More Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition)

by Barbara G. Tarn

  Harish sniffled. "What if he kills you?"

  "In that case, join me as soon as you can. But don't do anything final until you know whether or not I live, all right?"

  Harish sniffled again, then whispered, "All right."

  They didn't say anything else as the elephant trudged on. When they reached Jevina, they were paraded in the streets like the tiger hide the king had gotten himself.

  His lustful stare was on them as the guards took them down from the elephant's back.

  "The hunter to the whip, for poaching," the king said. "Bring the other to me."

  Harish was dragged away as the guards bared Kartik's torso before attaching him to a pole to be whipped. Kartik clenched his teeth. Knowing Harish was forced to watch, he couldn't show any weakness. But around the twentieth lash, he lost consciousness without a moan.

  ***

  "Will you stop crying?" King Vijay demanded, pulling away from Harish's naked body. The young man didn't react as tears kept streaming down his cheeks. "I didn't kill him. Now, for the gods' sake, stop crying!"

  Harish blinked his tears away, but didn't say a word. He'd promised Kartik he wouldn't kill himself as long as his lover was alive, but he felt empty. The shame of the use and abuse of the past had come back, full blown, and he hadn't put up much resistance against the king's passion. But he wasn't going to pretend he liked it either.

  The king snorted, put on a dressing gown and started pacing the ample bedroom. Harish didn't move from the canopied double bed, still seeing Kartik's bloodied back as they took him down and dragged him away to a cell. He hoped his beloved was recovering and that he'd soon be able to save him again.

  Although there wasn't much hope of escaping from a prison. But Kartik was a gypsy, and some said they could do magic. Maybe he could spellbind the jailor into freeing him. And then he'd come for Harish and kill the evil, lustful king...

  The king's hand roamed his body again, sending shivers of disgust down Harish's spine. He had no more tears, but his heart was still breaking in tiny little pieces. He wondered if he'd ever be able to patch it up again when the king's tongue invaded his mouth.

  And then the king brought another young man to the room who looked very much like a younger version of himself – Harish guessed it was probably his son. King Vijay immediately went to the bed where Harish lay.

  "Here he is! Isn't he gorgeous? Come, Vivek, check him."

  As if I were a stallion, Harish thought sourly.

  The noble youth came closer to inspect him. He looked obviously satisfied with what he saw as his eyes lingered on Harish's body. But when the young man's eyes reached his face, he gasped in shock.

  "Prince Rohit?" he blurted out, incredulous.

  Harish didn't react. Not another lustful noble who would join King Vijay in his games...

  "No, no, this is Harish, he's a jester," the king scolded.

  "Father, he looks exactly like the prince of Amrendra!" Vivek exclaimed. "I know you were taken by Prince Prem when they both came here, but I've seen Prince Rohit at the Amrendran court and this jester looks exactly like him!"

  "Oh, please!" The king sat on the bed and grabbed Harish's malformed hand. "Have you ever seen a prince like this? Come on, get naked with us, we're going to have fun!"

  "I'd feel like making love to my brother-in-law," the prince snapped, disgusted.

  "This is not Prince Rohit, he's an acrobat," his father retorted. "You have no idea what he can do if he feels like it! Come on, join the fun."

  Vivek turned his back and rushed out of the room. Harish refrained from sighing in relief. The king glared at him, and stomped out after his son.

  ***

  Kartik was surprised to be visited by a young nobleman who looked very much like the prince of Lakeshi. He could only guess that the king had introduced him to Harish. Kartik ignored the prince's stare, hoping they hadn't used Harish at the same time.

  The fever of the whipping was gone and even though his back still hurt, he was more worried for Harish than for himself. His body could take a beating, but Harish's couldn't take much more abuse.

  "Are you a nomad?" Prince Vivek asked bluntly.

  "Yes."

  "Where did you find that young man sleeping in my father's bed?"

  Kartik looked at the prince. Was he also obsessed with Harish?

  "I'm not the one forcing him to have sex," he blurted out.

  "I'm not forcing him either," the prince replied with contempt. "I think he's of noble origin, and I know you gypsies tend to steal..."

