Alamut by Vladimir Bartol

Author:Vladimir Bartol [Bartol, Vladimir]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Published: 2012-12-17T23:00:00+00:00

Abu Ali was waiting for them outside the entrance to the supreme command. He noticed that their faces were feverishly preoccupied. If only they knew what they’re getting into! was the thought that flashed through his mind. Then he spoke.

“Be brave. When you go in, bow deeply until Sayyiduna gives you permission to stand back up. Whomever he speaks to must kiss his hand reverently. Be brief and sincere in your responses. Because Sayyiduna sees into everyone’s soul.”

They climbed up the tower steps. As they reached the Moor at the top, Suleiman practically ran into him. He leapt back in fright, then scanned the floor ahead of him as though he were looking for whatever he had bumped into.

“Even I’d be afraid of this one,” Yusuf whispered to ibn Tahir.

They entered the antechamber, and all three were seized with a great anxiety.

The curtain rose and a resonant voice called out.

“Come in!”

Abu Ali went ahead, and Suleiman followed him boldly. Yusuf’s teeth were chattering. He waited for ibn Tahir to go ahead of him. Then he had no choice but to go in after them.

Next to Buzurg Ummid, whom they already knew, stood a man wearing a simple gray burnoose. A white turban covered his head. He was not tall, nor did he seem fearsome or particularly stern. This was Sayyiduna, the unseen commander of the Ismailis.

They stood next to each other and bowed.

“Fine, that’s fine, friends,” he said.

He approached them, smiling half ironically, half in encouragement.

“I’ve heard about your exploits in the battle with the sultan’s vanguard,” he began. “I’ve called you here to reward you for your loyalty.”

“You, ibn Tahir,” he said, turning toward him, “you have entertained me as much with your poems as you have with the seizure of the enemy’s flag.”

“And you, Suleiman, you have proven yourself to be a daring warrior and an incomparable swordsman. We’ll need you again.”

“And you, dear Yusuf,” he continued with a very peculiar smile, “for assailing the enemy like a roaring lion, you have also earned my praise!”

He offered each one his hand, but so hastily that they barely had time to kiss it.

Their eyes shone with pride. How could he have recognized each one of them without having ever seen them before? Had Abu Ali described them to him so precisely? In that case, their achievements must have been considerable.

The grand dais stood off to the side. Their faces revealed nothing aside from intent curiosity.

Hasan continued.

“Yesterday we tested your abilities, this morning your courage. But we haven’t yet tested you in the most important thing. We have saved this test for this evening. I want to find out how firm your faith is.”

He straightened up and approached Yusuf.

“Do you believe in everything your instructors have taught you?”

“I do, Sayyiduna.”

His voice was timid, but it conveyed genuine conviction.

“And the two of you, ibn Tahir and Suleiman?”

“I believe, Sayyiduna.”

“Do you firmly believe, Yusuf, that the martyr Ali was the Prophet’s sole legitimate heir?”

“I firmly believe, Sayyiduna.”

Yusuf was almost amazed he was asking him these kinds of things.

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