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Authors: Rovena Cumani, Thomas Hauge
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times have I been the one who saw the danger first?” Eminee sighed. “Sometimes, I think you
want
the danger, Alhi. You are intoxicated by danger. Perhaps that is why you never cared for opium or hashish?”
Alhi sought refuge in haughtiness, as was his habit. “This discussion is over. Just mind the affairs that are yours to mind. And, speaking of those, find a way to talk some sense into Muhtar. I have heard he is about to make a fool of himself.”
“Muhtar would never do such a thing!”
“Love will make a fool of any man, if he lets it. Words keep coming to my ears. That he has taken an ill-advised fancy to the Patriarch’s niece and chases after her like a besotted boy.”
“Who pours such poisonous lies in your ears?”
“Pashou, his wife.” He groaned. “Oh, what an annoying woman she can be! Yet I cannot ignore her. I need the alliance and help of her father, especially now, with my plans for Souli. So talk to our son, Eminee. Make him understand his duty to our family. I have better things to use his time for. After all, Yannina is full of other women who would chase
him
if given an ounce of encouragement. Make him see that.”
“Why do you not you talk to him yourself?”
“Because I do not stoop so low as to talk about women when we are going to war! That is what we should put our minds to, instead of groveling for the favors of ladies who count their smiles when they are not smiling to themselves for making fools of us.”
“I have already tried to talk to him, Alhi. He barely listens. They are liars, those that say he will make a fool of himself — not because it is not true that he is in love, but
because
it is true. This is not like the rest of his adventures. It is serious.” Eminee had deep concern at her voice.
Alhi stared at her, utterly taken aback. His eyes darkened, his mouth tightened, then opened like a volcano crater about to spew fire and brimstone.
“Please, my husband, do not be … unbecoming of a Pasha.” Eminee just managed to get her parry in, speaking fast, but quietly. “The women of your harem would never repeat a word spoken inside it to the outside world, but you know that any outburst would become a weapon. A weapon used against you in all your women’s never-ending struggle to be your only one.”
He closed his mouth, opened it again, obviously about to tell her in no uncertain terms what he was perfectly prepared to deal with scheming harem women. Then he snapped it shut again.
When he finally did speak, he did so stiffly, like a general giving orders to an aide. “Then talk to Muhtar again! And again. Just as many times as are needed to make him act his age. He will be Pasha one day. He should learn that what a Pasha wants, he takes. And if it happens to be one of those few things he should not take - yet! - then he should not want it!”
* * *
Alhi slept even less than usual that night, making full use of the discipline that Hamko had taught him, to not to let go and fall asleep, to be alert at all times. Insomnia was a friend and ally he welcomed, although it was an ally that came at a price that was getting harder to pay now that he was no longer a young man.
He was awake at once when the guards informed him his sister was raging and demanding to see him.
Before Alhi could refuse or consent to the impromptu audience, Haynitsa barged past the guardsmen and into the room. She hurled herself into his arms crying and mumbling with haunted eyes.
“She is back Alhi! She came back!”
Dismissing the guards with a severe glance, Alhi hugged her as gently as his mood allowed. “What are you talking about? Who is back?”
“Mother, Alhi. Our mother. Who else? She came to my dream demanding that we honor our vow.” She wept profusely. “She is furious with you. Do you not see? You should forget Souli and take your army to Gardiki instead. Please, oh please help me, brother. I cannot stand these nightmares any longer.”
“Calm down, Haynitsa.”
want
the danger, Alhi. You are intoxicated by danger. Perhaps that is why you never cared for opium or hashish?”
Alhi sought refuge in haughtiness, as was his habit. “This discussion is over. Just mind the affairs that are yours to mind. And, speaking of those, find a way to talk some sense into Muhtar. I have heard he is about to make a fool of himself.”
“Muhtar would never do such a thing!”
“Love will make a fool of any man, if he lets it. Words keep coming to my ears. That he has taken an ill-advised fancy to the Patriarch’s niece and chases after her like a besotted boy.”
“Who pours such poisonous lies in your ears?”
“Pashou, his wife.” He groaned. “Oh, what an annoying woman she can be! Yet I cannot ignore her. I need the alliance and help of her father, especially now, with my plans for Souli. So talk to our son, Eminee. Make him understand his duty to our family. I have better things to use his time for. After all, Yannina is full of other women who would chase
him
if given an ounce of encouragement. Make him see that.”
“Why do you not you talk to him yourself?”
“Because I do not stoop so low as to talk about women when we are going to war! That is what we should put our minds to, instead of groveling for the favors of ladies who count their smiles when they are not smiling to themselves for making fools of us.”
“I have already tried to talk to him, Alhi. He barely listens. They are liars, those that say he will make a fool of himself — not because it is not true that he is in love, but
because
it is true. This is not like the rest of his adventures. It is serious.” Eminee had deep concern at her voice.
Alhi stared at her, utterly taken aback. His eyes darkened, his mouth tightened, then opened like a volcano crater about to spew fire and brimstone.
“Please, my husband, do not be … unbecoming of a Pasha.” Eminee just managed to get her parry in, speaking fast, but quietly. “The women of your harem would never repeat a word spoken inside it to the outside world, but you know that any outburst would become a weapon. A weapon used against you in all your women’s never-ending struggle to be your only one.”
He closed his mouth, opened it again, obviously about to tell her in no uncertain terms what he was perfectly prepared to deal with scheming harem women. Then he snapped it shut again.
When he finally did speak, he did so stiffly, like a general giving orders to an aide. “Then talk to Muhtar again! And again. Just as many times as are needed to make him act his age. He will be Pasha one day. He should learn that what a Pasha wants, he takes. And if it happens to be one of those few things he should not take - yet! - then he should not want it!”
* * *
Alhi slept even less than usual that night, making full use of the discipline that Hamko had taught him, to not to let go and fall asleep, to be alert at all times. Insomnia was a friend and ally he welcomed, although it was an ally that came at a price that was getting harder to pay now that he was no longer a young man.
He was awake at once when the guards informed him his sister was raging and demanding to see him.
Before Alhi could refuse or consent to the impromptu audience, Haynitsa barged past the guardsmen and into the room. She hurled herself into his arms crying and mumbling with haunted eyes.
“She is back Alhi! She came back!”
Dismissing the guards with a severe glance, Alhi hugged her as gently as his mood allowed. “What are you talking about? Who is back?”
“Mother, Alhi. Our mother. Who else? She came to my dream demanding that we honor our vow.” She wept profusely. “She is furious with you. Do you not see? You should forget Souli and take your army to Gardiki instead. Please, oh please help me, brother. I cannot stand these nightmares any longer.”
“Calm down, Haynitsa.”
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