  Kartik scoffed. "I've never stolen anything in my life, nor have any of my tribe. But lots of lusty rich and noble men have stolen Harish's innocence."

  "Where did you find Harish?" the prince asked again through clenched teeth.

  Kartik stared at him then decided to answer.

  "I met him in an itinerant circus ten years ago. I left my tribe to join those jesters, and he was already part of their company."

  "Was he a family member?"

  "No, he was an orphan. Master Zahin had bought and trained him to be a juggler-dancer-acrobat."

  "Where do I find this Master Zahin?"

  "I don't know. We ran away from the circus a month ago. I was sick of seeing Zahin pimping Harish after the shows."

  "You mean he sold his body?"

  Kartik nodded somberly.

  "I told you, I'm not the one who is abusing Harish," he muttered.

  The young man stormed away with pursed lips.

  ***

  "Kartik, I can't take it anymore." Harish crouched by the cell's bars. "The king even invited his son to join us, although the prince refused, saying I reminded him of another prince..."

  Kartik came forward to sit next to the bars, moving on his hands and knees, so Harish wondered if he'd really recovered from the whipping like he had assured. When Kartik's hand touched his cheek, Harish closed his eyes. He so wanted to hide in Kartik's arms, even if his beloved was dirty and unshaven and probably still hurt... He'd kiss his bruises one by one, forgetting his own pain and sorrow.

  "The prince also came to me, asking questions about your past," Kartik said. "Harish, maybe you are a prince. I've known you only as an orphan, and maybe not even Master Zahin knows where you actually come from, but if someone saw princely features in you, maybe you'll soon be free."

  Harish kissed Kartik's palm. He still felt like crying, and just wanted to die, and put an end to his misery. He couldn't believe a prince would be left living as an orphan and jester for all those years. And how could they tell who he was from his looks anyway?

  The only very recognizable thing he had was his malformed hand – which might have been the very reason he'd been thrown away. Who would want a prince with a hand like his?

  "Hold on, Harish." Kartik insisted. "I've tried to corrupt some of the guards, but they're all too scared for their asses to do something against the king's lust. If the prince shows up again, try to talk to him. He may be your only way out of his father's bedroom."

  Harish sniffled. "All right," he whispered, keeping Kartik's warm palm against his cheek. He wasn't really keen on kissing the bearded face, but the caresses were enough for now.

  "I know you're strong." Kartik flashed a smile at him. "You've been through much, but I'm sure your ordeal is almost over. Don't do anything stupid, and before you know it, we'll be out of here."

  Harish lost himself in Kartik's black eyes. "I love you," he mouthed. Kartik's hand ruffled his hair as his teeth flashed again through his black beard.

  "Go now." Kartik retired to the back of the cell where Harish had found him.

  Reluctantly, Harish got up and left the prison. Here he was, dressed better than he'd ever been, fed and sheltered, but prisoner of a king's lust. When would he be free to live how he wanted, loving whoever he wanted, without having to obey orders of cruel or lustful masters?

  At the door of the king's apartment he saw Prince Vivek approaching with a young couple. He stopped, reme
mbering Kartik's words. Maybe Prince Vivek was his only way out.

  "Rohit!" the maiden of the couple exclaimed as they approached. "How did you get here?"

  Harish looked at her, confused, then noticed Prince Vivek's triumphant smile.

  "So it is as I thought," the prince said. "He is your brother's lookalike."

  The three noble youths reached him and surrounded him, observing him from all angles. Harish blushed and tried to concentrate on Prince Vivek.

  "My lord, I was wondering if you could talk your father into releasing me and Kartik..." he started hesitantly.

  "And that's why I wanted you to meet my brother's betrothed, Kareena of Amrendra," the prince replied with a grin.

  The maiden gasped as she caught a glimpse of his hand, and then she took it to observe it better, frowning.

  "Not Rohit," she said at last, looking him in the eyes. "But maybe his lost twin? I will have to write to my father. I never knew Rohit had a twin."

  "But Amrendra has twin kings," Prince Vivek said. "And they're identical – one can't tell them apart."

