Beyond Simla - Twelve

[ismenin]

The Palace of Ranjipore



Hello! Well, here it is. I'm on part 20, now, so this twice weekly thing won't last much longer. I can't write two parts a week - not any more! :D


I hope you all enjoy it.



Thanks muchly to the still suffering ladysunrope for her beta skills. Mwah!


Part 12


"You may execute your judgement upon me, Highness. I killed him," he said, his voice low, but vibrating with passion. "And I'm glad in my heart that I did it!"

Gafur knelt before Dom, his head bowed, but his demeanour was calm. Osman was trying to get out of bed, sobbing with rage, but Ian held him close, and he was too weak to break free.

Dom stared down at his servant in dismay. "Gafur, if you say you did so, I believe you. But tell me why you did it, for I know you - or I thought I knew you - and cannot believe that you did such a thing without reason."

Gafur looked up at that, and his eyes were brimming with tears.

"He was trying to kill you, Highness - or, at least, have you killed. I heard him."

Dom pulled the old man to his feet, and Elijah brought a chair, for Gafur was trembling now.

He has prepared himself for death without a hearing, Elijah thought.

"Hear his story, lad!" Ian shook Osman, who was still struggling to break out of his grip. "Listen!"

Dom nodded. "Hear his story," he repeated. "Then, if you still feel he should die, you may kill him."

Elijah blinked at this cool disposal of a life, but said nothing. It was not his place to interfere. But he also knew a little of Dom by now, and knew that if Gafur's story should prove a sufficient argument, Dom would allow him to live. At least Elijah hoped that was the case.

"I am sorry, Lord Osman," Gafur was sad, but determined. "But your brother was a traitor. With my own ears I heard him talk of ordering your death, and that of His Highness, and Lord Wood."

Osman fell back on the pillows, shocked beyond words.

"Tell us!" Dom ordered. Elijah passed the old man a glass of wine, but he refused it, but accepted a glass of water, sipping it as he spoke.

"I knew Lord Rashman was tired of being confined to his bed in the infirmary, even though he had been put in a separate room. I felt sorry for him, for the chatter of his women bored him. I had taken him some juicy Bokhara cherries the day before, knowing how, from his childhood, he had liked sweet things."

"He had asked me to bring him some of the Japanese pillow books from the library, to while away an hour or two, not liking to ask the women to do so. I was carrying them to his room late this morning by the private way, knowing that he would not wish me to be seen taking them to him, when I heard this voice speaking softly in the Bambaiyaa. He spoke it so dreadfully badly, lord."

He turned to Dom. "I had followed you into the stables that day you spoke with Hill, and he told you of the man he had overheard who spoke it very ill. I was afraid for you, wandering about so freely," he said, answering the question in Dom's face, "I wanted to keep you in sight."

"Well, to continue - I put the books down, and peeped through the lattice grill between Lord Rashman's room and the private passageway, and saw that it was, indeed, Lord Rashman's voice, and that he was speaking to Duleep Singh. The door to the room was closed, but no doubt they thought no-one would understand, even if they were overheard. They could not know, but I can understand it well. My wife speaks it..."

"...but never mind that. Lord Rashman was berating Duleep Singh for failing to set the explosives properly on the trail where you were injured, Highness. He had not planned to go with you, he said. But Highness had insisted, so he had tried to keep behind his brother, but it was no good, for Osman had taken the safer position, and that was why he - Rashman - had broken his legs. He said - he was very angry, lord - that with a little more care in positioning the dynamite by Duleep, and if he, as he'd arranged, had not been there, the three of you would have been blown to pieces." Gafur's voice wavered as he repeated the callous words.

"Then...then he said that he was glad he'd had the idea of frightening the Lord Wood off by attacking him. It would send him back to the viceroy shrieking like a scalded cat, he said, for he was naught but a...well, it matters not."

"Naught but a what, Gafur?" Elijah asked, his voice deceptively calm.

"Naught but a milk-sop who would be frightened by a mouse," Gafur blurted out, defiantly.

Elijah nodded. He was no milk-sop, except when it suited him to give that impression. He was glad that his assumed demeanour had been accepted at face value.

"He then said that the figs trick would not work again, for no-one would eat them, now it was known that they had been poisoned."

