I AM CALLED BLACK
Maybeyou’veuoodbynowthatformenlikemyself,thatis,melanenforwhomlove,agony,happinessandmiseryarejustexcusesformaintaiernalloneliness,lifeoffershergreatjreatsadness.I’mnotsayingwe’trelatetoothersoulsoverwhelmedbythesefeelings,orary,wesympathizewiththem.Whatweotfathomistheodddisquietoursoulssinkintoatsuchtimes.Thissilentturmoildimsourintelleddampensourhearts,usurpingtheplacereservedforthetruejoyandsadnessweoughttoexperience.
Ihadburiedherfather,thankGod,hurriedhomefromthefuneral,andiureofdolence,embracedmywife,Shekure;thensuddenly,inafitoftearsshecollapsedontecushionwithherchildren,whlaringatmewithspite,andIdidn’tknowwhattodo.Hermiserycidedwithmyvictory.Inonefellswoop,Ihadwedthedreamofmyyouth,freedmyselffromherfatherwhobelittledme,andbeasterofthehouse.Whowouldeverbelievethesiyofmytears?Butbelieveme,itwasn’tlikethat.Itrulywaogrieve,butcouldn’t:Enishtehadalwaysbeenmoreofafathertomethanmyrealfather.Butsihemeddlesomepreacherwho’dperformedEnishte’sfinal
ablutiooppedbabbling,therumorthatmyEnishtediedundermysteriouscircumstancesspreadamongtheneighborsduringthefuneral—asIcouldseandinginthecourtyardofthemosque.Ididn’twantmyinabilitytocrytobeinterpretedively;Idon’thavetotellyouhowrealthefearofbeingbraoed”is.
Youknowhowsomesympathetitwillalwaysattestthat“he’sgontheiopreventsomeonelikemefrombeingbanishedfromthegroup.Ididinfacttheiriedtohideinaerfromthebusybodyneighborsanddistaiveswiththeirastonishingabilitiestosummonadownpouroftears;IthoughtaboutbeierofthehouseaherIshouldsomehowtakechargeofthesituation,butjustthentherecameaknockatthedoor.Amomentofpanic.WasitHasan?Regardless,Iwaosavemyselffromthishellofwhimperingatwhatevercost.
Itwasaroyalpage,summonihepalace.Iwasstunned.
AsIexitedthecourtyard,Ifoundamud-coveredsilverontheground.WasIafraidtogotothepalace?Yes,butIwasalsohappytobeoutsideintheongthehorses,dogs,treesandpeople.IthoughtI’dbefriendthepageboylikethosehopelessdaydreamerswho,believingtheymightsweetentheworld’scrueltybeforefagtheexecutiotemptalightheartedversationwiththedungeonguardaboutthisandthat,thebeautiesoflife,theducksafloatonthepond,orthestrangenessofacloudinthesky;butalashedisappointedme,provingarathermorose,pimply,tight-lippedyouth.AsIpassedtheHagiaSophia,notigwithawetheslendercypressesdelicatelystretgintothehazysky,itwasn’tthehorrorofdyingrightaftermarryingShekureafteralltheseyearsthatmademyhairstandonend.Itwastheinjusticeofdyingatthehandsofthepalacetorturerswithouthavingsharedonegoodsessionoflovemakingwithher.
Wedidn’twalktowardtheterrifyingspiresoftheMiddleGate,beyondwhichthetorturersandthequick-handedexecutionerssawtotheirwork,buttowardthecarpentryshops.Asweheadedbetweenthegranaries,acatingitselfinthemudbetweenthelegsofachestnuthorsewithsteamingnostrilsturdidn’tlookatus:Thecatreoccupiedwithitsownfilth,muchaswewere.
Behindthegrawofigures,whoserankandaffiliationIcoulderminefromtheirgreenandpurpleuniforms,relievedthepageboy,andlockedmeintothedarkroomofasmallhouse,whichIcouldtellwashesmelloffreshlumber.Iknewlogamanupinadarkroomwasmeanttoarousefearbeforetorture;hopingthey’dbeginwiththebastinado,IthoughtabouttheliesIcouldtelltosavemyhide.Acrowdintheadjoiningroomseemedtoberaisingquitearuckus.
Therearemostcertainlythoseofyouwho’tattributemymogandmirthfultohatofamanonthevergeoftorture.Buthaven’tImentionedIsidermyselfoneofGod’sluckierservants?Andifthebirdsoffortualightedupoheselasttwodaysafteryearsofdeprivatioproofenough,surelythesilverIfoundoutsidethecourtyardgatemustbesomeindication.
Awaitingmytorture,Iwasfortedbythesilverandhadpletefaithitwouldprotectme;I
palmedit,rubbeditaedlykissedthistokenofgoodfortuAllahhadseatwhatevertimetheyremovedmefromthedarknessandbroughtmeintotheroomwhereIsawtheaheImperialGuardandhisbald-headedCroatiantorturers,Ikhesilverwasworthless.Thepitilessvoicewithinmewasabsolutelycorrect:Theinmypockethadn’tefromGod,butwasohosethatI’dshoweredShekurewithtwodaysago—thatthechildrenoverlooked.Hehehandsofmytorturers,Ihadnothinginwhichtotakerefuge.
Ididn’tevennoticethattearsbegantofallfrommyeyes.Iwaobeg,butasinadream,nosoundissuedfrommymouth.Iknewfromwars,deathsandpoliticalassassinationandtorture(whichI’dwitnessedfromafar)thatlifecouldbeextinguishedinstantaneously,butI’dneverexperiehisclosely.Theyweregoingtostripmefromthisworldjustasthey’dstrippedoffmygarments.
Theytookoffmyvestandshirt.Oheexecutionerssatonme,drivinghiskomyshoulders.Anotherplacedayheadwithallthepracticedeleganceofareparingfoodandbeganslowlyturningthescrewatitsfront.Nay,itwasn’tacage,butratheravisethatgraduallysqueezedmyhead.
Iscreamedatthetopofmylungs.Ibegged,butily.Icried,mostlybecausemynerveshadgivenout.
Theystoppedmomentarilyandasked:“WereyoutheonewhokilledEnishteEffendi?”
Itookadeepbreath:“Nay.”
Theybegantotightentheviseagain.Itwasexcruciating.
Theyaskedagain.
“Nay.”
“Whothen?”
“Idon’tknow!”
IwonderedifIshouldjusttellthemI’dkilledhim.Theworldspunpleasantlyaboutmyhead.Iwasoverewithreluce.IaskedmyselfifIweregrowingacedtothepain.MyexecutionersandIstayedstillforamoment.Ifeltnopain,Iwassimplyterrified.
JustasIdecidedfromthesilverinmypocketthattheyweren’tgoingtokillme,theysuddenlyreleasedme.Theyremovedtheviseliketraptionthathadactuallydoledamagetomyhead.Theexecutionerwho’dpinnedmedownstoodupwithoutevenahintofapology.Idonnedmyshirta.
Therepassedaverylongsilence.
