"We can talk while we go there, about anything," Kumar continued. "I have never really told you the full story of my life, but I'll answer all your questions this time."
Rahul looked interested and curious now. He slowly nodded.
Kumar hugged him again, hoping the bond created on the journey would help his son to go back to his former self.
***
Months flew by as Kumar and Rahul traveled north through Lakeshi, Amrendra and Gallian territory until they reached the Varian Kingdom and the blossoming city of Havenstock. A square stone keep surrounded by timber houses and timber walls welcomed them with the red, yellow and orange of the fall. The weather was cooler than back home, and they knew they needed to go back before snow came or they'd have to spend the long cold winter there.
Rahul was delighted to speak his mother's tongue and curious to meet some relatives, so he asked questions left and right trying to locate the family of an Isabella that had moved south. Then Kumar remembered Matteo, Bella's musician, who had gone back north, dejected, but probably still alive and told Rahul to ask about him. Matteo could send them to Bella's family without having to look further blindly.
Apparently Matteo had made a name for himself as a wandering minstrel, then he had settled and got married. His son played the lute even better than he and still graced the Varian court. His name was also Matteo, so Kumar and Rahul were sent to him, as people thought he was the one they were looking for.
Matteo Jr. was twenty and loved music above all. He was surprised to receive the visit from two foreigners, as he didn't think his name had gone that far beyond the Varian border. He confirmed to be Matteo's son and told them his father had passed away a couple of years earlier. Then he asked who they were and where they came from.
"Rajendra." Rahul said.
"Rajendra? That's where Bella is!"
"You know Bella?"
Matteo became dreamy. "She was my father's one and only love, but no, I've never met her," he said with melancholy. "But he told me about her and how he had to give her up." He looked at both of them, intrigued. "Is she still at the Rajendra royal court?"
"No, she passed away too, but I'm her son," Rahul answered. "And this is my father, Kumar."
"King Kumar?" Matteo looked excited.
Kumar understood enough to smile and shake his head as Rahul explained, "He abdicated in favor of my half-brother Tarun when the queen died."
Matteo looked admired. "And what were you looking for in Havenstock?"
"My mother's family. Or your father."
"Oh. Well, I don't think there's anyone left. But tell me, can you dance?" He stared at Rahul with a gleam in his eyes and a bright smile.
"Of course..."
Kumar felt relieved watching the friendship of the two young men grow through the music they both loved, albeit in different ways. So when they headed back to Rajendra, Matteo went with them. He had no family left, nor a lover or prospective wife, but he was curious to hear the southern rhythms and melodies.
Rahul was back to his sunny self, and when they crossed the border and found themselves in Rajendra a few days ride from Argantael, he admitted he had missed Anjali. Kumar smiled, elated. The nightmare was over and he could now rest with Bella and Indira while his sons lived on.
The long journey to a cold country had ruined his health, but he didn't mind. As he watched the partnership between Rahul and Matteo grow, he slowly retreated from their lives and retired to his apartment.
Tarun visited him daily, so he was the one who found him asleep and couldn't wake him up. The gene of obsession he might have passed onto his sons through his diluted Fajrulo blood remained dormant as Tarun and Rahul shed tears for his demise. But both Bella and Indira were adamant. The boys would be all right.
The courtesan's son
"Are you new?"
Rohan stopped to look at the young man about his age who was staring defiantly at him. Rich clothes, why was he roaming the streets of Agharek instead of sticking to his palace?
"I moved back here a few days ago," he answered wary.
"Where did you live?"
"Does it matter?"
"Yes."
Of course, the rebellious nomad tribes weren't really welcome at the former capital of Akkora anymore. "I lived in Akulina for ten years," he said, averting his eyes and wishing the questions would stop.
"I've been there once." The hostility dropped from the other's voice. "Nice place."
"I think Agharek is better. I was born here."
"So was I." The other smiled and offered his hand. "My name is Nihar."
"Rohan." He clasped that hand, a little puzzled at the friendship offer from a total stranger.
