Hoshruba

by Musharraf Ali Farooqi

  Saba Raftar answered, “Listen girl, don’t get so prickly and tetchy. There’s no reason to feel embarrassed. The only thing our princess ever said was that we have now become your subjects. After your preposterous comment, that was all she could say. Don’t make such ridiculous claims again if you don’t wish to sound silly.”

  The five of them carried on the friendly feud for some time as an excuse to identify their lovers to their companions. An unspoken arrangement was reached that, for the sake of appearances, they would continue to battle the tricksters but protect them in secret. Then they dispersed.

  In the meanwhile, Rutas, with his twelve thousand sorcerers, arrived and bivouacked near Mahrukh Magic-Eye’s camp. When Mahrukh received the news she too, alerted and warned her camp. The tricksters and trickster girls also witnessed the arrival of Rutas’s forces and began planning their respective strategies.

  Rutas rested for a day. The next evening, when King Sun retired to his western post after making his round of the sky, and the torch of the moon was lit in the heavens, the heavens’ old farmer, carrying the mattock of the Milky Way, arrived in the field of sky to water the crop of stars.

  The beating of the drums of war and trilling of the magic bugles was heard from Rutas’s camp and the air was rent by the cries of “Slay! Slaughter!”

  Magic birds flew into Queen Mahjabeen’s court and proclaimed with great decorum, “The enemy has struck the drums of war and harbours impious intentions.” Mahrukh Magic-Eye said, “Order the drums of war to answer from our camp. God is our Protector.” Immediately, her officers struck the drums of war and martial music from the Turkic flutes began floating on the air.

  Every warrior became alert and busied himself in preparation for battle. For four watches of the night the air was filled with the noises of sorcerers preparing their spells and the din of the braves readying their weapons. Finally it was time, when the Beautifier of the World86 held up the mirror of sun before the lovely face of the beloved morn87 and, filling the parting of the coiffure of World’s Bride with dawn’s sandal dust, displayed its luminous face to the world.

  At the break of dawn, Mahrukh, Bahar and Nafarman began marching toward the arena with their armed contingents. Queen Mahjabeen arrived in the battlefield with great fanfare in the company of Prince Asad. At that moment, the enemy forces also entered the arena. The sorcerers arrayed themselves. The warriors made ranks. The battlefield was readied and the criers proclaimed, “O braves, this world is the abode of grief and admonition. This field of carnage is the domain of honor and distinction. You must barter your valor to take away riches from this field. None has remained and none shall remain but the name of the brave and valiant alone.”

  After the criers became silent, Rutas himself came forward and displayed his magic by creating a shower of stones. He then called out, “O ingrate rebels, is there anyone among you who dares to face me and withstand my magic?”

  While the sorcerers loyal to Mahrukh stirred to answer his challenge, Rutas recited a spell and clapped. Suddenly, thousands upon thousands of magic birds came flying from the direction of the wilderness and began perching on the heads of Mahrukh’s soldiers. Whenever a magic bird landed on someone’s head he immediately turned into a tree, shoots sprouted from his body, green leafs covered him, branches protruded swaying from his trunk, and birds made their nests in them.

  Mahrukh, Shakeel and other renowned sorcerers recited counterspells to ward off Rutas’s magic.

  The charming Bahar gave audience with utmost glory on a peacock throne. She surmised that by displaying his magic and turning her soldiers into trees, Rutas indirectly challenged her.

  She descended from her throne and, adjusting her mantle, arrived before Rutas. She undid her hair, took out a small box and opened its lid. Inside it was a small, beautifully carved ivory figurine. Bahar cut her finger and let fall a few drops of blood onto the ivory figurine and said, “O magic slave girl of Sameri, regard the magic birds that perch on my men and turn them into trees. Is this how you recompense me for bestowing you the honor of placing you on my head?”

  The magic slave girl laughed, leapt out of the box, and disappeared.

  A few moments later everyone noticed a colossal net spread over the length and breadth of the sky. They saw flocks of Rutas’s magic birds struggling inside the net. The magic slave girl, with a knife in her hand, brought the birds out from the net and slaughtered them. Their blood splashed on the trees and returned them to human form.

  When Rutas witnessed this scene and saw Bahar standing before him he realized that she would, momentarily, cast a spell over him too; he would be unable to break it and it would bring an inglorious end to his mission.