Attheotherendoftheroom,IsawHeadIlluminatorOsmanEffendi.Iwenttohimandkissedhishand.
“Don’tbeed,mychild,”hesaidtome.“Theywerejusttestingyou.”
IkoI’dfouhertoreplaishte,mayherestinpeace.
“OurSultanhasorderedthatyouuredatthistime,”saidtheander.“HedeemeditappropriateforyoutohelpHeadIlluminatorMasterOsmanfindtheroguewho’sbeenkillingHisminiaturistsandtheloyalservantspreparingHismanuscripts.Youhavethreedaysinwhichtointerrogatetheminiaturists,scrutiheilluminatedpagesthey’vemadeandfindtheslyculprit.TheSnisquiteappalledbytherumorsbeingspreadbymischiefmakersaboutHisminiaturistsandilluminatedmanuscripts.BoththeHeadTreasurerHaz1mAghaandIwillhelpyoufindthissdrel,astheSultanhasdecreed.OneofyouhasbeenveryclosetoEnishteEffendi,andhasthusheardhisrecitationsandknowsabouttheminiaturistswhovisitedhimatnightaorybehindthebook.Thereatmasterrideinknowingalltheminiaturistsoftheworkshoplikethebackofhishand.Withinthreedays,ifyoufailtoproducethatswinealongwiththemissingpagehestole—aboutwhichmuchgossipisflying—itisOurJustSultan’sexpressdesirethatyou,mychildBlackEffendi,bethefirsttouortureandinterrogation.Afterward,lettherebenodoubt,eachoftheothermasterminiaturistswillhavehisturn.”
Icoulddeteesturesweewooldfriends,who’dworkedtogetherforyears:HeadTreasurerHaz1mAgha,whoissiohework,andHeadIlluminatorMasterOsmanEffendi,whoreceivedthefundsandmaterialsthroughhimfromthetreasury.
“Everyoneknows,wheneveracrimeisittedwithinOurSultan’swards,regimentsanddivisions,thattheentiregroupissideredguiltyuntiloneamongthemisidentifiedandturnediionthatfailstohemurdererinitsmidstgoesdowninthejudicialrecordsasa”divisionofmurderers,“includingitsoffiaster,andispunishedaccly,”saidtheaherefore,ourHeadIlluminatorMasterOsmanwillkeepasharpwatch,scrutinizeeachoftheillustrationswithhispeinggaze,uhedevilry,ruse,mischiefandinstigationthathassettheiminiaturistsateachother’sthroats,andremandtheguiltypartytotheunwaveringjusticeoftheRefugeoftheWorld,OurSultan,therebyclearingthegoodnameofhisguild.Tothisend,we’veorderedthatwhatsoeverMasterOsmanmayrequirebegraohim.Mymehismomentfisgeachofthemanuscriptpagesthatthemasterminiaturistshavebeenilluminatingintheprivacyoftheirhomes.”
ITISI,MASTEROSMANTheaderoftheImperialGuardandtheHeadTreasurerreiteratedOurSultan’sdecreesbeforeleaviwoofusalone.Ofcourse,Blackwasexhaustedbyfear,gandtheruseoftorture.Hefellquietlikeaboy.IknewIwouldetolikehim,andIdidn’tdisturbhispeace.
Ihadthreedaystoexamihepagesthattheander’smencollectedfromthehomesofmycalligraphersandmasterminiaturists,andtodeterminewhohadworkedonthem.YouallknowhowdisgustedIwaswhenIfirstlaideyesonthepaintingspreparedforEnishteEffendi’sbook,andhowBlackhadgiveheHeadTreasurerHaz1mAghatoclearhisname.Graheremustbesomethingtothosepagesforthemtoarousesuchviolentdisgustandhatredinaminiaturistlikemyselfwho’sdevotedhislifetoartistry;merelybadartwouldn’tprovokesucharea.So,withnewfoundcuriosity,Ibegantoreexamiheninepagesthatthedeceasedfoolhadissionedfromtheminiaturistswhocametohimundercoverofnight.
Isawatreeinthemiddleofablankpage,situatedwithinpant’sborderdesignandgildingwork,whichgracefullyframedeverypage.Itriedtojuretheseandstorytowhichthetreebelonged.IfIhadtoldmyillustratorstodrawatree,dearButterfly,wiseStorkandwilyOlivewouldhavebegunbyceivingofthistreeaspartofastorysotheymightdrawtheimagewithfidence.IfIwerethentoscrutitree,I’dbeabletodeterminewhichtaletheillustratorhadinmindbasedonitsbranchesandleaves.This,however,wasamiserable,solitarytree;behindit,therewasaquitehighhorizohearkenedbacktothestyleoftheoldestmastersofShirazandatuatedthefeelingofisolation.Therewasnothingatall,however,fillingtheareacreatedbyraisingthehorizon.Thedesiretodepictatreesimplyassuch,astheVeianmastersdid,washerebihthePersianwayofseeingtheworldfromabove,andtheresultwasamiserablepaintingthatwasherVeiannorPersian.Thiswashowatreeattheedgeoftheworldwouldlook.Attemptingtobiwoseparatestyles,myminiaturistsandthebarrenmindofthatdeceasedhadcreatedaworkdevoidofanyskillwhatsoever.Butitwasn’tthattheillustrationwasinformedbytwodifferentworldviewssomuchasthelackofskillthatincurredmywrath.
IfeltthesamewayasIlookedattheotherpictures,attheperfectdreamhorseandthewomanwiththebowedhead.Thechoiceofsubjectmatteralsoiritatedme,whetheritwasthetwowanderingdervishesorSatan.ItwasobviousthatmyillustratorshadcoylyiedtheseinferiorpicturesintoOurSultan’silluminatedmanuscript.IfeltrenewedaweatexaltedAllah’sjudgmentintakingEnishte’slifebeforethebookhadbeenfinished.Needlesstosay,Ihadnodesirewhatsoevertopletethismanuscript.
Whowouldn’tbeahisdog,drawnfromabovebutstaringatmefromjustbehmynoseasifitweremybrother?Ontheonehand,Iwasastouheplainnessofthedog’spositioning,thebeautyofitsthreateningsidelongglance,headloweredtotheground,andtheviolentwhitenessofitsteeth,inshort,bythetalentoftheminiaturistswho’ddepictedit(Iwasonthevergeofdeterminingpreciselywho’dworkedoure);oherhand,Icouldn’tfivethewaythistalenthadbeenharheabsurdlogiinscrutablewill.herthedesiretoimitatetheEuropeansnortheexcusethatthebookOurSultanhadissionedasapresentfortheDogeoughttomakeuseofteiquesfamiliartotheVeianswasadequatetoexplainthefawniensioninthesepictures.
Iwasterrifiedbythepassionofredilingpicture,whereinIathetouchofeaasterminiaturistsineacher.Anartist’shandthatIcouldn’tidentifyhadappliedapeculiarredtothepaintinguheguidanceofanarelogidtheentireworldrevealedbythe
illustrationwasslowlysuffusedbythiscolor.IspentsometimehunchedoverthiscrowdedpicturepointingouttoBlackwhiiniaturistshaddrawntheplaork),theshipsandhouses(Olive),aeandflowers(Butterfly).
