Chapter 19 MARAGHA ‘It’s intolerable, Master!’ Suleiman al-Urdi brought his fist down so hard that the topmost of a stack of books leapt from the table and landed on the floor. Shirazi regarded him impassively. Even learned mathematicians sometimes lost their tempers. ‘What would you have me do, Suleiman?’ he asked gently. Al-Urdi was determined …
The Tiger and the Cauldron(18)
Chapter 18 Hassan was wakened by Sabbah. The Commander had already saddled a pony and Hassan was pleased to find that it was one whose temperament and sleek coat he had much admired. His bow and a quiver full of arrows hung on the saddle horn. The arrows had been trimmed in length and re-feathered. …
The Tiger and the Cauldron(17)
Chapter 17 There were nineteen in the camp; four were women, Doquz herself, Fatima, and two others - Talitha and Mariam. However there were no divisions according to gender. Men and women alike shared duties - guarding the pass, preparing and cooking the food, and taking part in expeditions. The lower caves of the mountain, …
The Tiger and the Cauldron(16)
Chapter 16 A dawn mist crept into the cave and Hassan was awakened by the dampness of his blanket. He raised himself onto his elbows, let out an involuntary gasp and fell back on his makeshift mattress, a second blanket with its edges stitched together and filled with horse hair. It seemed as if his …
The Tiger and the Cauldron(ch15)
Chapter 15 Mujir drew his sabre and stroked the curved blade with his finger. It was one third as long again as the short sword and twice its width. The blade glinted in the sunshine. Hassan tried to calm his racing heart and temper his indignation with reason. Negative emotions had no place in such …
The Tiger and the Cauldron(ch14)
Chapter 14 It was almost noon when Hassan said goodbye to Djamila and her father. His mood had changed to one of anger. He had nursed a boyish contempt of Baidu ever since the Prince, then Governor of Baghdad, had in a drunken outburst, and in front of the whole of Arghun’s court, insulted his …
The Tiger and the Cauldron(ch13)
Chapter 13 Leaving the caravan far behind, Hassan rode into the foothills of Mount Sahand. It was a route he had followed many times in the past, one which would eventually lead across the lower ridges of the mountain to Maragha. Passing through the richer suburbs, he came to a region sparsely inhabited where most …
The Tiger and the Cauldron(ch12)
Chapter 12 The merchant caravan comprised mostly Byzantines and Indians and had three escorts altogether. The Byzantines formed a close-knit group and the Indians, though friendly enough, were obliged for reasons of language to travel together with an interpreter. Hassan found himself in the company of three Venetians, Jacopo Zola and his sons, Luca and …
The Tiger and the Cauldron(ch11)
Chapter 11 Compared to the upper room, the residence below was luxurious. The walls and floors were decorated with fine oriental carpets and tapestries. The chairs were skilfully carved and upholstered with silk cushions, while on cabinets and small tables were displayed colourful porcelain plates, vases and ampullae. The beds were draped with satin covers. …
The Tiger and the Cauldron(ch10)
Chapter 10 Hassan waited, trying to calm his racing heart, until the last faint sound of her footsteps had died away. He did not know whether to be glad or sorry at her reaction, whether to be proud or ashamed by his forbearance. When all seemed quiet, he made his way to the door and …
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