The Road Back

by Liz Harris

  ‘Next bit very hard,’ Kalden told her, sitting down next to her. ‘We go very slow.’

  ‘I don’t think we need to stop until we reach the bottom, do we? There can’t be much further to go,’ the Major said, looking restlessly around. ‘You heard my daughter, Kalden; she’s finding it all quite easy. I think we can continue.’ He stepped over Patricia and Kalden’s legs, and started down the last part of the scree-covered track.

  ‘Major-le!’ Kalden cried out. He jumped up and rushed after the Major, who’d increased his speed and was disappearing round a bend. Patricia scrambled to her feet and hurried after them. Hearing her footsteps behind him, Kalden stopped and turned round.

  ‘You go slow, Patricia-le,’ he told her. ‘Many stones on track. If go slow, not get hurt. Me go Major-le.’ And he went on ahead, glancing anxiously back at her with every step that he took, and twice going back to help her over a rough spot.

  As they rounded the bend, they saw that the Major had paused just before the bottom of the path, which stopped slightly short of the water’s edge, and was taking stock of his surroundings. The river was swollen and flowing at a great speed through the ravine. To the right of him, the hanging bridge was swaying a few feet above the white-tipped crests of the water. Running parallel with the bridge, linking one side of the river to the other, was a row of large boulders which protruded from the water like a broken chain of stepping stones.

  ‘The water’s quite high – presumably because of the melted snow coming down from the mountains,’ the Major called up to them. He shaded his eyes with his hand and stared across the water to the far bank. ‘I see no reason, however, why we shouldn’t bypass the bridge and cross to the other side by stepping from one rock to another. More of an adventure. The rocks are large enough and are clear of the water.’

  ‘Not cross river on stones!’ Kalden cried. He started to run down the path. ‘Bridge good. Stones not good.’

  ‘Nonsense,’ the Major called, walking forward. ‘It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve used such a means to cross a river.’

  ‘Bridge good, Major-le. But stones not good.’

  The Major gave a short final jump and landed on the stony ground at the foot of the path. Kalden’s voice was lost in the loud rattle of the scree that began to slide noisily down the track after the Major.

  Patricia started to run. The pebbles beneath her feet began to move and she cried out in alarm. Clattering loudly, the pebbles picked up speed as they slithered down the slope. Her arms flailing, she struggled to stop herself from falling backwards. Kalden spun round, ran the short distance back up the slope and grabbed her by the wrists to steady her. Holding her firmly, he pulled her to the side of the mountain and hugged her to his chest as the ground moved beneath their feet.

  The pebbles came to a stop, and they pulled apart, their self-consciousness instantly lost in their concern for the Major. Kalden tightly gripped Patricia’s hand and led her carefully down the track. The eyes of both of them were on the Major, who’d gone over to a pile of boulders clustered at the water’s edge and was climbing on to the rock closest to him. He stood on the rock and faced the line of boulders stretching across the river.

  ‘We come, Major-le. Not move.’

  ‘You’re wrong if you think we’d fall off the rocks, Kalden,’ the Major shouted above the roar of the water. ‘If they’re all like the one I’m standing on, we’ll certainly be able to give the bridge a miss. Don’t you agree, Patricia?’

  He turned to look at his daughter with a confident smile, stepped on a patch of wet weed, and slipped. Giving a startled cry as he lost his balance, he fell from the rock and crashed heavily on to the hard ground at the water’s edge.

  ‘Father!’ Patricia screamed.

  Kalden dropped her hand and sped down the rest of the track and across the stones to the Major. Patricia went after him as quickly as she could, her heart thumping and her eyes smarting in the cold wind.

  ‘Are you alright, Father?’ she cried, reaching him and kneeling down beside Kalden.

  ‘Don’t fuss so, Patricia,’ he said irritably, struggling to sit up. ‘Damned silly thing to do. Help me up, Kalden, there’s a good chap.’ He put his arm up and Kalden took it. Patricia leaned forward and took his other arm.

  ‘We take Major bottom of path,’ Kalden said, and they helped the Major into a position from which he could stand.

