|| - Poison and Purdah - ||

"Enemy's enemy is a friend..."
________

She made no more sound than a rustle of the breeze but still found herself held at the sword point by Satyavan, as soon as her feet touched the ground. Kashi remained motionless, except for her dark eyes that spared a glance around her, and the faint pulse throbbing right at the point where the cold tip of the blade pressured her skin. She had not seen him turning around and Kashi wondered privately whether his reflexes where so attuned or had she fallen out of practice drastically. If it had been the latter case, it was something she could not afford with the present circumstances.

"Back again, Kashi Bai*," Satyavan stepped back and made an exaggerated show of bowing in respect. His movements where more artistic than what was necessary as he sheathed his sword and Kashi's eyes narrowed at him.

Around them stone pillars were shrouded in shadows. The twilight had long vanished and with it Kashi's confinements. At least that was how she convinced herself. Nawab Khan had never explicitly mentioned anything about when Kashi was allowed to step out and Kashi had taken the liberty to tweak the rules to suite herself. As long as it did not reach the Nawab's ears anything was permitted in Chandranagara. And Kashi lived in the much scheduled part of the older fortress, where nothing that could interest the court chamber often occurred. She had not forgotten that Satyavan had a hand in maintaining that secrecy. It was he, who had the responsibility of guarding her 'mahal,' after all.

He had never slacked off his duties. Satyavan was a man with a brawny built, his shoulders where bulky, skin a toned bronze. His hair long enough to brush against his shoulders. He was exceptionally good with blades and secrets alike. There was a time, long ago, when Kashi wondered with whom Satyavan's loyalties lied. He was a son of an old solider of Chandranagara. His father had been a captain of a cluster of her father's best sword fighters. But the battle of Chandranagara had killed them both. It had been the Nawab who picked him up from a fate of wasting away in the streets of Chandranagara, soon after conquering the land. Apart from the Nawab's own son, Aziz Khan, Satyavan was considered the closest to him; a foster son of sorts.

"What makes you sneak around in the dead of the night this time?" Although Satyavan questioned her lightly, Kashi presumed he had already guessed her intentions. So instead of explaining them she chose a brief answer.

"I'm going to see Afreen."

Satyavan stiffened a little at the mentioned name and grimaced at her, his playful manner entirely lost for a moment.

"Not again, Rajkumari!" He said sternly. "The first time was forgiven but not forgotten. You will not do it again. I don't like you mingling with a woman of her calibre."

Satya made no attempt to hide the contempt in his tone. It was no secret that he did not like Afreen. Kashi shifted on her feet. She did not want to linger there, even though the shadows concealed their presence. There was a chance of being spotted and it did not help her nerves.

"Afreen has information for me," she said urgently, turning to leave. Satyavan stepped around and stood in front of her.

"Nothing that I won't be able to tell you myself..."

"Leave my way Satya; it is highly unlikely that you will share the secrets of your foster father with me."

His grip on her elbow was insistent and his gaze burned as his eyes bored into hers.

"I've never given you a reason to doubt my loyalties Kashi Bai," Satya said in a furious whisper. Kashi sighed. He was right. He had been helping her in her escapades since she was young. Satya was her best friend. "I know what you're going to do," he pressed on noting the hesitant look on her face. "You don't want Lord McLane helping the Nawab."

"I don't want him to have anything that he does not deserve!" Kashi said hotly. "Chandranagara was won on behalf of the emperor, he will not covert it for himself. And McLane! That two faced snake! On one hand he is controlling Shivjit, makes a show of supporting his claim and on the other hand he is making covert commitments with his sworn enemy!"

"Breathe," was all Satya said, giving a pointed look at her flushed face. His eyes crinkled with worry, but he did not stop her as she started to walk again. Instead, he walked with her, their steps silent against the gravel. "This is supposed to be a business trip, not a political visit."

"Tell me Satyavan," Kashi said after a snort. "Are you foolish enough to believe that? Of cause they will say it to pacify Shivjit and his mother, won't they?"

"Afreen had been filling your head with poison!" Satya said dejectedly. "That woman is full of nothing but venom!"

"Why, thank you my lord!" A sweet voice joined their conversation. Both Kashi and Satya froze for a moment and turned around simultaneously to find an elegant figure clad in acid green sauntering towards them.

Afreen was a young courtesan with a pointed pale face. Her eyes were large and expressive with upturned lashes and her dark hair was glowing with several ornaments. There was grace and something sinister in the depths of those dark brown orbs as she smiled at them predatorily. Satya huffed, arranging his features into a scowl but did not reply. In the meantime Kashi seemed to enjoy her friend's discomfort as a befitting punishment.

"It is but a quality of a rose to have thorns is it not? And what kind of a rose will Afreen be, if she did not have venom?"

"Not everything that has thorns is a rose, Afreen, bear that in mind!"

"There's an edge in your words just like your sword be careful with them, my dear commander." Afreen laughed off the comment, with a wave of her hand. Her bangles tinkled along with her laughter. "Perhaps, it'll wound a heart that you cherish one of these days!" And she turned her eyes on Kashi, from the brooding young man. "Do you want anything Kashi Bai?"

