Tiger Thief (11 page)

A
s Sharat stood under the sign of Kali, desperately trying to think of what to do next, he heard the clatter of hooves and an ebony coach pulled up, blocking his way. Moments later, a pair of tiny hunchbacked footmen dressed in matching black trousers and turbans festooned with inky feathers hopped down and opened the carriage door, bowing deeply.

Sharat stared at the midgets in horrified recognition. Demons! Quickly, he tried to dodge past them, but one of them pushed him roughly into the dust.

“Out of the way!” he sneered.

Sharat was about to leap to his feet in protest when his insides turned over in shock. Stepping down from the carriage with a swish of his robes was the man in black;
the man he thought had stolen Emira.

He ducked his head and pressed himself against the wall, but to his relief, the man just brushed straight past him, and strode up the alleyway. Then, as the door opened, Sharat heard Fonke’s warm greetings.

The man in black was her gentleman caller.

Sharat’s first instinct was to storm back into the shop and demand to know where his tiger was, but he knew it would be far too dangerous to confront a nobleman. Somehow he had to find Aya and Alcherisma.

Squeezing past the coach, he ran into the road. His eyes darted left and right.

“Sharat! Sharat!”

The top of Aya’s face peeped out from behind a pile of baskets.

Sharat felt a rush of relief. “What are you doing?” he demanded. “I thought you’d taken the amulet and gone.”

Aya frowned. “Of course not!” she said. “I promised I’d make those wishes for you.” She cast her eyes nervously back in the direction of Fonke’s alley. “But first we need to get out of here.”

“Let’s go back to the square,” suggested Sharat.

They raced each other through the market. Sharat reached the fountain first. He turned to face Aya. “If you weren’t stealing the jinni, why were you hiding?” he demanded.

Aya caught her breath. “I’ll tell you once we’re out of the market,” she said. “We need to find somewhere where I can make your wishes.”

Sharat was thinking fast. “Yesterday I found an old summerhouse on the banks of the moat,” he said. “We can hide there.”

“Do you think you can find it again?”

“I think so,” said Sharat. “It was close to the dragon gate.”

They hurried through the maze of alleyways and out through a gap in the wall. Soon they could see Shergarh looming up ahead.

Getting his bearings, Sharat led Aya along the river and over crumbling walls to the ruined gardens. To his relief, he soon found the old stone building covered in dead vines. They ducked inside and stood facing each other in the dim light. There was a look of excitement on Sharat’s face.

“I’ve been thinking about my wishes,” he said. “I don’t want to make any mistakes. First I’ll ask the jinni to bring me Emira, and then I’ll ask him to take us back to the circus.” He felt a thrill. “I can’t wait to see my family!”

Aya looked wistful. “I’ve never had a family,” she said.

“Come with us!” said Sharat. “You could become part of my family. Risa can teach you how to fly on the trapeze.”

For a moment Aya’s eyes were filled with yearning. Then a stubborn look crossed her face, and she shook her head. “What if you’re not supposed to take Emira back to the circus?” she said. “What if she’s come here for a reason?”

Sharat felt uncomfortable. “Are you talking about your
mother’s nursery rhyme?” he asked.

“Yes,” said Aya. “What if Emira really
is
supposed to help the Prince of Jinnis overthrow the Empire?”

Again Sharat felt a pang of jealousy. He didn’t like the sound of this Prince of Jinnis, but he didn’t want to argue with Aya, either. After all, she was the one making the wishes.

“Let’s get Emira back first,” he suggested. “Then we can think about what to do next.”

This seemed to satisfy Aya. “Shall I call Alcherisma?” she asked.

“Yes,” said Sharat.

As instructed, Aya held the amulet in her hand.

“Alcherisma!” she called.

For a second they wondered whether anything was going to happen. Then, just as before, the jewel began to shiver and a speck of gold shot out of the stone, rapidly expanding as it flew around the room, until the jinni landed on the dusty window sill of the summerhouse. With a sullen look on his face, he folded his wings neatly and eyed them with suspicion.

“What do you want this time?” he demanded.

“This time I need you to grant Sharat’s wish,” said Aya.

Alcherisma glanced at Sharat with a look of disgust. “Do I have to?”

Aya pressed her lips together. “The sooner you’re finished, the sooner you’ll be free,” she reminded him.

Alcherisma gave a long-suffering sigh. “Free, and drained of all magical power,” he muttered.

