More Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition)

by Barbara G. Tarn

  Tarun was glad to see them again and they introduced him to a suitable bride. The succession was a little convoluted at the moment, making the daughters of Prince Ajay, cousin of King Rohit Rahul, also suitable while the shadow king's children were still too young and out of the succession line. Rajiv and Sanjiv's sisters were also out of the question for Tarun. Intermarriage was fine, but not between first cousins.

  Deepika, daughter of Ajay of Amrendra and Princess Nisha of Rajendra, was the right age and had already heard a lot about Tarun from the twins. Rajesh watched as Tarun talked to his peers and observed him even more closely when he got to meet their parents – King Rohit Rahul, Queen Laxmi, his aunt, Lady Chitrangda, Prince Ajay and Princess Nisha.

  "I was very curious to meet King Rohit Rahul," Tarun said that night, excited, as they prepared to sleep in the guest apartment of the Amrendran palace. Rajesh would sleep in the antechamber, but he waited until the prince was in bed to retire. Except Tarun didn't seem to want to get any sleep. "Have you seen the hand of the shadow king? My father told me his father was obsessed with him!"

  "Yes, we all know the story of how King Vijay was obsessed with a jester who turned out to be the lost twin prince of Amrendra," Rajesh said, amused. "I thought you'd be happy to meet your Aunt Laxmi, not her brother-in-law."

  "But those are the brothers of Aunt Kareena and they're so much more interesting!" Tarun replied. The Amrendran princess had married Prince Vasant of Lakeshi, Tarun's uncle. One more reason to start the tour from the neighboring kingdom that was already so tied to Lakeshi since Laxmi's marriage to Rohit of Amrendra. "Were you already in the royal guard when the recognition happened?"

  "No, I was still training at the school of Master Pushpendra and hadn't set foot in the palace yet."

  Tarun sighed. "I'll have to make do with what I know, then..."

  "How about getting some sleep now?" Rajesh suggested.

  Tarun finally lay down and allowed him to switch off the oil lamp.

  Rajesh retired to the antechamber and sat on the cot provided for him. As darkness wrapped the whole apartment, he remembered when he'd been hired in the royal guard, nineteen years old and barely out of fighting school, trying to hide his youth and inexperience – and his features – from the royal family.

  The first to notice him had been Princess Priyanka, King Vijay's youngest daughter, before she left to marry Dilip of Gajendra. Then Prince Vivek had set his eyes on him. But since his father was alive, he had been very discreet.

  And thank the gods, since Vivek had become king, he'd been too busy to bother with Rajesh, who by then had married Shanti who was expecting Hemal.

  Now Tarun didn't seem to want the same thing his father had wanted. But he was intrigued by the same things that had intrigued his father, so there was no telling where this was going. Sometimes Rajesh wished he could read minds.

  Finally he dozed off, hoping to dream of Shanti.

  ***

  The next day conversations continued in the palace gardens. The youth enjoyed the sun and played in the fountains, using them as pools, but their parents remained in the shadows of the gazebos, along with the children.

  Rajesh noticed that King Rahul and Lady Chitrangda had children about the age of his, a girl who must be eight or nine, and twins of different sex that still looked identical at this age, since the girl hadn't developed womanly attributes to differentiate her from the boy. One could tell they weren't of the same sex because they were dressed differently and the girl had longer hair than the boy.

  Luckily the twins, who were probably six or seven, weren't in the line of succession, or Amrendra would have a queen along with a king!

  Rajesh stood on the side under a plane tree, keeping an eye on Prince Tarun, when a servant stopped near him with an empty tray.

  "Her majesty Queen Laxmi would like you to join her for a moment."

  Puzzled, Rajesh looked at the adults gathered in the gazebo while the servant proceeded to the kitchens to refill the tray with sweet treats. Queen Laxmi was indeed staring at him, and she motioned him to come closer.

  With a last glance at Tarun who seemed to be perfectly safe with the Amrendran royalty, Rajesh went to the gazebo, although he stopped outside of it and bowed deeply.

  "You're Tarun's bodyguard, correct?" she asked.

  "Yes, your majesty."

  "Did my father or my brother choose you for the task?"

