Tree of Pearls, Queen of Egypt

Uproar

 Uproar mu’ayyid al-din, on the other hand, was a fastidious and farsighted man who carefully considered all obstacles and patiently set out to overcome them. If not for this, he would never have risen to the post of First Minister in a government whose religious doctrine was different from his own, and especially amongst a clan that hated and persecuted the Shi‘a. He had nothing but bemused contempt for Sahban’s plans and projects regarding a Shi‘ite restoration in Egypt. He knew full well that the Shi‘a were too weak to win such a suit. He was favorably inclined, however, to the idea of replacing the present Caliph with another more competent one, but he did not wish to confess this to Sahban, and so he decided to put an end to the discussion. “We shall let this matter be for now,” he firmly declared. Sahban felt the edge of scorn in the Minister’s voice. “It seems that my project excites not your interest, my Lord. Perhaps you find it improbable. If you knew my reasoning you would be more inclined to listen,” he sulkily added. Mu’ayyid al-Din sighed. “Indeed, my friend, your hopes strike me as being exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to fulfill.” “If you find my reasoning to be weak, then let us hear your own proposals. Or do you believe that we should quietly accept this humiliation for the rest of our lives?” “Certainly not. But we must deliberate carefully, and above all refrain from rambling on like this for any and all to hear.” “As you wish, my Lord. What, then, is our route to salvation?” “You have put me in a delicate position, Sahban, for I would not have disclosed my mind to you just yet. We Shi‘a must not allow ourselves to indulge in dreams of a restoration, for present conditions will simply not allow it. There will perhaps come a day when our sons will be in a position to realize this dream, but  | tree of pearls, queen of egypt for now, it will suffice to replace this feeble voluptuary with a wise and steadfast Caliph who will give us justice. This is the plan on which we must fix our sights.” Sahban lowered his head in thought. He was suddenly ashamed of his own foolish schemes. In addition to being prey to all sorts of illusions, he was also very fickle and easily led. He now agreed wholeheartedly with Mu’ayyid al-Din. “True, my Lord. Upon my word, but you are a sensible and prudent minister! Tell me, what provisions have you laid for the execution of this plan?” Mu’ayyid al-Din suddenly grew tired of the conversation, for he had no real intention of discussing his plans with Sahban. He rose pensively and his eyes were drawn to the floating bridge that crossed the Tigris. He suddenly noticed that it was unusually crowded with folk on foot, many running in panic as though fleeing a battle. He was unable to make out any of the faces in the crowd, but he immediately assumed that an event of great import had taken place. He turned to Sahban, who had come to stand by him, and saw that the look of astonishment on his face was even greater than on his own. Sahban’s eyes were sharper, as well. “Do you see, my Lord?” he cried. “Do you not see? These are the Caliph’s soldiers returned from an expedition of plunder with their prisoners in tow.” “But from where do they come?” Mu’ayyid al-Din exclaimed. “I know not, but I see imperial soldiers and those are their banners before them. If my vision fails me not, then that is the insignia of the Dawadar himself that precedes them. The scene puts me in mind of the recent military raids that were directed against our people in Karkh and Qadhimiyya.” Mu’ayyid al-Din stared at the crowds on the bridge but was unable to see clearly. Suddenly he heard a great tumult in the precincts of his own house. He put his head out of a window that opened onto the inner courtyard of the palace and saw a group of women weeping and wailing, their torn clothes covered in blood and dust. In their midst was an old man with bent back, leaning for support on a cane. Like the women, he too...