. . . that perhaps only I can say . . . but remember I speak only from love.’
‘Say what you wish.’
‘Humayun, you spend your days fuddled with opium.You used to be a ruler, a warrior.What are you now but a dreamer, a fantasist? I never thought I’d have to say these words to you . . . but a leader must be strong, he must be decisive. His people must know that they can look to him at all times. You know that. How many times in the past have you and I not discussed such things? Now you seldom visit me . . . And when I look around the court, I see expressions of fear and uncertainty and hear uneasy laughter behind your back. Even to those who’ve known and served you long and loyally – like Kasim and Baba Yasaval – you’ve become like a stranger. They no longer have confidence in your judgement. They never know how you will react – whether you will approve their actions or whether you will be angry. Sometimes they can get no coherent guidance or direction from you for hours . . . even days . . .’
Never before had Khanzada spoken to him in this way and he felt resentment stir. ‘If you or my courtiers disapprove of my decisions and of how I choose to govern my empire, it is because you do not understand. But in time you will come to see that everything I’m doing is for the best.’
‘Time is not on your side. If you do not rule as you should, the eyes of your nobles and commanders will turn to your half-brothers – to Kamran in particular. Think, Humayun. He’s only a few months younger than you and has already proved himself an able warrior and a strong governor of his province. Babur’s blood and Timur’s too flows through his veins just as it does through yours.You know he is ambitious – ambitious enough to have already plotted against you.You have no reason to think he won’t do so again. Hasn’t it occurred to you to wonder why Gulrukh has insinuated herself into your favour, why she plies you with that brew of hers? Instead of gazing into the infinite mysteries of the stars it better befits an emperor to peer deep into the minds of those around him. Remember what I once told you . . . always to look for the motive. Gulrukh could never encourage open revolt against you in favour of Kamran and Askari . . . how much cleverer and more subtle of her to undermine you gradually with opium. And as your powers weaken and fade and your subjects begin to despise the ruler they once admired, what would be more natural than for them to turn to one of her sons? Remember also the fate of Ulugh Beg. When he – like you – became obsessed with the stars and what they could tell him about the purpose of life, one of his sons had him murdered and took his throne.’
‘You speak out of anger and jealousy. You resent the fact that I have taken your thoughts on ceremony and, with the stars’ aid, improved them beyond your narrow comprehension. You resent my not needing you as I once did, that I am a grown man who takes his own decisions and has no need of the advice of women – not yours, nor Gulrukh’s nor any of you . . . You should know your place – all of you.’
Khanzada’s gasp told him how much he had hurt her, but she needed to be reminded of certain things. Much as he loved and respected her, he, not she, was emperor and he would decide how he would rule.
‘I have done my best to warn you. If you choose not to listen there is no more I can do . . .’ Khanzada’s voice was low and measured but he could see a vein throbbing in her temple and that her body was trembling.
‘Aunt . . .’ He reached out to touch her arm but she turned away and making for the doors flung them open herself. Calling to her two women who were waiting for her, she hurried away down the torch-lit corridor. Humayun stood for a moment in silence. He’d never quarrelled with Khanzada before, but what he’d said had been necessary, hadn’t it? The stars and their messages could not be ignored. A man – even one as
‘Say what you wish.’
‘Humayun, you spend your days fuddled with opium.You used to be a ruler, a warrior.What are you now but a dreamer, a fantasist? I never thought I’d have to say these words to you . . . but a leader must be strong, he must be decisive. His people must know that they can look to him at all times. You know that. How many times in the past have you and I not discussed such things? Now you seldom visit me . . . And when I look around the court, I see expressions of fear and uncertainty and hear uneasy laughter behind your back. Even to those who’ve known and served you long and loyally – like Kasim and Baba Yasaval – you’ve become like a stranger. They no longer have confidence in your judgement. They never know how you will react – whether you will approve their actions or whether you will be angry. Sometimes they can get no coherent guidance or direction from you for hours . . . even days . . .’
Never before had Khanzada spoken to him in this way and he felt resentment stir. ‘If you or my courtiers disapprove of my decisions and of how I choose to govern my empire, it is because you do not understand. But in time you will come to see that everything I’m doing is for the best.’
‘Time is not on your side. If you do not rule as you should, the eyes of your nobles and commanders will turn to your half-brothers – to Kamran in particular. Think, Humayun. He’s only a few months younger than you and has already proved himself an able warrior and a strong governor of his province. Babur’s blood and Timur’s too flows through his veins just as it does through yours.You know he is ambitious – ambitious enough to have already plotted against you.You have no reason to think he won’t do so again. Hasn’t it occurred to you to wonder why Gulrukh has insinuated herself into your favour, why she plies you with that brew of hers? Instead of gazing into the infinite mysteries of the stars it better befits an emperor to peer deep into the minds of those around him. Remember what I once told you . . . always to look for the motive. Gulrukh could never encourage open revolt against you in favour of Kamran and Askari . . . how much cleverer and more subtle of her to undermine you gradually with opium. And as your powers weaken and fade and your subjects begin to despise the ruler they once admired, what would be more natural than for them to turn to one of her sons? Remember also the fate of Ulugh Beg. When he – like you – became obsessed with the stars and what they could tell him about the purpose of life, one of his sons had him murdered and took his throne.’
‘You speak out of anger and jealousy. You resent the fact that I have taken your thoughts on ceremony and, with the stars’ aid, improved them beyond your narrow comprehension. You resent my not needing you as I once did, that I am a grown man who takes his own decisions and has no need of the advice of women – not yours, nor Gulrukh’s nor any of you . . . You should know your place – all of you.’
Khanzada’s gasp told him how much he had hurt her, but she needed to be reminded of certain things. Much as he loved and respected her, he, not she, was emperor and he would decide how he would rule.
‘I have done my best to warn you. If you choose not to listen there is no more I can do . . .’ Khanzada’s voice was low and measured but he could see a vein throbbing in her temple and that her body was trembling.
‘Aunt . . .’ He reached out to touch her arm but she turned away and making for the doors flung them open herself. Calling to her two women who were waiting for her, she hurried away down the torch-lit corridor. Humayun stood for a moment in silence. He’d never quarrelled with Khanzada before, but what he’d said had been necessary, hadn’t it? The stars and their messages could not be ignored. A man – even one as
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