Bijapur by Kara Dalkey

Author:Kara Dalkey [Dalkey. Kara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

XII

JASMINE: This plant grows in the East and is very like a vine. It is oft found in gardens there, for it brings forth white flowers that exude a sweet perfume. A tincture of the flowers soothes flights and cares, though oil of this plant is said to excite the senses. A tincture of the leaves eases ailments of the eyes. Because it is thought a flower of beauty and womanly sweetness, it is under the care of the Virgin Mary. It is said that to dream of jasmine is to dream of good fortune....

Thomas stood on the balcony outside his second-story room, overlooking the center of the serai, squinting in the morning sunlight. He had not slept well. ’The soldados in the room beside his had been drunk and loud until late in the night. And some new party had entered the serai, causing much shouting and bellowing of camels, as well as blasts on what had sounded like an ill-blown trumpet.

He now beheld the source of that sound: a great, grey behemoth with enormous ears and a fantastical nose. Atop it was a small, gilded, brightly painted pavillion, furnished with rugs and pillows.

So that is an elephant. The drawings I have seen of such beasts do it no justice. No wonder Hannibal could terrify Rome with an army of them. I wonder whose creature that is, and what important personage arrived in the night. Doubtless Andrew shall tell me.

Thomas heard pounding footsteps on the balcony and turned to see Timoteo running toward him. “Boa manha, little brother. I have not seen you in some while. Has word come from the sultan yet?”

“No, Tomas,” Timoteo said as he clumped to a halt. “No word. The Padre wishes to speak to you—” The boy gasped and his eyes grew wide as he looked into the courtyard. “Elefante!”

“A marvelous beast, isn’t it? Haven’t you seen one before?”

“Only from a distance. Whose is it? Do you think I might ride on it?”

“I am hoping Brother Andrew might tell us. Have you seen him?”

“No, Tomas. But I have not been away from the Padre much.”

“Ah. Is the Padre well? I have not seen him leave his room at all.”

Timoteo looked up with a guilty expression. “I do not know. His body seems well, but his spirit... I do not think he likes what we did, Tomas.”

Thomas frowned. “I wonder what he experienced after he passed over from the fever. If we have snatched him from Heaven, I can understand that he would not be pleased.” Although, if an Inquisitor may pass the gates of Paradise, I am concerned for the nature of God.

“I asked him what he saw after death, but he would not tell me. He said God does not intend for the living to know.”

“That is what I would expect him to say. The first time I used the powder, it was to revive a ship’s carpenter’s apprentice ... a boy not much older than you. He said he saw a white temple full of serpents, or something of that nature.

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