. I shall reward you both. And well done, Mohi, in prodding the prisoner with the sword to get him to move more quickly."
"Yes, he had a beautiful arse, and it was a shame to prick it with a sword, I would've preferred to prick it with something else."
"Mohi!" said Sahl.
Lex just laughed.
Lex went into the Residency and ordered a meal, and told his servants to prepare a room for the Rajah. The Residency now became a scene of bustling activity.
It was an exhausted Kainshka who made his way to the Residence. As usual he was accompanied by his customary guards. They inspected the rooms where he was to sleep, and decided where sentries needed to be posted.
Lex and Kainshka were seated at the dining room table eating their meal.
"This is the first time I've eaten a meal like a European."
"It must take as much getting used to, as eating Indian fashion does for us. What has happened since I left?"
"The prisoner talked very quickly. My gaoler only had to show him some of his tools and he started talking."
"What did he say?"
"Among those who came over the mountains is one of my half brothers. He has been with the French. The plan was to surprise us all in our beds. One of the rebel Omrahs was to open the City gate to let them in. Some of the Rani's minions were to let them into the Palace. That is one of the reasons I'm not sleeping there tonight, I have no idea who can be trusted. We were all to be murdered in our beds, and my half brother proclaimed Rajah in my stead."
"Where is the Rani?"
"All the women are locked in the Zenana. I shall deal with her later."
"And the plans for tomorrow?"
"There has been a lot of movement out in the valley. I think they are gathering their forces for an attack. For the rest of the day there have been groups of men arriving to pledge support for me. Tomorrow morning we will have a meeting with my soldier Omrah, and Peter Green. Important decisions will be made tomorrow. It may be a day of destiny for the State of Landerabad."
They talked on for while.
"I think we should try to get some sleep," said Lex.
"Oh yes. I refuse to sleep in the room you have assigned to me."
"Isn't it good enough for you?"
"It is more than good enough for me. I am going to sleep with you tonight. If tomorrow is to be the day of my death, I want to experience again what we did on the roof of the palace just those few days ago." He came up to Lex. "I want to be held in your arms, and to hold you. If it is to be just once more, so be it, I shall fall in battle knowing a little more of the love of a man for man. I can show you a little more what you mean to me."
Lex pulled Kainshka close to himself. "I had wanted to do what we did for so long, but never thought it would be. You might not want the love of a man. You might not want the love of a white man, an Englishman. You are the Rajah, a ruler, a Prince. I'm just an ordinary Englishman."
"Can we spend this night together?"
"Yes. I hope that if you fall tomorrow that I shall fall too."
"It is not for us to decide either our birth or our death. But we can decide some things in between. And I want to be with you, and to show you just how much you mean to me."
"Our rooms are near to each other, no one need know we spend these hours together. Come!"
Lex led the way to his room. One candle burned, on one side of the bed. They turned and faced each other, there was a moment's hesitation and then they hugged each other. Immediately they felt each other's growing hardness. Their pushing at each other became more passionate. Their clothes were quickly removed and thrown aside.
When they were both naked, Lex picked up Kainshka in his arms and placed him on the bed.
"At long last I've got the Rajah of Landerabad exactly where I want him - naked on my bed."
"At long last I'm where I want to be, with the one person in the whole world who means most to me."
Lex placed himself on all fours over Kainshka, and looked down into his eyes. Slowly he lowered his head, and pursed his lips. Kainshka raised his head so that his lips were ready to meet Lex. They kissed. Lex lowered the rest of his body onto Kainshka. It was breast to breast, belly to belly and prick to prick.
For a while they love wrestled, first one was on top, then the other, first one was the more active and then the other. Then when Lex was on top of Kainshka, he kissed him all over his face. Then using lips, tongue, and gently his teeth, he made his way down over Kainshka's body.
He took hold of Kainshka's prick and placed it in his mouth. There was a fresh gasp of astonishment from Kainshka, followed by sounds of ecstatic pleasure.
"Lex, that is so wonderful. I never dreamt anything to do with our bodies could feel like that."
Lex looked up. "This is just one of the many things we can do."
Lex's sucking did not last long. With a cry Kainshka's spunk filled Lex's mouth. He swallowed and sucked until the last drop had been milked.
They lay together for a few minutes.
"Let me do that to you, Lex'"
"You don't have to, Kainy."