  Rutas took out Jamshed’s mantle, flew up by magic and snapped it in the air above Mahrukh’s army, releasing the soil of Jamshed’s grave. Including Bahar, Mahrukh, and Queen Mahjabeen, all the commanders of Prince Asad’s camp fell unconscious. Finding their commanders incapacitated, panic took hold of the army. A stampede began and Rutas’s sorcerers took thousands of prisoners. Rutas put them in magic handcuffs and fetters and again snapped Jamshed’s mantle, saying, “O mantle, I ask you in the name of Lord Jamshed to revive those who are unconscious so that they may witness their sorry plight and take admonition.” Bahar, Mahrukh and others at once regained consciousness. Finding themselves prisoners and helpless, they kept silent.

  Rutas told his army that he was tired from the battle and would take the prisoners to Afrasiyab’s court the following day. He ordered his men to rest. His army bivouacked and the captives were incarcerated and vigils deputed.

  Rutas retired to his pavilion and sat on his throne. He ordered his menials and attendants to remain outside and sat inside with his mistress. Fearing that the tricksters would make him their target, he recited a spell that would cause anyone entering his pavilion, other than his mistress, to immediately fall unconscious. Finally, he felt at peace and occupied himself with pleasure-seeking.

  The tricksters saw from a distance how Rutas had imprisoned their companions. They held a council and entered Rutas’s camp in disguise. Zargham called one of Rutas’s attendants over and said, “I have something important to tell you.” When the attendant came with him to a secluded spot, Zargham hit him in the face with an egg of oblivion. Then, taking off his clothes and disguising himself as the attendant, Zargham returned. When he headed for Rutas’s pavilion, the servants said to him, “Don’t go in. It is forbidden.” Zargham said, “I have good reason for entering the pavilion.” But the moment Zargham stepped in, he fell unconscious. Rutas caught him and blew a spell that made the makeup evaporate and Zargham’s real face appear. The sorcerer imprisoned him in his pavilion with a spell and resumed cavorting with his mistress.

  Next, Jansoz neared his pavilion disguised as a dazzling, beautiful cupbearer and said to the attendants, “I am looking for employment. If your master can spare a moment I would like to solicit his attention.” The servants replied, “We have orders to keep everyone away. Still, if you wish to go in we will not stop you, but you must bear the blame for his displeasure.” Jansoz said, “I will return momentarily, after a quick word with him.” He took a few steps into the pavilion and fell unconscious. Rutas arrested him as well, and also made Jansoz’s makeup disappear with a spell. As Rutas returned to his mistress, he realized that the tricksters had begun their attacks.

  Burq saw from far how the two tricksters had entered Rutas’s pavilion but failed in their mission. He made exploratory rounds in the vicinity and reached the personal pavilion of Rutas’s mistress where he saw one of her servant boys preparing her hookah. Burq said to him, “O evil boy, why did you beat my dog yesterday?” The servant boy was confounded and wondered what dog he was being questioned about. He said to Burq, “I think you are mistaken.” Burq dragged him away by his ear, shouting, “So now you deny everything! Let me take you to the witness. Let him narrate your deeds before you. Then you’ll see what a fine thrashing you’ll receive a
t my hands.” Burq took him to a deserted corner, rendered him unconscious, and disguised himself as the boy. Then he returned to the camp and started preparing the hookah.

  An attendant arrived in the meanwhile and said, “The lady wants her hookah and you still drag your feet and laze around.” Burq replied, “It’s ready. It only has to be lit.” He quickly mixed a drug with the tobacco, readied the hookah, and handed it to the attendant. The attendant said, “Take it inside yourself; we are not allowed to enter the pavilion.” When Burq entered the pavilion, he too fell unconscious and Rutas arrested him like the other tricksters. He recited a spell that removed Burq’s disguise and revealed his real appearance.

  Rutas thought, Lords Sameri and Jamshed must be looking upon me with favor since I have arrested the tricksters without any great effort. He put a spell on the tricksters that incapacitated their limbs then resumed love play with his mistress.

  Amar Ayyar now entered Rutas’s camp in the disguise of the trickster girl Saba Raftar the Quick, carrying a forged order from Afrasiyab that was carefully layered with fine drug powder and sealed. The false Saba Raftar arrived at Rutas’s pavilion and said to the attendants, “Inform your master that Saba Raftar has arrived with a message from the emperor.” The attendants replied, “We are not allowed entry but you may enter the pavilion.”