“Ofcourse,agreatmasterminiaturistlikeyourself,who’sbeenheadofabook-artsdivisionforyears,coulddistinguishthecraftofeachofhisillustrators,thedispositionoftheirlinesaemperamentoftheirbrushstrokes,”Blacksaid.“ButwhenaricbookloverlikemyEnishteforcesthesesameillustratorstopaintwithnewandueiques,howyoudetermiistsresponsibleforeachdesignwithsuchcertainty?”
Idecidedtoahaparable:“OnceuponatimetherewasashahwhoruledoverIsfahan;hewasaloverofbookarts,andlivedallaloneinhiscastle.Hewasastrongandmighty,intelligent,butmercilessshah,andhehadloveonlyfortwothings:theillustratedmanuscriptsheissionedandhisdaughter.Sodevotedwasthisshahtohisdaughterthathisenemiescouldhardlybefaultedforclaiminghewasihher—forheroudandjealousenoughtodeclarewaronneighbprindshahsithatoambassadorstoaskforherhand.Naturally,therewasnohusbandworthyofhisdaughter,andhefioaroom,accessibleonlythroughfortylockeddoors.InkeepingwithaonlyheldbeliefinIsfahahoughtthathisdaughter’sbeautywouldfadeifothermenlaideyesonher.Oneday,afteraionofHüsrevandShirinthathe’dissionedwasinscribedandillustratedintheHeratstyle,arumantocirculateinIsfahan:Thepale-facedbeautyearedilingpicturewasherthanthejealousshah’sdaughter!Evenbeforehearingtherumors,theshah,suspiciousofthismysteriousillustratiohepagesofthebookwithtremblinghandsandinafloodoftearssawthathisdaughter’sbeautyhadindeedbeencapturedonthepage.Asthestoes,itwasn’tactuallytheshah’sdaughter,protectedbyfortylockeddoors,whedtobeportrayedonenight,butherbeautywhichescapedfromherroomlikeaghoststifledbyboredom,reflegoffaseriesofmirrorsandpassihdoorsandthroughkeyholeslikearayoflightorwispofsmoketoreachtheeyesofanillustratthroughthenight.Themasterfulyoungminiaturist,uorestrainhimself,depictedthebeauty,whichhecouldobehold,intheillustrationhewasinthemidstofpleting.ItwasthesethatshowedShiringazinguponapictureofHüsrevandfallingihhimduringthecourseofatrysideouting.”
“Mybelovedmaster,mygoodsir,thisisquiteace,”saidBlack.“I,too,amquitefondofthatsefromHüsrevandShirin.”
“Thesearen’tfables,buteventsthatactuallyhappened,”Isaid.“Listen,theminiaturistdidtheshah’sbeautifuldaughterasShirin,butasacourtesanplayieorsettiable,becausethatwasthefigurehewasinthemidstofillustratingatthetime.Asaresult,Shiriypaledbesidetheextraordinarybeautyofthecourtesanstandingofftotheside,thusdisruptingthepainting’sbalaertheshahsawhisdaughterinthepaintiedtolocatethegiftedminiaturistwho’ddepictedher.Butthecraftyminiaturist,fearingtheshah’swrath,hadrehthecourtesanandShirin,notinhisownstyle,butinanewwaysoastocealhisidentity.Theskillfulbrushstrokesofquiteafewotherminiaturistshadgootheworkaswell.”
“Howhadtheshahdiscoveredtheidentityoftheminiaturistwhoportrayedhisdaughter?”
“Fromtheears!”
“Whoseears?Theearsofthedaughterorherpicture?”
“Actually,her.Followinghisintuition,hefirstlaidoutallthebooks,pagesandillustrationsthathisownminiaturistshadmadeandiedalltheearstherein.Hesawwhathe’dknownforyearsinanewlight:Regardlessoftheleveloftalent,eachoftheminiaturistsmadeearsinhisownstyle.Itdidn’tmatterifthefacetheydepictedwasthefaceofasultan,achild,awarrior,oreven,Godforbid,thepartiallyveiledfaceofOurExaltedProphet,oreven,Godforbidagain,thefaceoftheDevil.Eaiaturist,ineachcase,alwaysdrewtheearsthesameway,asifthiswereasecretsignature.”
“Why?”
“Wheersillustratedaface,theyfocusedonapproagitsexaltedbeauty,oatesoftheoldmodelsofform,ontheexpression,oroheritshouldresemblesomebodyreal.Butwhenitcametimetomaketheears,theyherstolefromothers,imitatedamodelnorstudiedarealear.Fortheears,theydidn’tthink,didn’taspiretoanything,didn’tevenstoptosiderwhattheyweredoing.Theysimplyguidedtheirbrushesfrommemory.”
“Butdidn’tthegreatmastersalsocreatetheirmasterpiecesfrommemorywithouteverevenlookingatrealhorses,treesorpeople?”saidBlack.
“True,”Isaid,“butthosearememoriesacquiredafteryearsofthought,plationandrefle.Havingseeyofhorses,illustratedandactual,overtheirlifetimes,theyknowthatthelastflesh-and-bloodhorsetheyseebeforethemwillonlymartheperfecthorsetheyholdihoughts.ThehorsethatamasterminiaturisthasdrawntensofthousandsoftimeseventuallyesclosetoGod’svisionofahorse,aistknowsthisthroughexperienddeepinhissoul.Thehorsethathishanddrawsquicklyfrommemoryisrehtalent,greateffort,andinsight,anditisahorsethatapproachesAllah’shorse.However,theearthatisdrawnbeforethehandhasaccumulatedanyknowledge,beforetheartisthasweighedandsideredwhatitisdoing,orbeforepayingattentiontotheearsoftheshah’sdaughter,willalwaysbeaflaw.Preciselybecauseitisaflaw,orimperfe,itwillvaryfromminiaturisttominiaturist.Thatis,itamountstoasignature.”
Therewasaotion.Theander’smenwerebringingintotheoldworkshopthepagesthey’dcollectedfromthehomesoftheminiaturistsandthecalligraphers.
“Besides,earsareactuallyahumanflaw,”Isaid,hopingBlackwouldsmile.“They’reatoindontoeveryone:aperfeifestationofugliness.”
“peheminiaturistwho’dbeencaughtbytheauthoritiesthroughhisstyleofpaintingears?”
