The Wanderer

by Mika Waltari

  “That’s no rumor,” I said innocently. “It’s true, for what arrfiy would make the arduous march to Persia merely to protect the life and property of the inhabitants? But such talk is absurd. The Sultan has no intention of attacking Persia. He is secretly equipping a new army to march again on Vienna and the German states.”

  But the wine had gone to Abu el-Kasim’s head and made him quarrelsome. “You’re a renegade and grew up in the West, Michael. You’re Europe-mad. But what good would those impoverished and divided countries be to us? They have not even the same religion. No, the Eastern lands are the lands for the Sultan. Islam has grown from a tiny seed into a tree, under whose shade the whole world may rest. First Suleiman must unite Islam and extend his domains to wealthy India; then if he chooses he can turn his eyes to cold, barren Europe. You should have seen Bagdad with its thousand minarets, the countless ships in Basrah harbor, the mosques of Tabriz, and the treasures in the bazaars of Ispahan! Then you would turn your back on the penniless Emperor of the unbelievers and set your face toward the East.”

  Clearly he on his part was Orient-mad, and I did not care to bandy words with him in matters that I understood better than he did, honored as I was by the Grand Vizier’s confidence. I called the nurse and laid her son in Abu’s arms, then picked up my daughter Mirmah and touched her hair with my lips, marveling again at the freak of nature that had given her black hair, when Giulia’s was golden yellow and my own fair rather than dark.

  Either the wine or Abu el-Kasim’s talk sharpened my wits, and I perceived that my position as Ibrahim’s confidant was less simple than I had supposed. I was paid a good salary as an adviser on German affairs, but if such fanatics as Abu el-Kasim and Mustafa ben- Nakir were to induce the Sultan to maintain peace in the West, then the Grand Vizier’s interest in Germany would diminish and I should lose my pay. In my own interest therefore I must firmly oppose Abu’s and Mustafa’s plans. But, I reasoned, should we meet with such another reverse as that of Vienna, all supporters of attack in the West would fall into disfavor and must give place to those who advocated war on Persia.

  At this point in my reflections it occurred to me that all the Sultan’s advisers-including perhaps the Grand Vizier-were in the same position as myself. Their political attitude must be governed by private interest, irrespective of what was best for the state. These thoughts so bewildered me that I could no longer tell right from wrong.

  At dusk Giulia returned, attended by Alberto. She was infuriated by the disorder in the house, swore at Abu for returning unannounced like a thief in the night, and snatched my daughter from my arms lest in my drunkenness I should let her fall. I blushed for her uncontrolled behavior, but Abu el-Kasim unpacked a flask of genuine Persian rose water for her, and begged her to commend him to the ladies of the harem, that they might receive him from behind a concealing curtain and inspect his marvelous wares. Giulia was pleased by the gift and flattered that he should have appealed to her for help, and very soon they were conferring together in perfect harmony as to how much must be given to the Kislar-Aga, how much to the doorkeepers, and how much she was to have for herself.

  I did not interfere in Giulia’s affairs, having troubles enough of my own. I was now forced to acknowledge Alberto’s merits, for during the difficult days of moving he kept the good of the household continually before his eyes. He accompanied Giulia everywhere and so spared me all uneasiness on her account. But what most moved me was his affection for my daughter Mirmah. At every opportunity he took her in his arms and could silence her weeping far more quickly than I could. His whole behavior showed how well he had adapted himself to his role of major-domo, and more than once I was ashamed of my groundless dislike of this most willing man.

  Once we were settled in our new house on the Bosphorus his value became even more apparent, for the slaves obeyed him, and soon he achieved so perfect an order in the household that I had nothing to think of but how to earn enough to meet our ever increasing expenses. The number of these was incredible; sometimes I was left too poor to buy paper and ink for the translation of the Koran that I had secretly begun. I had more than ten people to feed and clothe and an expensive carrying chair to buy as well as harness and saddlery; I must be lavish in almsgiving, and whereas I had fondly believed that our garden at least would be productive, the reverse proved to be the case. Indeed it swallowed more than all the other expenses put together, for I was compelled to grow the same sorts of flowers as were to be seen in the gardens of the Seraglio. I soon ceased to wonder that so apparently humble a post as that of Seraglio gardener was regarded as one of the most desirable and lucrative of any in the realm. The Indian and Chinese ornamental fish alone cost a small fortune, and as many of these died for lack of care Giulia was able to persuade me that in the end it would be cheaper to buy a skilled man to tend them. I prefer not to recall the price of this dried-up, shivering Indian.