  The false Saba Raftar realized that there was some reason why they refused to enter. She called out from the entrance, “O Rutas, I am Saba Raftar. I have brought you the emperor’s letter.” Rutas said, “Come inside!” She answered, “Is this how you greet your emperor’s missive? You aren’t bothered even to come to the pavilion’s entrance? You must be on very familiar terms with the Emperor of Hoshruba to act in this manner!” Rutas felt embarrassed at these words and stepped out.

  The false Saba Raftar greeted Rutas, handed him the letter, and asked for a reply. Rutas said to her, “Please come inside and have a drink while I write a reply.” She said, “You freely invite anyone who calls on you into your pavilion? Have you no fear of the tricksters?” Rutas answered, “The pavilion is enclosed in a spell. Any trickster who enters it will be rendered unconscious.” She said, “I am a trickster girl and don’t know any magic. Why would you call me inside only to render me unconscious? I had a feeling you had taken some precautions against the tricksters and wasn’t going to enter and break my limbs by falling.”

  Rutas praised her cunning highly and removed the spell from the pavilion. Then he led her inside by the hand. The false Saba Raftar saw the three tricksters lying motionless in a corner. A beautiful and charming courtesan was sitting on a throne, clad in finery and adorned with gold. The false Saba Raftar sat to one side. As Rutas pulled out the paper the drug powder flew out and he got a whiff of its perfume. Curious about the strange scent, he sniffed the letter and immediately fell unconscious. The false Saba Raftar threw an egg of oblivion at the courtesan’s face and made her unconscious too. Then, without loss of time, she drew her dagger and beheaded Rutas. The magic spirits cried out and fire and stones rained from the sky.

  The three tricksters imprisoned by Rutas’s spell were freed upon his death. While Amar Ayyar took off the courtesan’s jewelery, the rest of his tricksters ransacked the pavilion. Burq reached for and secured Jamshed’s mantle, jumped over the wall of the pavilion, and escaped. Hearing the commotion, sorcerers from Rutas’s camp came running to the scene. Amar and the other tricksters escaped by jumping over the pavilion walls.

  When Rutas was killed, Mahrukh and her companion sorcerers also found themselves free of his spell. Bahar and Mahrukh flew by invoking their magic and hurled pepper garlands, needle clusters, and steel magic balls at the enemy from above. Magic clouds billowed into the sky, thunderous noises were heard, lightning flashed and thunderbolts fell. A flaming shower of fire rained down. Bahar hurled a bouquet that made spring appear. Thousands of enemy sorcerers headed into the wilderness in a frenzied state. Mahrukh and Shakeel slew thousands of them. Nafarman and Surkh Mu Wonder-Mane fired arrows and caused a rain of stars.

  Then fire and stones fell from the skies

  The smoke from the magic fires rose

  Flames arose now from one direction, now from another

  The sorcerers’ magic spirits made plaints

  Thousands laid down their lives in great misery

  Many turned tail to escape alive

  In the end, Rutas’s army was routed and destroyed. Mahrukh and Mahjabeen returned to their camp victorious and covered in glory. The criers announced the end of hostilities. Mahrukh’s army, which had dispersed in the mountainside, began to return. The camp was populated as before, and celebrations began.

  After he escaped from the pavilion of Rutas, Amar looked for the trickster who had taken Jamshed’s mantle to confiscate it from him. He went into the wilderness and blew his whistle. Zargham and Jansoz presented themselves but Burq did not show his face, fearful that Amar would snatch the mantle.

  Amar asked Zargham and Jansoz, “Who among you took Jamshed’s mantle?” They answered, “We swear by our loyalty to the Lord of the Auspicious Planetary Conjunction that we did not take it.” Amar said, “Burq did not come at my whistle. It would seem that he took it.”

  Whip in his hand, Amar started out in search of Burq.

  After Burq escaped from Rutas’s pavilion it occurred to him that Amar would certainly snatch the mantle from him if he stayed in the region of Zahir. He thought, Master has his zambil and his cape of invisibility. I have nothing to protect me against sorcery. I should not surrender Jamshed’s mantle to him. Thus decided, Burq headed toward the region of Batin.

