Given time, the priests and counselors would band together and find a way to put a stop to what they would consider her foolishness.
As Bilqis paced back and forth on her balcony, Najja came to the door and pulled aside the gauze curtain. Bilqis saw that she was afraid to speak, and though it irritated her to be interrupted, she stopped pacing and asked, “What is it now? Have all the vultures followed me here?”
Najja nodded. “Even Il Hamd has come with the counselors and the important men of your tribe.”
Bilqis laughed. “Now they must wait while I make my plans. Tell them when I’m ready I will call them, but now I can’t see any of them.”
Badget had been surprised to find the queen was planning to visit Solomon. She proceeded to ask him a great many questions, such as, how long it would take, what supplies were needed, what difficulties would be encountered, and what kings and kingdoms must be dealt with on the way. She concluded by asking questions about Solomon himself.
In Badget’s estimation, the strangest questions had involved the new temple and the God of Israel. Instead of being put off when told that the temple held no idols, she seemed to be even more interested. He had expected her to lecture him on the greatness of Ilumquh, a god who could at least be seen in the night sky. When she didn’t, he was momentarily puzzled but encouraged enough to venture, “The God of Israel is the God who created both the moon and the sun.”
Again he had expected to see the look of smug amusement such a remark usually called forth from the people he met on his trading trips. They couldn’t imagine such a God. It seemed to stretch their minds beyond possibility. To his amazement the queen had simply nodded her head and then sat as though meditating on the whole thing.
The audience was finally concluded by the queen’s giving him a document. “Take this to your king. It will explain everything. I will, of course, send messengers to report our progress.”
Badget bowed low and backed from the audience chamber. His caravan would be traveling north in the morning and he had much packing left to do. He tucked the parchment in his belt and covered it with his cloak. He meant to protect this with his very life. Keeping it on his person was the surest way of guarding it from both curiosity seekers and thieves.
Word spread quickly in Marib that their queen was going to travel to Jerusalem. Since only the traders and ambassadors made such trips, this was truly an astonishing bit of news. Even more astounding was the realization that the queen was not asking for advice or permission of her counselors or tribesmen but had simply announced what she intended to do.
The Egyptian ambassador was pleasantly dismissed with the message that she would inform the pharaoh later of any plans. She also made it clear that she would visit the kingdom of the Edomites herself and talk with Hadad. She intended to listen to the king’s grievances against Solomon, but she was determined to let nothing he said deter her from visiting Jerusalem and finding out the truth for herself.
All the time her plans were being formulated she refused to see any of the tribesmen or priests. Instead she called in Tamrin, her own foreign ambassador, and some experienced traders to give her advice on the best way to prepare for this long journey.
It would be best, they told her, to travel with sufficient guards and armed men. There were brigands who roamed the desert seeking to rob caravans. She was also warned to have someone well-versed in the movements of the stars and the signs of bad weather. Whole caravans had been lost in desert storms.
When finally all the preparations had been completed and the day of departure was set, she began to make plans for the gifts she would take to various rulers along the way and most especially gifts for the king in Jerusalem.
“He likes animals,” Tamrin said. “I’ve taken sapphires, gold, and the rarest kinds of incense to trade, but for himself personally he usually seems to like animals or birds.”
The queen was immediately excited. “What kind of animal do I have that he would find amusing?”
“There’s only one animal he can’t get with his gold, and that’s the animal he covets, above all else.”
“Of course. One of our rare horses,” she said. “Has he ever mentioned that he would like such a gift?”
“Often, my queen. I’ve told him our horses are given as gifts, but we never sell them.”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t sell one of the horses. They’re like members of the family. I suppose we could consider taking one along to be given as a very special gift. Even at that I would have to be sure he would treasure it.”
“There’s no doubt he would treasure one of your white mares.”
“One of the white mares?” Bilqis herself loved the rare white mares she owned and was reluctant to part with any of them. The one she loved most was a blue-white mare who ran like the wind and had large, luminous, intelligent eyes. Zad el-Rukab was the mare’s name.
Tamrin saw that she was hesitating. “My queen, I would advise that you take the best you have. When you see Solomon, you will understand and be glad of my advice.”
Bilqis gave him a puzzled look. She was known for her generosity, but the horses were not something she could easily part with. A picture of the horse flashed through her mind, the long body with the beautiful, tight muscles, slim legs with hooves that flew above the ground seeming to barely touch it, the small ears, high carriage of the tail, but above all else the intelligent eyes that seemed to understand everything.
Impulsively she decided to take her favorite. “I’ll wait and see. I can give him the other gifts, but I’ll only give Zad el-Rukab if he proves to be worthy of the best.”
Finally, when everything was arranged, she called for her palanquin and set off for the royal treasury. The treasury was a building of formidable size and strength. Its great brass doors were guarded night and day by chained leopards and their Nubian caretakers. The only light in the building reached the interior from openings high up in the walls.
Bilqis had taken very little interest in the treasury. It contained such a variety of battle spoils and gifts from distant kings and eager traders that it of all places was most oppressive. Now she wanted to choose treasures that would impress this northern king. For the first time since she had come to the throne she entered the treasury with a light step and eager, searching gaze.
