CHAPTER THIRTEEN—BANQUET FROLICKING
Shai’na couldn’t say that she was unworried about what was surely taking place in her chambers as her “servants” and “slaves” organized themselves.
She hadn’t yet seen her chambers, but at this juncture, Shai’na didn’t need to. This was the Sultan’s Palace—the most opulent palace in all the land. The tiles were polished to a high luster, the chandeliers above inset with orange-yellow glow stones collected from within the caves across the mountain landscapes.
The banquet tables were crafted with the most exquisite woods important from faraway lands. But as of yet, the tables hadn’t even been laid out yet. As she entered, for a moment she wondered why Kanu wasn’t at her side.
Missing him, she realized he was orienting Ali and his group of adventurers. It was saying something that the Black Cobra of Mar’a Thul was inside her entourage.
“Ah,” a voice said from behind.
Shai’na turned, careful not to accidentally elbow anyone in the packed throne chamber. With a smile she addressed the satrap before her. “Ulanu,” she said. “A pleasant surprise to see you here.”
“And you, vizier. How have you enjoyed Darshuun this summer?”
“Even in these hot summers, I sometimes forget my place and marvel at the splendor here.”
Ulanu was young for a satrap. With a white turban incrusted with a yellow jewel at the front and a low neckline tunic framed with an opulent belt of gold and other opals, his station did not warrant a finer manner of dress.
“Indeed,” he said with a smile. “I had forgotten how hot it was here.”
“And how is your northern satrapy?”
“Oh, quite well. We’ve had some trouble from the local Urutai warlords. They’re becoming frustrated with our presence. I fear war is coming.”
“Indeed?” Shai’na said.
As if we need yet another war.
“I do hope for your sake,” she added, “that you are able to quell any uprisings or aggressions against our glorious Empire of Abassir?”
“Ah, worry not, vizier.” He took a drink of his fine wine, his rings sparkling in the chandelier light. “Trust me—I have the matter well in hand.”
“Are you quite sure?” she asked, feigning worry and concern. “I hear those Urutai barbarians can be quite unruly. I have an adventurer in my employ who confirms yet the same rumors.”
Ulanu laughed. “Everything is well in hand, lady vizier.”
“Well then that is good. Far be it from me to question. Now where is your pretty new wife?”
“Ah,” Ulanu said with a sigh of satisfaction. He glanced behind himself for a moment. “My princess bride is off frolicking with other young ladies of the court, no doubt.”
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“As well she should,” Shai’na said with a stern smile. “Do you know anything of the festivities that will take place?”
“Oh! Shai’na! Vizier Shai’na!”
They both turned to find Princess Hermeses striding up to them in a sparkling golden gown. Over her bodice a king’s ransom in white pearls hung.
“Oh,” Shai’na said in surprise. “Hermeses. Pleasure to see you here, Princess.”
“Well are you surprised?” she asked with incredulity. “Ah, lord satrap Ulanu. You are well I take it?”
He bowed slightly, despite being her social superior. “Quite,” he said. “Shai’na and I were just speaking about the state of the empire.”
“Oh,” she said, nodding dutifully.
In truth, most of the nobles found the never ending politics of war tiresome. Well, most of them. Many others were making such large profits that it was all they could talk about.
Hermeses turned to Shai’na. “And why are you so surprised I’ve come to this banquet of banquets, my dear? I do put up here in the capital, you know.”
With a chuckle, Shai’na took a drink from one of the servants that came around with a silver platter. She would need some alcohol to calm her nerves, though she was doing an excellent job of acting the socialite despite her fraying state, if she did say so herself.
“You skip so many,” Shai’na said.
“Ha! As a woman of envy,” she said, pushing back a thick lock of dark hair, “I cannot attend every social function. It wouldn’t befit my…”—she flicked her wrist and smiled playfully—“…my mystique!”
The three of them laughed.
“I dare say it would not,” Ulanu added.
“Quite right you are, my friends,” Shai’na said. “Other than the politics of the day—I was asking our lord satrap here what events were to be held here at the palace, other than eating and drinking?”
Hermeses glanced about the packed floor. In the corners of the chamber, several bands of bards had been positioned. They played soft drums, the pear-shaped lutes called Ouds, the larger barbuds and of course, tambourines. Further in, behind them, Mar’a Thulian drummers pounded their instruments in a soft but rhythmic staccato, filling the chamber with partygoers feeling.
In one area of the floor there were fountains with brightly colored fish, statues of which at the center depicted naked women of enviably physique. They were posed in dancing fashion with arched backs and curving hips. Interspersed between the fountains were several raised daises where the best belly dancers in the kingdom twirled and gyrated their hips to the music and the flutists sitting at their feet. As they played their instruments, they swayed with the rhythm of the dancers.
“Oh,” Hermeses said languidly as her eyes watched the dancing girls, “I do think we’ll all be raving drunk before the night is out.”
“I would have it no other way!” Ulanu said happily.
“But,” Hermeses said, somewhat distracted, still, “for events, there will be several things tonight. The banquet for one, dear vizier.”
“Indeed,” Shai’na said.
“I believe there is to be several oddities brought forth to be put on display,” Ulanu said. “I also hear the sultan has a special surprise for us all.”
“Oh?” Hermeses said.
“Indeed.”
“Come now, tell us what it is. Do not be coy.”
He shrugged with a large smile. “I have no idea!”
“Fine,” Hermeses said. “Keep your secrets.”
Shai’na laughed.
Someone called Ulanu over. A long standing acquaintance or friend no doubt. “Oh, I am so sorry, ladies. I must depart you for a time.”
“Have fun!” Shai’na said.
“Indeed I will,” Ulanu said as he lightly dragged the backs of his fingers across the side his chin. “And you as well!” He raised his glass.
Shai’na and Hermeses did the same as he turned his back on them and became lost in animate conversation.
“I wonder if the sultan will display his treasures at this banquet,” Hermeses said.
There was no need to have Hermeses elaborate on what she meant, when Shai’na knew full well that the sultan’s treasures were his concubines from the harem deep inside the palace.
During a past banquet the sultan had actually taken several lucky palace visitors to the harem where they were allowed to “partake” in his treasures.
Shai’na had a hard time believing that Darius would bed those women after lying with other men.
But what happened to them after? she wondered.
Still, the sultan had not made an appearance even now. And why should he? The night was young, yet.
Shai’na craned her neck and peered at the vaulted ceilings and the paintings they contained as she wondered what Kanu and the others were doing at this moment.