Bedtime Stories_ A Collection of Erotic Fairy Tales Part 4

"And just have you pa.s.s them along to Her Highness with more of my compliments?" Wali Daad finished for him, his tone as wry as the twist of his lips. Ha.s.sim grinned, and the gra.s.s cutter sighed. "Fine! Pa.s.s them along to Her Highness with both my and and His Highness's compliments! She undoubtedly has far more need of such fine beasts than I ever would. His Highness's compliments! She undoubtedly has far more need of such fine beasts than I ever would. I I cut gra.s.s for horses. I do not stable and breed them-keep a horse for yourself, if you like," he added, wanting to share such generosity. "For though you may travel that way anyway, you still have gone to great lengths for me in all of this." cut gra.s.s for horses. I do not stable and breed them-keep a horse for yourself, if you like," he added, wanting to share such generosity. "For though you may travel that way anyway, you still have gone to great lengths for me in all of this."

Laughing, Ha.s.sim shook his head. "No, no, my friend; a camel is worth its weight in what it can carry, but horses as fine as these are meant for warriors and queens to ride, not mere humble merchants such as myself. I shall not insult the royal breeding stock of the East by demanding they carry baggage. As I am headed to the West, I shall deliver these fine animals to Her Highness personally, exactly as you request."

"Thank you," Wali Daad replied. "You are a truly worthy friend, Ha.s.sim."

"As are you, Wali Daad," the merchant agreed.

THIS time, after the gift of the horses were presented and a few questions were answered, Her Highness requested that the merchant Ha.s.sim enjoy the delights of her fruit garden while she consulted with her advisors on a suitable reply to this newest gift.

Her grand vizier, an old friend of her father's and a particularly wise n.o.bleman, stroked his beard as they sat in council. "This is a very very impressive gift. While our textiles may be accounted the finest, the royal stables of the West have nothing quite as good as these Eastern stallions and mares. And to send impressive gift. While our textiles may be accounted the finest, the royal stables of the West have nothing quite as good as these Eastern stallions and mares. And to send two two stallions, with the potential to breed them to many more mares as well as the ten fine, four-legged ladies you have been given, Your Highness . . . this is a wealth above and beyond all expectation." stallions, with the potential to breed them to many more mares as well as the ten fine, four-legged ladies you have been given, Your Highness . . . this is a wealth above and beyond all expectation."

"It is, indeed," Princess Ananya agreed. "I cannot help but wonder at the motivation."

"The esteemed merchant was very insistent that this was a gift of admiration, not of expectation," the princess's lady of the exchequery stated. Matronly but still something of a beauty, she deigned to wrinkle her nose in distaste. "But as it is such a generous gift, it does carry an obligation. Your Highness is right; we must wonder at his motivation."

"If there were more ties between the West and the East, such generosity would be less fraught with worry over His Highness's motivation," the chamberlain pointed out. "We are not at war with them by any means, but, well, our dealings with the East have been cordial and polite at best for the last few generations. For His Highness to send these horses . . . !"

"Technically, he sent them to this Wali Daad," the lady of the exchequery pointed out.

"Who in turn sent them on to us," the grand vizier argued. "As he sent the bracelets, crafted by Prince Kavi's own royal jeweler. Is this a prelude to a stronger treaty of trade and peace between our lands?"

"Priceless bracelets and royal steeds?" the chief enchantress snorted. She was originally from the North Kingdom, where wizards and enchanters were found and trained. She was also a plainspoken woman. "They sound more like courting gifts to me! On the eastern edge of the kingdom, where the gra.s.slands stretch long and wide, it is not unusual for a would-be groom to gift the family of a prospective bride with a fine horse. If it is a custom so close to the border on our side, it may be a custom close to the border on their side as well, and His Highness may be trying to subtly capitalize upon such a similarity."

The general of the armies spoke up, joining the argument. "But we do not know know if this is the case." He did not speak often, but when he did, his points were salient. All of the men and women in the room gave him the courtesy of their attention. "Your Highness," he stated, addressing Princess Ananya, "we must ascertain what his motives are. But we must be cautious in doing so and not give offense. As wonderful as these gifts are, we must treat these things carefully." if this is the case." He did not speak often, but when he did, his points were salient. All of the men and women in the room gave him the courtesy of their attention. "Your Highness," he stated, addressing Princess Ananya, "we must ascertain what his motives are. But we must be cautious in doing so and not give offense. As wonderful as these gifts are, we must treat these things carefully."

