Sultan's position, nothing will be settled. Had the Sultanate not been in decline before Timur-i came, the matter might have been more readily understood, but as there had been an erosion of the Sultanate for nearly fifty years, nothing could hold it together once Delhi was in ruins. Those regions that have broken away from the Sultanate may yet determine what becomes of Delhi and who rules there.
Trade in these western ports does not seem much hampered by the troubles in Delhi, but it is apparent in the market-places that many goods are missing because of the on-going struggle, and that most trade has been disrupted, although the slave-trade is flourishing, so much so that the Arabs no longer bring Slavs to market, but buy the captives of the Sultans and the Rajputs to be sold in the markets to the west. In time this will change, but for a while, the slave-trade will go from east to west across the Arabian Sea.
This person has seen many groups of people camping beyond the walls of towns and cities, scraping out a living from the menial work that is often left to those called Untouchables. In Delhi the Untouchables were not as apparent as they are here to the south, for apparently the Sultans did not require that all menial tasks— cleaning latrines, caring for the bodies of the dead— be done by these unfortunates. Here in the south, where the sway of the Sultans was less complete, the Untouchables continued in their appointed role. The people who have been shut out of their home cities and who have fled the on-going battles in the north are now little better than the Untouchables, except that they have some hope of improving their condition, which the Untouchables do not. This person knows that desperate persons do terrible things, and in a short time there may be uprisings among these homeless persons that will shake the fragile peace of the south.
Pursuant to that, as this person indicated, there are many Rajputs who are struggling to turn the collapse of Dehli to their advantage, for many of them now seek to establish borders for their Principalities and a few are trying to expand their territories while in the process. Every minor Princeling has been stirred by the disruption in the land, and many of them are seeking opportunities to improve their presence in the world. As an example, the small Principality, Beragar, has laid claim to all the lands between the Godavari and the Narmanda Rivers in the west where they define the highlands against the Ghats. The
Principality is small, but it is being said that the Rajput is ambitious and is attempting to claim a wider holding for himself while he has the opportunity. His is the Yadava region and as such, his people are diverse. He himself is said to be part of the traditional religion of the region, but to which of the many gods he is devoted, this person has not been able to discover. This person believes and reiterates that if the Rajput of Beragar has any success in his scheme more of the Rajputs will emulate him and there will be a number of small wars in the north and west of India, and that will bring about more disruption and confusion. If this upstart Rajput is unable to achieve his ends, then he may provide an example to others and lessen the upheavals that this person has observed in his travels.
This person most meekly requests that his family remain ignorant of what has become of him and in what enterprise he is involved. There has been shame enough brought upon them on this unworthy person's behalf and it would only add to their distress to learn what this insignificant person has undertaken.
With every assurance of this person's continuing dedication to the task with which he has been charged and with submission to the Will of the Vermillion Brush, at the Spring Feast of the Balance of Day and Night,
Lum
7
"Have you had any news yet?" Rustam Iniattir faced Rogerian, his large hands caught together; outside, Alexandria was being battered by a spring squall, rain coming in sporadic bursts, carried on capricious winds and accompanied by rambunctious seas.
"Come in, Rustam Iniattir, in the name of my master," said Rogerian, bowing in the Roman style. "No, I have heard nothing; I would send you word of it if I had."
"I had hoped you might have had some news by now," said Rustam
Iniattir as he shrugged off his cloak and held it out to Rogerian. His demeanor revealed his worry more than his words did. "Is there nothing?"
"Not yet." Rogerian took the cloak and hung it on a broad-headed hook near the door.
"I have been away from Fustat for a number of weeks," said Rustam Iniattir, allowing Rogerian to escort him into the house. "I had hoped that you might have learned something, and that your news had missed me." He paused on the threshold of the reception room, his eyes widening at the richness of the chamber; he stared at the opulence around him. "Sanat Ji Mani is a most… wealthy man," he said, breathing deeply at the sight of fine woods, silks and velvets, brass lamps, and Italian paintings.
"That he is. You saw his house in Delhi," Rogerian said, noticing how impressed Rustam Iniattir was.
"That I did, and I supposed that he had settled all his wealth there, and maintained less opulent establishments elsewhere; I see I did not grasp the extent of his wealth. This is beyond anything I… How can he maintain such luxury, in more than one house? He would have to have vast resources." He had lowered his voice and finally said, "I assumed he made a display in Delhi, to impress the foreigners who lived in the Street of Brass Lanterns and the Sultan's deputies. I am sorry that I did not appreciate the extent of his riches earlier. This is astonishing." He shook his head in continuing disbelief. "I had no idea."
"Why is that?" Rogerian asked, leading him into the reception room. "My master never made a secret of his wealth."
"No, he did not," said Rustam Iniattir. "I thought his generosity bordered on spendthrift, but I realize now that was not the case."
"He told you he could afford to do the things he did," Rogerian pointed out.
"Yes, he did. It was my doubt that made me question his wherewithal. I would have advised him to trade more extensively if I had known he had such a fortune to draw upon," Rustam Iniattir admitted.
"Not that his wealth can help him now," said Rogerian, motioning Rustam Iniattir toward a divan covered in Antioch damask. "If you will sit down, I will have refreshments brought to you."
The Parsi merchant complied, still staring at the finery he saw. "Is the rest of the house as grand?"
"Would you like to see for yourself?" Rogerian offered. "I will be delighted to show you all but my master's private apartments." He did not add that these contained not only Sanat Ji Mani's austere bed-chamber but his alchemical laboratory as well.
"That would be most kind of you," said Rustam Iniattir, relaxing on the divan. "I would enjoy seeing the house if it is all this wonderful."
