Chapter 39 #2
Ellie limped onto the colonnaded veranda in front of Sita’s chamber as the sun slanted between the ridge and the heavy gray clouds of the monsoon, painting the ravine with gold. Silver water tumbled down the bluff while flowers framed the turquoise ribbon of the stream.
Doves burst from another rock-cut chamber, soaring over the moss-covered bones.
The room that Sita had called home was undeniably humble, but it had still possessed a view fit for a queen.
That view was currently quite crowded. By the bank of the stream, the men Singh Rao had left behind to guard his camp sat in a circle, disarmed and subdued. They were surrounded by other soldiers dressed in rugged green uniforms. The newcomers carried modern weapons and wore boots with puttees.
Behind them loomed a half dozen massive gray animals decked out in steel-plated leather, iron helmets framing their skulls.
“He actually brought the elephants,” Ellie said numbly, staring at the enormous creatures as Adam joined her on the veranda.
One of the largest lifted her trunk and bellowed.
Singh Rao took in the scene with a reflexive twitch of his jaw. “A modest personal guard.”
“His Highness likes to feel really safe.” Adam’s expression sobered. “Just how much of this are you going to report when you get back to your base?”
Singh Rao studied the gorge. Ellie weighed how much rode on his response. The subedar had to be feeling torn between the strict interpretation of his duty and his more pragmatic instincts.
“Jacobs shot the colonel. A warrant will be issued. I do not believe that I need to complicate that report with… incidentals.”
“Thank you,” Adam said genuinely.
Singh Rao’s look turned dry. “Maybe I just prefer to avoid the extra paperwork.”
He descended the stairs to where the rest of his men had gathered—along with Dawson, who had firmly attached himself to the soldiers, demanding an escort back to Madras.
Ellie wished the subedar luck with that.
Adam tilted queasily. “Pretty glad that didn’t involve more talking.”
Ellie recalled where they were—on a narrow ledge three stories above the ground. “Drat.”
She hooked a hand through Adam’s arm and hauled him back against the wall.
He slid down it until he sat on the ground, closing his eyes. “I’ll be fine in jusss a minute. Ssoon as things stop…”
He made a vague circling motion with his hand.
Neil and Constance stepped out from Sita’s cave. Neil had sheathed his sword, carrying the bow and quiver from the temple instead. His eyes widened with alarm behind his spectacles as he took in Adam’s position. “Are we going to have to carry him down?”
Ellie’s calf protested at the idea.
“There’s only room for one at a time on the stairs.” Constance brightened. “Maybe we could just tie him up and lower him over the side.”
“Not a chance in hell,” Adam replied flatly.
“What if we blindfolded him?” Ellie suggested.
“Tried that once,” Neil replied shortly. “He lost his supper on a constable.”
“Wasssn’t on him,” Adam corrected him woozily. “Missed him by a good foot.”
?
Ten minutes and a few harrowing moments later, they got Adam back to the ground—where a blur of golden fur crashed into them from the underbrush.
Adam caught the impact, woozily falling to the grass. Kalb licked his face furiously, and Adam hauled the dog into a hug. “That’s right—who’s the best boy? You are! You’re the best boy!”
Kalb sprang away from Adam, whirling to Ellie. He froze, quivering with barely contained excitement as he whimpered up at her.
Ellie gave in. “Oh, fine. Yes, you were a good boy.”
She gave him a pat on the top of his head, and Kalb took that as an invitation to smash himself between her legs, wriggling like a live trout. Ellie nearly tripped from the impact—and then the dog froze at a suspicious rustle from the nearby brush.
“Not again!” she groaned.
With a burst of raucous barking, Kalb bolted.
“He’ll be back,” Adam asserted from where he remained sprawled on the ground.
“I am starting to actually believe that,” Ellie grumbled.
She limped over to him.
“That leg’ll feel better once you stop walking on it,” Adam pointed out helpfully.
“I think we’re about to be a bit short on mules,” Ellie countered.
She turned at a sound from behind to see Constance’s royal uncle rappel down the face of the cliff, landing with enthusiastic agility. He loosed the ropes from his belt with a practiced tug.
“This really is an absolutely splendid piece of geography.” His expression grew dangerously thoughtful. “One might find it an excellent spot for a winter retreat.”
Subhas slid down another set of ropes beside him, shooting the maharaja an exasperated look that already carried an air of weary practice. “I don’t think Tari Penu would approve of that,” he warned tersely.
Vijay winked. “Well, if the goddess wouldn’t approve, I’d best not chance it.
Plenty of other waterfalls around.” He turned to Ellie and the others, setting his hands on his hips.
“So, the Brahmastra has been disposed of. It’s the best possible scenario, really—for everyone but the poor colonel, obviously. ”
“We still need to decide what to do with this.” Neil awkwardly held out the bow.
Vijay accepted it with an air of uncharacteristically subdued reverence. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Well, it would be difficult to establish a reliable provenance without a written record…” Neil began hesitantly.
“It’s Lord Rama’s bow,” Constance asserted confidently.
Tears gathered in Vijay’s eyes as he ran his fingers over the place where the wood had been darkened by use. His expression was firm with determination when he looked up again. “This will be kept secret and safe until the day when India can claim her own treasures once again.”
Ellie was washed with a warm sense of relief.
Adam regained his feet. He slid his arm around her shoulder, pulling her to his side. Ellie let herself lean against the warmth of his chest.
Vanika shouted down from the ridge above. Light glinted off the blade in her hand. “Mr. Bates! Can I keep your enormous knife?”
“Absolutely not!” Adam called back. “But if you bring it back, I’ll teach you how to throw it!”
Ellie stared at him. Subhas groaned.
Vanika’s approving whoop echoed off the ravine.
Vijay clapped his hands with delight. “Now that’s all settled—who needs a ride?
The elephants trumpeted again.
Adam gave Ellie a telling look as her leg continued to throb.
“Fiddlesticks,” Ellie cursed—and Adam laughed.