  "Uh... your brother, your majesty. Apparently my predecessor failed in his duty somehow. That's what Prince Tarun told me."

  "And the predecessor was appointed by my father or my brother?"

  "I have no idea, your majesty."

  "When did you join the royal guard?"

  "Sixteen years ago."

  "I see. What instructions did Vivek give you?"

  "Take Prince Tarun to meet his aunt and cousins in Amrendra, say hello to his other aunt in Gajendra while taking a look at King Prem's daughters, whom, I hear, are not as blind as Queen Ashrita..."

  Both Queen Laxmi and Princess Nisha chuckled.

  "No, my sister didn't give birth to any blind child," the princess of Rajendra said.

  "King Prem was very brave to marry a blind queen," King Rohit said. "I wasn't even allowed to meet Princess Ashrita when I came to Rajendra."

  "That's because my father thought she wasn't suitable for anyone and was almost ready to give her to a nobleman of his court, until Prince Prem showed up and requested her," Princess Nisha replied with an impish smile.

  "After Gajendra?" Queen Laxmi resumed her inquiry as Rajesh politely waited for royalty to stop commenting on marriage matters.

  "Rajendra and Akkora, of course. We're skipping Arquon since there are no suitable princesses there."

  "So you're going by land up to...?"

  "Argantael. Then we'll take barges and ships to Agharek and back to Jevina."

  "Good. I will give you a letter for my brothers before you leave. I know you're not a messenger, but I trust you more than anyone else. It doesn't matter if it takes longer, as long as you deliver them."

  "As your majesty wishes."

  "I will also give you a letter for my sister," King Rohit added. "Rahul, would you like to write to Kareena in Lakeshi?" he asked his twin.

  King Rahul exchanged a glance with his wife. "I don't know her, Rohit," he chided. "But I'm sure Chitrangda would love to send her news."

  "Great, then you'll have to be a messenger for a few of us," King Rohit said, smiling at Rajesh who bowed. "We will let you have our sealed letters for our scattered relatives before you leave."

  Rajesh bowed again. He kind of expected Princess Nisha to add her own letter for her brother and sister in Rajendra and Gajendra, and he didn't mind. He had to go there anyway with Prince Tarun, it wouldn't change much if he carried letters as well.

  "Maybe Prince Tarun should deliver the letters himself?" he suggested.

  "He might, but I'd rather you carry them," Queen Laxmi said with a smile. "If he's even remotely like his father, I don't trust him!"

  Rajesh smiled despite himself. "I cannot tell, your majesty. I'm barely beginning to know him. I will carry all your letters and deliver them into Prince Tarun's hands when we reach the destination."

  "Fair enough." She nodded her approval. "Tell me... what's your name?"

  "Rajesh."

  "Tell me, Rajesh, has Vivek bothered you?"

  "Before becoming king, before I got married."

  "Oh, so you're married!" Princess Nisha sounded disappointed. "Lucky woman!"

  "Nisha! He's not noble, you shouldn't even look at him!" Laxmi chided.

  If only you knew your youngest sister was the first to look at me... Rajesh remained at attention, staring straight ahead. He might not be allowed to look at them without permission, but he wasn't deaf.

  "You know, you royal people are totally twisted," King Rahul said.

  "Really? My dear brother-in-law, when will you remember you are a royal person too?" Queen Laxmi tea
sed.

  King Rahul flashed his shy smile at her. "I'm the jester king, I'll never think like a royal!"

  "And that's why we love you, Rahul!" Princess Nisha said, blowing him a kiss.

  "We will give you the letters before you leave, Rajesh," King Rohit said, dismissing him.

  Rajesh bowed deeply and went back under the plane tree. As he watched Prince Tarun again he pondered the discussion. King Rahul might look like King Rohit, but he behaved differently, so maybe his twins would soon differentiate each other as well... unlike Princes Rajiv and Sanjiv who seemed to do everything in synch.

  "Sometimes it's creepy," Tarun confided that night. "I mean, who is going to marry them? There are no twin princesses in the southern kingdoms, are there?"

  "Twin kings have married various princesses for centuries," Rajesh reminded him. "They don't need twin brides."