Irefrainedfromsaying,“HewasbliokeepBlabeingevenmoredowncast.Instead,Iresponded,“Hemarriedtheshah’sdaughter,andthismethod,whichhasbeeoidentifyminiaturistseversince,isknownbymanykhans,shahsandsultanswhofundbook-artsworkshopsasthe”courtesahod.“Furthermore,itiskeptsecretsothatifoheirminiaturistsmakesaforbiddenfigureorasmalldesignthatcealssomemischiefandlaterdenieshavingdoheyquicklydeterminewhowasresponsible—geistshaveaninstinctivedesiretodrawwhat’sforbidden!Sometimestheirhandsmakemischiefontheirown.Uncthesetransgressionsinvolvesfindingtrivial,quicklydrawnaitivedetailsremovedfromtheheartofthepainting,suchasears,hands,grass,leaves,orevenhorses’manes,legsorhooves.Butbeware,themethoddoesn’tworkiftheillustratorhimselfismindfulthatthisdetailhasbeehisowsignature.Mustacheswon’twork,forinstance,becausemanyartistsareawarehowfreelythey’redrawnasasortofsignatureanyway.Buteyebroossibility:Noonepaysmuchattentiontothem.enow,let’sseewhiastershavebroughttheirbrushesandreedpenstobearuponlateEnishte’sillustrations.”
Thuswebroughttogetherthepagesoftwoillustratedmanuscripts,owasbeingpletedsecretlyaheropenly,twobookswithdifferentstoriesandsubjects,illustratedintwodistinctstyles;thatis,deceasedEnishte’sbookandtheBookofFestivitiesretingourprince’scircumcisionceremony,whosecreationwasundermytrol.BladIlookedilywhereverImovedmymagnifyinglens:
1.InthepagesoftheBookofFestivities,wefirststudiedtheopenmouthofthefoxwhosepeltamasterofthefurrier’sguild,inaredcaftanandpurplesash,heldonhislapastheguildpassedbeforeOurSultan,watgtheparadefromalogemadespecificallyfortheevent.Unmistakably,Olivehadmadeboththefox’steeth,whichwereindividuallydistinguishable,ahinEnishte’sillustrationofSatan,anominouscreature,half-demonandhalf-giant,thatappearedtohaveefromSamarkand.
2.Onaparticularlyjoyousdayofthefestivities,belowOurSultan’slogeoverlookingtheHippodrome,adivisionofimpoverishedfrontierghazisappearedintatteredclothes.Oheirlotmadeaplea:“MyExaltedSultan,we,yourheroicsoldiers,fellcaptiveaswefoughttheihenameofionandwereonlyabletogainourfreedombyleavinganumberofourbrethrenbehindashostages;thatis,weweresetfreeioamassransom.However,whenwearrivedbaIstanbul,wefouhingsoexpewe’vebeenuocollectthemoosaveourbrethrenwholanguishasprisonersofthekaffirs.We’reatthemercyofyouraid.Pleasegrantusgoldorslavesthatwemighttakebacktoexgefortheirfreedom.”Storkclearlymadethenailsofthelazydogofftotheside—glaringwithoneopeOurSultan,atourpoor,destituteghazisandatthePersianandTatarambassadorsintheHippodrome—aswellasthenailsofthedogoccupyingaerofthesedepigtheadveheGoldinEnishte’sbook.
3.AmongthejugglersspinningeggsonpiecesofwoodandturningsomersaultsbeforeOurSultanwasabaldmanwithbarecalveswearingapurplevest,whoplayedatambourineashesatofftoonesideonaredcarpet;thismaheinstrumelythesamewaythewomanheldalargebrassservingtrayintheillustrationofRedinEnishte’sbook:doubtlesstheworkofOlive.
4.Asthecooks’guildpushedpastOurSultan,theywerecookingstuffedcabbagewithmeatandonionsinacauldroingonastoveintheircart.Themastercooksapanyistoodonpihrestiewpotsoohesestoneswererehesameartistwhomadetheredonesondark-blueearthabovewhichfloatedthehalf-ghostlycreatureintheillustrationthatEnishtecalledDeath:theunmistakableworkofButterfly.
5.MouarmessengersbroughtwordthatthePersianShah’sarmieshadbeguntomobilizeforanothercampaignagainsttheOttomans,whothereupohegroundtheexquisiteobservationkioskofthePersianambassadorwho’drepeatedlyaffirmedtoOurSultan,RefugeoftheWorld,inacascadeofpleasahattheShahwasHisfriendandharborednothingbutbrotherlyaffeforHim.Duringthisepisodeofwratharu,waterbearersranouttosettlethedustraisedintheHippodrome,andagroupofmenappearedshoulderihersacksfulloflinseedoiltopouroveramobreadytoattacktheambassador,inhopesofpacifyingit.TheraisedfeetofthewaterbearersandofthemencarryingsacksoflinseedoilweremadebythesameartistwhopaiheraisedfeetofchargingsoldiersinthedepiofRed:alsotheworkofButterfly.
Iwasn’ttheonewhomadethislastdiscoveryasIdirectedoursearchforclues,movingthemagnifyinglensrightaothatpicturethenthisoheritwasBlack,whoopenedhiseyeswideandscarcelyblinkedgrippedbythefearoftortureandthehopeofreturningtohisaitedhimathome.Usingthe“courtesahod,”ittookaireafternoontosortoutwhiiniaturistsworkedoneachoftheuresleftbythelateEnishte,andlater,tointerpretthatinformation.
Black’slateEnishtedidn’tlimitanysinglepagetotheartistictalentofjustoneminiaturist;allthreeofmymasterminiaturistsworkedonmostoftheillustrations.Thismeantthatthepicturesweremovedfromhousetohousewithgreatfrequenadditiontothewnized,Inoticedtheamateurishstrokesofafifthartist,butasIgrewangryatthedearthoftalentshownbythisdisgracefulmurderer,BlackdeterminedfromthecautiousbrushstrokesthatitwasiheworkofhisEnishte—therebysavingusfromfollowingafalselead.IfwedistedpantEffendi,who’ddonealmostthesamegildingforEnishte’sbookandourBookofFestivities(yes,thisofcoursebrokemyheart)andwho,Igathered,hadoccasionallyloweredhisbrushtoexecuteafewwalls,leavesandclouds,itwasevidentthatonlymythreemostbrilliantmasterminiaturistshadtributedtotheseillustrations.TheywerethedarlingsI’dlovinglytrainedsiheirapprenticeships,mythreebelovedtalents:Olive,ButterflyandStork.