  There were thus limits to my happiness, as I sat on my billowing down cushions, wandered among the brilliant flowers in my garden, or lingered by the pool to feed the colored fish. Constant money worries chafed me like an ill-fitting shoe. I had hoped that Giulia and I might enjoy our new-found abundance in peaceful seclusion, but she soon made it clear that we could derive neither profit nor enjoyment from our house unless we invited important guests to view it for themselves.

  Though it entailed a day’s exile from my domain I was undeniably flattered when Sultana Khurrem herself, accompanied by some of her ladies, arrived in her lord’s pleasure barge to admire our house and wander through the gardens. The honor this visit conferred upon us far outweighed the expense of a new marble landing stage, thought Giulia. Armed eunuchs stood guard about our house all day, so that even the dullest must observe in what high regard my wife and I were held. Soon the Grand Vizier with his suite came to visit us and see what had become of all his money; Sinan the Builder and I had to undergo a thorough cross-examination before he was smilingly pleased to understand that it was solely out of regard for his own dignity that we had been compelled to build so fine and handsomely appointed a house.

  Proud of his work, Sinan the Builder often brought distinguished pashas and sandshaks to inspect it, in the hope of further commissions. I had thus the opportunity of making useful acquaintances, though some of the more eminent among them treated me haughtily because I was a renegade. These guests put me to great expense, as each of them had to be entertained in a manner befitting our respective dignities.

  I grew thin and pale from this life of luxury, and pangs would shoot through the pit of my stomach at the thought of the future. But one day Giulia came to me and putting her arms about my neck for once she said tenderly, “Dearest Michael, we can go on like this no longer. You must see that for yourself.”

  Much moved I replied, “Ah, dear Giulia, you’re quite right. A roof and a dry crust are enough for me so long as I have you beside me. We have forged golden fetters for ourselves, and already I feel a silken noose about my neck. Let us humbly confess our error, sell this place, and return to that simple life which is surely better suited to us both.”

  But her face darkened and she said, “You misunderstand me. A crust of bread and a cup of water in your company would of course satisfy me, but we have our daughter Mirmah’s future to think of. I’ve put up with your lack of ambition too long. I must take the reins into my own hands, since you seem unable to handle them.”

  She paused to choose her words before continuing, “It’s not for a simple woman to meddle with statecraft, but a certain exalted lady feels alarm at the perils threatening the Ottoman Empire and is not convinced that the Grand Vizier’s precautions are the best. His overweening pride and conceit are no secret from her.” Noting the expression on my face she went on hurriedly, “But why enlarge on that? All I meant to say was that many of the most influential men in the realm are dubious of those dangerous schemes of conquest in the West. If the janissaries must be sent into battle they would do better in Persia, which is a w
eak, divided country.”

  To this I replied, “All in good time. The great menace of the Emperor must first be removed. That is the sum of the Grand Vizier’s policy.”

  “You speak like a fool, Michael,” said Giulia impatiently. “How can the Sultan defeat the Emperor, who has himself conquered and imprisoned the King of France and the Pope? It may be that Charles bears no ill will to the Sultan and would have nothing against his expansion in the East, so long as he maintained peace with him and his brother. Let the Emperor rule the West and the Sultan the East; there’s room in the world for them both.”

  She spoke with such assurance that I began to feel misgivings, for she could never have worked these things out for herself. She gripped me with both hands and shook me, whispering, “Great sums are at stake, Michael! Though the Grand Vizier may boast of his incorruptibility there are other more receptive purses. I’ve good reason to think that the Sultan is secretly inclined to a lasting peace with the Emperor, for he realizes the terrible consequences of defeat. And I know from reliable sources that the Emperor desires nothing better than a secret treaty with the Sultan for the partition of the world. But these of course are very secret matters and for appearances’ sake the Sultan must feign hostility to any such plans.”