"My thoughts exactly," Ananya agreed. "If we ask outright if this is a courts.h.i.+p gift and he says no, this could be a point of embarra.s.sment between us, and thus a point of tension between our lands. If it is a courts.h.i.+p gift, and we do not treat it with the respect such an offer deserves at the very least, again we may cause offense. Thus we must probe subtly at His Highness's intentions."

"Do you have an idea, Your Highness?" the grand vizier asked.

"Yes. If this is a prelude to a closer political relations.h.i.+p, it would behoove us to exchange more information about our own cultures. I will therefore send back several gifts: some will be trade goods such as we get from lands beyond our far borders, some will be the finest goods from within our territory, and some shall be books of the history and customs of the West. Among these books, I shall include a few tomes that are my personal favorites. If If this is a prelude to a marriage offer more than a mere treaty," the princess stated, "I would like to know from the onset whether or not His Highness will respect my pa.s.sion for knowledge and respect my tastes in reading material." this is a prelude to a marriage offer more than a mere treaty," the princess stated, "I would like to know from the onset whether or not His Highness will respect my pa.s.sion for knowledge and respect my tastes in reading material."

The others mulled over her choice, and one by one they nodded, coming to an agreement. The lady of the exchequery summed it up neatly. "The books in Your Highness's personal library are the finest in penmans.h.i.+p, ill.u.s.tration, and crafting I have ever seen. They are rare and costly, and would be valuable even to someone who does not read. I suggest you add a personal note or two in some of these books, notes requesting His Highness's opinion of those of custom and history, and opinions of some of your favorites. Or at least a letter suggesting the opening of a personal dialogue between the two of you."

"An excellent suggestion," the chamberlain agreed. "If this is a prelude to a treaty, he will speak of matters of state more than of personal ones. If this is a prelude to a, well, a more intimate level of relations.h.i.+p, he will speak more of personal matters than of national ones."

"It is subtle and strategic. I think this is good," the general approved.

"Plus you will gain insight into the way how he thinks, by studying what he chooses to think about," the chief enchantress added firmly.

"I shall consider carefully what to write in these notes soliciting Prince Kavi's opinions," Princess Ananya stated. "In the meantime, Chamberlain, please arrange for Merchant Ha.s.sim and his caravan to enjoy the delights of the palace. If he and this Wali Daad are the intermediaries between us and the Prince of the East, we should treat the messengers of His Highness with as much courtesy and hospitality as we would show His Highness himself."

"You are indeed as wise as this Wali Daad has proclaimed," the chamberlain murmured, rising and bowing to his liege lady. "It is an honor to serve and obey you."

"AH, Ha.s.sim! Come and break your thirst at my well!" Wali Daad called out as the caravan approached along the road from the West. "I have fresh-cut gra.s.s for your steeds and some fresh-caught river fish for your friends! I was going to smoke it for preserving, but I can always catch more tomorrow."

"Your hospitality is always a delight, and your offer of dinner shall not be turned down, my friend," Ha.s.sim called back, reining in his horse so that he could dismount by the stone troughs.

Wali Daad craned his neck, peering at the strings of horses and camels, of baggage and handlers, before he returned his attention to filling the watering troughs. "You have no gifts for me this time?"

"Oh, the usual . . . but this time it is only a fraction for you. Do you wish to see any of it?" he asked.

"Oh, no," Wali Daad demurred. "I am happy exactly as I am. Please send all of it to His Highness, save only for what you would like to keep for yourself from among the bits reserved for me. But what do you mean only a fraction of it is meant for me? I am curious."

"It is an amusing thing," the merchant informed him. "Her Highness seems to have the impression that these gifts you have been sending her are originally Prince Kavi's idea, as a prelude to strengthening the ties between these two lands . . . and I have decided not to disillusion her. Now, as you are the wisest of men in all the world-or so I have proclaimed to the rulers of both lands-can you tell me why?"

Wali Daad thought about it as his callused hands hauled on the rope again and again. He hadn't quite finished filling the six watering troughs radiating out from the well when the answer came to him. "Peace and prosperity! You think these exchanges of gifts are good for both lands, Ha.s.sim, for it makes each ruler think fondly of the other. Am I right?"