Discussialents,masteryandtemperamentstotheendoffindingthecluewewerelookingforiablyledtoadiscussionofmyownlifeaswell:
TheAttributesofOliveHisgivennamewasVelijan.IfhehadaniamebesidestheoneI’dgivenhim,Idon’tknowit,becauseIneversawhimsignanyofhiswork.Whenherentice,he’degetmefrommyhomeonTuesdayms.Hewasveryproud,andsoifheeverloweredhimselftosignhiswork,he’dwantthissignaturetobeplainandreizable;hewouldn’ttrytocealitanywhere.Allahhadquitegenerouslyendowedhimwithexcessability.Hecouldreadilyandeasilydoanythingfromgildingtorulingandhisworkerb.Hewastheworkshop’smostbrilliaoroftrees,animalsandthehumanface.Velijan’sfather,whhthimtoIstanbulwhenhewas,Ibelieve,tenyearsold,wastrainedbySiyavush,thefamousillustratorspecializingihePersianShah’sTabrizworkshop.Hehailsfromalonglineofmasterswhosegenealogygoesbaongols,andjustliketheelderlymasterswhoboreaMongol-eseinfluendsettledinSamarkand,Bukharaa15o,herenderedmoon-facedyoungloversasiftheywereese.herduringhisapprenticeshipnhistimeasamasterwasIabletoleadthisstubbornartisttoother松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
Ihadburiedherfather,thankGod,hurriedhomefromthefuneral,andiureofdolence,embracedmywife,Shekure;thensuddenly,inafitoftearsshecollapsedontecushionwithherchildren,whlaringatmewithspite,andIdidn’tknowwhattodo.Hermiserycidedwithmyvictory.Inonefellswoop,Ihadwedthedreamofmyyouth,freedmyselffromherfatherwhobelittledme,andbeasterofthehouse.Whowouldeverbelievethesiyofmytears?Butbelieveme,itwasn’tlikethat.Itrulywaogrieve,butcouldn’t:Enishtehadalwaysbeenmoreofafathertomethanmyrealfather.Butsihemeddlesomepreacherwho’dperformedEnishte’sfinal
ablutiooppedbabbling,therumorthatmyEnishtediedundermysteriouscircumstancesspreadamongtheneighborsduringthefuneral—asIcouldseandinginthecourtyardofthemosque.Ididn’twantmyinabilitytocrytobeinterpretedively;Idon’thavetotellyouhowrealthefearofbeingbraoed”is.
Youknowhowsomesympathetitwillalwaysattestthat“he’sgontheiopreventsomeonelikemefrombeingbanishedfromthegroup.Ididinfacttheiriedtohideinaerfromthebusybodyneighborsanddistaiveswiththeirastonishingabilitiestosummonadownpouroftears;IthoughtaboutbeierofthehouseaherIshouldsomehowtakechargeofthesituation,butjustthentherecameaknockatthedoor.Amomentofpanic.WasitHasan?Regardless,Iwaosavemyselffromthishellofwhimperingatwhatevercost.
Itwasaroyalpage,summonihepalace.Iwasstunned.
AsIexitedthecourtyard,Ifoundamud-coveredsilverontheground.WasIafraidtogotothepalace?Yes,butIwasalsohappytobeoutsideintheongthehorses,dogs,treesandpeople.IthoughtI’dbefriendthepageboylikethosehopelessdaydreamerswho,believingtheymightsweetentheworld’scrueltybeforefagtheexecutiotemptalightheartedversationwiththedungeonguardaboutthisandthat,thebeautiesoflife,theducksafloatonthepond,orthestrangenessofacloudinthesky;butalashedisappointedme,provingarathermorose,pimply,tight-lippedyouth.AsIpassedtheHagiaSophia,notigwithawetheslendercypressesdelicatelystretgintothehazysky,itwasn’tthehorrorofdyingrightaftermarryingShekureafteralltheseyearsthatmademyhairstandonend.Itwastheinjusticeofdyingatthehandsofthepalacetorturerswithouthavingsharedonegoodsessionoflovemakingwithher.
Wedidn’twalktowardtheterrifyingspiresoftheMiddleGate,beyondwhichthetorturersandthequick-handedexecutionerssawtotheirwork,buttowardthecarpentryshops.Asweheadedbetweenthegranaries,acatingitselfinthemudbetweenthelegsofachestnuthorsewithsteamingnostrilsturdidn’tlookatus:Thecatreoccupiedwithitsownfilth,muchaswewere.
Behindthegrawofigures,whoserankandaffiliationIcoulderminefromtheirgreenandpurpleuniforms,relievedthepageboy,andlockedmeintothedarkroomofasmallhouse,whichIcouldtellwashesmelloffreshlumber.Iknewlogamanupinadarkroomwasmeanttoarousefearbeforetorture;hopingthey’dbeginwiththebastinado,IthoughtabouttheliesIcouldtelltosavemyhide.Acrowdintheadjoiningroomseemedtoberaisingquitearuckus.
Therearemostcertainlythoseofyouwho’tattributemymogandmirthfultohatofamanonthevergeoftorture.Buthaven’tImentionedIsidermyselfoneofGod’sluckierservants?Andifthebirdsoffortualightedupoheselasttwodaysafteryearsofdeprivatioproofenough,surelythesilverIfoundoutsidethecourtyardgatemustbesomeindication.
Awaitingmytorture,Iwasfortedbythesilverandhadpletefaithitwouldprotectme;I
palmedit,rubbeditaedlykissedthistokenofgoodfortuAllahhadseatwhatevertimetheyremovedmefromthedarknessandbroughtmeintotheroomwhereIsawtheaheImperialGuardandhisbald-headedCroatiantorturers,Ikhesilverwasworthless.Thepitilessvoicewithinmewasabsolutelycorrect:Theinmypockethadn’tefromGod,butwasohosethatI’dshoweredShekurewithtwodaysago—thatthechildrenoverlooked.Hehehandsofmytorturers,Ihadnothinginwhichtotakerefuge.
Ididn’tevennoticethattearsbegantofallfrommyeyes.Iwaobeg,butasinadream,nosoundissuedfrommymouth.Iknewfromwars,deathsandpoliticalassassinationandtorture(whichI’dwitnessedfromafar)thatlifecouldbeextinguishedinstantaneously,butI’dneverexperiehisclosely.Theyweregoingtostripmefromthisworldjustasthey’dstrippedoffmygarments.
Theytookoffmyvestandshirt.Oheexecutionerssatonme,drivinghiskomyshoulders.Anotherplacedayheadwithallthepracticedeleganceofareparingfoodandbeganslowlyturningthescrewatitsfront.Nay,itwasn’tacage,butratheravisethatgraduallysqueezedmyhead.
Iscreamedatthetopofmylungs.Ibegged,butily.Icried,mostlybecausemynerveshadgivenout.
Theystoppedmomentarilyandasked:“WereyoutheonewhokilledEnishteEffendi?”
Itookadeepbreath:“Nay.”
Theybegantotightentheviseagain.Itwasexcruciating.
Theyaskedagain.
“Nay.”
“Whothen?”
“Idon’tknow!”
IwonderedifIshouldjusttellthemI’dkilledhim.Theworldspunpleasantlyaboutmyhead.Iwasoverewithreluce.IaskedmyselfifIweregrowingacedtothepain.MyexecutionersandIstayedstillforamoment.Ifeltnopain,Iwassimplyterrified.
JustasIdecidedfromthesilverinmypocketthattheyweren’tgoingtokillme,theysuddenlyreleasedme.Theyremovedtheviseliketraptionthathadactuallydoledamagetomyhead.Theexecutionerwho’dpinnedmedownstoodupwithoutevenahintofapology.Idonnedmyshirta.
Therepassedaverylongsilence.
Attheotherendoftheroom,IsawHeadIlluminatorOsmanEffendi.Iwenttohimandkissedhishand.
“Don’tbeed,mychild,”hesaidtome.“Theywerejusttestingyou.”
IkoI’dfouhertoreplaishte,mayherestinpeace.
