Anakul was sprawled across the bed in Samena, the most popular brothel of Olathe. His legs entangled with Lovac, his young pleasurer. Lovac was exhausted from Anakul's passionate love making, as he dozed off, his arms across Anakul's chest.

Anakul stared at the ceiling of the chamber. The brothel was regal, unlike Anathema. It was visited by the elite. The Vaishya owner of the establishment was known to be a close acquaintance of Gregor. Odin had referred this place on his last visit to Anathema. Anakul thought about Odin. His dark flawless skin, glee in his eyes and the fervor in his kiss aroused Anakul. Lovac was pale and skinny, with  blonde hair. He lacked Odin's passion. Anakul missed Odin everyday. They often communicated through letters but it wasn't enough to make up for his physical absence. Memories of Odin's love making made Anakul's manhood squirm, as he gently kissed Lovac on his lips. The young boy moaned and kissed him back as they embarked on another journey of love making.

"You are not scared?" Lovac asked Anakul as he dressed up to leave, "being a royalty, what if someone caught you being pleasured by a boy."

Dressed Anakul bent down, and bit Lovac's lips "I have faith you," he said pulling back "you shall guard my secret well, for this extra tips." Anakul winked as he threw an extra Aur at Lovac. Lovac clambered down the bed and kissed him as Anakul was about to leave the chamber. They kissed as they walked out of their chamber and parted only when Anakul was out of the door.

"I will see you tomorrow?" Lovac asked uncertainly standing at the door of the room.

"Have patience." Anakul turned to leave. His heart sank when he saw who stood infront of him. Haron stared at his friend in shock.

Haron was accompanied by a bare breasted pretty harlot.

"You can keep the Aurs," he snapped at the harlot without looking at her as his eyes were fixed on Anakul, "but I am no more in a mood." He said before taking off from the whorehouse.

Anakul rushed after him. He found Haron walking down the brightly illuminated alley.

"Haron wait," Anakul pleaded, "atleast hear me out. You owe me that much as a friend."

Haron stopped on his tracks and turned around as Anakul caught up with him.

Haron's face was contorted with anger. "You talk about friendship, yet you hid this from me all this time." He snarled.

"I was scared," a distraught Anakul replied "that you would judge me."

"I would never have judged you," Haron clenched his jaw, "but you surely did, by considering me to be judgmental and insensitive.

"And won't you pardon this one mistake of your friend Haron." Anakul pleaded earnestly.

"Only if you promise not to repeat it again."

"I promise." Anakul was relieved.

"Does Amala know?" Haron inquisitively asked.

"Who do you think told me about pleasure houses." Anakul smirked.

**************************

"I still cannot believe I thought you two were having an affair." Haron lamented. The three of them were playing a game of dice.

"You may be a brute, but that doesn't hide your naivety." Amala giggled, as she rolled the dice.

"The mighty Haron didn't know what dwell in the heart of his best mate." Anakul teased.

Haron scowled which prompted the other two to guffaw. 

"I am going to miss the two of you," Amala sighed. 

"How is your new employer?" Anakul asked. 

"He is nice." Amala replied, "He is a merchant, and has to travel a lot, so he wants me to look after his six year old mother less daughter."

"I would still say you should Uncle Vayu to appoint you as the princesses nanny." Anakul said absentmindedly as he concentrated in the game of Dice.

The Rajdhani reminded Amala of her late husband. Staying in the Rajdhani meant reliving all her memories of her late husband, Morris. She also needed to be away from Anakul. His presence pained her, she knew it will be easier to overcome her feelings for Anakul once he was away from her. She never thought she could ever fall in love after Morris's death. But Anakul came into her life as a ray of sunshine. She had ignored him at first, more interested in his macho friend Haron. But that night in Ogaan, Anakul's vulnerability had created an urge to protect him. His unadulterated passion, his wisdom and poise allured her. At times she felt like crying out to him, to reciprocate her feeling. 

"You too will be busy in a few weeks," Haron said thoughtfully, "I overheard Shian informing your uncle that your research on contraception has been acknowledged by the Zaideers."

"And you are telling me now!" an overjoyed Anakul sprang up. 

"Now don't go celebrating," Haron warned him, "You are not supposed to know about this yet."

Anakul pretended zipping his lips with his fingers, a broad smile plastered on his face. He was overjoyed at the thought of apprenticing in Zaidee under the guidance of Ethar's premium Researchers. It was his dream, which was about to realise. He could not wait to go to Zaiden, yet the thought of parting with his two friends saddened him.