  "I'm glad I'm not a princess, then," Tarun said with a shiver of disgust. Then he stared eagerly at Rajesh. "What did their majesties want from you?"

  "They want me to carry letters for their relatives." Rajesh smiled. "You will deliver the letters, but I'll have to carry them."

  "They're not supposed to give you other jobs!" Tarun protested.

  "It's not really a job... you can always try to convince your aunt you're the perfect messenger!"

  Tarun held his breath for a moment, then smiled impishly. "I think I can do that! Good night, Rajesh!"

  "Good night, your highness..."

  ***

  A couple of days later Queen Laxmi gave Rajesh a batch of letters, sealed and addressed to various royals. She had wrapped them in a leather folder that was also waterproof, even though the royal wagon should hold the rain away from ink and parchment.

  "Tarun says you can give them yourself to the recipients," she said, amused. "Apparently he trusts you even more than my brother. He seems to think you're the most wonderful man in the world."

  "Yes, I had that impression." He sighed. "He mentioned he wants to be like me..."

  "Then he's not like my brother and it's a very good sign." She smiled. "Maybe he's more like Vasant than Vivek!"

  Which would make for a better king. The younger prince was less sex obsessed than the king. And he wasn't particularly interested in men either. Rajesh was surprised that Tarun was so uninterested as well. Maybe there was hope for the young prince – he could be better than his father and grandfather.

  And then it was time to go back on the road and say good-bye to the Amrendran court. Tarun hugged his cousins and aunt good-bye, kissed Deepika's hand and went to the royal wagon looking quite happy with himself.

  "So, you didn't really try to convince your aunt, did you?" Rajesh said as they sat on the cushions again and the wagon rolled away from Delen.

  "No, I thought I'd toot your horn instead. You deserve better than what you already have," Tarun answered with a grin.

  "What more can I ask for?" he replied. "I have a wonderful wife, two lovely children and a job. What else is missing?"

  Tarun chuckled. "The freedom to spend more time with them?" he suggested, amused. "Not having to travel through the southern kingdoms, looking after a spoiled prince heir?"

  "Your highness, that's wishful thinking for me. I wasn't born noble or wealthy, and I'm content with what I have."

  "And that's why I admire you so much," Tarun said. "You're so simple, so... like King Rahul! With that commoner's wisdom that is so missing from most royal courts."

  Rajesh raised his eyebrows, skeptical. "So what would you give me if it were in your power to bestow something on me?" he asked out of curiosity.

  "I'd make you a council member. I don't know who decided one must be a nobleman to attend. See how things go smoothly in Amrendra? I'd have people from all walks of life in my council, if I were king."

  "And you will be king," Rajesh reminded him. "Which doesn't mean you'll be allowed to change everything around you."

  "I know." Tarun sighed and looked away. "But you asked, and I answered what I would do, if I had the power."

  "I'm honored and thankful for your thoughts," Rajesh said, bowing his head. "What did you think of Princess Deepika? Did you like her?"

  "Yes." Tarun shrugged and didn't elaborate.

  He seemed more interested in the fact that they were alone again, and they could talk and exercise together. Every day they ran for a few miles, either ahead of the wagons or after them, and then rested until lunch time. Again after lunch they ran for a mile on the unpaved roads and then waited for the train to catch up with them.

  Rajesh still couldn't figure out what the young prince was up to. Tarun's growing admiration for him was often embarrassing, but the prince wasn't really trying to get in his pants – unlike his father had done years earlier.

  Rajesh started praying every day for more strength and to be able to handle the situation. The gods didn't answer, but he kept praying, just in case.

  After a fortnight and across three rivers, boarding a big barge on the shore of the last one and following the current, they finally reached Godwalkar, capital of Gajendra. The wagons were unloaded from the barge and taken to the royal palace where Prince Hitesh welcomed Tarun.

  The Gajendran prince was a few months older than Tarun, and had blue eyes like his father, still handsome King Prem. He also had the same dark blond hair, which he didn't mind showing off when the turban wasn't required. He took a liking to the raven-haired Tarun and promised to introduce him to his sister Rohini that very night.

