Read Online The Avatari by Raghu Srinivasan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Raghu Srinivasan
Ads: Link
young man,’ he reassured his grandson. ‘My choice is made and I have conveyed it to the Kuriltai, the assembly of princes, which is to elect the next Khan on my death. They will abide by my decision.’ He paused. ‘You will treat your cousin with justice and he shall be given what is his right.’
It was an order.
Temur bowed in assent. ‘It shall be as you wish, Great Khan.’
‘After my death, an offering is to be sent to the monastery of Sogomber Khan, the Buddha, in Lhasa. I expect it to be accompanied by a large entourage that will enjoy your official protection. They shall not, under any circumstances, be stopped or checked.’
‘Your command will be obeyed, Great Khan.’
‘Good, that is settled. There is one more thing of much importance.’ There was a twinkle in the old eyes now. ‘You will marry this young woman.’ The Great Khan now glanced at the woman in blue sitting on the stool. ‘She will be your royal consort.’ He nodded at the woman, who got up and let her cloak slip off her body and fall in a puddle at her feet.
Temur drew in his breath sharply. She was exquisite, from her large, limpid eyes and chiselled features to the full, high breasts and long, shapely legs. He tried to avert his gaze, but could not take his eyes off her.
‘I see you have no objection,’ the Great Khan observed, shaking in merriment. ‘Your marriage will take place on the tenth day of your ascent to the throne, by which time the official period of mourning will be over. You may take as many wives as you wish, young man, but the firstborn of your marriage with this woman will be your heir. Promise me this on the blood of our ancestors.’
‘I promise,’ Temur said solemnly, unable to resist glancing at the young woman who smiled and gently turned away, picking up the robe and slipping back into it.
‘Very well, Grandson. Rule well and justly. May your courage never fail you.’ He paused, seemingly lost in thought, then said, ‘Are you familiar with the sayings of our venerable ancestor Genghis Khan?’
‘Yes, Great Khan. I know every one of them by heart,’ the young man replied, his voice tremulous with feeling.
‘Good. Do not forget them.’
He waved to the younger man in polite dismissal. The interview was over.
Temur got up and bowed low, then left the room. The Uighur was waiting for him outside and escorted him to the place where his horse was tethered.
As soon as Temur had left the room, the Great Khan turned to the young woman in the blue cloak and asked, ‘Are you pleased with my choice, shine utga urmullah ?’ These were the Mongol words for ‘mother’.
She nodded demurely, not raising her eyes to meet his gaze.
The robed man in the room, whose head was covered in a cowl, nodded to himself. Few people at the court knew that he was Markos the Ongud.
CHAPTER 5
Malaya
A PRIL 1956
‘Huzoor?’
The tone was low, but he recognized his batman’s voice as the canvas flaps which served as doors for the bamboo hut parted. The hut had served as a classroom before the villagers fled. He had been awake for some time, quietly smoking a cigarette while he waited for the boy. He drew on his cigarette to make the end glow so that he could see the dial on his wristwatch. It wasn’t yet four, but soon enough it was going to be time. The air was heavy with moisture and the rain, which had just let up, was still dripping off the roof in a steady trickle. His batman, a wiry young boy with a brutal regulation haircut, wore a khukri on his belt which, to his private embarrassment, had not yet been blooded.
‘Yes, Kamal Bahadur,’ Ashton said, acknowledging the boy’s presence and sitting up.
His bronzed body was covered in a sheen of sweat. He drew the panels of the cotton mosquito net aside and felt the cooler breeze on his skin. It was a welcome relief.
‘Chai, huzoor ,’ the batman announced, setting the enamel mug of tea down on the wooden stool which served as the only item of coir
It was an order.
Temur bowed in assent. ‘It shall be as you wish, Great Khan.’
‘After my death, an offering is to be sent to the monastery of Sogomber Khan, the Buddha, in Lhasa. I expect it to be accompanied by a large entourage that will enjoy your official protection. They shall not, under any circumstances, be stopped or checked.’
‘Your command will be obeyed, Great Khan.’
‘Good, that is settled. There is one more thing of much importance.’ There was a twinkle in the old eyes now. ‘You will marry this young woman.’ The Great Khan now glanced at the woman in blue sitting on the stool. ‘She will be your royal consort.’ He nodded at the woman, who got up and let her cloak slip off her body and fall in a puddle at her feet.
Temur drew in his breath sharply. She was exquisite, from her large, limpid eyes and chiselled features to the full, high breasts and long, shapely legs. He tried to avert his gaze, but could not take his eyes off her.
‘I see you have no objection,’ the Great Khan observed, shaking in merriment. ‘Your marriage will take place on the tenth day of your ascent to the throne, by which time the official period of mourning will be over. You may take as many wives as you wish, young man, but the firstborn of your marriage with this woman will be your heir. Promise me this on the blood of our ancestors.’
‘I promise,’ Temur said solemnly, unable to resist glancing at the young woman who smiled and gently turned away, picking up the robe and slipping back into it.
‘Very well, Grandson. Rule well and justly. May your courage never fail you.’ He paused, seemingly lost in thought, then said, ‘Are you familiar with the sayings of our venerable ancestor Genghis Khan?’
‘Yes, Great Khan. I know every one of them by heart,’ the young man replied, his voice tremulous with feeling.
‘Good. Do not forget them.’
He waved to the younger man in polite dismissal. The interview was over.
Temur got up and bowed low, then left the room. The Uighur was waiting for him outside and escorted him to the place where his horse was tethered.
As soon as Temur had left the room, the Great Khan turned to the young woman in the blue cloak and asked, ‘Are you pleased with my choice, shine utga urmullah ?’ These were the Mongol words for ‘mother’.
She nodded demurely, not raising her eyes to meet his gaze.
The robed man in the room, whose head was covered in a cowl, nodded to himself. Few people at the court knew that he was Markos the Ongud.
CHAPTER 5
Malaya
A PRIL 1956
‘Huzoor?’
The tone was low, but he recognized his batman’s voice as the canvas flaps which served as doors for the bamboo hut parted. The hut had served as a classroom before the villagers fled. He had been awake for some time, quietly smoking a cigarette while he waited for the boy. He drew on his cigarette to make the end glow so that he could see the dial on his wristwatch. It wasn’t yet four, but soon enough it was going to be time. The air was heavy with moisture and the rain, which had just let up, was still dripping off the roof in a steady trickle. His batman, a wiry young boy with a brutal regulation haircut, wore a khukri on his belt which, to his private embarrassment, had not yet been blooded.
‘Yes, Kamal Bahadur,’ Ashton said, acknowledging the boy’s presence and sitting up.
His bronzed body was covered in a sheen of sweat. He drew the panels of the cotton mosquito net aside and felt the cooler breeze on his skin. It was a welcome relief.
‘Chai, huzoor ,’ the batman announced, setting the enamel mug of tea down on the wooden stool which served as the only item of coir
Similar Books
