Tree of Pearls, Queen of Egypt

A Newcomer

 A Newcomer meanwhile, mu’ayyid al-din, having sent his unwitting messenger to Hulagu, was once more plunged into mental turmoil. Remorse and relief competed for dominion over him, though relief was foremost. He remained cloistered at home all that day, and for many days after, as well, for the staggering nature of the deed he had committed and the anxiety that continued to haunt him left him ill-disposed to see or speak to another living soul. The Caliph’s unusual silence doubled his apprehension. During Mu’ayyid al-Din’s lengthy absence from court, the Commander of the Faithful had never once summoned him, nor even inquired after his health. Mu’ayyid al-Din inferred that the Caliph had changed towards him, and he clung to the solitude of his quarters like a condemned man who awaits news of his fate. One day while he was thus occupied, he heard a familiar knock at the inner gates. It was Sahban, finally come in his turn, after a long and somewhat disquieting absence. Mu’ayyid al-Din was particularly glad to see his blustering young friend walk through the door on this occasion. He welcomed him warmly and bade him be seated at his side. “What news, Sahban?” he inquired uneasily, after a close examination of his guest’s face. “I perceive dark clouds gathered above that fine brow of yours.” “You are not looking so well as the last time I saw you, either, my Lord,” Sahban moodily remarked. “But why should this change of condition surprise you? Your own counsel shall lead us down the path to perdition soon enough.” He bit his fleshy lower lip in frustration. Mu’ayyid al-Din understood this remark as a criticism of his stubborn loyalty to Al-Musta‘sim. He gave a bitter little laugh. “My dear friend, the next world may well be a better place than this one.” “Perhaps, but let us at least be avenged before proceeding there.” a newcomer |  “It shall be as you wish,” Mu’ayyid al-Din solemnly replied. Sahban was taken aback by this unexpected answer. “When?” he eagerly demanded. “Sooner than you think. Who knows? Tomorrow perhaps.” Sahban was now genuinely baffled. He rose and began frantically pacing the room. “What mean you, my Lord? Surely, you have mistaken my words.” “I have understood you perfectly. Do you not wish to be rid of this tyrant, though it be at the price of seeking outside aid?” “I do!” “It is done. We have only to await the result.” Sahban looked about him fearfully. “You have written to Hulagu?” he whispered. “I have. You would have known it many a day since, had you come to me sooner. I would know your opinion, Sahban,” he added thoughtfully. “My opinion?” Sahban joyfully declared. “I have wished for nothing else! If my hopes are fulfilled, I would happily drop dead on the spot this very minute! But I come to you today with discouraging news, though it shall never be a real obstacle to us.” “Speak!” Mu’ayyid al-Din demanded. “The Imam Ahmad has been moved to another prison. It may be that his absence of a fortnight ago was discovered. In any case, they have taken him to a palace near the Kalwadhi Gate in the southern part of the city, and they have doubled his guard. But let them do as they will,” he shrugged dismissively. “He shall be our Caliph wherever they take him. We shall have no difficulty releasing him when the time comes. After the Tatars enter Baghdad and capture Al-Musta‘sim, you shall guide them to Imam Ahmad’s prison and he shall be invested with the Caliphate on the very spot. Oh, what a joyful day that shall be! And then we shall have our ‘Alawi state! My heart’s one true desire!” Mu’ayyid al-Din stared at him in wonder. He almost envied Sahban his seemingly endless optimism and his unshakeable, though entirely unjustified, confidence in the certainty of success. A man of this character may well err and fail, but he is yet closer to true happiness than the cautious or suspicious man who grasps happiness in his hand while doubting its existence. For Sahban, the simple fact that Mu’ayyid al-Din had written to Hulagu meant the war was already won. The many great dangers and obstacles to come simply did not occur to him. “We...