The Holy Sail

by Abdulaziz Al-Mahmoud

  Several days later, Hussein’s fleet headed north.

  – 21 –

  The Arabian Gulf

  On the day the bride and groom were set to leave, the port of Hormuz was draped in spectacular festive decorations. Colourful flags fluttered in the wind as music from different parts of the island fused together. Water and sweets were distributed to the revellers, and conjurers performed their best tricks in front of the public. People almost forgot the casualties of the battle that had taken place a month earlier; it did not matter any more who had fallen and why, but only who the new king was.

  In the distance, the booming sound of drums was heard slowly approaching. The steady rhythm was so strong that people felt their hearts jumping with each beat, and they realised the king’s procession had arrived: a long convoy of camels festooned with gilded saddles and blankets, preceded by spear-carrying cavaliers in stunning formations.

  The crowds parted into two lines, fashioning a road between their bodies to allow the procession through. The people craned to see Bin Rahhal and his new wife, Halima; Bin Rahhal was mounted on a decorated horse alongside Attar, both men riding a few metres behind the king. The crowds could not see Halima, who was with a group of women at the end of the column, hidden behind the curtains of a gorgeous howdah, a beautiful carriage on the back of a camel.

  The procession arrived at the port. The camels were made to kneel while the king and Bin Rahhal dismounted from their horses. In the back, Halima and Farah emerged out of the howdah. The farewell ceremony began; women wailed in the back, and people who were parting embraced one another. There were so many tears shed that the crowds could not tell who was leaving and who was staying.

  The ships sailed away from the port of Hormuz. Halima looked back for one last time at her island. As she focused on the crowds of people waving at her, she spotted her father. His gaze said a lot, though she could not interpret all the emotions it carried; she knew he was in pain from parting with her just as she was in pain from parting with him. She embraced Farah and started crying.

  Halima’s feelings were a strange combination of sadness and happiness. The tears flowing down her face came from both her sorrow for having to part with her home, and from her hopeful joy for the new life she was embarking on. She almost laughed and cried at the same time as she hugged her maid.

  The newlywed couple arrived in Bahrain. Halima was very impressed by the abundance of trees and the springs flowing between them. The chirping of the birds made her feel she was in paradise. Everything grew here, unlike on the almost waterless, treeless island of Hormuz. Here she would never have enough of the water streams; she could gambol with her girlfriends around the springs, pick grapes hanging down from the vines, and eat the ripe fruits from the trees all around her. She would be able to do many things here that she had always dreamed of.

  ‘My goodness, this farm is so beautiful, Bin Rahhal. I had never expected Bahrain to be this wonderful. It is truly a paradise in the middle of the sea!’

  ‘I agree, it’s very beautiful. King Salghur insisted that we spend some time here at the farm he inherited from his father. This is the estate he wanted to keep after he ceded all of Hormuz’s possessions in Bahrain. I think you will be more comfortable here than if you came to live in Al-Ahsa.’

  They went into the house. There were many gifts inside sent by Sultan Muqrin and his entourage, and the notables of Al-Ahsa and Bahrain. There was hardly a spot in the house that had not been used for presents, from antiques and jewellery to food.

  As Halima looked at all the packages, she tried to guess what was inside them and who had sent them. There were beautifully ornamented boxes, large bags of spices and baskets of dried fruits and dates. There were silk fabrics, porcelain wares, precious jewellery and many other lavish gifts. Even the stable was filled with purebred steeds gifted to them by well-wishers.

  Bin Rahhal held Halima’s wrist and pulled her towards him. ‘I have to travel in the next two days to greet the sultan and thank him for all these wonderful gifts. I have to brief him on what happened in Hormuz.’

  Halima said with some eagerness, ‘Do you want me to go with you?’

  Bin Rahhal smiled. ‘It doesn’t work that way here, Halima. Women here do not sit with men as you do in Hormuz.’

  She was puzzled by her husband’s response. ‘Why not?’

  Bin Rahhal did not have a convincing answer, but he was not prepared to have a long debate with her. Halima had a tenacious character and strong opinions, and persuading her was not going to be a simple task. She was raised in a certain way that was not going to be easily changed.