There were boxes of rings and bracelets, chests of cloth from lands far to the east, spices that made the air pungent with their fragrance. Quickly she had her officials spread the contents out before her and then she carefully picked the articles that were to be packed ready to be taken as gifts.
She had just held up a man’s arm band to inspect the delicately drawn inscription when there was a slight commotion out in the portico. She could hear voices raised and then the sound of feet hitting hard on the polished marble as someone came running up the stairs and into the room. A young man fell down at her feet and didn’t rise until she ordered him.
“My queen,” the young priest said, “my master has followed you here. He must see you. It’s urgent.”
Bilqis stood, turning the armband first one way and then another, not looking at the man but playing for time. She knew she would have to see Il Hamd sometime, but she was annoyed that he should be the one to choose the time and place. She hadn’t decided what to do with him. If she left him behind while she went to Jerusalem, it was likely that he would steal the throne. With a sigh she tried the armband on her own arm and found it way too big. “Bring your master here,” she said finally. “I have very little time, but I will see him.”
Within minutes Il Hamd stood framed in the great doorway. He was obviously in his best robes and had worn not the eagle mask around his neck but rather the heavy eagle medallion given him by her father. On his head he wore a turban held in place by the coils of a snake that in the front reared its ugly golden head and seemed to hiss.
When his eyes were accustomed to the light, he came forward and knelt at her feet. For a moment she breathed in the fetid air th
at seemed always to linger in his garments. She noticed that in spite of their elegance they were hopelessly bloodstained and had a dustiness about them. “Please,” he begged, “I must speak with you alone.”
Reluctantly she waved her maidens and the Nubian guards back and motioned for Il Hamd to rise. “Why must you see me and what is the urgency?” she asked with a coldness to her voice that made Il Hamd visibly shrink back toward the shadows.
“I’ve heard that you have defied the pharaoh and all your counselors and are traveling to visit the king of Jerusalem.”
“Your informants are correct.” Her voice was even now sharp and stilted.
“My queen, let me suggest you take a convoy of the younger priests. They’ll be indispensable to you. When there are difficult decisions to make, when you need the stars read or the future told, they’ll be there ready to help.”
Bilqis smiled as she deliberately put the bracelet into the hands of one of her servants. “And, my clever High Priest, what do you intend to be doing while I’m gone?”
Il Hamd shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. “I? Why, I shall take care of matters for you here at home.”
Bilqis could see his small eyes glinting with anticipation. It was obvious he could hardly wait for her to leave. No telling what powers he intended to usurp.
“Well, my ingenious one, you have come at just the right time to hear my news personally. Unfortunately my cousin Rydan will hear it only by messenger.”
Il Hamd kept rubbing his hands together and his eyes were darting here and there with obvious pleasure. “My queen, I regret all the unfortunate happenings between us. I wish to redeem myself, get back in your good favor. To serve you would be a great pleasure to me.”
“Serve me you shall but not here at home.” Bilqis turned with her back to him as she reached out for a golden collar made after the Egyptian style. She fingered the delicate workmanship and looked at Il Hamd sideways almost gleefully. “You, Il Hamd, and my cousin Rydan will have the honor of going with me to Jerusalem.”
“To Jerusalem!” Il Hamd almost shouted. “Why would you want me to go?”
Bilqis had to stifle a laugh as she turned back and looked him in the eye. “Do you think I would leave two such rogues as yourself and Rydan here to steal the throne while I am gone?”
“Steal the throne!” Il Hamd’s voice was choked with emotion. It was obvious that he was desperately disappointed.
Bilqis ignored his outburst. “Yes, the two of you will have to travel with me. I’m also taking my throne and my crown.”
“Your throne, you’re taking your throne?” Il Hamd couldn’t contain his surprise. “Then, my queen, who will rule in your place?” Il Hamd’s voice was suddenly subservient and had none of the condescension she had found so distasteful in the past.
“I don’t mind telling you so you can spread the news. I’m choosing my old uncle. He’s clever and wise and hopelessly lacking in ambition. He’ll be terribly disappointed he can’t go and will feel only anger and frustration that he must be burdened with my scepter.”
Il Hamd bowed low and kissed the hem of her garment in a gesture that was most unlike him. It was obvious he was completely taken aback by her cunning. “You are your father’s child and have more wisdom than becomes a woman.”
With that he bowed himself from her presence and she could hardly wait for him to disappear before she laughed a hearty, ringing laugh. She held the jeweled collar up to her own neck. “And I’ll choose this for myself,” she said stooping so she could see her reflection in an old brass shield.
When Badget left the queen, he hurried through the maze of winding lanes out toward the market; he had other matters to tend to besides the usual packing. He made his way through the gathering dusk to the shop of a merchant named Pelli. Pelli always supplied him with the most valuable ornaments crafted in pure shining gold and usually for a good price. Pelli in turn had been impressed with Badget, so impressed in fact that he had given him one of his daughters, Terra. “It’ll be a good thing for you to have a woman waiting for you here in Marib,” Pelli had said.
