Chapter Two - Aisha finds her strength.
The journey back to regimental headquarters took over three weeks. The wagons were slow and lumbering, pulled by mighty oxen. The regiment made only 20 miles on foot due to the heat of the Indian summertime. The cavalry squadrons were sent on screening patrols to scout ahead and ensure no banditry could surprise them further and being the man that Devon was, he insisted on accompanying the advance guard, hoping for some action. While he was gone from the camp, the ladies of the regiment, a motley collection of enlisted wives, and common-law women were on hand to look after the rebel princess. The Indian wives, especially, knew how to care for the bruises and wounded genitals that vigorous vaginal and anal sex. After soothing salves were applied to her anus and getting rest in the gently rocking wagon, the woman was roused to take tea, honey and lemon to build up her strength. The Indian matriarch, charged by Madhur to heal the delicate princess fussed over her and helped to regain her strength. Once she had slept, the princess sat up and took some broth.
"You will recover quickly my princess; I will make sure of it. I am Fatima and I am your friend Princess Aisha."
"Can you help me escape, Fatima?" Aisha asked, her eyes watching her reaction.
Fatima shook her head, " It is most difficult, there are many eyes in the camp and many would take advantage of you if you threw in your lot with the wrong ones, you will be flogged around the camp and end up in the Durbar brothels." Fatima brushed away a stray hair from her face.
"I can't go through that again. It was humiliating. You used like a camp whore." Tears welled up in her eyes. Aisha remembered her harsh treatment at Devon's hands.
"You must be strong and make the Colonel Sahib your ally. Your father was dispatched to Calcutta and will dwell in jail unless you can rise to prominence again. The Colonel is a hard man but already he shows his concern and care for you." Fatima offered her honeyed tea, Aisha looked incredulous at her words.
"He and his vile manservant took me together and then the Colonel violated me, most cruelly." Aisha blurted out.
"Oh Princess, he has paid for your recovery under my hand and kept Madhur from enjoying you. The whole camp knows, his displeasure. A poor camp whore was beaten and injured badly from his prick!"
"What?" Aisha frowned at this news.
"Oh, you must be stronger than that! So, your yoni was used and your guda too. You will survive Princess and if you are wise, you will make the Colonel want them all the more.!
"I am not a whore!" Aisha snapped. Fatima looked hard at her and then slapped her hard across her face.
"Do not bark at me! You are a whore now! Your das of ordering others to do your bidding are gone. You will listen to me or you will be discarded and be used by the diseased sahib private soldiers until you caught their pox and die of starvation." Fatima looked away.
"I am sorry lady Fatima." A mumbled apology prompted Fatima to speak again.
"I was highborn until Tipu Sultan rose his hand against the British. I was one of his households and lost everything when the British took his mighty fortress. I was cast down and became a camp follower and had to make my way as best I could." Fatima wept. Aisha felt her pain and realised that she was more fortunate than she had been.
"I will be strong. If you would be willing to teach me, I will learn." Aisha, despite being abused by Colonel Devon and Madhur, was a realist and had a sharp mind. Her bruise body was toned and strong and she knew she would heal.
"I do this not for pity, I want something from you, Princess." Fatima swiped the tears from her eyes and became business-like.
"What do you want from me?" Aisha felt the atmosphere change. Fatima leaned in,
"When you have the Sahib Colonel in your power, you will provide with a house and a station within your household. You will repay the debt you make from today. You will swear to work this for me on the life of your imprisoned father."
"I swear to all your demands if you teach me to make the Sahib Colonel do my bidding." Aisha smiled and the two women pressed palms in agreement.