Ha.s.sim chuckled and clasped Wali Daad on the shoulder. "That is exactly exactly right, my friend. I feel as much like an amba.s.sador of peace as a man of business these days. I have been hosted very well by both Highnesses, and while I am very content with my life on the road, it is a delight to see I am spreading a joyful new friends.h.i.+p and a deeper understanding between these two nations, as well as bringing each side the finest goods the other has to offer. Only good can come of this, Wali Daad. Only the best of good!" right, my friend. I feel as much like an amba.s.sador of peace as a man of business these days. I have been hosted very well by both Highnesses, and while I am very content with my life on the road, it is a delight to see I am spreading a joyful new friends.h.i.+p and a deeper understanding between these two nations, as well as bringing each side the finest goods the other has to offer. Only good can come of this, Wali Daad. Only the best of good!"

Equally happy, Wali Daad nodded his age-grayed head and made sure the last of the stone troughs was properly filled.

IT wasn't until almost a full month after Merchant Ha.s.sim's departure that Princess Ananya discovered the book.

She only discovered it because it was raining lightly and she wanted some solitude in which to think. That meant leaving her ladies-in-waiting behind to enjoy the much drier, indoor delights of the palace while she wandered the garden. Demurring to the need for an umbrella boy, she protected herself from the light pattering of rain with the end of her sari held over her head while she moved from gazebo to gazebo, lost in thought. Not until she reached the far pavilion did she find the book, and only because the rain was starting to come down heavier than the silk of her garment could easily have withstood if she'd tried to return at that moment.

Seating herself on one of the cus.h.i.+ons to rest and think, she found herself sitting on something hard and lumpy. Puzzled, Ananya dug under the cus.h.i.+ons and pulled out a jewel-crusted tome. A familiar jewel-crusted tome, with a cover worked in age-darkened silver, amethysts, and rubies. It was one of her favorite books of heroic tales, some of them based on historical fact and others embellished beyond all recognition of any kernel of an authentic origin.

It was also one of the books she had s.h.i.+pped off to His Highness.

This cannot be right; this is the book I tucked my letter into, inviting His Highness to consider discussing the contents of my personal favorites! I know know I ordered this one packed. I ordered this one packed. She looked out at the increasing rain beyond the carved stone and wood walls of the broad gazebo, and debated risking the hissing downpour it was becoming. The thought of the book in her hands-even if it was the wrong book-stopped her from leaving just yet. Books were too valuable to risk getting wet. She looked out at the increasing rain beyond the carved stone and wood walls of the broad gazebo, and debated risking the hissing downpour it was becoming. The thought of the book in her hands-even if it was the wrong book-stopped her from leaving just yet. Books were too valuable to risk getting wet.

Which makes me even madder that someone should hide it here, of all places. Covered by a pillow, yes, but otherwise exposed to the weather. But . . . who would do such a thing? And why? . . . And where is my letter? she thought suddenly. Without the letter, Prince Kavi wouldn't know these books were not just a personal gift from her, but a chance to open a dialogue between the two of them, to hopefully draw the two rulers closer in understanding and perhaps even into a friends.h.i.+p. Peace between their lands was good, but peace was always fragile without more ties than just a treaty or two to strengthen it. she thought suddenly. Without the letter, Prince Kavi wouldn't know these books were not just a personal gift from her, but a chance to open a dialogue between the two of them, to hopefully draw the two rulers closer in understanding and perhaps even into a friends.h.i.+p. Peace between their lands was good, but peace was always fragile without more ties than just a treaty or two to strengthen it.

By the time the downpour had eased, Princess Ananya was confident the letter was not in the pavilion. She had turned everything upside down that could be turned upside down, moved everything from one side to the other and back, and worked up quite a sweat in the process. The exertion was good, since it kept her warm in the rain-cooled air, but it left her disheveled rather than composed. Doing her best to repair her appearance, she straightened the folds of her sari. Lacking a mirror, she was checking her neatly braided and bejeweled hair with her fingertips when the chamberlain approached, two umbrella boys in tow: one to shelter himself and the other clearly for her.

"Your Highness," he said in greeting, bowing along with the teenaged boys. "I would not disturb your meditations, but it is nearly time for the afternoon pet.i.tions to be heard."

