I AM YOUR BELOVED UNCLE
Myfunerallendid,exactlyasI’dwamademeproudthateverybodyI’dwishedwouldattendcame.OfthevizierswhowereinIstanbulatthetimeofmydeath,HajiHüseyinPashaofCyprusandBakiPashatheLameloyallyrememberedthatI’dreensiveserviatoimeorahepreseheMinisterofAts,RedMelekPasha,who,atthetimeofmydeathwasbothinhighfavorandmuchcriticized,ehehumblecourtyardhborhoodmosque.HadIlivedandtinuedanactivepoliticallife,Iwould’vebeenpromotedtothesamerankasMustafaAgha,theSultan’sChiefHerald,whosepresenceespeciallydelightedme.Themournersstitutedalarge,dignifiedandimpressivegroupthatincludedtheDivaaryKemalettinEffendi,ChiefSecretarySalimEffenditheAustere,theheraldsoftheDivan—eachofwhomwaseitheradearfriendoranaremy—agroupofformerDivancillorswhnedearlyfromactivepoliticallife,myschoolfriends,otherswho’dsomehowlearnedofmydeath—Iaginehoworwhere—andvariousotherrelatives,in-lawsandyouths.
Ialsotookprideinthegregation,itsseriousnessanditsgrief.ThepreseheHeadTreasurerHaz1mAghaandtheaheImperialGuardmadecleartoallinattendaHisExcellencyOurSultanwassincerelyaggrievedbymyuntimelydeath.Iwas,indeed,verypleasedbythis.Idon’tknowwhetherthesorrowloriousSultanmeaeffortswillbemadetocatchmyroguemurderer,includingthemobilizationoftorturers,butIdoknowthis:thataccursedmanisnowinthecourtyard,amoherminiaturistsandcalligraphers,wearingadignifiedandexceedinglytormentedexpressionashegazesatmycoffin.
Pray,don’tthinkthatI’minfuriatedbymymurdererorthatI’msetonapathofrevenge,oreventhatmysoulisrestlessbecauseI’vebeentreacherouslyandcruellyslain.Iam,atpresent,onapletelydifferentplaneofbeing,andmysoulisquiteatpeace,haviuroitsfloryafteryearsofsufferih.
Mysoultemporarilyquittedmybody,whichwaswrithinginpainasitlaycoveredinbloodfromtheblowsoftheinkpot,andquiveredforawhilewithinanintenselight;afterward,twobeautifulandsmilingangelswithfacesbrightasthesun—suchasI’dreadabouttlesstimesintheBookoftheSoul—sloroachedmewithinthisetherealbrilliance,grabbedmebymyarms,asifIwerestillabody,aheirast.Eversoserenelyaly,eversoquicklyweasdedasifinablissfuldream!Wepassedthroughforestsoffire,fordedriversoflightandfeddarkseasandmountainsofsnowandice.Eachcrossingtookusthousandsofyears,thoughitseemednomorethantheblinkofaneye.
WeasdedthroughthesevenHeavens,passingvarietiesofgatherings,peculiarcreatures,marshesandcloudsswarmingwithaninfinitevarietyofisandbirds.AteachlevelofHeaven,theangelwholedthewaywouldknoaportal,ahequestion,“Whogoesthere?”camefrombeyond,theangelwoulddescribemeincludingallmynamesandattributes,summingupbysaying,“AnobedientservaedAllah!”—whichwouldbringtearsofjoytomyeyes.Iknew,however,thattherewereyetthousandsofyearsbeforetheDayofJudgmehosedestinedforHeavenwouldbeseparatedfromthosedestinedforHell.
Myassion,exceptforafewminordifferences,happenedjustthewayGazzali,ElJevziyyeandendaryscholarsdescribedintheirpassagesoh.Eternalpuzzlesanddarkenigmasthatonlythedeadmightuandwerenowbeingrevealedandilluminated,burstingforthbrilliantlyonebyohousandsofcolors.
Oh,howmightIadequatelydescribethehuesIsawduringthisexquisitejourhewholeworldofcolor,everythingwascolor.JustasIsehattheforceseparatingmefromallotherbeingsandobjectssistedofcolor,Inowkhatitwascoloritselfthathadaffeatelyembracedmeandbouheworld.Isawe-huedskies,beautifulleaf-greenbodies,browneggsandlegendarysky-bluehorses.TheworldwasfaithfultotheillustrationsandlegendsthatI’davidlyscrutinizedovertheyears.IbeheldCreationwithaweandsurpriseasifforthefirsttime,butalsoasifit’dsomehowemergedfrommymemory.WhatIcalled“memory”tainedaireworld:Withtimespreadoutinfinitelybeforemeinbothdires,IuoodhowtheworldasIfirstexperiecouldpersistafterwardasmemory.AsIdiedsurrouhisfestivalofcolor,IalsodiscoveredwhyIfeltsorelaxed,asifI’dbeeedfromastraitjacket:Fromnowon,nothingwasrestricted,andIhadunlimitedtimeandspawhichtoexperienceallerasandallplaces.
AssoonasIrealizedthisfreedom,withfearaasyIknewIwasclosetoHim;atthesametime,Ihumblyfeltthepresenceofanabsolutelymatchlessred.
Withinashortperiod,redimbuedall.Thebeautyofthiscolorsuffusedmeandthewholeuniverse.AsIapproachedHisBeinginthismanner,Ihadtheurgetocryoutinjubilation.IwassuddenlyashamedtobetakenintoHispresence,drenchedinbloodasIwas.AnotherpartofmymindrecalledwhatI’dreadinbooksoh,thatHewouldenlistAzraelandHiselstosummooHispresence.
WouldIbeabletoseeHim?Iwasn’tabletobreatheoutofexcitement.
Theredapproagme—theomredwithinwhichalltheimagesoftheuniverseplayed—wassomagnifitaifulthatitquiedmytearstothinkIwouldbeepartofitandbesoclosetoHim.
ButIalsoknewHe’denoclosertomethanHealreadyhad;He’dinquiredaboutmefromHisangelsandthey’dpraisedme;HesawmeasaloyalservantboundtoHisasandprohibitions;andHelovedme.
Mymountingjoyandflowingtearstlypoisonedbyanaggingdoubt.Guilt-riddenandimpatientinmyuainty,IaskedHim:
“Overthelasttwentyyearsofmylife,I’vebeeninflueheinfidelillustrationsthatIsawinVeherewasevenatimewhenIwantedmyownportraitpaihatmethodandstyle,butIwasafraid.Instead,IlaterhadYourWorld,YourSubjedOurSultan,YourShadowoh,
depictedinthemaheinfidelFranks.”
Ididn’trememberHisvoice,butIrecalledtheanswerHegavemeinmythoughts.
“Eastabelongtome.”
Icouldbarelytaiement.
“Allrightthen,whatisthemeaningofitall,ofthis…ofthisworld?”
“Mystery,”Iheardinmythoughts,orperhaps,“mercy,”butIwasaiher.
