He shrugged.

"Achmet, call the captain of the guard and have him convey this runaway queen to Allaha.
Surely, I may not meddle with the affairs of a friendly state." With a wave of his fat bejeweled hand he appeared to dismiss the matter from his mind.
Kathlyn was led away.

The human mind can stand only so many shocks.
Outside the palace courtyard stood Rajah, the howdah securely attached once more, Kathlyn was bidden to mount.

A water bottle and some cakes were placed in the howdah beside her.

Then a drunken mahout mounted behind Rajah's ears.