Author's Note:
Welcome, dear readers. A big thanks for the positive response to my first two stories. The feedback has been immensely helpful and supportive.
Like my previous stories, this too takes place in India; during the 18th century, to be precise. But the central characters, this time around, are British, above the age of 18. I have tried for a slow build-up in this story, with hopefully, some believable internal conflicts. As always, my goal is to craft interesting stories, which reads like an erotica rather than written porn.
Hope you enjoy this story. I'll look forward to your votes and comments.
THE LOST KINGDOM OF TOSALI
Our former neighbors to the east, Tosali was a relatively new and small kingdom established by Nrusingha Dev, it's first king. Its capital was the grand city of Swarnavali. King Nrusingha Dev had setup lucrative trade relations with the kingdoms across the seas, with merchants undertaking voyages to Bali and Yawadvipa.
His untimely death in 1505 saw his son, Aditya Dev, ascend the throne at the young age of 19. King Aditya Dev was dearly loved by his citizens. The entire kingdom rejoiced when, a year later, he married his beloved, the beautiful Charuvaki. The love between King Aditya Dev and Queen Charuvaki was legendary. The king was strong, handsome, benevolent and wise for his age. The beauty and grace of the queen was unparalleled. Under their rule, Tosali prospered to greater heights.
Queen Charuvaki died in 1534, leaving the citizens heartbroken and the king devastated. In memory of his beloved wife, King Aditya Dev commissioned the construction of a grand temple in Swarnavali, right by the sea side. Artists and craftsmen from across the land were invited to build this monument of love.
The temple was formally inaugurated few years later on the royal couple's wedding anniversary. The day was henceforth celebrated as an annual festival, commemorating the love between the king and the late queen. People from across the kingdom journeyed every year to Swarnavali to be a part of this grand celebration, which took place within the temple premises.
In 1556, Tosali was attacked by pirates from the sea who entered Swarnavali stealthily at night, during the celebration of the annual festival. The pirates were heavily armed with deadly weapons. It was a massacre. The pirates pillaged the city and carried away valuable treasures, leaving Swarnavali destroyed and burning.
Very few survivors managed to escape. King Aditya Dev and his surviving citizens were granted refuge by our great monarch, King Aryamitra. Unfortunately, Aditya Dev had sustained severe injuries during his battle with the pirates and died shortly after. Without any heir, the line of the kings of Tosali ended and the kingdom was lost forever.
Over the next decade, King Aryamitra sent three separate expeditions to reclaim Swarnavali. Those explorers and soldiers never returned and no one heard from them ever again. Rumors grew that the lost city was cursed with the vengeful spirits of its massacred citizens. No more expeditions were sent, thereafter.
The dying wish of King Aditya Dev was for his ashes to be scattered in the sea, next to the temple in Swarnavali, so he could be reunited with his beloved wife. Alas, the king's last wish has remained unfulfilled to this day.
- Page 847, The History of Kausala
Year 1770. Kingdom of Kausala, India
Heather put down the heavy manuscript, The History of Kausala, having just read the page aloud to Jonathan. They were inside the archive of the royal palace of Kausala.
Heather Beckett and her son Jonathan were archaeologists working for the East India Company in the Indian subcontinent. Kausala, an erstwhile kingdom in eastern India had recently fallen under company rule after its last king had died without an heir. Heather & Jonathan had been sent to the kingdom to discover and report any sources of treasure, possibly hidden in the ancient palaces, monuments or temples, that could fill the company's coffers.
After a two month stay at Kausala, they were ready to wind up their work and report back to company headquarters in Calcutta. Few days before their planned departure, Jonathan had found an old trunk in the palace archive. Inside, was a majestic sword and a sealed bronze jar. The royal historian had informed them that the sword had belonged to King Aditya Dev of Tosali and the jar contained his ashes. On Heather's request, he had brought them old documents dating back almost two centuries, containing scant information on Tosali.
"What else do we know about this lost kingdom?" Jonathan asked the historian.
"Not much, Master Beckett. It's been more than two hundred years since it was destroyed. From what I learnt from my predecessors, the kingdom was secluded behind the hills and forests towards the east near the sea. I think there was a map somewhere here."
The historian sifted through the other documents and brought out an old map of the region. Pointing to the area towards the east of Kausala, he said, "Here it is. After multiple failed expeditions, nobody bothered about it again and happily forgot its existence."
