The Leopard Princess Page 9

  How devastated Rahul had looked as she flew away. And what would Anjuli do now? After getting help for Azhar, Jahani had intended to return for her heart sister.

  She pulled a quilt over her body. She no longer had her bag with Sameela’s quilt or her prayer rug, but she supposed she could pray on the charpai. Surely Qhuda would hear.

  13

  En Route to Haramosh Pass

  Kingdom of Gilit

  Rabb returned to collect Jahani at first light. He was accompanied by the man from the river who brought two fresh horses.

  ‘It is a difficult job, Rabb, even if you do know the guards,’ the man said, ‘and it’s very cold up the mountain at Haramosh Pass. If there are badmarsh you’ll need an extra sword.’

  So they were headed toward the Kingdom of Hahayul. This wasn’t the way Yasmeen predicted her arrival.

  Rabb glanced at Jahani. ‘Do not fear, I am Ali Shah’s most trusted guide. I know these mountains like the bloodlines on my hands.’

  She didn’t like the way his eyes glittered or the way he boasted. Had Ali Shah ordered this abduction or not? She still couldn’t tell. Surely if Rabb was working for Ali Shah he would have left her in Gilit.

  She took a deep breath. ‘Who are you working for? Why have you abducted me?’

  He grinned at her. ‘Getting worried, are you? Let’s just say a very important person will pay a mir’s ransom for you.’

  She looked away from him and noticed the sky. She had never seen such heavy grey clouds hanging so low. Birds flew close to the ground and the normal bazaar noises seemed muted.

  ‘They’re snow clouds,’ Rabb said.

  Jahani couldn’t remember seeing snow fall. It never snowed in Sherwan where she grew up.

  Their trek up the narrow mountain path was hazardous and took all day, but at least Rabb didn’t bother to tie her hands this time. By the afternoon, flakes like tiny shavings of coconut fell around them. She lifted her face to the sky and poked out her tongue. A flake dissolved and she tasted pure water. It was so icy, she pulled her cloak tightly around her body.

  When they stopped to rest the horses, Rabb smiled at her. It was not a true smile – it had layers of calculation that she couldn’t fathom. She felt a chill slip down her back as if snowflakes had fallen there.

  ‘Not long now.’ Rabb kept up his usual monologue. ‘I have been a guide to many armies.’

  His companion chuckled even though Rabb wasn’t amusing.

  ‘I never get lost,’ Rabb said.

  Jahani hoped his loyalties weren’t lost.

  It was dusk when they arrived at Haramosh Pass; the air was so cold and thin that Jahani’s head ached and her breath looked like mist.

  Rabb dismounted. ‘Stay here,’ he ordered and approached the guards.

  ‘What do you want?’ one asked, chafing his hands together.

  ‘We need passes to enter Hahayul,’ Rabb said, looking around.

  Jahani could tell he was nervous. Though he talked confidently, he kept glancing her way.

  Finally a thickset guard punched Rabb in the stomach. ‘Who is this girl?’ another asked.

  ‘Just tell them what they want to hear,’ Rabb’s accomplice said. ‘It’s not worth a beating.’

  ‘I have the shehzadi Dagar Khan is looking for,’ Rabb gasped, ‘and I want the reward.’

  The guard smirked. ‘You’re not in luck for we are not Dagar Khan’s men. We’re in Muzahid Baig’s employ and he’s not giving a reward.’

  Rabb jabbered, backtracking, ‘But of course I don’t really believe in the shehzadi. This girl doesn’t even have red hair. I have been swindled.’

  Jahani dismounted and walked toward the guards. She planted herself in front of the one who had hit Rabb. ‘I only want to visit my family. Please let us pass.’

  ‘How much money do you want?’ Rabb added, regaining his composure.

  Jahani glanced into the tent behind the guards and saw dead bodies wearing their undergarments. No doubt they were Dagar Khan’s men – the guards Rabb had been expecting. In that moment she realised these men were ruthless. She drew Shamsher at the same time the guards drew their swords. Within seconds, Rabb and his friend fled.

  It had been staged, Jahani realised. Rabb was bent on betraying her, but he, too, had been betrayed. She slashed her sword like she had learned at Lake Saiful Maluk, but Jahani wondered if she could manage without directions from Chandi. If only she was mounted on her warhorse.