Bythewaytheangelshadenearme,Iknewsomesortofdecisionhadbeenmadeaboutmeatthisheightoftheheavens,butI’dhavetowaitinthedivinebalanceofBerzahwiththemassofothersoulswho’ddiedoverthelasttensofthousandsofyearsuntiltheDayofJudgment,whenthefinaldecisionaboutuswouldbemade.Thateverythingtranspiredthewayitwasrecordedinbookspleasedme.IrecalledfrommyreadingsasIdesdedthatI’dbereuhmybodyduringmyburial.
ButIquicklyuoodthatthephenomenonof“reenteringmylifelessbody”wasjustafigureofspeech,thankgoodness.Despitetheirsorrow,thedignifiedfuneralgregationthatfilledmewithpridewasastonishinglyanizedasitshoulderedmycoffiheprayersanddesdedintothelittleHillockCemeterybesidethemosque.Fromabove,theprocessionappearedlikeathinanddelicatelength.
Letmeclarifymysituation:Asmightbeinferredfromthewell-knownlegendofOurProphet—whichstates“ThesoulofthefaithfulisabirdthatfeedsfromthetreesofHeaven”—afterdeath,thesoulroamsthefirmament.AsclaimedbyAbu?merbinAbdülber,theinterpretationofthislegemeanthatthesoulwillpossessabirdorevenbeeabirditself,butasthelearnedElJevziyyeaptlyclarifies,itmeansthatthesoulbefoundwherebirdsgather.ThespotfromwhichIwasthings,whattheVeianmasterswholoveperspectivewouldcallmy“pointofview,”firmedElJevziyye’sinterpretation.
FromwhereIwas,forexample,Icouldbothseethethreadlikefuneralprocessioeringthecemetery,andwiththepleasureofanalyzingapainting,watchasailboatgainingspeed,itssailsgonwindasittackedtoalacePoint,wheretheGoldenHorheBosphorus.LookingdownfromtheheightofamihewholeworldresembledamagnifitbookwhosepagesIwasexaminingonebyone.
Still,Icouldseemuchmorethanamanwho’dsimplyasdedtosuchheightswithouthissoulhavihisbody,andfurthermore,IcouldseeitallatoheothersideoftheBosphorus,beyondüsküdar,amonggravestonesiyyard,childrenplayingleapfrog;thegracefulprogressionoftheVizierofDiplomaticAffair’sca?quepropelledbysevenpairsofoarsmentwelveyearsandsevenmonths
ago,whenweapaheVeianambassadorfromhisseasidemansiontobereceivedbytheGrandVizier,BaldRagipPasha;aportlywomaninthenewLangabazaarholdingahugeheadofcabbagelikeachildshewasabouttonurse;myelatioheDivanHeraldRamazanEffendidied,openingthewayformyownadva;howIstaredasachildfrommygrandmother’slapatredshirtswhilemymthelaundrytodryinthecourtyard;howIrantodistantneighborhoodsinsearchofthemidwifewhenShekure’smother,maysherestinpeace,hadgoolabor;thelocationoftheredbeltI’dlostoverfortyyearsago(IknownowthatVasfistoleit);thesplendidgardeniaI’ddreamedaboutowenty-oneyearsago,whichIprayAllahwillonedayfirmisHeaven;theseveredheads,noses,andearssenttoIstanbulbyAliBey,theGoverneneralofGeia,whosuppressedtherebelsiressofGori;andmybeautiful,dearShekure,whoseparatedherselffromtheneighborhoodwomenmovermeinthehouseandstaredintotheflamesofthebrickstoveinourcourtyard.
Asisrecordedinbooksandfirmedbyscholars,thesouldwellsinfourrealms:1.thewomb;2.theterrestrialworld;3.Berzah,ordivinelimbo,whereInowawaitJudgmentDay;and4.HeavenorHell,whereIwillarriveaftertheJudgment.
FromtheintermediatestateofBerzah,pastatimeappearatondaslongasthesoulremainswithinitsmemories,limitationsofplaotobtain.Onlywhenoneescapesthedungeonsoftimeandspacedoesitbeesevidentthatlifeisastraitjacket.Howeverblissfulitisbeingasoulwithoutabodyintherealmofthedead,sotooisbeingabodywithoutasoulamongtheliving;itynobodyrealizesthisbeforedying.Therefore,duringmylovelyfuneral,asIgrievouslywatchedmydearShekurewearherselfoutweepinginvain,IbeggedofExaltedAllahtograntussouls-without-bodiesinHeavenandbodies-without-soulsinlife.
ITISI,MASTEROSMANYouknowaboutthoseorneryoldmenwho’vecharitablydevotedtheirlivestoart.They’llattayonewhogetsintheirway.They’reusuallygaunt,bonyandtall.They’llwantthedwindlingnumberofdaysbeforethemtobejustlikethelongperiodthey’veleftbehind.They’reshort-tempered,andtheyplainabouteverything.They’lltrytograbthereinsinallsituations,causingeveryonearouhrowuptheirhandsinfrustration;theydon’tlikeanyoneoranything.Iknow,becauseI’mohem.
ThemasterofmastersNurullahSelimChelebi,withwhomIhadthehonorofmakingillustratiookhesameworkshop,wasthiswayiies,whenIwasbutasixteen-year-oldapprehoughhewasn’taspeevishasIamnow).BlondAli,thelastofthegreatmasters,laidtorestthirtyyearsago,wasalsothisway(thoughhewasn’tasthinandtallasIam).Sihearrowsofcriticismaimedattheselegendarymasters,whodirectedtheworkshopsoftheirdaynowfrequentlystrikemeintheback,Iwantyoutoknowthatthehaeyedaccusationsleveledatusareentirelyunfouhesearethefacts:
1.Thereasonwedon’tlikeanythinginnovativeisthatthereistrulynothingnewworthliking.
2.Wetreatmostmenlikemoronsbecause,indeed,mostmenaremorons,notbecausewe’repoisonedbyanger,unhappinessorsomeotherflawincharacter.(Grareatingthesepeoplebetterwouldbemorerefinedandsensible.)
3.ThereasonIfetandfusesomanynamesandfaces—exceptthoseoftheminiaturistsI’velovedandtrainedsiheirapprenticeships—isnotsenility,butbecausethesenamesandfacesaresolacklusterandcolorlessastobehardlyworthremembering.
DuringthefuneralofEnishte,whosesoulrematurelytakenbyGodbecauseofhisownfoolishness,ItriedtetthatthedeceasedhadatoimecausedmeuionableagonybyfmetoimitatetheEuropeanmasters.Onthewayback,Ihadthefollowingthoughts:blindnessah,thosegiftsbestowedbyGod,arenotsofarfrommenow.Ofcourse,Iwillberememberedonlysolongasmyillustrationsandmanuscriptscauseyoureyestoprandflowersofblisstobloominyourhearts.Butaftermydeathletitbeknownthatinmyoldage,attheveryendofmylife,therewasstillplentythatmademesmile.Forinstance:
1.Children—Theyrepresentwhatisvitalintheworld.