"Yes, of course," she agreed, doing her best to s.h.i.+ft her mind from the mystery of the book to the needs of her people. Except she couldn't quite let it go. "I have a task for you. This is one of the books that should should have gone east with the merchant Ha.s.sim, the one acting on behalf of Wali Daad and Prince Kavi of the East. It was the book that had my letter of correspondence hopes tucked within it, yet I cannot find the letter, and I should not have this book in my hands here and now. Would you please find out what happened for me while I attend to the requests of our people?" have gone east with the merchant Ha.s.sim, the one acting on behalf of Wali Daad and Prince Kavi of the East. It was the book that had my letter of correspondence hopes tucked within it, yet I cannot find the letter, and I should not have this book in my hands here and now. Would you please find out what happened for me while I attend to the requests of our people?"

"Of course, Your Highness-I am as puzzled as you," he added, "for I thought I saw this very book being placed into the chest when I checked on the maids, which was just as they finished their packing."

"I will trust you to be thorough in the investigation and to bring all of your findings to me," Ananya instructed him, smoothing a wayward wisp of dark brown hair behind her ear. Her maidservants would tell her if she needed a moment more to look presentable, but if the chamberlain had come personally to fetch her, then the hour of pet.i.tions was very near. "We will hold off any punishments until we know why this has happened, as well as how. Right now, mostly I want to know how. how."

THE truth was revealed shortly after supper. Bowing himself into her presence as Her Highness sat in consultation on a point of taxes with her lady of the exchequery, the chamberlain brought with him Princess Ananya's cousin, Pritikana. He pushed the younger woman to her knees before Her Highness with a heavy hand upon her shoulder.

"This is the one who took the book, Your Highness." is the one who took the book, Your Highness."

Pritikana tried a smile on her cousin. She was not nearly as wise or as learned as her cousin, but she was sweet by nature. "I meant no harm by it, dear cousin. It was just a book! And I made sure to put another book in its place. I even tucked your letter into it, because I figured you wouldn't want that to be left behind."

Feeling the beginnings of a headache coming on, Princess Ananya frowned at her cousin. "Why would you take a book-one which I had personally selected for His Highness to read-and keep it for yourself?"

"Because I hadn't finished reading it, of course! But it's all right, for I just put in another book of tales," Pritikana offered. "You were going to give one book of tales, so I figured another one would be acceptable. And I made sure it also had a cover of silver and rubies, so it would be just as pretty."

Sitting back, Ananya calculated which of her books of tales were bedecked with silver and ruby gems. There weren't many on the list, but there were enough to need it narrowed down a bit more. "Do you remember which which book of tales it was?" book of tales it was?"

"It was the one I didn't like, but which you did," Pritikana replied blithely. Her smile slipped a little as her royal cousin frowned. "Er . . . the one about the very strange people. With the story of the princess on the gla.s.s hill? Only it wasn't a gla.s.s hill, but the moon, and they were talking about many strange and boring things which I couldn't understand."

In the entire of the Her Highness's collection there was only one book with a tale about a woman who lived on the moon . . . and yes, it was a book that she did indeed like. A lot. Ananya was glad she was already seated, for she would have fallen down from shock as all the blood left her head in horrified realization. Dizzy, she felt the lady of the exchequery patting her face and bathing her wrists with water from one of the goblets on the table.

"Highness, Highness, please. Surely it isn't that bad?" the lady of the exchequery asked her as she roused out of her half swoon. "Is your cousin wrong? Is it a book you hated?"

"No," Ananya croaked, throat dry with trepidation. She reached for her own goblet and had to steady it with both hands in order to take a drink. "No . . . that isn't isn't the case. I liked that book for the case. I liked that book for other reasons other reasons. My fool of a cousin never got past the first few pages and never read the rest of each story. Did you?"

Pritikana shook her head, her brown eyes wide with confusion. "It was full of strange words and concepts-you know, the sort of thing you you like to read about. With strange sciences and wild speculations, and a very bizarre way of life. I didn't like it at all. But I thought that, if you liked it, and you're very smart, then His Highness might like it, for he also is reputed to be smart. And I knew you wanted to send him books that you yourself liked, to see if the two of you had anything in common. I also knew you really like reading that book at the end of a long day, for I've heard the maids mention how they've found it on your bedside table many a time in the mornings." like to read about. With strange sciences and wild speculations, and a very bizarre way of life. I didn't like it at all. But I thought that, if you liked it, and you're very smart, then His Highness might like it, for he also is reputed to be smart. And I knew you wanted to send him books that you yourself liked, to see if the two of you had anything in common. I also knew you really like reading that book at the end of a long day, for I've heard the maids mention how they've found it on your bedside table many a time in the mornings."

