The Moghul, page 49
Hawksworth was momentarily startled as a fanfare of trumpets announcedto the guests in Zainul Beg's hall that Arangbar was approaching. Thecenter of the hall cleared, leaving a pathway from the entrance to alow platform at the opposite end, on which were two large cushionsfashioned from gold cloth. On some unseen command musicians in anadjacent room began to play, and then the doors of the hall openedwide.
Women from Arangbar's _zenana _entered first, sweeping past the guestsin a glitter of silks and jewels unlike anything Hawksworth had everseen. The women displayed heavy gold necklaces and multiple strands ofpearls. Their arms were scarcely visible beneath their wide goldbracelets. For this evening, all wore a headdress of silver cloth and aveil.
More trumpets sounded as Arangbar himself entered, Queen Janaharastriding imperiously behind him. Hawksworth examined her hard featureswith curiosity for a moment before the significance of the sceneregistered. She was not wearing a veil.
He looked about him and realized that the other guests had noticed aswell.
Nadir Sharif trailed behind the royal couple, and after him came a fewselect officials of the court, including the _qazi _who would performthe ceremony and officially record the marriage.
As Arangbar and Janahara seated themselves on the cushioned platform,the guests all performed the _teslim_. Arangbar motioned for the crowdto be seated, and Hawksworth was already halfway to the carpet beforehe noticed that no one else had moved. Only after Arangbar had demandedthree times that the guests seat themselves did those around Hawksworthaccede to his request.
More trays of rolled betel leaves and _sharbat _were circulated, andthe guests settled to listen to a lively raga performed on sitar andtabla drums by musicians who were seated on a small dais at theopposite end of the hall. The time was approaching eight o'clock whenthe musicians brought the music to a rousing finish.
Hawksworth found himself beginning to wonder where the bride and groomwere. They were nowhere to be seen.
No sooner had the last notes of the raga melted into the tapestriedwalls than there came a knocking at the closed doors of the hall. Therewere sounds of a raucous, but not rancorous, argument. Everyone aroundHawksworth fell silent to listen. There were more words, and he managedto grasp that the family of the bride was demanding a payment forentry, apparently a mock ritual. Finally there was the jingle of coinsdropping into a cup. The money seemed to settle the dispute, for thedoors of the hall suddenly burst open, to the sounds of a trumpetfanfare.
Hawksworth looked through the doorway to see a horse and rider,surrounded by a milling crowd.
In the lamplight he could see the horse was covered with a fine brocadetapestry, into which fresh flowers had been woven. Its legs, tail, andmane had been dyed red with henna, and all its body outside thetapestry was covered with glistening spangles. The rider's cloak andturban were heavy with gold thread, and his face was hidden behind athick veil of silver cloth attached to the top of this turban andhanging to his waist. On either side of the horse two young men stood,each carrying a large paper umbrella, which they held over the rider'shead. Behind them clustered singers, dancers, musicians, and a mob oftipsy young men in extravagant finery.
The crowd cheered the veiled rider and he saluted them. From thechatter of the guests, Hawksworth gathered that the horse had led aprocession through the streets of Agra for the past two hours inpreparation for this grand entrance.
The rider, whom Hawksworth assumed to be Prince Allaudin, was helpedonto the back of one of the young men. He was then carried to the daiswhere Arangbar and Janahara sat and gently lowered to the ground. Thesilver veil was removed and he performed the _teslim_, the fatigue inhis face beginning to show.
Arangbar beckoned him to rise, and two eunuchs who had been part of theMoghul's train stepped forward and placed two large silver boxes besidehim on the dais. Arangbar opened the first and drew out a string oflarge pearls. He admired them for a moment, showed them to Janahara,then looped them around Allaudin's neck. Next he opened the other boxand drew out a crown of silver trimmed in gold. He rose to his feet andheld it aloft.
"Two months past I presented a _sachaq_, a marriage present, of two_lakhs _of silver rupees to honor the bride. And tonight I bestow on myson the same _sehra_, the same bridegroom's crown, that was placed onmy head the night I wed Her Majesty, Queen Janahara."
