‘Peace be upon you, friend,’ Idrisi replied as he followed the old man through the usual set of rooms with wooden architraves and mosaics that recalled an earlier past.
The Sultan was in his private audience chamber, a room Idrisi knew well. But he had to wait in the antechamber until the Sultan’s visitors had left. He wondered who they were and why they had been summoned at this hour. Rujari usually conducted business during the first half of the day. The old steward sat next to him and, looking in the direction of the Sultan’s chamber, whispered in a broken voice, ‘A mehfil of killers is taking place. Last minute preparations for tomorrow’s trial. Everything is already decided. He has been found guilty. Tomorrow they will burn him.’
Before Idrisi could reply several Barons and three Bishops came through the door looking pleased with themselves. The steward bowed and escorted them out of the antechamber. In contrast to previous occasions, none of them bothered to acknowledge Idrisi’s presence. He strode into Rujari’s chamber without waiting for the steward to return. The Sultan seemed genuinely pleased to see him. How could he be so remote from reality?
‘I’m glad you’re back. I need you by my side.’
‘I just saw the men who are on your side. Barons bloated with too much food and Bishops living off the fat of lands they have stolen.’
‘From your tone, Idrisi, I detect that you will not be present at the trial tomorrow.’
‘The Sultan will forgive me, I hope. The sight of your foster-son being falsely accused, found guilty and burnt is something I do not wish to witness. It is bad enough living with my conscience, powerless to prevent Philip’s death and too weak and cowardly to do anything myself. It would appear that we have returned to a primitive state of conflict between our two communities.’
‘It’s not easy for me, Muhammad. You know full well I have not long to live.’
‘Philip al-Mahdia was your best chance of keeping your family on the throne. The Barons will not leave the Hauteville clan alone for too long. Who will defend them once you have gone?’
‘I have made my choice, Master Idrisi. And I fully understand your repugnance at what I have done. It’s best if you stay away from the palace for a few weeks till this storm blows itself out. And you have my permission to take Mayya and Elinore with you. She has inherited your intelligence. You should be proud of her.’
Idrisi, caught by surprise, asked in a low voice: ‘You knew?’
‘From the beginning.’
‘Then why…’
‘Because to have acknowledged that I was aware of what had taken place could have established an unhealthy precedent. It was Philip who advised total secrecy. Your own Sultans would have ordered the executioner and made your neck taste the scimitar. For that reason Philip was against letting you know. But in my heart I was happy for you.’
‘As always, Philip offered you sage advice. I thank you for your friendship and generosity. It has always meant a great deal to me.’
‘I wish I did not have to do what I am going to do. I hope you believe me.’
Idrisi did not reply, but bowed out of the room. The steward was waiting for him.
‘The Sultan suggested I take the Lady Mayya and Elinore home with me.’
‘It was time,’ said the steward in a soft voice. ‘Follow me Master Idrisi.’
They walked to the harem, guarded by two eunuchs who rose on seeing the men approach.
‘This is the harem of Sultan Rujari,’ the shorter of the two men spoke. ‘What business do you have here?’
The steward whispered something in the man’s ear. The door was opened and the Chief Eunuch alerted the women.
‘On the orders of our exalted Sultan Rujari, a male guest is entering to visit the Lady Mayya.’
A flurry of doors being shut and from behind exquisitely latticed windows curious eyes observed his entry. Idrisi followed the two eunuchs into the women’s quarter and to Mayya’s rooms. Answering the knock on her door, she was shocked to see him. ‘Why are you here? This was not agreed.’
‘I have the Sultan’s permission to take you and Elinore home now.’
Mayya was astounded. Stepping aside, she invited him into her chamber. He had last come here eighteen years ago and the result had been Elinore. How different it had been on that occasion. He had been disguised as a woman and a small purse of silver coins was the price demanded by the eunuch on duty, who had subsequently disappeared. Had Philip ordered his execution?
They embraced each other as she wept.
‘I never thought it would happen so soon. Do we have to leave now?’
‘That was the Sultan’s instruction.’
‘But my… our clothes… our… Elinore.’
‘All that can be sent to my house tomorrow. The Sultan has asked me to keep away from the palace for some time.’
‘I can’t believe I’m free, Muhammad.’
‘Let us not waste any more time. Where is Elinore?’
‘She is with Balkis and the Amir in the guest chambers. I think I should break the news to her alone. Let me go and bring her. Should we meet you at the palace gates or would you like some time on your own to explore the harem? And we will have to pack some clothes just for tomorrow.’
‘I will wait for you in the steward’s chamber near the gates. Try and avoid too much excitement and invite your sister and her husband to join us for the midday meal tomorrow.’
‘Muhammad, tomorrow is Philip’s trial. The Amir of Siracusa has been asked to attend and there are notables from Qurlun and other cities here as well. And you?’
‘I have told the Sultan I will not be present. In that case Balkis could come with you now. Why should she be present here tomorrow? And ask the Amir to come and join us after the trial. I doubt it will take a long time.’
‘I will ask Balkis to come with us. The whole palace is upset. I had no idea that Philip had so many followers. The eunuchs can barely speak. Most of the old retainers walk about with sad eyes. As for those who work in the Diwan, they feel it’s the end.’
She looked around her rooms for the last time, finding it hard to believe she would never live here again.
* Wild hemp.
TEN
A twenty-six-year-old conversation on theology in which Rujari and Idrisi compare the merits and demerits of their respective religions.
THE MEETING WITH RUJARI angered Idrisi. The Sultan appeared distant and unconcerned. Idrisi wished he were dead. How could Rujari have forgotten the past so soon and accepted the demands of corrupt Barons, hypocritical and grovelling Bishops and empty-headed courtiers? Then he controlled his thoughts. He did not wish to feel only hatred and resentment for his old friend. He recalled one of their many conversations.
It happened when they were still young. It was a stifling midsummer’s day. There were no breezes on land and no waves on the sea, whose smooth surface shone like glass.
Rujari sent a message to his friend in the library, suggesting they board his ship and cool themselves in the sea. Idrisi remembered how shocked the Greek sailors were when, on his first voyage, he admitted he did not know how to swim. An islander who could not swim! With great patience they taught him how to use his hands and legs and breathe in the water, how to stay afloat, and gradually he acquired the skills.
They found a beautiful cove not far from Palermo. After their swim, they had mainly talked geography and astronomy and Idrisi had praised the accuracy of Ptolemy’s maps, commenting that the Alexandrian must have had a fine eye and skills that had so far eluded him. Time had passed quickly. On the way home they sat on deck and savoured what was left of the day, enjoying the sea breeze that rose as the sun began to disappear. Each had won a game of chess before Rujari asked an attendant to take the pieces away and bring a flask of wine. Turning to Idrisi, he asked whether differences between their two peoples were rocks that could not be shifted, or might their faiths become intertwined in the years ahead. Idrisi hesitated before replying.