Ananya felt the blood rus.h.i.+ng back into her face. "Pritikana . . . you should not have been named for 'a little bit of love'-you should have been named Piki after the cuckoo cuckoo bird! That was a book of bird! That was a book of erotic erotic tales! tales! Very erotic Very erotic tales!" tales!"

"Oh, my!" the lady of the exchequer gasped, paling.

The chamberlain clutched at his silk-clad chest. "G.o.ds in Heaven, preserve us!"

Ananya set the goblet back on the table before her hands could shake out its remaining contents. "If His Highness wasn't contemplating the thought of anything more than peace and prosperity between our two lands before this point . . . he will be now now! Particularly since my thoughtless thoughtless, selfish selfish cousin put into cousin put into that that particular book the very letter inviting him to particular book the very letter inviting him to discuss its contents with me discuss its contents with me!"

Pritikana buried her face in her hands, hiding from Princess Ananya's glare.

"It has been too many days to send anyone after that caravan, even at the pace of heavily laden horses and camels," the chamberlain murmured, still rubbing at his tunic-clad chest. "We cannot stop the book from arriving . . . but maybe we can have our chief enchantress contact his chief wizard? Maybe he hasn't received the book yet?"

Ananya found herself shaking her head before her thoughts caught up with her subconscious instincts.

"No . . . no, we will not mention this unless he he mentions this," the ruler of the West explained, reasoning it out aloud. "If His Highness mentions this," the ruler of the West explained, reasoning it out aloud. "If His Highness is is interested in a marriage possibility, to deny the book we sent him would be seen as a discouragement and possibly an insult. If he is offended that it was sent at all . . . interested in a marriage possibility, to deny the book we sent him would be seen as a discouragement and possibly an insult. If he is offended that it was sent at all . . . how how he reacts in his offense will tell us much about his character and reveal much about how any deeper treaties between our two lands will be handled. And if he he reacts in his offense will tell us much about his character and reveal much about how any deeper treaties between our two lands will be handled. And if he is is offended, we will plead our ignorance that it was sent, explain how it came to be sent at all, and apologize profusely at that time. Not before. offended, we will plead our ignorance that it was sent, explain how it came to be sent at all, and apologize profusely at that time. Not before.

"No, this is a monsoon we will simply have to endure." Her gaze sharpened, focusing on her kinswoman, who was still hiding her face. "In the meantime, cousin cousin . . . I shall have to punish you. Your selfish act of bad karma, wanting to keep and read a book which I had specifically set aside for someone else, will have to be balanced. You are hereby a.s.signed to the city hospice, where you will report to the sisters of the G.o.ddess of compa.s.sion. Under their orders and instruction, you will bathe and feed and tend to the needs of the crippled and the ill, and you will spend your days comforting the dying, until such time as we know the fallout from this trouble you have caused. . . . I shall have to punish you. Your selfish act of bad karma, wanting to keep and read a book which I had specifically set aside for someone else, will have to be balanced. You are hereby a.s.signed to the city hospice, where you will report to the sisters of the G.o.ddess of compa.s.sion. Under their orders and instruction, you will bathe and feed and tend to the needs of the crippled and the ill, and you will spend your days comforting the dying, until such time as we know the fallout from this trouble you have caused.

"If I did not know you are a sweet creature at heart as well as a silly silly one, I would have had you locked in the dungeons. But I would rather find a better use for you. Be gone from my sight!" Flicking her hands, which were bedecked at the wrist with the same pearl-encrusted bracelets the wise man Wali Daad had first sent, Ananya dismissed her cousin. one, I would have had you locked in the dungeons. But I would rather find a better use for you. Be gone from my sight!" Flicking her hands, which were bedecked at the wrist with the same pearl-encrusted bracelets the wise man Wali Daad had first sent, Ananya dismissed her cousin.

Sinking back in her chair, Her Highness prayed that Heaven had given Prince Kavi of the East a high tolerance for honest mistakes, and a very healthy sense of humor.

