Jaaguzannama: the ultimate chessboard
| Jaaguzannama: the ultimate chessboard | |
| Original title | Jaaguzannama |
| Language | Common Tongue |
| Author(s) | Gustaaf Vermeylen |
| Genre | Historical narratives |
| Location(s) | Çakaristan |
| (main) characters | Jaaguzan |
| Timeframe | 1709 AN and onwards |
Jaaguzannama: the ultimate chessboard is the second part in the story series Jaaguzannama, which begins shortly after the wedding day of Jaaguzan and Zahra al-Osman. It is a sequel to Jaaguzannama: the rise of the Ducula Aenea.
Theme music
Roll of dice
It was shortly after their return from their honeymoon that there was a knock at the door of Zahra's chamber. "Come," Zahra answered. The doors opened, an agha entered and said, "Shahbanu, His Majesty wishes you in his chamber". She nodded and the agha left the chamber. She quickly got ready and walked to the Shahanshah's chamber. She was followed to the door of that room by two ladies of the court, which was customary. The door was opened by an agha, after which her arrival was announced. The Shahanshah responded with "come". Zahra entered and responded to her husband's open arms by embracing him. "My husband, have you sent for me to repeat this magical morning?" Jaaguzan smiled and thought of the passion he had with her. "Well," he stammered, "I certainly won't turn down that offer." Zahra began to laugh. Jaaguzan continued, "Unfortunately, the reason is not so romantic. More in the sense that I would like to hear what you think of the matter."
•••
From a balcony, she could oversee the city. She thought of Abu, her dear husband, whom she had been missing for five years now. Her heart ached and tears came from her eyes. "Oh, great Craitgod, what is left for me?" She did not know how to pray more. Aishwarya entered the balcony and saw her mother standing sadly. She said, "Mother?" Jodha looked up and at the sight of her daughter a smile appeared. She wiped away her tears, but she could not hide the fact that she had just cried.
"My mother," said Aishwarya, hugging her mother. "Would father have wanted you to continue mourning him for five years? I fully understand that you do not want to remarry. But try to rediscover the beautiful things in life. You can do that, without losing the good memories of father." Jodha stammered, "But...", after a while she looked up into her daughter's eyes. "Your father would say how much you are like me, your beauty." She sighed and took off the black veil from her head. Her daughter smiled and hugged her intensely.
•••
Emotionally, Atiya arrived at the Al-Hamra Palace along with her brother, Farhan, and her sister, Aisha. Their departure was surreal at the time. They did not know that they would flee from Arbor, their parents had only told them in the Crait temple in Craitabad. They did not return to Al-Hamra after that. During Mustafa Asada's reign of terror, the whole town had been emptied. Many of its inhabitants never returned. Slowly, life began to return to the town. The return of the Alsalam family is a boost for the inhabitants.
Atiya ordered that the town and the palace should be restored to their former glory. She knew that most of the residents were struggling to make ends meet, let alone pay for repairs to their houses, shops and public buildings. Giving a short speech in the town square, she announced that the costs would be paid from the treasury of the Alsalam family. The people cheered with joy and sang praises to the family.
•••
"Hrithik is sixteen years old, he wants to join the army next year. I have been asked if I would agree to it," Jaaguzan said. Zahra thought for a while and meanwhile she walked around. She stopped at the side table with a large chessboard on it. She picked up one of the pieces, a faras, and said, "Let him serve his Shahanshah, a young man like him should not be caged in a palace." Jaaguzan nodded in agreement and said, "Good."
Zahra put the piece back, as Jaaguzan approached. "You once said you could play chess," Jaaguzan said. Zahra nodded in agreement. "Are you familiar with Shatranj Al-Kabir (Great chess)?" asked Jaaguzan. Zahra replied and said, "Yes indeed, only we called it Tahmaseb chess" "Ah of course", Jaaguzan responded, "named after Tahmaseb Abakhtari" "Correct", Zahra said, "and as we are used to, the game starts with a roll of a dice".