  The princess smiled. "We can tell which is our father and which our uncle." She squeezed Harish's malformed hand. "If you really are my brother, don't worry, you'll be out of here soon."

  Harish offered her a tentative smile as his heart opened to hope.

  ***

  Rohit entered the Lakeshian great hall still puzzled by the reason for his visit. Kareena's letter had brought tears to his father's eyes and plunged his uncle in an unusual silence. He'd been sent to check the facts, but couldn't believe he'd never been told before that he'd had a twin.

  He'd always considered his cousin Ajay as "almost" twin, since they were born one day apart. The thought of a real twin wasn't so upsetting, though. A part of him had always felt like he was living a second life, although he couldn't say much about it.

  King Vijay welcomed him with a frown – evidence that he wasn't happy his latest bed-toy looked like a prince. Rohit didn't care what his father-in-law did in his bedroom, but he was anxious to meet his lookalike.

  King Vijay grumpily called for "Harish" and dismissed the courtiers. Only Prince Vivek, Prince Vasant and Kareena stayed in the great hall with the king to witness the meeting and hear what his father had to say on the matter. King Daruka had recommended he see the young man and listen to his heart before delivering the news.

  And then the jester arrived, his eyes to the floor like a servant, and stopped near the king with a curt bow. His hair was longer than Rohit's, but he was clean-shaven and decently dressed – probably by the king. And yes, the jester was a replica of the prince heir of Amrendra.

  Rohit's eyes went to the jester's right hand. His father had told him his twin brother had been sort of imperfect, hence when he'd vanished, everyone had just assumed he'd died. Rohit's heart pounded faster when he saw the malformed hand.

  He took a deep breath to calm down and looked at King Vijay.

  "I must thank you on behalf of my father, King Daruka. He sent me here knowing I could recognize a twin I never knew I had. Rahul vanished when he was still a sickly baby and everybody at the Amrendran court simply thought he hadn't survived. It is a miracle to see him here today, alive and healthy, twenty-five years later. I thank you for taking him under your wing, but I beg you to allow me to take my brother home, where he belongs."

  King Vijay pursed his lips, thoughtful. Kareena beamed, Prince Vivek looked satisfied, Prince Vasant only curious of the outcome. Harish kept staring at his feet, but his fingers were restless.

  "If you never knew you had a twin, how can you be so sure this is your brother?" King Vijay asked. "Physical resemblance is not proof enough in my opinion. I hear the king of Rajendra has lookalikes and the king of Akkora made sure to locate all the men who even vaguely resembled him."

  Rohit moved one step closer to Harish and grabbed his wrist, showing the malformed hand.

  "My father told me of my lost twin's deformity," he said. "Although I have no conscious memories, I've always known there was more to me. This is my long-lost twin, and I have no doubt about his identity."

  He heard Harish gasp and finally met his eyes. The twin looked scared.

  "Don't you realize we look the same?" he asked him.

  Harish shook his head. "I don't know. I have never had a mirror."

  "Oh. We are twins," Rohit explained to him. "Your name is Rahul."

  "No, I'm Harish."

  "That's the name you were given after your were stolen from the Amrendran palace as a baby. Your real name is Rahul of Amrendra."

  His twin frowned, trying to grasp everything, and then glanced at King Vijay. "So I'm free?" he asked, hopeful.

  Rohit grinned. "Yes. I've come to take you home."

  "And Kartik, too?"

  "Uh... who is Kartik?"

  "His lover," King Vijay spat with contempt.

  "My savior," Rahul corrected frantically. "Can he come, too?"

  "Of course," Rohit said after a brief hesitation. They'd sort it out with their father. His twin's relief was overwhelming – he could feel it like his own.

  ***

  Kartik was released and taken to the great hall by silent guards. He didn't dare ask them, but he hoped Harish had found a way out of King Vijay's room.

  Harish brightened when he saw him, Kartik felt tattered and dirty noticing how the jester looked more and more like a prince. Harish wasn't wearing a turban, but his elegant clothes were slightly different from the other courtiers. And next to him stood his perfect lookalike, with shorter hair and a look of nobility that showed he was a true prince – and Harish's identical twin.

