‘What do you mean?’
‘Before the massacres your father and Azhar’s father signed a treaty to rule the kingdoms as one. It was to take effect when you were of age. It was a betrothal.’
Jahani’s eyes narrowed. ‘I suppose Azhar knew about this all along.’
‘I doubt it. No one knew except me, your parents and the two wazirs who signed as witnesses. I was often asked to advise your father and I thought it was an excellent idea. After all, your early ancestor ruled both kingdoms.’ She glanced at Jahani. ‘Oh, I am sorry. I have shocked you. But is marrying Azhar such an imposition? He was an enchanting child.’
Jahani tried to control her emotions. Betrothed to Azhar? She didn’t know what she felt – appalled at what she had done, annoyed that he probably knew, and helpless that everyone around her controlled everything important. Yet, thread through it all was a tiny glimmer of hope.
Azhar.
She pressed her lips together but could not stop blurting out, ‘He won’t want to marry me.’
‘Oh?’
‘I was angry with him for not telling me all he knew – I didn’t trust his motives.’
‘Courage in men hides many fears.’
Jahani sighed heavily. ‘He has left and I know he won’t return.’ She stared at the floor. ‘What can I do? I have failed my father’s last wish.’
‘You must call for Azhar.’
Jahani stared at her.
‘Even a snow hen calls to its mate. You will be surprised what a man in love will hear.’
‘He doesn’t love me.’
Her grandmother raised her eyebrows in mock surprise. ‘Did you ask him?’
‘Of course not!’
‘Then how do you know?’
Jahani was quiet, thinking of the way he whispered shehzadi, and then the hurt in his eyes when she had said for the second time that she didn’t need his services. But didn’t she call for him when she was in the zenana, even though she thought him dead? It was after that Yazan had said a friend was coming. Was that why Yazan appeared to Azhar? Both of them were only a prayer away. She groaned inside. What had she done?
‘Ah, I see you are wearing your taveez. May I?’ Kaniza stretched out her wrinkled fingers and unscrewed one end. Into her hand fell a curl of paper. ‘I gave you this taveez at your birth. It was the way your parents and I sent messages to each other about you.’
‘Messages? I have always thought it contained a verse from the Holy Book in Arabic, which I couldn’t read. I can only read and write Persian.’
‘It is written in Burushaski.’ Kaniza read from the slip of paper. ‘My dearest mother, we are sending you Jahani to keep safe. Our spies have heard of a military coup. We will collect her when all is well and the coup is overturned. Our greetings, thanks and love. Your son, Ashraf Shaheen Khan, Tham of Hahayul.’ She was silent when she finished.
Jahani touched the handwriting. They were her father’s words, possibly the last words he’d written. The proof of her identity had been with her all along.
Kaniza sighed. ‘I never received this – the coup was closer than they knew. I always wondered what had happened to you when they couldn’t find your body for burial.’ She touched the handwriting as Jahani had done. ‘Ashraf, my only son. What a terrible time it was, to lose you all at once.’
Just then the door opened. Jahani jumped, her heart thumping.
A guard said, ‘Time for you to leave. The begum rests now.’
‘They want to lock the door and take a break,’ Kaniza whispered. ‘Go now.’
Jahani bowed to her grandmother and forced herself to walk normally out the door. She felt as if she were escaping. She would have to get used to her heart pounding if she were to put her plan into action.
That evening, there was a knock at Gulzar’s door. When Jahani opened it and saw a man filling the doorway, she thought he was a spirit.
‘Rahul!’
‘May I come in?’ His dark hair flopped over his forehead and his eyes sparkled at her. He was very much alive.
Anjuli ran to him. ‘Rahul! I thought I’d never see you again.’
He picked her up. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was going, but I had things to do. I knew Ali Shah was a good man and would look after you until I could return.’
‘Ammi and my grandfather aren’t here, but I’ll put water on for chai.’ Jahani left him with Anjuli while she wondered how he’d found her.
Over chai, Rahul related how he had returned to the nomads to raise an army. ‘I thought you’d made a choice at the Indus River, flying off like that, but when I discovered you’d been captured, it was too late …’ He sighed.
