Tree of Pearls, Queen of Egypt

The Engagement

 The Engagement once alone in her chambers, Tree of Pearls gave herself up to the ministrations of the slaves and eunuchs who proceeded to carefully remove her heavy ceremonial robes and ornaments and to dress her in more comfortable loose- fitting garments. After they had completed this task she ordered them to leave her, and now quite alone she sank into a deep reverie. She considered her new situation and the great prize that she had won—a prize she would never have dared to even dream of in her youth, when she had been but a naïve girl at court, as distant from the state of kings and sultans as the earth is from the moon. Now she herself had become Queen of Muslims, and all heads bowed in her presence. A sudden wave of wild joy swept over her, and then just as suddenly passed away as she recalled the many great hurdles ahead and the numerous grave political and military crises that beset the land of Egypt. The war against the Crusaders was the most pressing of these, but internal strife between competing and variously hostile factions in the administration and the ranks of the army were no less serious. She was somewhat comforted by her conviction that ‘Izz al-Din and his allies in the army would support her to the last, be it for gain or from a sense of tribal solidarity—she cared little which—, and yet the deep frown that creased her brow as she pondered upon these matters would not leave her face. While she was thus occupied, Shwaykar entered the chambers. The girl’s lovely features glowed with delight. She fell upon the hand of her mistress and kissed it affectionately. “God be praised for his blessings, my Lady. You are crowned Queen of Muslims. Did I not remark to you, when I saw you stretched out upon the royal couch yesterday, that it suited you well?” Suddenly she noticed the expression on the Queen’s face. “Why do you look so troubled, my Lady? Does my presence displease you? Do you wish me to withdraw?”  | tree of pearls, queen of egypt Tree of Pearls drew Shwaykar to her bosom and tenderly kissed her brow. “Quit my presence? Never, my dearest Shwaykar. I am not in the least troubled. I feel my good fortune most keenly. My thoughts run to the many duties that I am now obliged to shoulder. I used to wish for nothing else but this very moment, and now that it has arrived, the thrill has passed away and the realities of statecraft crowd in upon my mind.” “If you have now come to detest your position, I should be glad to assume it in your place!” Shwaykar teased. Tree of Pearls smiled, and kissed Shwaykar a second time. “How can I detest kingship, my dear, when I have yet to taste its pleasures? But neither must I discount the many trials and hardships that it must bring in its wake.” “The trials of which you speak are indeed unavoidable, my Queen,” replied Shwaykar. “And yet our First Minister, ‘Izz al-Din, shall carry the heaviest burden of it for you. And our Rukn al-Din is . . . a great hero.” She blushed and bowed her head as she spoke his name. Tree of Pearls laughed merrily and reached out to stroke Shwaykar’s hair. “Rukn al-Din is indeed a great hero, and to show you the proof of it, I shall charge him with a mission of utmost importance that I dare entrust to no other. Will you permit me to do so?” Shwaykar blushed again at this gracious deference. “Who am I to give my consent to such a matter, my Lady? Are we not your slaves, bound to obey your every command?” A quick surge of elation filled Tree of Pearls at this ceremonial response—it was the first time she had heard it addressed to her royal person—but she was a sensible and discerning woman who cared nothing for pretty phrases in the end. “We are all God’s slaves, my dear child,” she replied. “I requested your permission because Rukn al-Din’s affairs are no longer indifferent to you. Destiny has united his fate to your own. Is it not so?” “Even if it be so,” she ventured shyly, “the destiny of which you speak was guided by your own hand.” “That is of no importance...