The Kadin - Bertrice Small [118]
Abu fell to his knees and, clutching the hem of the sultan’s robe, kissed it
“Wait Abu. There is more. A free man needs a woman to look after his needs. This woman was the favorite of the old shah. Many years ago, she caused great harm to the lady Zuleika.”
“The mother of little Prince Nureddin?”
“You know my son?”
“Yes, great lord He comes to the stables to ride his pony. He gives me sweetmeats and figs. He is my friend. Shall I kill this woman for you, lord?”
“No, Abu. I have graciously granted her her life, but because you have been loyal to me, I give her to you as a slave. She is yours forever. Teach her your loyalty, and use her as you will.”
In his whole lifetime Abu had possessed a woman only on a few occasions. His lowly rank, his occupation, and his own personal appearance left precious few who were willing to associate with the sweeper of dung. His good eye took in the beautiful woman who his lord had said was his. Selim was not known for practical jokes, so it must be true. “Oh, great sultan! The ages will speak of your generosity toward your humble servant Abu.”
He turned to Shannez. “Come, slave!”
“Approach me, vile animal, and I will kill you,” she hissed
The humpback raised an arm and smashed her to the floor. Grasping her limp arm with his talonlike fingers, he half dragged the woman from the room.
For a moment the hall quivered in stunned silence, then Selim spoke. “You have seen my mercy toward one who would betray an emperor’s true daughter. I granted her life. My vengeance is far more terrible to behold.
“There is but one true God, Allah, And Mohammed, may his name be blessed, is His true Prophet Is there any of you who would deny this? Who among you mourns Husayn and follows the teachings of the Shia?” No one spoke. “I will strike down without mercy those who mock the one God and His Prophet be it man, or woman, or child!
“I will spare you, Shah Ismail, because, having led your people from the true path of Allah, it is up to you to lead them back. Those who will not publicly recant this heresy shall die. I, Selim Khan, have spoken!”
The sultan then rose from the throne and walked from the room, followed by his two wives. Out of hearing of the others, he turned to Zuleika. “Are you satisfied, my blossom? Your vengeance was quite diabolical. I never knew you to be quite so ferocious. Have you been so unhappy with me?”
The Chinese woman caught the sultan’s hand and brought it to her forehead, her lips, and finally to her heart “For twenty-two years I have lived for you, and then for our children. Never have I known an unhappy moment with you, never have I had an unkind word from you—but never have I forgotten what that woman did to me. That her treachery brought me unspeakable happiness mattered not—only that she dared to lay hands upon a daughter of the emperor of China. My family is as great in their land as yours in ours. Would you not have done the same thing had you been in my place, my dearest lord?”
Selim put his arm about Zuleika, drew her close, and kissed her gently. “Yes, my tigress, I would have done the same. And now is your soul purged of its bile?”
“Not quite, my lord, but that small bit that remains I can exorcise quickly.”
“I will leave you to do so.” He turned and strode off down the tiled corridor.
Cyra had been standing quietly in the shadows. Zuleika moved to her side and asked, “Will you come with me? What I must see may be horrible, but I must know that Shannez is completely humbled before I can be satisfied.”
Cyra nodded. They moved through several corridors, down a flight of stairs, finally reaching