Allaudin slipped off his turban and knelt before Arangbar. After thecrown was fitted, he stood erect to acknowledge the cheers of thecrowd.
Without further ceremony, Arangbar turned and spoke to Zainul Beg. Theold _wazir _beckoned two eunuchs forward and passed an order. Therewere shouts, and torches were lighted in the upper balcony of the hall.Then, as Hawksworth watched in amazement, the tapestries at the far endof the hall were drawn away, opening the pavilion to the riverfront.
Arangbar and Janahara revolved on their cushions to face the water,which was now a sea of floating candles and lamps. The guests surgedforward toward the opening, and as Hawksworth passed near the royaldais, Arangbar's voice cut through the din.
"Inglish, come and join us. There will be no henna on your fingerstonight." He gestured toward the carpet near his feet. "Sit here. Iwould have your opinion of this."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Hawksworth sensed that Arangbar was alreadypartly drunk. "What will happen now?"
"Just more tradition, Inglish, but the part I always enjoy most." Hepointed toward the river, where servants were carrying torches in thedirection of three decorated wheels, each several feet across, mountedatop what appeared to be small-gauge cannon. "Tell me if your king hasanything to equal this."
As he spoke the servants touched the torches to the center of eachwheel. Lines of burning sulfur traced their spokes, then ignited thesquibs attached around their perimeter. At that instant, other servantsstepped forward and thrust a burning taper to the touchhole of eachcannon. The cannon spewed flame, lofting the wheels upward over theriver. They suddenly began to rotate, creating a whirling circle ofcolored flame tips in the night sky. Just as they reached the top oftheir trajectory, they began to explode one by one, showering sparksand fire across the face of the Jamuna.
The turbaned crowd scarcely had time to exclaim its delight before ablue flame suddenly appeared from behind where the wheels had been,illuminating the palace walls in a shimmering, ghostly light. As itgrew, Hawksworth realized it was an artificial tree whose branches weresaturated with black powder and brimstone. Next more flames spewed fromthe tops of five towers that had been erected near the riverfront.There were sharp reports, as though a musket had been fired, and densestreaks of red billowed into the sky. All around powder pots began toexplode, hurtling lightning, dazzling white with camphor, and writhingserpents of flame into the smoky night air.
"Well, Inglish, what do you think?' Arangbar turned to Hawksworth witha delighted smile. "Have you ever seen anything to compare?"
"We have fireworks in England too, Your Majesty, particularly on theeve of St. John's Day, when we have barges of fireworks on the Thames.And sometimes they're used in plays and pageants. And at the wedding ofHis Majesty's daughter, four of King James's gunners gave a show with afiery castle, a dragon, a damsel, and St. George. But English fireworksgenerally make more noise than these." Hawksworth paused, wondering howmuch to tell. "And some countries in Europe use fireworks in battle,Majesty. Helmets that throw fire, swords and lances with fiery points,and bucklers that give out flames when struck."
Arangbar gave him a puzzled glance. "But what good are those, Inglish?In battle the most important use of flame is the fire lance. What useare sparking swords? Watch and you will see what I mean."
Arangbar pointed to a line of Rajput marksmen, carrying horn bows andheavy spears, who had assembled at one side of the clearing. While theyfell into a formation perpendicular to the river, servants were placingclay pots on small stands at the opposite side, perhaps seventy yardsaway. The Rajputs watched impassively as the arrows in their bows werelighted, and then on the shout of their commander they lifted theirbows and fired in unison.
Ten streaks of flame shot across the riverfront, and the crowd fellexpectantly silent. All the arrows seemed to reach their target atprecisely the same instant. Each had been aimed at a separate pot, andas they impacted, the silence was rent by what sounded like a singleexplosion. The pots, Hawksworth realized, had been primed with powder,ready to detonate.
The smoke was still drifting across the grounds when torch carrierswith large flambeaux moved to the center, illuminating scaffolding thathad been hastily erected. More clay pots, painted white, hung suspendedfrom the scaffolds on long ropes. The servants set the pots swingingand then fell back, while the Rajputs ignited the tips of their spears.
Again flame streaked across the clearing and again there was asimultaneous explosion as the spears caught the swinging pots.
