Instead, Asad started strangling her. She thrashed about violently but was caught in the talons of the lion and could not find release. As she choked to death, she could not even utter a spell. She did not draw another breath and the bird of her soul flew away from her body’s cage. At that moment, a terrifying sound was heard as if the sky had burst asunder, and Prince Asad jumped off to one side.
Princess Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe had been watching the scene from the gap in the door. Earlier, she had burned with jealousy seeing Asad cavorting with Sandal, and said to herself, He told me one thing and now see him become enamoured of this crone and make love talk.
But in just a moment, the thunderous sound broke upon them, darkness enveloped the world, whirlwinds began to blow and stones and fire showered. A great clamour was heard and after a moment a voice proclaimed, “Alas, I was killed by deceit. Sandal was my name. I had yet to pick desire’s flower from the garden of youth when the winds of death wilted the flower of my life in its seven hundredth year.”
Unnerved, Princess Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe said to her aide Dil Aaram, “What a terrible calamity that he has killed my aunt.” Dil Aaram replied, “My princess, he killed her for love of you and showed no consideration for his own life. Go and see how he fares and what has happened to him.”
The princess stepped into the room with Dil Aaram. By that time the darkness had parted. They saw Sandal’s corpse lying naked and Prince Asad standing on one side, smiling. The princess came up to him crying, and said, “What did you do; you killed my aunt!” Asad replied, “And what say you about the skill with which I dispatched her to hell?” Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe replied, “Praise the Lord! What is to be said about courage such as yours, which shows no mercy even to someone who shows you love. After killing my aunt you expect me to praise your act?” Asad put his arms around the princess’s neck and kissed her, but she pushed him away, saying, “Do you now want to choke me to death, too?” Asad replied, “O my soul, I offer my life in sacrifice to protect yours. Do you think I would survive for a single moment if I harmed you in the least?”
While they were having this exchange, suddenly Sandal’s skull cracked open, a colorful bird came out of it and flew away crying, “Alas! Alas!”
Dil Aaram said, “Princess, it was not a bird you saw but the magic that has inhabited Sandal’s vile body all these years. Now it will fly directly to Afrasiyab and give him a complete account of what happened here. The two of you will be taken captive like Princess Tasveer and Prince Badiuz Zaman.”
Petrified with fear, Princess Mahjabeen said, “What must I do now?” Dil Aaram replied, “Take Asad along and escape from the tilism.” Asad interjected, “I have come to conquer the tilism and will not leave without killing Afrasiyab.”
Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe implored Dil Aaram, saying, “O Dil Aaram, I do not know sorcery. If you can, take us with you out of here.” Dil Aaram answered, “My magic is not powerful enough to confront any sorcerer sent by Afrasiyab or to help you escape from the tilism. But I shall step down now and transform myself into a hill by magic. You may come with Asad and hide in one of its caverns. In that manner I will help you get away.”
The princess acquiesced. Dil Aaram stepped down, rolled on the ground and became a hill. Princess Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe and Asad hid themselves in it. The hill uprooted itself and headed out. All the slave girls and attendants of the princess began shedding tears at the sight. Dil Aaram paid them no heed and went away carrying the prince and the princess.
In the meanwhile, the bird that had emerged from Sandal’s skull reached Afrasiyab in the Apple Garden. The emperor was seated on the imperial throne, the nobles and ministers were gathered and dancers were entertaining the assembly when the bird fell before Afrasiyab’s throne and cried out, “O Emperor of Hoshruba, Sorceress Sandal was killed by Asad’s hand.” A flame darted from the bird’s mouth, its feathers caught fire, and it burned to cinder.
Afrasiyab wept when he heard the news and ordered the whole court to dress in mourning. He sent for Empress Heyrat from the City of Disregard and apprised her of the news. Empress Heyrat, too, broke into tears upon hearing of it. Accompanied by all the nobles of his court and grandees of the tilism, Afrasiyab arrived where Sandal’s body lay. Princess Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe’s attendants fell down at Afrasiyab’s feet professing their innocence. When Afrasiyab inquired about Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe, they gave him all the details of Asad’s meeting with the princess and what had come about.
