Zhenjin, Huaizong, Mahintha and Tan Po walking are towards Weilan.

  "I thought those Wizards were on our side." Huaizong laments

  "Everyone has his own interests." Zhenjin is pragmatic

  "Told you to marry Huyen." Huaizong

  "Shut up!… it's too late. Someday...in some other world." Zhenjin wishes

  ———————-

  At Dusshelas Quarters at the harem at Hòugōng

  The three Madjapahits royals and the Devi TaraBai arrive in a beautiful horse drawn carriage. Beautifully dressed they enter Dusshela's Pavilion. Sumita meets them at the foyer.

  "Oh it's wonderful. Perhaps Khan will build us something like this too". Raji Dewi giggles excitedly.

  "Yes and at first he paid for it" says Dusshela. "but I extended towards the lake and added fountains there and I miss my rose garden so I had to import the blue roses. I didn't tell Khan. I was being extravagant I don't want to abuse his hospitality."

  "Oh yes I understand I dont really want to stay at Weilan it's inappropriate as I am not a vassal heir. I would like to stay here by you Dusshela". TaraBai is a much younger Queen in need of a mother. I am just a consort I can’t promise an alligiance. King Jahan decides those things

  "You carry the heir of Akbar . You are more than just a consort. Come in. We three Queens should stay together. Here at the Hòugōng Harem where all widows and orphans should stay. But what about your Wizards?", Dusshela asks Tara Bai

  "A lady needs a handmaiden more than she needs Wizards. As for my Wizards I'll ask Zhenjin if I can keep them at the guest pavilion at Weilan. They are all royals. Some from collapsed houses but royals." TaraBai asserts

  "Is there enough space for them there? All nine of them?" Dusshela

  "Oh yeah the walls are pretty thick. TaraBai

  "The walls ?"Gitarji befuddled

  "Oh yes that's where they like to hang out . They never go where they aren't invited and keeping them in one place makes keeping an eye on them simpler. They can't escape shadows or walls unless you want them too." TaraBai

  "Very convenient." Gitarji agrees

  "Akbar is great!" exclaims TaraBai

  Raji and Sumita roughly the same age gravitate to one another. They sit by the fireplace. Sumita is showing Raji her books

  "Do we include Urduja in our discussions ?" Dusshela.

  "She isn't Queen yet. This project requires older Queens. Leave Sumita, Raji Dewi out of it. Chabi is our hostess so the "Princess Ball" will be our project to thank Emperor Khublai and Empress Chabi . Keep this between us three. Gayatri is a practicing Buddhist." Insists Gitarji

  The three Queens sit around a table . Dusshela claps and tea is served by four handmaids.

  "Why don't we build a separate palace for the newly weds...." says TaraBai "one above a body of water so no one can set it ablaze.

  "That is wise" Dusshela says.

  "By The Botanical Gardens" sighs Gitarji

  "We have much to discuss" Dusshela

  —————————

  At Weilan

  "You're cooked!" Huaizong. "They'll marry you off to some snobbish highborn Han lady".

  "Honestly, it doesn't seem all that bad. I feel bad for her, who ever these three conniving Queens manage to dupe or coerce into such an arrangement. After all I'm just supposed to get her pregnant. The continuance of the line.... that's rather simple operation on my part. But....."Zhenjin trails off....The obligations and....

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  "And Huyen....", Tan Po interrupts

  "Yes Huyen. It's unfair to any snobbish highborn Han lady how ever intolerable she may be to just use her" complains Zhenjin

  "A Khazan with a conscience......we are doomed." Huaizong foretells

  "The truth: Huyen is married." Tan Po reminds him.

  "It is hard for me to marry another when my heart still belongs to another." confesses Zhenjin

  "The romantic!" Huaizong bargains. "View this as a transaction".

  "Didn't Faizi say you are not committing to anyone?" Mahintha

  "No but I am committing to a process. Every matchmaker will now consider me fair game" says Zhenjin.

  "So.....what now?" Asks TanPo

  "We wait for the Queens to make their move" Zhenjin resigned to his fate

  "And Khan?", Tan Po asks.

  "Seems happy that I am attending to something that he considers important. Grand kids continuance of the line etc."

  "Gitarji, Sumita and Raji Dewi, all three declined. You aren't popular. We have run out of viable royals"

  "Didn't expect either Gitarji, Sumita or Raji Dewi to accept such a hastily made proposal." Expresses his unease. "These three queens have my life in their hands. I hope you three were polite to the queens at all times"

  "I took care of Queen Dusshela, the lady Sumita and The Madjapahits when we toured ChengDu and assured them in the Darkness of Cuiyin". Mahintha reports of his trek with the Vassals and their guests through their tour of the south. Proud to brag of his stewardship through ChrngDu and Cuiyin.