  With their support, he put his left foot squarely on the ground and eased himself up. Then he put some weight on to his right foot. Crying out in sudden pain, he lifted his right foot off the ground and clung tightly to Kalden and Patricia, staring down at the ground in front of him, breathing heavily, his face creased in agony.

  ‘We help, Major-le,’ Kalden said gently. ‘You hurt.’ He eased the Major’s arm around his shoulder and Patricia did the same to his other arm. Together they half carried him to a large rock at the foot of the slope, and helped him to sit down.

  ‘Well, that was unexpected,’ the Major said when he’d recovered his breath. ‘I’m sorry, Kalden. My fault. I should have listened to you. You were in command.’

  ‘Think you not able to walk, Major-le,’ Kalden said flatly.

  ‘I’m sure I will be. I’ll try again. Move back and let me stand.’ He raised himself from the rock, gave an involuntary cry of pain and immediately fell back. ‘I fear you’re right,’ he gasped. ‘Damned foot seems to have taken a bit of a knock. Bloody nuisance.’ Breathing heavily, he leaned forward and manipulated his foot. ‘Well, it’s not broken,’ he said straightening up, his face ashen. ‘It’s just a sprain. But I regret I’m going to require assistance to get back to the top.’

  ‘Me help. Me strong,’ Kalden said.

  ‘And I’ll help, too,’ Patricia added. ‘What’s it best for me to do, Kalden?’

  ‘Best behind Major-le.’

  ‘If you give me your arm, Kalden, that’d be a start. Good man.’ The Major took Kalden’s arm and pulled himself up, leaning against Kalden. Patricia took her father’s rucksack from him and placed herself behind him, ready to steady him if he looked like falling. Very slowly, they made their way up the track, with Kalden half carrying the Major, who was in visible agony.

  ‘Much time before sun go behind mountains,’ Kalden said, wiping his forehead with his arm as they reached the ledge half way up the path. He leaned back against the rocky wall, the Major next to him. ‘We not worry, Major-le.’

  Finally, after a number of short breaks to help the Major, who was clearly in distress, they reached the top of the slope. Kalden went first through the gap between the crags, then he leaned down to help pull the Major up after him. His face contorted with pain, the Major had to put his injured foot on to the rock more than once before he was safely on level ground.

  ‘I’ll be all right, Kalden,’ Patricia called up to him. ‘You help Father.’ And she grasped the roots of a bush that was overhanging the path and pulled herself up on to the ridge.

  Although their trek back across the plateau was easier than the climb up the steep slope, they made slow progress and the sun had already begun its descent behind the distant summits by the time they were close enough to the village for Kalden to leave them. Assuring them that he’d be back as quickly as possible, he ran off to get a pony on which the Major could complete the rest of the journey.

  ‘I’m sorry about being such a fool, Patricia,’ the Major said gruffly as they sat next to each other on a small boulder, waiting for Kalden to return.

  ‘You just concentrate on getting that foot better, Father,’ she said. ‘Don’t think about anything else.’

  The face that he turned to her was weary with pain and exertion. ‘I was pig-headed and stubborn, and you must know that I realise that I am entirely at fault. The pain I am in is a just punishment.’ He paused for a moment, and she opened her mouth to speak. ‘No, Patricia,’ he said quietly. ‘Let me say what I want to say. I know that I am not always … easy, for want of a better word.
You’re a good girl, and I appreciate that. If I haven’t always made that clear … well, that is to my discredit.’

  ‘Thank you, Father,’ she said. ‘That means a lot to me.’

  The sound of hooves broke into the still of the late afternoon, and they saw Kalden returning on a pony. Together with Patricia, he helped the Major into a sitting position on the back of the pony with his right foot hanging down alongside the stirrup, and they started to make their way back to the village, one on either side of the Major.

  The sun was disappearing behind the dark peaks, bathing the ground in a deep orange light, by the time they reached the short path that led to the post house. Kalden raised his arm to help the Major get down from the pony without putting his injured foot on the ground.

  ‘I’m sorry about this, Patricia,’ the Major said, leaning back against the flank of the pony, sweating with exertion, ‘but Kalden will have to show you around until I’m fit enough to come out with you both again. I shall need to rest my foot for at least a couple of days.’

