The Golden Blade Page #4

Then, why does he

stare at you like that?

I don't think he likes me.

I think he does.

He is just playing a game.

Well, we have

many other places to visit.

"Hear, O true believers!

"It's my will as Caliph of Baghdad

"that a joust will be held to

honor the Princess Khairuzan.

"To the victor of this tourney will be

given in marriage the hand of Khairuzan. "

A moment more, Princess. A

portrait to remember this day.

It is gratifying to learn

that women exist

who would permit themselves to be auctioned

off for the price of a slit throat.

No doubt such a savage

spectacle shall provide better

amusement for the Princess

than my melancholy presence.

It will, indeed,

most stubborn of jackasses,

and if any throats are to be slit beyond

repair, pray Allah it could be yours.

Princess?

Thank you.

Achmed, Prince of Cathay!

With such opposition

as I have seen this past hour,

I shall have no need

of the magic sword.

Let not your might

blind you to reality.

Be not concerned.

My father shall see to Harun.

But why your father?

Why cannot we act alone?

Such words are treason.

Does treason exist

among traitors?

But for me, you would be

ignorant of Khairuzan's scheme.

I trust in your remembrance of

it when your day of triumph dawns.

When victory makes me Caliph,

it shall crown you also.

I rejoice at these words,

for I should dislike to gain the Caliph's

ear before the tourney is ever held.

Did I perceive threat

in the harem wench's words?

She will hold her tongue as

long as she trusts my purpose.

After the tourney,

she will matter no longer.

At last your brain competes

with your muscle.

Now, I have something

to show you.

The sword.

Patience.

It is but a perfect copy

of the magic weapon.

The serpent has devised

a plan, O Father of cunning.

My son, you have neglected to

honor properly our Basranian guest.

Tonight you shall be host

at a party in his honor.

The Princess seeks a word

with you on the harem terrace.

How came I here?

I've been looking for you,

but I didn't expect

to find you sodden with drink.

I don't understand.

I drank no wine,

and I smoked only a little.

The guard. We mustn't be seen

here. Come, help me return.

Have you seen those

that compete for my hand?

It is of your own making.

Are there no men

left in Islam?

What ails those

that come to joust?

They are illustrious princes who will

provide you with a noble marriage.

A maid betrothed needs more than

just nobility to fulfill her dreams.

Why do not others come forth?

Especially those who have

proven their ability to win.

Perhaps such men are not of noble

birth to aspire to a princess.

Then, such men are fools,

for a princess knows that

nobility does not come by birth.

Yet, a man would be

less than a man

if he bestow naught

but himself upon a princess.

And less a man

if he deny her desire.

Would you wish to marry

a commoner?

I would wish for a man

to take what is his.

What a fool I've been.

Had I but known her true self.

The grip of the boa

is tightening.

She is the fairest of

all the fair of Islam.

She has made me the happiest of men

and yet, at the same

time, the most miserable.

Only a woman can create such an

improbable condition in a man.

Come here

and see what I have.

And what is wrong with women?

Do they not save us from hunger

and danger when we are young?

Do they not teach us

good from evil?

Do they not bear our children,

serve our needs,

weep in our sorrow

and exult in our joy?

Heaven is indeed merciful to

have devised such a glorious fate.

Spoken like a man,

but a much older man.

I must enlist in the joust.

Having learned the truth,

I cannot live without her.

Harun, if I had a son, he

would have been one such as you.

Yet, I must say to

you, do not joust. Why?

Does not the sword promise

a crown as reward?

I have at last translated

the second legend.

Here it is.

"My true reward shall given be

from grave of stone mysteriously. "

It chills my blood.

I shall not forsake Khairuzan

because of that.

I warn you, change your course

from these

to the Princess now,

and the sword may fail you.

I came here on a mission which led me

to the sword and from the sword to her.

Each cause equally mine, and by heaven,

when that joust begins, I shall be there.

Harun is entered on the list.

Have you tested the magic weapon?

It seems like

any other sword to me.

Now, hark ye,

should this Basranian triumph,

all would be ruined.

Should the magic sword not work...

It is enough he is without it.

Khairuzan, come.

The infant grows more comely.

Give me not fresh irritation.

When you are Caliph, you'll

have a carpet of maidens.

You jest, Your Excellency.

My scarf to carry to victory.

Hark ye! Hark ye!

"By proclamation of the Caliph,

"this joust shall be held in accordance

"with the age-old

traditions of ancient Persia.

"Each contestant will

first choose a color

"which will determine

the order of his fighting.

"After the colors are chosen,

"each contestant will return to his tent

"to await commencement of the joust. "

"Each contestant will now enter the ring

"as his chosen color is

drawn and raised aloft.

"All contestants will

vie simultaneously,

"the last man remaining on his horse

"to claim the hand of

Princess Khairuzan!"

The people cheer for your happiness.

Acknowledge them with happiness.

Khairuzan, we have given

our word. Stand by it.

You should've seen it,

my Princess.

There was never

a sight more regal

than Hadi signing the parchment

with which to claim his bride.

It's best you have not

seen him since the joust.

Hadi's yearning

will be even greater

when he beholds you

beneath the bridal veil.

What happened, Barcus?

What happened?

Perhaps the sword knew better than you

that your destiny was not with Khairuzan.

Yet, the sword itself

seemed to lead me to her.

Or perhaps

it only appeared so.

Harun, have you forgotten the

cause which brought you here?

In this, the sword

was with you.

No, I've not forgotten.

I shall pursue my mission.

Barcus.

Barcus!

The inscriptions on the blade,

they're gone.

Gone? It's impossible.

What black magic is this?

I smoked but little keefa.

I was drunk without drinking.

I dreamed of her taking it, yet

awoke mysteriously before her.

What are you saying?

This is why I lost.

We've been robbed

of the real sword.

But Khairuzan?

I cannot believe it.

I'll soon find out.

Wait here for me, Barcus.

I shall learn if she's guilty.

It's said your husband must

eat these from your fingers

to assure the early

coming of an heir.

Behold how Hadi the Fearless must be

carried to the raptures of his bride.

Think how my bride's rapture

increases as I keep her waiting.

Away!

Away! Away!

Are you mad to come here? Your

place is with your mistress.

Why have I not been granted

a small share of your triumph?

Would you have me leave

my friends at my wedding feast

to carouse

with my wife's maid?

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