  "Along with Prince Huaizong I tracked down and rescued the Madjapahit Royals. Fought off their assassins and gave them a clear escape to Darjeeling." Tan Po reports

  "I also rescued the Madjapahits and peeped at the lady RajiDewi. She forgave me and she's really cool. Wish other ladies were more like her" . Huaizong smiles.

  "Banishment is too good for him, my lord" says Tan Po.

  "Execution is a preferred form of punishment for the unrepentant". Mahintha reminds them.

  ———————————————

  At Hòugōng

  Change of scene . Three Queens are now sitting in cushions in Dusshela's library.

  "Command him, now! Get down on one knee and propose" imperious Dusshela is Queen

  "Oh yes I have thought of it but that only means he has no choice on the matter".

  "He doesn't!", say TaraBai and Dusshela in unison

  "We are queens. After we want a man of lower status he becomes useless. He can no longer serve us." Gitarji expresses her innermost conflict.

  "Yes sad" Dusshela. "He serves you in bed or in office. You sleep with him and you lose all agency as Queen.

  "So I never touch him" Gitarji

  "Oh noble Queen! How long has this been going on?" Asks Dusshela.

  "After you are through with him perhaps you can send him to Sunda? To work with that...troublesome brotherhood", suggests TaraBai

  "You are asking me to part from him. I will not do that." Gitarji. "He comes and goes as he will."

  "You mean he remains in you service in official capacity" says Dusshela with that tinge of cynicism of one who's been there before. "I know of what you speak.”

  "Yes it is a slow form of torture", Gitarji admits

  “we’re you ever alone?”

  ”We were so tightly watched. Spies everywhere…but I will not hesitate if I were with him alone.

  "But you are wise. Self preservation is the number one rule. You can't fall in love with this man.". Dusshela says. "Did he defy your father?".

  "Both mine and his when he formed the brotherhood .We grew up together. Telling kings that they are equals was not a popular move." Gitarji relates. “Father banished him.”

  And you waited for him to return

  Yes

  "And that's why the Ambohiby and the Bebato fight. Because someone said they must be equals." Dusshela drives it home. "In SIndhu we fight over much less."

  "Sons don't think like their fathers". Concludes TaraBai.

  "No they don't" affirms Gitarji.

  "And he risked all to rescue you. You should thank the man. As only you know how." Insists TaraBai.

  "I wish" said Gitarji. "I've not had the time since he returned to MalayGascar. And then we were attacked by Durjana. Where there can a Queen find time to " thank our subjects" . The Queens giggle.

  "When Zalir was banished, where did he go?"

  "I am not certain but I think he was organizing in Sunda. For the brotherhood. Dusshela you've spent time with Zhenjin what is he like?"

  "Well he has, under pretext, asked me to his bedchamber. But usually the three other vassals are there. We play parlour games. Sumita has done this all her life. There is not a card game, a dance that Sumita doesn't know. A few times we have been alone. Khazan is a serious prince."

  "Were you never tempted?"

  "Yes but ultimately no. He is Zhenjin. Very worthy Prince. Handsome and well every girls dream. But I don't want to. It’s inconvenient"

  "We'll just to sleep with occasionally". TaraBai giggles

  "I did think of it. He is dashing and handsome. We are keeping up pretenses. Might as well. But I don't give into the expectations of others. I don't live by their rules. I'm contrary I like to do what others don't think I'm doing. What ever it is they think I'm doing, I am doing the opposite. I am Queen. Why did Zalir return to Ambohiby?"

  "My father when he realized that Durjana had spies and mercenaries all over the palace plotting against him, he realized Zalir had warned him. Father asked Zalir to return. Forcing Durjana's hand. Zalir was a soldier once and he has a loyal following among his men. Durjana could not infiltrate the Palace guard. Hired mercenaries attacked the Palace. The rice harvest failed Zalir lived up north to settle feuding rice growing tribes. They had a peace agreement and Durjana was condemned by the mountain tribes. I hadn’t seen him for 10 years.

  Durjana knew Zalir was returning from the mountains when he attacked the Palace.

  "A daring rescue." Dusshela sighs

  "Yes." Shyly

  "I too would love that man" and he has been with you since you were children. This is a strong bond.

  "Yes I would too love him. He is handsome. We must thank our subjects shouldn't we? As only a Queen knows how..." TaraBai hints at seduction

  "Give him a plot of land or a box of gold it's all the same to him but you will thirst forever." Dusshela is ultimately practical. "But in secrecy.... There is total freedom." She smiles. "There is a way."

  "This is a wonderful cup of tea." Gitarji exclaims.

  ”We are Queens!”