He glared at Sharat. “What do you want, then?” he asked.

Sharat was concentrating. He didn’t want to make a mistake. “My wish is that you will find Emira, my white tiger, and bring her back to me alive,” he said.

A look of surprise crossed Alcherisma’s face. “
Your
white tiger?” he said in disbelief. “Why would
you
have a white tiger?”

Sharat’s hackles rose. “None of your business,” he snapped. “All you have to do is find her. She’s been stolen. I think she’s somewhere inside Shergarh.”

“Shergarh?” The jinni looked worried. “That’s not good,” he said. “Not good at all.”

“I know. That’s why I need your help,” said Sharat impatiently. “Can you do it or not?”

Alcherisma drew himself up indignantly. “Give me a chance!” he said. “Magic doesn’t just happen, you know.” His wings started vibrating. Then, with a buzz, he took off and flew around the summerhouse a few times, becoming smaller and smaller with each turn until finally he disappeared, leaving only flecks of golden dust floating in the air around them.

Once he was gone, Sharat turned back to Aya. “I thought jinnis were supposed to
obey
you,” he complained.

“It can’t be much fun having to grant wishes,” said Aya. “I wonder how he ended up in that amulet?”

“I don’t care,” muttered Sharat. “I just hope he brings Emira back.”

For a moment they waited in silence. There was a
thoughtful look on Aya’s face. “I wonder if Emira really
is
the tiger from the prophecy,” she said.

Sharat bit his lip. He wished Aya would just let it drop. “How
can
she be?” he said. “She grew up at the circus. She doesn’t know anything about jinnis.”

But Aya wasn’t going to be put off. “How do you know?” she insisted. “I bet you didn’t even know that Emira came from the City of Jewels. For all you know you might be the Prince of Jinnis yourself!”

Sharat gave a short laugh. “I wish I was!” he said. “But in case you hadn’t noticed I don’t have any magical powers.”

Before Aya could answer him, they were interrupted by a flash of light, and they ducked in alarm as a golden missile appeared out of nowhere, expanding as it flew wildly over their heads.

Moments later, Alcherisma landed on the floor. There was no sign of Emira.

“Where is she?” demanded Sharat.

Alcherisma looked very flustered and the rebellious look in his eyes had been overshadowed by fear.

“I’ve found your tiger,” he said, “but I can’t get her back.”

Sharat’s heart sank. “Why not?”

The jinni shuddered. “They’re keeping her in the mines.”

“What difference does that make?”

Alcherisma gave Sharat a look of contempt. “Doctor
Rookh
is in charge of the mines,” he said.

Aya took a sharp breath.

Sharat glanced at her. “Who’s Doctor Rookh?”

Aya’s face was grim. “Doctor Rookh is the man who killed my mother,” she said.

“He’s also the man that enslaved all the jinnis in the City of Jewels,” said Alcherisma.

A feeling of certainty was spreading through Sharat.

“Does he have very white skin and wear long, black robes?” he asked.

Aya nodded. “That’s him.”

“I knew it!” said Sharat. “I saw him at the circus – and he was Fonke’s next customer. He arrived just after we left.”

Aya’s face dropped. “If he’d caught me there…” She shook her head.

Sharat took a sharp breath. “Do you realise what this means?”

“What?” asked Aya.

“Fonke told us that the sword on her countertop was for her next customer,” said Sharat. “It’s a sword that kills
jinnis
.”

Aya’s eyes widened in understanding. “Do you think Rookh wants to use it to kill Emira?”

There was a grim look on Sharat’s face. “I’m sure of it.”

“We’ve got to stop him!” cried Aya.

“What do you think I’m trying to do?” asked Sharat. He threw Alcherisma a dirty look. “It would help if I had a jinni who could actually grant wishes.”

“Why don’t you go and get her yourself if you think it’s so easy?” snapped the jinni.

“I would if I could get into Shergarh,” said Sharat.

“That can certainly be arranged,” sniffed Alcherisma.

Aya grabbed Sharat’s arm. “Wait!” she cried. “You can’t go in there on your own!”

“What else am I supposed to do?” said Sharat. “I can’t let Doctor Rookh kill Emira.”

Aya’s eyes lit up. “Why don’t we ask Alcherisma to find the Prince of Jinnis?” she said. “He’s
sure
to be powerful enough to rescue Emira. Then he can overthrow the Empire, like the prophecy said.”