  Rajesh observed with curiosity blind Queen Ashrita who sat by King Prem who seemed overly protective of her. But then, so did her son, who gently nudged Tarun forward so she could touch his face.

  Rajesh saw also Prince Dilip and Princess Priyanka of Lakeshi, but stayed away from them. When he retired with Tarun to the guest apartment to refresh themselves before dinner, he checked the folder Queen Laxmi had given him.

  "Are you sure you don't want to deliver them?" he asked as Tarun took a bath. "I'm not supposed to talk to royalty, you know."

  "If you insist," Tarun answered, scrubbing his body. "What do you have?"

  "Queen Ashrita..." His heart missed a beat. "Princess Priyanka." He cleared his throat, taking the two sealed letters and putting the others back in the folder.

  "I'll deliver to the queen, you can give the letter to my aunt," Tarun said, oblivious, rinsing his hair.

  "I'd rather you delivered both, your highness," he replied sternly.

  "Oh?" Tarun stared at him from the small pool of the bath chamber. "Doesn't my aunt know you? You've been in the royal guard of Lakeshi for how long?"

  "Sixteen years, and yes, she does know me, and I'd rather not address her, if you don't mind."

  Tarun grinned. "You will have to tell me everything about this when we leave," he said.

  "Sure." Never. It's none of your business. I'll make up something.

  He had a few days to make up a story. Hopefully Tarun would deliver the letters without comments.

  The prince came out of the pool and went to the bedroom to dress and get shaved. Rajesh gave him the two letters, put away the folder and requested permission to clean up too. He didn't need to stick by Tarun's side inside the royal palace, and the prince said he was free for the night – which didn't mean he could just leave, but they'd meet again at bedtime.

  Rajesh went to the bath chamber and into the pool. He wished he could have Shanti with him. They didn't have such amenities in their small apartment and always had to wash in pieces with the small basin and jug.

  He missed her really badly now. He sighed, washed, shaved and dressed, heading out for a quick meal away from the banquet in the great hall. He found the servant quarters and introduced himself as Prince Tarun's bodyguard. The head cook stared appreciatively at his body and gave him a plate of spicy vegetables with chicken. The maids seemed quite impressed too, so he asked if he could take the food to the prince's apartment.

  The cook waved him off and he left the kitchens,
eating in the secondary courtyard and watching the servants mill around, busy with their tasks. He could recognize the big trays for the king's table, and didn't envy Tarun who would have to taste everything. He preferred light meals to those endless banquets. Luckily as bodyguard he didn't have to sit through them.

  He took the empty plate back to the kitchen and went for a walk in the palace gardens. He admired the gates with marble elephants and the manicured lawns on the main courtyard but decided not to leave the premises. The royal palace was big enough to allow him a good fast walk around it and then go back to the apartment and wait for Tarun.

  He sat in the antechamber and checked the other letters, then lay on his cot, daydreaming of when he'd go home. Maybe he should write a letter to Shanti, a travel journal he could deliver when he got home. Or take notes, which he hadn't done so far.

  The door opened and he jumped to his feet, but it wasn't Tarun. Princess Priyanka stepped inside and smiled at the sight of him.

  "Rajesh! I thought it was you accompanying my nephew!"

  "Your highness." He bowed deeply. "I didn't think you would recognize me."

  "How could I not recognize your honey-colored eyes, muscled body and proud demeanor?" she replied, amused. "I had a crush on you, even though I knew I'd never be allowed to marry you!"

  I had noticed. But your father would have emasculated me if I had touched you.

  He bowed again and didn't say anything as she came forward, giving him an obvious once-over.

  "You're still the most handsome of the Lakeshian court, I'm sure," she said. "How come Vivek chose you to accompany Tarun?"

  "Apparently my predecessor didn't fulfill his duty and was dismissed," Rajesh answered. "I was appointed Prince Tarun's bodyguard only two years ago."

  "And how is my brother treating you?" she asked with an impish smile.

  "Since he became king, he's been too busy to bother me."

  "So he did bother you when my father was alive."

  He nodded. The princess knew her brother's tastes, denying it was useless.

  "Has Prince Tarun given you your sister's letter?" he asked.

  "Yes, I'll read it later. I'm happy to see you. How have you been? Did you get married?"