Afrasiyab said, “It is impossible for them to escape the tilism. Let me first attend to Sandal’s last rites and burial. Then I shall punish that shameless wretch Mahjabeen.”
Afrasiyab ordered the imperial procession of the tilism to be assembled. The ringers of bells and gongs and the believers of gods Sameri and Jamshed presented themselves. Magic slaves of steel made by the founders of the tilism arrived on horseback to accompany the procession. All the nobles of the tilism gathered and carried the corpse of Sandal with great pomp and ceremony according to the letter of Jamshed’s faith.
After Afrasiyab had disposed of these matters, he retired with a heavy heart to the Apple Garden and penned an irrevocable order to the kings of the domains of Hoshruba, alerting them to Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe and Dil Aaram’s escape with Amir Hamza’s grandson Asad. He ordered that the criminals be captured on sight and sent to his court as prisoners.
OF SORCERESS PRINCESS MAHRUKH MAGIC-EYE CHANGING HER LOYALTIES
Afrasiyab addressed the first of these letters to Princess Mahrukh Magic-Eye. She was the grandmother of Princess Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe, and related to Afrasiyab.
Mahrukh Magic-Eye was a wise and accomplished sorceress and astrologer, and an augur without match who ruled over twelve thousand sorcerers. She had moved her quarters from the region of Batin to the City of Manycolors in Zahir after an inauspicious event involving Emperor Afrasiyab and her son Shakeel, who was enamoured of Empress Heyrat’s daughter, Khubsurat. The prospect of their union displeased Afrasiyab. The emperor spared Shakeel because Mahrukh Magic-Eye was one of the nobles of Hoshruba and acquainted with its secrets, but Afrasiyab separated Khubsurat from Shakeel by imprisoning her in a magic Ferris-wheel in a garden in Batin.
Afrasiyab showed Mahrukh much favor for appearances’ sake but kept a wary and watchful eye on her always. He realized that if he were to arrest her granddaughter, Princess Mahjabeen, like he had Princess Tasveer, Mahrukh Magic-Eye might take offence, rebel, and join the Conqueror of the Tilism. In his letter to Mahrukh Magic-Eye, Afrasiyab wrote:
“O Princess Mahrukh Magic-Eye! Your granddaughter has eloped with Prince Asad. Despite my elevating her to the status of a sovereign of the tilism and augmenting her rank, she showed scant regard for me and washed her hands of her honor and repute. Upon the receipt of this letter you must find Mahjabeen and produce her in my presence so that I may let her off with only a reprimand for your sake, and kill the Conqueror of the Tilism. If you show the least hesitation in carrying out confiscated and you will be beheaded for rebellion.”
After penning this furious message, Afrasiyab gave it to his respected servant, sorcerer Zunnar, to take to Mahrukh Magic-Eye and bring back an affirmative response.
Zunnar set off on his journey and arrived in the City of Manycolors. Mahrukh Magic-Eye was informed of his arrival and received Zunnar with great respect. He was brought into the royal palace where a feast was arranged and song and dance recitals and revels were held in his honor. After fulfilling her duties as a hostess, Mahrukh Magic-Eye asked Zunnar, “What is the occasion for which you have honored this slave’s humble abode?” Zunnar handed her the letter sent by Emperor Afrasiyab.
After she studied its contents, the prudent Mahrukh Magic-Eye said in a gentle voice, “O Zunnar, please wait a few moments. I will write my answer after I have reflected on the contents of this letter and sought my councillors’ advice.” Zunnar waited there and Mahrukh Magic-Eye retired to a separate house.
Well-versed in the art of au
gury, she made a horoscope to determine the fortunes of Afrasiyab and Asad. Her calculations confirmed that Afrasiyab would die at the hands of Prince Asad, who would be the Conqueror of Hoshruba. Those who would stand with him would save their lives, win honor, and rise in esteem while those who stood against him would be killed, have their houses ravaged, and be denied refuge.