Arangbar joined the cheers, then turned and slapped Hawksworth on theshoulder. "That, Inglish, is how you use fire in battle. You must putit where you want it. No soldier of India would be daunted by trickswords and bucklers."
"My king agrees with you, Majesty. He leaves such toys to the Germans."
The display continued for almost an hour, as one exotic device afteranother was carried next to the riverfront. The water became litteredwith burning paper and the air so dense with smoke that Queen Janaharafinally started to cough. Arangbar immediately ordered an end to thefireworks, and as the crowd filed back into the hall, the tapestrieswere lowered to again conceal the smoky view of the river.
Now the music began, and the dancing, as musicians and women moved tothe center of the hall. Servants circulated with more betel leaves and_sharbat_, and Arangbar took his first ball of opium.
Hawksworth glanced guardedly at the queen. Her manner was imperious,regal, everything a sovereign should be. Everything Allaudin was not.And, he thought, probably a lot Arangbar himself is not.
She'll soon have India by the _cojones_, not a doubt on it. And thenit's farewell Jadar. And probably farewell Arangbar too. Will I get asigned _firman _for trade before it's too late?
As midnight neared, the music and dance were suddenly interrupted bytrumpets and a drum roll and shouts of "the bride comes." The curtainscovering a large doorway leading into the palace were drawn open, and aclosed palanquin was brought in by four eunuchs. It was accompanied byveiled women singing something Hawksworth did not understand. Thepalanquin was carried to the center of the room, where a low platformcovered with gold brocade had been positioned, and then the eunuchslowered it to the marble floor. The curtains were drawn aside and aveiled woman emerged, her small body almost smothered in a dress thatseemed made of multiple layers of beaten gold. She was helped to themiddle of the platform, still wearing a veil that covered her entireface. Chants of "Hail to the bride" arose on all sides.
Then Allaudin was escorted forward, taking his place on the platformbeside her. He stole a quick, distasteful glance at the veiled figurebeside him, then an official smile illuminated his face and he satpatiently as the _qazi _was summoned in front of them. The official wasbearded, stern- faced, and transparently arrogant. He stood before theveiled bride and motioned around him for silence.
"Is it by your own consent that this marriage take place with PrinceAllaudin, son of His Royal Majesty?"
From beneath the layers of the veil came a muffled, almost hesitant,"It is by my consent."
The _qazi _seemed satisfied and began reading a passage from the Quran,informing her that marriage depends on three circumstances: the assentof the bride and groom, the evidence of two witnesses, and the marriagesettlement. He then turned to Allaudin and asked him to name the sum hebrought.
Allaudin mumbled a figure that Hawksworth did not catch, but then the_qazi _repeated it for the guests. Hawksworth caught his breath when herealized the amount named was fifty _lakhs _of rupees. Then Allaudinsaid something else, which the _qazi _did not repeat.
Later Hawksworth learned that Allaudin had added he was giving only tenlakhs of rupees then, and the balance at some indefinite future time.
The _qazi _blessed the royal pair, praying that they would be blissfulin this world and in eternity, and then wrote something quickly in abook he carried. Finally the eunuchs appeared again and assisted thebride into the palanquin. The marriage ceremony seemed to be over.
A glass of wine was placed in Hawksworth's hand, and he looked up tosee Arangbar beaming with satisfaction.
"Now we drink, Inglish. Come, sit closer and help me toast thebridegroom."
"It was truly a royal wedding, Your Majesty."
"But it's not over, Inglish." Arangbar roared with laughter. "Thehardest part is yet to come. Does my son have the strength to completethe work he's offered to undertake? No one can leave until we're sure."
Hawksworth had begun his third glass of wine when Princess Laylareappeared, wearing a lighter dress, though still resplendent. Behindher eunuchs carried several palanquins piled high with vessels andtrays of silver. Following them were servants bearing bundles on theirheads.
"Those are the wares she brings to the marriage, Inglish, and herservants. I think she will make him a good wife."
The royal pair moved together, Layla still veiled, and then QueenJanahara stepped down from the dais and took a large mirror handed herby a turbaned eunuch. She walked to the couple and stopped directly infront of them. As they stood facing her, she held the mirror beforeAllaudin and reached to lift Layla's veil, giving him his first glimpseof his bride.
