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Shwaykar
- Syracuse University Press
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Shwaykar the days and weeks passed and Rukn al-Din was greatly occupied by the duties of his office, for ‘Izz al-Din had kept him in the post of Dawadar to the new King. He was haunted by thoughts of Shwaykar, however, and he pined for news of her in Baghdad. He could not make up his mind whether to follow her there or to wait until he had received some proof of her continued devotion to him, for he was apprehensive, knowing the honors that would be heaped upon her and the particular admiration that she was sure to inspire at the Caliph’s Palace. His nature was not of the impetuous, passionate kind that hastens to sacrifice its own interests in the name of love. He was steady and rational in his actions, and was guided in all he thought and did by utility and, above all, ambition. In his heart, he did not believe that Shwaykar would remain true to his love, once installed at Baghdad. His love for her was strong and he suffered at her absence, but he was partly consoled in the knowledge that she was surely now living in great comfort and luxury. Was this not the greatest aspiration of such as her? One morning, however, he woke from a dream in which she had appeared to him in a state of wild terror. His heart grew anxious in the wake of this troubling vision, and he immediately resolved to act. His heavy duties still obliged him to remain at court for the time being, but it occurred to him that he might send Sahban in his place. Such a mission, he reasoned, would also be a means of further drawing the man into his confidence. Sahban eagerly responded to the Prince’s summons, and Rukn al-Din immediately broached the subject that troubled his mind. “God’s peace, Sahban. You spoke truly of the state of the Empire when we last met. I have since thought long upon it. The Abbasids are unfit for the Caliphate so long as they wallow in corruption.” “Did I not say so, my Lord?” the merchant fervently replied. shwaykar | “You did. I myself have felt the yoke of their oppression. Perhaps you have heard that they have taken Shwaykar, Tree of Pearls’s handmaiden?” “Indeed my Lord, I have heard.” “She is my betrothed.” “Your betrothed?” Sahban exclaimed in astonishment. “And Al-Musta‘sim dared to take her from you? The tyrant! The ‘Alawi Caliphs would never have been guilty of such a deed,” he added slyly. “He did not knowingly do so. But that is not my point—what I wish now is to know how Shwaykar fares there. I cannot travel to Baghdad myself for the present . You, however, go there often in the course of your business. Would you then undertake this service for your friend Rukn al-Din?” Sahban was flattered by this noble recognition. “I am at your service, my Lord. I shall depart as soon as possible—tomorrow. May God blight them! They shall soon be the ruin of this Empire,” and he shook his head in bitter wonder. “I thank you for your devotion, Sahban. The days to come shall show you my gratitude.” “It is my duty to serve you, my Lord. I shall depart tomorrow.” He rose to take his leave. “Say no more, and rest assured. I know perfectly well what you require.” He bowed deeply and withdrew. Rukn al-Din took up his affairs once more with a heart less troubled than before, and he did his best to patiently wait out the month or so that it would take for Sahban to make the journey to Baghdad and back. But one night, before two weeks had passed, an unexpected messenger arrived from Baghdad and would not wait till the following morning to deliver his urgent letter to the Prince. On the evening in question, Rukn al-Din was visiting privately with Tree of Pearls. He often went to see her now in order to while away her solitude and to cheer her spirits as best as he could. The Usher entered and solemnly made his announcement. “A messenger waits at the gate with a letter for Prince Rukn al-Din. He says that he will deliver it into none but his own hand.” “Let him enter,” replied the Prince calmly, but his heart jumped in his breast...