More Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition)

by Barbara G. Tarn

  "Yes, I married a merchant's daughter, she gave me two sons."

  Princess Priyanka looked away as her smile froze on her lips. "Lucky woman," she muttered. Then she looked at him again. "I'm not complaining," she said more lively. "I mean, Dilip is nice and we have children and everything, but sometimes I wonder... What if I had been able to marry for love?"

  "Princesses can afford to marry for love no more than royal guards can afford to let those same princesses close to their heart," he replied.

  She sighed. "I know. My father would have killed you. Or worse. But still... one can dream, right?" Now she sounded sad as she stared into the distance.

  "It's hard for everyone," he said. "We all have our duties."

  "Yes." She snapped back to reality. "I wish you all the possible happiness, to you and your family," she said quickly. She turned around and left the room before he had time to answer with a similar wish.

  A little puzzled, Rajesh sat down again. He definitely wasn't going to tell Tarun anything about Princess Priyanka! He better find a good replacement story before the prince came to sleep...

  ***

  The few days in Godwalkar flew by. Princess Priyanka didn't approach Rajesh again, but sometimes he felt her eyes on him. Tarun hadn't asked anything so far, and Rajesh was beginning to dread the moment they'd be alone in the royal wagon, headed for Argantael.

  The day came and Tarun thanked Prince Hitesh and his parents profusely, kissed Princess Rohini's hand like he had done with Princess Deepika in Amrendra and hugged his aunt who whispered something in his ear that made him smile. Then he climbed onto the royal wagon with Rajesh.

  He lay down on his plush cushions with a sigh of relief. "I think I'm becoming a grumpy prince," he said, staring at the wooden ceiling.

  "Why? You don't enjoy your peers' company?" Rajesh asked.

  "I don't know." Tarun propped himself on his elbows to stare at him. "I mean, Hitesh is really nice, he could become a great friend, and if I don't marry his sister, I hope he'll marry one of mine, but... Maybe I've had enough of court etiquette?"

  "And what would you rather do?"

  Tarun lay down again with his hands under his head. "I don't know. Sometimes I wish I were a commoner."

  "Then maybe when you're king you will go out more and visit your subjects, especially the artists and artisans who make those beautiful things to make your palace the architectural beauty it is," Rajesh said.

  "I think I should start doing it now." Tarun sat and stared at him, determined. "When we go back to Jevina, you'll have to accompany me around town – before my father locks me up with a bride and everything else."

  "Of course, your highness."

  "Now let's talk about Aunt Priyanka. I didn't tell her your name or anything, but she said she knew you the next day when she gave me letters for her brothers. She told me she used to have a crush on you."

  "Did she?"

  "Don't dodge me, Rajesh! You were aware, weren't you?"

  "What if I was? She is the princess, and I'm only a royal guard."

  "What a sad story." Tarun sighed. "She still has a soft spot for you, you know?"

  Rajesh shrugged. He wasn't going to talk about the princess. "I miss Shanti," he muttered. "And the children."

  "Two more courts, since we're skipping Arquon," Tarun said, thoughtful. "And after Argantael it's all ships and barges. How will we keep ourselves fit? We can't really run around a barge or a ship deck, can we?"

  "I'll find a way to keep us fit," he promised, grateful for the change of subject.

  In the meantime they resumed the previous routine of running regularly. Although the roads to Rajendra were mostly in the jungle, so they stayed close to the wagons, to avoid running into wild animals.

  A ferry took them across the border river and after another fortnight they reached Argantael, capital of Rajendra. Prince Prem of Rajendra was a few months younger than Tarun, who again played the postman, delivering a letter from Princess Nisha to her brother King Roshan.

  Rajesh was approached by Prince Prem's bodyguard as they both kept an eye on the young royals socializing in the palace gardens.

  "If you don't mind me asking, is Prince Tarun like his father?" the other man asked. He must be the king's age, with black hair and eyes, and moved like a veteran.

  "Apparently not," Rajesh answered. "Why?"

  "Just wondering. Prince Prem was very excited at the thought of meeting him."

  "And why is that?"

