Lord Sadiq returned as expected at midday, and his arrival threw the entire household into a flurry of excitement. I kept myself out of sight, watching the activity from the roof garden, which had become my haunt as no one else seemed ever to go there. The horses of his bodyguard clattered into the street, clearing the way. Two of the rafiq dismounted and went inside to announce their lord's arrival, while the others ranged themselves outside. Meanwhile, servants, slaves, wives, and children hastened out into the street to bid him welcome. They shouted greetings and waved squares of coloured cloth as he rode into view.
Even from my rooftop roost I could tell that the amir was in no gentle mood. Without a word he threw himself from the saddle, bowed stiffly to his wives, and then strode rapidly into the house. This, I thought, boded ill for my plans. True, I did not know what was on his mind to upset him so, but in all likelihood my request would not be greeted with delight.
Still, I did not see any other course open to me. I could wait until the amir was in a better mood, but depending on what was troubling him, I might wait in vain. In the meantime, my position as a guest in his house could change at any moment. Regardless of the outcome, my best chance was to act now.
I prepared myself for the encounter. When I heard footsteps rushing up the stairs to the roof, I knew that the moment had come.
"Lord Sadiq demands your presence," said the servant who had been sent to fetch me. "You are to come at once."
I inclined my head in submission to the request. "I am ready," I told him. "You may lead me to him."
The servant bridled at this. Was I not a slave, like him? But I had schooled my manner well. No more would I behave as a slave. Mine would be the imperious demeanour of the amir himself.
Nevertheless, as the doors were flung open to his reception room and I glimpsed the amir sitting on his great chair, his face contorted by a vicious scowl, my new-found resolve deserted me. Faysal stood behind him, arms crossed over his chest, the frown on his face matching that of his lord's. I gulped down a deep breath, gritted my teeth and forced my feet to shuffle ahead. The servant saw my dismay and smiled in derision. This angered me, and I plucked up my flagging courage and strode into the glaring amir's receiving room as if I were the Holy Roman Emperor himself.
The first words out of the amir's mouth, however, all but destroyed my fledgling determination. "You did not tell me you were a spy for the emperor," he charged. "I should have let them kill you. It would have saved me the trouble." He clapped his hands sharply, and three of his warriors rushed forth, seized me by the arms, and forced me to my knees. Another warrior approached, carrying a curved axe on a pole.
"Well?" demanded the amir. "Have you anything to say before you die?"
I will speak," I said, forcing strength to my voice. "But I will not beg for my life on my knees. You demand an explanation, Lord Sadiq, and I will give it-only, allow me to stand before you like a man."
These words both surprised and, I think, pleased the amir. Like many men of power and influence he respected courage and plain-speaking. He gave a twitch of his hand and the warriors raised me to my feet. I stood, smoothed my clothes, and stepped forward. Though trembling inside, I forced myself to appear calm and unconcerned.
"So!" snapped the amir impatiently. "You are standing like a man. Explain yourself-if you can. I am waiting."
"I will explain, lord," I said, "but as a guest in your house, I would first make one request."
His face hardened at these words and his dark eyes narrowed dangerously. Clearly, he did not like me invoking the demand of hospitality. He glowered at me murderously, his voice a coiled serpent about to strike as he inquired, "What is this request?"
"I ask your permission to marry Kazimain, your kinswoman."
Lord Sadiq stared at me as if I had lost my mind. Perhaps I had, for until the words were out of my mouth, I had not truly intended to say them. Indeed, it had occurred to me to request my freedom instead. Had I done so, however, I would never have been able to see Kazimain again and on my own, I had no chance at all of obtaining my revenge. At the last instant, I had asked the greater boon knowing full well it would be denied. Far better, I decided, to die trying than never having tried at all. In the end, if blood were to flow, it made little difference whether I was slaughtered as a goat or a lamb.
"Marry Kazimain!" A look of amazement transformed the amir's features. He shook his head slowly as if he had been struck a blow. "Can I believe my ears?" he demanded, and stared around him as if he expected an answer. Before I could speak, he shouted. "No! It is impossible! I should kill you now and rid the world of your impudence!"
"As a guest in your house," I replied with all the composure I could muster, "I must demand that you honour the claims of hospitality."