"He then ordered Duleep to do nothing until his other master gave him instructions. 'I am of no use to him, stuck here, in bed,' he said. Then Duleep bowed, and left by the ordinary way, and I tip-toed back down the passage, and waited half an hour until I had calmed down a little, and took him the books."


Gafur cleared his throat. "Then Duleep came to me to give the message that you wanted me at the garrison, Highness. How I kept my hands off his lying, traitorous throat I will never know. I knew I had to act quickly if I was to stop Rashman Singh."

"I packed for you hurriedly, Highness, then visited Rashman Singh. He was asleep. I used one of the many pillows he had on his bed to smother him. I gave him more mercy in his death than he would have done for yours, my prince. Within sight of this place, I was overtaken by the messenger with news of his death.”

He stood. "I have killed a prince of the blood, and I own it freely. I am ready to die."

The old man raised his chin, and stared straight into Dom's eyes. "But I'd do it again, Highness, ten thousand times over, to save your life."

Dom smiled at him, but his eyes were sad. "Osman?" he said, looking at his cousin, lying weak and stunned on the pillows. "What say you? Death or life?"

Osman raised himself further up the pillows. "Of course, it could all be a pack of lies, Udom, but I do not think it is."

"Gafur was right about my brother; he was not always the kindly soul everybody thought him - not to everyone - but I never imagined that he was capable of this..."

"I did not wish him to die in this way - but he would have died, in any case, being a traitor. It must have been he who ordered the poisoning of the figs...to kill me, his only brother..." He was about to say more, but changed his mind.

"Come here, Gafur." Gafur approached the bed, a resigned expression on his face.

Osman looked the old man straight in the eye for a moment, without speaking, as if trying to read his mind. "You may live to spoil more children with sweetmeats as you spoiled me, Gafur, old friend. I believe you heard what you said you heard - there is no point in me denying it. You would not have confessed to it for any other reason."

"Rashman is better off dead by your hand, than being dragged apart in pieces by his own horses. I mourn his loss, as a brother, but I will not miss his foul intentions against...us...that came from an evil heart. Go in peace."

Osman leant against his grandfather's side, and said to his cousin, "we must go back to the palace, Udom. We are safe nowhere, and here we are easily found. If my own brother can be brought to encompass our deaths, nowhere can shield us long. At least the palace is large - perhaps large enough to protect us until the other murderer is revealed."

Ian was holding a glass to Osman's lips, and the man drank it. Ian jerked his head at Dom and the others, and they all slipped out.

***

Later, in the blue salon, the air was tense with discord. Elijah and Dom wished to return to the palace; Ian and Wenham thought it not safe.

Dom slapped the arm of his chair, hard. "It is I who decide, no-one else! And I have decided that we should go."

Ian shook his head. He was not afraid of Dom, that was clear, however much authority he held over him. "Osman is not yet fit to travel. He will be much weakened by it."

Elijah spoke, then. He had not interfered in the discussion between Dom and his grandfather. David Wenham, of course, was not privy to why the doctor's opinions were held in such esteem by the prince - nor was he likely to find out. Some secrets were best kept close.

"Osman is afraid to remain here, Ian. Do you not think that he will gain some peace of mind being somewhere where he is not so much...on display?" A sitting target, I mean, but the old man will get the drift, Elijah thought.

Ian did understand, as he conceded the point. "Very well. We shall leave in the morning, whilst he is still rested from the night's sleep. I'm going to see to Boyd, now. It's a pity he exerted himself so much. His back is bad, Elijah, as you saw."

Elijah had sent Billy back to bed that morning, as he saw that the man was in so much pain. "And do not dare get out of it until I give you leave, Billy Boyd. Do you hear me?" His face had been solemn, but his eyes were smiling.

"Yes, my lord, I hear you," said Billy, resting his cheek on the pillows.


One carriage was not going to be enough. There were three wounded, although Elijah claimed he was fully fit again, Dom said flatly that he would in no wise permit him to ride a horse. Therefore, Elijah ordered David to requisition the general's wife's carriage, and see that it was well provided with pillows and blankets.

"Billy will be comfortable there, with Gafur to tend him," Elijah said, as Dom poured out a glass of wine for them both, "and you, Osman, Ian and myself can go in the larger carriage.

"Do you really think we all will be safer at the palace, than we are here?" Dom handed over the glass, and sat next to Elijah on the sofa. "It worries me..."