"So, where do you live now?" Nihar asked.
"Madam Jaya's."
"A brothel?"
"My mother couldn't afford anything better and I don't have a real job yet."
"Careful Madam Jaya doesn't put you on sale," Nihar grinned. "There's plenty of perverts in this town and you're quite good looking!"
"Is this the reason why you stopped me?" Rohan asked with a frown.
Nihar laughed. "Gods, no! I like women. And I don't like having a rival on my territory."
"So where is your territory, my lord, so I can stay away from it?"
"The whole town is my territory, Rohan. I'm the son of Lord Ruchir and he obeys only Mohan of Akkora! But worry not, I don't think you're a rival. That's why I had to check you out, though."
"And are you satisfied? I'm a courtesan's son, how could I compete with you?"
"You're very naive for a courtesan's son. I like you, Rohan. Welcome back to Agharek."
Rohan nodded a thank you, still puzzled by the encounter.
***
Rohan was practicing his instrument – he was supposed to go with one of the dancers to a palace that night – when he heard a voice calling him from the courtyard.
"Anybody home?"
It sounded like Nihar. Surprised, Rohan went to the window and looked down. It was indeed the young lord who waved with a bright smile.
"Hello! May I come up?"
"Uh... sure!" Rohan looked around the first floor room he shared with his mother. What a mess. No time to fix it anyway.
Nihar must have taken the stairs two by two, as he reached the room panting and grinning as if he had conquered the most unreachable maiden.
"To what do I owe this surprise visit?" Rohan asked, letting the rich visitor in.
"Sorry, I improvised."
Or maybe he didn't think he should announce his visit to a commoner.
Rohan shrugged. "Take a seat. If you can find a place."
"Don't worry, you haven't seen my room!" Nihar chuckled. "I allow servants in it only once a month and as soon as they're gone, I mess it up again. Keeps out my father, who hates me for it!"
Rohan smiled against his will. Maybe Nihar wasn't the usual young lord after all.
"Why did you come here?" he asked, curious and unable to guess what the visitor was up to.
"I was bored. Thought of you." Nihar slumped down on the carpet with a shrug. "Do you want to be my friend?" He was serious now.
Rohan stared at him, unsure of what to say and stunned by the suggestion. "What will your father say?" he asked at last.
"I don't care what he says," Nihar replied haughtily.
"So you're doing it to spite him?"
"I'm doing it because I feel like it. If you think it's easy being Lord Ruchir's son, you're sorely mistaken. I'm not one of those wealthy bastards who throw coins at you."
"I can see that," Rohan smiled. "I'm sorry, I'm not used to receiving friendship requests, from anyone. Neither nobles nor commoners like to deal with a courtesan's son."
"Most people are stupid and blind and full of shit," Nihar declared.
Rohan wondered if the swearing was for him or to be different from the other lords. Except he didn't swear at all and was always well-mannered.
"I'm sure you're better
than many of them," Nihar continued, frowning.
Rohan was about to reply when he heard his mother calling him from downstairs. He apologized to his guest with a quick glance and went to the window again. "Yes, mother?"
"Come and give me a hand." She had gone to the market and had bought both clothes and food.
Rohan apologized again to his guest and rushed down the stairs to unburden his mother.
"Did you really need to buy all that stuff?" he complained entering their room with his arms full of bundles and parcels.
"Yes, honey, some for you, some for me," she said ruffling his short dark hair.
He snorted, putting down the purchases, and noticed Nihar was on his feet again.
"Greetings, my lady," the young noble said with a bow.
"Mother, this is Nihar, Lord Ruchir's son."
"Nice meeting you. Sorry for the mess but I haven't settled back in yet." She turned to her son. "Have you finished your practice, honey?"
"Yes, mother, do you want to try me?"
"You play for your mother's performances?" Nihar asked, admiringly.
"Or any of the other girls. It's only traditional dances and music," Rohan answered. "I'm going with Pooja at Lord Yasharan's tonight."
