Equal of the Sun A Novel - By Anita Amirrezvani Page 0,31
trade would be affected. “The heartbeat of the country is slowing to a halt,” he concluded.
The men listened carefully because Anwar, who prayed without fail three times per day, was known for both piety and honesty. The late Shah had honored him by putting him in charge of harem operations and of efforts to fund mosques, wells, and pilgrimage sites.
“The merchants refuse to open because ordinary citizens are being slaughtered,” Pari added from behind the curtain. She could not challenge the Takkalu openly without inciting a civil war.
Her uncle stood up. “I think we should send soldiers to arrest the evildoers and have them put to death. That will set an example that others will wish to avoid.”
“Isn’t that an extreme measure?” Pari asked. I remembered what had happened to Haydar and worried about Shamkhal’s thirst for blood.
“Not if we give the citizens fair warning first,” he replied.
The chief of the late Shah’s private army, Khalil Khan Afshar, who had been named Pari’s guardian when she was a baby, interjected his opinion. “We should deputize a group of soldiers to ride through the city and announce that anyone found to be plotting or executing violence will be punished,” he said. “We will spread the word far and wide.”
“Do that,” said Pari, “and remind them that judgment over another man is the province only of the shah and his Councils of Justice. My brother will prosecute the known murderers once he has been crowned.”
“If he is crowned,” said Sadr al-din Khan Ostajlu from the back of the room. “He has to arrive first, doesn’t he?”
“He is on his way,” insisted Pari.
“Esteemed princess, we will deploy the soldiers tomorrow,” said Khalil Khan. “Is there anything else you wish us to do?”
“There is,” she replied. “All the Takkalu should ride to my brother’s side and pay their respects as soon as possible.”
I almost laughed out loud: Pari was learning quickly. If the Takkalu left, the Ostajlu would feel less besieged and would be less likely to revolt.
“The other men should return to their posts and report to me on the progress they make every day.”
“Chashm.”
“I don’t see why we should follow these orders,” argued Mirza Shokhrollah. “You are not the shah.”
“Do you doubt the purity of my blood?” Pari asked sharply.
“Not your blood,” he replied. “We honor you for your ties to the Safavi dynasty.”
“In the absence of a crowned shah, I will do my duty by ruling this palace and everyone in it, including you.”
Mirza Shokhrollah did not reply, but made a face to indicate that he did not take her seriously, and he began reciting a poem.
Since women don’t have any brains, sense, or faith
Following them drags you down to a primitive state.
Women are good for nothing but making sons
Ignore them; seek truth from the light of brighter ones.
Mirza Shokhrollah looked around as if expecting support, but there was an uncomfortable silence. No doubt some of the men in the room agreed with the sentiments, but it was insulting, possibly even treasonous, to degrade a royal princess of Pari’s stature. I would have liked to stuff his long gray beard into his mouth.
“You had better watch your wayfaring tongue,” Shamkhal said, puffing himself up like a snake about to strike. Next to him, Majeed looked like a mouse in search of a hole. How intimidated he seemed by his elders! If I had his job, I would be moving from man to man to rally support for Pari.
I went behind the curtain to check on the princess. “That poet was hardly the greatest thinker on the topic of women,” Pari retorted in a loud, strong voice. She paused for a minute, closing her eyes, and I felt as if I could actually see lines of poetry being composed on her pearly forehead. In the commanding voice that she used to recite, she countered with her own verse:
A fine silk robe can do well to hide
The pompous ass who is hidden inside
To know the truth that only God knows
Look beyond the fineness of clothes.
Seek much further to what is below the skin
Shatter the barriers, discover what is within.
By glitter and glamour don’t be deceived
Truth lies beyond what the eyes have perceived.
Ask “What is just? What is true? What is real?”
Only pigs devour garbage without a squeal.
Mirza Salman guffawed, and the rest of the men followed. Storm clouds gathered over Mirza Shokhrollah’s brow.
Mirza Salman stood up to speak.
“Princess, I will be glad to assist the chief of the treasury in producing the report.