‘A nomad army,’ Jahani murmured as if she hadn’t heard his last words.
‘The fate of our Qurraqoram Mountains hangs in the balance. With people like Dagar Khan and Muzahid vying for power, we’d have no hope. Neither man would ever allow us to use the northern pastures.’ He took a mouthful of chai. ‘So I brought a nomad army to Ali Shah and we have joined forces. The men and women are in place, ready to march and fight for Hahayul.’
Did they plan to storm Hahayul and create a war? But Jahani said carefully, ‘It’s good to see you. I thought you may have died in combat.’
Anjuli asked, ‘Have you come to ask Hafeezah for Jahani’s hand?’
‘Anjuli! That is unseemly.’ Jahani could feel heat rise in her cheeks as she watched Rahul place his cup carefully on the floor.
‘It’s not an unreasonable suggestion.’
Anjuli clapped her hands.
Jahani stared at him in amazement. It should be his father, Tafeeq, saying those words to her on Rahul’s behalf. She decided to ignore his comment for the moment. ‘You mentioned the army is in place.’
He inclined his head. If he were disappointed in the way the conversation turned, he hid it well.
‘If my plan for regaining my kingdom doesn’t work—’ She stopped, studying his face, then began again. ‘Will you support Azhar, too? Until everything is settled?’
He nodded slowly. ‘Actually, Azhar told me where you were. He wanted me to tell you about the army. To let you know that we’re ready.’
Jahani looked away. Why did Azhar do that? He didn’t care if she liked Rahul, was that it? She knew she could love Rahul. They would be free, travelling where they wanted and living with the animals she loved; they would be part of the mountains. She closed her eyes. She had to put away her feelings and think only of her people. She said gently, ‘Rahul, you would not enjoy living in one place for the rest of your life. You and me – it would be like the north and south winds trying to blow in the same direction. Whatever we felt would soon be cancelled. Feelings aren’t always enough by themselves.’
He smiled wryly. ‘You would make a good nomad chieftainess.’
‘So will Kamilah. She loves you.’
He looked at her for such a long moment she wondered what he could be thinking. Then he stood.
So did Jahani. ‘Please tell Ali Shah not to attack unless I give the order. I have a plan and I am nearly ready also.’ Then she smiled. ‘You must come to Hahayul with your flocks when the summer is too hot in Naran. If I am the ghenish your tribe will always be welcome.’
He laid his hand over his heart. ‘And you will always have my devoted service, Shehzadi. I will do my utmost to make you ghenish.’
After he left, Anjuli said, ‘I think Rahul is handsome. It’s so sad you won’t marry him. Now you have no one.’ Then she burst into tears.
30
Baltit
Kingdom of Hahayul
Every day Jahani’s strength grew. She kept busy, helping Hafeezah in the mornings, then walking with Chandi in the afternoons, searching for loyal men and horses. Yazan had possibly headed for the mountains, but she knew he would appear when she needed him, which could be soon. She smiled to herself as she rode from the house, leaving Anjuli with Hafeezah. If people only knew she could communicate with snow leopards and horses.
Chandi, I have a problem.
How can I help?
Could you ask Yazan … She hesitated, thinking of her grandmother’s words: You must call for Azhar.
Jahani thought her next words as if she were calling them. I would like to see Azhar. I was wrong to send him away.
Awa, Shehzadi.
You’re agreeing with me?
Awa. Chandi sounded as if she were amused. Do not worry. He will come.
Two streets away from the fort Jahani saw a soldier. He was around Hafeezah’s age and overseeing the demolition of a house. People were moving out their belongings, yelling abuse at the soldier as they passed. Jahani hadn’t realised she’d stopped to stare until the man addressed her. ‘What do you want?’
‘Oh, nothing.’ She gently kicked Chandi’s flank to move on.
Then a voice she hadn’t heard before entered her head. Shehzadi, my master is loyal. You can speak to him without fear. She turned and saw a mare eating grass next to the soldier. The mare lifted her head and gazed at Jahani while she chewed. Jahani turned Chandi around.
‘Janab, why is this happening?’ she asked the soldier, reining in Chandi beside him.
‘Dagar Khan wants this land. So the people have to go.’