PRINCE Kavi was so aroused, he couldn't stand. Which made it a good thing he had decided to save reading this book-after skimming its pages and realizing its true content-until the end of the day. Lying on his side in his bed, with one hand propping up his head and the other fondling his loins, he reread the first of the stories contained in this astounding tome sent to him by the equally astonis.h.i.+ng Princess Ananya of the West.

Some of the trade goods this time around had been spices and fruits, some of them minerals and gems. Rare oils and perfumes from far-off lands. Included with such mundane items had been a collection of books on various aspects of Western life and land. Some of the tomes on religion and custom, history and law had contained notes penned by Her Highness, offerings to discuss any differences and similarities between their two nations in the effort to "get to know our dear Eastern neighbors that much better, in order to cultivate a greater peace and understanding, and to emphasize the many things we have in common as fellow human beings." A smaller number within the proffered selection consisted of books which Princess Ananya apparently enjoyed reading for pleasure and relaxation, not merely for information.

This book, one of the books in the chest designated for Her Highness's personal favorites, had contained a note as well. An invitation for the two rulers of the East and the West to "get to know each other on a personal level, to see how much we might ourselves have in common as two fellow intelligent, learned humans having renowned interest in exploring the many facets of thought and understanding, from the factual to the fanciful. I hope you find yourself enjoying this particular book as thoroughly as I myself do. After all, at the end of each day, we are human beings as well as rulers of mighty nations . . ." book, one of the books in the chest designated for Her Highness's personal favorites, had contained a note as well. An invitation for the two rulers of the East and the West to "get to know each other on a personal level, to see how much we might ourselves have in common as two fellow intelligent, learned humans having renowned interest in exploring the many facets of thought and understanding, from the factual to the fanciful. I hope you find yourself enjoying this particular book as thoroughly as I myself do. After all, at the end of each day, we are human beings as well as rulers of mighty nations . . ."

Well, I certainly fancy her her way of thinking, way of thinking, Kavi thought, eyeing the sensual descriptions of the lovers enjoying an intimate interlude in their strange, science-heavy universe. Kavi thought, eyeing the sensual descriptions of the lovers enjoying an intimate interlude in their strange, science-heavy universe. Too many n.o.blewomen think they must be prim in order to be proper, and this throttling of natural feelings leads them to be stiff and formal in their private lives as well as their public ones. Too many n.o.blewomen think they must be prim in order to be proper, and this throttling of natural feelings leads them to be stiff and formal in their private lives as well as their public ones.

That was one of the leading reasons why he hadn't married yet. Kavi wanted a wife who was his intellectual equal, who understood the burdens of leaders.h.i.+p, who could share those burdens, yes to all of that. But he also wanted a wife who could be be a wife as well as a queen, as he wanted to be a husband in addition to being a king. Women who were prudish because they thought it was the proper thing to do weren't going to make the kind of wife he wanted, and women who were pa.s.sionate weren't always capable of being proper in public. On top of these considerations, he needed a woman with the level of education necessary to be his equal. a wife as well as a queen, as he wanted to be a husband in addition to being a king. Women who were prudish because they thought it was the proper thing to do weren't going to make the kind of wife he wanted, and women who were pa.s.sionate weren't always capable of being proper in public. On top of these considerations, he needed a woman with the level of education necessary to be his equal.

I will not settle for anything less than an equal, unless I have no other choice, he repeated silently, enjoying the stroking of his fingers. A smile curled up the corner of his mouth. he repeated silently, enjoying the stroking of his fingers. A smile curled up the corner of his mouth. It seems as if Heaven is smiling upon me, for here is a woman whom all report to be as cultured as she is wise . . . yet she clearly has a pa.s.sionate nature deep inside . . . and a requirement for the same in me, to have asked me to discuss her It seems as if Heaven is smiling upon me, for here is a woman whom all report to be as cultured as she is wise . . . yet she clearly has a pa.s.sionate nature deep inside . . . and a requirement for the same in me, to have asked me to discuss her favorite favorite book of tales with her . . . book of tales with her . . .