2.Sweetmemoriesofhandsomeboys,beautifulwomen,paintingwellandfriendships.
3.SeeierpiecesoftheoldmastersofHerat—thisotbeexplaiheuninitiated.
Thesimplemeaningofallofthis:InOurSultan’sworkshop,whichIdirect,magnifitworksofartolongerbemadeastheyoncewere—auationwilloworse,everythingwilldwindleanddisappear.IampainfullyawarethatwequiterarelyreachthesublimeleveloftheoldmastersofHerat,despitehavinglovinglysacrificedourentirelivestothiswork.Humblyacceptingthistruthmakeslifeeasier.Iispreciselybecauseitmakeslifeeasierthatmodestyissuchahighlyprizedvirtueinourpartoftheworld.
WithanairofsuchmodestyIwastougupanillustrationintheBookofFestivities,whichdescribedthecircumcisionceremoniesofourprince,whereinictedtheEgyptianGoverneneral’spresentationofthefollowinggifts:agold-chasedsworddecoratedwithrubies,emeralds,andturquoiseonaswatchofredvelvetaheGoverneneral’sproud,lightningfastandspiritedArabianhorseswithawhiteblazeonitsnoseandasilvery,gleamingcoat,fullyappoihagoldbitandreins,stirrupsofpearlandgreenish-yellowchrysoberyl,andaredvelvetsaddleembellishedwithsilverthreadandrubyrosettes.Withafliybrush,hereandthere,Iwastouguptheillustration,whosepositionIhadarrangedwhiledelegatingtherenderingofthehorse,thesword,theprihespebassadorstovariousapprentices.IappliedpurpletosomeoftheleavesoftheplaheHippodrome.Idabbedyellowupoan-buttonsoftheTatarKhan’sambassador.AsIwasbrushingasparseamountofgoldwashontothehorse’sreins,somebodykhedoor.Iquit
whatIwasdoing.
Iterialpageboy.TheHeadTreasurerhadsummohepalace.Myeyesachedeversomildly.Iplacedmymagnifyinglensinmypocket,awiththeboy.
Oh,howistowalkthroughthestreetsafterhavingworkedwithoutabreakforsolong!Atsuchtimes,thewholeworldstrikesoneasinalandstunning,asifAllahhadcreateditallthedaybefore.
Inoticedadog,moremeaningfulthanallthepicturesofdogsI’deverseen.Isawahorse,alessercreationthanwhatmymasterminiaturistsmightmake.IspiedaplaheHippodrome,thesametreewhoseleavesI’djustnowatedwithtonesofpurple.
StrollingthroughtheHippodrome,whoseparadesI’dillustratedoverthelasttwoyears,waslikesteppingintomyownpainti’ssayweweretoturndownastreet:InaFrankishpainting,thiswouldresultinoursteppingoutsideboththeframeandthepainting;inapaintingmadefollowingtheexampleofthegreatmastersofHerat,it’dbringustotheplawhichAllahlooksuponus;inaesepainting,we’dbetrapped,becauseeseillustrationsareinfinite.
Thepageboy,Idiscovered,wasn’ttakiheDivanChamberwhereIoftehtheHeadTreasurertodiscussohefollowing:themanuscriptsandoredostricheggsoriftsmyminiaturistswerepreparingforOurSultan;thehealthoftheillustratorsortheHeadTreasurer’sownstitutionandpeaind;theacquisitionofpaint,goldleaforothermaterials;theusualplaintsandrequests;thedesires,delights,demandsanddispositionoftheRefugeoftheWorld,OurSultan;myeyesight,mylookingglassesormylumbago;ortheHeadTreasurer’sgood-for-nothingson-in-laworthehealthofhistabbycat.Silently,weeheSultan’sPrivateGarden.Asifittingacrime,butwithgreatdelicacy,weserenelydesdedtowardtheseathroughthetrees.“We’renearingtheSea-SideKiosk,”Ithought,“thismeansIwillseetheSultan.HisExcellencymustbehere.”Butweturnedoffthepath.Wewalkedaheadafewstepsthroughthearcheddoorwayofastonebuildingbehindtherowboatandca?quesheds.Icouldsmellthestofbakingbreadwaftingfromtheguard’sbakerybeforecatgsightoftheImperialGuardthemselvesintheirreduniforms.
TheHeadTreasurerandtheaheImperialGuardweretogetherinoneroom:AngelandDevil!
Theander,whoperformedexecutionsinthenameofOurSultanonthepalacegrounds—whotortured,interrogated,beat,blindedandadmihebastinado—smiledsweetlyatme.Itwasasifsomepiddlinglodger,withwhomIwasforcedtoshareacaravansarycell,weregoingtoretaheart-warmingstory.
TheHeadTreasurerdiffidentlysaid,“OurSultan,oneyearprior,chargedmewithhavinganilluminatedmanuscriptpreparedunderditionsoftheutmostprivacy,amanuscriptthatwouldbeincludedamosmeantforanambassadorialdelegation.Inlightofthesecrecyofthebook,HisExcellencydid
appropriatethatMasterLokmantheRoyalHistorianbeenlistedtowritethemanuscript.Similarly,Hediduretoinvolveyou,whoseartistryHequiteadmires.Indeed,HesupposedthatyouwerealreadyfullyehtheBookofFestivities.”
UpoeringthisroomIhadabruptlyassumedthatsomewretchhadslanderedme,claimingthatIwasittingheresyinsud-suillustrationandthatI’dlampooheSninanother;IimagihhorrorthatthistattlerhadbeeoviheSnofmyguiltandthatIwasabouttobelaidoutfortorturewithnosideratie.AndsotohearthattheHeadTreasurerwassimplytryingtomakeamendsforOurSultan’shavingissionedamanuscriptfromanoutsider—thesewordsweresweeterthanhoneyindeed.Withoutlearninganythingnew,Ilisteoanatofthemanuscript,aboutwhichIwasalreadywellaware.IrivytotherumorsaboutHojaofErzurum,andnaturally,totheintrigueswithintheworkshop.
“Whoisresponsibleforpreparingthemanuscript?”Iasked.
“EnishteEffendi,asyouknow,”saidtheHeadTreasurer.Fixinghisgazeintomyeyes,headded,“Youwereawarethathediedanuntimelydeath,thatistosay,thathewasmurdered,weren’tyou?”
“Nay,”Isaidsimply,likeachild,andfellquiet.
“OurSultanisquitefurious,”theHeadTreasurersaid.
ThatEnishteEffendiwasaduhemasterminiaturistsalwaysmockedhimforbeingmorepretentiousthanknowledgeable,moreambitiousthanintelligent.Iknewsomethingwasrottenatthefuneralanyway.Howwashekilled,Iwondered?
TheHeadTreasurerexplailyhoalling.DearGodprotectus.Yetwhocouldberesponsible?
