by Carly Smesh
Then came the award of the Khana Crosses. As they came forward, Subedar Major Para announced how each had earned it.
David smiled with pride as Susan and her assistants came forward to receive their crosses.
When the last recipients had received their award, the Prince held up his hand to still the roaring crowed.
"There is one last honour to be awarded, to a man who inspired these brave men by his actions in that battle. Who proved himself a true warrior and faithful friend of Kana by repeatedly putting his life at risk in defence of our country. This man, along with the men he leads, is not a citizen of Kana, and his homeland is far away. But as of today he is a citizen of Kana because I adopt him into my family."
The Prince turned to David and, removing the last Khana Cross, pinned it to his jacket and then kissed him on both cheeks.
The crowd and riflemen erupted in cheers while David stood dumbstruck.
Later, as David and Susan walked down to the stables after the ceremonies, she complained at receiving the award.
"It's ridiculous us getting the Khana Cross! We did nothing brave."
David held her around the waist, "Do you know what the Afghans would have done to you and the girls, if they had got past us at the cleft? At the very least,they would have raped you and the girls, hundreds lining up to take their turn."
Susan shuddered in his arms, "We needed to be close in order to help the wounded as soon as possible," she whispered.
"And that took courage darling."
They lapsed into silence watching Kahn and Sulkie in their shared paddock. He had his head over Sulkie's neck as if protecting her as she stood with her head against David's chest, clearly enjoying it as he scratched behind her ear. She was quite heavy with her foal now.
Ashar Kahn materialised out of the dark, "I thought I would find you here," he chuckled, "As you can see, father and mother are doing well. Have you decided on a name yet my Son?" he asked David.
David shook his head, "Not really. I thought Zana if it is a filly, but I don't know about a colt's name yet."
Ashar smiled, "She will foal while you are away, but I will hold back on naming it until you return. I came to find you because the British Officer, Major Keeling is asking to see you. He is with the Prince at the moment."
David was conducted to the presence of the Prince.
He found Keeling, Turin and Sultar smocking cheroots with the Prince out on the terrace.
Keeling rose and saluted David before extending his hand, "Your Officers have been telling me and the Prince of the battle and its aftermath, Colonel. It seems I was too late to warn you of the information we had received that the Afghans intended to make Khana the main point of their attack. The British Government are indebted to you and your men, and I shall be sure to inform them when I return to HQ."
David smiled, accepting a cheroot and glass of whisky from the Prince.
"I'm interested to know about your mortars and your illumination methods, Colonel," Keeling added.
"I'm sure my officers will be pleased to show you if you return to the Fort with them after the wedding," David murmured.
Keeling looked surprised until the Prince informed him of the coming marriage and invited him to attend.
Later, by the rail of the terrace, Keeling confided to David that Fitzroy and his son had left India and David's old Colonel had been promoted to Brigadier. It seemed that the major's sources had made him aware of the friction between the Afghans and the Russians since the battle.
"It will take some considerable time before that rift is healed. In the meantime the pressure is off the Khyber and Khana Passes."
David told him of his plans to return to England and visit Susan's parents.
"You will find the country gearing up for war. Kitchener is demanding the latest weapons before he will move on the Sudan. Concurrently, interested parties in England have their eyes fixed on the gold and diamond finds in Natal and are pushing the Boers into war.
"I served with some of the Boer commandos during the Zulu war and anyone who attacks them could be in for a very unpleasant surprise as we found out at Majuba Hill in 1881. Every man over fourteen is a crack shot and they fight as you do: From horseback as mounted infantry. They also have the money to buy the most modern weapons. They'll fight back and the army will be up against men who are defending their way of life, and not with spears this time."
"You sound like you sympathise with them Major," David murmured.
Keeling looked hard at David before continuing, "I'm a realist, and this Empire we have, was bought by the blood of soldiers. No one gave us the land. We took it, and often for no other reason than that we could. As long as the faces were brown or black, the public thought it was all a bloody good show. But if England wages war on South Africa and the Transvaal, the faces will be white; people who worship the same God as you or I fighting to preserve their way of life.
"The American Revolution may have been a century ago, but its lessons should still serve as warning to Whitehall: When a people fight for their own country they have a reason to die for it. The British soldier has only the next pay parade to fight for. So, to answer your question, am I sympathetic towards them, yes, I am. But I'm a professional soldier and, if I'm called to serve there, then I will try to kill them before they kill me."
David looked at Keeling with new respect, touched by his honesty.
The next day was taken up by preparations for the wedding. David was excluded from Susan's room, as a procession of giggling women entered and left.
The Grand Audience Chamber was chosen for the ceremony and Peshawar busy was instructing servants where to place flowers, tables and chairs.
David spent a few moments with the reverend before escaping to the stables to see his horses. Sulkie whinnied in excitement at seeing him and came trotting over, but Kahn walked, allowing her to be fondled first.
