Tree of Pearls, Queen of Egypt Read online

  Sultan’s Personal Retinue were ranged behind, followed by the Chamberlains and

  other minor offi

  cials. A number of Frankish prisoners completed the assembly in

  an extravagant display of royal might and pride.

  ‘Izz al-Din Aybak now rose and addressed his speech to the assembly.

  “Princes and Offi

  cers, you are all aware of the fate that has befallen the Exalted

  King, Turan Shah. He disgraced himself by gravely mistreating this country’s

  Bahri princes, whose bravery under the leadership of Al-Salih and in the Frank-

  ish Wars is legend. For his crimes, he has paid with his life. We have deemed none

  t h e c oronat ion | 

  other than our Lady, Tree of Pearls, Mother of Khalil and Consort of the Good

  King, worthy of the vacant throne, for she was ever the repository of his trust and she is the mother of his son. Our princes, judges, and magistrates have unani-mously chosen to crown her Queen and Custodian of the State. Our offi

  cers have

  solemnly sworn to obey her by upholding the rule of justice and zealously defending the One Faith. We hereby celebrate her coronation. We shall invoke God’s

  blessings upon her at pulpits throughout the land, immediately on the heels of

  the blessings we seek for our imperial sovereign, Commander of the Faithful, He

  Who Seeks Refuge in God, Al-Musta‘sim Billah, and we shall engrave her image

  upon our coins. Peace and blessings upon the Commander of the Faithful.”

  Th

  e entire assembly rose and echoed ‘Izz al-Din’s last invocation. Th

  en the

  Chief Justice came forth and invoked God’s blessings upon Tree of Pearls. “May

  You, Lord God, protect the Sound Authority, Queen of Muslims, Guardian of

  Life and Faith, Mother of Khalil, Seeker of Refuge, Consort of our departed Sov-

  ereign the Good King.”

  ‘Izz al-Din Aybak then said, “Let it be known that our Queen has deigned

  to entrust me with the offi

  ce of First Minister, and Prince Rukn al-Din Baybars

  with that of Executive Secretary of the Royal Court, and she has moreover com-

  manded me to confi rm those offi

  cers and scribes who have been loyal to us in

  their present posts.” He then pointed to the page standing by the canopy to pull aside the curtain. Th

  e interior was quilted in yellow satin embroidered with gold

  and silver thread. Tree of Pearls sat erect on the golden couch and regarded the assembly with a proud expression on her noble face. She had lowered her veil, and she wore the royal headbands, which were also of yellow satin and on which her

  name and titles had been embroidered in gold thread.

  Th

  e assembly once again invoked God’s blessings upon her, and then the

  curtain was drawn. ‘Izz al-Din resumed his speech. “We shall soon have occa-

  sion to celebrate the offi

  cial reading of the decree in which the Commander of

  the Faithful, Al-Musta‘sim Billah, shall approve the reign of our Queen, may God protect her.”

  Th

  roughout these proceedings, the entire assembly held its breath, as though

  a quivering sparrow had suddenly perched on the heads of each and every person

  in attendance. Th

  e ascension of a woman to the throne had astonished them—

  such a thing had never been heard of. Th

  ere were those who were furious at this

  perceived outrage; some were merely skeptical, while quiet disappointment was

  the attitude of many others. Not one of them, however, dared utter a single word

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  against their new Queen, knowing as they did that behind her throne lay the

  swords of the Bahri Mamluks, the real masters of Egypt in those days.

  Before bringing the ceremony to a close, ‘Izz al-Din signaled to one of the

  Undersecretaries of the Court standing at attention. At this sign, the offi

  cial

  promptly quit the Great Hall and returned with a number of attendants bearing

  large trays on which heft y purses had been placed, each bearing its recipient’s name, and these were accordingly distributed amongst the assembly.