My suspicions have been confirmed, he thought, satisfied mentally, if not yet physically. She She does does want to discuss a marriage as well as a treaty. From everything I've heard, she'd make any man a magnificent wife. A marriage between us would unite our lands and bring greater prosperity for all . . . but she could have selected a worthy enough man from her own realm, rather than run the risk of possibly being rejected by the lord of a rival nation. Even though I rule the East and could have any woman within the boundaries of my own kingdom . . . I am flattered she has chosen to send all these gifts to me, of all possible men . . . want to discuss a marriage as well as a treaty. From everything I've heard, she'd make any man a magnificent wife. A marriage between us would unite our lands and bring greater prosperity for all . . . but she could have selected a worthy enough man from her own realm, rather than run the risk of possibly being rejected by the lord of a rival nation. Even though I rule the East and could have any woman within the boundaries of my own kingdom . . . I am flattered she has chosen to send all these gifts to me, of all possible men . . .

The thought of the gifts she had sent, and this book in particular, made him frown in sudden thought. He would have to consult with his cabinet of advisors on what else to send: spices and herbs from his own lands and the realms of lands farther east, pashmina goats for their wool, and rare woods meant for carving, and of course books on the history and customs of the East, with annotated letters of his own pointing out whatever similarities he might find. And of course the good merchant Ha.s.sim shall have to enjoy my hospitality for a few more days as I quickly devote my time to And of course the good merchant Ha.s.sim shall have to enjoy my hospitality for a few more days as I quickly devote my time to finding finding those similarities, so that I can take her more publicly proper requests as seriously as they deserve . . . but answering those similarities, so that I can take her more publicly proper requests as seriously as they deserve . . . but answering this this book requires a very personal touch. book requires a very personal touch.

I shall have to think . . . heh . . . long and hard about what to send back to her personally when I send all the other goods. Smirking, Prince Kavi rolled onto his back and finished sating himself with both hands, thinking about all the things he might send to share with Her Highness his own opinions on such important, intimate matters. It can't just be another book, though I think I shall send her one of my own favorite erotic tomes, in the hope she will like it as much as I like this one. No, I should send her something extraordinary on top of all the other gifts, to rea.s.sure her of my appreciation of her pa.s.sionate nature . . . and soothe any hesitancies she may have had over sending such a bold, personal, and . . . mmm . . . intimate gift . . . It can't just be another book, though I think I shall send her one of my own favorite erotic tomes, in the hope she will like it as much as I like this one. No, I should send her something extraordinary on top of all the other gifts, to rea.s.sure her of my appreciation of her pa.s.sionate nature . . . and soothe any hesitancies she may have had over sending such a bold, personal, and . . . mmm . . . intimate gift . . .

THIS time, Ha.s.sim rode a full hour ahead of his caravan. His current mission troubled him, and the nature of it had prompted him to rise early, saddle his mare, and instruct the members of his caravan to take their time in following him, giving them an admonishment to keep their lips sealed as to the location and the nature of Wali Daad.

His solitary approach caused the weather-browned face of the aging gra.s.s cutter to wrinkle further. Wali Daad hurried to meet him, calling out as he approached, "Ha.s.sim, my friend! Have you lost your caravan? What ill fortune has fallen upon you? Tell me the G.o.ds have not turned their back upon you you, of all people?"

"No, no, my old friend. I come alone only because I come ahead of my camels and men," Ha.s.sim rea.s.sured him. "They are on their way."

He let Wali Daad lead his horse by the reins to the troughs, where the gra.s.s cutter left him to fetch the first bundle of hay. Ha.s.sim dismounted and started drawing the water from the well to satisfy his mare's thirst. Once the animal was comfortable, with her tack removed so that it could air dry as she rested, the two men retreated to the shade cast by the eaves of the thatched roof and a bench Wali Daad had thoughtfully bought with his meager h.o.a.rd of saved pennies.

"If you come early, you must have a strong reason to leave your men to follow," Wali Daad reminded him, pouring water into a cup for the merchant.

Ha.s.sim nodded, sipping at the liquid. It was a plain pottery cup, not the fine blown-gla.s.s goblets he had drunk from at the palaces of the West and the East, but the taste of Wali Daad's simple well water was just as fine as any of the wines he had sampled. "I come because there are not just goods in this caravan. There is also a contingent of guards, and a woman."

Wali Daad frowned, scratched his head in puzzlement, and frowned again. "She isn't a gift for me me, is she?"

"No, no. You have been sent the usual-fruits and spices and carvings from the East," Ha.s.sim said dismissively. "No, the woman and the soldiers guard a casket said to come from the hands of Prince Kavi himself, the contents of which are to go into the hands of Princess Ananya herself, and no other. And the woman who rides with us, she is the mistress of the chambers!"