"You know why I always come to you Afreen," Kashi said with a small smile. Afreen's lips curled into a thoughtful reflection of the gesture.

"Ah, I was looking forward to today's mehfil**, Kher***, anything for you Rajkumari!" She had almost walked away when Afreen found herself held back by a frowning Satya.

"If anyone comes to know, or anything happens to Kashi Bai..." He hissed at her, in a voice dripping with threat.

Afreen tilted her head and smiled seductively at Satya.

"Merits of your friendship is quite tempting my dear commander. Rest assured, nothing bad will happen to your Rajkumari. Afreen promises you this. Although I cannot guarantee that she is up to any good herself."

Chuckling at the deepening scowl on Satyavan's face Afreen glided away, leaving the two friends to sort out the meaning of her words among themselves.

**

Afreen had quite an influence in the Chandranagara, that her chambers were spacy and luxurious. She was not a mere pretty face, her razor sharp wit and elegance did not go unnoticed either. The rumour had it that she was a spy reporting to the Mughal court, sent here to keep an eye on Nawab Khan. Afreen had never confirmed or denied it, but the fact had added some fearful respect towards her in the behaviour of the general population inside the Chandranagara fortress. Although they did not see eye to eye ever in their lives, Satyavan and Afreen were the only two people who knew of Kashi's escapades and occasionally helped her with them as well.

Her chambers were thick with clouds of perfume, tinkling laughter of girls and occasional notes escaping from tuning instruments. Afreen ushered her inside and closed the door, so that Kashi could take off the purdah that covered her head and concealed her identity. Inside Afreen's room many beautifully crafted lamps were lit and hung, giving the entire space a pleasant amber glow. Once the door was closed the commotion outside had translated into a bit distant and non-disturbing hum.

Afreen sighed, her look suddenly serious.

"It was all good fun to rail up your friend Kashi Bai, but no matter how much it pains me to agree with him, you should know that he is right. This - what you're about to do is dangerous."

"Oh we've done this before, haven't we Afreen? They've never found out," Kashi said lightly, trying to ease her worry. Afreen only knotted her eyebrows further, moving in front of her dressing table and starting to take off her bangles.

"I know that - and I know very well you're smart enough to avoid discovery. But, tonight is not a night for mischief Rajkumari."

"What do you mean?" Kashi asked frowning. Afreen turned to face her, her expression solemn.

"*Mirza Usman is here," she said cautiously, casting a nervous glance at the door. Kashi remained frowning for a moment, as if trying to process this piece of information and then her eyes widened a little.

"So you are really -"

Afreen cut her off with a wave of her hand.

"That is none of our concern right now. What you must know is, the foreign envoy will die tonight. That is why Mirza is here. I believe the emperor already doubts Nawab's relations with the foreigners, especially McLane. You don't need to involve yourself into this mess as well."

"But wouldn't Nawab take some measure to prevent it now that he knows Mirza is here?"

Afreen gave her a sympathetic look.

"I believe you haven't heard the news, the Mirza is here for Nawabzadi* Noor *Banu - talk in the town is that their nikah will be finalized before the beginning of the New Year."

"Noor? But, isn't the Mirza -"

"An old man? Yes - but a very powerful old man. I think that is good enough for the Nawab. He has no reason to believe the visit could have any other implications."

"That is all the more reason for me to be there," Kashi said finally, a look of determination simmering in her face. Afreen sighed, fanning herself with her hand although the temperature had already softened for the night.

"I believe one of these days, commander Satyavan might just murder me!"

**

"Did you enjoy the journey here, Mr. McLane," Gobind translated for him, over the rim of his gold plated goblet Dave could see Khan's gaze fixed upon his face. Gobind had taken the liberty to edit the original question that the Nawab had asked, without meaning to. David was sure of the little Asian man's loyalties, otherwise, being back in this place he might have doubted that, this too, was a trap being laid out.

"Surely the journey back might have brought a rush of good old memories?" That had been the original question.

"As much as you could enjoy without being boiled alive," he replied without missing a beat, exchanging a smile with Andrew who sat on his left. There was a hum of good natured chuckling as his reply was translated.

"The deserts are magnificent," Andrew in his turn expressed his surprise.

"I'm curious, now that we have finally met, of your real origin..." this time Gobind made no miss translation of Khan's words. He too looked at David a little guiltily. Gobind was closer enough for the McLanes to know that the topic was taboo in the presence of the lord McLane. He himself had been curious but had learned to treasure his job above his curiosity. David took his time, sipping his wine leisurely and letting Khan think that he had him cornered finally.

"My mother was from around Surat, they married against the wishes of many in my father's family." He paused again. "But he is a man who stands by his decisions no matter what. I aspire to become like him - although that is quite a lot to achieve."

There was a general mummer of agreement at that and Khan spoke again.

"And your mother, I hope she is faring well overseas?"

