by Carly Smesh
David quickly explained the need for the mules and cart, and the wagons and building materials.
Ashar smiled, "I shall bring them out to the Fort at the end of the week. Perhaps Memsahib Susan would like to accompany me to give Tana some exercise?" he said, with a knowing smile.
Susan led him to her quarters and they stood on the terrace looking out over the city his arm around her waist.
"I've missed you," she whispered resting her head on his shoulder.
"I think of you every night before I sleep," he replied.
"Well you won't need to tonight, I've told the girls we shall eat in here this evening."
"I'll have to find where Peshawar is putting me so I can wash and change beforehand," David replied.
"No, you don't. Your saddlebags have been brought. You're sleeping here tonight," she whispered.
David looked at her, astonished, "Susan are you sure about this"
She smiled, "Oh yes David, I'm sure, but only if you want too."
For a reply he kissed her, holding the kiss for several seconds in an attempt to communicate his feelings.
"I'd better go and clean up, I'm dusty from the ride," he murmured.
She smiled and clapped her hands. At the sound, the doors flew open and two girls in sari's appeared. Susan addressed them, "Sula, Patta the Sahib needs a bath prepared."
"At once Memsahib," one of the girls replied as they closed the door.
David looked at her in amusement. She returned the look, explaining they were the maids that Princess Yasmin had assigned to her.
"So you know the Princess quite well then?" he asked.
She chuckled, "Oh yes, she's like a younger sister. We spend hours talking about England and fashions. She wants to go to University in England. She has piles of books that she has read. She's very much like her father in that respect."
David was pleased she had someone to relate too. He knew she was twenty-four so the age difference between Susan and the 19-year-old Princess was not great.
The door opened and Sula announced the bath was ready for the Sahib.
He found his saddlebags in the bathroom. After his bath, he shaved and changed, then slipped the bags over his shoulder, taking them back into Susan's room.
She smiled as he entered, bending to pour out a drink from a crystal decanter. She saw his forehead wrinkle in surprise.
"The Prince sent it," she explained, "He must know your habits" she chuckled, indicating the box of cheroots that lay on the table.
"Why don't you take your drink out to the terrace while I go and change. The view is breathtaking at this time of the evening."
'Not the only breathtaking view,' David thought as she left. After she had gone, he moved out to the terrace and sat in a large cane chair. As promised, the view was magnificent. He could see the snow clad mountains, their tips edged in gold from the setting sun. But beyond those mountains lay Afghanistan.
'I wonder what lies ahead for the Rifles,' he thought. His mind started going over what had to be done before the battle that he knew was coming. The fate of this peaceful land and its people depended upon him getting it right, he knew. He had implicit faith in the men he led, remembering the Ghurkha motto 'Rather death than cowardice.'
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he unaware of Susan's return until she murmured, "You're thinking of what will happen when the Pass opens."
He turned round and froze. She had changed into Indian attire. A sleeveless blouse covered her breasts, leaving her midriff bare. It was complemented by a sort of sarong whose wrappings hugged her hips, the end of the wrap was placed over her left shoulder. Both were a deep red.
Her face had been made up with eye shadow and lipstick that matched the colour of her clothes. Her hair had been brushed back straight to hang behind her back.
Her feet were bare, and she had bangles on her ankles and arms.
The sarong's material was so fine he could see the outline of her legs through it.
He licked his lips, his mouth suddenly dry.
"Do you like it David," she said, her voice suddenly concerned.
"Darling you look devastating," he whispered.
She smiled, relieved at his answer. "Yasmin picked it out for me and helped me dress. It's worn for a woman's lover or husband, apparently."
"There's a lot we can learn from India and its customs," he said taking her into his arms.
She broke away breathless, "The girls will be serving dinner soon," she murmured.
She refreshed his drink, which gave herself something to do as she attempted to deal with her arousal.
"Oh, the supplies I ordered are at sea and should arrive by next week. It includes your Magnesium," she said, gaining control over herself.
She could feel his eyes on her body. Torn between Victorian modesty and the need to enflame him, she had chosen the latter. But somehow, the clothes were having the same effect on her.
"Oh, that's nice," he said offhandedly, before reaching out for her.
She moved out of reach just as the doors opened and the girls came in carrying trays of food.
David couldn't remember what he ate, his eyes fixed on her throughout dinner. He could see the swell of her breasts through the thin material of the blouse and feel the discomfort of his arousal.
When the girls had finally cleared away and closed the door for the last time, they sat staring at each other, both afraid to move.
Finally Susan asked in a low voice, "Would you like to go to bed David?"
He couldn't trust his voice to speak but just nodded.
They moved to the bedroom both overcome with shyness.
David turned his back on her as he quickly undressed and slipped under the silk sheets.
She had her back to him as she finished undressing. He gazed at her ivory skin, the slimness of her waist and her firm bottom, the slenderness of her long legs, and the way her hair cascaded down over her back.
She slipped between the sheets and lay on her back, the sheet pulled up to her chin.
"David," she whispered, "you don't think I being too forward doing this, do you?"
