She looked up as Sanat Ji Mani came through the door. "More trouble?" she asked as she took her heels from behind her head and got to her feet.
"In some ways, yes. This is the heart of our trouble." He closed the door firmly and went across the room to the window. "And many lives are forfeit to the Will of the Rajput. Many lives, many more than ours."
"What do you mean? What does the Rajput want now?" Her voice was testy and she strode about the room, her apprehension translating itself into movement.
"He wants us to go on campaign with him," Sanat Ji Mani said.
"You expected that," she said, wanting him to reveal what was new in this regard; she had not noticed that Sanat Ji Mani had said
us
not
me
.
"Yes; I did." He inhaled deeply, the aroma of ginger and jasmine mingling on the evening wind. "And finally I know why."
Tulsi waited, then prompted, "Very well— why?"
"It seems," said Sanat Ji Mani remotely, "that Vayu Ede has had a vision, and Hasin Dahele believes the vision, no matter what I said to him."
"And that vision is—" Tulsi said impatiently, pacing back close to him.
"What it comes down to," said Sanat Ji Mani, "is that Hasin Dahele is convinced I am Timur-i Lenkh."
There was silence between them, Tulsi stood still, and then gave a crack of laughter. "You cannot mean it. Timur-i? You?"
"I have told him I am not, I have told him where I come from. It does not matter. He has accepted the vision and is certain that all he needs to do is conquer enough territory and I will declare myself to be Timur-i and make him my heir. We are not hostages. We are something far worse." Speaking this aloud made it seem more preposterous than hearing it from Hasin Dahele; Sanat Ji Mani gave a rueful chuckle. "I think I could have told him my true nature and he would have assumed it was only another ploy to keep from admitting my so-called real identity."
"But you would not do that?" Tulsi exclaimed, no hint of humor in her question. "You will not tell him you are a vampire."
"Of course not," he said, and added more gently. "I am relieved that you have refused a sixth embrace with me; we have hazard enough around us without that as an addition. I fear we will be under more extreme scrutiny now that the Rajput has informed me of his plans, and it is difficult enough as things are."
"I am not ready to—" She broke off, her manner apologetic. "I long for all you can do with me, with the pleasure you bring to my body, and I rejoice in your passion, but I cannot yet accept being made like you."
"Then you are right to refuse me," he said, his voice low and kindly. "I want no one to come to my life who is unwilling to have it."
"I do not know if I am unwilling," she said. "But I am not ready."
Sanat Ji Mani reached out to lay his hand on her shoulder. "Nothing will happen until you are," he promised her.
She was able to smile a little. "For that reason alone, I may be willing one day, but not now." Her blue-green eyes shone, partly in amusement, partly with unacknowledged tears. "And if you are supposed to be Timur-i, what must I be?"
"Apparently there is a story that many believe, that Timur-i has been cast out, abandoned with a single servant—"
"That tale is an old one," Tulsi scoffed. "I heard it four years ago at least."
"And you hear it again now: Hasin Dahele is positive that it is true." He moved his hand to caress her face. "I should never have brought you into this."
"You have apologized before," she said, dismissing his concern.
"Then I did not know the extent of the misconception under which we were laboring," he told her. "If only I could have discovered this earlier, I would have managed matters differently; I would have found a way to leave this place." He shook his head. "No. I learned the futility of second-guessing long ago. Had I known the Rajput's state of mind, of course I would have proceeded differently. But I did not know it."
"You have said that you suspected you did not know the whole of the situation, that there was more at stake than we assumed," she reminded him. "Does he
really
think you are Timur-i?"
"Yes, he really does," said Sanat Ji Mani, his shoulders drooping as if with sudden fatigue. "He will not entertain any other possibility. The more I deny it, the more certain he becomes that it is true."
"Then he is mad: he must be mad," she said.
"Perhaps. What matters is that he is Rajput and he is persuaded that he is destined to conquer all the world." He took a step back and sat on the edge of their bed. "We are to go with him on campaign."
"We— both of us," she said, to be certain she had heard correctly.
"Yes. I told him I do not want to be separated from you," said Sanat Ji Mani with a quick smile.
"And he agreed: I wonder why," she said, going quiet.
"He wants to keep my good opinion, I suspect," said Sanat Ji Mani.
"Or he wants us both where he can watch us," she said. "We may be hostages after all."
"That is another possibility," he agreed, and lay back, staring up at the ceiling. "So we shall make ready. And when we have the opportunity, we shall break away and head for the coast."
Tulsi came and stood over him. "Do you think he will permit that to happen?"
Despite his many reservations, Sanat Ji Mani maintained an optimistic expression as he told her, "I do not believe I will ask his permission."
* * *
Text of a letter from the merchant Kakar Kers to Vayu Ede.
* * *
To the most venerable and mystical Alvar, Vayu Ede, the submissive greetings of the Toda merchant Kakar Kers, who begs that the poet will read this account with understanding and regard for the intentions it represents.
In my travels from the coast, I have done as you have requested and taken time to observe other travelers on the roads. I have made note of how many men I have seen, and something of their nature, as you have asked me to do, and I now render the compilation of those observations to you, and ask that you recall your pledge that all customs taxation will be forgiven me for providing this to you. I am willing to do this but it is a risk and therefore I must have some form of recompense for my efforts. In this regard, I must tell you that there are still many men unsettled from the collapse of Delhi, who have been forced by circumstances to go about the roads of the world searching for a place to establish their businesses and families, more than two years ago, but fewer than last year. Those who travel now have fewer resources than those who were abroad last year; on the other hand, the current travelers have brought more things with them, their wealth being in possessions rather than gold, which is an advantage to traders.