‘But where will they live?’
‘The snake king doesn’t think of that. He has no idea of our ways. He is from another kingdom and even when he was commander of the army, he often gave orders that disrespected our laws. I’m tired of it, I tell you.’
‘Truly?’ Jahani took a deep breath, then asked, ‘Do other soldiers think like this?’
‘He has a core troop who are loyal to him, but loyalty is faltering in others.’
‘This isn’t something that is openly discussed, is it?’
He glanced at her. ‘That depends. When a man has had too much opium he will spill his heart. Why?’ He turned to face her. ‘You’re not thinking of repeating what I said?’
‘Bey ya.’ Jahani paused, then said, ‘What would these men say if they knew the lost shehzadi was here, waiting to restore the Kingdom of Hahayul to the family of Tham Ashraf, to end the tyranny and unfair taxes, so people can live their lives again without fear?’ She knew this was dangerous; he could arrest her in an instant.
He frowned at her. ‘And who might you be to say this?’
She hesitated.
Chandi dropped into her mind. Say who you are, Shehzadi. It is the right time.
‘A friend of Ali Shah.’
He drew in a breath. ‘I remember him. I couldn’t leave when he did – I had a family who needed my army wage.’ He peered at her, though he couldn’t have seen much through the thick white dupatta covering the bottom half of her face. ‘How can you be a friend of Ali Shah? You’re a girl.’ His eyes widened. ‘Blue! You have blue eyes. This is rare—’
‘I am almost fifteen summers.’ She allowed the dupatta to fall from her face. ‘I used to live in the fort and now I have returned to free my people.’
His mouth opened in shock. ‘Tham Ashraf had the same blue eyes.’
She quickly fastened the dupatta behind her ear as if it had fallen by accident. ‘You may tell those who are loyal to the royal family what you have seen. If Dagar Khan’s army choose not to fight for him, then there will be no war, and no innocent people will die.’
‘If the wrong people hear of this, it will be treason.’
‘There is no treason here, soldier,’ she said firmly, ‘for Dagar Khan is no true tham.’
‘It will not be easy.’
‘Bey ya, but you will have a part to play in the most important days of your kingdom. I will not forget.’
He put his hand to his forehead and bowed his head, but Jahani leaned over to touch his arm. ‘Please, this is not the right time.’ She left him then, riding away on Chandi without glancing behind her. She had spent the last few moons trusting no one – even those she should have – and now she had spilt her secret to a stranger.
A week later, Jahani decided it was time to visit her grandmother again. There was much she needed to know that Hafeezah and Gulzar couldn’t tell her. Kaniza had seen her husband and her son ruling Hahayul; Jahani needed to tap that knowledge. She felt ready, though Yazan still hadn’t reappeared. Jahani wasn’t sure how he fitted into the picture of her regaining the throne. But it was time to put her plan into action.
She expected Hafeezah to object but was surprised at her passionate resistance. ‘Your grandmother wouldn’t expect you to visit again. It’s too dangerous. You may have been recognised the last time.’
Jahani hugged Hafeezah. ‘Ammi, that may be true, but I need to ask her a particular boon.’
Hafeezah wanted Gulzar to accompany her, but Jahani refused.
‘If anything does happen, I don’t want you or Api implicated. You can still say you have no idea who I am.’
‘As if we’d do that,’ Hafeezah spluttered.
Jahani wore a dupatta and carefully covered her hair as before. She kissed Hafeezah and Gulzar’s hands, hugged Anjuli, then carried a basket of food through town and up the steps to the main door.
Getting past the guards to see her grandmother was just as easy. One of the men recognised her and waved her closer. He checked the basket. ‘What do you have today?’ He put his hand over hers and she endured it for the right to pass. ‘Mmm, maltash butter. You’ve been busy.’
Her dupatta fell from her head, showing her red hair. He gaped as she readjusted it, then she smiled at him. Fortunately, he let her into the room without requesting further favours.
Kaniza stood to greet her, but Jahani quickly said, ‘Let us sit, Api. That way you won’t become tired.’
‘You shouldn’t have come,’ Kaniza said. ‘There is more movement in the fort. Dagar Khan is here all the time now, making plans.’