  With one hand on the pony’s rein and the other under the Major’s elbow, Kalden glanced at Patricia across the back of the pony. She met his gaze and she saw the fatigue in his dark brown eyes disappear in the sudden fire that flared up in their depths. Her heart pounded.

  The sun faded from sight and darkness fell.

  Chapter Eleven

  Patricia stared in concern as Wangyal led the village amchi across the room to the Major, whose face was pale and drawn as he sat in the large chair in the downstairs room of the post house, his right foot resting on a blanket that had been folded into a small square and placed on the low table under his foot. The candle that burnt on the table threw dark shadows into the corners of the room.

  Chanting under his breath, the amchi bent over the Major’s foot.

  ‘I think we should take Father to Leh – obviously not this evening, but tomorrow morning,’ Patricia told Kalden, who was standing next to Wangyal. ‘There’s bound to be a hospital there. After all, it’s the capital.’

  ‘Amchi good man; he know what to do.’ Kalden gave her a reassuring smile. ‘He good amchi. His father good amchi. His grandfather good amchi. He make Major foot well. You see, Patricia-le.’

  ‘I do hope you’re right,’ she said, biting her lip. ‘We’re only here for a short time. It’d be awful if Father had to remain in the post house for most of our stay – there were so many places we wanted to go to.’

  ‘Foot be good soon,’ Kalden said firmly.

  The amchi picked up her father’s wrist, held it for a moment, then put it down and did the same with the other wrist. The light was dim and Patricia moved closer to the Major to get a better view of what the amchi was doing. He gestured for the Major to open his mouth, then he studied his tongue, and looked into each of the Major’s eyes, one after the other.

  ‘My father’s only sprained his ankle,’ she said. ‘Why’s he looking at his tongue and eyes?’

  ‘Amchi know what to do,’ Kalden repeated. ‘Not worry, Patricia-le. You see.’

  The amchi picked up his goatskin bag and took out a bunch of herbs, a bowl, a short piece of wood and some small pots. Then he crouched down and started to grind the herbs with a little water and some black powder from one of the small pots, all the time chanting what Patricia supposed was a mantra.

  Then he stood up, leaned over the Major’s leg and spread the greenish-brown paste over his bare foot. Finally, he covered the Major’s foot with a cloth, stepped back and said something to Kalden in Ladahki. Kalden nodded.

  ‘Ju-le,’ Kalden said. He turned to Patricia and beamed at her. ‘Major foot better soon. But he not walk for many days.’

  The amchi said a few more words to Kalden, who looked at the Major in sudden amusement. Patricia stared questioningly at him.

  ‘Amchi give mantra for you to chant, Major-le.’ Kalden laughed. ‘I tell you mantra. You chant it. You get better very quick.’ The Major and Patricia both smiled.

  The Major turned to the amchi and cleared his throat. ‘Zumo kangp-e nanga gyal rak,’ he began. ‘T’uk-je-che.’ He leaned forward slightly to bring Kalden into his line of vision. ‘I’ve tried to tell the amchi that the pain in my foot already feels better, Kalden, and to thank him for his help. If I have made a mistake in the words that I’ve used, perhaps you would make sure that the amchi knows how grateful I am to him. It was very kind of him to come so quickly. Do thank Wangyal, too, for his help, there’s a good man.’

  Kalden conveyed the Major’s message to the amchi, who smiled broadly at the Major, then gathered his belongings and went out of the house accompanied by Wangyal.

  ‘What a relief to know that you’ll be up and about in a day or two, Father.’

  A spasm of pain crossed the Major’s face as he tried to move his injured foot. ‘I fear it may be a little longer than that. But you’re not to sit around the house, waiting for my foot to be better. No, you must go out and explore the area. Take photographs of everywhere you go. We’ll have them developed back in England, and then you can show me what you’ve seen.’

  Patricia opened her mouth to protest, but the Major held up his hand to stop her. ‘I insist upon it. Kalden can start showing you the cultural highlights in the immediate vicinity. I saw them the last time I was here. I don’t need to see them again. By the time that you’ve seen everything there is to see locally, I shall be fighting fit and ready to join you in some trips that will take us further afield.’

