Jaaguzannama: Pax Apollonia
| Jaaguzannama: Pax Apollonia | |
| |
| Original title | Jaaguzannama |
| Language | Common Tongue |
| Author(s) | Gustaaf Vermeylen |
| Genre | Historical narratives |
| Location(s) | Çakaristan |
| (main) characters | Jaaguzan |
| Timeframe | 1716 AN and onwards |
Jaaguzannama: Pax Apollonia is the fourth part in the story series Jaaguzannama. It is a sequel to Jaaguzannama: Imperium Intermarium.
A time to keep silence
"Are you out of your mind!" roared Jaaguzan. The Muqaddam of the submarine that ran aground on Leng had returned to Agra. He was expecting a glorious welcome because he had expanded the empire. For the first time in decades, the Alsalam family, previously known as Vinandy, again ruled a piece of Benacia. But the reception by the Shahanshah was completely different from what he had expected. Dejected, he stood in the grand throne room of the Red Fortress. Bowing his head, he looked at the marble floor. A few steps higher, on a throne sat the Shahanshah, who stood up in anger.
"How dare you!", continued Jaaguzan, "yes, you have protected your crew, your vessel and its secrets. But claiming land, you should not have done that." The Muqaddam fell to his knees and said, "Oh your majesty, forgive me! Forgive me!" Jaaguzan looked away and gestured for the man to leave.
Moments later, the Grand Vizier stood before the Shahanshah's desk. "Your Majesty, the diplomats have consulted well with the diplomats of the Benacian Union. We need not worry about any conflict." Jaaguzan nodded, "Good, good". After a moment's thought, "Perhaps we should have an arrangement where a land claim can only be initiated by me." The Grand Vizier nodded in agreement.
•••
Zahra was sitting with a baby at her breast. Astir was visiting, who said, "Congratulations on the birth of your son." "Thank you, we are very pleased with his birth," Zahra replied. She continued by saying, "But Hakim is very touched by the war. He is absent-minded, distracted." Astir was silent. After a while, Zahra asked Astir, "You are close to Atiya. Can't you, through Atiya, bring about a truce, talk of peace, well... whatever it takes to stop this."
Astir did not really want to answer. Zahra was interrupted by the fact that the baby had drunk enough. The ladies of the court helped burp the boy, decorate Zahra and so on. This was the opportunity for Astir to leave. Zahra got angry at Astir's silent departure. Angry, she walked to the balcony. The cool afternoon breeze cooled Zahra down.
•••
"Mr Speaker, on behalf of the Shahanshah, I would like to inform the Congress that the State of Emergency has been declared due to the state of war with Sanpantul" spoke the Grand Vizier. A few members protested, but by far most positively. "Order, order," said the Speaker, "thank you, Mr Grand Vizier, we are recording this announcement in the proceedings". Some members stood up, to be given the floor. The Speaker gave the floor to Anand Nehru. Anand Nehru said, "Thank you, Mr Speaker, it is in accordance with the Constitution for the Shahanshah to declare a state of emergency. Given the situation, we also understand that. Only I myself have difficulty with unlimited powers." There was some protest from the audience, but it fell silent before the Speaker could intervene. "Mr Speaker, I would like to move a motion that the powers of the Shahanshah be limited to what is necessary for the war."
The motion was received, and after other MPs spoke, the motion was put to a vote. "Hear, hear!", spoke the Speaker, "motion limiting the powers of our Shahanshah in the state of emergency is defeated".
A time to strike
"Commander, very nice to see you" "Your Grace, the honour is all mine," said the Commander. "Speak, tell what is going on," said Hrithik. "Your Grace, forgive me. You call me 'Commander', my military title is Muqaddam." The Chief replied and spoke for Hrithik: "By the shashor you are so called. But you are not service of that Arboric substitute. You are in the service of the Sultan". The Commander nodded.
Hrithik gestured for the Commander to continue narrating, "In the coming days, the Shaha... er shashor will travel to Maulikpur. He has had a palace built there. Now that this palace has been completed, the shashor will come and open the palace. Here I have the programme." The Commander took out a paper and handed it to the Chief. The latter read it and handed it to Hrithik. "Good, with this information we can proceed. Return to your post, and await instructions". "Yes, Your Grace," the Commander replied with a bow.
•••
"My Shahbanu, didn't you want to go to Maulikpur?" asked Leylah Khatun. "No way, I could not take Daniyal with me", replied Zahra. "My Shahbanu, forgive me, but the baby is strong enough to travel", responded Leylah Khatun. Zahra sighed and said, "You are right, my answer was for Hakim. Now I could still make some arrangements here. Before the next elections, several parties will unite and then United Green's position can finally be broken." After a sip of tea, Zahra continued, "The only thing that worries me is that Hakim has taken Ceyda Khatun with him." "My Shahbanu, the Shahanshah has been with her before. Currently, the palace is filled with children, including those of concubines. The constitution dictates that only sons from legitimate marriages can succeed to the throne." "Yes, I know that," Zahra responded mildly irritated, "It is idea that your husband, your husband, is intimate with another woman that is embarrassing. Even if it is a concubine, even if it does not threaten my position and that of my children". "Forgive me," pleaded Leylah Khatun. "It's all right," Zahra replied.