“TheSultanhasdecreed,”saidtheHeadTreasurer,“thatthebookiionshouldbefinishedassoonaspossible,aswiththeBookofFestivitiesmanuscript…”
“Hehasalsomadeaseddecree,”saidtheaheImperialGuard.“If,ihisunspeakablemurdererisoheminiaturists,Hewantstheblack-hearteddevilfouendstosenteoapunishmentsuchaswillstandasadeterrenttooneandall.”
AnexpressionofsuchexcitementappearedonthefaceoftheanderasiftosuggesthealreadykhemonstrouspunishmentOurSultanhaddecreed.
IkhatOurSultanhadolychargedthesetwomenwiththistask,therebyfthemtocooperate—onwhichattheycouldn’thidetheirdistasteevennow.SeeingthisinspiredinmealovefortheSultanthatwentbeyondmereawe.Aservantboyservedcoffeeaforawhile.
IwastoldthatEnishteEffendihadanephewnamedBlackEffendiwhomhe’dcultivated,amantrainedinilluminationandbookarts.HadImethim?Iremainedsilent.Ashortwhileago,upontheinvitationofhisEnishte,BlackhadreturnedfromthePersianfront,wherehewasunderSerhatPasha’sand—theandershotmealookofsuspi.Here,inIstanbul,heworkedhimselfintohisEnishte’sgoodgradlearhestoryofthebookwhosecreationEnishtewasoverseeing.BlackclaimedthatafterElegantEffendiwaskilled,Enishtesuspectedohemasterminiaturistswhovisitedhimatnighttoworkonthismanuscript.He’dseentheillustrationsthesemastershadmadeandsaidthatEnishte’smurderer—theselfsamepainterwhostoletheSultan’sillustrationwiththelion’sshareofgoldleaf—wasohem.Fortwodays,thisyoungBlackEffendihadcealedthedeathofEnishtefromthepaladtheHeadTreasurer.Withinthatveryteriod,he’drushedaheadwithamarriagetoEnishte’sdaughter,ahicallyandreligiouslydubiousaffair,aledintoEnishte’shouse;thus,boththemenbeforemesideredBlackasuspect.
“Iftheirhousesandworkplacesaresearchedandthemissingpageturnsupwithoneofmymasterminiaturists,Black’sinnocewillbeestablishedatonce,”Isaid.“Frankly,however,Itellyouthatmydearestchildren,mydivinelyinspiredminiaturists,whomI’veknownsiheyrentices,areincapableoftakingthelifeofanotherman.”
“AsforOlive,StorkandButterfly,”saidtheander,moglyusingtheniamesI’daffeatelygiventothem,“weiobtheirhomes,haunts,placesofworkand,ifapplicable,shops,leavingnostourned.AndthatincludesBlack…”Hisexpressionbespnation:“GivensuchtroublesomecircumstahankGod,thejudgehasgranteduspermissiototortureifnecessarydurierrogationofBlackEffendi.Torturewasdeemedlawfullypermissiblebecauseaseurderhadbeenittedagainstsomeohalinktotheminiaturistsguild,makingsuspectsofthemall,fromappreomaster.”
Imulledthisoversilently:1.Thephrase“lawfullypermissible”madeclearthatOurSultanwasn’ttheonewho’dgrahepermissionfortorture.2.Becausealltheminiaturistswereundersuspiofdoublemurderintheeyesofthejudge,andbecauseI,thoughHeadIlluminator,hadbeenuoidentifythecriminalinourmidst,I,too,wassuspect.3.IuoodthattheywantedmyexpliplicitapprovaltogoaheadwiththetortureofmybelovedButterfly,Olive,Storkahers,allofwhom,iyears,hadbetrayedme.
“SinceOurSultandesiresboththesatisfactorypletionoftheBookofFestivitiesandthisbook—whichisevidentlyonlyhalffinished,”saidtheHeadTreasurer,“we’reworriedthatthtdamagethemasters’handsandeyes,destroyingtheiragility.”Hefacedme.“Isn’tthisso?”
“Therewassimilarworryoveranotheriretly,”saidtheanderbrusquely.“AgoldsmithandajewelerwhodidrepairsfellswaytotheDevil.Theywerechildishlyentedwitharuby-handledcoffeecupbelongingtoOurSultan’syoungersisterNejmiyeSultan,andendedupstealingit.Siheftofthecup,whichoverwhelmedOurSultan’ssisterwithgrief—shewasquitefondofthe
piece—occurredintheüsküdarPalace,theSnappoioiigate.ItbecameapparentthatbothOurSultanandNejmiyeSultanwantednoharmtoetotheeyesandfingersofthemastergold-andjewelrysmithslesttheirskillsbeaffected.So,Ihadallthemasterjewelrysmithsstrippednakedandthrownintothefreezingpoolintheyardamongpiecesofidfrogs.Periodically,I’dhavethemtakenoutandlashedforcefully,takingcarethattheirfadhandsremainedunharmed.Withinashortperiod,thejewelerwho’dbeeheDevilfessedandacceptedhispunishmeetheice-coldwater,thefrozenairandallthelashings,nolastinginjurycametotheeyesandfingersofthemasterjewelersbecausetheywerepureofheart.EveaiohatHissisterwasquitepleasedwithmyworkandthatthejewelerswerewwithmorezealnowthatthebadapplewasoutofthebarrel.”
Iwascertainthattheanderwouldtreatmymasterillustratorsmoreseverelythahejewelers.ThoughhehadrespectforOurSultahusiasmforilluminatedmanuscripts,likemanyothers,hedeemedcalligraphytheonlyrespectableartform,belittlingembellishmentandillustrationasflirtationswithheresy,fitforwomenanddeservingofnothingbutrebuke.Ioprovokeme,hesaid,“Whileyou’vebeenabsorbedinyourwork,yourbelovedminiaturistshavealreadybegunschemingtoseewho’llbeeHeadMiniaturistuponyourdeath.”
WasthisgossipIhadn’talreadyheard?Hadheinformedmeofsomethingnew?Restrainingmyself,Ididn’trespond.TheHeadTreasurerwasmorethanawareofthefuryIfelttowardhimforissioningamanuscriptfromthatdeceasedhalf-witbehindmybadtowardmyingrateminiaturists,who’dsecretlypreparedtheseillustrationstocurryfavorandearrasilvers.
Icaughtmyselfpthemethodsoftorturethatmightbeinflicted.Theywouldtoflayingdurierrogation,becausethatiablyleadstodeath.Theywouldn’timpaleaher,astheydowithrebels,becausethat’susedasadeterrent.Cragandsplinteringthefingers,armssoftheseminiaturistswasalsooutofthequestion.Ofcourse,theremovalofaneye—whichIgatheredwasameasureofincreasingfrequencythesedays,tojudgebythegrowingnumbersofone-eyedpeopleoreetsofIstanbul—wouldbeinappropriateformasterartists.So,asIimaginedmydearminiaturistsinasecludederoftheRoyalPrivateGarden,thereintheice-coldpoolamoerlilies,shiveringviolentlyandglaringhatefullyatoher,Ihadthepassingurgetolaugh.heless,itcausedmeagonytoimaginehowOlivewouldshriekwhenhishindquarterswerebrahahotironandhowdearButterfly’sskinwouldpalewhenhewasshackled.IcouldojuretheseofdearButterfly—whoseskillandloveforilluminatihttearstomyeyes—ashewasgiveinadolikeaonthievingapprentice.Ijuststoodtheredumbfoundedandhollow.