"I know, but I want to." He pushed Lex onto his back and soon Kainshka was sucking. He had to do it for even less time than Lex.
When it was over they lay side by side.
"You called me Kainy. No one has called me that."
"Do you mind."
"It can be your special name for me. You said there are other things we can do. What are they?"
"You can find out in the days to come."
"But what if there are no days to come?"
"Then in the after life, or when we are reincarnated, whatever turns out to be true."
"But what happens if you are reincarnated a deer, and I come back as a tiger." He gave a growl.
"I cannot imagine anything more wonderful than to be eaten by you."
With that they settled down for the night, and fell asleep in each other's arms.
The first cock crow woke Lex, reminding him briefly of Whitgest. He gently shook Kainshka. "Kainy, we need to move. It'll soon be dawn."
Kainshka woke, and flung his arms round Lex. "One last brief embrace, and then let the day bring what it will."
It was brief. They were soon sorting out their tangled discarded clothes.
"I'll not be looking my best!"
"I think what we do today will be more important than how we look."
Very soon they were down at the City gate. Already it was a hive of activity.
The Rajah, his military Omrah, Peter Green and Lex met in a guard room to confer. Reports had come in during the night, of rebel activity about eight miles away.
The Omrah who was old, and only fought as a youth during the defensive war against the Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb many years before. His advice was to keep within the City and defend the walls.
Peter Green and Lex argued against this. If they did that, their enemy's strength would increase steadily, for they would control all the rest of the State, and they could possibly bring in more reinforcements from outside. The Rajah's forces were almost at the greatest they could be. At the moment they possessed elephants that could be made to fight; at the moment their enemies did not, but for how long would they have that advantage? Neither side possessed any artillery. The State's cannons were in the gorge where all previous fighting had taken place.
The ultimate decision was to be made by the Rajah. He listened as the arguments went to and fro.
At first Lex was silent, his contribution came later. "One of the great soldiers in our Western world was Hannibal of Carthage. With a smaller army in the enemy's land, he repeatedly defeated the Roman armies sent out against him. He did this by doing what the Romans least expected. What do our enemies expect? What can we do that catches them on the wrong foot?"
"They will be expecting us to defend our walls. We must go out to them, and achieve the unexpected," decided the Rajah.
In the annals of military history, even the military history of late 18th Century India, the civil war battle fought that day in the valley of Landerabad receives only the briefest footnote in the most exhaustive volume. But for those taking part, especially for Kainshka and Lex, it was one of the most important days of their lives, as it was their only battle, though it should be more accurately described as a skirmish. The total number of combatants was much less than a thousand, probably nearer to five hundred. .
Kainshka presented his main force as a weak line. Peter Green's sepoys were kept hidden behind some trees on the right. At the start of the battle the elephants were were kept well off to the left. Lex and Kainshka decided that they would fight side by side.
Rajah Kainshka was in the middle of the line. To the enemy the line of loyal soldiers looked so weak and tempting. When they realised the Rajah had positioned himself in the middle of the line, the temptation was irresistible. They attacked with glee.
Kainshka, surrounded by his loyal body guards began to give ground, as planned. At the opportune moment the elephants attacked. This had been expected so the attention of the rebels turned to that flank. It was then that the Company's sepoys appeared. Though they were only fifty in number, they were well trained. They could fire and reload their muskets as quickly as any European army. Peter Green brought them as close as he dared to the enemies flank. It may have only been a salvo from sixteen muskets, but it came as a surprise. Very soon came a second, and then a third. Though the fourth was slightly longer in firing, the surprise and damage were complete. Very soon the rebels were surrounded and surrendering. The battle was over within half an hour.
Lex fought on foot, using his pistols and a sword. Kainshka remained on horseback. They were both in the thick of the fighting, both killing and wounding several of the enemy. As the fighting ceased Lex and Kainshka turned to each other, and looked to see if the other had any hurt. A sword had slashed at Lex's trousers, so one leg was exposed, but only slightly cut. Kainshka had been nicked in the ear by a round from a pistol.
"A few inches the other way and you would have been discovering what lies beyond," said Lex.
"A few inches higher and you would have had to go to the live in the Zenana," said Kainshka.
They gave each other a quick hug.
"I hope I never have to do that again," said Lex.
"I much prefer what we did last night," whispered Kainshka into Lex's ear.
