"A Shi'ite mullah, Your Majesty, or a Sunni?"
"From this night forward, he will have Shi'ite mullahs perform all the duties for his household," Janahara interrupted.
The messenger performed the teslim to the queen and backed from the room. Arangbar sat silent, drinking.
"What does it matter?" He finally turned to her. "Let him have whatever he pleases."
"That is easy for you to say. But it does not please Allah. Tonight should be taken as an omen."
"Tonight is an omen of nothing. Tonight my son is charged to make a woman out of a Persian girl of fifteen, who knows nothing of her duties in bed. But he'll succeed. Give him time."
"I think tonight is an omen. Allah is not pleased when you allow open heresies to flourish."
Arangbar was watching a dancer who had approached the dais to begin a suggestive nautch dance for him. It seemed to Hawksworth that they were already well acquainted, for she smiled at him knowingly, avoiding the queen's glance.
"I care nothing for heresies." Arangbar turned back to Janahara. "I only care for the honor of my reign."
"But a faith divided does you no honor."