He bent over her and kissed her gently, "No, darling, I don't. I just thank God that I have you in my life."
She lifted her arms, putting them around his neck, the sheet slipping to reveal her breasts as she kissed him.
Their tongues entwined as the kiss deepened and his hand cupped her breast.
She groaned at the touch, "David please be gentle with me."
They were hesitant and clumsy as they discovered the mysteries of each other's bodies,
She stiffened and clenched his shoulders as he entered her. He stopped, concerned.
"Okay," she gasped, "I'm alright now darling."
He began slowly but soon the passion that had enflamed them took over their actions. As their bodies responded to it, all hesitancy and clumsiness vanished.
Susan cried out in their mutual release at the end.
David struggled to draw air into his tortured lungs and sweat covered his body.
He looked up from where he lay on his back. Susan gazed down at him, tears slowly rolling down her cheeks, a look of wonder on her face.
"David that was incredible," she whispered, "I know how it is explained in medical journals, but it never describes the emotion or feelings one has."
David looked at her, concerned, "Susan, I hurt you didn't I?"
She giggled and kissed him on the nose, "Only for a moment, but it was worth it for what followed."
Another concern griped him, "I may have made you pregnant."
She smiled again, "I don't think so. Sula gave me some of the herb tea that the women take to avoid pregnancy. She claims it's very effective."
He frowned, "So you had this all planned, knowing what would happen?"
She looked solemn and nodded, "Don't hate me for it David."
Smiling, he held her in his arms, "I could never hate you, I love you too much for that."
Later they made love again, but with more assuredness this time.
At his departure the next morning, he held Susan close before mounting Kahn for the ride back to the Fort. She promised to accompany the Magnesium to the Fort when it arrived.
There was a hint of something in the air. The edge of spring?
Chapter 22
The Officers Call had been delayed until David got back from the Palace.
He opened the meeting by telling them a British Army inspection team was coming to Kanda to inspect the 'Rabble' that guarded the Pass.
The reaction of his officers were what he expected: Anger and disbelief.
After they had cooled down, he went on to say the label "Rabble" had been conferred on them by their former General, Sir Reginald Fitzroy.
He smiled. "The Prince has suggested - and I concur - that the "Rabble" be paraded in the city. Therefore, Gentlemen, the soldiers of Tiger, Cobra and Panther Companies will pass in review in front of the Prince and his guests. Subedar Major Para will lead the review. I am sure he will ensure our "Rabble" well be well turned out."
The glint in Para's eyes spoke volumes.
"Also, I have reviewed the recommendations you provided me regarding command of Panther Company and I concur that Havildar Rhana has demonstrated the qualities necessary for command. I am promoting him to Subedar and look forward to his leadership of Panther in the upcoming parade."
The smiles of his officers was more than sufficient validation of his decision.
"It has also been suggested that all the weapons recovered from our engagements at the Pass be put on display for the inspection team. I'll leave Subedar Hangar to arrange that."
Then David spoke about the Magnesium, "Memsahib Doctor Fletcher has suggested a solution for the problem of illumination at night at the Pass." He went on to describe its brilliant light and how, once ignited, it was almost impossible to extinguish.
"We need a means of igniting the powder and delivering effectively it without it endangering our men. What we need to devise is a receptacle for the powder that includes some sort of fuse that will give the thrower four or five seconds before it ignites. The receptacle must be tough enough not to break once thrown or the powder will disperse without generating the illumination we need.
Everyone started suggesting things and David smiled knowing that, between them, they would arrive at a solution.
Before the meeting broke up, Turin reported that patrols continued to reconnoiter the Pass and found that it remained blocked at point about a 1000 yard from the entrance, mainly as a result of new avalanches. That indicated the snow was melting during the day and triggering the avalanches. He estimated that it might be possible to reach the cleft in four or five weeks.
Over the next nine days, the Fort was a beehive of activity in anticipation of the review. Equipment and clothing was cleaned and mended; saddles and tack was polished until it gleamed; the horses were brushed and brushed again until they shone
Subedar Major Para would lead the units out to drill using David's Thor for his mount.
Two days before leaving for Putan, a dress rehearsal was staged outside the Fort. David sat on Kahn to receive the salute, which was rendered by Subedar Major Para, using his kukri in place of a sabre. Behind him came the colour bearer with the Lovat green flag emblazoned with 1st Khana Rifles. Turin and Tiger Company followed, its guidon proudly displaying the crouching Tiger. Sultar's Cobra Company trailed Tiger Company with Rhana following at the head of Panther.
David's chest swelled with pride at the sight of his command, every man's back ramrod straight as they passed in review.
Chapter 23
Peshawar led General Sir Reginald Fitzroy and his staff of three officers into the audience room of the Prince, who for once was dressed in the full robes of a Maharaja.
Fitzroy bowed his head and introduced his Officers, Major's Barton and Keeling and Captain Fitzroy.
The Prince appraised the men before him. The General he judged to be in his sixties, short with a prominent waistline. The redness of his face was emphasised by his white mutton chop whiskers. He had an impatient look verging on arrogance about him.