Ha.s.sim said it with awe in his voice. Wali Daad blinked. "What does that mean?"

The merchant flushed behind his beard, then grinned. "The mistress of the chambers-I believe the West has a master of the chambers as well, though I am not completely sure-is the person who instructed His Highness in the courtly art of pa.s.sion pa.s.sion."

Wali Daad blinked again. "Forgive me my friend, but . . ." He flopped his hands loosely on his linen-covered lap. "Well, I do not understand. Why would His Highness send his lover to Her Highness, if all this going back and forth-which we started-is now happening because they are seeking to unite their two kingdoms in marriage?"

"It is because of the gift she brings, which she brings as a rea.s.surance that though it must not be placed into anyone's hands but Princess Ananya's, it will not harm Her Highness," Ha.s.sim explained. "I was told all of this so that I, too, would know what would happen. She will kneel with her head under a sword blade while Her Highness accepts this mysterious gift, and willingly offer up her life in punishment if it harms the Flower of the West even by the tiniest bit."

Wali Daad sat back against the stone and plaster wall of his hut, absorbing this extraordinary news. Ha.s.sim sipped at his water, then smiled.

"She told me herself how she volunteered for the job also to personally rea.s.sure Her Highness that His Highness was properly properly instructed in how to please a woman, as is the custom of the Eastern lands. Since it seems His Highness instructed in how to please a woman, as is the custom of the Eastern lands. Since it seems His Highness is is very much interested in pursuing the possibility of these two rulers and their two lands wedding together as one." very much interested in pursuing the possibility of these two rulers and their two lands wedding together as one."

The gra.s.s cutter rubbed at his age-salted hair and finally shrugged. "The ways of the highest ranks in both lands escapes me . . . but I will hope Her Highness is not insulted by this visit, and pray she sees this as a good thing. I am a simple man, and I lead a simple life. Perhaps I missed out on pa.s.sion, but I find my joy in other things, and I am content. Who am I to question the ways of those with more complex lives?"

"Yes, well, it is because of this woman and the guards who accompany her that I have come early to meet with you, my friend," Ha.s.sim cautioned him. "I have not said who you are, other than the wisest, most generous man I know. Or rather, I have not mentioned how you live and what you do for your living. I did not do so out of shame-you have taught me by example that the man who is content with his life is the happiest, healthiest, and wealthiest of men, and there is no shame in that, only something worthy of honor in my eyes-but I kept silent because I did not know how you you would feel to have yourself revealed. would feel to have yourself revealed.

"You are as you say you are, a simple man who leads a simple life," Ha.s.sim said, gesturing at the cottage, the well, the troughs, and the hay shed. "To reveal this simplicity to others might complicate matters beyond what you might find comfortable. So I have come ahead of my caravan to ask you if we should reveal who you are, or keep your ident.i.ty private."

Wali Daad blinked and sat in thoughtful silence, absorbing his merchant friend's words. He sat for so long that the line formed by Ha.s.sim's caravan came into view in the distance, rising up out of the rippling stalks of gra.s.s as they followed the road from the East Kingdom. Ha.s.sim did not pressure Wali Daad for an answer, but did rise with the intent of filling the rest of the stone troughs with water for his animals and men.

Sighing heavily, Wali Daad rose to follow him. "I think it best to keep my ident.i.ty a secret. I may have started this because I could not shut my trapdoor on all the pennies I had collected, but this has become far greater than you or I, my friend. We have played our parts in the start of it, but the blessings of Heaven have taken over. It would be presumptuous to claim anything more."

Ha.s.sim nodded. "I thought you might feel that way. So. You shall simply be the gra.s.s cutter with the well and the sweet hay at this stop along our journey. Though I ask that you do not hesitate to greet the mistress of the chambers; I wish your opinion of her . . . since if Prince Kavi and Princess Ananya wed, she will need some other occupation. It may be presumptuous of me to say this, and I may be reaching beyond the stars themselves . . . but she and I have been getting along very well on this journey. Her name is Bhanuni, and she seems to me at least half as wise and beautiful as Her Highness. A jewel who might be out of my reach . . . but one for which I feel I must strive."

Wali Daad nodded at his wheelbarrow. "Then I shall fetch the sweet hay and collect my pennies for it as usual, and give the kindest of greetings to the mistress of the chambers for your sake, my friend."