>>5391647It is here that Esvele first meets Haseid yn Sudeimen el Jassan, Syl-Sabbalad of Sabbalads, Syl-Sultan of the Cities, Syl-Qayadin of the Armies, Syl-Ralbahr of the Navy, Syl-Pasha of All Pashas, Caleph of Our People (it seems that these are not epithets, but in fact his full title). Haseid, a man in his middle years who holds he prestigious rank of Syl-Pasha, and rules over Calimshan as its undisputed autocrat. He becomes infatuated with Esvele's rustic charm and youthful allure, purchasing the young woman with the intent of making her his slave-wife.
In his eagerness to win Esvele's favor, Haseid showers her with every delight that money can afford in the Realms and even other planes. He gifts her an opulent palace filled with slaves and performers to cater to her every need, adorns her in jewelry and clothing from the Seven Heavens of Mount Celestia, and hosts a grand banquet with a different theme each night just for her. All of this is done in vain, as Esvele sinks into a deep depression, pining for her lost love and distant home.
Her life does not remain joyless, however: one night, while her husband is preoccupied with matters of state, a rogue by the name of Zasheir yn Bashar infiltrates her palace with the intent of pilfering her extraplanar jewelry, leading to a chance encounter between the two. Zasheir is rakish young man, whose debonair and worldliness intrigues Esvele. The rogue offers to show the Syl-Pasha's wife the world outside of her palace, and she gladly accepts.
The next five chapters share a recurring theme. Esvele lives a dual life, spending half of her waking hours trying to keep the increasingly busy Haseid placated and the rest experiencing the city of Calimport with Zasheir. Together, they sample street food, visit ruins and temples, and behold the countless amazing spells that are loosed into the city by wizards on the daily. The relationship between Zasheir and Esvele grows into a friendship and, inevitably, blossoms into fiery romance. The author's verbose and curiously frequent descriptions of Esvele's carnal activities with both Haseid and Zasheir leads you to suspect that she may be living vicariously through her work, or perhaps intends for her readers to do so...