He gently rubbed her velvet nose, "I won't be here for your foaling darling," he whispered in her ear, "but I promise I'll be thinking of you." He kissed her nose, then staggered as Kahn pushed his head into his chest. David chuckled at the display of jealousy, "Okay, okay, you're loved too," he said stroking his forehead.
"They're magnificent animals," a voice said from behind him, David turned to see Major Keeling there.
"The way they act with you means they are yours, am I right?"
David chuckled, "Yes, the big boy is Kahn, and the girl he got into trouble is Sulkie."
"I don't suppose I could buy a horse from the Prince could I?" Keeling asked, "The one I arrived on is a remount, willing, but no bottom to her."
David looked over Keeling's shoulder, "Well this is the man you should ask. The Horse Master Ashar Kahn."
David introduced Major Keeling to Ashar and said he would like to buy a horse from the stable.
"Alas Major, all the horses in this stable belong to the Prince with the exception of David Sahib's. But I understand you have been of great service to both the Prince and David, so I think I can give you, as a friend, a horse."
He lead them down through the stables until they came to a stall where a horse stood in the dim light of a stall, watching them.
Ashar entered the stall and led out a grey stallion almost as big as Kahn, "His name is Fleet, and he's four-years-old with Arab blood lines. He used to belong to the Princess Yasmin, but he proved too strong for her."
Keeling's eyes gleamed at the sight of the horse, "He's magnificent," he said stroking its muzzle, "But you must let me pay for him, if I can," Keeling gasped.
Ashar chuckled, "No my friend, no payment is necessary. An animal like this needs to be ridden, not cooped up in a stall. He is yours."
Major Keeling's face betrayed the pleasure of his new acquisition.
He thanked Ashar, then turned to David, "What can I say? Thank you seems so inadequate David. Oh, I'm sorry, Sir, I mean Colonel, please forgive me."
David laughed, "David is fine. I think we can forget rank
as friends."
Keeling smiled, "In that case, I'm Robert."
"Well Robert, I trust you will be at my wedding tomorrow?"
"I'm looking forward to it David. I was rather hoping to have seen your Fort and the Pass, but you'll be off on honeymoon."
"There's nothing to stop you. You could use my quarters to stay in, and my batman Hanga would look after you. It would give you the opportunity to see our training methods, as well as the rifles, mortars and rockets. I'll be away for at least two months, but my Officers can show you anything you like"
Robert accepted the offer, sure that HQ would sanction his stay.
David introduced him to his Officers later that night, informing them that Robert would be visiting the Fort to study their training and the Pass. His Officers assured Major Keeling that it would be a pleasure to introduce him to their unit and it's methods.
The Prince took David to one side during the evening to comment about the visit, asking him whether they should be concerned about what he might see and report.
"The more the British know of our capabilities, the less likely they are to force any issues concerning Kana," David replied.
The Prince chuckled, "A soldier and a diplomat. You are wise beyond your years, my son."
Chapter 29
The next day, David, now dressed in a white linen suit and with the Prince at his side, stood in front of a raised dais in the Grand Audience Chamber. He looked behind him at the seated men. In the front row sat his Officers, along with Robert, and behind them were the riflemen who had been lucky enough to win a seat in the drawing. On the other side of the aisle sat the Ghurkha families and residents who used the city hospital.
When he saw the Reverend suddenly look up and smile, David swung his head round.
The little Prince was slowly walking down the aisle strewing handfuls of rose petals from a basket to the floor. He was followed by Susan's assistants in light-blue silk saris. Behind them came Princess Yasmin in the same sari. And then came Susan in a white silk sari holding on to the arm of Ashar Kahn in his full robes of state.
David's heart leapt at the sight of her. She looked so beautiful as she smiled shyly at him.
The ceremony got under way, but to David it was a blur. He was conscious only of the girl at his side that had consented to be his wife.
Later, at the wedding breakfast, Ashar Kahn gave a speech about the honour of standing in for Susan's father. The Prince followed with his own story recounting how he had first met David.
And then it was David's turn. He couldn't remember afterwards what he had said, but knew he spoke from the heart.
Susan went to change ready for the journey and the Prince took the opportunity to hand David letters for the bank and hotel in London.
As they emerged from the Palace, his Officers and Havildars formed an arch with their kukris.
A carriage conveyed them to the waterfront where a sleek boat with six oarsmen awaited them. With their luggage already on board, they set off down river.
Susan had changed into trousers and a jacket with a cream coloured blouse underneath.
She lay back against the cushions that were piled at the back of the boat under the awning that protected them from the sun.
"It was a wonderful ceremony, David," she whispered.
He chuckled, "Going by the way Turin was looking at your assistant, there could be another shortly."
"Oh, not only Turin. Yasmin was asking me about Sultar. She seemed very interested in him. She said that she was going to ride out to the Fort and stay in my quarters to oversee the hospital."
"The Prince may have something to say about that," David replied.
Susan laughed, "She can twist him around her little finger. She'll probably take Ashar with her. I feel sorry for Sultar. He doesn't know what he is in for."
They lapsed into silence watching the view as they sped down stream.
