Tree of Pearls, Queen of Egypt

Rukn al-Din and Sahban

 Rukn al-Din and Sahban now finding himself alone, Rukn al-Din was plunged into gloomy reflections on Baghdad’s imminent fate. He was inclined to believe that the Tatars would be victorious in the coming battle. If they did indeed manage to take the city, would they overthrow the government and bring down the Caliphate? Or would they retain the sacred institution and simply replace one Caliph with another? His own ambitions in Egypt would certainly be aided by the current weakness of the Sultanate. He was fully aware that he would need the support of the Caliph in Baghdad to secure the throne of Egypt, however. His thoughts turned to the glory and might of Baghdad, the very center of the entire Muslim world from its easternmost lands to the farthest west. No king could sit securely on his throne without the sanction of Baghdad, for the common folk revered the Caliphate as an article of their deepest faith. The present perils that beset the Imperial city grieved him mightily, and he wondered at the illusions that dominate the minds of men. Power, as Rukn alDin well understood, depends most keenly on illusion, through which it bends and shapes the populace to the will of the ruler. An extraordinary idea suddenly occurred to him, and his heart leapt with excitement. Why not move the Caliphate itself to Egypt? Cairo would then become the beating heart of the Islamic world that no prince or sultan, however independent, could do without. Had Rukn al-Din been a man like Sahban, he would have danced for joy and imagined himself already seated on his Egyptian throne and supported by an Egyptian Caliphate, while the princes and monarchs begged his favor. But our worthy prince was pessimistic about the future, and was inclined to dwell on any and all possible impediments to his plans and ambitions. He preferred to assume failure. The many obstacles to this farfetched plan now crowded in on his mind and he  | tree of pearls, queen of egypt pushed them aside with a deep sigh, preferring for the moment to return to the immediate problem of finding Shwaykar. ‘Abid had twice interrupted him during these solitary reflections: once to call him to table, and a second time to prayer. Shortly before sunset, the eunuch came to inform him that Sahban had returned from his visit to Mu’ayyid al-Din. Soon thereafter, Sahban himself appeared with furrowed brow and angry eyes. “What news, Sahban?” Rukn al-Din began. “Have you seen the Minister?” “I have not,” Sahban glumly replied. “And why not?” “He is not at home. He left shortly after we took our leave of him. I was told that Al-Musta‘sim sent him to Hulagu’s encampment. It seems that the Caliph has finally awoken to the dangers that beset him. His faith in our Minister’s ability is apparently renewed, and he has secretly sent him to negotiate with the Tatar.” “It has come to this, then . . .” Rukn al-Din murmured as he considered the consequences of this new development. “The Caliph’s decision to send Mu’ayyid al-Din on this mission is the best decision he has taken in many a month, though I fear it comes too late. Our Minister —may God preserve him—has influence with Hulagu and can negotiate an outcome that shall suit both parties.” “I do not understand what you mean by the Minister’s influence over the Tatar. Was there previous acquaintance between them?” “I shall not hide from you that the Minister and Hulagu have secretly corresponded . Hulagu proffered alliance and promised him many benefits in consequence . For many a month Mu’ayyid al-Din hesitated, bent as he was on further attempts to reform Al-Musta‘sim. When he had finally despaired of success, he wrote to Hulagu, for the sake and safety of his kinsfolk and of the Shi‘a of Baghdad .” Catching sight of the look of astonishment on Rukn al-Din’s face at this revelation, he added, “Our Minister only pretended his surrender. It is no treachery , my Lord.” “Mu’ayyid al-Din has betrayed his Caliph!” Rukn al-Din thought to himself in bitter irony. “And so the mighty Empire doth fall.” He held his tongue, however , and continued to question Sahban. “What course of action do you then suppose the Minister and Hulagu will decide?” “I believe they will depose Al-Musta...