“OurSultanhasorderedthatyouuredatthistime,”saidtheander.“HedeemeditappropriateforyoutohelpHeadIlluminatorMasterOsmanfindtheroguewho’sbeenkillingHisminiaturistsandtheloyalservantspreparingHismanuscripts.Youhavethreedaysinwhichtointerrogatetheminiaturists,scrutiheilluminatedpagesthey’vemadeandfindtheslyculprit.TheSnisquiteappalledbytherumorsbeingspreadbymischiefmakersaboutHisminiaturistsandilluminatedmanuscripts.BoththeHeadTreasurerHaz1mAghaandIwillhelpyoufindthissdrel,astheSultanhasdecreed.OneofyouhasbeenveryclosetoEnishteEffendi,andhasthusheardhisrecitationsandknowsabouttheminiaturistswhovisitedhimatnightaorybehindthebook.Thereatmasterrideinknowingalltheminiaturistsoftheworkshoplikethebackofhishand.Withinthreedays,ifyoufailtoproducethatswinealongwiththemissingpagehestole—aboutwhichmuchgossipisflying—itisOurJustSultan’sexpressdesirethatyou,mychildBlackEffendi,bethefirsttouortureandinterrogation.Afterward,lettherebenodoubt,eachoftheothermasterminiaturistswillhavehisturn.”
Icoulddeteesturesweewooldfriends,who’dworkedtogetherforyears:HeadTreasurerHaz1mAgha,whoissiohework,andHeadIlluminatorMasterOsmanEffendi,whoreceivedthefundsandmaterialsthroughhimfromthetreasury.
“Everyoneknows,wheneveracrimeisittedwithinOurSultan’swards,regimentsanddivisions,thattheentiregroupissideredguiltyuntiloneamongthemisidentifiedandturnediionthatfailstohemurdererinitsmidstgoesdowninthejudicialrecordsasa”divisionofmurderers,“includingitsoffiaster,andispunishedaccly,”saidtheaherefore,ourHeadIlluminatorMasterOsmanwillkeepasharpwatch,scrutinizeeachoftheillustrationswithhispeinggaze,uhedevilry,ruse,mischiefandinstigationthathassettheiminiaturistsateachother’sthroats,andremandtheguiltypartytotheunwaveringjusticeoftheRefugeoftheWorld,OurSultan,therebyclearingthegoodnameofhisguild.Tothisend,we’veorderedthatwhatsoeverMasterOsmanmayrequirebegraohim.Mymehismomentfisgeachofthemanuscriptpagesthatthemasterminiaturistshavebeenilluminatingintheprivacyoftheirhomes.”
ITISI,MASTEROSMANTheaderoftheImperialGuardandtheHeadTreasurerreiteratedOurSultan’sdecreesbeforeleaviwoofusalone.Ofcourse,Blackwasexhaustedbyfear,gandtheruseoftorture.Hefellquietlikeaboy.IknewIwouldetolikehim,andIdidn’tdisturbhispeace.
Ihadthreedaystoexamihepagesthattheander’smencollectedfromthehomesofmycalligraphersandmasterminiaturists,andtodeterminewhohadworkedonthem.YouallknowhowdisgustedIwaswhenIfirstlaideyesonthepaintingspreparedforEnishteEffendi’sbook,andhowBlackhadgiveheHeadTreasurerHaz1mAghatoclearhisname.Graheremustbesomethingtothosepagesforthemtoarousesuchviolentdisgustandhatredinaminiaturistlikemyselfwho’sdevotedhislifetoartistry;merelybadartwouldn’tprovokesucharea.So,withnewfoundcuriosity,Ibegantoreexamiheninepagesthatthedeceasedfoolhadissionedfromtheminiaturistswhocametohimundercoverofnight.
Isawatreeinthemiddleofablankpage,situatedwithinpant’sborderdesignandgildingwork,whichgracefullyframedeverypage.Itriedtojuretheseandstorytowhichthetreebelonged.IfIhadtoldmyillustratorstodrawatree,dearButterfly,wiseStorkandwilyOlivewouldhavebegunbyceivingofthistreeaspartofastorysotheymightdrawtheimagewithfidence.IfIwerethentoscrutitree,I’dbeabletodeterminewhichtaletheillustratorhadinmindbasedonitsbranchesandleaves.This,however,wasamiserable,solitarytree;behindit,therewasaquitehighhorizohearkenedbacktothestyleoftheoldestmastersofShirazandatuatedthefeelingofisolation.Therewasnothingatall,however,fillingtheareacreatedbyraisingthehorizon.Thedesiretodepictatreesimplyassuch,astheVeianmastersdid,washerebihthePersianwayofseeingtheworldfromabove,andtheresultwasamiserablepaintingthatwasherVeiannorPersian.Thiswashowatreeattheedgeoftheworldwouldlook.Attemptingtobiwoseparatestyles,myminiaturistsandthebarrenmindofthatdeceasedhadcreatedaworkdevoidofanyskillwhatsoever.Butitwasn’tthattheillustrationwasinformedbytwodifferentworldviewssomuchasthelackofskillthatincurredmywrath.
IfeltthesamewayasIlookedattheotherpictures,attheperfectdreamhorseandthewomanwiththebowedhead.Thechoiceofsubjectmatteralsoiritatedme,whetheritwasthetwowanderingdervishesorSatan.ItwasobviousthatmyillustratorshadcoylyiedtheseinferiorpicturesintoOurSultan’silluminatedmanuscript.IfeltrenewedaweatexaltedAllah’sjudgmentintakingEnishte’slifebeforethebookhadbeenfinished.Needlesstosay,Ihadnodesirewhatsoevertopletethismanuscript.
Whowouldn’tbeahisdog,drawnfromabovebutstaringatmefromjustbehmynoseasifitweremybrother?Ontheonehand,Iwasastouheplainnessofthedog’spositioning,thebeautyofitsthreateningsidelongglance,headloweredtotheground,andtheviolentwhitenessofitsteeth,inshort,bythetalentoftheminiaturistswho’ddepictedit(Iwasonthevergeofdeterminingpreciselywho’dworkedoure);oherhand,Icouldn’tfivethewaythistalenthadbeenharheabsurdlogiinscrutablewill.herthedesiretoimitatetheEuropeansnortheexcusethatthebookOurSultanhadissionedasapresentfortheDogeoughttomakeuseofteiquesfamiliartotheVeianswasadequatetoexplainthefawniensioninthesepictures.
Iwasterrifiedbythepassionofredilingpicture,whereinIathetouchofeaasterminiaturistsineacher.Anartist’shandthatIcouldn’tidentifyhadappliedapeculiarredtothepaintinguheguidanceofanarelogidtheentireworldrevealedbythe
illustrationwasslowlysuffusedbythiscolor.IspentsometimehunchedoverthiscrowdedpicturepointingouttoBlackwhiiniaturistshaddrawntheplaork),theshipsandhouses(Olive),aeandflowers(Butterfly).
