Part 104 (1/2)
”And tonight we will dine together again.” He smiled. ”If my cooks can find enough cane-juice _gur _in all the bazaars to sweeten your _lapsi_.”
”Seeing you again, Highness, sweetens my tongue already.” He bowed and produced the brocade bundle. ”My brother, the _maharana_, sends this unworthy token, together with his prayers for your victory.”
A eunuch stepped forward and brought it to Jadar. When the prince opened the wrapping, a scabbard holding a jewel-handled sword glistened in the mid morning light.
”He does me honor. A Rajput blade knows its friends and its foes.”
Jadar smiled as he brushed the sword handle. Next he drew out the blade and tested its edge with his finger. The Rajput watched as Jadar sheathed the sword, then lifted the ruby-studded katar from his own belt. ”To honor him, I grant his brother my own katar. May its blade soon be crimson with the blood of his foes.”
The Rajput bowed as he received the knife. Jadar admired his new sword a moment longer, then continued. ”How many of our friends rode west with you?”
”Half a thousand, Highness. More would have joined us now, but I thought it unwise. Your Highness will understand why. But those who did come I picked carefully. Twenty officers of superior cla.s.s, and the rest first and second cla.s.s.”
”The eunuchs watched your banners enter the camp. I've already heard some of the names.” The prince's voice rose. ”I think you've gutted the Rajput field command in the Imperial army.”
”Not entirely, Highness.”
”Ah, but I know you did.” Jadar smiled and leaned forward, dropping his voice again and switching from Turki to Rajasthani. ”The tent poles here can repeat my words.” He drew himself erect again and signaled for a tray of pan leaves from the eunuchs. ”A tent has been prepared for you. Tonight we will dine again from the same dish and you can tell me how many white-necked cranes you bagged on Pichola Lake last winter.”
The Rajput clasped his hands together and bowed lightly before taking a pan leaf. ”Tonight, Highness.”
As Mahdu marched regally back through the entryway, Jadar turned and studied s.h.i.+rin thoughtfully for a moment. Then he motioned her forward and smiled toward Vasant Rao. ”And who else did you bring? Yet another old friend?”
s.h.i.+rin salaamed lightly. ”I thank Your Highness for still remembering me.”
”I remember you very well. But the last I'd heard, Janahara had ordered you imprisoned. I'm astonished to see you still alive.”
”I was released by Arangbar, Highness, after Samad was executed.” She tried unsuccessfully to diguise the fatigue in her voice. ”I still do not know why.”
”Perhaps it was his weakness for beauty.” Jadar smiled. ”But just now I think you need rest. Mumtaz has asked me to invite you to stay with her in the _zenana_.”
”s.h.i.+rin stays with me.” Hawksworth heard his own voice, abruptly rising above his exhaustion.
Jadar turned and studied him for a moment, then laughed out loud.
”Suddenly I understand many, many things. Mumtaz was right after all.
Why is it women always seem to see these things so clearly?” His gaze swept Hawksworth's tattered jerkin. ”Well? How are you, Captain Hawksworth? Still alive, I see, just as I foretold. And still the fas.h.i.+onable English amba.s.sador.”
”There is no other. Unfortunately, however, my mission was not a complete success.”
”First, India must have a just rule. Then trade can be conducted with an even hand.” Jadar leaned back on his bolster. ”Tell me, Captain, have you seen enough of Agra and court intrigue to rethink the matter we once discussed?”
”I've probably seen all of Agra I'll ever see.” Hawksworth fixed Jadar squarely. ”But then I'll have much company.”
Jadar sobered and regarded Hawksworth a moment in silence.
”I see time still has not mellowed you. Or taught you very much. Do you understand anything at all of land tactics, Sea Captain Hawksworth?”
”I've never claimed to. But I can count infantry.”
Jadar laughed again. ”You still amuse me, Captain. I'll never know why.