"Udaipur, Captain, tomorrow we strike camp and march for Udaipur. It's
a Rajput paradise." He turned and beckoned toward the Rajput commander
who had ridden from Fatehpur with them. "It's time you met my friend
Mahdu Singh, brother of His Highness, Rana Karan Singh, the Maharana of
Udaipur. The _maharana _has generously offered us his new guest palace,
on his island of Jagmandir. It's on Pichola Lake, in the Rajput capital
of Udaipur. He was only just building the palace when I was there
before, but I seem to remember it's designed in a very interesting new
style." He glanced at Mumtaz. "I think Her Highness will approve." Then
he continued. "Rajputana, Captain, is beautiful. What's more, its
mountains are impregnable. I led the only Moghul army ever to escape
defeat by the Rajputs who live in those mountains. But today I have
many loyal friends there." Mahdu Singh bowed lightly to Hawksworth
while Jadar watched in satisfaction. "His Highness, the Maharana, may
decide to make a Rajput out of you and keep you there, if you seem
worth the trouble. Who can tell?"
He turned and dismissed Mumtaz and her eunuchs with a wave. He watched
fondly as she disappeared into the _gulal bar_, then turned and joined
the waiting Rajputs. Together they moved out through the camp,
embracing and consoling.
"Did you hear what he said?" Hawksworth turned to Shirin, who stood
waiting, a light smile erasing some of the fatigue in her face. "He's
planning to recruit another army of Rajputs. This war is only
beginning. Good Christ, when will it end?"
"When he's Moghul. Nothing will stop him now." She took his hand, and
together they pushed through the shattered gulal bar toward the remains
of their tent.