At the jetty, they transferred to a coach, which took them to the railway station where they boarded the train. They had to wait for an hour while the train was coaled and water taken on board before setting off.
Susan had removed her jacket in the oppressive heat as they waited at the siding for the train to complete it's preparations for departure. Once underway, the heat dissipated.
Having the compartment to themselves, Susan stretched out on the seat and was soon asleep. David smiled. He knew she had been up since before dawn preparing for the wedding.
They changed their clothes before reaching Karachi; Susan, into a smart suit with long skirts, whilst David changed into a cream-colored linen suit.
Mr. Smithers was there to welcome them as the train drew to a halt. With his usual efficiency he directed the gathering of their luggage before whisking them away to their suite at the Royal. David asked him to send Mr. Pattal to them as they would require some new clothes for him and his wife.
Mr. Pattal arrived accompanied by a young woman whom he introduced as his daughter, Deepti. She would look after the Memsahib's requirements. She and Susan disappeared into the bedroom closing the door behind them.
David ordered some shirts and casual trousers, but the main reason he had asked for Pattal had been for Susan He knew she had travelled to India with a practical wardrobe comprised of clothes designed for her work. She more than deserved an expanded wardrobe designed to highlight her beauty, grace, and charm.
After the Pattals had gone, David went down to the lobby to buy a newspaper, then settled into an armchair in the hotel lounge to read it.
The paper was only a month out of date. The main topic was the aftermath of Kitchener's battle at Omdurman. There also was mention of trouble in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State in South Africa, with Boer opposition to Whitehall's interference in their countries' affairs.
Another war waiting to happen, David thought.
That evening, over dinner, David mentioned that they would have to stay in London for a few days to carry out business for the Prince and the Fort. Susan own plans included checking on supplies for the hospital and a visit to her old college.
"I need to find out what work has been done with blood transfusions. It's a procedure that has advanced significantly in recent years," she continued.
David listened in genuine interest as she explained some aspects of it.
Later that night, as he lay recovering, Susan giggled, "Well its official now, darling, you have just consummated our marriage."
He pulled her towards him, "Till death us do part," he murmured, kissing her.
Chapter 29
Three days later the boarded the Easton Comet.
They found out the first night on board that, a Guy Reynolds and his wife Molly had taken the other suite. David and Susan liked them from the moment they were introduced, Guy was in his early thirties and Molly a few years younger.
They had been in Bengal hunting Tigers, but prior to that they had been in East Africa after Lion and Elephant.
In the long conversations the couples had together, it transpired that Guy's father had made a fortune from cotton mills, and this extended holiday was to allow Guy a chance to experience his dream before taking over the family business.
In the course of conversation David asked Guy which country had impressed him the most.
Guy had taken his time in replying, "That's a difficult question to answer David. If you mean to live in, or to visit, then I'd have two different answers.
From a tourist's point of view I'd have to say India, there's so much to see with the Temples and Palaces. It's a country that has the full spectrum of life, from abject poverty to obscene wealth.
But if I wanted to live in a country and had the money and inclination to start a life there, then I would say East Africa. But it depends on the person's view of life. What suits me may not suite someone else.
I like the vast open spaces that it has; you can travel for days and not see any one.
Most off the Europeans are centred near Mombasa and Nai
robi, they have farms up in the highlands, the soil and weather there is more conducive to farming.
But fifty miles North West off Nairobi and you are in vast savannahs off grass, hills and mountains. The only people you meet are the Maasia, a proud warrior like people who are Simi nomadic. The have vast herds of cattle that they live for; we found them friendly enough if you show them respect. We were told; by our guide that part off the coming of age is for a young men to kill a loin with his spear.
The land is really not much use, other than for wild life; the soil is too poor for farming. Although we did come across one place roughly a hundred miles from Nairobi.
It was sheer luck really, but Molly was taken ill with heat exhaustion. So we climbed up into the hills where it was cooler.
We found a small stream were the water was good and camped there. While Molly rested I decided to follow the stream in the hope that I could bag a buck for the evening meal. After climbing for about three hours I came to a rock face that rose up a hundred or so feet. The stream had vanished underground so I followed the face around until suddenly I came to a gap in the rock face. It was only about fifty feet wide but when I went through it my jaw dropped.
There before me was a huge expanse off green grass with mature trees surrounded by a rock face that enclosed it all.
It took me several minutes to realise what it was.
It was the crater of a vast volcano that must have blown up millions of years ago, it had to be over forty miles in diameter."
Guy chuckled, "It was like discovering Eden, and the air was so much cooler there, like England on a summer's morning.
I told my guide to rush back and break camp and bring it back here, while I explored more. I found the stream again, and followed it upwards, eventually coming to a small lake surrounded by trees up by the rock face at the top off the crater. That's where we made camp. We stayed for over two weeks until Molly was fit again.
David it was fantastic, plenty of game to keep the larder filled, the water was so pure and clean, and there were fish in the lake everything for a man to make a home was there."
David could see the dreamy faraway look in Guys face has he talked about it.