  Once this task had been completed, the company prepared to disperse and

  ‘Izz al-Din Aybak rose once more to speak: “Princes, we hereby inform you that

  our Sovereign, Queen of Muslims, has seen fi t to move her royal seat from the

  Garden Island to this Citadel. Her reasons for so doing accord with the country’s changed political circumstances. Henceforth, the Citadel will replace the Good

  King’s Garden Fortress as the offi

  cial residence of the administration.”

  Th

  is news was well received by some and with no little resentment by others,

  but no one dared venture his opinion on the matter. Th

  e assembly now broke up

  and each went his way. Tree of Pearls proceeded to occupy the palace that had

  been readied for her in the Citadel, and in the weeks that followed, the furnishings of the royal household at the Garden Island were gradually transferred to

  their new home. From that remarkable day onwards, the Island ceased to house

  the Royal Residence. Its ornaments and sculptures were removed piece by piece,

  a process which was further accelerated when ‘Izz al-Din Aybak later acceded

  to the throne, for he commanded that the Good King’s Garden Fortress be torn

  down altogether and that its columns, casements, ceilings, and woodwork be

  removed and used in the construction of a mosque-school in Cairo that bears his

  name to this day.

  Shwaykar had closely followed the coronation proceedings from her corner

  of the canopy. When the curtain was raised, she had shrunk back even farther

  into her corner so as to see without being seen. Her eyes feverishly sought out

  the fi gure of Rukn al-Din—resplendent in his vigorous youth and in his cidaris and dazzling brocaded state robes—and never once left it. A thrill of pleasure ran through her when she heard the decree by which he was appointed her mistress’s

  Executive Secretary, for she knew that the duties of the offi

  ce would bring him

  oft en to the Queen’s palace and hence into close daily proximity to herself. Her heart beat with joy, and she dared to entertain the hope that happiness was fi nally now within her reach, for she would soon be the wife of the Queen’s Dawadar.

  The Engagement

  once alone in her chambers, Tree of Pearls gave herself up to the ministra-

  tions of the slaves and eunuchs who proceeded to carefully remove her heavy

  ceremonial robes and ornaments and to dress her in more comfortable loose-

  fi tting garments. Aft er they had completed this task she ordered them to leave her, and now quite alone she sank into a deep reverie. She considered her new

  situation and the great prize that she had won—a prize she would never have

  dared to even dream of in her youth, when she had been but a naïve girl at court, as distant from the state of kings and sultans as the earth is from the moon. Now she herself had become Queen of Muslims, and all heads bowed in her presence.

  A sudden wave of wild joy swept over her, and then just as suddenly passed away

  as she recalled the many great hurdles ahead and the numerous grave political

  and military crises that beset the land of Egypt. Th

  e war against the Crusaders

  was the most pressing of these, but internal strife between competing and vari-
/>
  ously hostile factions in the administration and the ranks of the army were no

  less serious. She was somewhat comforted by her conviction that ‘Izz al-Din and

  his allies in the army would support her to the last, be it for gain or from a sense of tribal solidarity—she cared little which—, and yet the deep frown that creased her brow as she pondered upon these matters would not leave her face.

  While she was thus occupied, Shwaykar entered the chambers. Th

  e girl’s

  lovely features glowed with delight. She fell upon the hand of her mistress and

  kissed it aff ectionately. “God be praised for his blessings, my Lady. You are

  crowned Queen of Muslims. Did I not remark to you, when I saw you stretched

  out upon the royal couch yesterday, that it suited you well?” Suddenly she noticed the expression on the Queen’s face.

  “Why do you look so troubled, my Lady? Does my presence displease you?

  Do you wish me to withdraw?”

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  Tree of Pearls drew Shwaykar to her bosom and tenderly kissed her brow.

  “Quit my presence? Never, my dearest Shwaykar. I am not in the least troubled. I feel my good fortune most keenly. My thoughts run to the many duties that I am

  now obliged to shoulder. I used to wish for nothing else but this very moment,

  and now that it has arrived, the thrill has passed away and the realities of statecraft crowd in upon my mind.”

