The Golden Blade Page #5

But for your wife's maid

you would not celebrate today.

I am certain my father will see to it

that you are rewarded for your services.

Come, wench.

Be gone from my chambers

before I summon the guard!

It's not in my heart

to join him, Father.

I cannot.

You are wed to him, Khairuzan.

You cannot betray your trust.

Why did not Harun win the joust?

I felt so secure in that promise.

You must forget

that passing fancy, Daughter.

Remember, your life belongs

to the people.

Your marriage to Hadi is important

to the welfare of Baghdad.

You have always been given

to much courage.

Use it now as a woman.

Harun, wait.

It's the hand of fate

that brings you here in time.

In time to return this,

my wedding gift.

You... You know, then?

I know this sword to be

as false as her promise.

Whoever has been false to you,

it has not been Khairuzan.

It was Jafar

and Hadi who drugged you.

May Allah reward you.

Your sword!

Guards, guards!

HADl:
Guards, guards!

Guards!

"Let him who can unsheathe

this sword

"claim any crown

as his reward. "

I am indeed

in the Almighty's favor.

A most fortunate circumstance.

You wished to meddle

in Khairuzan's life.

Your wish

shall be fully granted.

You will, in truth,

be executed

for the murders of the

Caliph and the Princess.

No one could seek more

prominence than that.

An enemy from Basra caught in the

palace. The royal family murdered.

Think how Baghdad will rise

to avenge such murder

with bloody destruction

against your homeland.

This is how you repay my

faith and my trust. Arrest him!

Treason!

After them!

There they are.

Give me your cape. Quickly.

Under the boat.

They must be here somewhere.

Seek them out.

There they are. After them!

Bring them back!

No, Youssef.

One boat is enough.

Look, Captain, it seems they've

given their souls to Allah.

Back to the palace.

Our poor people.

What a fate awaits them from

the murderers of my father.

And mine.

But we are together.

And if fate wills,

we shall stay together.

Come.

Well done, Sherkan.

But are you certain

of their fate?

Have no doubt, illustrious one.

After our volley, no one survived.

Long live Caliph Hadi!

Whose courageous rule

shall raise Baghdad's glories

to undreamed-of splendors.

Go forth

and proclaim his reign.

Rouse the people

round Hadi's name.

Persuade them in devotion

to our cause.

The harvest of our efforts

now begins.

Basra shall be

only our first conquest.

My treasury will bulge when

Baghdad's new armies march forth.

Our treasury.

'Twas good fortune that sent the

young Basra fool here with this sword

to reward us with the crown.

"Let him who can unsheathe

this sword

"claim any crown... "

No, no!

This cannot be so.

It's but a horrible dream!

Fool, help me!

It's to no avail.

I cannot move it.

We must. We must.

Do you not grasp the prophecy?

We cannot claim the throne

till first we wrest the sword

from this accursed sheath!

I have not schemed and murdered to

be foiled by that piece of trash.

Caliph you are.

Caliph you will remain.

Bring in magicians,

strong men, fakirs, thieves!

10,OOO dinars to the one

who can unsheathe the sword!

Who's there?

The city is in a turmoil.

It is said that the Caliph and

Khairuzan were murdered by Harun,

and he, too,

was slain while escaping.

Hadi has claimed the throne

and prepares to attack Basra.

What of the sword?

It is still in the wall.

None can move it.

The second prophecy,

"Grave of Stone. "

I must get to the sword.

Do not trust

that prophecy of doom.

It did not fail me

in the joust, remember?

Please, it's too dangerous

for you alone.

Why not let me arouse

the loyal among my people?

No. The patrols would discover

you. We must trust the sword.

It has led me to Jafar

and the amulets I followed.

Then, wait for tonight. Go to

Bakhamra. I'll tell you how.

We'll need disguises,

Barcus.

We?

You would not desert me now.

The army is in readiness to move

on Basra. The men grow impatient.

Take him away.

Bring on another.

It's enough.

We dare not move until this

accursed sword is unsheathed.

Who goes there?

Secondhand clothing for sale.

Be off!

Secondhand clothing...

He's gone.

You heard me, peddler.

Now, be gone!

Secondhand uniform for sale.

It is I, Harun.

Where is my mistress?

Can you be trusted?

I swear to you

I want only to serve her.

Lead me to the sword, and

I'll tell you where she is.

Come.

Halt, peddler!

Did you not hear us? What do

you want from a poor merchant?

Those are only goods I

brought home for sale.

I am Barcus!

Take him to the palace.

No. Please don't take me.

I can't leave my shop. Who's

going to take care of my canary?

Alas, it can never be yours.

Jafar leaves

naught to fortune.

Look yonder.

I must try it,

come what may.

Go to the Princess, Bakhamra.

I'll tell you where.

Idiot! Impostor!

Jackal! Out of my sight!

Clear the throne room!

Batter down the house!

Bring in the ram!

Batter it loose!

Accursed sword,

can nothing move you?

Donkeys! Imbeciles!

Dogs, out, out!

Charlatan, away with him!

Time, Excellency!

Away with him!

Be gone!

Barcus, the slave.

Friend of Harun.

Murdered a guard, huh?

You are in trouble, sire.

Perhaps you will allow

a poor Greek mathematician...

You are no killer of soldiers.

Could it be?

Could be.

Perhaps they're alive.

Fools, return.

Search his house. Meantime,

take him to the torture chamber.

I'll question him later. The

rack may loosen his tongue.

What beggar is this?

The Basranian murderer!

Guards, guards!

Bring him down!

After him!

Order the guards!

Archers! Archers!

Clear for the archers!

Rebellion!

The palace is besieged!

Jafar!

Jafar, Prince of Treason,

I claim my royal right.

Strike down the invaders!

Behold.

With the Sword of Damascus,

we restore our lives

to former peace.

Upon him who saved us,

I bestow the title El Raschid,

he who follows

the righteous cause.

Long live Harun, El Raschid.

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