"Dom, none of us are safe anywhere, but I'd trust most of your servants to be loyal to you, and to your house. And we have no idea how many are involved in this plot. It may be only one or two, now that Rashman is dead. There were three men that he heard in the stable, Hill said, but that does not mean that there were not more present who did not speak, or that they have no-one else following their orders."

"No," Dom's face was etched with despair. "All I hope is that there are none on their side in the harem. My mother, my wives, my little Maimoona..."

Elijah took his hand. "Surely we would have heard if anything had come to them, Dom. Are you the only one who knows the secret entrance?"

Dom smiled. "Yes, indeed I am. Thank God for that - and you, now, of course. I must show it, one day, soon, to Udai, my son, so that he can use it. But this secret is usually passed down only from father to eldest son. If the father dies, and then the eldest son dies before he has decided to tell his son, the secret will be lost. I was young to have been shown - I was eight - but I was glad; because of it I was able to visit my mother whenever I liked, even when my father was about the kingdom doing what all kings must do."

Elijah heard the softness in Dom's voice and responded to it with a kiss, but his mind was elsewhere. He wondered if Dom's mother, the Dowager Maharani Aditi, had as much control over the harem as she thought she did.

Elijah hoped so, for the sake of the innocent souls hidden within its protected walls. After all, someone had left that door open for Billy. Was it someone inside, or outside the harem? Elijah had his suspicions, but, for now, he was keeping them to himself. He did not like to keep things from Dom - but, he thought, until he knew for certain, it was best.

***

The general, exuding an air of palpable relief, came out the next morning to wave them off. Osman lay on the forward seat, with Ian sitting next to him, and Dom and Elijah sat opposite him with an ease and comfort in each other's presence that was soon to intrigue Dom's cousin, sick though he still was. His grandfather who observed most things, smiled to himself.

Sergeant Hill and Captain Wenham rode behind the carriage, Elijah delighting both by ordering their presence. The general was not happy in losing to Elijah one of his finest officers, but there was nothing he could do. He had explicit instructions from the viceroy regarding the scope of Elijah's authority, and that scope was very large indeed.

Elijah's shoulder now only pained him slightly, and he took no more notice of it than he had of his knee when it had proved troublesome.

Osman was still weak. Ian had confided to Elijah and Dom, the night before, that it was a miracle the lad was still alive. "He must have the constitution of an ox to have survived it. I did not think he would, you know."

Elijah could see very well why Ian did not wish to endanger Osman's life any further, but still thought that the sick man would feel safer in the palace. "You may stay in my apartments," Elijah had said to Osman, before they set out. "Both you and Dom - all of us - will be safer there."

Osman had taken his hand. "Thank you," he had said, simply, but with emotion.

Elijah looked at him as he lay in the carriage, his eyes closed, his grandfather holding his hand, and hoped that he would survive the crisis surrounded by the presence - and by the attention - of his loved ones.

"Has he a wife?" Elijah whispered under the sound of the carriage wheels. Dom shook his head. "No - he prefers men, as do we," he whispered back. "But I do not think there is anyone special at the moment."

A gentle snore proved that Osman was, at least, not too uncomfortable to fall asleep, and that relieved all their minds. It was a longer journey by carriage than it was on horseback, and the driver had been ordered to drive steadily, and to avoid sudden jolts.

As the journey progressed, they had to stop several times for Osman, and no-one minded waiting as he recovered from each bout. "Not long, now, my Potaa-ji!" Ian had whispered in his grandson's ear. "Not long now, and you will be safely tucked up in bed."

Osman managed a weary smile, but said nothing.


Therefore, it was well into the afternoon before they arrived at the palace. The guards above the pass cheered wildly, waving their rifles in the air and chanting 'Udom Singh! Udom Singh! Osman Singh!' as the carriages drove through. None of the guard knew or cared whether Elijah was back or not. He was very glad for it to be so. He wanted no extra attention from anyone.

As the carriage drove up to the main door, Arjit and Basmin Singh came rushing down the steps, embracing Dom, and fussing over Osman. Neither spared a glance for Elijah until they were inside, and Osman was being carried gently upstairs by six hefty bearers.

"I am glad to see you recovered, my lord, from your, er...indisposition," Basmin said as they followed the others up the stairs into Elijah's apartments.