"I cannot wait to tell Odin," Anakul said gleefully "He is going to be exhilarated."

"You are still in touch with him," Amala said surprised.

"Well yes, we speak." Anakul said shyly. Amala smiled hiding the jealousy that tugged.

They three of them continued their game of dice.

********************************

Her duty as nanny was not as tiresome as she had expected. The merchant's daughter was not truant like the rest of her age. She reminded Amala of her last ward. Adhaata too was well behaved and obedient. She wondered what the princesses were upto, she had last heard they were being home schooled.

"Amala why can't you stay with me at night?" Nori asked her, bringing her back to the present. 

"Because the little Nori, I have waiting for me at home," she placed a hand on the little girl's head who was engrossed in painting, "is scared of thunderstorm too." 

"Why can't you bring him here and then you won't have to go home." The girl suggested.

Amala smiled at her innocence. Unlike her last employment, she was not allowed to bring her son to the merchant's house. Normally her employer would be home by now, she looked at the thunderstorm approaching and wondered what was taking him so long. She could not live Nori alone, but it was going to be challenging to travel in the thunderstorm. She was measuring her options when a loud knock on the front door reverberated across the salom she and Nori were sitting. 

Amala hurried to open it and found her employer with three other gentlemen. They walked past her into the salon. As the men made themselves comfortable, Amala took Nori to her chambers on the second level of the house.

"Nanny," Massimo, her employer called out "before you leave, can you make some appetizers?"

Amala wanted to refuse, but she knew it would look rude so she replied with a smile "Ofcourse my lord. Once she had tugged Nori into her bed, she climbed down to find her Massimo and his guest heatedly discussing something all the while gulping down goblets after goblets of wine. As she went into the kitchen she caught snippets of their conversation.

"We all shall be doomed if the reforms are allowed to be implented."One of the guests said.

"And how do you wish to prevent the Emperor from doing that." A second voice, much calmer than the rest spoke.

"I say we kill him," it was her employer this time.

"Don't be your usual moronic self Massimo," the calm one said, "Killing him will result in public sympathy. We all know his popularity amongst the brainless masses of Ethar. They will hunt us down."

"Then how do you propose to stop him." The third guest ask.

"Knowledge often gives a man an upper hand." the calm one said "I have such knowledge, which the emperor will want to remain a secret, and give us a chance to bargain."

Amala's fingers trembled as she placed the pork ribs on the porcelain plates. She placed the plates on a porcelain tray and walked to the salon. She took a good look of the men. One them had his back to her. Massimo sat opposite to him. The other to sat on the either side. The one on the right was stout, in his early forties, with a horseshoe mustache that covered most of his chubby face. The one the left was a little older with a clean shaven face and a long mane, tied in a ponytail at his back. The one with his back to Amala was lean and tall. 

"Amala, please put it here," Massimo pointed to the table that sat in the centre,"band you may leave." She obeyed him and hurriedly put the tray on the table. She returned to the kitchen to grab her pouch of money. Amala knew Jenkins would have to wait a little longer, as she needed to make a small detour to Gregor's fort. The Emperor needed to know what was brewing behind his back. As she came out of the kitchen she found her way blocked by the fourth man, whose face she had not been able to see. He was olive-skinned a small goattee that covered his weak chin. He towered over her a menacing smile arched along his thin lips.

"You never told us, your nanny was the princess's wet nurse." He said to his companions, all the while keeping his beady eyes on her. "Or that information was kept away from you Massimo?" Amala realised that this one was the calm one from the conversation. 

"What do you mean Logan?" Massimo barked.

"This pretty nanny of yours is the arm candy of the Emperor's nephew." The menancing smile never left Logan's face as he turned to face his companions. 

"Are you planning to get us executed Massimo," the man with the horseshoe mustache roared.

"I had no idea about her previous employment." A bewildered Massimo tried to pacify his guests. Amala's heart raced, she could feel it in every bone of her body what was about to follow.

"She has heard our plans of treason." The horseshoe mustache sneered, "she needs to he silenced."

"I have not heard anything my lord," a petrified Amala begged, "I will not speak to anyone from the Royal family or their companions, please let me go." She folded here hand as tears trickled down.

"No you won't." Logan wiped the tears from her eyes with his thumb then his fingers trailed down her shoulder to her back. "We promise to let you leave, if you let us taste you tonight and with one pull he knotted her Choli's tie.

"Noo.." Amala screamed as she covered her bust with her arms. The other three men moved hungrily to her as Massimo dragged her to the salon.