  “If you have now come to detest your position, I should be glad to assume it

  in your place!” Shwaykar teased.

  Tree of Pearls smiled, and kissed Shwaykar a second time. “How can I detest

  kingship, my dear, when I have yet to taste its pleasures? But neither must I dis-count the many trials and hardships that it must bring in its wake.”

  “Th

  e trials of which you speak are indeed unavoidable, my Queen,” replied

  Shwaykar. “And yet our First Minister, ‘Izz al-Din, shall carry the heaviest burden of it for you. And our Rukn al-Din is . . . a great hero.” She blushed and bowed her head as she spoke his name.

  Tree of Pearls laughed merrily and reached out to stroke Shwaykar’s hair.

  “Rukn al-Din is indeed a great hero, and to show you the proof of it, I shall charge him with a mission of utmost importance that I dare entrust to no other. Will you permit me to do so?”

  Shwaykar blushed again at this gracious deference. “Who am I to give my

  consent to such a matter, my Lady? Are we not your slaves, bound to obey your

  every command?”

  A quick surge of elation fi lled Tree of Pearls at this ceremonial response—it

  was the fi rst time she had heard it addressed to her royal person—but she was a sensible and discerning woman who cared nothing for pretty phrases in the end.

  “We are all God’s slaves, my dear child,” she replied. “I requested your permis-

  sion because Rukn al-Din’s aff airs are no longer indiff erent to you. Destiny has united his fate to your own. Is it not so?”

  “Even if it be so,” she ventured shyly, “the destiny of which you speak was

  guided by your own hand.”

  “Th

  at is of no importance. I only wish him to accomplish a truly valiant deed

  that will bring him renown amongst his peers before he weds you. You shall then

  have even more reason to be proud of your husband.”

  “Let it be as you wish, my Queen,” Shwaykar obediently replied, though

  in reality she was far from content with her mistress’s proposal. Rukn al-Din’s

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  prowess was already famed at court, and she saw no reason why additional proofs

  of it could not be put off until aft er her wedding. Shwaykar’s wonder at her own good fortune had made her chary of the future. She had no choice but to submit,

  however, and submit she did.

  Tree of Pearls took note of her handmaiden’s misgivings. She sighed and,

  rising from her seat, paced restlessly around the chamber and then threw her-

  self onto her bed. “Oh Shwaykar! I am weary of all this thinking! Give me some

  music. Let me hear that exquisite voice of yours—perhaps it will lift my spirits.”

  Shwaykar promptly complied. She ordered a page to bring her oud, and taking

  it into her practiced hands began to pluck it with expert skill and to sing her mistress’s favorite ballads. Tree of Pearls gave herself up to the delightfully soothing sound of the girl’s voice, but it was now Shwaykar’s turn to brood. As she sang, her thoughts once again turned to Rukn al-Din. How she wished him to appear before

  her at that very moment, so that she could read his eyes and sound his heart. He had not yet declared his love to her. She, on the other hand, had fallen deeply in love with him, and she feared that her love would remain unrequited. Her heart’s turmoil played upon her face and stole into her voice as she sang.

  Tree of Pearls suddenly interrupted the girl’s reverie. “What ails you,

  Shwaykar?” she gently pressed her.

  “Nothing, my Lady,” she replied quietly.

  “Do not attempt to deceive me. Your look speaks worlds.”

  Shwaykar smiled wanly to hide her discomfi ture. “Never, my Queen. I

  have every reason to be happy, and I praise God for his blessings,” she broke off awkwardly.

  Tree of Pearls guessed the thoughts that were passing through Shwaykar’s

  mind. “I have no doubt that you are glad of your mistress’s good fortune, but

  something disquiets you. Does the thought of Rukn al-Din’s imminent departure

  from the court displease you, then?”