  Kartik bowed at both, a little puzzled by the resemblance, and apologized for his poor state.

  "You shall bathe in Amrendra," Harish's twin said. "I need to take Rahul back as soon as possible."

  Kartik looked at Harish. "Rahul – would that be you?"

  "Yes." Harish nodded with an embarrassed smile. "I'm not a jester anymore. They tell me I'm really Prince Rahul of Amrendra – and this is my twin brother Rohit."

  Startled, Kartik bowed again, more deeply, at both. He followed them to the courtyard, still incredulous at Harish's new status. The former jester let his twin do the talking with King Vijay.

  Then Harish took Kartik's hand and guided him to the royal wagon. It was filled with plush cushions and other commodities. They sat together in a corner and Harish nestled against him like he used to, uncaring of his silken clothes against Kartik's dirty and tattered tunic.

  "What will your brother think of us?" Kartik asked, his heart swelling with gratitude at the obvious display of affection in spite of his sorry state.

  "I don't care." Harish shrugged. "He's kind, but he's still a stranger. I don't care what he thinks of me."

  "But he saved you from King Vijay... I still can't believe how identical the two of you are."

  "Are we, really?" Harish asked, worried.

  "Hopefully they'll provide you with a mirror and you'll be able to see for yourself." Kartik chuckled. "A prince... oh, my, that's a long way from being a jester!"

  "And I still want you by my side," Harish declared with renewed trust. "As a councilor, a bodyguard... but mostly in my bed."

  "As you wish, your highness," Kartik teased. He really, really wanted to kiss Harish, but didn't dare. He was dirty and unshaven and King Vijay had hurt his beloved and...

  Suddenly Harish kissed him, ignoring his beard. The wagon started moving and when Harish let him go, Kartik realized Prince Rohit was sitting in front of them with an amused smile on his face.

  "I'm sorry, my lord, I didn't mean to..."

  "I believe it was Rahul who started the kiss," Rohit replied, glancing at his twin. "He obviously trusts you more than he trusts me, so I guess I'll have to welcome you to the family on behalf of our father the king."

  Kartik nodded, speechless. Harish chuckled and squeezed him.

  "You'll see how good-looking he is when he's not locked i
nto a cell," he told his twin. "But don't you dare steal him from me!"

  "I'm married and not interested in men," Rohit retorted. "And I sure hope you'll stay away from my wife when we get home."

  "I'm not interested in women," Harish informed him with a satisfied smile. Then he lost himself in Kartik's eyes.

  Twin Royalty

  Harish didn't let go of Kartik, not even when they reached the royal palace of Amrendra. He followed his twin outside of the wagon, holding Kartik's hand and squeezing it in awe and apprehension at the sight of the three-story building of gray stone decorated with vines instead of sculptures. The leaves were turning from green to orange and red, making the bulky palace with its tall, arched windows very colorful.

  He followed Rohit inside, walking on soft carpets all the way up the central grand staircase and to the second floor, where Rohit opened a door for him.

  "This is your room," he said with a smile. "It used to be mine, but I've moved into my wife's bedroom. Our apartments are beyond that door." He pointed at a wooden door further down the carpeted corridor. "I will let you and Kartik refresh yourselves. Tonight you will meet our father at the family table."

  "Can I bring Kartik?" Harish asked, worried.

  Rohit smiled. "I have welcomed him into the family, haven't I? You still have to prove me he's good-looking, though. The bath chamber is ready. See you later."

  With a final wave towards the room, Rohit left to go to his own apartment.

  Harish entered the plush anteroom and looked around in awe. "Where is everything?" he asked.

  "If you stop trying to break my fingers, maybe we can have a look," Kartik said, amused.

  "Oh." Harish let go of his hand. "Sorry," he grumbled, clapping his hands together and looking around again.

  Kartik went to the door on the right and peeked beyond.

  "Bedroom," he announced. "Big plush bed."

  "Mm..." Harish thought about King Vijay's big plush bed and shivered while Kartik passed behind him to check the other door.

  "Bath chamber!" he exclaimed, relieved. "Will you excuse me? I most certainly stink."