Path of the Eclipse (44 page)

For Kali was goddess of sexuality as well as destruction.

A letter to the Rajah Dantinusha from his sister, Padmiri.

To the favored of the gods and champion of the kingdom, the Rajah Dantinusha of Natha Suryarathas, most beautiful of lands.

Great Lord, my sincerest greetings.

It has been a considerable time since a messenger has come from you, and as you have not always trusted me, I confess that the sight of the man gave me a moment of fear. All of us are aware of the dangers visited upon this country, and it is not impossible that in order to secure the land, you would give orders that might otherwise be repugnant to you, and contrary to the laws you yourself have instigated. Yet I saw that my apprehension was in vain, and the scroll brought to me was the polite request that I receive a guest in my house. You tell me that the man is a foreigner, from the West, and not, I gather, a follower of Islam. The scroll says that this foreigner has but one servant and yet possesses the finest of jewels. By that alone, I will admit, my curiosity is piqued.

When our brothers and cousins rose against you and there was so much death that I feared I might never cease mourning, my decision to remove myself from all aspects of the court was comforting. I preferred to make myself an exile on my own terms than to risk banishment on yours. My life here goes peacefully. I see no one but scholars and teachers and occasional musicians. I am of an age when this no longer disappoints me. Had I been a young woman when the uprising occurred, I might have felt these privations, such as they are, more keenly.

I am saying this so that you will understand why I am willing to have this foreigner share my house. I have come to miss the company of others, but I don’t think I can bear to be reminded of the losses we have all endured. While it is true I lost no husband or son—having none to lose—when the battles and executions were carried out, there was much that I had valued that was gone. So I will not take in my own kind. Your foreigner, though, is another matter. My days, though pleasant, are much the same, and I am as subject to boredom as anyone. It would please me to have the company of a man who is intelligent and well-traveled who might be persuaded to recount some of his travels to me, so that I will have a taste of what he has seen and done. I do not desire to speak to him of Natha Suryarathas or any of our relations. You may be certain that I will reveal no secrets—I know none, and there is nothing but grief in remembering what is past. I ask that you tell this man of my conditions, and if he is still inclined to share this house of mine, then he will be welcome.

When the rains have stopped, I will allow another wing to be built onto this house, but until then, it is useless to attempt alterations. I will allocate six rooms for his use and another two for his servant. This should be sufficient unless he plans to enlarge his household considerably. As the rooms are in an unused part of the house, it will be a day or two before my staff can put them in order. It will be inconvenient for him to arrive during the next two days, but after that, I will be pleased to see him when it most suits you and him.

Your offer to supply me with additional guards is doubtless well-intended, but I will refuse them. I am already filled with a sense of being in prison, and so it would not reassure me to have armed men here. My eunuchs are good fighters and have guarded me from worse things than two men far from home. Should I change my mind, I will send a messenger at once. A rider leaving here at midday will easily reach your palace before sunset, and I am sufficiently isolated that it would be difficult for anyone to flee this place before your guard could arrive here.

Tell your foreigner that I hope he will accept my hospitality. Until your message came I did not realize how eager I am for a little novelty in my life. My stipulations will not, I trust, prove too demanding. A man who has seen as much of the world as you claim this foreigner has will have more to talk about than treachery in a remote principality on the northern border of the Delhi Sultanate. It is for that and for your request that I will be pleased to have him here.

May the gods protect you now as they have before, and may your reign continue free from strife. Of all our family you and your daughter are the only ones left to me, and though I see you rarely, my affection and loyalty remain true and unchanging. I am pleased to be able to comply with your instructions, and will always be pleased to do so, as much as I am capable of doing.

Your sister,

Padmiri

PART III

Tamasrajasi daughter of Rajah Kare Dantinusha of Natha Suryarathas

A letter from the merchant Loramidi Chol to Saint-Germain.

Revered and honored guest of Rajah Dantinusha, and esteemed traveler, my most humble and respectful greetings.