"Lay him on that large sofa, there," Ian ordered. "We shall move him when he feels a little more recovered. He needs rest, now. We all do," he said, looking pointedly at Dom, the only person present able to order his uncle and cousin out of the room.

Arjit and Basmin were not men of slow intellect. They bowed themselves out after receiving Dom's whispered promise to come later to hear about Rashman, and to tell them all that had taken place.

"I want no-one - no-one to know in which chamber any of you resides. No servant will be allowed to enter - not even Gafur, or Billy; torture can open a mouth - until you are all up and bathed. That way," Ian said, catching Elijah's eye, "we can keep them guessing. How many rooms are in this apartment?"

"Eight, not including the bathroom," Dom said, surprising Elijah. "Four bedrooms, three salons and one study."

Elijah grinned. "Then there are enough rooms for Ian to stay here, too," he offered. "You will be near Osman, and safer than in...' he was going to say 'the infirmary', but remembered that Rashman had died there. "...in other places. We can send for anything you may need."

"A very sensible idea. Ah! Here comes Billy, with Gafur! How is your back, dear boy?" he asked before Elijah could get in a word to his servant. Ian was ever the doctor.

"It's sore, but I'm fair, thank you, doctor. Weeping a little, though."

Ian dragged him off, protesting, to bathe his injuries, whilst Gafur called for the servants to make up all the beds in the suite.

After they had put Osman in a comfortable bed, and Elijah had dismissed Boyd to rest, Dom and Elijah took Ian off to look more closely at The Cupboard. "Best keep it bolted, Dom," Ian advised. "I can see two hefty bolts there. If anyone tries to get in, you'll hear them rattling."

"I hope you do not intend to spend your nights in there," Elijah said, his colour a little heightened.

Dom, however, blushed a rosy red. "No," he said, averting his eyes. "I think I will be more comfortable in here, with you." He closed the panel, and then smiled at Elijah. "But the bed will still be made up fr me in one of the other rooms. I shall have to rumple the sheets a little in the morning so that the servants are not made aware that I have not slept there."

Dom decided to go down to hear about Rashman, and to tell his uncle and cousin what had happened to him - with such modifications as he and Elijah had agreed upon. No mention of Dom being with Elijah, or the Pathans, was to be made. That Elijah had been with the Pathans was known, but nothing of Dom had been said concerning them. He had been found by other hill dwellers, in a lonely spot, and stayed with them for a few days until his arm was easier to deal with.

No mention, either, was there to be of Sergeant Hill or Corporal Smithson before they had come with David Wenham to take Elijah to the palace. In fact, they had been hard put to manufacture a story to cover all the time he had been absent.

Dom returned to the apartments for dinner, exhausted from lying - particularly over his assumed sorrow at Rashman's death - and by the questions asked him by his uncle and cousin. But he knew what to do when they became too insistent. He took refuge in his kingship, cut them short, and glowered at them, and they soon turned the topic to something less dangerous.


***

"I do not think it is going to be easy, Lij; we shall have to be vigilant," Dom said, later, in bed. He was still nervous, Elijah thought. He had twice checked that the door was locked before retiring.

Elijah decided to take Dom's mind off their present predicament - and he knew how to do it.

He smiled, and undid the fastenings of Dom's fair hair, and buried his face in its silk-like folds.

“Vigilant is a very wise state in which to be, I’ve always found,” he breathed against Dom’s neck, “a man should be ready at all times to deal with whatever life brings.” His hand travelled downwards to stroke Dom’s taut belly.

Dom’s breath hitched. “I think…no, I know, that right now, I am most definitely ready.”

Elijah’s hand travelled further and grasped a very convincing piece of evidence. “Oh yes, I can see that you most definitely are…”

Comments

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

Ha! Well, I had that all wrong. Gafur had a good reason for what he did, and Rashman Singh was the scoundrel.

Poor Billy and Osman, still feeling so badly.

The angst has heightened! What will happen next now that they are back safe and unsound in the palace? :)

Thanks to you and LSR, once again. I am enjoying this tale and will take what I can get, when I can get it.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks friend. I'm very glad you're enjoying it. Between you n me, so am I!