Myelderlymindwasmuteuhespellofitsowninternalsileherewasatimewhenwe’dpainttogetherassionthatmadeusfeteverything.
“ThesemehemostexpertminiaturistsservingOurSultan,”Isaid.“Makecertainnoharmbefallsthem.”
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Ialsotookprideinthegregation,itsseriousnessanditsgrief.ThepreseheHeadTreasurerHaz1mAghaandtheaheImperialGuardmadecleartoallinattendaHisExcellencyOurSultanwassincerelyaggrievedbymyuntimelydeath.Iwas,indeed,verypleasedbythis.Idon’tknowwhetherthesorrowloriousSultanmeaeffortswillbemadetocatchmyroguemurderer,includingthemobilizationoftorturers,butIdoknowthis:thataccursedmanisnowinthecourtyard,amoherminiaturistsandcalligraphers,wearingadignifiedandexceedinglytormentedexpressionashegazesatmycoffin.
Pray,don’tthinkthatI’minfuriatedbymymurdererorthatI’msetonapathofrevenge,oreventhatmysoulisrestlessbecauseI’vebeentreacherouslyandcruellyslain.Iam,atpresent,onapletelydifferentplaneofbeing,andmysoulisquiteatpeace,haviuroitsfloryafteryearsofsufferih.
Mysoultemporarilyquittedmybody,whichwaswrithinginpainasitlaycoveredinbloodfromtheblowsoftheinkpot,andquiveredforawhilewithinanintenselight;afterward,twobeautifulandsmilingangelswithfacesbrightasthesun—suchasI’dreadabouttlesstimesintheBookoftheSoul—sloroachedmewithinthisetherealbrilliance,grabbedmebymyarms,asifIwerestillabody,aheirast.Eversoserenelyaly,eversoquicklyweasdedasifinablissfuldream!Wepassedthroughforestsoffire,fordedriversoflightandfeddarkseasandmountainsofsnowandice.Eachcrossingtookusthousandsofyears,thoughitseemednomorethantheblinkofaneye.
WeasdedthroughthesevenHeavens,passingvarietiesofgatherings,peculiarcreatures,marshesandcloudsswarmingwithaninfinitevarietyofisandbirds.AteachlevelofHeaven,theangelwholedthewaywouldknoaportal,ahequestion,“Whogoesthere?”camefrombeyond,theangelwoulddescribemeincludingallmynamesandattributes,summingupbysaying,“AnobedientservaedAllah!”—whichwouldbringtearsofjoytomyeyes.Iknew,however,thattherewereyetthousandsofyearsbeforetheDayofJudgmehosedestinedforHeavenwouldbeseparatedfromthosedestinedforHell.
Myassion,exceptforafewminordifferences,happenedjustthewayGazzali,ElJevziyyeandendaryscholarsdescribedintheirpassagesoh.Eternalpuzzlesanddarkenigmasthatonlythedeadmightuandwerenowbeingrevealedandilluminated,burstingforthbrilliantlyonebyohousandsofcolors.
Oh,howmightIadequatelydescribethehuesIsawduringthisexquisitejourhewholeworldofcolor,everythingwascolor.JustasIsehattheforceseparatingmefromallotherbeingsandobjectssistedofcolor,Inowkhatitwascoloritselfthathadaffeatelyembracedmeandbouheworld.Isawe-huedskies,beautifulleaf-greenbodies,browneggsandlegendarysky-bluehorses.TheworldwasfaithfultotheillustrationsandlegendsthatI’davidlyscrutinizedovertheyears.IbeheldCreationwithaweandsurpriseasifforthefirsttime,butalsoasifit’dsomehowemergedfrommymemory.WhatIcalled“memory”tainedaireworld:Withtimespreadoutinfinitelybeforemeinbothdires,IuoodhowtheworldasIfirstexperiecouldpersistafterwardasmemory.AsIdiedsurrouhisfestivalofcolor,IalsodiscoveredwhyIfeltsorelaxed,asifI’dbeeedfromastraitjacket:Fromnowon,nothingwasrestricted,andIhadunlimitedtimeandspawhichtoexperienceallerasandallplaces.
AssoonasIrealizedthisfreedom,withfearaasyIknewIwasclosetoHim;atthesametime,Ihumblyfeltthepresenceofanabsolutelymatchlessred.
Withinashortperiod,redimbuedall.Thebeautyofthiscolorsuffusedmeandthewholeuniverse.AsIapproachedHisBeinginthismanner,Ihadtheurgetocryoutinjubilation.IwassuddenlyashamedtobetakenintoHispresence,drenchedinbloodasIwas.AnotherpartofmymindrecalledwhatI’dreadinbooksoh,thatHewouldenlistAzraelandHiselstosummooHispresence.
WouldIbeabletoseeHim?Iwasn’tabletobreatheoutofexcitement.
Theredapproagme—theomredwithinwhichalltheimagesoftheuniverseplayed—wassomagnifitaifulthatitquiedmytearstothinkIwouldbeepartofitandbesoclosetoHim.
ButIalsoknewHe’denoclosertomethanHealreadyhad;He’dinquiredaboutmefromHisangelsandthey’dpraisedme;HesawmeasaloyalservantboundtoHisasandprohibitions;andHelovedme.
Mymountingjoyandflowingtearstlypoisonedbyanaggingdoubt.Guilt-riddenandimpatientinmyuainty,IaskedHim:
“Overthelasttwentyyearsofmylife,I’vebeeninflueheinfidelillustrationsthatIsawinVeherewasevenatimewhenIwantedmyownportraitpaihatmethodandstyle,butIwasafraid.Instead,IlaterhadYourWorld,YourSubjedOurSultan,YourShadowoh,
depictedinthemaheinfidelFranks.”
Ididn’trememberHisvoice,butIrecalledtheanswerHegavemeinmythoughts.
“Eastabelongtome.”
Icouldbarelytaiement.
“Allrightthen,whatisthemeaningofitall,ofthis…ofthisworld?”
“Mystery,”Iheardinmythoughts,orperhaps,“mercy,”butIwasaiher.
Bythewaytheangelshadenearme,Iknewsomesortofdecisionhadbeenmadeaboutmeatthisheightoftheheavens,butI’dhavetowaitinthedivinebalanceofBerzahwiththemassofothersoulswho’ddiedoverthelasttensofthousandsofyearsuntiltheDayofJudgment,whenthefinaldecisionaboutuswouldbemade.Thateverythingtranspiredthewayitwasrecordedinbookspleasedme.IrecalledfrommyreadingsasIdesdedthatI’dbereuhmybodyduringmyburial.