  "You may or may not have heard that our beloved king had a... misadventure with a rebellious general when he was younger." The man grinned. "A man saved him and helped him to overcome the shock and shame."

  "Was that you?" Rajesh asked, puzzled.

  "No, it was Kirit, an officer of General Kabir. I was only Kirit's attendant. Eventually the king had that much needed heir and sort of forgot Kirit... but then he requested him as bodyguard for his son. We were lovers by then, so when he died, I stepped into his place. And Prince Prem is smart. No matter how discreet we were, he has always known we were lovers."

  "You mean Prince Prem is attracted to men?"

  "I think he's just curious. Because he couldn't really watch us, he looks forward to asking Tarun about his own experiences. I'm sure the Lakeshian court isn't as discreet in these matters as we were..."

  "Um, no, definitely not." Rajesh sighed. "I was asked by then Prince Vivek to join him in bed. But his son already had a bodyguard appointed by his father, so he didn't ask me to do it until two years ago."

  "And has he asked you to his bed while king?"

  "No, he probably found other pastimes, younger and more handsome than me."

  "As if you're old and ugly!" The man chuckled. "I'm Falgun, by the way."

  "Rajesh." They shook hands. "I don't think Prince Tarun has the same inclinations as his father. We've been traveling for over a month and he hasn't asked me to take down my pants yet."

  "As long as he satisfies Prince Prem's curiosity... so he'll stop pestering me!" Falgun rolled his eyes.

  "You mean the prince heir is asking you to show him things?" Rajesh asked, amused.

  "Away from his father's ears." Falgun winked. "I don't leave him alone often enough that he can experiment with somebody else... besides he trusts me, but is afraid to ask someone else!"

  "Unless that someone has a reputation," Rajesh said. "Like Prince Tarun, who comes from that depraved Lakeshian court..."

  Falgun burst out laughing. "Yes, that's exactly what's happening! So we better close our eyes during Prince Tarun's stay... Nothing will happen to either of them anyway!"

  Rajesh smiled and nodded. It's better if Tarun does things with another prince. From what I've heard, his father seduced Suresh of Arquon during his tour! Maybe Prince Prem won't be utterly seduced and be content with some sex games...

  ***

  The next few days Rajesh simply watched during the day and ignored the fact that Tarun didn't sleep in his bed. Whether he was with Prince Prem or some other lover, he didn't care. Princess Nandini seemed smitten by the prince, but Rajesh was certain Tarun wouldn't touch her now.

  Again the prince thanked the king and queen of Rajendra for their hospitality, kissed Princess Nandini's hand and let Prince Prem hug him good-bye in the main courtyard of the palace, then walked to the river where a barge waited with the wagons already onboard to take them to the sea, where a ship would take them to Akkora.

  Tarun used the wagon as a private cabin on the barge, with servants bringing him and his bodyguard food, but mostly leaving them alone. Rajesh told him his plan for keeping fit during the floating part of the journey without disturbing the work of the sailors and Tarun eagerly approved it.

  "Now, I know it's none of my business, but of the three princesses you've met so far, has anyone in particular touched you?" Rajesh asked. He wouldn't have dared in the palace, but after so many weeks of traveling with the young prince, he felt confident enough to ask. After all, Tarun didn't spare h
im embarrassing questions, so why hold back his curiosity?

  "Not really, but then, I'm not supposed to marry for love, so why bother?" Tarun answered with a shrug. "I can't touch them until I marry them, so I'm just not going to care. My father will choose for me anyway."

  "But you should at least give him some input, no?" Rajesh insisted.

  "You know what he's going to ask me." Tarun snorted and frowned. He mimicked his father's voice. "What is Hitesh like? And Prem? And the twins? Aren't they as creepily alike as Rohit and Rahul?"

  Rajesh smiled despite himself. "And what will you answer to that?"

  "I know what he wants to hear from me, and I'm not going to tell him," Tarun replied. "But I will tell you."

  "You don't need to, your highness..."

  "Why, because it would shock you?" Tarun grinned. "I know Falgun told you about Prem's wishes. I know you both turned a blind eye to us. Did I enjoy his company? Sort of. I don't know, I'd rather sleep with you, I guess."

