Free SERAGLIO by Colin Falconer

a small death. So you can fulfil the law, your duty to the throne and to Islam, and still not violate your oath.'
    Suleiman said nothing for a very long time.
    'So be it,' he said at last.

Chapter 18
     
    The flickering light of the lamps was reflected in the rubies inlaid in the censers. They reminded Ibrahim of the camp fires in the valley of Sultania the night before the snowstorm. As if he wished to be reminded of that! He ran a finger around the rim of his jade cup, staring into the blood red wine. 'We have given a lashing to the Persian dogs,' he said. 'They will be licking their wounds for as very long time.'
    'The campaign was not well advised,' Suleiman said. 'We were almost drawn into a trap. As it was, the final battle went to the Shah. He will be celebrating now, despite our victories at Baghdad and Tabriz.'
    'There will be other summers.'
    'To what purpose?'
    Ibrahim's anger was sudden. 'We have an empire that rivals that of Alexander the Great. Why should we engage in this moping? We have Baghdad, the Shah has the snow and the rocks!'
    'We lost many good men for no reason. The Defterdar Rüstem, for example.'
    Ibrahim felt the blood drain from his face. Why would Suleiman bring up Rüstem? Was he dead? On the contrary his spies had whispered to him that he was still alive, had been seen in Manisa.
    Rüstem!
    If it was true the enormity of this betrayal took his breath away. In other circumstance he might have applauded such sleight of hand. 'What do you know about my clerks?' Ibrahim said, unable to meet his eyes.
    'Only that this one was murdered by the Shah engaging in some secret diplomacy of yours. Did he volunteer for his mission or did you order him to go?'
    'He volunteered, He seemed very eager.'
    'And what was his purpose?'
    'I attempted to lure the Shah out of the mountains. That was my only intention. I attempted a minor deception.' It sounds as if I am pleading, Ibrahim thought. Well perhaps I am. He must realize I meant no harm against him.
    'It seems you failed.'
    Ibrahim tried to read Suleiman's eyes. God help me in my sorrow! He does not believe me!
    'I tried everything to finish the Shah for you. If I went too far, it was only my enthusiasm for victory that was my fault.' There, it was said now; a plea for forgiveness, without confessing the sin. What if Suleiman only suspected? What if Rüstem really were dead right now, eating shit in the devil's latrines?
    Unless Hürrem had some hand in this.
    'Well, it is done now,' Suleiman said.
    'There will be other victories, my Lord. Like Rhodes and Mohacs. Do you remember how close we came to giving up then? If we can endure the black times, God is sure to reward us.'
    'It was your counsel that prevailed at Rhodes, Ibrahim.'
    'I am glad you remember. Remember too that I only wish to serve you.'
    'And you have served me well, many times. But victory in itself means nothing unless it serves Islam. Perhaps we have both forgotten that.'
    'Every victory furthers Islam.'
    'Does it? You must know the mind of Mohammed before you can speak for him.'
    Ibrahim swallowed his anger. As Suleiman had just admitted to him, he would not have prevailed at Rhode or at Mohacs without him. 'I was not born to Mohammed,' he said carefully. 'I still have much to learn.'
    'It is too late for that. I do not think anyone can teach you anything now.' If he had smiled as he said that Ibrahim might have smiled along with him. But Suleiman did not smile.
    'Shall we go hunting in Adrianople again this summer?' Ibrahim said.
    'Perhaps. Only God knows the future.'
    'I could fly the falcons for you again. Like the old days.'
    Suleiman did not reply.
    'Do you remember the time that boar rushed my horse from the thicket on the Marantza River? You saved my life then.'
    'You stood and faced it even though you were unarmed. You looked as if you were not afraid of anything.'
    Yes, because the boar only had razor-sharp tusks, Ibrahim thought. Not a palace full of mutes with bowstrings. 'I was