  “Indeed no, my Lady!” Shwaykar quickly replied. “To obey your command is

  my only joy and solace. But . . .” and she lowered her head shyly.

  “But what, child? You will not speak, then? Th

  is modesty pleases me,” she

  smiled. “It appears that you would wish to see Rukn al-Din before his departure.

  Perhaps you would also know the state of his heart? I shall send for him this very moment to join us. I too have matters which I would discuss with him,” and she

  clapped her hands to summon a page.

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  Th

  e page retired with his mistress’s message and Tree of Pearls bade Shwaykar

  resume her singing while they waited for the noble Prince. She obligingly bent

  over her oud once more, but her heart raced with anticipation.

  Th

  e page returned to announce the Dawadar’s presence. “Prince Rukn al-

  Din awaits your command, my Lady.”

  “Let him enter,” Tree of Pearls said, and she motioned to Shwaykar to fall

  silent.

  Rukn al-Din strode in and bent to greet the Queen, who bestowed upon him

  a royal smile in reply. She had secured her veil in such a way as to reveal her dark, piercing eyes, and Shwaykar had done the same. “Welcome to our champion, Rukn

  al-Din,” she said. “Pray be seated,” and she pointed to a nearby chair. He sat down with marked circumspection and wondered at the reason for this summons.

  Tree of Pearls read his thoughts. “Do you know why I have summoned you,

  Rukn al-Din?”

  “No, my Lady. I am but a sturdy sword in my Queen’s arsenal, a sword that

  she directs as she pleases,” he replied.

  “God reward you. But do you wield this sword in my name alone?”

  He understood that she was teasing him, and that she alluded to Shwaykar

  with this pleasantry. He was pleased that she had raised the subject. “Indeed, my Lady, for it is you, and you al
one, who commands and forbids.” He glanced at

  Shwaykar and smiled as he said this.

  “I see that we have embarrassed Shwaykar,” Tree of Pearls remarked, and

  indeed, the girl had turned as red as a wild rose. “Give us a song to delight our Prince’s ears, my dear. What say you, Shwaykar?”

  “I am at your command, my Lady,” she replied, and once again took up her

  oud. She sang and played upon her instrument, till Rukn al-Din’s heart over-

  fl owed with sweet emotion. Th

  e music fi lled him with strange wonder and mel-

  ancholy passion. He had heard tell of Shwaykar’s peerless voice, but had never

  before experienced its exquisite resonance and spiritual depth. Falling in love

  with the voice, he fell in love with the possessor of the voice, and only now did he began to realize the great value of the jewel that Tree of Pearls had bestowed upon him.

  She, meanwhile, had watched him closely as he sat listening to her music. She

  saw that it had moved him greatly and she wished that they could but be alone for a few moments, for she was certain that once unburdened by the commanding

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  presence of Tree of Pearls he would fi nally speak out. Tree of Pearls, too, had seen that the Prince was much taken by her handmaiden’s powerfully sweet voice,

  and she was well pleased. She had her own reasons for wishing to rule his heart

  and thereby shape him to her design. Her accession to the throne had made her

  fearful of intrigue and treachery, both within the Palace and beyond. Vague sus-

  picions haunted her. Even her lover and First Minister was not exempt from the

  dark thoughts that crowded her mind, for she knew him to be ruthless in his

  ambition. In Rukn al-Din, she divined great courage and resolve, and she deter-

  mined to make the utmost use of these qualities for her own ends.

  “Does our Shwaykar’s voice please you, Rukn al-Din?” she inquired coolly.

  “Is it not enough that it pleases the Queen of Muslims, your Grace?” he replied.

  “And who, I wonder, may resist the power of such a voice?” he added warmly.

  Tree of Pearls laughed. “I hope nonetheless that it is not the voice alone that

  pleases you.”

  Rukn al-Din did not directly reply to this sally, but he glanced furtively at

  Shwaykar.

  “I see that you consult her own opinion fi rst. Are you unconvinced that your