Had the fiercely independent Baluchis discovered what they were up to, it would immediately have been assumed that the British were exploring their lands preparatory to seizing them.

And many a serpent of fell kind, / With wings before, and stings behind

His vision grew dimmer as he aged.

Fallen Angels is really faan fiction disguised as pro fiction. Everybody in it (the good guys, anyway) is recognizable fan with name changed. As such, it is an enjoyable romp.