“Ofcourse,agreatmasterminiaturistlikeyourself,who’sbeenheadofabook-artsdivisionforyears,coulddistinguishthecraftofeachofhisillustrators,thedispositionoftheirlinesaemperamentoftheirbrushstrokes,”Blacksaid.“ButwhenaricbookloverlikemyEnishteforcesthesesameillustratorstopaintwithnewandueiques,howyoudetermiistsresponsibleforeachdesignwithsuchcertainty?”
Idecidedtoahaparable:“OnceuponatimetherewasashahwhoruledoverIsfahan;hewasaloverofbookarts,andlivedallaloneinhiscastle.Hewasastrongandmighty,intelligent,butmercilessshah,andhehadloveonlyfortwothings:theillustratedmanuscriptsheissionedandhisdaughter.Sodevotedwasthisshahtohisdaughterthathisenemiescouldhardlybefaultedforclaiminghewasihher—forheroudandjealousenoughtodeclarewaronneighbprindshahsithatoambassadorstoaskforherhand.Naturally,therewasnohusbandworthyofhisdaughter,andhefioaroom,accessibleonlythroughfortylockeddoors.InkeepingwithaonlyheldbeliefinIsfahahoughtthathisdaughter’sbeautywouldfadeifothermenlaideyesonher.Oneday,afteraionofHüsrevandShirinthathe’dissionedwasinscribedandillustratedintheHeratstyle,arumantocirculateinIsfahan:Thepale-facedbeautyearedilingpicturewasherthanthejealousshah’sdaughter!Evenbeforehearingtherumors,theshah,suspiciousofthismysteriousillustratiohepagesofthebookwithtremblinghandsandinafloodoftearssawthathisdaughter’sbeautyhadindeedbeencapturedonthepage.Asthestoes,itwasn’tactuallytheshah’sdaughter,protectedbyfortylockeddoors,whedtobeportrayedonenight,butherbeautywhichescapedfromherroomlikeaghoststifledbyboredom,reflegoffaseriesofmirrorsandpassihdoorsandthroughkeyholeslikearayoflightorwispofsmoketoreachtheeyesofanillustratthroughthenight.Themasterfulyoungminiaturist,uorestrainhimself,depictedthebeauty,whichhecouldobehold,intheillustrationhewasinthemidstofpleting.ItwasthesethatshowedShiringazinguponapictureofHüsrevandfallingihhimduringthecourseofatrysideouting.”
“Mybelovedmaster,mygoodsir,thisisquiteace,”saidBlack.“I,too,amquitefondofthatsefromHüsrevandShirin.”
“Thesearen’tfables,buteventsthatactuallyhappened,”Isaid.“Listen,theminiaturistdidtheshah’sbeautifuldaughterasShirin,butasacourtesanplayieorsettiable,becausethatwasthefigurehewasinthemidstofillustratingatthetime.Asaresult,Shiriypaledbesidetheextraordinarybeautyofthecourtesanstandingofftotheside,thusdisruptingthepainting’sbalaertheshahsawhisdaughterinthepaintiedtolocatethegiftedminiaturistwho’ddepictedher.Butthecraftyminiaturist,fearingtheshah’swrath,hadrehthecourtesanandShirin,notinhisownstyle,butinanewwaysoastocealhisidentity.Theskillfulbrushstrokesofquiteafewotherminiaturistshadgootheworkaswell.”
“Howhadtheshahdiscoveredtheidentityoftheminiaturistwhoportrayedhisdaughter?”
“Fromtheears!”
“Whoseears?Theearsofthedaughterorherpicture?”
“Actually,her.Followinghisintuition,hefirstlaidoutallthebooks,pagesandillustrationsthathisownminiaturistshadmadeandiedalltheearstherein.Hesawwhathe’dknownforyearsinanewlight:Regardlessoftheleveloftalent,eachoftheminiaturistsmadeearsinhisownstyle.Itdidn’tmatterifthefacetheydepictedwasthefaceofasultan,achild,awarrior,oreven,Godforbid,thepartiallyveiledfaceofOurExaltedProphet,oreven,Godforbidagain,thefaceoftheDevil.Eaiaturist,ineachcase,alwaysdrewtheearsthesameway,asifthiswereasecretsignature.”
“Why?”
“Wheersillustratedaface,theyfocusedonapproagitsexaltedbeauty,oatesoftheoldmodelsofform,ontheexpression,oroheritshouldresemblesomebodyreal.Butwhenitcametimetomaketheears,theyherstolefromothers,imitatedamodelnorstudiedarealear.Fortheears,theydidn’tthink,didn’taspiretoanything,didn’tevenstoptosiderwhattheyweredoing.Theysimplyguidedtheirbrushesfrommemory.”
“Butdidn’tthegreatmastersalsocreatetheirmasterpiecesfrommemorywithouteverevenlookingatrealhorses,treesorpeople?”saidBlack.
“True,”Isaid,“butthosearememoriesacquiredafteryearsofthought,plationandrefle.Havingseeyofhorses,illustratedandactual,overtheirlifetimes,theyknowthatthelastflesh-and-bloodhorsetheyseebeforethemwillonlymartheperfecthorsetheyholdihoughts.ThehorsethatamasterminiaturisthasdrawntensofthousandsoftimeseventuallyesclosetoGod’svisionofahorse,aistknowsthisthroughexperienddeepinhissoul.Thehorsethathishanddrawsquicklyfrommemoryisrehtalent,greateffort,andinsight,anditisahorsethatapproachesAllah’shorse.However,theearthatisdrawnbeforethehandhasaccumulatedanyknowledge,beforetheartisthasweighedandsideredwhatitisdoing,orbeforepayingattentiontotheearsoftheshah’sdaughter,willalwaysbeaflaw.Preciselybecauseitisaflaw,orimperfe,itwillvaryfromminiaturisttominiaturist.Thatis,itamountstoasignature.”
Therewasaotion.Theander’smenwerebringingintotheoldworkshopthepagesthey’dcollectedfromthehomesoftheminiaturistsandthecalligraphers.
“Besides,earsareactuallyahumanflaw,”Isaid,hopingBlackwouldsmile.“They’reatoindontoeveryone:aperfeifestationofugliness.”
“peheminiaturistwho’dbeencaughtbytheauthoritiesthroughhisstyleofpaintingears?”
Irefrainedfromsaying,“HewasbliokeepBlabeingevenmoredowncast.Instead,Iresponded,“Hemarriedtheshah’sdaughter,andthismethod,whichhasbeeoidentifyminiaturistseversince,isknownbymanykhans,shahsandsultanswhofundbook-artsworkshopsasthe”courtesahod.“Furthermore,itiskeptsecretsothatifoheirminiaturistsmakesaforbiddenfigureorasmalldesignthatcealssomemischiefandlaterdenieshavingdoheyquicklydeterminewhowasresponsible—geistshaveaninstinctivedesiretodrawwhat’sforbidden!Sometimestheirhandsmakemischiefontheirown.Uncthesetransgressionsinvolvesfindingtrivial,quicklydrawnaitivedetailsremovedfromtheheartofthepainting,suchasears,hands,grass,leaves,orevenhorses’manes,legsorhooves.Butbeware,themethoddoesn’tworkiftheillustratorhimselfismindfulthatthisdetailhasbeehisowsignature.Mustacheswon’twork,forinstance,becausemanyartistsareawarehowfreelythey’redrawnasasortofsignatureanyway.Buteyebroossibility:Noonepaysmuchattentiontothem.enow,let’sseewhiastershavebroughttheirbrushesandreedpenstobearuponlateEnishte’sillustrations.”