  Rajesh cleared his throat and glared at him.

  "I know, I know, you had enough with my father!" Tarun rolled his eyes. "I'm not asking, I'm just saying. I haven't fallen in love yet, neither with man nor woman. Does that make you feel better?"

  "As long as you don't fall in love with me, everything else is fine," Rajesh said.

  "I think my aunt's unrequited love is enough," Tarun replied. "Besides, royalty is not supposed to fall in love anyway. We marry for interest, to make alliances, to keep the peace in the southern kingdoms."

  "But most kings have lovers and concubines and that special someone who might not be the queen," Rajesh said. "And you said my predecessor was dismissed because he allowed someone near you without your father's permission."

  "We are not supposed to fall in love, but we can have sex," Tarun said, amused. "It's not that we make a chastity vow until marriage! Not princes, at least!"

  Of course, princesses must be virgins, princes must be experts. So off they go with courtesans or noblewomen or whoever manages to get in their bedrooms.

  "Did you say Vikram accepted a sex offer to let someone near you? Was it a man or a woman?"

  "For him or for me?"

  "Both."

  "Well, doesn't change the answer anyway. It was a woman in both cases. I think I already sired a bastard."

  "Which is probably what drove your father mad and led to the dismissal of the bodyguard..." Rajesh mused.

  Tarun chuckled. "Probably. And that's why now I'm touring the kingdoms, looking for a bride, so I stop impregnating other women and produce the next heir!"

  "It's tough for everyone," Rajesh concluded, shaking his head.

  ***

  Traveling on water was faster in a way, since currents allowed more miles in a day that bad terrain, but less comfortable in other ways because of the cramped lodgings. On the Rajendran coast they moved from the river barge to a sea-faring ship that had both a sail and oars. There was only the captain's cabin available for the noble guest, but some exercise could be done by sitting with the rowers for a few hours each day.

  Prince Tarun was curious about everyone's life and asked questions of sailors and villagers alike. It was a coastal navigation and every other day the ship landed so they could all have fresh food – and trade goods – in the villages and towns they encountered.

  They still slept onboard, though, and watched the coast go by. The lone mountain between Rajendra and Akkora. The Akkoran coast up to the most southern part of the continent.

  Three weeks later they reached Akulina and disembarked from the sailing ship to move to a river barge that would go upriver to the capital, Agharek.

  Again Tarun and Rajesh often sat with the rowers to keep their muscles exercised. And then they reached the white walls of Agharek, that kept away the jungle on three sides, the fourth being on the river shore.

  "Do you think we will see any member of the Assassins' Guild?" Tarun asked as they headed for the royal palace, surrounded by their escort.

  "I sure hope not, your highness. Not even I could protect you from a blowgun dart or a noose."

  "How do you think the king deals with them?"

  "I doubt he controls them. But as far as I know, they operate only for money. And I doubt anyone would pay them to kill you, unless you upset one of their lords."

  "I shall endeavor to tread carefully, then."

  "I think you're a good diplomat, you'll be fine." Rajesh smiled fondly at the prince.

  When he had started the journey, he didn't have a high opinion of Tarun, but after two months he could be proud of the heir of Lakeshi. He was young but not rash, and was indeed a natural born diplomat, who would eventually be loved by both noblemen and commoners.

  King Kunal of Akkora had been reigning for ten years. His youngest sister Meghanka was still available and barely twenty, like Tarun. She was a dancer who often entertained her brother's guests and was more interested in learning new dance moves than finding a husband.

  Tarun sat with the royal family in the great hall to watch Princess Meghanka's performance. She had been trained by King Karan's favorite courtesan and liked to improvise solo dances with torso articulation and abdominal movements that made her look like a celestial dancer.

  Tarun and Rajesh watched, mesmerized, her hips' movement that punctuated the rhythmic accompanying music. Hip drops and infinity loops, relaxed shoulders or ribcage shimmies that accentuated her breasts made for a very sensual dance. Turns and spins made her veils fly around her along with her long black hair. The lower part of her face was covered with a transparent silken veil and she had silken puffy pants under the veiled skirt. Dancing bells on her ankles also punctuated the movements.