***
Later that night, Heather and Jonathan relaxed on the plush chairs in their balcony, enjoying the cool summer breeze, post dinner. They had been provided accommodation in one of the larger palace rooms which had a large bedroom, a small study and its own private bath. Heather slept in the bedroom while Jonathan slept in the study. The spacious balcony overlooking the palace gardens was a favorite spot for the mother and son.
Heather looked lovingly at her 20-year-old son, who was lost in thought. She was so proud of the young man that Jonathan had grown up to be. Not only had he become mature and responsible, but also had grown up into a fine young male specimen. Almost 6' tall, he had filled up nicely in the past few years. He sat there across her, dressed in only his trousers, to beat the Indian summer heat, broad shoulders and bare chest on display
"What's on your mind, dear?" she asked.
"Tosali," he said, absent mindedly running his fingers through his blond hair.
"What about it?"
"Do you think we should go find the lost city? I mean, it is right next door, waiting to be explored. And we have the map too."
She nodded, considering his suggestion. "It does sound tempting."
"I can't stop thinking about the king's last wish, separated from his true love all these years. We should take his ashes with us, when we go. Scatter them in the sea, like he wanted," he said, with a distant look on his face.
"My son, the romantic!" she said, teasing him. "I am not sure, dear. We'll have to see how feasible it is to travel to that place."
"Why? Afraid the place might be haunted?" he asked, grinning.
"Rubbish. I've never believed in such tales. Fine! I'll talk to Lt. Jones about the travel arrangements."
After few minutes, Jonathan yawned and stretched.
"Go to bed, dear. You must be tired."
"Nah, I can spend some more time with a beautiful woman."
She blushed. "You need to start getting interested in young ladies your own age."
"There's only one lady I am interested in, and you know it." His brown eyes gazed into her face.
Her heartbeat quickened and she looked away. "You promised, dear, not to bring that up again," she said, softly, pain in her voice.
"Sorry, mum. I am just complementing your beauty, that's all." He tried to lighten her mood.
She smiled and said, "Well, I am truly flattered. Now, please, go to bed. Take some rest."
***
Lying on her bed, Heather couldn't sleep. She was 40 years old, having come to India from England, almost 15 years back, with her husband, Thomas. He had been a lieutenant in the British army, who had sadly died 2 years later in the battle of Plassey in 1757.
She had been devastated but instead of going back to England, she had decided to stay in India. Getting a job as an archaeologist in the East India Company had helped her with a steady source of income. She had raised Jonathan on her own and took him everywhere she went. He had soon picked up the trade, having learned history and archaeology from her. As he grew up, he had started assisting her in the field.
She had never sought companionship and neither had she remarried, although her beauty and youth attracted a lot of suitors. She had maintained cordial relations with everyone but had firmly declined any amorous advancements. Her one true love had been Thomas and his loss had shattered her. Part of the reason for not returning to England had been that it would remind her of Thomas and his absence in her life. Many of her admirers and potential suitors had been decent men, but none could take the place of Thomas in her heart.
And then, there was Jonathan. She always had a special connection with her son, having him as the only companion in this foreign land. As he had grown up into a young man, he resembled more and more like Thomas. Their relationship had always been different than the conventional mother and son. They were best friends and confidants. They could read each other's moods and minds. He had the sense of humor of his father and always cheered her up.
As Jonathan attained adulthood, his demeanor towards her had changed visibly. He had become more protective of her. He was no longer a child that she needed to care for. She had slowly realized that her son was deeply in love with her, romantically. She could see it his eyes and his mannerisms, that it wasn't simply some teenage infatuation or adolescent fantasy, but serious romantic love.
Of course, there were passion and lust as well. Being always near each other, sharing tents during archaeological expeditions, she was aware of his self-pleasuring activities. Many nights, she had heard him softly cry out "mum" when he pleasured himself in the tent, thinking her to be asleep. She knew her son's heart and body ached for her.
It felt good to be taken care of by a man, after being alone for so many years. She had started seeing her son in a new light and thinking about him as possibly something more. But she had never been able to let go of Thomas. These new emotions and feelings towards her son, though exhilarating, was at odds with the memories of her late husband and kept her awake at night.
And then there was the matter of Jonathan's confession...
***
Five days later, Heather and Jonathan set out from Kausala in search of Tosali. Lt. Jones had given them two horses and provisions for the journey. The bronze jar containing King Aditya Dev's ashes was safely stowed in Heather's luggage. Jonathan carried the ancient map which they'd use to find the old road that existed between the two kingdoms. As per the royal historian, it took four days on horseback to travel between the two cities in the days of old.