ButIquicklyuoodthatthephenomenonof“reenteringmylifelessbody”wasjustafigureofspeech,thankgoodness.Despitetheirsorrow,thedignifiedfuneralgregationthatfilledmewithpridewasastonishinglyanizedasitshoulderedmycoffiheprayersanddesdedintothelittleHillockCemeterybesidethemosque.Fromabove,theprocessionappearedlikeathinanddelicatelength.
Letmeclarifymysituation:Asmightbeinferredfromthewell-knownlegendofOurProphet—whichstates“ThesoulofthefaithfulisabirdthatfeedsfromthetreesofHeaven”—afterdeath,thesoulroamsthefirmament.AsclaimedbyAbu?merbinAbdülber,theinterpretationofthislegemeanthatthesoulwillpossessabirdorevenbeeabirditself,butasthelearnedElJevziyyeaptlyclarifies,itmeansthatthesoulbefoundwherebirdsgather.ThespotfromwhichIwasthings,whattheVeianmasterswholoveperspectivewouldcallmy“pointofview,”firmedElJevziyye’sinterpretation.
FromwhereIwas,forexample,Icouldbothseethethreadlikefuneralprocessioeringthecemetery,andwiththepleasureofanalyzingapainting,watchasailboatgainingspeed,itssailsgonwindasittackedtoalacePoint,wheretheGoldenHorheBosphorus.LookingdownfromtheheightofamihewholeworldresembledamagnifitbookwhosepagesIwasexaminingonebyone.
Still,Icouldseemuchmorethanamanwho’dsimplyasdedtosuchheightswithouthissoulhavihisbody,andfurthermore,IcouldseeitallatoheothersideoftheBosphorus,beyondüsküdar,amonggravestonesiyyard,childrenplayingleapfrog;thegracefulprogressionoftheVizierofDiplomaticAffair’sca?quepropelledbysevenpairsofoarsmentwelveyearsandsevenmonths
ago,whenweapaheVeianambassadorfromhisseasidemansiontobereceivedbytheGrandVizier,BaldRagipPasha;aportlywomaninthenewLangabazaarholdingahugeheadofcabbagelikeachildshewasabouttonurse;myelatioheDivanHeraldRamazanEffendidied,openingthewayformyownadva;howIstaredasachildfrommygrandmother’slapatredshirtswhilemymthelaundrytodryinthecourtyard;howIrantodistantneighborhoodsinsearchofthemidwifewhenShekure’smother,maysherestinpeace,hadgoolabor;thelocationoftheredbeltI’dlostoverfortyyearsago(IknownowthatVasfistoleit);thesplendidgardeniaI’ddreamedaboutowenty-oneyearsago,whichIprayAllahwillonedayfirmisHeaven;theseveredheads,noses,andearssenttoIstanbulbyAliBey,theGoverneneralofGeia,whosuppressedtherebelsiressofGori;andmybeautiful,dearShekure,whoseparatedherselffromtheneighborhoodwomenmovermeinthehouseandstaredintotheflamesofthebrickstoveinourcourtyard.
Asisrecordedinbooksandfirmedbyscholars,thesouldwellsinfourrealms:1.thewomb;2.theterrestrialworld;3.Berzah,ordivinelimbo,whereInowawaitJudgmentDay;and4.HeavenorHell,whereIwillarriveaftertheJudgment.
FromtheintermediatestateofBerzah,pastatimeappearatondaslongasthesoulremainswithinitsmemories,limitationsofplaotobtain.Onlywhenoneescapesthedungeonsoftimeandspacedoesitbeesevidentthatlifeisastraitjacket.Howeverblissfulitisbeingasoulwithoutabodyintherealmofthedead,sotooisbeingabodywithoutasoulamongtheliving;itynobodyrealizesthisbeforedying.Therefore,duringmylovelyfuneral,asIgrievouslywatchedmydearShekurewearherselfoutweepinginvain,IbeggedofExaltedAllahtograntussouls-without-bodiesinHeavenandbodies-without-soulsinlife.
ITISI,MASTEROSMANYouknowaboutthoseorneryoldmenwho’vecharitablydevotedtheirlivestoart.They’llattayonewhogetsintheirway.They’reusuallygaunt,bonyandtall.They’llwantthedwindlingnumberofdaysbeforethemtobejustlikethelongperiodthey’veleftbehind.They’reshort-tempered,andtheyplainabouteverything.They’lltrytograbthereinsinallsituations,causingeveryonearouhrowuptheirhandsinfrustration;theydon’tlikeanyoneoranything.Iknow,becauseI’mohem.
ThemasterofmastersNurullahSelimChelebi,withwhomIhadthehonorofmakingillustratiookhesameworkshop,wasthiswayiies,whenIwasbutasixteen-year-oldapprehoughhewasn’taspeevishasIamnow).BlondAli,thelastofthegreatmasters,laidtorestthirtyyearsago,wasalsothisway(thoughhewasn’tasthinandtallasIam).Sihearrowsofcriticismaimedattheselegendarymasters,whodirectedtheworkshopsoftheirdaynowfrequentlystrikemeintheback,Iwantyoutoknowthatthehaeyedaccusationsleveledatusareentirelyunfouhesearethefacts:
1.Thereasonwedon’tlikeanythinginnovativeisthatthereistrulynothingnewworthliking.
2.Wetreatmostmenlikemoronsbecause,indeed,mostmenaremorons,notbecausewe’repoisonedbyanger,unhappinessorsomeotherflawincharacter.(Grareatingthesepeoplebetterwouldbemorerefinedandsensible.)
3.ThereasonIfetandfusesomanynamesandfaces—exceptthoseoftheminiaturistsI’velovedandtrainedsiheirapprenticeships—isnotsenility,butbecausethesenamesandfacesaresolacklusterandcolorlessastobehardlyworthremembering.
DuringthefuneralofEnishte,whosesoulrematurelytakenbyGodbecauseofhisownfoolishness,ItriedtetthatthedeceasedhadatoimecausedmeuionableagonybyfmetoimitatetheEuropeanmasters.Onthewayback,Ihadthefollowingthoughts:blindnessah,thosegiftsbestowedbyGod,arenotsofarfrommenow.Ofcourse,Iwillberememberedonlysolongasmyillustrationsandmanuscriptscauseyoureyestoprandflowersofblisstobloominyourhearts.Butaftermydeathletitbeknownthatinmyoldage,attheveryendofmylife,therewasstillplentythatmademesmile.Forinstance:
1.Children—Theyrepresentwhatisvitalintheworld.
2.Sweetmemoriesofhandsomeboys,beautifulwomen,paintingwellandfriendships.
3.SeeierpiecesoftheoldmastersofHerat—thisotbeexplaiheuninitiated.
Thesimplemeaningofallofthis:InOurSultan’sworkshop,whichIdirect,magnifitworksofartolongerbemadeastheyoncewere—auationwilloworse,everythingwilldwindleanddisappear.IampainfullyawarethatwequiterarelyreachthesublimeleveloftheoldmastersofHerat,despitehavinglovinglysacrificedourentirelivestothiswork.Humblyacceptingthistruthmakeslifeeasier.Iispreciselybecauseitmakeslifeeasierthatmodestyissuchahighlyprizedvirtueinourpartoftheworld.
