Chapter Two.
Lakshmi Bai sat patiently, disguising her utter contempt for the 'General', not for his desire to wrench the land from the hands of the East India Company and the greedy colonial English, but for how he took the garrison. The whispers of the treatment of the defenders had drifted from mouth to mouth and soon, 'the little birds' in the pay of Lakshmi Bai had informed her of the entire sorry episode. She already knew that she would be tarred with the shame of this attack and the British would use this as an excuse to take her lands, and treasures and use her people most cruelly.
Lakshi had no love for the English, and since her husband's tragic death, she found herself having to be 'allowed' to reign by the East India Company through a letter of compliance. She knew of the English law and how it cruelly twisted everything to their advantage. Fearing an armed conquest of her territory, she secured the regency of Jhansi and ruled in her adopted son's stead until his majority. As she watched him grow, she did everything she could to secure her grip on her land and secretly built up, not only her martial skills but squadrons of cavalry that were the rival of any that rode in the whole of India.
The 'Genera' stood, suffused with a sense of destiny. He eyed the attractive woman on the round gilded throne, much like Sultan Tippu's, and allowed himself to imagine the princess beneath him, cooing with satisfaction as his prick filled her trimmed cunny. But then suddenly, he was snapped back to reality,
"Ghandar Labbi Singh, I have met your price and accepted the administration of the district, lest you turn the Garrison powder stores against my palace, but do not think that your threat holds any fear in my heart!" The princess then stood, pulling a slender, sliver sword from her gilded throne and levelled it with strength and precision to the 'General's' throat, "now go, take your price and think much on your actions at the fort! For I am sure that your sins will lay heavy on your soul, and if you return to Jhansi, then I will not stay my blade again!"
After the humbled 'General' hurried from the palace, with a heavy wooden box filled with treasure, Laksmi Rani stood looking down upon the scene. Beside her, stood her stalwart Horse Master, Gobinder, her trusted right arm, instructor in all things marshal and her secret lover since the death of her beloved husband.
"Excellence, if you wish that man's death, I will return within a day with blood upon my sword and his head in a bag for your walls!" He smiled, half jest and half promise.
"Oh Gobinder, I would enjoy that immensely and perhaps soon I believe that your sword will soon have much work to do. I fear we will see that Sepoy 'General' will return, but not in friendship,"
In early July, Laskshmi Rani received the expected response from Major Erskine, commissioner of the Saugor division, agreeing to her swift and courageous administration of the district, which also went some way in explaining the events of the revolt. The Major, went on to explain that her administration would end, upon the arrival of the newly appointed superintendent, which Rani had little option in accepting the conditions. Gobinder shrugged his shoulders as they sat in the fragrant gardens of the place, that warm evening and discussed the letter.