Chapter 45
Sheiji spent every free moment with Sahima after that. Whenever he could, he included her in his meetings and audiences with common people. The people already adored her and admired her beauty. But no one loved her more than Sheiji did.
In less than a week, they would be married. Wedding preparations were nearly complete. Invitations had been sent out, including one to Vishou, Sahima’s father. The meal was planned, the ceremony rehearsed and the decorations and wardrobes prepared. Sheiji had not told Sahima of his suspicions about her father, for he didn’t want her to worry, but he had not yet figured out what he was going to do to stop Vishou.
Then it came to him late one night as he was lying in bed with a thousand worries on his mind: Korin. When Mirala had left for Hevana with her entourage, Korin had been hidden in the army barracks under the disguise of a servant to Inon. Sheiji figured that there was no safer place to keep him. Inon was Sheiji’s most faithful friend and loyal general, not to mention a marvelous fighter.
Now, what if Korin went back to work in the kitchens? He could keep an eye on things and perhaps even prevent the poison from being put into the food. As he had explained to Sheiji long ago, he was small and could hide in places most adults could not. And they would be suspecting an adult spy.
If Korin could catch them in the act of trying to poison Sahima, and with Korin’s testimony of Vishou poisoning King Tuan, they would have plenty of evidence to do away with Vishou. Then Sahima would be safe and Korin would no longer have to hide. But how could they catch Vishou. They would need more witnesses than just Korin. Sheiji mused over his new idea.
Early the next morning, Sheiji went in search of Korin. He explained his plan, which Korin bravely agreed to try. “Vishou will be arriving the day after tomorrow. You will have to watch every day, from the minute he gets here to the minute he leaves.”
“With the wedding coming up and so much food to prepare, it shouldn’t seem at all suspicious that you would hire another kitchen boy, Vua,” Korin added.
“Yes. Do you think you could start today? It would be more suspicious if you started the day Vishou arrived.”
“I can start whenever you need me to start, Vua,” Korin replied.
“Good, I’ll tell the cook and you can start immediately. Remember, I’ll have soldiers stationed nearby. You need only give the signal and they’ll move in and arrest whomever Vishou sends with the poison,” Sheiji told Korin as he left.
The wedding day dawned and Sheiji was up before the sun. Excitement distracted his mind and took away his appetite. Restlessly, he paced across his room as he waited for his servants to arrive and for the long hours of bathing and dressing and fussing to commence.
In the enormous Court of Women, Sahima was waiting in a similar fashion. She had braided and unbraided her long hair seven times in the past hour. She had tried to sit down and practice her embroidery, which the palace maids had begun to teach her, but only made a mess of it in her impatience.
The guests had all arrived. Vishou first, meeting his daughter with an exaggerated amount of affection, which made even Sahima suspect something fishy was afoot. Mirala and her family arrived next. Mirala told Sheiji with overflowing joy that she was now betrothed to Mansa and would be married in less than a year. King Naro and Ariuk arrived. Ariuk was indeed doing well and was almost completely well. Occasionally he would get an excruciating headache which would put him in bed for days, but that was the only lingering symptom.
At last, after eating a small lunch, Sheiji and Sahima were led along different passageways to the throne room where their wedding would be held. Sheiji stood on the platform below his throne dressed splendidly in a red tunic sewn with gold embroidery. Fa-Ying leaned feebly on a servant as he stood waiting for his role in the ceremony. The guests were gathered together on either side of the room, waiting with anticipation for the bride to appear.
The doors opened to admit Sahima, carried on the shoulders of two royal guards. She was dressed in white with the same golden embroidery that covered Sheiji’s tunic. Her jet-black hair was piled ornately on top of her head and a net of gold held it in place. Her neck dripped with gold and jewels and only Sheiji and her dressing maids knew how she had protested this extravagance.
The guards lowered her from their shoulders and she stood across from Sheiji. The priest—not the traitorous EL-Yoran—said many words over the young couple. Jihaad, as First Advisor, also added his blessing. The ceremony was the longest Sheiji ever had to endure, but at last Fa-Ying’s part came. Aided by a servant, he walked forward to stand in front of Sheiji and Sahima. Taking a half of the ring from each of them, he slowly pushed the two halves together. The room watched breathlessly. It was so quiet that Sheiji even heard the click that the two rings made as they slid together. “As the rings become one, so these two, Vua Sheiji-Yueng and Princess Sahima, are now one,” Fa-Ying said. “May this ring, and these two, never be separated.”
They were married.
Great celebration and feasting followed. From that moment until late at night, there would be singing and dancing. The guests soon devoured the food, which had taken days to prepare. Even the peasants, who had not been invited to the ceremony or celebration, had their own parties at home. There was not a man, woman or child in all of Imatsuro who went to bed hungry that night. Sheiji ordered that on this night, the beggars, the orphans and the homeless were to enjoy their own feast at his expense.
They were celebrating not only the marriage of Sheiji and Sahima, but also the joining of two countries: Imatsuro and Nakuchi. By this marriage, the two held a strong political bond. Sheiji ruled Imatsuro and Sahima ruled Nakuchi, and together they ruled a fused nation. It was not rare for such things to occur. The present Kingdom of Imatsuro had been formed by the marriages of heirs. But never had two countries as large as these been united in this way.
As the night progressed, Sheiji became increasingly more worried. He knew that Vishou would have to act soon, if he had not already, or it would be too late to poison Sahima. Sahima noticed his preoccupation, but Sheiji would not tell her his fears.
Halfway through the night, a man ran into the banquet hall and fell to his knees before Sheiji, trying to speak through his gasping breathing. Sheiji made him rest a moment. It was late enough in the night that most of the men were too drunk to even notice the stranger, but several did, pointing and whispering in loud voices.
“Vua,” the man panted. “Korin says that the affectionate falcon has made the dive toward its prey.”
Sheiji stood hurriedly.
“What is it, Sheiji?” Sahima asked.
“Nothing,” Sheiji whispered. “Just stay near Jihaad and Inon.”
Sahima watched him follow the giver of the strange message. She saw Vishou shifting nervously in his chair. His eyes also followed Sheiji and then turned to look at Sahima with a piercing gaze.
“So, daughter, do you like your new husband?” Vishou came to sit beside Sahima.
“Very much,” Sahima answered.
“Yes, he is a wonderful man, I’m sure,” Vishou said.
“Vishou, if you lay a hand on her,” Inon warned.
Vishou’s eyes flitted to Inon’s side where a dagger was concealed. “I would never harm my daughter, would I, Sahima?”
“N…no,” Sahima said uncertainly.
“Right,” Vishou smiled. He put an arm around Sahima who squirmed uncomfortably.
“Vishou,” Inon warned in a voice barely audible.
“Daughter, won’t you have some more wine?” Vishou asked, ignoring Inon. He motioned to a servant standing nearby. The servant came forward with two goblets of wine on the tray. “Do have some, it’s quite good,” he urged Sahima. “I believe I’ll have some myself.” He reached for the goblet nearest to him.
“No, sir,” the servant stopped him. “I believe this one has a bit more. Too much wine isn’t good for a young girl like the Queen.” The servant handed Vishou the other glass.
Sahima took the goblet of wine, which was offered to her and drained it quickly, much to the horror of Inon and Jihaad. Sheiji came back into the room just in time to see her finish off the last drop.
“NO!” he cried, running to her side and taking her in his arms. “Sahima!” Vishou smiled and turned away satisfied.