"Then I shall let you practice. I'll see you tomorrow. Good-bye, my lady."
"I'm not a lady," the courtesan smiled. "I'm not married, yet I have a son." She pulled Rohan close. "And I work here, or wherever they request me."
"You're my friend's mother, therefore I shall address you like a lady."
"Or you can call me Deepika. I was a lower class prostitute for the past ten years anyway."
Nihar smiled and bowed again, leaving.
"What a strange new friend you have, honey," she said staring at her son.
Rohan smiled. "Don't tell me! Do you think he's using me for something?"
"And what could he want from you that he doesn't already have?" She chuckled. "I'm glad we came back, Rohan. I have my friends again, you're making new ones... I won't miss Akulina. Will you?"
"No." They both sat on the carpet and his mother gave him the new clothes. "Are you trying to make me look like a prince? Nihar might withdraw his friendship if I become a rival!"
"You are a prince, honey," she said tenderly. "We shall have a new life. You will be protected by a nobleman and I will see old customers again... you'll see, you'll find the friend you have always been looking for."
"Maybe." He sighed. "Maybe Nihar won't last. Maybe his father will forbid him to see me, or maybe he'll find another game."
"Maybe I should have sent you to the House of Children, you'd have found friends there."
"Oh, no!" He hugged her. "I'm so happy to be with you! I was never ashamed of being your son. I love you, Mother."
"I love you too, Rohan..."
***
"I think your mother is a beautiful person," Nihar said as he sat with Rohan on the river shore, giving their backs to the busy town of Agharek.
"I know. Most people don't get it, though."
"Those people label a person with his or her profession. Don’t they label you as well, only because you’re her son?"
"Yes. You’re the first who went beyond that label."
"I pride myself on being an expert on Humans," Nihar grinned, then frowned again. "You know, you don't look like her, though."
"Maybe I look like my father," Rohan shrugged.
"Do you know who he is?"
"No."
"Sometimes I wish I didn't know my father," Nihar grumbled. "Anyway, I'm having an informal party tonight, will you come?"
"To Lord Ruchir's palace?" Rohan was puzzled.
"Yes, that’s where I live. My parents will be at Prince Mohan's banquet, so I’m free to invite whoever I want. Don't need to bring a working girl to entertain my friends, don’t worry. Or are you on duty somewhere?"
"No... no, I'm free tonight. I'll be happy to come."
Rohan was glad his mother had bought him new clothes now that he had been invited to a palace as a guest. Deepika helped him to wear his new tunic with colored sash and even put a brooch on his turban.
"You're gorgeous," she declared as he twirled around to allow her to check him.
"We'll see if Nihar starts hating me," he chuckled. "I better go, or I'll be late."
"Have fun." She hugged him. "Tomorrow we shall visit the temple to thank the Gods and pray for our new life."
He kissed her goodnight and went to his friend's palace. He had never seen such a luxurious place. He had forgotten Agharek had been a capital for over two centuries. Now that the Kingdom of Akkora was split among the tribes, most of which were nomads, there weren't many real palaces left even in the few southern towns.
Rohan thought Lord Ruchir must be a prince who still owned a town palace. The guests were all young, as they were Nihar's guests, and included many elite and quite a few commoners.
"Do you want to see my room?" Nihar grabbed Rohan's arm with a mischievous smile. "My guests know how to enjoy themselves even without me. Come."
Rohan followed him up a marble staircase and through a stately corridor to a room that was bigger that the brothel's main room, but was more disorderly than his humble abode: clothes were everywhere along with scrolls and parchments. The bed was unmade and on the lone table there were remnants of food from either snacks or meals.
"I can't believe it!" Rohan laughed aloud.
"I told you, I'm messier than you and your mother together," Nihar replied beaming with pride. "That's why I love your place. This house is so pompous that I despise it."
"I think it's beautiful."
"Because you haven't lived here for eighteen years. By the way, how old are you?"
"Seventeen."