I like angst, me, as long as it all ends happily, of course! :D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

"He smiled, and undid the fastenings of Dom's fair hair, and buried his face in its silk-like folds." You know I am such a mushpot for sensory passion and ending this way just made me feel such love for these two. What incredible and erotic imagery. It is so telling on how they have grown together, Elijah sensing Dom's turmoil and thinking nothing else but giving comfort. From where he came from to this point, it is blissful knowing Elijah is finding his mate.
This was such a great chapter...I think I say that every time but every time it is fantastic. Gafur, bless him, preparing himself to die and giving himself into it for what he felt he had to do but accepting the gravity of what he did. I loved how Osman was outraged and Ian held his grandson back. They dynamnics were wonderful. Ian is ever the watchful for his grandsons. It was brilliant when Elijah made sure Ian was also protected in the apartments with them.
So much deceipt and there is more. I have a strong feeling of dislike for reasons I am not sure of for some. I was glad for the mercy given Gafur (as Elijah was) by Osman and Udom.
The harem, oh that is a sad existence to me. I can't imagine living a life so sheltered you know nothing of the outer world. Imagining if Dom died, the innocent souls would be forgotten inside that place. Who would leave that door open and obviously they know.
I love this so much. Hugs you close my Ru and LSR. You both keep it coming and I am thankful today for you both and for this little escape from realities in life. xoxoooxxo v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, a hashkeh! The harem is the best place for them all, just now! Keep your eye on this space, is all I'll say.

It does help to have somewhere to lose oneself every now and then, doesn't it? Huggles you tight. ;D xxxx

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that Gafur was believed and they didn't punish him. But I'm still worried for all of them. There's still at least one more person who'd kill them all.

Please tell LSR I hope she'll be feeling better soon, poor dear.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I will certainly let the lady know that, my love. Hope you're not so achey today. It's damp here, and damp does not help bones and sinews, does it? :D

There are murderers about, indeed. Nasty pieces of work. Shudder. :D xxx

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

So Rashman was behind it all, the scoundrel! I'm glad Osman spared Gafur's life. He was protecting and defending the royal house, as he should.

I wonder how far the treachery goes and who else is part of it. There is at least one other but there were other voices overheard in the stables. I'm sure all will be revealed in time. :)

Love to you and to LSR.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

There be traitors here! Nasty, evil folks. And you're right - all will be revealed, in time! :D Hugs xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

I wondered if that was why Gafur did what he did... Glad the Boyz found a way to take their minds off the treachery at the end of the chapter ;0)

Looking forward to the next exciting installment and thank you both very much for this one!

Sorry LSR is still suffering and hope she starts to pick up soon.

(((((huggles))))
XXXX

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you, my love. I'll let her know later. I hope you've recovered too. We were at Tesco's until late - Nick wanted to go. Quelle Horreur! I'll ring later, if you're in. Hugses. xxxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

I am recovering, thanks! That fall was something I could have done without, but there ya go, as they say... :-/

Tesco's... *quelle horreur* indeed! 0_0

I should be in all day, taking it easy after having to go out yesterday. Must make some time to rest the old achey bits!
((((hugses back))))
XXXX

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

Watch out, watch out, there're traitors about! I have a feeling that this could be the most dangerous time of all-- they've stepped into a veritable snake-pit, for treachery doth abound at the palace. Here's hoping that with constant vigilance, clear-thinking and a whole lotta love, our boys will prevail. And oooh, that bit at the end.

*g*

:D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yes, a veritable melting-pot of intrigue. But, then, they aren't safe anywhere, poor lads. Glad you liked it, hon. Hugs :D xxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/tweedle_/]

Poor lsr! Still being poorly. I do hope she is better soon.

I'm glad I accidently saved these two parts to read togther. I'm much happier that they are in the relative safety of the palace. So who is pulling the strings! Someone in the harem and someone outside it? We shall see! Great action packed chapters and Dom and Elijah are so good together in every way possible. :D XXOO

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I think they go well together, too. Bless them both. They'll be safe, in the end, she cackles, evilly! ;D xxx

[forestrane.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad Gafur wasn't a traitor!

Great chapter! Thanks

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you muchly. It's nice to please folks! ;D xxx

[choclatina40.livejournal.com]

I'm glad one of the conspiritors has been disposed of, "nice work Gafur". I'm glad the boys are back within the palace, I'm hoping they will be safer, and everyone can complete their healing. Sending my best wishes to LSR , hope she's tip top again very soon. Another great chapter Issi :D !!!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's a complicated plot - but that's how I like it. It doesn't work itself out properly - even for me - until the end! ;D xxx