  “But,” I objected, “how can the Sultan trust the Emperor? Even now the Persian envoy is at Charles’s Court. How can we be sure that Charles will not attack these dominions as soon as the Sultan’s back is turned?”

  “Whether he likes it or not, the Sultan is forced to wage war on Persia to crush Shah Tahmasp, who otherwise with the Emperor’s support will attack him. But this would prove costly for Charles, who is disinclined to meddle with Oriental affairs in which he is not directly concerned. Look at it how you will, Michael, you must see that peace with the Emperor can only be to the Sultan’s advantage. You can lose nothing by working for so good a cause.”

  This conspiratorial talk did not appeal to me at all, for to my mind reason and not secret gifts of money determined the rights and wrongs of a case. But when I hinted as much to Giulia she shook her head at my simplicity and said, “God pity you, Michael! Nothing you can say will tip the scale either for or against peace, but our style of living has persuaded certain credulous persons that you enjoy the Grand Vizier’s confidence. By this you see the importance of outward show. A hundred thousand ducats have been staked on peace, though I dare not hint even to you whence this money comes. But gold speaks for itself, and here are a thousand ducats to prove that those of whom I speak are in earnest. When the Sultan has made peace with Ferdinand there’ll be another five thousand for you.”

  Taking out a little leather bag Giulia broke the seal and let the coins roll jingling across the floor. I freely admit that the ring of money spoke more eloquently in the cause of peace than ever Giulia could. Yet she went on persuasively, “Blessed are the peacemakers. The distinguished lady I spoke of wishes to save the Sultan all unnecessary opposition, and Grand Vizier Ibrahim can easily be sent to Persia as seraskier. The lady sincerely hopes to gain the Grand Vizier’s trust and friendship, for she believes that they both have the Sultan’s interests at heart. For this reason she is deeply hurt at the malicious rumors put about by him concerning Sultana Khurrem and her sons. It is slander to say that Prince Selim is epileptic. Prince Jehangir’s deformity is no more than a trial sent by Allah, such as any woman might have to bear, and the other two Princes are certainly more gifted than the haughty Mustafa, who in no circumstances should be favored at his half-brothers’ expense.”

  I fancy Giulia was somewhat carried away by her enthusiasm and said more than she intended. I was so greatly agitated by her proposal that I lay awake until nearly morning. Conflicting ideas whirled round in my head and when at last I fell asleep I was tormented by nightmares in which I seemed to be wandering over a quagmire and vainly seeking firm foothold. I stumbled and fell; the purse dragged me down and down until my mouth was filled with marsh water and I was all but suffocated. I awoke with a shriek, bathed in cold sweat.

  It seemed to me that this dream was an omen, and early in the morning I ordered the boatman to row me to the city. Having performed my devotions in the great mosque I turned my steps to Ibrahim’s palace, where I sought out a clerk of the secret intelligence and told him I had a matter of the greatest importance to communicate to the Grand Vizier in person.

  I had to wait all day and far into the night until Ibrahim returned from the Seraglio, and when at last he received me it was with coolness and the request that I would not add to the great burden of his cares.

  I told him all that Giulia had said and in confirmation would gladly have handed him the thousand ducats, had not Giulia already taken charge of it and dropped it into Alberto’s bottomless purse. The Grand Vizier flushed with anger and ground his teeth as he said, “Enough is enough! If that false, fanatical, scheming woman dares to meddle in statecraft I shall give her something to remember it by. God knows what devil beguiled the Sultan into laying his cloth upon that feline shoulder. She has brought him nothing but her sickly, epileptic blood. Better had her puny brats been strangled in the cradle-though not the Sultan’s best friend could have suggested such a measure.”

  When he had stormed for some time I ventured to ask what I should do with the money.