"Quite well, thank you!" He said briskly, and taking another sip leaned over to look into Khan's eyes. "But I believe it is not my origin that you should be concerned about, Lord Khan, but this - what do you call him again?"

"Meghdyut," supplied Mirza Usman Rayan, his cold hazel eyes regarded both Khan and Dave before he spoke again. "I've been hearing that name a lot recently. The rumour is that he has become some sort of a rebel hero to your people by causing mischief."

"He has caused loss, not mischief," David corrected him patiently. "That consignment of cotton had been worth several thousand pounds and caused quite uproar in Surat."

"I'm sad to hear that." Khan said bitterly, as if the words were extracted against his will.

"You are supposed to be catching him Lord Khan, not mourning over it," David shot back, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Or if you're unable to, my father is quite willing to assist you in that."

"I agree with that," seconded Mirza, nodding enthusiastically.

"You're welcome to look into the matter," Khan muttered, sparing a death glare at Bakshi who had sunken into the shadows in the corner.

"Let's drink in hope of success," offered Mirza and he clicked his fingers at the serving maids and another round of wine was poured. "It is custom in where I come from to offer a drink with good wishes," Mirza said offering his fresh wine goblet to David. "As a token of good faith!"
The young man took the glass, a faint smile curling his lips and said,
"It will only be done if I make a return offer to you my dear Lord," and held out his own drink in exchange. "A token of friendship!"
The Mirza laughed a booming laugh before extending his arm to accept the drink David was offering. His eyes wrinkled as he drained the contents of the goblet.
"To friendship!" He raised his empty glass.

Andrew inched closer and muttered in David's ear.

"My friend it seems you have an admirer," his voice was tinted with a silent chuckle and David scowled at him before following his line of sight. His eyes landed on the pair of darkest eyes he had ever seen, including that of his mother.

The woman who was now playing the sitar, with both skill and elegance had eyes that seemed to absorb every spark of light falling upon them. And those eyes were focused on him. David narrowed his own eyes for a moment; her look did not feel like a look of admiration to him. Instead, it felt as if she was waiting for something to happen - as if she knew, something was about to happen. He could not be sure though; it was only her eyes he could see. The woman had her face covered, so whatever expression she wore as she stared at him unabashedly, it was hidden beneath layers of fine silk. Their eyes met for the briefest of occasions and she blinked and looked away, as if guilty of being caught staring.

He saw her eyes were then fixed on Mirza; something sinister crossed them, before her performance reached its zenith and the music ceased.

"Don't fear my love, by how dispassionate I am now," she was reciting a poem now, to which none of the circle around him paid any considerable amount of attention. "Even from ksheersagar*, it is venom that rises first."

David's frown deepened, as he stared at the dark red content in his goblet. Could it be possible that the woman meant to say something more than the few lines that she was reciting? Or was he completely losing his mind to the ghosts of his past and overthinking every little incident?

He swirled the contents in his goblet, contemplating whether to join in to the toast Mirza was proposing or not. The older man had already drunk for their success in catching Meghdyut and was now proposing another toast.

"Lost somewhere?" Andrew demanded his attention and unwillingly Dave tore his eyes from his wine glass, to reply him. But Andrew was no longer waiting for his reply. Instead, his eyes were fixed on something in front of them.

The clank of metal against stone as the goblet fell from Mirza's hands made him jerk and look at the man. He had his hand around his throat, clawing at his neck as he choked wordlessly. The men surrounding him, including David, Andrew and Khan sprung to their feet at once. Mirza stumbled backwards, his eyes rolling upwards and foam gathering at the corners of his lips.

Orders were shouted, people were called, but all Khan's men could do no more for Mirza Usman Rayan as the man finally collapsed on the ground.

David looked up from Mirza's lifeless body and found the dark eyed lady from the mehfil before, leaving in a flash of dazzling gold garment. He almost made a move to call after her but restrained himself, thinking it will incriminate her for no reason.

But, he made a mental note to find her later. David had questions only she could answer. She had saved his life, if he was not being utterly delusional, and David McLane did not appreciate being indebted to anyone.

**

||Glossary: ||

*Bai - is a honorific that means something similar to lady.

**Mehfil - is an evening of courtly entertainment, poetry or concert of music and dance performed for a small audience in an intimate setting.

*** Kher - is a fragment of speech, something similar to 'nevertheless.'

* Mirza - is a title used for a son of a prince

*Nawabzadi - daughter of a Nawab

*Banu - A title in urdu for a lady

*Ksheersagar - the milk ocean; this is a reference to the myth of finding elixir in hindu mythology. It is said that before the elixir of immortality was found, some treasures, including the most dangerous poison of all was found.

**

Oh hello!
You reached the ending for this week's last instalment. The next update will be on Monday.

Meanwhile what do you think of Afreen and Sathya, would they remain at odds with each other or ever unite for a common goal?

And where exactly is Kashi and David heading with their plans?

Tell me in the comments. I'm curious to know your thoughts.
Don't forget the little star ☆at the bottom!

Thanks for reading!