1637: The Peacock Throne, стр. 14
Priscilla bowed deeply. “Begum Sahib, we have been well compensated for all services rendered to the crown. Frankly, it has been our pleasure to help you and your family.”
“That is gratifying to hear, Mrs. Totman, especially in light of what I must ask of you now.”
Priscilla cocked a brow and gestured for the princess to continue.
“I have been thinking a great deal on your skills, and how they might be best employed to help those soldiers wounded in my brother’s service.”
Priscilla shrugged. “My husband and I only have so many hours to treat wounded.”
Jahanara smiled. “I am not being clear. I would like to employ you and your husband and perhaps Misters Gradinego and Vieuxpont. Not as physicians yourselves, but to train men and women to treat our wounded.”
“Oh, like medics?” Priscilla shook her head and clarified: “You mean train people on the battlefield to treat the wounded?”
“Exactly so,” Jahanara said, hiding her relief. Most court physicians would have considered the mere suggestion that they train random strangers in their rarefied skills offensive. “We can have some start with a small group—”
“And they will serve to train the next group!” Priscilla said, so excited at the prospect she interrupted the princess.
“Exactly so. I will have to secure funding from my brother as well as supplies, but I think it will be useful, no?”
Priscilla’s expressive eyes were wide and her voice excited. “Oh, yes! When I was training to become a paramedic my training officer, a veteran of the Gulf War, was always going on about how the U.S. military did a better job of evacuating its wounded than any other in history, which made for higher morale amongst the soldiers. If you know that your wounded friend is going to be taken care of, you can put some of that fear out of your mind.”
“I had not even thought of that aspect of it. I just thought we might help save lives. I shall recall that when I speak to my brother.”
“We’re going to have to talk to the men about this too. They likely know a lot more about how the military organized it than I do. At least I hope so.”
Jahanara nodded. “Of course. I just wanted to be sure the idea was practical and that you might be able—and willing—to do it.”
Priscilla looked thoughtful as Jahanara turned her attention to Monique.
“Monique, would you attend me on my travels back to Red Fort?”
The young Frenchwoman bowed deeply. “It would be my pleasure, Begum Sahib.”
Jahanara gestured at the table. “I’m afraid I have stayed too long. My brother needs me and I must attend him. Please forgive my intrusion, and my sudden departure. I will give you better notice next time?” She let the statement become a question to ensure they knew she understood, at last, that the initial invitation had been a polite fiction and that they would be expected to extend a formal one in future so that all parties were properly notified before this visit was repeated.
Priscilla and Monique both bowed and said, at the same time, “Of course you must come again, Begum Sahib!”
Part Two
March, 1636
To help the rolling wheels of this great world
—The Rig Veda
Chapter 5
Aurangzeb’s army
The Deccan
“We must move faster,” Aurangzeb said, teeth gritty behind dry lips.
“Shehzada, the horses have had no good grazing, the men very little food since we set out. All are tired,” Sidi Miftah Habash Khan said.
Aurangzeb looked across at his newest noble. “I share their fatigue and hunger. Tired as I am, there will be time enough to rest when we overtake Shuja’s army.”
The Habshi clan leader waved a hand to encompass the vast column of tired riders. “Forgive me, Shehzada, but may I ask a question?”
Aurangzeb considered denying the chieftain’s request, but he had included the man in his immediate company to show his favor for Habash Khan and his followers. Such accommodations had to be made. The Habshi were a new and valued addition to his forces as well as close allies of the Maratha chieftains who had come over to him with Shahaji. His treasury was shrinking like a watering hole in the heat of the dry season and when it was completely gone he would have only promises of wealth and position to offer as coin for his troops. That being the case, Aurangzeb counted answering the man’s questions a low price to pay, and waved permission.
“As loyal and God-fearing as this host is, will we not be too exhausted to fight, Shehzada?”
“Did I say we would fight?”
“What other reason, this forced march northward, if not to crush all opposition and secure the throne for you, Shehzada?”
“You do not know?”
“No, I do not.”
“Good. It stands to reason my brother will wonder as well, and perhaps listen to my message.”
“And what message is that, Shehzada?”
“It is for his ears alone.”
A flash of white teeth behind the impressive beard.
“You smile?”
“I do, Shehzada.”
“Why?”
“Forgive my impertinence, Shehzada, but I think I will enjoy learning if Shah Shuja will allow you close enough to speak your message.”
Aurangzeb declined to comment directly, saying instead, “Have you given any thought to why you and the rest of my army continues to address me as Shehzada?”
“I assumed it is because you have yet to win the throne, Shehzada.”
The prince waggled his head. “The throne is but a symbol of the wealth and power of the empire, and a minor one at that. The prince who causes prayers to be said at all the mosques under his control and has fresh coins struck in his name has made clear his claim to the empire.”
“Yet, you have done neither of these things, Shehzada.”
Aurangzeb nodded, watching Habash Khan from under hooded eyes.
“And why not, Shehzada?”
He had attempted to think of all the paths Shah Shuja’s reasoning might take