The Golden Blade Page #3

Hearken now to this.

The Caliph will soon consent

to your marrying Khairuzan.

Me marry

that snarling infant?

Ten thousand devils, no!

And why not?

Should some unfortunate

calamity overtake her father,

who knows where you might be

with her as your wife?

She has great riches.

And should she also suffer

mortal accident...

I could even then be Caliph!

Your keen perceptions

humble me.

Caliph of Baghdad!

Perhaps Basra conquered.

The world in the palm

of my hand.

Our hands, tall son.

Our hands.

All right, say it.

A plague upon me.

I'm a thankless pest.

I did not think that,

Princess.

Almighty Allah, how could you

impose such a life upon us?

While men are permitted

to roam, to live,

we are imprisoned

in a harem.

Oh, there must be

so many lands to see.

Lands more beautiful

than poets can say,

and wonders unheard of

in Baghdad.

Oh compassionate Allah,

how I would like to see

for myself.

Why the laughter?

Pray let us all hear.

We could do with some

amusement this day.

It is not of my invention.

Come, come. Out with it.

'Twas told me by the eunuch

who heard it from the guard...

Who heard it from his captain...

Who was so informed by Hadi...

Who was told it by Jafar... Who

conferred yesterday with the Caliph.

Heaven help us.

Not who but what?

Hadi is to marry

the Princess Khairuzan.

What did I hear?

It's true, O Princess.

All know it now.

In truth, my father

has forsaken me.

To be pawned off like...

Like a sick camel!

Let me out!

Let me out, do you hear?

Let me out!

Slaughter! Riot! Guards,

guards, guards, guards!

What is amiss?

The Princess! The Princess!

Let me out!

Be quick. Call Hadi.

Princess, Princess!

Where does one seek an

appointment with the vizier?

Tie your horse with the others

and join in line.

Your Highness.

Princess.

Captain Hadi. Captain Hadi!

Captain. Captain Hadi!

She stole my cloak. She

stole my cloak! And his hat.

There she is. There!

It is the Princess.

Shehada, my horse!

Let go, leech!

Let... Help me!

All I want here is my own

horse. Nothing is yours but this.

O merciful one,

do not leave me.

I am no protector of thieves.

Oh, to me you could be

the protector of all Islam.

You've defeated the greatest

swordsman in all the land.

Keep your thieving hands

to yourself.

Oh, I swear I will

if you'll take me with you.

Protect me from

the cruelest of masters.

You're a slave, then?

Beaten unmercifully,

and often starved.

Very well.

May Allah the Beneficent

bring you great fortune,

and may he bless you

with many more children?

I have no children.

Well, blessings upon your

wife, then, kind stranger.

May she have many children.

I have no wife.

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