  Now hear of the trickster girls. They were planning their strategy to foil and arrest the tricksters when Rutas was killed and the ensuing clamor rose from his camp. Sarsar said to Saba Raftar, “O Saba Raftar, Amar Ayyar’s killing Rutas does not bode well for us. The emperor will blame us and claim that we were unable to protect him. We must arrest the tricksters without loss of time.”

  All of them dispersed to hunt for the tricksters. While Saba Raftar went toward the Dome of Light, Sarsar headed for Mahrukh’s camp.

  On her way, Sarsar saw Amar standing at a vantage point searching for Burq, whip in hand, dispatching the couriers of thought in all directions. Sarsar disguised herself as Burq in a nook, then ran out within sight of Amar Ayyar. He rushed after the false Burq and said to him, “O Burq, tell me truthfully if it was you who took Jamshed’s mantle; if so, you must surrender it to me immediately.” The false Burq clasped his hands together in supplication, prostrated himself at Amar’s feet and said, “Master, please bestow the mantle on me!” Amar cracked the whip, saying, “Have you taken leave of your senses? Surrender it this instant!” The false Burq pulled Amar’s feet and as he fell, hit him in the face with an egg of oblivion. Amar was rendered unconscious. Sarsar spread out the trickster’s cloak, secured Amar’s arms, legs, waist and neck with the loops of the snare rope and bundled him up. She then slung Amar over her shoulder, tied a trickster’s knot in front, and sped like an arrow for the Dome of Light.

  The real Burq was headed toward the Dome of Light and saw Saba Raftar speeding away in the same direction. He quickly disguised himself as Sarsar and appeared within sight of Saba Raftar, who called out, “Your Honor, where are you headed?” The false Sarsar answered, “We must not stop here. Come with me to a safe spot.” When Saba Raftar approached, the false Sarsar caught her hand and said, “These tricksters are the devil’s own progeny. I just had an encounter with Amar Ayyar, who is now hiding here in the bushes. We must surround him, you from one side, I from another.”

  As they advanced toward the bushes the false Sarsar suddenly exclaimed, “Who is following us?” When Saba Raftar turned to look, the false Sarsar hit her in the face with an egg of oblivion and made her unconscious.

  The false Sarsar changed her own disguise to Saba Raftar’s and put Amar Ayyar’s disguise on her. Then the false Saba Raftar made a bundle of the false Amar Ayyar and, throwing him
over her shoulder, headed toward the Dome of Light.

  Because Burq possessed Jamshed’s mantle, he was able to cross the River of Flowing Blood in Saba Raftar’s disguise and arrive at the Dome of Light without incident. A few sorcerers he met along the way asked him, “Whom have you captured Saba Raftar?” The false Saba Raftar always gave the same reply: “I have caught Amar Ayyar!”

  Thousands of sorcerers stood before Afrasiyab at the Dome of Light. A dance recital was in progress with the emperor giving audience when the false Saba Raftar arrived, saluted the emperor, and threw the bundle in front of him. Afrasiyab asked her, “Who is inside the bundle?” She replied, “It is none other than Amar Ayyar!” Then she opened the bundle and tied the real Saba Raftar disguised as Amar Ayyar to a column.

  In the meanwhile, Sarsar also arrived at the Dome of Light carrying Amar Ayyar. A great commotion rose when it was heard that Sarsar also brought Amar Ayyar in a bundle.

  The false Saba Raftar said to Afrasiyab, “Your Honor, it seems that after I captured Amar Ayyar some enemy trickster disguised himself as Sarsar to gain entrance here. I will hide and then you can arrest the one who claims to be Sarsar.” The false Saba Raftar then crept out of sight under Afrasiyab’s throne.

  In the meanwhile, Sarsar entered and placed Amar Ayyar’s bundle before Afrasiyab. A sorcerer arrested Sarsar at a sign from the emperor and opened the bundle she had brought. The false Saba Raftar crept out from under Afrasiyab’s throne. Seeing Amar Ayyar trussed up in the bundle, she began crying loudly and said, “Your Excellency, this enemy trickster has disguised himself as Sarsar and made the real Sarsar into the likeness of Amar Ayyar.” Afrasiyab now released the real Amar Ayyar and ordered the real Sarsar to be tied to a column.

  The false Saba Raftar planned to drug the wine. In the meanwhile, Sarsar cried out, “Your Excellency, you have been deceived. I am the real Sarsar.” But despite her crying and making protestations, nobody paid her any heed.