Hawksworth studied her with curiosity. She was plain. And she lookedvery frightened.
"It's auspicious, Inglish, if his first sight of his bride is in amirror. I have not seen her before either." Arangbar examined her for amoment, then turned to Nadir Sharif. "What do you think? Should I buyhim another one for his bed?"
"She's a goddess of beauty, Majesty. Inspiration for a poet."
"Is that what you think?" Arangbar sipped pensively from his cup."Well, perhaps it's true. We'll discover soon enough if she inspiresher groom."
The guests watched as Allaudin and Layla were helped into a largepalanquin. In moments their procession was winding out of the palace,followed by Layla's household silver, to a great fanfare of drums andtrumpets and the shouts of servants.
"Peace on the Prophet!"
"There is no nobility but the nobility of Mohammed!"
"Allah be with Him, the noblest, the purest, the highest!"
Hawksworth settled back against his bolster and realized groggily thatit was already past two o'clock in the morning.
When the wedding procession had disappeared from view, the jubilantservants immediately turned to preparations for the banquet.
"Sometimes life can be sweet, Inglish." Arangbar leaned back against abolster and pinched Janahara's hand. "I think he should have morewives. You know there's a saying in India: 'A man should have fourwives: A Persian to have someone to talk to; a Khurasani to keep hishouse; a big-breasted Hindu from the South to nurse his children; and aBengali to whip, as a warning to the other three.' So far he has onlythe Persian."
Hawksworth noticed that Janahara did not join in the general laughter.Then Arangbar took another drink and turned to Hawksworth.
"But you know I don't entirely agree with that wisdom, Inglish. TheHoly Prophet, on whom be peace, wisely realized a man needs more thanone wife. He also demanded of us that we give each of them equalattention, never to turn away from any one of them. What man can dothat, even with Allah's help? It is never possible. So we all do thebest we can. It is the will of Allah." Arangbar paused to swallow aball of affion as he watched the trays of lamb being placed beforethem. "Tell me, Inglish, have you found a wife for yourself yet?"
"Not as yet, Your Majesty." He paused. "There are so many to choose."
"Then take more than one, Inglish." Arangbar washed down the opium.
"It's not allowed for a Christian, Majesty."
"Then become a Muslim." Arangbar smiled and took another sip from hisglass. "Are you circumcised, Inglish?"
"Majesty?"
"Never mind." Arangbar laughed out loud. "Neither am I. How are themullahs to know? My father, Akman, actually wanted to start his ownreligion, combining the wisdom of India, Persia, and the West. Hethought circumcision was an absurd practice. You know, there was once a_feringhi _here, I believe he was Portuguese, who decided to become aMuslim, a True Believer. Apparently he had found a Muslim woman hewanted to marry, and her father declared she could never marry aChristian. So he had himself circumcised." Arangbar pauseddramatically. "And immediately bled to death. But doubtless he washealed by the time he reached Paradise. Perhaps he made up there forwhat he missed here." Arangbar chuckled and took a sip of wine.Hawksworth noticed that Queen Janahara was trying with great difficultyto retain her pleased expression. "Do you believe there is a Paradiseafter death, Inglish?"
"What man can say. Majesty? No one has returned from death to tell whathe found. I think life is best lived in the present."
"I've always believed the same, Inglish. And I've lived as few men onAllah's earth have lived." Arangbar settled himself against his bolsterand reached for another glass. He was starting to grow visibly tipsy."I now enjoy all Allah could possibly grant to a living man. There isnothing on earth I cannot have. And yet, do you know, I still have manygriefs. Show me the man whose heart is free of grief." He took a pieceof lamb from a dish and washed it down. "So I find my greatesthappiness with wine. Like a low-caste camel driver. Why must I stillendure sorrow, Inglish?"
"We all are mortal. Majesty."