Now as Badget came to the shop, he saw that Pelli was still sitting surrounded by his treasures. Like all the shops in Marib, it was small enough for Pelli to sit cross-legged among the colorful cushions and still reach anything a buyer might want to see. In front of him, spread out in grand array, were the less valuable brass and copper ornaments with the gold and silver hanging in profusion behind him.
Badget stepped up onto the narrow platform that brought him to eye level with Pelli. “I received your message,” he said as he reached across the confusion of brass and copper to clasp Pelli’s hand in both of his. “I was concerned. What’s wrong with Terra? Is it a fever?”
“No, no, not really,” Pelli said. “It’s nothing that medicine can cure.”
“Then she is ill?” Badget said leaning forward and in so doing dislodging some copper ornaments that hung around the opening to the shop.
Pelli put his finger to his lips and spoke softly. “Not here, we can’t speak of it here. Go on up and I’ll come as soon as I’ve closed the shop.” Badget looked up and down the street of the merchants and could see what his friend meant. Merchants and buyers alike had paused, obviously interested in the conversation between these two.
Badget stepped down and walked quickly to the door that had now become familiar to him. It was opened even before he knocked by a servant who brought him into the dark hall. As was the custom, the servant removed Badget’s sandals and washed his feet, then taking the lamp from one of the wall niches, led him up the dark stairway. They passed some storerooms before they came to the ample living quarters of Pelli’s two wives and many daughters. “You are to wait here for my master,” the servant said, motioning to the family room decked out with luxurious mats, silken armrests, and pillows.
This was a room in which Badget had spent many happy hours both with Pelli and with his daughter, the charming Terra. He looked around expecting to see Terra smiling at him from the doorway, but to his utter disappointment she was nowhere to be seen. “You’re missing my daughter?” Pelli came forward and bowed his greeting over Badget’s outstretched hand and then took his seat across the narrow room from him.
“I had expected to see her,” Badget said. “Is she then so ill she can’t be seen?”
Pelli smiled his most disarming smile. “You must understand. Her eyes are red from weeping and she has lost all interest in food of any kind. We’re terribly disturbed.”
“But that’s so unlike her.” Badget was now obviously concerned and almost impatient with his friend.
“Yes, yes, we have never seen her so upset. There’s no way we could comfort her. I brought her choice nutmeats and some of our market’s finest figs and dates, but she would have none of them.” Pelli dabbed at his eyes as though he himself were now on the verge of despair.
Badget had liked Terra from the first for her soft roundness and her obviously healthy appetite. If what Pelli was telling him was not an exaggeration, then Terra was really ill. “We must do something. Call the herb woman, order some charms, go to the temple and make an offering.” Badget noticed that his concern seemed to please Pelli.
“I assure you none of these will work. We’ve tried them all,” said Pelli with downcast eyes.
“Surely it is not totally hopeless.” Badget wasn’t used to such frustrations.
“No, no, there’s a cure, not a cure either her mother or I enjoy contemplating.” Pelli became even more downcast.
Badget leaned forward eagerly. “Whatever it is, whatever it costs, I am ready to oblige. Anything to make my darling well again.”
“Only you have it within your power to cure her. But …”
“I, I have it within my power? Tell me, and no matter what the cost, it’ll be done.”
“It seems the maiden is sick with love of you. She can’t endure your leaving without her. In short, she’s packed her things and will hear of no
thing but that she be allowed to travel with you back to Jerusalem.” Pelli had made his fingers into a pyramid and while he appeared to be studying his own hands he was actually darting quick glances at Badget.
Badget turned pale and coughed nervously. He’d been completely charmed by the girl and would have been delighted to take her with him, but he had one problem. In Jerusalem he already had a wife, a very jealous woman who had blocked every attempt he’d made to marry a second wife. All his friends had encouraged him to marry someone else since his wife was getting older and had given him no children. Knowing how rich Badget must be, some of them had even offered their daughters. The arrangement had always been canceled when his wife discovered the plans.
His wife was named Yasmit and had at one time been married to an old trader named Eon. Eon had taught Badget most of what he knew, and it seemed logical that when Eon died, Badget should marry his widow. At the time Badget was captivated by her spunk and charm and assumed that once married to a younger man like himself, she would have many sons.
This had not happened and now Badget had grown impatient. He had not planned to bring Terra home with him, but neither was he willing to give her up. “Yasmit will just have to face the inevitable,” he muttered to himself.
He knew there would be a terrible scene. Yasmit was not one to accept competition without a struggle. She would threaten and scold, making life miserable for everyone. In the long run, she would have to give in and accept the fact that she was fortunate to be the first wife and in charge of his home and his kitchen if not first in his heart.
It would take three months of fast travel to reach Jerusalem. In the meantime he would have this delightful creature all to himself. He’d face the problem of Yasmit later. Wasn’t he almost being forced to take her with him? He couldn’t have this on his conscience that lovely, plump Terra had died of grief for love of him. He smiled. “My friend, tell your beautiful daughter to dry her eyes. I’ll go right now and hire the very best howdah fitted onto one of my camels. A howdah with all the amenities for such a charming creature.”
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