enforcers meet again and open the sealed wrap: if the fingers have fused together, the accused is found guilty, and if they have remained separated, then the accused is found innocent.â
Bin Rahhal had extended his right hand and made an incomplete fist, without the index and middle finger, to illustrate the encounter to the sultan. He continued, âAnd let me tell you, Your Grace, the manâs screams did not suggest his fingers were going to come out unscathed.â
The sultan gave a boisterous laugh and, glancing at the Banyan, said, âShall we bring some boiling oil? Or will you reconsider your price?â
At this point, the Banyan merchant knelt before the sultan and said emphatically, âI will do as you please, Your Grace, but believe me, this is the price this precious ring deserves!â
Bin Rahhal examined the ring again, more thoroughly this time. Made of pure gold, its shank alone was as thick as his little finger. A magnificent diamond centre stone sat on top, guarded on both sides by two intricately engraved demi-lions. The remainder of the ring was decorated with small diamonds that gave the band extra weight and complemented the masterpiece.
A guard entered through the door, and whispered something to the bodyguard standing behind the sultan. Moments later, the bodyguard came and knelt beside the sultan and gave him the message. The sultan nodded his head and signalled to the Banyan merchant to leave. But then, in the manner of someone who had suddenly remembered something, he said, âBuy the ring from him, Bin Rahhal. We shall gift it to the caliph * in Egypt.â
The sultanâs bodyguard gestured to everyone in the
majlis
to leave, except for Bin Rahhal, who stayed close to the sultan.
The sultan, addressing his bodyguard, then commanded, âBring in the messenger.â
The Hormuzi messenger entered the room and walked to where the sultan was sitting. The messengerâs face was gloomy as though he was bearing bad news. He stood infront of the sultan, sat on his knees and bowed his head slightly. The messenger then leaned over and kissed the sultanâs right hand. âPeace be upon you, Great Sultan.â
The sultan was used to receiving many visitors, yet a visit by a messenger from the kingdom of Hormuz was always for a very important reason. Though the sultan paid tributes to the kingdom, he was in fact independent from it and did not have to consult with the king of Hormuz over anything. As the sultan thought of this, he became even more curious as to the purpose of the messengerâs call.
âAnd peace be upon you too, messenger. How was your journey here?â
âIt was clear sailing, Great Sultan, but as soon as we approached Bahrain, the wind died away. We had to row to reach Al-Uqair, and by Godâs grace we had come in a military ship equipped with eight oars. Otherwise, we would have been stranded there until the wind blew again.â
As was the custom for the noblemen of Hormuz, the messenger wore fine linen garments, which India was famous for making. His robes consisted of a mid-calf-length tunic and trousers ornamented with gold trim near the ankles. He wore a turban wrapped in a somewhat unusual manner, with chains of gold and silver attached to its front. The messenger had a silken cummerbund around his waist, in the middle of which was sheathed a small dagger of pure silver.
The Hormuzis were skilled traders and had a powerful fleet. Though Arabic was the official language of the palace, they also had their own dialect, which was a mixture of Arabic, Persian and Hindi. The Hormuzis were mostly ShafiâiMuslims, though there were minorities of Christians, Hindus and pagans in their kingdom.
The servants brought snacks and refreshments to the sultan and his guest. They did this instinctively, knowing the exact moment they should do what pleased the sultan, before he even said anything.
The messenger finished drinking a