  Bin Rahhal tried to steer the conversation in a different direction. ‘I have something in safekeeping at my home in Al-Ahsa that belongs to the sultan. I must take it to him too.’

  Halima did not care much about what Bin Rahhal was saying. What she wanted most of all was for him to return quickly from his trip. She could not bear him to be away from her for too long. ‘Those few days will seem very long, my dear husband!’

  Bin Rahhal smiled and stared at her face, trying to get the most out of her beauty before leaving. ‘I will not be long. You know how much I will miss you, but it has to be done.’

  A few days later, Bin Rahhal entered Sultan Muqrin’s majlis in his best robes. He was expecting the sultan to say something about his elegant attire and his marriage, and true to form, when the sultan saw him, he smiled mischievously and said loudly, ‘Look at the groom! I thought I had sent you to help put your friend back on the throne. But you kidnapped their daughter and brought her here instead!’

  Bin Rahhal came up to the sultan with a mischievous smile of his own. ‘I did not kidnap her, Your Grace. She kidnapped me, so I decided not to return except with her.’

  The sultan pointed to a cushion nearby. ‘Sit, Bin Rahhal. I have missed you, my friend. But it’s all right, now that you’ve succeeded in your mission – and returned with the spoils.’

  Bin Rahhal kept a smile on his face. He wanted to see what effect it would have on the sultan. ‘The spoils are mine alone, Your Grace. I do not intend to share them with anyone!’

  The sultan laughed heartily. ‘God bless your spoils. Now give me all the details.’

  Bin Rahhal explained everything that had happened in Hormuz up until the final agreement was signed in the court of King Salghur, in the presence of Vizier Khawaja Attar and Halima. Bin Rahhal told the sultan that Attar also endorsed the document ceding Hormuz’s possessions in Bahrain – with the exception of the king’s private estate – and exempting the Jabrid sultan from having to pay annual tributes.

  After Bin Rahhal finished recounting the events in Hormuz, he said, ‘Salghur asked me to stay at his estate in Bahrain for some time. I want to ask your permission to stay there for a while before I return to Al-Ahsa. Living in Bahrain would be better for my wife than here as you can imagine.’

  ‘I know, Bin Rahhal. That is fine with me. Many merchants come from various ports to Bahrain. She would not feel as cut off and alone there as she would here. Stay with her there for a while until she gets used to the situation and then bring her back here.’

  The sultan leaned back on a cushion behind him. ‘I was extremely worried before, but, praise be to God, I am relieved and happy now. I hope this king will rule his kingdom well, and avoid conflicts that would lead to nothing but the downfall of his realm.’

  Bin Rahhal wanted to remind him of the dagger and the ring he had in safekeeping for his sultan. He felt they were a great burden that now had to be passed on. ‘Your Grace, do you remember the dagger brought by the messenger of the Bahmani kingdom in India and the ring you bought from the Banyan? You had asked me to keep them for you. I still have them in my home here, but since I am going to reside in Bahrain, it might be best if I return them to you. I cannot be certain they are safe when I am away from my home.’

  ‘Yes, I remember them of course. I had intended to send them to the caliph in Cairo but I was preoccupied
with other matters. I left them with you because of my many travels, and my palace is full of servants. Remind me of them again when the Hajj season comes. Then we shall give them to someone we trust to deliver them to the ruler of Jeddah, who would in turn deliver them to the caliph. The dagger has great significance for the Bahmani sultan and for us, and I made a promise that must be fulfilled at all costs, Bin Rahhal. The dagger will reach the caliph, God willing. Put the ring in the dagger’s chest as well.’

  The sultan waved his fan up and down. ‘I will go in the next few days to discipline rebellious tribes in Al-Kharj. My cousin Nasser will be in charge of the sultanate while I’m gone. I have asked him to stay close to you in Bahrain until my return. You must help him, Bin Rahhal. He is a reckless young man. I am aware of his flaws, but you must guide him and coach him on the affairs of government. Perhaps he’ll learn something from you.’