It is with profound regret that I inform you I have not been able to learn of any ships that will take you down the river to the sea. Too many of those who trade on the river fear that the warriors of Jenghiz Khan who are harrying their way through Persia will next turn their mounts toward the Delhi Sultanate. For that reason, few will make the journey at all, and those that will, have no intention of going as far as the sea. Were it possible to do so much, yet no captain would accept a foreigner onto his vessel at this time. You must realize that they all believe every foreigner to be capable of spying for the Mongols, and my sources tell me that this rumor is more prevalent in the Islamic territories than it is here, farther upriver.

Let me assure you that I will continue to search out river captains to learn if any of them will take you. After the rains have stopped there may well be more traders on the river, even this far up the Chenab. At that time I may discover that there are trustworthy men who will take you with them on their return voyage. They will doubtless not wish to leave until very near the spring rains, as this may be the last opportunity they will have to trade here for some time. If it is true that the Mongols are planning to attack the lands of Shams-ud-din Iletmish, there is much sense in what they do. Merchants, as you must know, are cautious men in their way, and because they gamble with their fortunes are reluctant to gamble with their lives. As I have told you, this is not a thing that can be arranged quickly. It is my opinion that you will not be able to depart for at least two seasons.

In the other matters, however, there has been more achieved. The substances you have requested will be provided. Powder of cinnabar is not easily available, and it will be a while before I can deliver it to you. My agents in Delhi have found the azoth, fine carbon, and salts you have requested. They will be in your hands by the time the periyanadu convenes. It will take a bit longer for the woods you asked for to be brought, but I have been assured that they can be had. The question of Hungarian earth is another matter. A magus in Kanpur is reputed to have some, and word has been sent to him that it is required. You specified that the earth must come from the mountains of the Transylvanian region. It is not known if the Hungarian earth he has is from that region, but if it is, the offer you have authorized will be made. I am aware that you stressed alacrity in this instance, and I assure you that I am proceeding as quickly as I am able, but with the rains and these uncertain times, it is not always possible for me or my agents to procure all the materials desired by those who come to me, and to the rest of the travelling merchants.

I have in hand the gold you promised, and let me praise the high quality of the metal. Nothing has debased it, nothing has lightened it. How rare such gold is in these times.

In the hope that I may continue to be of service to you, now and in the future, and may the gods look with favor on all your endeavors,

Loramidi Chol

merchant

by the hand of the scribe Indukar

1

In the northern corner of the room the athanor was almost complete. Casks, sacks and boxes made islands and obstacles all over the floor as Rogerio busied himself with labeling, cataloging and storing all the supplies that had been delivered. He was inspecting one of the smaller boxes when he observed to Saint-Germain, “This box of salts is of very poor quality. Chol said it was the finest he could buy. What must the worst be like?”

“Can we purify it?” Saint-Germain inquired. He was busy with the Roman chest which had been stood by the wall farthest from the windows.

“Probably, but it is a nuisance.” Rogerio marked the box and made a notation on the scroll he carried. “Do you think Chol will be able to supply you the earth you need?”

“I hope so,” Saint-Germain said with feeling. “It’s not just a question of the earth. What I have will last me for a while, and if there were a way to reach Shiraz, I would not be concerned. However, I think it will be wisest to hold two of the sacks in reserve. If we do get transportation downriver, I will need the earth.” He finished making his adjustments in the chest, then tugged at the lock to be certain it was still firm.

“And for the other? Will you purchase a concubine?” Rogerio had set the scroll aside and was stacking the boxes he had cataloged.

Saint-Germain sighed. “I suppose I must, but I would rather not. When pleasure is bought, it is a superficial … nourishment.” He fell silent, staring out the window at the enormous purple clouds that would soon empty rain over the mountains as fieldwomen emptied the great loads of grain from their aprons at the end of the day. The air was already thickening with damp. “I could lie quiescent on what little earth I have left. I would prefer not to.”