Thuswebroughttogetherthepagesoftwoillustratedmanuscripts,owasbeingpletedsecretlyaheropenly,twobookswithdifferentstoriesandsubjects,illustratedintwodistinctstyles;thatis,deceasedEnishte’sbookandtheBookofFestivitiesretingourprince’scircumcisionceremony,whosecreationwasundermytrol.BladIlookedilywhereverImovedmymagnifyinglens:
1.InthepagesoftheBookofFestivities,wefirststudiedtheopenmouthofthefoxwhosepeltamasterofthefurrier’sguild,inaredcaftanandpurplesash,heldonhislapastheguildpassedbeforeOurSultan,watgtheparadefromalogemadespecificallyfortheevent.Unmistakably,Olivehadmadeboththefox’steeth,whichwereindividuallydistinguishable,ahinEnishte’sillustrationofSatan,anominouscreature,half-demonandhalf-giant,thatappearedtohaveefromSamarkand.
2.Onaparticularlyjoyousdayofthefestivities,belowOurSultan’slogeoverlookingtheHippodrome,adivisionofimpoverishedfrontierghazisappearedintatteredclothes.Oheirlotmadeaplea:“MyExaltedSultan,we,yourheroicsoldiers,fellcaptiveaswefoughttheihenameofionandwereonlyabletogainourfreedombyleavinganumberofourbrethrenbehindashostages;thatis,weweresetfreeioamassransom.However,whenwearrivedbaIstanbul,wefouhingsoexpewe’vebeenuocollectthemoosaveourbrethrenwholanguishasprisonersofthekaffirs.We’reatthemercyofyouraid.Pleasegrantusgoldorslavesthatwemighttakebacktoexgefortheirfreedom.”Storkclearlymadethenailsofthelazydogofftotheside—glaringwithoneopeOurSultan,atourpoor,destituteghazisandatthePersianandTatarambassadorsintheHippodrome—aswellasthenailsofthedogoccupyingaerofthesedepigtheadveheGoldinEnishte’sbook.
3.AmongthejugglersspinningeggsonpiecesofwoodandturningsomersaultsbeforeOurSultanwasabaldmanwithbarecalveswearingapurplevest,whoplayedatambourineashesatofftoonesideonaredcarpet;thismaheinstrumelythesamewaythewomanheldalargebrassservingtrayintheillustrationofRedinEnishte’sbook:doubtlesstheworkofOlive.
4.Asthecooks’guildpushedpastOurSultan,theywerecookingstuffedcabbagewithmeatandonionsinacauldroingonastoveintheircart.Themastercooksapanyistoodonpihrestiewpotsoohesestoneswererehesameartistwhomadetheredonesondark-blueearthabovewhichfloatedthehalf-ghostlycreatureintheillustrationthatEnishtecalledDeath:theunmistakableworkofButterfly.
5.MouarmessengersbroughtwordthatthePersianShah’sarmieshadbeguntomobilizeforanothercampaignagainsttheOttomans,whothereupohegroundtheexquisiteobservationkioskofthePersianambassadorwho’drepeatedlyaffirmedtoOurSultan,RefugeoftheWorld,inacascadeofpleasahattheShahwasHisfriendandharborednothingbutbrotherlyaffeforHim.Duringthisepisodeofwratharu,waterbearersranouttosettlethedustraisedintheHippodrome,andagroupofmenappearedshoulderihersacksfulloflinseedoiltopouroveramobreadytoattacktheambassador,inhopesofpacifyingit.TheraisedfeetofthewaterbearersandofthemencarryingsacksoflinseedoilweremadebythesameartistwhopaiheraisedfeetofchargingsoldiersinthedepiofRed:alsotheworkofButterfly.
Iwasn’ttheonewhomadethislastdiscoveryasIdirectedoursearchforclues,movingthemagnifyinglensrightaothatpicturethenthisoheritwasBlack,whoopenedhiseyeswideandscarcelyblinkedgrippedbythefearoftortureandthehopeofreturningtohisaitedhimathome.Usingthe“courtesahod,”ittookaireafternoontosortoutwhiiniaturistsworkedoneachoftheuresleftbythelateEnishte,andlater,tointerpretthatinformation.
Black’slateEnishtedidn’tlimitanysinglepagetotheartistictalentofjustoneminiaturist;allthreeofmymasterminiaturistsworkedonmostoftheillustrations.Thismeantthatthepicturesweremovedfromhousetohousewithgreatfrequenadditiontothewnized,Inoticedtheamateurishstrokesofafifthartist,butasIgrewangryatthedearthoftalentshownbythisdisgracefulmurderer,BlackdeterminedfromthecautiousbrushstrokesthatitwasiheworkofhisEnishte—therebysavingusfromfollowingafalselead.IfwedistedpantEffendi,who’ddonealmostthesamegildingforEnishte’sbookandourBookofFestivities(yes,thisofcoursebrokemyheart)andwho,Igathered,hadoccasionallyloweredhisbrushtoexecuteafewwalls,leavesandclouds,itwasevidentthatonlymythreemostbrilliantmasterminiaturistshadtributedtotheseillustrations.TheywerethedarlingsI’dlovinglytrainedsiheirapprenticeships,mythreebelovedtalents:Olive,ButterflyandStork.
Discussialents,masteryandtemperamentstotheendoffindingthecluewewerelookingforiablyledtoadiscussionofmyownlifeaswell:
TheAttributesofOliveHisgivennamewasVelijan.IfhehadaniamebesidestheoneI’dgivenhim,Idon’tknowit,becauseIneversawhimsignanyofhiswork.Whenherentice,he’degetmefrommyhomeonTuesdayms.Hewasveryproud,andsoifheeverloweredhimselftosignhiswork,he’dwantthissignaturetobeplainandreizable;hewouldn’ttrytocealitanywhere.Allahhadquitegenerouslyendowedhimwithexcessability.Hecouldreadilyandeasilydoanythingfromgildingtorulingandhisworkerb.Hewastheworkshop’smostbrilliaoroftrees,animalsandthehumanface.Velijan’sfather,whhthimtoIstanbulwhenhewas,Ibelieve,tenyearsold,wastrainedbySiyavush,thefamousillustratorspecializingihePersianShah’sTabrizworkshop.Hehailsfromalonglineofmasterswhosegenealogygoesbaongols,andjustliketheelderlymasterswhoboreaMongol-eseinfluendsettledinSamarkand,Bukharaa15o,herenderedmoon-facedyoungloversasiftheywereese.herduringhisapprenticeshipnhistimeasamasterwasIabletoleadthisstubbornartisttoother松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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