I have been to Cambay and Chaul fairly recently and I can report to you that there is more unrest now in Chaul than there is in Cambay.
I have seen stricter discipline in Cambay, and higher taxes being imposed, but nothing so outrageous that merchants will avoid the place. Chaul, on the other hand, has lower taxes but far greater unrest. The situation there is still unresolved and for that reason, if no other, I have been wary of staying there too long, or becoming too heavily committed to trading from that port. I cannot guess what will transpire there in the next year, let alone for five years. I will decide if I am going to trade there again before too many months go by, for if I do not go there, I must select other markets or hurt my business.
The worshipers of Allah continue to exert their influence, but those following the traditional Gods are more inclined to keep to their own religions. Even those followers of Thomas have made their way as far as Chaul, and have put up their temple for worship. It would be possible for a just ruler to gain support in that place so long as he did not insist on imposing his Gods upon the people, who would not accept such limitation. The region of Chaul has long maintained its independence from the rule of Allah, and have therefore continued to allow many beliefs to be promulgated, so long as they are not exclusionary. Any ruler who did not tolerate these many forms of worship would be doomed from the first. I tell you for the sake of the Rajput, that keeping religion in the hands of the people is essential.
Also, as I have already informed you, there has been an increase in the flow of goods from north to south as those looking for a safe haven take all their belongings and set out for better climes. I have found many items of unusual design and rarity in market-places that do not often boast the remarkable; these are largely personal or family treasures, unique and prized, the last objects parted with in times of hardship. For that reason, I have spent more time in smaller cities and towns than I have in the past, to see what new merchants might be found in these markets; I want to see what is being offered for sale in these places. The most promising place has been Asirgarh, where I have found ivories and brasses from Delhi and fabrics from Assam and China. This is the result of many merchants coming south, and a shift in the routes traders use. How much this will effect the movement of goods, I cannot say, but for a year or two at least, I would reckon
on these smaller markets to flourish while the larger ones are caught up in disputes.
It is my plan to go eastward until the rains stop me. Wherever I am when they come, there I shall remain until they pass. I will continue to gather intelligence in that place, and upon my return to Devapur, I will again report to you what I have seen, so that your master, the Rajput, may avail himself of the information. So long as I am excused the greater part of my taxes, I will serve you and the Rajput faithfully. If you should fail to demonstrate your appreciation, I know there are others who would be glad to have access to what I have learned.
Incidentally, it is rumored that the Rajput is going to cross the Narmanda and press into Deogir territory. If that is the case, be warned that an army is being assembled in the city of Deogir and that the soldiers are well-prepared to hold off any advance against them. For many weeks now there have been plans in motion to double the size of the supplies for the army and to secure all manner of metals and foodstuffs from the surrounding countryside so that the army will not have to forage over-much while on the march. Also, horses and asses are being commandeered from many of the people of Deogir for the purpose of fighting off any invasion. All this has taken place since the Rajput of Beragar pushed his territory back to the Narmanda River, for this has been seen as a sign that he is planning to encroach upon the region of Deogir itself. The Rajput would do better to strike out to the west than to go north, not only because there is more disorder in the west, but because he is expected north of the Narmanda River and not over the mountains to Chaul.
Submitted with my most sincere devotion to the cause of the Rajput's triumph, and with thanks to the Gods for his advancement, I look forward to the time that I may serve him in a more official capacity, as you have discussed with me, wise poet. I have told this to the scribe Sarojin, who has recorded all accurately, on pain of whipping for any mistakes.
Kahar Kers
Merchant
9
"We will use that pass," said Hasin Dahele, pointing to a gap in the peaks ahead of them. "The road is supposed to be good, and the weather is holding." He was beginning to look tired after ten days' travel; his dark-bay was fretful, pulling at the bit and fussing as the Rajput held him on short reins. The Rajput himself wore silks dulled by the constant dust of the road, making him appear less impressive than he had intended. Sweat left tracks in his face and under the arms of his pyjamas, his woven breastplate already chafing at the silk, fraying it at the neck and shoulder.
Beside the Rajput, Sanat Ji Mani did his best to keep in the shade of the umbrella held over him. Though he, too, was dusty, there was no indication of sweat on him or his dull-purple silk clothing. "It is a long distance to that pass, let alone through it. You will not accomplish the journey today, and possibly not tomorrow."
"Why do you say so?" Hasin Dahele asked imperiously. "My archers could be through the pass by tomorrow night."
"Possibly," Sanat Ji Mani allowed. "But your supply wagons and your elephants would not keep up with the archers, and that would divide your forces. If you take such a risk, you could be handily defeated by a smaller army."
"Timur-i divided his forces," said the Rajput in a critical tone. "His troops could cover vast distances quickly."
"That they could," said Sanat Ji Mani. "But not through mountain passes."
Hasin Dahele glowered at him. "His archers still moved swiftly."
"Timur-i had more than four times the number of horses you do, and could remount his soldiers frequently," Sanat Ji Mani reminded the Rajput. "This road is a hard climb, for all it is in good repair, and the horses will need to rest before and after they pass over the crest, unless you want to exhaust them so that they cannot be used in a fight."
"You think badly of my archers," said Hasin Dahele.