  “Keep it,” he said. “It’s of no significance. I am the one who decides questions of peace and war, for no one is powerful enough to oppose me. The Sultan follows my advice for he knows I’m the only one who cannot be bought-the only one with whom his interests come first. By the most sacred oaths of Islam he has sworn never to remove me from my appointment as Grand Vizier or do anything to harm me, for in all the world I am his only true friend. This was the condition upon which I took my place at his right hand.”

  Resting his great brilliant eyes upon me he smiled and continued, “Perhaps I have neglected my friend the Sultan of late. I must procure him some fresh diversion and prevent that witch from vexing him every night with her mischievous whisperings. Master Gritti is in Buda, as you know, but you have a beautiful house, Michael el-Hakim, at a suitable distance and surrounded by a wall, so don’t be surprised if you should be visited one evening by a pair of wandering brothers. You’d do well to take a few poor poets under your patronage and treat them to a cup of wine and a kaftan. Beautiful poems, good wine, and ravishing stringed instruments can count for much in the destiny of nations. Your position will be much strengthened if you’re known to entertain eminent guests in secret. But for safety’s sake send away your wife and let her spend the night soothsaying in the harem.”

  He broke off.and smiled, and for the first time I saw a cruel line about his mouth as he added, “Suppose I were to make Sultana Khurrem the present of a prediction! Your wife sees in the sand what best suits her. Persuade her if you can to foretell the succession of one of Sultana Khurrem’s sons to the throne. Every prophecy if it is to carry conviction must contain something of the quaint and unexpected. Let her say that Selim the epileptic will succeed, and we shall see what follows!”

  He smiled broadly, but I could not share his amusement.

  “Why the sickly Selim?” I asked. “My wife’s predictions have a disconcerting way of coming true, and I dislike trifling with these matters.”

  Ibrahim bent forward and his eyes burned with anger as he said, “The Sultana is as blind as any other mother. She would see nothing strange in such a prophecy. But let her once hint a word of it to the Sultan and the scales would fall from his eyes. He has that fine boy Mustafa. How could he contemplate for a moment the accession of a feeble-minded epileptic to the throne of the Osmanlis?”

  He added after a pause, “I can no longer rely on Master Gritti, who thinks only of his own advantage. I need a new meeting place where I can converse privately with foreign agents. Why shouldn’t you profit by this as Master Gritti did, since I have invested such vast sums in your house? Spread the rumor that in return for substantial gifts you can arrange secret in
terviews with me, and I will undertake to prove the rumor well founded, provided you don’t call upon me needlessly or for trifling matters. But that I may trust you absolutely you must keep careful account of all the presents you receive, and draw equivalent sums from my treasury. Only thus can I be sure that you won’t betray me out of sheer avarice.”

  Thunderstruck at his munificence I stammered blessings, but with a laugh he bade me be silent, picked up his violin, and began to play a merry air that Venetian vessels had brought to Istanbul. Now it was that I glimpsed the full import of his proposal, for if the mightiest man in the Ottoman Empire made me his confidant I need set no bounds to my ambitious dreams. Bowing to kiss the ground before him I murmured, “Why, my lord Ibrahim? Why choose me?”

  He touched my head carelessly with his henna-dyed fingers.

  “Perhaps life is no more than a feverish dream. Then why not take a sleepwalker for guide? I may be fond of you, Michael el-Hakim, weak and pliable though you are. If I were a little fonder of you than I am I would strip you of wealth and send you out as a mendicant brother to seek Allah in the desert and among the mountaintops. Don’t expect too much of my confidence, for even if you knew my deepest secrets, me you would never know. But you once said something that went straight to my heart-that a man must be true to at least one human being.- Perhaps that is the task confronting me, for in fact a man can never be true to anyone but himself. My star, my destiny, a curse, or perhaps some inner power has raised me up above all other men. The essential condition for my existence is therefore unflinching loyalty to my lord the Sultan. His welfare is my welfare, his defeat my defeat, and his victory is for me too a victory.”

  I returned through the darkness to my lamplit house whose every stair was fragrant with rose water. Giulia was still awake and came to meet me with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes. But a strange sense of unreality held me in its grip and I stared at Giulia as at a wraith-a wraith I did not know.