Two of the rebel Omrahs had been killed. The other two were taken prisoner, together with Kainshka's half brother who was attempting to become the next Rajah. They were taken off to secure cells in the lower court of the Palace complex.
Kainshka now deemed it safe to return to the Palace.
Lex returned to the Residency. Sahl and Mohi had been with the sepoys, and returned to the Residency shortly after Lex. They were full of the excitement of the day and what they had done.
The three of them stood talking about the days events.
As often happened it was Mohi who spoke up. "We are glad Sahib Lex that you have found the Rajah."
"What do you mean?"
"That you and the Rajah are like the two of us, more than just friend."
"Mohi!" exclaimed Sahl in reprimand.
"How do you know?"
"We thought it might be so a few days ago, but we knew this morning. We saw the two of you together, the way you looked at each other. You, Sahib Lex, looked like a tiger that had just made a wonderful kill."
Lex reckoned that was the Indian equivalent of the English saying about a cat and the cream. He smiled and nodded.
They stepped closer to Lex.
"Now we know why you have always been so good to us. If there is ever anything we can do for you, we will."
"Thanks. It is good to know you know. I know I can trust you. But thank you both for everything. You both are more than just the lads who look after the horses." He reached out and pulled them closer to him. He put his arms round them both, and they responded by putting arms round him. The three stood embracing.
"Thank God, Alan Smith's gone. He would not have approved!"
They laughed and went their ways. This marked a turning point in the lives of Sahl and Mohi. They began to take on more tasks within the Residence than looking after the stables. In the course of time they were involved in the running of every part of the Residence.
The next few weeks were busy. The Company's contingent of sepoys was recognised as having made a vital contribution to putting down the rebellion. Lex, as the Resident, was seen not only as the one in ultimate command of the sepoys, but now also as a friend and advisor of the Rajah. Access to the Rajah was now simple. Lex only had to present himself at the Palace and all doors were opened to him.
There were too many things to be done for Kainshka and Lex to be able to spend more intimate time together. They exchanged with brief words with fervent promises for the future.
Three days after the battle the fate of the rebel Omrahs was quickly settled. The Rajah sat in state and judgement. The evidence was clear against them, they made no plea for mercy. The Rajah ordered their execution. But the investigation revealed that two other Omrahs were sympathetic to the rebel cause. They were deprived of their estates.
The Rani presented a problem. She had for long controlled the Zenana. Only eunuchs were allowed in the Zenana. The three eunuchs refused to hand her over. Rajah ordered six of his body guards to break into the Zenana and seize the Rani. The six wondered what the consequences would be as it was death for a man to break into the Zenana.
An hour before sundown they broke down the door of the Zenana, and entered the forbidden women's quarters. Loud screams were heard from the women. After half an hour the Rani was dragged out kicking and screaming, and taken to one of the cells in the soldier's quarters.
The next day what remained of the Council, the Rajah seated in judgement, and Lex in attendance, heard the evidence against the Rani. There was no doubt of her involvement in the plot, and she may well have been the instigator.
She was removed from the room, while the Council with Lex in attendance discussed what should be done.
Eventually the Rajah gave his judgement. "You deserve death. But because of the love I believe you had for my father, and for your part two years ago in placing me here, you will not be sentenced to death. You will be placed in the care of my faithful Omrah Soumitra. You will be allowed one servant."
"Only one servant?" she screamed.
"A chain will be fasten to your ankle and at the end of that a heavy iron ball will be attached. You will live in a hut, and will only be allowed out of the compound of Omrah Soumitra's buildings with his permission. Take her away."
More difficult was what to do with Kainshka's half brother. Kainshka remembered him as an older brother who had played with him, and taught him things, when he was a small boy. If Kainshka was easy on him he would be giving a dangerous message. Eventually Kainshka agreed to the death sentence being carried out within six weeks. He allowed his brother to decide the way he was to die. He chose poison. He was also allowed a couple of women from the Zenana to give him sensual pleasures over his last days.
There then remained the fate of the six body guards who on the Rajah's orders had broken into the Zenana to arrest the Rani. They were dismissed from the guard. The one in charge was made an Omrah and member of the Council. The others were given confiscated estates of from the property of the rebel Omrahs. All, in order of seniority, were allowed to choose two virgins from the Zenana to take with them.
Finally came the appointments to the vacancies on the Council. Lex was present and contributed to the discussions among the depleted Council. Rajah Kainshka felt that he now had a Council in which he could put his full trust.