When all this was revealed to Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe by celestial knowledge, she thought, I should join Princess Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe, who is the light of my eyes. Afrasiyab is a faithless traitor and it would be best to shun him for he imprisoned Lachin, who was the real Emperor of Hoshruba. He also holds a grudge against my son because of Shakeel’s love for Khubsurat and tortures his beloved in a thousand ways. It would be little wonder if my son gave up his life in grief for his beloved and passed away from this world. I should save the lives of my son and granddaughter. I must fight Afrasiyab and quench the fire of anger in my heart. There will be no better time than this. The moment is auspicious and the Conqueror of the Tilism has also appeared.
With this in mind, Mahrukh Magic-Eye wrote the following reply to Afrasiyab’s letter:
“O Emperor of Hoshruba and King of Wizards, the royal order obeyed by all the world arrived before this feeble creature. Your humble servant’s honor was redoubled and rose to the pinnacle of heavens. The reproaches expressed against my granddaughter have caused great astonishment and wonder among your devoted servants. Your humble subject has ever remained the target of censure and reproof in your court. Some blame or other has always found a way to attach itself to her name. You have not turned your gaze of kindness and glance of compassion toward her for ages, and she resides far away from the abode of your felicity and luxury. In this particular case, however, she must not at all be held to blame. Before the dictates of love we are all helpless. No one should be expected to surrender the light of his life to the executioner’s blade. One would save the other even at the cost of his own life. In short, this lowly servant finds herself unable to search for Mahjabeen, arrest her, and submit her neck to the relentless blade. You are my lord and master and may reward or punish me as you see fit. You must do what you must and exercise your power and judgment to the fullest. I shall have nothing more to do with you now and shall not agree to Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe’s humiliation. I dare not write more lest it be considered insolence.”
When the reply was ready, she handed it to Zunnar, who set out for Afrasiyab’s court.
Mahrukh Magic-Eye ordered her twelve thousand sorcerers to prepare to march. After getting dressed and armed, they presented themselves before her. The army folded up its camp and loaded the tents and pavilions. Mahrukh Magic-Eye also took her mother, sorceress Mah, along and sent a note to her son Shakeel, who had renounced household comforts in his love for Khubsurat and passed his days and nights in the mountainous wilderness of Kohistan. After the feud with Afrasiyab, Mahrukh Magic-Eye had deputed twelve thousand sorcerers to live with Shakeel in the wilderness and guard him. In her message Mahrukh wrote:
“My son, I have had a falling out with Afrasiyab.
You must return to me and bring your army along.”
Shakeel was only too pleased to receive the note from his mother and decided that he would now either die fighting Afrasiyab or become united with his beloved. He immediately returned with his twelve thousand warriors. Thus Mahrukh Magic-Eye set out with a force of twenty-four thousand men in search of Princess Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe.
OF AFRASIYAB SENDING THE SORCERERS ZULMAT PITCH-FACE, DUKHAN THE STEAM AND SHOLA THE BLAZE TO ARREST PRINCE ASAD AND PRINCESS MAHJABEEN DIAMOND-ROBE
When Zunnar presented Mahrukh Magic-Eye’s reply to Afrasiyab, the emperor burnt in a blaze of rage. Realizing it would be undignified for him as the emperor to be seen marching against a mere female, he ordered three sorcerers, Zulmat Pitch-Face, Dukhan the Steam, and Shola the Blaze, to take Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe prisoner. He told the sorcerers that the three of them together would suffice for Mahrukh Magic-Eye’s whole army and ordered them to arrest the sorceress’s supporters as well. After receiving their orders, the sorcerers left.
Now hear of Prince Asad and Princess Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe, whose love and infatuation with each other increased every moment. Dil Aaram carried them as a hill for a thousand miles but could not get out of the tilism boundaries. She saw Mount Quartz, Mount Azure and many wonders and marvels of the tilism. She saw gardens grown with thorns and ones grown with flowers. She traversed the Kohistan wilderness and then passed by the River of Flowing Blood. When she realized she had come a long way, she stopped and asked Princess Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe and Asad to come down from the hill. Once they descended, Dil Aaram returned to human form and led the two of them along deserted paths.
After travelling some distance, they came upon a green pasture where flowers blossomed in profusion and leafy trees stood at every few steps by flowing springs and streams. The princess said, “O Dil Aaram, while I find some comfort in this wilderness, I feel I am dying from hunger and thirst. Let us rest awhile so that we may recover from the fatigue of the journey. I would like it very much if I could find something to eat.”
