Shadow of God Read Online Free Page B

Sultan.”
    The two men rose, and left together.

    The last months had been so difficult for Piri Pasha. Selim had been sick for years, but toward the end, the pain had intensified his anger and wrath, and many of those close to him had suffered because of it. Piri tried to intervene when his master dispensed cruel and unreasonable punishment upon his subjects. He had been able to prevent a few death sentences from being carried out. But, he could not push too far without risking his own life.
    Piri knew there was nothing the doctor could do for his master. Hamon might be able to bring a little comfort to the Sultan dying in his tent. Piri and Hamon entered the tent, while the young Janissary guards remained outside. Piri led him to Selim’s bedside, stepping back into the dimness to wait. Hamon kneeled on the carpet and examined Selim. He felt for the pulses, and carefully lifted each lid to gaze into the eyes. Then, he gestured for the oil lamp to be brought nearer, as he looked carefully at Selim’s pupils, which were tightly constricted from the opium.
    When the doctor first touched the Sultan, Piri’s hand went instinctively to his sword. He had to restrain himself when anyone touched his master, for he was always at the ready to protect theSultan’s person. So many years as the nearest sword to Selim had made it Piri’s instinct that nobody should get within a sword’s length of his Lord without Piri’s express permission. There was a line in space that no one dared to cross, and it was Piri who defined and defended that line.
    Hamon examined the Sultan for what seemed like a very long time. He pressed his palms against Selim’s chest, and felt inside his robes for the beat of his heart. Then, Hamon placed a thin sheet of silk over the bare breastbone of the Sultan, and laid his ear to Selim’s chest. He listened for the sounds of the heartbeat, the silk preventing his ear from actually touching his Sultan’s skin. He touched the neck and the wrist through the silk as well, and the angle of his jaw trying to find a sign of the blood flowing through the royal vessels. Though understanding of the circulation of the blood would not reach the West for a long time to come, it was already well understood throughout the Arab world.
    Next, he laid a hand upon the skin of Selim’s abdomen, trying to determine a decrease in his body temperature. He lifted the Sultan’s lids again. An expression of shock passed across his face. Now the Sultan’s pupils were fixed and dilated. He turned to Piri Pasha, with resignation in his eyes.
    Piri moved toward the bed and knelt down upon a cushion. “Well?”
    The doctor cast his eyes to the ground. “I am sorry, my Lord, but our Sultan is dead.”
    “You’re certain?” His voice was flat; devoid of emotion.
    “I am, my Lord.”
    Piri rose so suddenly that Hamon reflexively backed away. For a second, he thought that the Grand Vizier was going to draw his long scimitar and strike him dead for bearing this terrible news.
    But, Piri Pasha merely stood over him, his fists clenched. His body and his face were entirely calm. He knew exactly what had to be done, and was relieved that he could now begin. His Emperor’s suffering was over, and now there wasn’t a minute to lose.
    “Stay with the body of the Sultan. Do not allow anybody to enter the tent, nor even view the body from the doorway.” He spokenow as if to an underling; as master to servant. Hamon listened impassively. Piri went on. “Help me to put out the fire, and move the brazier away from the body, so the light of the oil lamp will be the only light in the tent.”
    Piri poured sand into the brazier. Hamon crouched, struggling with the heavy brazier and its still-hot cargo of coals. Together the two men dragged it to the side, away from the body. Piri looked around the tent, and moved several small articles of clothing. He arranged Selim’s personal effects, so that the tent would appear as if all were in order;