“Good wish!” said Alcherisma, glancing at Aya with increased respect.

Sharat glared at them. “I don’t
want
to find the Prince of Jinnis,” he said. “All I want is to rescue Emira and get back to the circus.”

Aya stared at him in disbelief. “But if you take Emira back to the circus, the Prince of Jinnis might never find his way to the City of Jewels.”

“I don’t care,” snapped Sharat. “It’s
my
amulet and I’ll wish for whatever I like.”

“You can’t do it unless I help you,” retorted Aya. “I’m the one that summoned Alcherisma.”

The jinni tossed his head in irritation. “By rights I shouldn’t be taking orders from either of you,” he said. “My
true
mistress is the Queen of the Forest!”

Aya gasped. “The Queen of the Forest?” Her eyes lit up in hope. “Oh, I wish we could find her!”

Sharat stepped forward in alarm.

“No! Stop!” he shouted. “You made a wish! Take it back!”

It was too late. Alcherisma’s wings were vibrating furiously. There was a triumphant look on his face as he bowed to Aya.

“Mistress,” he said. “Your wish is my command.”

“O
w!” said Sharat as he landed with a bump.

“Ooof!” Aya’s voice echoed next to him.

For a moment they just lay there, feeling dazed. Then, as their heads cleared, they sat up and looked around.

They were in the middle of a paved courtyard that was surrounded by arched alcoves leading off in to shady passageways. Dazzling mosaics decorated the walls and fountains bubbled nearby.

Once he’d got his bearings, Sharat struggled to stand up, and almost tripped over. To his surprise he saw that his feet were encased in a pair of jewelled shoes with pointed toes. Worse still, yellow silk billowed around his legs and earrings jangled at his neck.

Aya stared at him. “What are you wearing?” she asked
in surprise.

“Speak for yourself,” snapped Sharat. Aya looked down. She too was robed in silk, but her outfit was green.

“We’re dressed as princesses!” she exclaimed.

They heard buzzing, and Alcherisma landed nearby.

“We’re in the
Zenana
,” he explained. “I thought I’d better put you in disguise.”

Just then they heard the sound of laughter, followed by a waft of perfume, and a group of women crossed the courtyard, dazzling in their coloured gowns. Sharat tripped over his pointed toes as they dodged into one of the alcoves for cover. He turned to Alcherisma in fury.

“Are you crazy?” he hissed. “I’m a
boy
. If I get caught here they’ll torture me to death.”

“What a shame,” muttered Alcherisma.

Aya’s face was deathly pale. “Why have we come to the
Zenana
?” she asked him.

There was a smug look on Alcherisma’s face. “You wanted to find the Queen of the Forest,” he said. “Well, this is where she is.”

Sharat turned to Aya. “Now look what you’ve done,” he said. “We’ve wasted a whole wish.”

Aya looked sick. “I’m sorry,” she said. “It was a mistake. I would never have come back here on purpose.”

“I personally think it was a very good wish,” said Alcherisma. “If anyone can help you, it’s the Queen of the Forest.”

Sharat took a deep breath as he tried to calm down. At least they were inside Shergarh. He glanced at the jinni.
“Where is she, then?” he demanded.

Alcherisma flew towards one of the shady corridors that led off the courtyard. “This way,” he said. “But hurry, I don’t want to get caught.”

Sharat grunted, but he didn’t reply. He was having trouble with his slippers.

Despite the gravity of the situation Aya stifled a giggle. “Don’t shuffle so much,” she told him. “And try and move a little more gracefully.”

“It’s these stupid shoes,” Sharat complained.

“If anyone stops us, just stand still and look pretty,” Aya told him.

Sharat gave her a dirty look.

As they hurried down the corridor, they did pass one or two servant girls, but nobody gave them a second glance.

“Everyone important will be asleep now,” whispered Aya. “It’s the hottest part of the day.”

Flitting ahead, Alcherisma led them past several grand archways until they reached a smaller wooden doorway.

“This way,” he told them.

Sharat pushed the door open. They stepped into an airy chamber with a cool marble floor. The room was bare of furniture, but an arched doorway led outside.

With a gasp, Aya ran to look. Once there must have been a garden there, but now it was bare. She clung to the doorway.

“What is it?” asked Sharat.

Aya’s eyes were shadowed with pain. “These were my
mother’s
rooms,” she whispered. She turned to
Alcherisma, her face a picture of confusion. “Why have you brought us here?”

