SERAGLIO by Colin Falconer Read Free Book Online

looking neither frightened or really all that surprised.
    Ibrahim drew the killiç from the jewelled sheath at his waist and raised it, double-handed, above his head, then brought it down, with all his strength, on the back of the throne, sending splinters of ivory and wood spinning across the tent. 'The Sultan's clerk? Is it the Sultan's clerk who sits every day in the Divan and administers the Empire? Is it the Sultan's clerk who leads his armies into battle for him while he pleasures himself in his Harem? The Sultan? I AM THE SULTAN!'
    'He spoke in ignorance, my Lord.'
    'Does he think the Sultans sends clerks into battle? Does he, Rüstem?'
    'I only repeat his words. He said he could not treat with any but the Sultan of the Osmanlis..'
    'How long must I endure this? The Sultan has entrusted to me his kingdoms, his armies, his power, everything! The making of war or the granting of peace are in my hand. Does the Shah know who it was called for the army to come here? It was I - not the Sultan! I take the burden and yet he calls me the Sultan's clerk!'
    'But my Lord -'
    Ibrahim held the killiç in front of Rüstem's eyes, turning it slowly so that the light pooled and shivered on the blade. 'When we take him, we take him alive.'
    'First we must lure him out. If we convey to the Lord of Life a message …'
    'No! I swore I would bring him back his head! Should I now rush to him with entreaties for his aid?'
    '… Then perhaps there is another way?'
    'Another way?'
    'All the Empire knows how greatly the Sultan has honoured and trusted you. Perhaps you should impress this upon the Shah. You must show him that you have the authority to make such a treaty.'
    'How?'
    'You must extend the offer again. Only this time you must sign it as the Sultan.'
    Ibrahim stared at him. Did this lunatic realize what he was saying? 'That is impossible.'
    'What else may we do, my Lord? Except chase him around the mountains until winter comes.'
    'I may do many things, Rüstem, but I cannot assume the title of Sultan.'
    'Who will know once it is done? You may bury the document with the Shah.'
    He has a point, Ibrahim thought. Unthinkable!
    And yet …
    Why not? I am Sultan in everything but name. He has trusted me with his Divan and his armies; if he did not wish me to invoke his power, why would he give me so much?
    'I cannot do it,' he said.
    'In that case let us hurry on and take back Baghdad but he will take it back as soon as we are gone. But you promised the Sultan his head and this is the only way to lure him out.'
    Ibrahim closed his eyes. Rüstem was right. How could he return to Suleiman without this victory? The Austrians had humiliated them at Güns; now the Shah taunted him from the mountains. And until their Asian border was secure again they could not take their armies against the Roman Emperor in Europe. His destiny was in the Green Apple, not here in this wilderness. It was Rome that would carve his name alongside Alexander's in history. If he must take a hammer to swat this mosquito, then so be it.
    He told Rüstem to get up and fetch a quill and parchment.
     
    To the Shah Tamasp of Persia, greetings and health, may prosperity and glory signal your days. From sundry verbal communications we have cognizance of your desire for peace, and by the grace of the Most High, whose power be forever exalted! we ourselves have no desire to make war on our brothers in Islam. We therefore make it known that should you give up the holy city of Baghdad and all territories you have conquered by force of arms, we shall cede to you Tabriz, and the lands known as Azerbaijan, should you pay tribute each year of one thousand gold ducats. Night and day our horse is saddled to ride and meet with you to conclude our peace.
    Written in the year of the Hejira, 941.
    Ibrahim. Seraskier Sultan.

Chapter 11
     
    Seraskier Sultan!
    Rüstem reined in his horse on the ridge overlooking the Osmanli camp. The smoke from the morning campfires drifted upwards, throwing