Dil Aaram’s heart filled with sorrow at the princess’s plight. She said to herself, Alas! There was a time when seventy thousand princesses bowed their heads of obedience before her and held the foot of her throne while this noble princess went out to promenade. Today she struggles through the wilderness without help or aid. There are neither criers nor throne nor the shade of a royal parasol. It is indeed true that both kings and beggars are equal in the august court of the Emperor of Love. Whether or not we will even escape with our lives and find refuge remains in question. Both Earth and heavens have sworn enmity to us and a thousand sorrows and afflictions lie in wait with bared fangs. Afrasiyab will be searching for us now and must have dispatched any number of sorcerers to arrest us. Calamity may strike us at any moment. The face of the Bride of Death fills the mirror of thought. The princess is tired. Let us rest awhile and see what transpires and what fate holds.
Dil Aaram finally stopped by a hill in that pleasant expanse. As Princess Mahjabeen began lamenting her fate in love, Prince Asad consoled his sweet beloved. The princess said, “O faithless man, see what troubles have visited me after professing love for you. I do not protest because fate has decreed this, but do get me some food if possible so that my pangs of hunger may subside.” Asad replied, “Wait here for me O Princess, while I go to hunt a deer and roast it for you.”
Asad picked up his bow and quiver and set out, leaving the princess in Dil Aaram’s care. He found some quarry a long distance from the hill; and chasing it led him even farther away from the princess.
After waiting a long time for the prince, Dil Aaram said to the princess, “I should go and call the prince back lest he encounters a sorcerer and is taken captive.”
Dil Aaram also went away, leaving Princess Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe by herself. She cried ceaselessly at her separation from the prince and the sorry state she was in and said to herself, I wonder how long the fickle heavens will drive me from place to place.
The sorcerer Zulmat Pitch-Face dispatched by Afrasiyab to arrest her arrived there as the princess was engrossed in these thoughts.
When he saw Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe sitting alone he thought, She is lovely and covered with gold and jewels. The emperor has ordered her to be put to death. I should use deception to take her to my house and ask her to satisfy my desire. If she agrees I will bide my life in great comfort and luxury as she is both rich and beautiful. At her disappearance everyone would think she escaped with Asad. Nobody would suspect me of keeping her.
With this in mind, Zulmat approached the princess and saluted her. Frightened by the rascal’s appearance, the princess guessed he had come to arrest her.
Zulmat said, “O Princess, I am your friend. Why did Prince Asad and Dil Aaram leave you?” She replied, “They have gone in search of food and water.” Zulmat who had asked that question just to a
pprise himself of her circumstances, now slyly said, “Prince Asad came to my garden and I have entered into his service. He sent me here to bring you along and awaits you in my garden.” The princess replied, “I will accompany you once Dil Aaram has returned.” He answered, “Once I take you to my garden I will return to fetch Dil Aaram as well.”
The princess accompanied him to the garden and saw a luxuriant expanse. Trees stood laden with flowers and a redolent breeze blew over the flowerbeds. The princess sat down in the summerhouse on a jewel-encrusted chair and asked, “Where is Asad? Please send for him.”
Zulmat answered, “O Mahjabeen, you must never utter Asad’s name again. Know now that I am besotted with you and have brought you here by deceit. If you agree now to lie with me, your life will be spared. You will find a safe haven with me and when Asad is killed and Emperor Afrasiyab’s anger has subsided, you may return to your home.”
Mahjabeen Diamond-Robe was terrified by these words and said, “O Zulmat, understand well that if you dishonor me I shall immediately swallow the ruby of my ring and kill myself.” Zulmat began importuning her and laid his head at the princess’s feet. When the princess did not soften, he reverted to intimidation and threats. The princess solicited the court of heavens, saying, “O Creator of Both Worlds and the Defender of the Oppressed, save my honor from this tyrant’s hands!”
God so willed that the second sorcerer, named Dukhan the Steam, sent by Afrasiyab with Zulmat to arrest Mahjabeen, arrived thereupon. The princess’s voice led him to the garden and when he saw Zulmat harassing her, he rebuked him, saying, “O shameless cur, what are you doing?”
Hoshruba Page 14