  The expression on Bin Rahhal’s face changed. He looked like he had a sudden pain in his side. He fell silent but tried hard to hide his emotions.

  Several days later, Bin Rahhal returned to his home in Bahrain. Halima came to welcome him, expecting him to be cheerful as usual. But to her surprise, he looked sorrowful and crestfallen.

  She had not seen him like this before. When she asked him what was wrong, he said, ‘The sultan told me he was going to Al-Kharj to put down a rebellion there, during which time he would appoint Emir Nasser to rule in his stead. Nasser will be based here, in Bahrain.’ He exhaled with force and added, ‘I detest the man! I have tried to avoid him all my life, have tried to find excuses never to sit with him.’

  Halima was taken aback by her husband’s comment. He continued without looking at her. ‘He’s a despicable person. Absolutely lacking in chivalry. His comportment in public is different from his conduct in private. He pretends to be pious and courageous in the presence of the sultan, but in his absence behaves like a licentious drunkard, when the worst in the man comes to the surface. I really don’t know how I’m going to put up with him in the absence of Sultan Muqrin!’

  He took off his turban angrily and threw it on the ground. ‘I heard many stories about women that he tempted only to threaten them and rape them. Like a snake, he does not bite until he makes sure his prey is at his mercy!’

  Halima put her hand on her husband’s shoulder to comfort him. ‘If the sultan is going to be away, you have to put up with him until the sultan’s return. Who knows what harm he can do? He represents the sultan now, and there is no one you can complain about him to. You have to endure the situation until we find a way out.’

  Bin Rahhal replied angrily, ‘Couldn’t the sultan find anyone else? Did he have to choose this vile person of all people?’

  She rubbed his shoulder, trying to give him some reassurance. ‘He is the ruler now. You have no choice but to weather the storm until it passes.’

  Bin Rahhal grabbed Halima’s hand and kissed it. ‘I don’t know how I will do that, but I will try.’

  From between his robes, he took out the box containing the dagger that Sultan Muqrin had given him, and put it between Halima’s hands. He pressed her hands, as though suggesting she hold it tightly. ‘This chest is more precious than everything else in the house.’

  Halima opened the box and saw the masterpiece that was inside. She held it in her hands and turned it over a couple of times. She was beguiled by its intricate jewellery and craftsmanship. Halima returned the dagger to its slot. She took out the ring next and slipped it on her finger, examining its splendour before replacing it in the box.

  Bin Rahhal said, ‘This dagger is not a gift to me. It is a gift from one of the sultans of India to the caliph in Cairo. Sultan Muqrin gave it to me for safekeeping, so you must hide it in a very safe place that only you and I know of.’

  Halima’s expression turned serious. ‘Where do you want me to hide it?’

  Bin Rahhal pointed to the boxes scattered around the room. ‘Put it one of those large boxes, and put the box in our room so that no one can reach it. Do you comprehend the significance of this dagger, Halima? It is very important to the sultan. He said it was a great responsibility entrusted to him, and now it is entrusted to me.’

  She replied in a quiet voice, ‘Don’t worry. I will find a box and put the dagger inside it. I will put it in our room, which no one else will enter except us. But why did he give it to you rather than keep it himself?’

  ‘He wants me to keep it until he returns from his campaign. He is always travelling, as you know.’

  Bin Rahhal started visiting the majlis of Emir Nasser, who had arrived in Bahrain a few days earlier. He was compelled by his promise to the sultan to assist his cousin in carrying out his duties.

  Initially, the relationship between the two men was not good. Soon, however, the emir started treating him with great respect, letting him sit with him at the centre of the majlis and consulting him in many matters. Bin Rahhal felt something had changed; it was not the habit of the emir to treat him or others like this, and Bin Rahhal was not quite sure what was behind it.

  In the evening, after all guests and visitors had left the majlis, Emir Nasser would challenge Bin Rahhal to a game of chess in front of a selected number of people – who senselessly cheered every move the emir made. As time passed, a kind of bond grew between the emir and Bin Rahhal, who felt Emir Nasser had had some sort of change of heart. He was pleased with Nasser’s new behaviour, and a strange friendship developed between the two men. And though Bin Rahhal could not comprehend it, he felt glad about it.