The events in Landerabad were just small part of a wider disturbance in that part of India. Because the rebellion had been dealt with internally the main conflict had swirled among Landerabad's neighbours. The collapse of the Moghul Empire left a power vacuum that was filled by the States fighting each other. There was only one winner, the British East India Company. Company Sepoys, with British officers were now stationed in two more States.
Lex had the task of writing a full report of events to the Governor General. It was most important that this be sent in code. As Lex had no replacement for Alan Smith he had to do that job himself, and as the report was lengthy it took him hours.
It took several weeks for things to return to normal. Some things had changed. By siding with the Rajah, and joining in putting the rebel forces down, the position and power of the Company in Landerabad was increased. The fact of the friendship between Lex and Kainshka had been seen before, but now it was recognised. When Lex was present at deliberations of the Council, or just talking with leading figures, his opinions were listened to.
Lex now had this immediate access to the Rajah as both friend and advisor.
"I need to play some chess," said Kainshka a couple of weeks later.
Lex grinned. "You are not the only one."
They made arrangements for the following afternoon. Secure on the Palace rooftop, and well away from prying eyes and listening ears, they relaxed together among the cushions on the carpet.
They talked over the events yet again, and especially of their night together. Their conversation died, and they looked at each other and grinned. Lex moved close to Kainshka. No words were said as they kissed, and slowly undressed each other.
"Kainy, you have such a beautiful body. It is perfect; perfect in shape, and the colour of your skin with the light on it is wonderful."
"You called me Kainy, when we had that night together. I wondered if you had forgotten."
"No. I remember every word spoken, and every action that we did."
Kainshka chuckled. "My skin is more or less the same all over, but you! Your face and hands and brown with the sun, but near where your wonderful hard lund stands you are so white. Are all Englishmen like that?"
"We get brown faces and arms in the summer, but in the winter when it is cold and there is little sun we are white all over. Does my colour worry you?"
"No. But I think I shall have to spend time with you like this until you are the same colour all over!"
"I'd like that, as long as you were like you are with me."
"I am jealous of those who have been with you before; but I'm glad you know much more what to do. I am a novice."
"What greater privilege and pleasure is there than for the Company's Resident to initiate the Rajah of Landerabad into the wonders of the love of a man for a man?"
They moved against each other, enjoying the feel of the other's skin, and the touch of the other's hands.
"Can I suck your lund first?" asked Kainshka.
"We can suck each other at the same time.
Kainshka thought for the briefest of moments. "I suppose we can."
"Side by side, or one on top?"
"Side by side, then it is the same for us both."
Lex quickly turned head to tail so his face was at Kainshka's crotch, and his own prick a few inches from the Rajah's mouth.
They took hold of each other's prick and held it to place it in their mouths.
Lex's hand began to feel the smooth buttocks of Kainshka. They felt full and firm. There was a murmur of appreciation from Kainshka. Slowly Lex began to move a finger up and down the canyon between the buttocks. Kainshka moved, almost automatically to allow Lex easier access. The finger penetrated deeper until it was gently brushing across that most sensitive of human parts.
"I like that, Lex. It feels wonderful." Kainshka resumed sucking.
Lex began to apply a little more pressure until the tip of his finger was able to enter.
"I never knew that part of me could feel like that!"
"You like it, Kainy?"
He nodded.
"There is something else I would like to place there, and to push it further in."
"Your....?"
"Yes, I would like to get my lund right there inside you."
"Wouldn't it hurt?"
"A little, but I'd be gentle."
"I never thought of that. Have you had one in you?"
"Yes."
"And you liked it?"
"Very much. And I'll be wanting yours inside me too."
Kainshka stopped sucking and sat up, looking down on Lex. "I had never thought of doing that. Does it feel good?"
"I wouldn't want you to do it to me if it didn't feel good," said Lex with a smile.
Kainshka pushed Lex on his back and lay on top of him. "You are to me one special man. I love you, Lex."
"I love you, Kainy. I know there are problems with you as Rajah, and me as Resident, but I want to be with you for ever."
"Not go back to England."
"No! Not go back to England. To be with you. It might have finished after our first night together, but God, or the gods, have given us more time to be together, I don't want to be away from you. I will never go back to England."
"Together for ever?"
"Till death do us part!"
"I like that, `Till death do us part.'" Kainshka paused. "Do you want to put your prick inside me today?"