"That we are. Inglish. But I will soon see this Paradise, if it exists.I will find out the truth soon enough. And when I'm finally wise, whowill then come after me? Now my sons practically war among themselves.Someday, Inglish, I fear they may decide to war against me as well. Andwhat of those I see around me? Do they think I am blind to theirdeceit?" Arangbar leaned farther back on the bolster. Nadir Sharif satlistening, rolling a ball of lamb between his fingers. "Sometimes Ithink you may be the only honest man left in India, Inglish. You arethe only one who has ever dared refuse to _teslim_. It is only with thegreatest forbearance that I do not order you hanged."
"I thank Your Majesty." Hawksworth took a decanter and poured more wineinto Arangbar's glass before replenishing his own.
"No, Inglish, instead you should thank your Christian God. If Helistens to you. But sometimes I wonder. I've heard you called a hereticmore than once."
"And I have names for the Jesuits, Your Majesty. Would you care to hearthem?"
"No, Inglish. Frankly, I have names for them too. But tell me, what amI to do to find peace?" Arangbar lowered his voice, but only slightly."I see around me an army of sycophants, _nautch _women dressed as men.Whom dare I trust? You know, my own people were once warriors, Mongolsof the steppes. They knew that the only ties that last are blood. Andthat's why this wedding cheers me. It is blood to blood." Arangbarturned and again touched Janahara's hand. Her face was expressionlessas she accepted the gesture. "The only person in India I dare trustcompletely is my own queen. She is the only one who cannot, will notdeceive me. Never. I feel it is true, as I feel nothing else in life.Nothing else."
Janahara's face remained a mask as Arangbar drank again. Nadir Sharifwas watching wordlessly, his face beginning to turn noticeably grim.Hawksworth realized he had not been mentioned.
"I have loved her since I was a youth, Inglish," Arangbar continued,his voice growing maudlin. "And she has never betrayed my trust. That'sthe reason I would do anything she asked me. Anything, anytime. Ialways know it is right."
Hawksworth found himself marveling as he glanced at Janahara'scalculating eyes.
I'd not trust her with two pence. He must be God's own fool.
Arangbar sat silent for a moment, savoring his own pronouncement, thenhe turned to Janahara and spoke to her in a dull slur.
"Ask something of me. Let me prove to the Inglish that I can never denyyou."
Janahara turned as though she had not been listening. Hawksworth knewshe had been straining for every word.
"What could I ask, Majesty? You have given me all I could ever want.Tonight you even gave me a husband for my daughter. Now I can die withthe peace of Allah."
"But I must give you something." He settled his wine cup shakily on thecarpet, jostling red splashes across the Persian design. "You must nameit."
"But there is nothing I could ask that I do not already have."
"Sometimes you vex me with your good nature. The Inglish will nowsuspect the Moghul of India is a vain braggart." He fumbled with histurban, trying to detach the large blue sapphire attached to the front."I will give you a jewel, even though you have not asked it."
"I beg Your Majesty." She reached to stay his hand. "There is nothingmore I could ever want."
"But I must give you something."
She smiled in defeat. "If you must bestow a present, why not givesomething to the bride and groom? This is their wedding, not mine."
"Then at least you must name it. It will be my gift to you throughthem." He turned to Hawksworth. "Whatever else you do. Inglish, nevermarry a Persian. They forever study to try your patience."
Hawksworth noticed Nadir Sharifs eyes harden as he listened. He slowlygripped the side of his bolster and absently pulled away a piece ofgold fringe.
"Then give them a small token, to show your confidence in Allaudin."
"I asked you to name it."
"Very well. Perhaps you could grant him the royal _jagirs _in Dholpur,those closest to Agra."
Arangbar's sleepy eyes widened slightly.
"Those _jagirs _always go to the prince nearest the throne. I grantedthem only last year to Prince Jadar, as part of his price to undertakethe campaign in the Deccan."
"But Prince Allaudin can administer them more easily. He's here. Andyou can compensate Jadar with others. Perhaps some in the north, nearthe fortress of Qandahar? You'll have to send him there after thecampaign in the Deccan." Janahara's voice was silken now.
Hawksworth turned to see Nadir Sharifs face growing ashen.
She's trying to drive Jadar into oblivion. Rob him of his best estates,then send him to defend a piece of mountain rock. Surely Arangbar willrefuse. Jadar will never agree. She must know that. Nadir Sharifcertainly knows it.