  Shamsher despatched one man; then another fell with blood flying from his leg. But even with Shamsher, the odds became too great when more armed men rode into the area. She caught sight of a man who looked wild with black matted hair and a long beard. The change of guard, she thought with despair. She continued to fight but, before long, Shamsher was wrested from her grip and there was a sword at her throat.

  Instantly she was surrounded by four armed men. One of them produced rope to tie her hands, but the man who had captured her waved him away. ‘She won’t be escaping now.’ He picked up her sword and she held her breath. If he took Shamsher she was lost.

  After a moment of regarding it appreciatively, he handed the sword to her. ‘I wouldn’t want my sister going to Muzahid Baig’s fort – you may need this.’ There was respect in his tone.

  She held his gaze while she sheathed the sword at her waist. Her cloak fell over it, hiding Shamsher from view.

  ‘We have orders,’ one of the new guards said. ‘Any girl who attempts to enter Hahayul comes with us, whatever the weather.’ He turned to the wild-looking man. ‘You will guide us east.’

  Jahani watched them, her disbelief growing. Where were they taking her now?

  The guide spat out betel juice. ‘It’s madness to travel in weather like this. It’s the verge of the snow season. Your horses won’t make it.’

  ‘Muzahid Baig will not consider the weather an excuse.’

  Jahani tensed.

  ‘And if the girl freezes to death?’ the guide asked.

  ‘Then we’ll kill you. So you’d best take us the easiest and safest way.’

  ‘Then we must go down toward Gilit first.’

  ‘You’re mad. There are troops on the roads heading for Gilit.’

  The guide shrugged his shoulders. ‘We cannot risk the Haramosh Pass. It is already blocked by snow. We must go back and cross the Gilit River to follow the Indus to Skardu.’

  While they argued, a guard lifted Jahani onto a horse, put a blanket over her legs and tied her onto the saddle. How did they think she could escape when there was only one narrow mountain track? She shivered as she watched the kind guard who had given back Shamsher mount and ride away. She sighed. Now she was at the mercy of these ruffians.

  Soon they set off in single file, the guide first with Jahani sandwiched between two armed guards: one was a barrel of a man, the other tall and thin. She made an effort to clear her mind, but one thought slid around like an adder: she had to escape and reach the Kingdom of Hahayul before Ali Shah marched in to declare war with Dagar Khan.

  14

  En Route to Gilit

  Kingdom of Gilit

  Over the past few days Azhar had managed not to fall off the horse Ali Shah had allotted him, despite the pain pulsing from his wound. After the skirmish with Muzahid Baig’s troop, the Makhfi rode above the Indus River. Anjuli rode Chandi behind Azhar, hanging onto her mane as well as the reins. The track hugged the mountain side but often swerved close to the crumbling edges of the cliff. Rocks and stones fell from above and men who had shields kept them raised. Speed was essential but impossible to sustain on such a treacherous path.

  Azhar felt his mount’s every step in his chest. He had never suffered from such a wound before; the agony encompassed everything, even his mind. He’d had terrible nightmares of finding Jahani trapped in a bottomless ravine buried under snow, of reaching for her and losing his footing and falling. He shook his head to clear the image. The falling part of the nightmare was easy to understand. When th
e carpet had fallen it had bucked like a stallion, jolting him awake, but he must have lost consciousness again for he didn’t remember landing. The wonder of this suddenly overtook his heart: the carpet must have saved him. The more he flew it the more astonishing it became. The thought of what could have happened was alarming. He had been that close to dying.

  ‘Hoi,’ Ali Shah called. ‘We’ll stop here.’

  Azhar looked up to see a grassy patch off the track, allowing enough room for them to assemble. A spring bubbled down the rock face, providing ample water.

  A scout rode up quickly to Ali Shah, barely missing Azhar and the other mounted men on his way past.

  ‘A troop of soldiers is following us,’ the scout shouted. ‘They’ll soon be upon us.’

  ‘Friendly?’ Ali Shah’s voice was terse.

  ‘Ji, it’s the retainer troop of Baqir Abbaas, from Naran.’

  Azhar wondered if Hafeezah was still with them. He glanced the way they’d come. The track turned so often, enemies could be a few minutes’ ride away, yet not be visible as they approached. It was a dangerous part of the empire to move a troop.