****************
Thunder rumbled across the night sky as a knock came from the door. Haron groggily walked up to answer wondering who would it be, so late at night

"Haron, what are you doing here?" Haron was surprised to see a distressed Anakul with a scared Jenkins

"Amala," Anakul said breathlessly "is missing."

"Find Alinoy." Haron said.

The three horses galloped through the storm as rain splashed on their faces obscuring their vision, the sound of hooves breaking the quiet of the night.

Jenkins clutched Anakul tight as they rode towards the merchant's house.

When Amala hadn't returned even past her usual time, the little boy had gone out to search for her in the market and shops around their house. He couldn't find her. Jenkin never thought he could brave the thunderstorm and stay out, but his love for his mother had given him strength. The boy knew only two people could help him. The castle guards knew Jenkins, without a delay they had taken him to Anakul when Jenkin had pleaded to meet him.

Anakul's heart raced, as they tore through the rain into the Merchant neighborhood.

"How far Alinoy?" He screamed through the rain. They were drenched to the bone.

"We are here." Alinoy pointed at grand three storeyed building down the alley. The three men got down and as they ran to the house. Water splashing as they plodded on the puddles that had resulted from the rain.

Anakul banged on the door. He could hear low humming from the other side of the door.

Abruptly a man in his mid forties opened the door. He was tall with broad shoulders.

"My Lord Alinoy," the man exclaimed "To what do I owe this surprise visit?"

"Massimo, this young man's mother," Alinoy said pointing at Jenkin, "worked here. Amala, she is probably your hand maiden."

"Aah, my lord, she is my DAUGHTER's nanny," Massimo said with a broad grin "not my hand maiden."

"Is she alright?" Massimo asked with feigning concern.

"For the sake of this child, I hope she is alright." Alinoy said gravely.

"Don't worry Speaker or Merchants." Massimo said in the same concerned tone, "I am sure she must be safe somewhere."

"Sorry for bothering you so late Massimo." Alinoy walked away

"When did she leave?" Anakul blurted out.

"At her usual time," Massimo shrugged "she must have got caught in the rain."

"Who else is their inside?" Anakul could not shake off the feeling that Massimo was hiding something.

"My daughter," Massimo replied hastily "now if you gentlemen would please excuse me..."

"I demand to speak to your daughter." Anakul cut him short.

"Well for that you shall have to visit tomorrow as she is fast asleep now." Massimo replied curtly.

"Do you know who I am?" Anakul stepped menacingly closer to him  " I order you to fetch your daughter."

"Forgive me my lord, but you are not the Emperor merely being his nephew doesn't entitle you to shout orders," scoffed Massimo, "and as for your friend, given her reputation, she is probably enjoying a good fuck by one or more of your Rajdhani brothers, in their quarters. So why don't you go check the quarters of your fellow travelers instead of troubling my daughter."

Anakul grabbed his throat and it took all their might for  Alinoy and Haron to pull him back. Ones out of his clutches Massimo rubbed his neck.

"Sorry for the trouble." Alinoy shouted back to him as they dragged a violent Anakul away.

Amala struggled to free herself from the grasp of her violators. Her torn clothes lied strewn across the floor. On hearing the knock the merchants had dragged her to the kitchen. One of the man had clamped his palm over her mouth. She wailed as her tears blended with her perspiration. She could hear Anakul's voice. She wanted to call out to him but her no sound escaped her. She scuffled as one of her captors smashed her face. Pain shot through her cheekbone. She could feel wetness flow from where he had hit him. Blood streamed from the gash, as she heard the close. The ray of hope that she had when she heard Anakul's voice dissipated.

"You are right." Massimo said rejoining his companions. "The Emperor's nephew does have a soft spot for this slut her." He said kicking Amala in her pelvis.

"Let's get down to business."

Amala's screamed as her captor clamped her mouth tightly. Pain shot through each muscle of her body as shame clouded her minded. Each of the men raped her repeatedly, till they were themselves exhausted. Amala had fainted unable to bear the pain. She whimpered as consciousness returned.

"This bitch can surely take a lot of fuck." The one with the horse mustache granted as Amala tried to open her eyes. Her vision was blurred.

"Time to teach her a lesson, so that she can neither open her pussy," the clean shaven one bent down as he gripped her jaw "nor her mouth ever."

He got up and dragged an iron rod along the floor. As this time Massimo clamped Amala's mouth. They rammed the rod into her vagina and dragged out her entrails.

She didn't scream this time. Jenkins face swam in her mind as her tears dried up, and her eyes closed shut forever.

****************