"I think we can persuade His Majesty to raise your personal rank to
twelve thousand _zat _and your horse rank to eight thousand _suwar_,
twice what you have now."
"Then I will go." Allaudin tightened his cloak, beaming. "I'll drive
the Safavid king's Persian troops back into the desert."
"You are as sensible as you are brave. I will speak to His Majesty
tonight."
Allaudin grinned a parting salaam, squared his shoulders, and pushed
his way through the portiere and into the sunshine. Nadir Sharif
watched without a word until he had disappeared into his own tent.
"Was that entirely wise, Majesty?"
"What else do you propose we do? It will keep him in Agra. I'll see to
that. You don't really think I'd allow him to leave? Anyway, it's time
his rank was elevated. Now all he needs is a son."
"I'm sure he'll have one in time, Majesty. The Hindu astrologers all
say Princess Layla's horoscope is favorable."
"The Hindu astrologers may have to help him do a husband's work if they
want to save their reputation."
"Give him time, Majesty." Nadir Sharif smiled. "And he'll have more
heirs than the Holy Prophet."
"All the Prophet's children were daughters." She took the paper,
inserted it into the gold case, and began tying the string. "There are
times you do not entirely amuse me."
"I'm always half distracted by worrying." Nadir Sharif followed her
with his eyes. "Even now."
"What in particular worries you at the moment?" Janahara paused as she
was slipping the case into her sleeve.
"I'm thinking just now about the Imperial army. The loyalty of some of
the men."
"What do you mean? Inayat Latif is entirely beholden to His Majesty. He
would gladly give his life for the Moghul. I've heard it from his own
lips, and I know it's true."
"I've never questioned your commander's loyalty. But now you . . . His
Majesty will be ordering the men to march against Jadar. Are you aware
that fully a third of the army is under Rajput field commanders,
officers from the northwest. Some of the rajas there still bear ill
feelings toward His Majesty, because of Inayat Latifs campaign there
ten years ago. These Rajputs sometimes have long memories. And who
knows what Jadar could be promising them? Remember his treachery with
Malik Ambar."
"What are you suggesting? That the Rajput commanders will not fight for
His Majesty, the legitimate Moghul? That's absurd. No one respects
authority more than the Rajput rajas."
"I'm not suggesting it at all. But I do believe the Rajputs here should
be monitored closely nonetheless. Any discontent should be addressed
before it grows . . . unwieldy. Perhaps their commanders should be
placed under a separate authority, someone who could reason with them
in His Majesty's name if there are signs of unrest. Inayat Latif is an
able general, but he's no diplomat."