“Because the Queen of the Forest is downstairs,” said Alcherisma.

“Where?” Aya asked him. “In the cool room?”

“Exactly,” said Alcherisma.

“What are you talking about?” said Sharat.

“There’s another level under the palace where the court can go to get away from the heat in the summer,” Aya explained. She lowered her voice. “There are all kinds of secret passageways down there. It’s where the princesses go to meet their
lovers
.”

Sharat didn’t care about court gossip. All he wanted was to find Emira and get out of here. “Where is it?” he asked.

Aya walked over to an arched door in one of the inner walls. “Through here,” she said.

She reached out to turn the handle and pushed. The door creaked open to reveal a stone staircase that led down into the darkness below. A dusty oil lamp stood on the top step.

Sharat glanced at Alcherisma.

“What’s the Queen of the Forest doing down there?” he asked.

“She’s in an enchanted sleep,” the jinni told him.

Aya frowned. “But why did you bring us through here?” she asked. “Why not take us straight to her?”

Alcherisma shook his head. “It’s too dangerous,” he said. “The Queen is Rookh’s prisoner. It’s better if one of
you goes down on foot and tries to wake her up while the other one stands guard.”

Aya caught Sharat’s eye. “What do you want to do?” she asked.

His face was set in determination. “I’ll go down,” he said. “You stay here with Alcherisma. If anyone comes you can wish yourself to safety.”

Aya nodded. “All right,” she said, “but take the amulet for luck.”

Sharat waited as she hung it around his neck. Then he picked up the lamp, but before he could light it, the flame sprung to life of its own accord.

“More magic,” he muttered.

He kicked off his pointed shoes.

The stone of the staircase was cold on his bare feet. Carefully, he began to walk down the stairs, ready to snuff out the flame at the first sign of noise, but nothing flew out at him or grabbed him from behind and soon he had reached the bottom.

Slowly, he lifted the lamp.

He was in a large, square room with a tiled floor and a vaulted ceiling. A huge stone urn stood in a niche in one of the walls. Sharat drew closer. Out of the darkness a white face stared up at him. He stifled a scream and jumped back, his heart pounding. Then, when the man didn’t move, he braved a step forward and almost laughed in relief. A marble sarcophagus was lying against the wall. On its lid was a life-sized statue of a man.

There was no sign of the Queen of the Forest, but there
was a picture above the urn similar to the picture he’d seen in the market of a woman below a tree. Curious, he moved closer, but before he could look at it properly he heard a muffled roar.

His heart leapt. Emira! The sound was coming from a door in the wall behind him. He was just about to hurry towards it when he heard the slap of bare feet running down the stairs and Aya shot into the room with Alcherisma hot on her tail.

“What are you doing down here?” hissed Sharat.

Aya’s eyes were wide with terror. “Someone’s coming,” she gasped. “I think it’s Doctor Rookh!”

Sharat felt his guts twist in shock. “What’s
Rookh
doing in the
Zenana
?” he demanded.

Alcherisma flew around their heads in a panic. “Who cares?” he yelped. “Wish us all to safety!”

Sharat didn’t want to give up. He’d heard Emira roaring. If he wished them out now he might never get another chance to find her.

“I can’t go yet,” he told Aya. “Emira’s down here somewhere. You use the wish. I’m going through here.”

He spun around to face the door in the wall.

Aya hesitated.

“Quick!” cried the jinni.

Sharat lunged forward, but before he could reach the door, the handle started turning and he heard voices.

“Too late!” moaned Alcherisma. “Hide!”

With a buzz he disappeared.

As the door began to open, Aya threw herself behind
the marble coffin while Sharat snuffed out the oil lamp, pulled off the lid of the urn and leapt inside, frantically tugging the lid shut after him.

Moments later he heard voices and footsteps. Holding his breath, he clenched his fists, sure that he would be discovered, but nothing happened. They didn’t know he was here.

Slowly, he started breathing again. The air inside the urn was sweet and spicy and he seemed to have landed on something lumpy, like a bundle of cloth. Grateful that it hadn’t been full of oil or wine he wriggled to make a bit more space. But just then, whatever was beneath him let out a sigh.

Sharat froze. In horror, he realised that what he’d taken for a bundle of cloth was in fact a
body
.

Outside he could hear a harsh voice ordering someone around, but, before he could think of what to do next, there was a flurry of movement, and a pair of bony hands reached up to wrap themselves around his waist.