"What would Prince Jadar say to such a trade?" Arangbar sipped from hiswineglass and shifted slightly, his eyes again barely in focus.
"Why should he object? He's never here. And surely he'll be ready toobey Your Majesty and return to defend Qandahar after he completes hiscampaign in the south. The threat from the Persian Safavis in the northis already growing."
"I doubt very much he will agree so easily to march north again. Notyet. Though I pray to Allah that he would."
"Then this will give him all the more reason."
"He may not see it as a reason. He may see it as a betrayal. You knowhe's temperamental."
Hawksworth suddenly found himself wondering if the trade had beenplanned with Allaudin. It was obvious Nadir Sharif had been takencompletely by surprise.
"Then I suppose it's best dropped." Janahara turned her face away. "Youcan just forget I ever asked."
Arangbar looked crushed. He sipped thoughtfully on his wine for amoment.
"Perhaps if I consulted Prince Jadar first." He paused to study hisempty wine cup. "The _jagirs _ were granted . . ."
"Perhaps Your Majesty thinks Prince Allaudin should have no estates atall? Perhaps you think he is not yet fit?"
"He's fit, by Allah. He's my son." Arangbar impulsively seized anotherball of opium and began to chew on it thoughtfully. "I'll find a way tocompensate Jadar. Surely he'll be reasonable. After all, there must bea wedding gift."
"Then you'll agree to grant it?" Janahara's tone was quiet andinquiring."
"Majesty." Nadir Sharifs voice seemed strangely unguarded. "PrinceJadar . . ."
Arangbar seemed not to hear him. "I grant it. In the morning I'llsummon the _qazi_, and let this be recorded as my gift to my youngestson and his new bride." Arangbar's tenseness seemed to dissolve as heleaned back on the bolster and took another ball of opium. "But only onthe condition that he perform his duty tonight. Let him plow the fieldhe has before he's granted more."
Arangbar turned to Hawksworth. "Do you know what else will happen,Inglish, if he fails in his duty the first night?"
"No, Majesty."
"Some of her women will send him a distaff, which they use with theirspinning wheels. With a message that since he cannot do a man's work,it is fitting he should do a woman's. But I think he'll succeed."Arangbar turned to Janahara with a wink. "He's been practicing formonths with the _nautch _girls in the palace."
The queen did not smile as she took a rolled betel leaf from a tray.
A messenger appeared at the foot of the dais and performed the_teslim_. His voice was quivering. "The sheet has not yet come out, mayit please Your Majesty."
Arangbar laughed. "Then perhaps the furrow is too narrow to receive hisplow. Have a mullah bless some water and send it in to him. And tellhim I'm waiting to see if he's yet a man."
"A Shi'ite mullah, Your Majesty, or a Sunni?"
"From this night forward, he will have Shi'ite mullahs perform all theduties for his household," Janahara interrupted.
The messenger performed the _teslim _to the queen and backed from theroom. Arangbar sat silent, drinking.
"What does it matter?" He finally turned to her. "Let him have whateverhe pleases."
"That is easy for you to say. But it does not please Allah. Tonightshould be taken as an omen."
"Tonight is an omen of nothing. Tonight my son is charged to make awoman out of a Persian girl of fifteen, who knows nothing of her dutiesin bed. But he'll succeed. Give him time."
"I think tonight is an omen. Allah is not pleased when you allow openheresies to flourish."
Arangbar was watching a dancer who had approached the dais to begin asuggestive _nautch _dance for him. It seemed to Hawksworth that theywere already well acquainted, for she smiled at him knowingly, avoidingthe queen's glance.
"I care nothing for heresies." Arangbar turned back to Janahara. "Ionly care for the honor of my reign."
"But a faith divided does you no honor."
"Then unite it if you care so much. I have other duties." Arangbarturned again to watch the dancer. She had a large ring in one side ofher nose, and her eyes seemed to snap as she slapped her bare feetagainst the carpeted floor. "I never knew she was so good." He turnedto Nadir Sharif. "Send her a small ruby and find out for me tomorrowwhat her salary is. Whatever it is, I think she should have more."