WithanairofsuchmodestyIwastougupanillustrationintheBookofFestivities,whichdescribedthecircumcisionceremoniesofourprince,whereinictedtheEgyptianGoverneneral’spresentationofthefollowinggifts:agold-chasedsworddecoratedwithrubies,emeralds,andturquoiseonaswatchofredvelvetaheGoverneneral’sproud,lightningfastandspiritedArabianhorseswithawhiteblazeonitsnoseandasilvery,gleamingcoat,fullyappoihagoldbitandreins,stirrupsofpearlandgreenish-yellowchrysoberyl,andaredvelvetsaddleembellishedwithsilverthreadandrubyrosettes.Withafliybrush,hereandthere,Iwastouguptheillustration,whosepositionIhadarrangedwhiledelegatingtherenderingofthehorse,thesword,theprihespebassadorstovariousapprentices.IappliedpurpletosomeoftheleavesoftheplaheHippodrome.Idabbedyellowupoan-buttonsoftheTatarKhan’sambassador.AsIwasbrushingasparseamountofgoldwashontothehorse’sreins,somebodykhedoor.Iquit
whatIwasdoing.
Iterialpageboy.TheHeadTreasurerhadsummohepalace.Myeyesachedeversomildly.Iplacedmymagnifyinglensinmypocket,awiththeboy.
Oh,howistowalkthroughthestreetsafterhavingworkedwithoutabreakforsolong!Atsuchtimes,thewholeworldstrikesoneasinalandstunning,asifAllahhadcreateditallthedaybefore.
Inoticedadog,moremeaningfulthanallthepicturesofdogsI’deverseen.Isawahorse,alessercreationthanwhatmymasterminiaturistsmightmake.IspiedaplaheHippodrome,thesametreewhoseleavesI’djustnowatedwithtonesofpurple.
StrollingthroughtheHippodrome,whoseparadesI’dillustratedoverthelasttwoyears,waslikesteppingintomyownpainti’ssayweweretoturndownastreet:InaFrankishpainting,thiswouldresultinoursteppingoutsideboththeframeandthepainting;inapaintingmadefollowingtheexampleofthegreatmastersofHerat,it’dbringustotheplawhichAllahlooksuponus;inaesepainting,we’dbetrapped,becauseeseillustrationsareinfinite.
Thepageboy,Idiscovered,wasn’ttakiheDivanChamberwhereIoftehtheHeadTreasurertodiscussohefollowing:themanuscriptsandoredostricheggsoriftsmyminiaturistswerepreparingforOurSultan;thehealthoftheillustratorsortheHeadTreasurer’sownstitutionandpeaind;theacquisitionofpaint,goldleaforothermaterials;theusualplaintsandrequests;thedesires,delights,demandsanddispositionoftheRefugeoftheWorld,OurSultan;myeyesight,mylookingglassesormylumbago;ortheHeadTreasurer’sgood-for-nothingson-in-laworthehealthofhistabbycat.Silently,weeheSultan’sPrivateGarden.Asifittingacrime,butwithgreatdelicacy,weserenelydesdedtowardtheseathroughthetrees.“We’renearingtheSea-SideKiosk,”Ithought,“thismeansIwillseetheSultan.HisExcellencymustbehere.”Butweturnedoffthepath.Wewalkedaheadafewstepsthroughthearcheddoorwayofastonebuildingbehindtherowboatandca?quesheds.Icouldsmellthestofbakingbreadwaftingfromtheguard’sbakerybeforecatgsightoftheImperialGuardthemselvesintheirreduniforms.
TheHeadTreasurerandtheaheImperialGuardweretogetherinoneroom:AngelandDevil!
Theander,whoperformedexecutionsinthenameofOurSultanonthepalacegrounds—whotortured,interrogated,beat,blindedandadmihebastinado—smiledsweetlyatme.Itwasasifsomepiddlinglodger,withwhomIwasforcedtoshareacaravansarycell,weregoingtoretaheart-warmingstory.
TheHeadTreasurerdiffidentlysaid,“OurSultan,oneyearprior,chargedmewithhavinganilluminatedmanuscriptpreparedunderditionsoftheutmostprivacy,amanuscriptthatwouldbeincludedamosmeantforanambassadorialdelegation.Inlightofthesecrecyofthebook,HisExcellencydid
appropriatethatMasterLokmantheRoyalHistorianbeenlistedtowritethemanuscript.Similarly,Hediduretoinvolveyou,whoseartistryHequiteadmires.Indeed,HesupposedthatyouwerealreadyfullyehtheBookofFestivities.”
UpoeringthisroomIhadabruptlyassumedthatsomewretchhadslanderedme,claimingthatIwasittingheresyinsud-suillustrationandthatI’dlampooheSninanother;IimagihhorrorthatthistattlerhadbeeoviheSnofmyguiltandthatIwasabouttobelaidoutfortorturewithnosideratie.AndsotohearthattheHeadTreasurerwassimplytryingtomakeamendsforOurSultan’shavingissionedamanuscriptfromanoutsider—thesewordsweresweeterthanhoneyindeed.Withoutlearninganythingnew,Ilisteoanatofthemanuscript,aboutwhichIwasalreadywellaware.IrivytotherumorsaboutHojaofErzurum,andnaturally,totheintrigueswithintheworkshop.
“Whoisresponsibleforpreparingthemanuscript?”Iasked.
“EnishteEffendi,asyouknow,”saidtheHeadTreasurer.Fixinghisgazeintomyeyes,headded,“Youwereawarethathediedanuntimelydeath,thatistosay,thathewasmurdered,weren’tyou?”
“Nay,”Isaidsimply,likeachild,andfellquiet.
“OurSultanisquitefurious,”theHeadTreasurersaid.
ThatEnishteEffendiwasaduhemasterminiaturistsalwaysmockedhimforbeingmorepretentiousthanknowledgeable,moreambitiousthanintelligent.Iknewsomethingwasrottenatthefuneralanyway.Howwashekilled,Iwondered?
TheHeadTreasurerexplailyhoalling.DearGodprotectus.Yetwhocouldberesponsible?
“TheSultanhasdecreed,”saidtheHeadTreasurer,“thatthebookiionshouldbefinishedassoonaspossible,aswiththeBookofFestivitiesmanuscript…”
“Hehasalsomadeaseddecree,”saidtheaheImperialGuard.“If,ihisunspeakablemurdererisoheminiaturists,Hewantstheblack-hearteddevilfouendstosenteoapunishmentsuchaswillstandasadeterrenttooneandall.”
AnexpressionofsuchexcitementappearedonthefaceoftheanderasiftosuggesthealreadykhemonstrouspunishmentOurSultanhaddecreed.
IkhatOurSultanhadolychargedthesetwomenwiththistask,therebyfthemtocooperate—onwhichattheycouldn’thidetheirdistasteevennow.SeeingthisinspiredinmealovefortheSultanthatwentbeyondmereawe.Aservantboyservedcoffeeaforawhile.