  One day, after Bin Rahhal had left the majlis and the other guests had departed, one of the emir’s slaves stayed behind. Nasser ordered him to fetch some ale. After a few sips, Nasser started to feel slightly inebriated. He looked at the slave with bulging eyes and said, ‘Have you done anything yet, Jawhar? I’m still waiting for you to do your part.’

  Jawhar was very close to the emir. His father had been the slave of the emir’s father; he was raised to maintain blind loyalty to him. The emir trained him to do all his dirty work. He was a plotter and an assassin whenever called upon to become one. Jawhar’s features did not conceal his role in life. With roots in Abyssinia, he was extremely tall, well built and muscular. He was almost handsome, were it not for his wicked-looking yellowish eyes. Jawhar had no respect for anyone save for his master. He was little more than a monster always ready to pounce on his – or his master’s – prey.

  ‘You have promised me a large reward if the plan succeeds, my lord. The prey has started to take the bait. You must be patient and wait a little.’ Jawhar grabbed the cup of ale in front of him and drank its contents in one gulp. ‘She is ineffably beautiful, my lord. She is worth the trouble and the wait, and the dreary courtesy you have to show to the man you so despise.’

  Nasser sat up abruptly as though a scorpion had stung him. ‘Did you really see her? Tell me everything! Describe her to me!’

  Jawhar gave him a laboured smile, as though he were moving his facial muscles in this manner for the first time. ‘No, I didn’t see her. She leaves the house wearing a veil. But I saw her svelte body, her slender limbs and locks of her hair that had slipped from the bottom of her scarf. I tried hard to see more but I failed. I heard a lot about her beauty, and was told that when she lies on her back, you could roll an apple beneath her curves! She is not like any other woman, certainly not like the women you’ve had before. She is the unrivalled queen of her sex, my lord!’

  Jawhar took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on a distant spot, imagining her. As he returned to his senses, he said, ‘But I didn’t stop there, my lord. My relationship with her maid Farah has improved. Before, she refused to talk to me. I told her I’m trying to buy my freedom from you, and that you were asking for a lot of money in return, so she has been giving me any money she can find at Bin Rahhal’s house, thinking she is helping me raise the sum!’

  Jawhar paused for a moment. His eyes turned red as was usual for him whenever he drank ale. ‘I promised to marry
her and take her to Hormuz or India, but I told her we won’t be able to pull it off until we’ve gathered enough money.’ The slave gave a loud, bizarre laugh that sounded like it had come out of his stomach. ‘She has been showering me with money for our future! She’s a stupid woman. I was able to fool her with a few words I learned from you.’

  The emir almost jumped up and down in adolescent-like excitement. ‘Tell me Jawhar, have you had the maid yet?’

  ‘Not yet, Your Highness, not yet. But don’t worry, it won’t take much longer.’

  The two laughed together as though they had heard a hysterical joke. Jawhar continued, ‘She will soon fall between my hands like a wounded gazelle. When I devour Farah, know that Halima will be your next prey.’

  Emir Nasser twirled his moustache and his eyes lost their focus. He said in a hiss, ‘I will not be able to prey on her with her shepherd around. He must disappear to make her more vulnerable and sweet-tasting.’

  – 22 –

  Oman

  Albuquerque’s eyes were fixed on the rocky coast stretching northwards. He spotted a town lined by palm and fruit trees. In the middle stood a minaret, higher than all the trees, heralding the mosque’s presence. To the north, there was a riverbed extending from the mountains, but the river was dry. Albuquerque saw no one on the coast and all the ships moored there were small. Everything seemed still.

  The Portuguese commander summoned some of his officers to conduct a reconnaissance of the shore and try to determine what was going on. One officer pointed to four small cannons on top of the wall separating the town from the shore. They also noticed large rocks used to fortify the cob wall protecting the city. Albuquerque focused his sights on the wall and was able to spot groups of fighters carrying spears and bows holed up behind it; he realised the city had braced itself for his arrival and made preparations to fight him.