Council, enclosed by a high, octagonal wall. Henry could see the dome of the royal mosque and a series of buildings and interior roads, all laid out in perfect symmetry, reflecting the Islamic devotion to geometry.
Majid pointed out a large dark hole in the sand not a hundred yards from the palace. “This is where a Houthi missile landed a week ago. So much for those Patriot missiles you guys sold us.”
The helicopter pad was just inside the perimeter of the complex. As they were setting down, Henry noticed gun emplacements, as well as what he took to be the Patriot missile battery that Majid referred to. The conflict between the Saudis and the theocrats in Iran was boiling over, spurred on by Iran’s continuing to supply the Houthi rebels in Yemen with more modern weaponry, including the missile that had only narrowly missed the royal palace.
A silver Rolls-Royce ferried them to the immense palace, which dwarfed the artifacts of royalty that Henry had seen in France and Russia. The sheen of the ornamental tiles in the grand hallway was blinding. He felt assaulted by the scale of the place. At one intersection, Henry could see fifty yards in either direction. The echo of their footsteps resounded like a battalion trailing behind them. In Henry’s opinion, royalty was a form of tyranny, which justified itself in the name of God or national glory, and yet despite himself he was a little in awe of the majesty with which Prince Majid swept past the guards completely unchallenged. Seeing him in his familiar context opened Henry’s eyes to the breadth of power his friend commanded.
A royal guard saluted and opened a massive door to the king’s private salon, which was embellished with gold, like a medieval manuscript. Majid motioned Henry to follow him to one of the seats against the wall. Ministers and other officials were lined up on either side of the old king, who fingered prayer beads and stared at the pattern in the carpet. His son, the crown prince, sat next to him, whispering occasionally into the king’s ear—presumably telling him the decisions he had just made in his father’s name.
Henry studied the face of the crown prince. He was young and handsome and totally ruthless, a man who made a habit of imprisoning or killing his enemies and defying the condemnation of the world and his own family, which was cowed by his appetite for revenge.
“They are talking about Iran,” Majid said under his breath.
Henry waited, knowing there was no time for waiting.
If the ministers in the room were plotting war with their rival, they seemed strangely passive. The discussion proceeded in a lugubrious fashion, as the crown prince acknowledged first one and then another, treating each opinion offered with a ceremonial nod that suggested how weightless their views were to him. Military people were in the room, their uniforms bedecked with medals, and a blind cleric with a long white beard, and a dozen other members of the Shura Council. Even without speaking the language Henry could see that a decision had already been made, which everyone in the chamber knew. He could also read the anxiety in their faces. War was coming.
The crown prince finally addressed Majid, who responded respectfully, but urgently. It was clear that his remarks infuriated the crown prince. Henry heard his own name mentioned, and saw that the palace courtiers unanimously condemned him with their eyes. Once again he realized what a transgression his presence was, first in the sanctuary of their religion and now in the inner chamber of power.
“We can speak now in English,” Majid said to Henry. “Many of them understand it. I’ve told them who you are and why you’ve come.”
The crown prince spoke first. “My cousin says you are concerned about an outbreak of illness in the holy city. We face this problem every year, and we have always handled it without the guidance of strangers. We appreciate your interest, but we have no desire to prevent pilgrims from returning to their families. This is totally out of the question.” He smiled, as if that was the end of the matter.
“Your Highness, may I acquaint you with the situation before you make your ruling?” Henry asked. “I realize you will be held responsible for the consequences of your decision, and I would not want you to be seen as being headstrong and careless by people who may not understand your dilemma. At least you can respond with