IwastoldthatEnishteEffendihadanephewnamedBlackEffendiwhomhe’dcultivated,amantrainedinilluminationandbookarts.HadImethim?Iremainedsilent.Ashortwhileago,upontheinvitationofhisEnishte,BlackhadreturnedfromthePersianfront,wherehewasunderSerhatPasha’sand—theandershotmealookofsuspi.Here,inIstanbul,heworkedhimselfintohisEnishte’sgoodgradlearhestoryofthebookwhosecreationEnishtewasoverseeing.BlackclaimedthatafterElegantEffendiwaskilled,Enishtesuspectedohemasterminiaturistswhovisitedhimatnighttoworkonthismanuscript.He’dseentheillustrationsthesemastershadmadeandsaidthatEnishte’smurderer—theselfsamepainterwhostoletheSultan’sillustrationwiththelion’sshareofgoldleaf—wasohem.Fortwodays,thisyoungBlackEffendihadcealedthedeathofEnishtefromthepaladtheHeadTreasurer.Withinthatveryteriod,he’drushedaheadwithamarriagetoEnishte’sdaughter,ahicallyandreligiouslydubiousaffair,aledintoEnishte’shouse;thus,boththemenbeforemesideredBlackasuspect.
“Iftheirhousesandworkplacesaresearchedandthemissingpageturnsupwithoneofmymasterminiaturists,Black’sinnocewillbeestablishedatonce,”Isaid.“Frankly,however,Itellyouthatmydearestchildren,mydivinelyinspiredminiaturists,whomI’veknownsiheyrentices,areincapableoftakingthelifeofanotherman.”
“AsforOlive,StorkandButterfly,”saidtheander,moglyusingtheniamesI’daffeatelygiventothem,“weiobtheirhomes,haunts,placesofworkand,ifapplicable,shops,leavingnostourned.AndthatincludesBlack…”Hisexpressionbespnation:“GivensuchtroublesomecircumstahankGod,thejudgehasgranteduspermissiototortureifnecessarydurierrogationofBlackEffendi.Torturewasdeemedlawfullypermissiblebecauseaseurderhadbeenittedagainstsomeohalinktotheminiaturistsguild,makingsuspectsofthemall,fromappreomaster.”
Imulledthisoversilently:1.Thephrase“lawfullypermissible”madeclearthatOurSultanwasn’ttheonewho’dgrahepermissionfortorture.2.Becausealltheminiaturistswereundersuspiofdoublemurderintheeyesofthejudge,andbecauseI,thoughHeadIlluminator,hadbeenuoidentifythecriminalinourmidst,I,too,wassuspect.3.IuoodthattheywantedmyexpliplicitapprovaltogoaheadwiththetortureofmybelovedButterfly,Olive,Storkahers,allofwhom,iyears,hadbetrayedme.
“SinceOurSultandesiresboththesatisfactorypletionoftheBookofFestivitiesandthisbook—whichisevidentlyonlyhalffinished,”saidtheHeadTreasurer,“we’reworriedthatthtdamagethemasters’handsandeyes,destroyingtheiragility.”Hefacedme.“Isn’tthisso?”
“Therewassimilarworryoveranotheriretly,”saidtheanderbrusquely.“AgoldsmithandajewelerwhodidrepairsfellswaytotheDevil.Theywerechildishlyentedwitharuby-handledcoffeecupbelongingtoOurSultan’syoungersisterNejmiyeSultan,andendedupstealingit.Siheftofthecup,whichoverwhelmedOurSultan’ssisterwithgrief—shewasquitefondofthe
piece—occurredintheüsküdarPalace,theSnappoioiigate.ItbecameapparentthatbothOurSultanandNejmiyeSultanwantednoharmtoetotheeyesandfingersofthemastergold-andjewelrysmithslesttheirskillsbeaffected.So,Ihadallthemasterjewelrysmithsstrippednakedandthrownintothefreezingpoolintheyardamongpiecesofidfrogs.Periodically,I’dhavethemtakenoutandlashedforcefully,takingcarethattheirfadhandsremainedunharmed.Withinashortperiod,thejewelerwho’dbeeheDevilfessedandacceptedhispunishmeetheice-coldwater,thefrozenairandallthelashings,nolastinginjurycametotheeyesandfingersofthemasterjewelersbecausetheywerepureofheart.EveaiohatHissisterwasquitepleasedwithmyworkandthatthejewelerswerewwithmorezealnowthatthebadapplewasoutofthebarrel.”
Iwascertainthattheanderwouldtreatmymasterillustratorsmoreseverelythahejewelers.ThoughhehadrespectforOurSultahusiasmforilluminatedmanuscripts,likemanyothers,hedeemedcalligraphytheonlyrespectableartform,belittlingembellishmentandillustrationasflirtationswithheresy,fitforwomenanddeservingofnothingbutrebuke.Ioprovokeme,hesaid,“Whileyou’vebeenabsorbedinyourwork,yourbelovedminiaturistshavealreadybegunschemingtoseewho’llbeeHeadMiniaturistuponyourdeath.”
WasthisgossipIhadn’talreadyheard?Hadheinformedmeofsomethingnew?Restrainingmyself,Ididn’trespond.TheHeadTreasurerwasmorethanawareofthefuryIfelttowardhimforissioningamanuscriptfromthatdeceasedhalf-witbehindmybadtowardmyingrateminiaturists,who’dsecretlypreparedtheseillustrationstocurryfavorandearrasilvers.
Icaughtmyselfpthemethodsoftorturethatmightbeinflicted.Theywouldtoflayingdurierrogation,becausethatiablyleadstodeath.Theywouldn’timpaleaher,astheydowithrebels,becausethat’susedasadeterrent.Cragandsplinteringthefingers,armssoftheseminiaturistswasalsooutofthequestion.Ofcourse,theremovalofaneye—whichIgatheredwasameasureofincreasingfrequencythesedays,tojudgebythegrowingnumbersofone-eyedpeopleoreetsofIstanbul—wouldbeinappropriateformasterartists.So,asIimaginedmydearminiaturistsinasecludederoftheRoyalPrivateGarden,thereintheice-coldpoolamoerlilies,shiveringviolentlyandglaringhatefullyatoher,Ihadthepassingurgetolaugh.heless,itcausedmeagonytoimaginehowOlivewouldshriekwhenhishindquarterswerebrahahotironandhowdearButterfly’sskinwouldpalewhenhewasshackled.IcouldojuretheseofdearButterfly—whoseskillandloveforilluminatihttearstomyeyes—ashewasgiveinadolikeaonthievingapprentice.Ijuststoodtheredumbfoundedandhollow.
Myelderlymindwasmuteuhespellofitsowninternalsileherewasatimewhenwe’dpainttogetherassionthatmadeusfeteverything.
“ThesemehemostexpertminiaturistsservingOurSultan,”Isaid.“Makecertainnoharmbefallsthem.”
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