"After you have had some refreshment, then, it will be my pleasure to show it to you." Rogerian inclined his head courteously. "Would figs and yoghurt be acceptable to you, or do you want something more? Would you want a substantial meal? I offer it in the name of my master, who would expect nothing less of me."
"A little bread in addition to figs and yoghurt would be much appreciated." He leaned back on the bolster of the divan and all but purred. "I thought that what Sanat Ji Mani had in Delhi was grand, but I see I was mistaken."
"My master has done well in his travels, at least he has in general. Whatever has befallen him now is not what has been usual for him." He thought back to Cyprus, Spain, Saxony, Poland, and China, recalling the hardships Sanat Ji Mani had endured in those places. As he spoke, he went to the side-door and summoned an under-steward, to whom he gave orders for food, then turned back to address Rustam Iniattir. "How is it that you have come to Alexandria? Your last letter said you were going to Al Myah Suways."
"I did go there, and I purchased two ships, a thing I could not have done without the good-will of those shipbuilders who have long been patronized by your master. I see now how he was able to assemble the fleet of ships he owns. I was unaware that he had eleven of them in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Eleven. I thought there might be five." He paused, gathering his thoughts, and then rushed on. "I had it in mind to offer the services of my ships if you should need them to bring Sanat Ji Mani here, but I am aware that they are unnecessary." There was a hint of chagrin in his tone, and a downward turn to his mouth.
"Who is to say that your ships would not be useful," said Rogerian soothingly. "I trust you were satisfied with the bargain you struck?"
"They accepted the endorsement he provided, as he told me they would, which enabled me to buy two large ships of a similar sort, for trading across the Arabian Sea. They are fine vessels, seaworthy and large, capable of carrying vast loads, which is why I am in Alexandria— to extend my business so that I may increase the amount of goods carried in my cargo holds between the Red Sea and the west coast of India: Hind." He took a deep breath. "I am always having to use new words for places, and for things. It is most disconcerting."
"I understand your confusion," said Rogerian, who had many centuries of the same experience.
"I have been accustoming myself to this new place, to the Mamelukes and Egypt— a most remarkable land, in its way. Nothing like what I have been accustomed to, but having merit." He pursed his lips. "I want to take a voyage up the Nile, when I have time enough to spare for the venture."
"It is a most interesting journey," said Rogerian, willing to let Rustam Iniattir set the direction of their conversation.
"You have made it?" he asked, a wistful note in the question.
"Yes; not recently." Rogerian inclined his head again. "There are many wonderful sights along the river: temples and pyramids and monuments that are as majestic as the Great Sphynx at Giza, above Fustat."
"Yes. I have been to see it, and the pyramids that stand by it. As impressive as anything I have seen in India, and unlike them; these dry lands with the past looming out of the sands, without forests or uplands or the trees that crowd the rivers of the southern coast…" His words drifted; he called himself back to attention with a wave of his hand. "Delhi was not so lush as the south, but it was richer than Egypt, and the people were as varied as the gods…" He coughed and pinched at the bridge of his nose. "That is all behind me. I remember to no purpose. Now that I have ships to call my own, I may extend my efforts to the Nile as well as other places," said Rustam Iniattir speculatively.
"It is a possibility, certainly," said Rogerian. "Once you have your markets established, you may want to cast your nets more widely."
"Yes. Well, it is the ships that make these things possible. In a year the vessels I have purchased will show their worth. It is a most promising venture for the House of Iniattir, and I want to show my appreciation for all that your master has made practical for me." Rustam Iniattir shifted on the divan as if it had suddenly become lumpy. "I am not one to take such generosity as my due."
"I did not think you were— nor did my master," said Rogerian, his faded-blue eyes glinting with amusement. "He told me from the first that you are a trustworthy man, and that you conducted yourself in an upright manner."
"That is a great compliment to me," said Rustam Iniattir, looking a bit embarrassed at such an encomium. "I had not understood that he thought so well of me."
"He would not have arranged for you to leave Delhi when you did if he did not," said Rogerian pointedly but with complete courtesy.
Rustam Iniattir nodded. "I supposed it was his way of protecting his wealth."
"Sanat Ji Mani has had his own ships carrying cargo for some years. His wealth was protected whether he, or you, left Delhi or not." Rogerian recalled the first purchase of Arabian Sea merchant ships, almost a century ago, and a faint smile creased his austere features. "He is a clever fellow."
"Not clever enough to leave with us," said Rustam Iniattir heavily. "I blame myself that he is missing. If only I had tried to persuade him…" He looked up at Rogerian. "How was I to know he would have no other chance to leave?"
Rogerian grasped his visitor's emotion, and tried to ease his guilt. "You are not to blame. He wanted us to leave so that he would not have to be hindered by our presence."
"Perhaps," said the Parsi. "And yet, I cannot help but feel if I had insisted, he might have come with us…"
"He would be glad to know you have done so well," said Rogerian, adding, "And what may I do to help you in Sanat Ji Mani's name? If your mission is for trade, I should probably tell you that he has more than twenty ships plying the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the ocean beyond the Pillars of Hercules, carrying all manner of cargo." He gave Rustam Iniattir a little time to let this sink in.
"More than twenty?" Rustam Iniattir marveled.
"Four are in the harbor just now, if you want to inspect them," Rogerian offered.
"Oh, yes; I should like that very much," said Rustam Iniattir. "Perhaps later, when the rain has stopped." He shook his head slowly, incredulously. "I had no notion he had done so much, that he had so many enterprises."
"My master would tell you he has a restless mind," said Rogerian.
