Read Online Tales of the Marvellous and News of the Strange (Hardcover Classics) by Malcolm C (Tr Lyons - Free Book Online Page B

with his moon-like radiance.’ ‘Chamberlain,’ exclaimed the king when he heard this, ‘for this news you deserve a jewelled robe of honour.’ He produced one as valuable as Caesar’s kingdom and publicly invested him with it. When it had been put on, all who were present offered their services, saying: ‘This man has enjoyed such good fortune with the king as has never been known at any time at all.’
    The chamberlain rode off, followed by the people, who only dispersed when he had reached the door of his house and gone in. He then sat down to think out a subtle scheme, asking himself how he could kill Kaukab if people had seen him. He did not sleep until night had passed and light had returned. When the crowds at the gate saw him coming out they called down blessings on him, surging around him until hereached the royal palace and approached to present his services to the king before taking his seat.
    The king did not know what was going on as his mind had been affected and he had been unable to ride out thanks to his illness. He had signed over power to the chamberlain to distribute gifts in his name as though he was his father, and he knew no more than the common people about what was happening, and what information he received was wrong. The chamberlain said: ‘O king who rules over the length and breadth of the land, may I be allowed to speak?’ ‘Say what you want,’ the king told him, ‘and I shall listen and follow your council and advice.’ The chamberlain then said: ‘Things are going easily, and two-thirds of the people support the ruler, but any ruler who does not act decisively is no more than a servant. This is a big country with a large population amongst whom there are many mischief-makers, thieves and wrong-doers. If the damage that they do is not checked, no one will be left at ease and people will be robbed in broad daylight by armed force. Travellers who come and go will spread word that yours is an inferior country in which wives of respectable men can be seized at sword point.’ ‘What do you advise me to do, then?’ asked the king, and the chamberlain replied: ‘Cut off the hands of those who deserve it and hang those who deserve to be hanged, while those who owe a blood debt but have no legal opponents should be set free.’
    He went on talking nonsense until the king turned to him, raised his hand and put it on his neck, saying: ‘I have no responsibility for this; it is you who will be held to account for what is done to the citizens, so act in a way that will ensure your salvation in the world to come when you stand before the Giver of life. I shall not be accountable for any crime committed by a
dhimmi
, a Christian or a Muslim, and it is you who will have to answer for them in the presence of God, Who knows all hidden secrets.’
    When the chamberlain heard this he showed his teeth in a smile and rode off from the palace to his house, where he dismounted. He told himself that before putting Prince Kaukab to death he should kill a number of others and when it came to the point he should not execute him alone. He then told his officers to inspect the prisoners he was holding, and, when they did, the number came to six hundred. Of these he publicly freed one hundred and fifty to general commotion, as people called down blessings on him. On the following day he brought out a hundred and had their heads cut off, while he crucified thirty, leaving the citizens frightened to death. On the third day he executed anotherhundred and on the fourth day he entered the dungeon himself and had the young Kaukab almost beaten to death. When the beating stopped Kaukab asked what he was going to do with him and he said: ‘I am going to put you to shame so that you can see for yourself your disgrace.’ ‘What did I do to you?’ asked Kaukab, and the chamberlain replied: ‘What dog are you to do anything to me? I want to see your mother suffer for your loss, as you and she were responsible for