"But there is nothing I could ask that I do not already have." "Sometimes you vex me with your good nature. The Inglish will now suspect the Moghul of India is a vain braggart." He fumbled with his turban, trying to detach the large blue sapphire attached to the front. "I will give you a jewel, even though you have not asked it." "I beg Your Majesty." She reached to stay his hand. "There is nothing more I could ever want." "But I must give you something." She smiled in defeat. "If you must bestow a present, why not give something to the bride and groom? This is their wedding, not mine." "Then at least you must name it. It will be my gift to you through them." He turned to Hawksworth. "Whatever else you do. Inglish, never marry a Persian. They forever study to try your patience." Hawksworth noticed Nadir Sharifs eyes harden as he listened. He slowly gripped the side of his bolster and absently pulled away a piece of gold fringe. "Then give them a small token, to show your confidence in Allaudin." "I asked you to name it." "Very well. Perhaps you could grant him the royal _jagirs _in Dholpur, those closest to Agra." Arangbar's sleepy eyes widened slightly. "Those _jagirs _always go to the prince nearest the throne. I granted them only last year to Prince Jadar, as part of his price to undertake the campaign in the Deccan." "But Prince Allaudin can administer them more easily. He's here. And you can compensate Jadar with others. Perhaps some in the north, near the fortress of Qandahar? You'll have to send him there after the campaign in the Deccan." Janahara's voice was silken now. Hawksworth turned to see Nadir Sharifs face growing ashen. She's trying to drive Jadar into oblivion. Rob him of his best estates, then send him to defend a piece of mountain rock. Surely Arangbar will refuse. Jadar will never agree. She must know that. Nadir Sharif certainly knows it. "What would Prince Jadar say to such a trade?" Arangbar sipped from his wineglass and shifted slightly, his eyes again barely in focus. "Why should he object? He's never here. And surely he'll be ready to obey Your Majesty and return to defend Qandahar after he completes his campaign in the south. The threat from the Persian Safavis in the north is already growing." "I doubt very much he will agree so easily to march north again. Not yet. Though I pray to Allah that he would." "Then this will give him all the more reason." "He may not see it as a reason. He may see it as a betrayal. You know he's temperamental." Hawksworth suddenly found himself wondering if the trade had been planned with Allaudin. It was obvious Nadir Sharif had been taken completely by surprise. "Then I suppose it's best dropped." Janahara turned her face away. "You can just forget I ever asked." Arangbar looked crushed. He sipped thoughtfully on his wine for a moment. "Perhaps if I consulted Prince Jadar first." He paused to study his empty wine cup. "The _jagirs _ were granted . . ."