"I'd have said sixteen, so I was close. I tried to run away once, but my father brought me back. I'm stuck in this gilded cage!"
"Where did you go?"
"I hid in the slums for a few days."
"Your parents must have been worried."
"Yeah, that I sully the family name! You know, Rohan, not everyone has the wonderful relationship you have with your mother. We wealthy youngsters often have problems, especially with our fathers. But let's go back downstairs, it's time to dance!"
Going back to the great hall they found most of the guests were gone. Lord Ruchir and Lady Nira had come back earlier than expected and were throwing out everybody they didn't know personally.
"Hey, they're my guests!" Nihar protested.
"Shut up!" His father glared at him. "Where were you? And who's that boy?"
"My name is Rohan, my lord."
"Who? Get out of here, you rascal, I bet you came to steal!"
"What are you talking about, Father? Rohan is my best friend!"
"You know what I think of your friends, don't you?"
"Oh, shit!" Nihar looked really upset and his father furious.
"Nihar!" Lady Nira protested at the foul language.
"Everybody out!" Lord Ruchir ordered. "My apologies to my noble friends, but this was an unauthorized gathering. Nihar should have asked me before inviting you."
"Nihar." Rohan touched his friend's shoulder. "I'm leaving. Thanks for everything."
"I'm coming with you." Nihar ground his teeth with a scowl. "Let's go."
"Nihar!" Lord Ruchir called. "Nihar, get back here right now!"
Nihar rushed out of the palace, forcing Rohan to run after him. Nihar screamed in frustration under the stars and kicked a pebble out of his way.
"Calm down." Rohan grabbed his arm, forcing him to slow down. Nihar stopped only when his father's palace wasn't in sight anymore.
"I'm sorry!" He exploded again. "They always ruin everything! My friends will think that my parents..." Nihar hid his face in his hands, sobbing with frustrated humiliation.
Rohan hesitated, than put a hand on his shoulder. "It's all right." He tried to be soothing. "Nobody will think ill of you. We all know we are our parents' property, nobody
will blame you."
"You don't know them," Nihar replied shaking his head and wiping away his tears. "The rich ones are the worst! Why do you think I can't find a real friend among them? They'll destroy me with words!"
"And do you care? They're not your friends, so why bother?"
Nihar sniffled and calmed down completely. "You're right, what do I care? Thank you, Rohan."
"No problem." Rohan patted his shoulder. "Go home now."
"No." Nihar averted his eyes. "I don't want to go back now. I think I'll sleep out. Won't be the first time, don't worry."
Rohan nodded but wasn't convinced Nihar could sleep in the open. The streets weren't safe at night. Thus, as Nihar walked with him to the brothel, he decided to do something about it. "Come in," he said opening the big wooden door. "You can share my bed tonight."
Nihar hesitated, then followed him to the room. It was earlier than expected and Deepika hadn't come back yet.
Rohan and Nihar lay side by side and switched off the oil lamp.
"You know, I think in spite of your conditions you're a thousand times happier than I," Nihar said in the quiet of the night. "You have a wonderful mother, a sort of job and you're free to be what you want. I, conversely... I'm always rebelling, or bored and do a lot of stupid things only to kill time. I can't talk to my parents, don't have real friends..."
"Me neither," Rohan said. "Nobody wants to be a friend with a courtesan's son."
"You're not ashamed of it."
"Why should I be ashamed? My mother is wonderful, you said so yourself. I don't care if she has a profession everybody despises, she loves me and cares for me and that's all I ask. Tomorrow we're going together to the temple, would you like to come with us?"
"Yes. Thank you, Rohan."
***
It was Nihar's birthday and this time the party was official – under the supervision of Lord Ruchir, of course. Except it was so crowded that Nihar's father hadn't managed to check each and every guest.
Again Rohan wore his best clothes, looking almost as good as any other guest – no, better, according to his mother and Nihar, who was very happy to see him.
"As you can see my parents invited only rich bastards this time," Nihar grumbled.
Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition) Page 21