  The order came to dismount. Azhar obeyed with some difficulty and he leaned against the horse’s flank, breathing slowly to ease the pain. Anjuli alighted beside him and she kissed Chandi’s nose just as Jahani would have. For a moment Azhar thought he would weep. ‘Qhuda, keep her safe,’ he whispered. Chandi rubbed her nose against his cheek and whinnied. It was comforting.

  While they were eating, the troop trotted into their midst. Ali Shah quickly gained their allegiance.

  ‘I am Saman Abdul, commander of Baqir Abbaas’s troop from Naran. We want to ride with you.’ The commander gestured to the armed men behind him. ‘Muzahid Baig killed Baqir Abbaas and his wife. We wish to avenge their deaths and stop Muzahid Baig’s plans of dominion. His schemes will lead to a war against Dagar Khan and our northern kingdoms will suffer.’

  Azhar listened with regret. There had been no time to tell Jahani about Baqir and Zarah. It was easy to feel responsible for their deaths, as he had helped Jahani flee their house on the eve of her wedding to Muzahid. But it was a choice he had to make. If he had to do it again he would still choose to save Jahani’s life.

  ‘Hafeezah!’

  Azhar turned to see Anjuli running toward a familiar figure. Hafeezah was riding Sitarah and leading Azhar’s ­stallion, Rakhsh. It was good to see them again.

  Hafeezah was quick to ride over and dismount. Her face showed its usual care as she hugged Anjuli and took in Azhar’s bandages. ‘You’re injured, acho, dear brother.’

  ‘He was shot by an arrow,’ Anjuli said. ‘And Jahani is missing.’ Her lip quivered.

  Hafeezah stared at her, then lifted a worried face to Azhar. ‘Acho? Isn’t she with the nomads?’

  ‘Someone stole her,’ Anjuli said.

  Azhar cut in. ‘Actually we do not know what happened to Jahani.’ Explaining Jahani’s disappearance to Hafeezah was ­difficult. Tears welled in her eyes and he saw confusion and reproach in her gaze. He could guess what she was thinking: Why haven’t you kept her safe? He bowed his head; he deserved it.

  After Ali Shah and Saman had mapped out a strategy, they set off again. Whenever the track was wide enough, Hafeezah and Anjuli rode beside Azhar.

  ‘What do you think happened to Jahani?’ Hafeezah asked softly.

  ‘I do not know. I was unconscious when she disappeared.’ He glanced at her. ‘The nomad prince is gone also.’

  ‘Was he killed?’ Hafeezah asked.

  Azhar gave a weary shake of his head. ‘I don’t know. He disappeared when Jahani did.’ He glanced at her, hoping his misery didn’t show.

  ‘I see. If he is with Jahani, it is good, isn’t it? Surely he will keep her safe.’

  ‘I hope so, for Jahani’s sake.’ Would Rahul take her back to the nomads or to Hahayul? Azhar had wanted to be the man to deliver Jahani to her kingdom. But it was probably too late for his own desires to be fulfilled. At least Rahul wouldn’t hurt her. He stiffened as he thought of a new possibility: what if another man had abducted Jahani?

  When night fell they camped on the track. Each man slept by his horse, the reins tied around an arm, a sword within reach in case of an ambush.

  Hafeezah checked Azhar’s bandage. ‘You’re young,’ she said, ‘it shouldn’t take long to heal.’ But she looked troubled.

  With Anjuli already asleep nearby, Azhar tried to find the best position so his wound didn’t throb. As he drifted into semi-consciousness his last thought was of Rahul. The nomad prince would protect Jahani if she were with him, but he could also steal her heart.

  In the night Azhar felt hot then cold; he tossed in his blanket until the pain from his wound woke him. When he eventually slept again, he dreamed of Yazan licking his head and rubbing his cheek against Azhar’s.

  We will find her, Shehzada.

  In the light of dawn Azhar woke and looked to see if Anjuli was still sleeping. She was nowhere to be seen. Nor was Chandi.

  He rose carefully. ‘Hafeezah. Kaka, sister, wake up.’ When she opened her eyes, he asked, ‘Did you see anything in the night? Anjuli has gone. Chandi too.’

  She sat up in her blanket. ‘Bey ya, I heard nothing.’

  Azhar shouted for Anjuli; perhaps she had taken Chandi for a walk. The noise brought Ali Shah over. ‘What is the matter?’

  ‘Anjuli is gone. I must go ahead to find her. She is as a sister to Jahani.’