Jahani looked to the ceiling. Dagar Khan may be just a floor above her. The thought made her as dizzy as Vardah’s poisoned soup.
‘Are you well, Amis? Here, sit beside me on the cushions.’
Jahani settled herself, then took a deep breath. ‘I have come to ask you a question. If I manage to regain Hahayul, will you advise me?’
‘Zarur, certainly, and there are others who can help. I have been in touch with your father’s wazir. He is on his way. His name is Bilal Abdul. He will serve you well as he served your father.’
‘I have a plan, but there are two ways it could end. Either way I think peace could come, even if I die.’
Kaniza took Jahani’s hand and stared at her. ‘What are you saying?’
Jahani didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she asked, ‘Do you know the prophecy about the shehzadi?’
‘Awa, everyone here knows it.’ Kaniza recited:
‘With the leopards the shehzadi came,
To bring peace to our northern shame
Bloodless earth but crowned in flame
To give the valley back its name.’
‘The Valley of Happiness.’ Jahani tilted her head. ‘It’s a little different from what Yasmeen, the nomad pir told me. She believed a red-headed girl would come—’
‘Crowned in flame,’ Kaniza whispered.
‘And that the shehzadi would bring peace without a war.’
‘Bloodless earth.’
‘But the prophecy doesn’t say I will live a long life.’
Kaniza stared at her, aghast. ‘What is it you are intending to do?’
‘Have wings that feared ever touched the Sun?’
Knowledge crept into Kaniza’s eyes.
‘Dearest Api, I cannot tell you, but what if,’ Jahani licked her bottom lip, ‘what if Dagar Khan does kill me? My death could still bring peace if he isn’t under the influence of Pir Zal.’
Kaniza breathed in deeply. ‘Dagar Khan likes a tamasha, a big spectacle. He does nothing in secret.’
Jahani smiled wryly. ‘Otherwise no one will believe.’
‘Awa. And remember this – it is very important. You always have the right
to speak.’
‘Would he honour it?’
‘If you request the right in front of a crowd, he will have to allow it.’ She squeezed Jahani’s hand. ‘Speak to the people from your heart. Tell them who you are.’
She thought of Azhar. Peace could still come through both of them. It was as if her grandmother knew her thoughts. ‘Would you marry Azhar?’ Kaniza asked.
Jahani hardly hesitated. ‘I think I would.’
‘Because of your father’s last wish?’ Kaniza’s eyes may have been old, but they were bright today.
‘Awa … but it is … it is also my wish.’ Finally she had admitted her deepest feelings.
Kaniza wrapped Jahani in a hug. ‘Good can still prevail. Pir Zal may be controlled by evil jinns, but Qhuda, our great God, is greater than jinns. Our family is called the Ayeshe, the Heavenly Family. Ask Qhuda to help you – pari power is not enough for this. Only Qhuda can bind demons.’ She sighed. ‘I pray the people are not so numbed by Dagar Khan and Pir Zal that they cannot stand for you.’
‘I have lost many people.’ Jahani thought of Sameela, her best friend; of Zarah and Baqir, her adoptive parents; and Hissam, the guide. She may have lost Azhar, too, but whose fault was that? Only hers. ‘I have been deceived for so many summers I feel I have no real allies, only you and Anjuli and Hafeezah and Gulzar.’
‘This is not true. You have friends in the army here and there is talk of more men coming to your side. When you think thoughts like this, wish them gone. You must be confident, for what you think influences your actions. Darkness will give way to light and a new day will dawn for you and the kingdom.’
Jahani gazed at her grandmother feeling the words seep into her soul. ‘Can you take care of something for me?’
‘Certainly.’
‘These guards never search me. I still have the scimitar and a dagger that was given to me in Muzahid’s zenana.’ Jahani took off her shawl and unfastened her kamarband. She unsheathed the sword and handed it to Kaniza.
Kaniza gasped. ‘Shamsher!’ She gazed at Jahani with tears in her eyes. ‘I will keep this safe for you. I’m sure you will be using it again very soon.’ In that moment Jahani could tell her grandmother suspected what she had in mind.
The Leopard Princess Page 19