•••
"Your majesty, may I invite you to cut this ribbon," Shivaji Bhonsale spoke. Jaaguzan took the golden scissors in his hand and with an elegant wave, he cut the ribbon. Those present started applauding. From the architect, the Shahanshah, the prince and other selected guests were given a tour. Among them was Aishwarya Çakar, who feasted her eyes on the splendour. After all, she had advised Jaaguzan to have a palace built in this part of the country so that he could be more near his people. This part of the country is the most populated.
After dinner, the guests were led to the garden. Night had fallen and lights of the garden were dimmed a little. A fireworks show began to welcome the Shahanshah to his new palace. Beautifully, the sky was lit up by the fireworks.
Through a drone, Hrithik had a view of the garden of the Cenfae Mahal. The drone was supposed to mark the target of the missile that was to be fired. Through an insider, security had been partially disabled, which meant the drone detection and anti-aircraft defences present were not functioning. "There's the shashor," said the lieutenant enthusiastically. The chief admonished the lieutenant, but Hrithik gestured that it did not matter. On the screen, he saw Jaaguzan, who was watching the fireworks. He saw him gesturing to someone nearby. "Fire!", Hrithik ordered. The missile was fired. But then he saw who Jaaguzan was gesturing to. His sister, Aishwarya, appeared in view. Jaaguzan spoke in her ear, due to the noise of the fireworks. Hrithik shouted, "Abort! Abort!".
A time of secrets
Slowly, he woke up. He saw that the bed next to him was empty. He looked around the room and saw a woman getting dressed. He asked, "Are you leaving?" The woman was startled, as she hoped to leave quietly. "Your majesty, I don't know how to say this...", the woman hesitated. He got up and got out of bed. The woman started crying. "This is a mistake. We should not have done this" the woman continued. "Didn't you want this?" asked Jaaguzan. "Yes, but... still, we shouldn't have done this. I am not your concubine and I never want to become one" replied Aishwarya. "It's all right," Jaaguzan replied reassuringly. "Now, were you trying to get away unseen?" he asked. "I am sorry," she replied. Jaaguzan responded, "You are right, we should not have done this. But if you leave through that door, you will be seen. This palace also has secret corridors, then you can leave unseen". He walked to the bed, bent down and pressed a button on the back of one of bed legs. Then the bed folded up and the floor under the bed slumped down. A staircase appeared and light flickered on. Aishwarya looked surprised and grabbed her things. She walked over to Jaaguzan and they looked at each other. "Thank you," she said, but did not know what else to say. "Take care of yourself, should you need anything, I would be happy to hear from you," Jaaguzan said. For a moment they both thought. "Go now, then it won't be further uncomfortable," Jaaguzan said. She nodded and descended the stairs.
•••
"Gustavus, finally!", Parvati said as she hugged him. "Filips has found out that Yusuf is not his. From time to time, he lets it be known unflinchingly that he knows this. No matter what I say or do, he persists" Parvati told her. Gustavus replied, "Yes, he is right of course, but more importantly he does not leak this". "But I hardly have a life! We are sleeping separately now and he has already called me a slut and whore once" complained Parvati. Gustavus thought for a moment. "Ideally, I would like to live with you, together with our son. But as long as Filips is still married to you, this is not possible" he said. "Divorce is not possible, the shame is too great. Not only for me, but also for my family. Besides, Filips has to agree and he is not going to do that" she replied. Both remained silent.
A few days later, Gustavus had a meeting with a servant from Filips' court. In an obscure corner of a café, they sat talking. The servant did not know who he had in front of him, as Gustavus was dressed unrecognisably. Gustavus said, "I know you have debts. The burden of your generational debt is heavy and you are not going to be able to repay it. The interest burden is preventing you from sending your children to college. Unless your debt is repaid all at once." The servant nodded, wondering how Gustavus knew all this. "If you do one thing for me, I will redeem your debt" Gustavus continued. The servant looked up and asked, "What should I do for you?" Gustavus looked around, bowed towards the clerk. He said, placing a bottle of liquid on the table, "Put this in your prince's drink. But only your prince." The servant grew nervous, "Rest assured, it won't work immediately" Gustavus decided. The servant nodded, took the bottle and hid it in his clothes.
•••
"Your majesty, in the tail end of my career, I must unfortunately report something disturbing to you. The remains of a rocket have been found not far from here. It seems that this missile was fired on the night of the opening, but waved off. The security did not register this missile, exactly during the fireworks show, the system was down. We have arrested a security guard who had disabled the security. He will be taken to court soon" Ayush Bajpeyi said. "Thank you for your briefing. You had presented your last briefing to me differently, I suspect. The new Nawab ka Mahal will take over from you. We wish you a well-deserved retirement," Jaaguzan replied. "It was my honour," Ayush replied. He bowed and left the room.
His deputy was waiting in the front hall. Ayush addressed him, "Good luck and serve your Shahanshah well" The man nodded and walked into the Shahanshah's office. "Your majesty," he spoke with a bowed head. "Mete Agha, your predecessor has left a file. It is up to you to sort this matter out. I want to know who fired this missile and what the motive is." "Yes, your majesty" replied Mete Agha.
