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FILMINDIA
May 1942
it well. She held audience daily in the Diwan-e-Aam, she revoked the cruel laws inspired by Ruknuddin's greed; she restored her father's justice in the land. In person she rode about her capital, inspecting defences, investigating conditions, seeing for herself how her people fared; and Jafar, the Abyssinian slave, was ever her constant attendant. Him she promoted to be her Master of the Horse. There were those among her nobles who resented this— Altunia was one of them— but there was no gainsaying her. "You are very faithful Jafar", she said to him once, when a creature of her enemies, seeking to bribe him had met his death, instantly and irresistibly, at the dispassionate hands of Jafar, who wasted no time and made no fuss about it.
Jafar looked at her with all his unquestioning adoration in his face.
"My sovereign" he said simply, "you are my goddess. There is nothing in this world I would not do for you."
"Nothing, Jaffar?" said Razia Sultana gently.
"Nothing, my lady, were it to slay or be slain; to wipe out your enemies one by one till all be gone; or even — the hardest of all — to spare them at your bidding. Ask what you will of me; I am your slave not only in body but in soul."
"I wish tl ere were more as faithful as you, Jafar," said Razia Sultana. "Also I wish that I could reward you for your loyalty."
"I ask nothing more than to serve you to the last moment of my life, most dear lady," said Jafar.
Before long, inevitably, the news reached Ruknuddin that he had been deposed behind his back and that his sister was reigning in his stead. He promptly marched upon Delhi, furious and swearing high vengeance. He did not get it. Razia Sultana mustered her troops and herself rode out with them, the faithful Jafar at her right hand. She was fully prepared for battle; but there was no battle; Ruknuddin had only a handful of troops with him, and seeing the futility .if fighting he fled leaving her triumphant.
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"It was never meant that my people should suffer under him again," said thus Razia Sultana exultantly. She went back to Delhi and to the business of ruling her huge unwieldy realm beneath the watchful eyes of all men.
THE NOBLE SLAVE
Of these, none were more vigilant than the keen-sighted ones of Altunia, patiently biding his time in his province of Bhatinda. Too soon as yet to fulfil his intention of sharing the throne; it was still unstable and he had many enemies. He waited, observing the young Queen's progress approvingly; until presently it came to his ears that she was making altogether too
much of her slave Jafar, now her Master of Horse. She had lately, Altunia learned, raised the Abyssinian to the rank of Noble of Nobles; he was her constant companion within doors as well as out; she had given him rich presents; it was even told of her that when she went riding she permitted him to lift her on and off her mount with his own hands — a liberty whereof the news made Altunia's blood rise hotly. He said little and the fate of the tale-bearer is not recorded; forthwith he went in person to Delhi, demanding audience of the Queen; and faced her, when they were alone, with wrath thunderous in his eyes. She confronted him unflinchingly.