  "She is awesome!" Tarun enthused that night. "I could watch her dance for hours!"

  "She is mesmerizing," Rajesh admitted. "And she'd probably love to learn the Lakeshian dances."

  "Then I guess I found my bride!" Tarun beamed. "What do you think?"

  "I think your father will indulge you and King Kunal will be very happy."

  "Then we can head home, so you can go back to Shanti and I can inform my father of my choice."

  "I still think you should talk to King Kunal and Princess Meghanka tomorrow, to feel them out," Rajesh replied. He looked forward to going home, but didn't want his charge to make a diplomatic mistake with the last king of the list.

  "And I will, but we don't need to linger much longer. Good night, Rajesh. We're almost done."

  There would still be three to four weeks of sailing to reach Jevina, but yes, the trip was almost over. Rajesh went to sleep feeling relieved. Soon he'd be back in Shanti's arms.

  ***

  Princess Meghanka sounded delighted to bring the belly dance to the Lakeshian court and learn the Lakeshian dances. King Kunal said he'd wait for King Vivek's request to send his sister to Jevina and Tarun thanked them both for the hospitality. Unlike he had done in the previous kingdoms, he said good-bye in a less formal way, holding Princess Meghanka's hand instead of kissing it and telling her he looked forward to seeing her at his father's palace.

  And then off they went again – river barge and a new ship headed back north along the coast after circumnavigating the southern part of Varia. Again they sat with the rowers or ate on the land every other day, and currents and winds seemed to take them back home faster than expected.

  But as they replenished the water and food supplies in a village on the coast of Arquon, three ships with black sails approached at full wind speed.

  "What kind of ships are those?" Tarun asked the ship's captain.

  "Triremes from the Queendom of Maadre," the man answered through clenched teeth. "Everybody get their weapons, we're under attack!"

  Both sailors and inhabitants of the village gathered forks, lances and sabers. The prince's escort surrounded Tarun and Rajesh who stared worried at the incoming ships.

  The worst shock came when the invading force disembarked with war cries.

  "It's women!" Ta
run said, incredulous. "It's all women!"

  He had been taught not to kill women or children and Rajesh himself wasn't sure of what he should do. But the warrior women attacked them, so he switched to defense mode.

  They were outnumbered by the crew of three ships, so Rajesh decided running away wasn't cowardly. He must keep Tarun alive, so he grabbed the prince's arm and they rushed to the cover of a thicket as the royal guard protected their retreat.

  They watched aghast as the warrior women won the battle and started plundering houses and the ship with the prince's belongings. Most men lay dead and there was no way Rajesh could operate the ship on his own.

  "We better go back and try to reach Zarquon," he said, frowning in worry. He didn't have a map, but two days earlier they had stopped at the town built at the mouth of the river that led to the capital, therefore if they followed the coast back south and then the river shore...

  Tarun nodded and followed him away from the plundered village and ship. Staying on the coast spared them the jungle, but they had trouble finding freshwater. They had to rely on coconut trees to drink and eat something.

  Tarun was nimble enough that he climbed them easily, with his saber in his teeth, and then he chopped the coconuts down so they both had two or three each. They found the small town at the mouth of the river, but nobody was willing to help them since they now looked disheveled and poor.

  "I knew we wouldn't find anyone willing to take us to Jevina on our word," Rajesh muttered. "But if we manage to reach the royal palace of Arquon, your aunt Anjali will give us the means to go home."

  Thus they started following the river shore and soon the jungle surrounded them. The thick undergrowth blocked their path and they didn't find any road. They had to be careful about snakes and other predators, and spend the nights tied to trees with lianas, since the ground was unsafe.

  They had long sleeves and pants, but they covered their faces and hands with mud to keep the mosquitoes away. They had to use their scimitars to clear the way and didn't meet anyone for days on end. They tried to follow animal trails headed in their general direction, but they always ended up on the river shore and no boats seemed to pass through.