Rogerio opened the largest of the sacks. “Carbon dust. This is superior.”

“As it comes from Delhi, this isn’t remarkable. The Muslims have practiced the Great Art for several hundred years, particularly the processes with metals. Their carbon dust ought to be superior.”

“There are three vessels of azoth,” Rogerio remarked.

“Good. I’ll concentrate on jewels instead of gold. The results will be more reliable, I think.” He picked his way across the room to the athanor. “This will be finished soon. Then I will see how it turns out rubies. If they do well enough, I’ll make diamonds.”

Rogerio was only half-listening. “Diamonds?”

Saint-Germain smiled wryly. “Diamonds. You have seen them before, I think. Most often they are clear, but a few have a tint to them.” He laid one hand on the brics of the incomplete athanor. “It will be good to practice the Great Art again. It’s been too long.”

“You had an athanor at the lamasery,” Rogerio reminded him as he made another notation on his scroll.

“That was a paltry thing. Hardly worthy of the name. This is better. It will be able to be heated hot enough for the jewels.” He spoke with a curious affection. “Music and alchemy,” he said quietly, as if talking to the athanor. “Those two have sustained me.” Then he gave a crack of unhappy laughter. “That is not entirely correct. I require other things for sustenance. Perhaps, philosophically, there is truth in it, but that is all.”

The first drops of rain spattered into the room, and Saint-Germain moved quickly to close the shutters. Once the rain began to fall, it increased steadily, making a sound not unlike the sea.

“The rains are almost over, they say,” Rogerio said, after looking up toward the ceiling once.

“If the weather holds true to pattern, that’s correct.” Suddenly he recalled another time, long ago, when he and Rogerio had been in Asia during the rains. “That temple on the Irrawaddy…”

Rogerio looked up, then grinned, which was rare in him. “Yes. There was almost no way to tell where the river ended and the land began. All the offerings were bobbing about in the eddies and the priests were on the shoulders of the idols shouting at the clouds.”

This time Saint-Germain’s laughter was genuine. “That child in the little boat, gathering up anything valuable that floated by him? He nearly capsized when he tried to haul that waterlogged bolt of silk on board.” His face became more sober. “We were fortunate to have that barge. I would not want to be in such a flood now with only a few sacks of earth to protect me.” Suddenly he shook his head. “I am becoming morbid about this. I suppose it is from disappointment. Not just that we have come so far and to so little purpose, but … I had thought that after China it would be a simple matter to reach Shiraz, and from there return in easy stages to my native land. It was unwise to assume we need only cover the distance and all would be well.” He put his hand to the silver chain and pectoral hung around his neck. “What more must I lose?”

“My master,” Rogerio said as he straightened up, “not even you can live without mourning. Perhaps you mourn more than others do. You left horror behind you in China, and now you find that it is waiting ahead for you in Persia. While the others hear rumors of what the Mongol warriors do, you, and I, have seen it. And we may have to look upon their slaughter again.”

“And it is different for you, old friend?” Saint-Germain asked lightly.

“I am not the same as you. My losses are not your losses.”

“No,” Saint-Germain agreed.

The silence between them was not awkward; they had known each other too long for that, but Rogerio could feel his master’s self-imposed isolation become stronger. “What do you suppose a magus in Kanpur wants with earth from Hungary?” It was a safe-enough question, and one to which he truly wanted an answer.

“It’s probably going to be used for spells to help the Muslims conquer Europe.” He ran one small hand over the wall nearest him. The room had not been occupied in some time, and there were fine strands of spiderwebs holding dust under his fingers.

“Earth for spells?” Rogerio asked, rolling up his scroll for the moment.

“I’m guessing. He may require it for other reasons.” He pulled his hand away and rubbed his fingertips and thumb together, testing the gritty residue from the walls. “The walls had best be scrubbed with vinegar water. Otherwise, who knows how much contamination we’ll have to filter out of everything we do?”