"No, not today. It helps to have a little oil to make the way in slippery and smooth. I shall get something."
"What will you use?"
"I'll ask Sahl and Mohi what they use."
"Do they do it?" asked Kainshka with a note of surprise in his voice.
"Yes."
"They know you know?"
"Yes. And they know about us."
A very worried look came across Kainshka's face. "How do they know? Did you tell them?"
"No. When they saw us together, the way we have started looking at each other, they guessed."
"Can they be trusted?"
"Yes. I would trust those two with my life. And now they'll serve you as faithfully as they serve me, because we love each other."
Kainshka reached up and pulled Lex's face down to his own, and kissed him passionately. "Lex, will you do to me what you did when we slept together."
"The Rajah's will must be obeyed."
"But I'm your servant too!"
Kainshka lay on his back with his legs open. Lex got in between and applied himself to the hard brown prick before his eyes. He nibbled with his lips, and licked with his tongue, Kainshka's balls were gently sucked, and his perineum licked and kissed
Kainshka hands gently stroked Lex's blond hair, all the time muttering, "Oh Lex. That's bliss. Am I in paradise? What greater pleasure can there be?"
Lex used all the art he had acquired from Ralph and Billy back in England, and from his many times with Abhijit in India. He did not hurry, he knew when to ease off, and when to proceed.
"Please, Lex, let me shoot my love juice into your mouth."
Lex sucked, and continued sucking. He felt the prick in his mouth get even harder than before. He felt Kainshka's balls tighten. Then he felt the throb, and the flow of semen into his mouth. He swallowed what seemed several mouthfuls, and then sucked the last drops.
He stopped sucking and moved so he was alongside Kainshka looking down into his face. There was a beatific smile on Kainshka's face. He eyes opened, and his smile became focused on Lex.
"What can I say, Lex? `Thank you' is somehow banal."
"You don't need to say a word. Your face says everything. Your smile is reward enough. I look forward to doing that, and many other things, to you countless times"
"Till death do us part!"
Lex also wrote a lengthy letter to his brother Thomas telling him of the exciting events. Strangely enough it was only three weeks later he received a letter from Thomas.
Fraternal Greetings from your brother Thomas,
I was exceedingly delighted to receive your communication that announced your appointment as the British East India Company's Resident in the State of Landerabad. I have searched in the map of Hindustan in the atlas in the library but cannot find that particular State. It is an old book and I think the geography of the interior of India was relatively sparsely known in the days of the book's publication.
I told our dear older sibling of your appointment, and his response was a grunt, and a muttered comment "I suppose that he'll now end up buggering the Rajah!" It was the nearest I have ever reached to getting him to acknowledge your continuing presence.
I must confess to you I have an increasing concern for our brother Edward. His health is not so good, and his appearance is that of a man beyond his years. I must acknowledge that he is tireless in his labours on the estate, and his concern for those in his employment is exemplary. His wife Catherine is devoted to him, and she seems to flourish as his health appears to deteriorate.
My dearest Georgina continues to flourish. Charles is now three years of age. He is a sturdy youngster and investigates every crook and cranny he can find, much to the distress of his nanny. She has a full time occupation looking after him. He is reckoned to take after our father. It is indeed one of the interesting phenomena of familial relationships that likenesses appear across the generations. Neither Edward our brother, nor myself, took after our beloved Pater in physiognomy in any way. Whereas you did quite strikingly. Then comes our father's outward appearance in this next generation. The ways of our Divine Master are indeed mystical. As one of our more modern hymn writers has paraphrased and versified "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform."
I intimated to Ralph Tooley that I was about to set quill to paper in an epistolary endeavour to you. He has at least two children now, I tend to lose count as I baptise so many infants. He asked to be remembered to you, and to convey to you that Artemis flourishes, and that though married with children, he is the same as ever. Those were his exact words, and for some reason he especially asked me to relay them to you. He is beginning to look a little older, There are now some grey hairs above his aural appendages appearing amongst his profuse dark locks. But that is the way for us all. I continue to take delight in my ministry in my allotted portion of the Lord's vineyard. We now have a few followers of the Revd. John Wesley within the parish. They meet to sing hymns and to hear lengthy rousing sermons in one of the barns within the parish.
I trust all continues well with you, and that our dear brother's comment does not come true.
With kindest loving regards, your brother Thomas.
Lex read the letter, and smiled.
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