“Jesus,” Bobby said. “We left Agra months ago, you could’ve told us after we left.”
Jadu shook his head. “Do you not write letters back to the Mission? Granted, you two write nothing like the volume of letters that I do, but surely you understand the need to ensure you did not accidentally reveal some portion of Dara’s plan in your correspondence.”
Ricky missed a step. “Wait a second! What exactly did you arrange? What is it that Dara’s planning?”
“I acted as the emperor’s envoy in this.”
Exasperated, Ricky grabbed Jadu’s wrist and made him stop. “And what, exactly, is this?”
Looking around, Jadu said, “Not here. Please, let us get to my tent and we will discuss it.”
Ricky shot a glance at Bobby, who nodded. Releasing Jadu’s arm, they resumed walking.
The uncomfortable silence that followed in the wake of the confrontation persisted until they entered Jadu’s tent. The merchant sent his servants from the tent and sat, inviting his guests to do the same.
Bobby remained standing but Ricky took a seat across from Jadu.
“Where to begin?” Jadu asked.
“How about with the truth?” Bobby snarled.
Ricky shot another glance at his friend, but Bobby was too pissed to notice.
“I, perhaps, deserve your anger. But you must know, my friends, that I took on this duty and obligation before I knew either of you. It pained me to keep the truth from you but there it is.”
Ricky shook his head.
Jadu tossed his head, asked, “What is it, Ricky?”
The up-timer smiled. “Just that you still haven’t told us what the hell it is you were doing.”
“Can you guess?”
Bobby grumbled something inaudible, but Ricky thought back to the conversation. “He said something about intended, didn’t he?”
“Exactly so.” Jadu nodded. “I was sent on behalf of the emperor to negotiate Shaista Khan’s—or, rather Asaf Khan or his heir’s—support. Part of the inducements I was authorized to offer was a royal marriage.”
Ricky rocked back on his cushion, considering the ramifications of that.
“But, he’s like, forty,” Bobby said.
Jadu gave a soft chuckle. “Interesting that your mind immediately leaps to marrying one of the princesses.”
Bobby shook his head. “I keep forgetting you all are polygamous.”
“Not all of us,” Jadu corrected. “Not even most of us. But the royal family, yes.”
“So he’s got a daughter he wants to marry to Dara?”
“Not one of marriageable age, no. I just thought it interesting that you immediately thought he would be marrying.”
Bobby growled again, but Jadu held up a hand. “Need I remind you that we are at war? When I say I am intrigued by your responses to my statements, I am trying to figure out what it is that our enemies would deduce from the information you have. Neither of you is an idiot, yet it seems the deception Salim asked me to practice upon you worked. And if it worked on you, who became intimately familiar with me and how I behave, then does it not follow that our enemies would have even greater difficulty in divining our intent?”
“You people think in circles.”
“I am but a humble merchant. I am not entirely used to thinking in these ways myself. It was my honor to do this service for Dara Shikoh and the throne, but I am not used to thinking in terms of espionage and spies. At least not on this scale and with this much at stake.”
Smiling, Ricky shook his head. “So what Bobby said still stands: Shaista Khan is at least twenty years older than Jahanara Begum.”
“It is not so uncommon these days, my friend. And if I recall correctly, he is not yet forty.”
“Wait, if Asaf Khan is their grandfather, isn’t he her uncle?”
Jadu shrugged. “It’s not that unusual, even among those who have nothing so important to keep in the family as the Peacock Throne.”
“And people used to make cracks about us hillbillies!” Bobby said, disgust evident.
Ricky fought against his own revulsion. He often forgot how different down-timers were in general, and those of different religions and cultures were an even greater departure for a hillbilly from twentieth-century West Virginia. Add to that the fact the family they were discussing was perhaps the richest and most powerful in the world. So powerful he could still recall the high school history lessons that taught him that when people in the twentieth century said “music mogul” and the like, they were talking about the merest shadow of these folks and the very real power they wielded over the lives of millions.
Jadu smiled questioningly. “What?”
An irritated shake of the head, then Bobby said, “It’s just…People from West Virginia mining towns were seen as backward and inbred by those who lived in big cities.”
Jadu’s brows rose to meet his turban. “Astounding. I suppose I should not be surprised that people still try and find someone to look down upon, even in your time.”
“Damn straight,” Bobby said.
A brief silence descended on them.
Ricky grinned, shaking his head in wonder.
“What makes you smile, my friend?” Jadu asked.
“You still haven’t told us just who you arranged to marry Shaista Khan.”
“I haven’t?” Jadu asked, voice and gaze full of entirely false innocence.
Chapter 34
Countryside east of Agra
“Are you certain it’s safe?” asked Sidi Miftah Habash Khan.
Aurangzeb smiled. “Are you not certain yourself? You are commander of scouts, are you not?”
“I am.” The Habshi smiled, white teeth dazzling against his dark skin. “I am certain I could escape, but then I am counted amongst the greatest horsemen who have ever lived. I am not so certain about you, Sultan Al’Azam.”
Aurangzeb snorted and barely stopped a peal of laughter escaping dry lips by focusing on an annoying fly that flitted about the mane of his horse.
When he was confident he could keep a straight face the emperor said, “I believe we are safe enough. My brother cowers behind the walls of Red Fort. And I…I need to make sure to pay my respects at the tomb of my parents. Too long have I been denied the opportunity to show them the devotion a son owes.”
“Ah, but