  ‘But I can’t leave you by yourself all day long. Suppose you need something.’

  ‘Those are my wishes, Patricia. And I won’t be completely by myself – Wangyal won’t be far away. Now, have I been understood?’

  ‘Yes, Father. Thank you very much. It’s very kind of you.’

  ‘Nonsense, girl! This lamentable situation is entirely my own fault. It’s not a matter of kindness at all. Why should you suffer because I acted in a foolhardy manner?’

  ‘Nevertheless, I think it’s very generous of you to be willing to stay alone for most of the day, Wangyal or not. But I’m still worried about how you’ll manage when I’m out. You mustn’t put any weight on your foot until it’s absolutely ready.’

  ‘I’m well aware of that, thank you, Patricia. Kalden, perhaps you would ask Wangyal if his wife would like to help me out over the next few days. Of course, she and Wangyal will be recompensed for any extra work they undertake.’

  ‘Recompensed? Me not … I not understand word, Major-le.’

  ‘Recompensed means rewarded, given some money.’

  ‘Money not needed. Wangyal and wife be happy to help.’

  ‘Then all is satisfactorily settled. Now you may both help me upstairs. It’s late and I feel in need of rest. I shall partake of my meal upstairs.’

  The Major held out his arm to Kalden. Patricia hurried to the other side of her father and together they manoeuvred him to the foot of the narrow wooden stairs. Then she stood back and let Kalden take the Major slowly up the stairs and help him to get ready for bed.

  ‘Thank you for all of your help today and for bringing the amchi to Father so quickly,’ she said when Kalden had come back down again and she was walking with him to the front door. ‘I couldn’t have managed without you.’

  ‘I sorry Major-le hurt. I pleased to help.’

  ‘Well, thank you, anyway,’ she repeated, and she opened the front door. ‘Oh, look at the sky!’ she exclaimed, and she flung the door wide open and stepped out of the house. ‘It’s so black that every single star stands out like a diamond. In London, there are always lights on somewhere or other so there’s a yellowish glow in the sky every night. But here, you’re aware that you’re on a planet hurtling through space. It’s quite frightening, feeling so little under such a big black emptiness.’

  ‘I not understand.’

  She laughed and looked across at him. ‘I’m sorry, Kalden. I haven’t a clue how to explain what I mean. You’re used to this,’ she said, pointing
to the sky. ‘I’m not. All I’m trying to say is that the night sky in Ladakh is beautiful.’

  ‘I glad you like,’ he smiled. ‘Me, too. I like.’ He looked up at the sky.

  She followed the line of his upturned throat, the cut of his jaw, the curve of his mouth, and she was shaken by a sudden violent urge to lean forward and touch his face, to feel his golden skin beneath her fingertips. Her knees felt weak.

  He looked down at her and she quickly turned away.

  ‘Very beautiful,’ he said quietly.

  She wondered whether he meant the sky. Desperately, she hoped he didn’t. Her face felt hot in the cold night air.

  ‘About tomorrow,’ she began, suddenly self-conscious. ‘I think I ought to stay around the house to help Father get into a routine. We could go out the following day, though, if that was all right with you.’

  ‘It very all right, Patricia-le. First time we go out, I take you my favourite place. We see mountains, valley, river. Is beautiful place.’

  ‘That would be lovely. Thank you. For now, then, Ju-le.’

  ‘I see Wangyal tho-re – I see Wangyal tomorrow. I come here with Wangyal and Wangyal’s wife to make plan for Major-le. You, me, go out next day.’

  ‘That sounds perfect. Well, then,’ she said awkwardly, and she stepped back into the doorway. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  ‘Goodnight, Patricia-le,’ he said softly.

  His heavy-lidded eyes slid slowly across her face. She could almost feel their caress on her skin.

  ‘Goodnight, Kalden,’ she whispered.

  For a long moment each stared into the other’s face, unsmiling, then he stepped back, raised his hand in a slight wave and turned away. Standing in the open doorway, she watched as he went up the path, turned along the track towards the village, and was gradually swallowed up by the black of night.