"As you wish. Majesty." Nadir Sharif bowed lightly and turned again towatch the dancer.
Hawksworth studied the prime minister's face. It was grim, leaden.
It's everything Shirin said would happen. Prince Jadar has beenstripped of his lands, and the queen has been granted license to startan inquisition.
You'd better get the _firman _signed, before the country starts comingapart.
The doors of the hall burst open, and a crowd of women entered. Theycarried a silver plate, on which was a folded silken sheet. They movedquickly before the queen and performed the _teslim_. Then one held outthe plate.
The queen took the sheet and inspected it. Hawksworth watched her,puzzling, then remembered that in Muslim society a bloodstained weddingsheet is considered evidence, vital to the honor of both the families,of the bride's virginity and the groom's virility. With a triumphantsmile, Janahara nodded and turned to exhibit the sheet to Arangbar.
There were light pink traces across the white silk.
"He's a man after all." Arangbar passed the sheet to Zainul Beg, whobeamed and passed it to Nadir Sharif. The prime minister smiled withapproval.
"He has earned his _jagirs_." Arangbar turned to Janahara. "Let it berecorded. And now we feast."
More silver dishes of baked lamp appeared from inside the palace,brought by eunuchs who inspected them carefully before handing them toserving women. The music and dancing were exultant now and lasted untilthe light of dawn showed. The drunken guests waited reverently untilArangbar, who had gone to sleep, was carried from the hall on apalanquin. Then they began to disperse.
Hawksworth reached Nadir Sharif's side as the prime minister was movingout through the large, tapestry-adorned doorway.
"What really happened tonight?"
"What do you mean, Ambassador?"
"The transfer of _jagirs_. What will Jadar do?"
"Ambassador, that's a matter for the rulers of India to decide. It'snot your affair." Nadir Sharif did not look around. "Instead let me askyou a question. When will your English fleet make landfall? They areoverdue, but there have been no further sightings. I'm beginning towonder if there really is a fleet."
"Perhaps the weather's been against them." Hawksworth tried to steadyhimself on his feet. "After all, it was sighted by Jadar's men."
"Was it? Or did you and Prince Jadar deceive us all? If there's nofleet. Ambassador, you're in very serious trouble. There will be no_firman_. His Majesty is hardly a fool."
"He promised to sign the _firman _long before the sighting."
"You do not know him as I do. You have another week, perhaps two, andthen . . . Let me merely say you cannot drink the fleet into existence.We are both going to have difficulty explaining this deception to HisMajesty. You met with the prince. I'm beginning to wonder now if youboth planned this. If you did, it was most unwise."
"Then wait two weeks and see." Hawksworth felt his palms grow moist."Two weeks is not so long a time."
"It is a very long time, Ambassador. Much is happening. You have mademany of the wrong friends. Good evening, Ambassador. I must speak toHer Majesty." Nadir Sharif turned and was swallowed by the crowd.
As Hawksworth moved into the street, he saw that the front of thepalace was already bathed in morning light. And Agra was beginning tocome to life. He strolled for a time along the side of the Jamuna,where burned-out candles still floated, and studied the outline of theRed Fort against the morning sky.
What if there really is no fleet? What if it really was a trick byJadar, for some reason of his own? To destroy my mission? Has hecozened us all?
Midmorning was approaching when he finally reached his lodge at therear of Nadir Sharifs estate. As he passed through the curtaineddoorway, he saw Kamala waiting, her eyes dark. She was wearing none ofher jewels.
"Have you heard?" She took his turban and knelt to remove his _kamar-band_.
"Heard what?"
"Do you know the Sufi Samad? And the Persian woman who was with him?"
Hawksworth examined her, wondering who else knew of his stay inFatehpur Sekri.
"Why do you ask?"
"If you do know them, it is no longer wise to admit it."
"Why?" Hawksworth felt his gut tighten. Suddenly Kamala's touch nolonger stirred him.
"The news is already spreading in Agra." She began removing his cloak,pausing to smooth her hand across his chest. "They were arrested lastnight, while the wedding was underway, in the bazaar this morning theysay he is sure to be condemned to death for heresy, and she for aidinghim. People think they will both be executed within the week."