  ‘You must stay with us,’ Ali Shah ordered. ‘It is my duty to keep you safe, especially as Muzahid’s army may be amassing behind us. We are close to Gilit and the rest of the Makhfi.’ He glanced at Azhar. ‘When we get to Gilit I can send a search party.’

  Azhar’s thoughts were grim as he turned back to Hafeezah. Couldn’t he even mind a girl of ten summers? He had lost them both.

  Hafeezah spoke gently. ‘Where do you think Anjuli went?’

  ‘I’m hoping she’s with Chandi. In that case she should be safe.’ He frowned.

  ‘What is the matter, acho? Are you in pain? Should we wait here and catch up when you are better?’

  Azhar grunted. He was always in pain lately and he would forever feel that way if he didn’t find Jahani. He attempted a smile. ‘Ju na, thank you, but I must keep heading north.’

  Yazan filled his mind and he wasn’t sure why. Surely it had just been a dream, and yet a feeling of calm came over him as though he were flying through the night sky without a care in the world.

  15

  Shogrun

  Kingdom of Kaghan

  Rahul rode as if a jinn was on his back. When he’d seen Muzahid on horseback, searching the battle area, his blood had run cold. Muzahid was capable of killing him for not bringing Jahani to Babusar Pass. But he couldn’t betray her. How could he even have considered it?

  He’d followed the Indus River a short while, then crossed the mountains into the Kingdom of Kaghan, stopping only to rest Farah and to sleep a few hours. At the Indus he’d sent Bibi to the nomads with the sign of danger so they would stop moving south. Just where they were now was his task to discover unless Bibi returned with a message from Tafeeq. He had to tell them what was happening in the north.

  He’d travelled much faster than he had with Jahani and Anjuli. Days blended into nights and nights blurred into days until he had no idea how much time had passed. Aunty Yasmeen was right: Jahani was the lost shehzadi. Where did that leave him? Still with his tribe, but without her. She had made her choice climbing onto that carpet. He wiped his eyes clear. She’d be in Hayahul by now, amassing support. He would need to gather support as well.

  Bibi eventually found him south of Lalazar, a message tied to her leg. His tribe were still in the Kingdom of Kaghan. When he finally reached them, the flocks were grazing near Shogrun, not far from the Hazara border.

  He went to his father first. After a bracing hug, Tafeeq took him by the shoulders and studied his face. ‘You look travel weary,’ he frowned, �
�and troubled. Why did you send Bibi? Is Jahani safe?’

  Rahul closed his eyes, the sorrow threatening to spill. He took a deep breath. ‘I think she is. She went north with Azhar.’

  Tafeeq regarded him, waiting, but Rahul said nothing of the carpet. He doubted his father would understand.

  Yasmeen entered with Kamilah close behind her, both carrying curry and chapattis. Yasmeen hugged him, then searched his eyes. ‘Have you taken Jahani north so soon?’

  Tafeeq motioned for them to sit. ‘Eat,’ he said to Rahul, ‘you look as if you will drop.’ He glanced at Rahul’s finger. ‘Has it healed?’

  Rahul tipped his head. He had worse things to worry about than a missing finger.

  ‘And Jahani?’ Yasmeen prompted. ‘She is well?’

  ‘Rahul says Azhar will take her north,’ Tafeeq said, his eye on his son.

  Yasmeen frowned. ‘I have not seen this. Rahul, are you sure he will do this?’

  ‘I expect so.’ Rahul didn’t want to talk about it. He ripped off a piece of chapatti and dipped it into the curry. ‘I have come to take an army to Hahayul.’

  ‘Why need we become involved?’ Tafeeq asked. ‘Will Jahani not have enough support in the northern kingdoms?’

  Rahul suddenly found he was ravenous and finished a few mouthfuls before answering. ‘Muzahid is going to challenge Dagar Khan for the northern kingdoms and the Silk Route.’

  Tafeeq pressed his lips together. ‘So, there will be a war of the kingdoms?’

  Rahul inclined his head. ‘But Jahani doesn’t want a war. You know what will happen – that heavenly place will be destroyed, everyone killed. Also we will lose the pastures we use each year.’

  ‘There are other pastures, beta.’

  ‘I’m afraid there mightn’t be. It won’t stop with Hahayul and Nagir. What about Kaghan and Gilit? Hazara?’