Of the two Major's, Barton had all the hallmarks of being a "yes man,' whilst Keeling had a look of intelligence to go with his professional bearing. Keeling's face regarded the Prince coolly.
The Captain did not favour his father, he saw. He was stick thin with a pasty complexion and is eyes were darting all about the room as if expecting an attack.
After welcoming them, the Prince bid them to sit, waiting for the General to start the engagement.
The general coughed to clear his throat and began, "Sir, Her Majesty's government is alarmed at the reports that the Khana Pass is being guarded by an undisciplined rabble. As you are aware, that Pass, along with the Khyber, are the two main routes by which a land attack into India could be launched. Therefore, Her Majesty's Government think it only prudent that the British Army should guard the Pass."
The Prince gave a thin smile, "On what reports do you base these assumptions General?"
The General coughed again, and Major Barton replied, "The report came from no less a person than your own General, Sir."
The Prince looked surprised, "The man you mentioned is not my General. He was stripped of his rank and imprisoned for treason for conspiring with the Afghans and Russians to attack this kingdom. Unfortunately, he escaped, along with several senior officers. Should they return to Kanda they will be executed."
"So no one is in charge of guarding the Pass?" Major Barton interjected
.
"On the contrary," the Prince replied, "I have a Colonel who is responsible for that duty. Actually, a former Officer in your command, General, and one whose performance in several battles does great credit to Her Majesty's army."
The four officers looked at each other, trying to think of whom the Prince could be referring.
The prince continued, "You will have the opportunity to meet him tomorrow and see the . . . "rabble" he leads. Before the Pass closed this year ,he and his men repulsed four attempts by the Afghans to take the Pass. An effort during the course of which the Afghan's lost at least 200 men, for the unfortunate loss of one man from our forces." He paused before continuing, "Am I right in saying General that your troops are armed with the Martini Henry rifle?"
The general gave a curt nod.
The Prince smiled, "I thought so. Then you may be interested in inspecting what the Afghans were armed with."
He led them to another room where the weapons recovered from the engagements were laid out. He picked up a Russian rifle from the 168 that were on display and handed it to the General, "I am informed that this is a bolt action rifle firing a smokeless cartridge that is vastly superior to the Martini Henry."
He watched in amusement as the officers examined the rifles examining, their silent sharing of looks of concerned surprise communicating volumes.
Finally the General blustered, "So the Afghans have a better rifle than the Martini Henry. All that proves is that you are as disadvantaged as our troops are."
The Prince shook his head, "I am sure the Afghans wish that were true but, unfortunately for them, it is not. Our soldiers have a rifle considerably superior to these," he said, indicating the captured rifles.
He went to the door and called a guard. The rifleman came in and gave a sharp present arms. The kukri on his web belt clearly identified him as a Ghurkha. The Prince told him to stand easy.
He let the British officers stare for several moments at the rifle in the soldier's hands, before resuming the conversation, "This is a Cartwright .303 rifle. It holds 10 rounds of smokeless-powder ammunition in its magazine and, in the hands of a well trained professional soldier such as this, can discharge those rounds in less than fifteen seconds. It has an effective killing range of 1500 yards and all the troops guarding the Pass are armed with one."
The Officers gathered around the motionless rifl
eman looking at the rifle.
"Where did you get these weapons?" demanded the General.
The Prince smiled sweetly, "They were procured in England by my Colonel."
Now irate almost past his ability to control himself, the General demanded, "And just who devil is this Colonel you keep speaking of?"
"His name is Colonel David Ramage, formally of the 2nd Ghurkha Rifles. I understand he was forced to resign his commission from your command."
The officers froze, the captain's naturally pasty face going even whiter at the disclosure.
The General blustered, "That man chose to resign his commission rather than face a general court martial for willful disregarding an order in combat; in my book a coward's way out."
The Prince's face took on a look of surprise, "Really? How remarkable. You see, amongst my troops I have a number of Ghurkhas, men who were present on the day of the incident to which you refer. In light of your characterisation of the event, I find it hard to understand their decision not to re-enlist in the British Army due to their distaste for the outcome of that enquiry. In fact, it was based on their information about what actually occurred that I offered Mr. Ramage a commission in my Army."
A deathly hush fell upon the group.
Then the Prince smiled, "But enough of the past, you gentlemen must be hungry and tired. Food has been prepared for you and your quarters are ready. Tomorrow you can judge for yourselves the calibre of the men who guard the Pass, and speak with Colonel Ramage in person."
David, followed by his command, had arrived at the city in the early morning that same day. Entering at the West gate, they followed the road, which led around the back of the Palace before ultimately arriving at the Royal Stables.
Ashar Kahn was there to greet him, while his grooms showed David's men where to put their horses. As the soldiers and stable staff went about their duties, Ashar told David his men would be shown to quarters after they had seen to the welfare of their horses.
With a twinkle in his eyes he said, "Memsahib Susan is in her apartment, should you wish to see her. I can take care of Kahn for you."
David stuttered his thanks. Throwing his saddlebags over his shoulder, he set off to find her.