"Surely not hasty, my lord; but, rather, generous. Believe me, these girls are but semiprecious stones compared to the jewels I have hidden for you-maidens who are not here this night" He smiled knowingly at the sultan.
The sultan chuckled. "You have always looked after my interests, Hadji Bey. Forgive your ruler for doubting you."
The agha nodded graciously as the remaining silk handkerchief was given to a lovely golden-blond from northern Greece with deep sapphire eyes and marble-white skin. Her name was Iris.
"You have chosen well, my son," said Bajazet in a tone implying that perhaps Selim had chosen too well. The loss of the red-haired girl still rankled slightly. "Let the foreign and local representatives present their gifts to my son."
Hadji Bey motioned to Selim"s new harem to sit by him on the dais. Fussily he arranged them so that when he finally stepped back and clapped his hands to signal, Cyra, Zuleika, and Firousi were seated closest to the prince.
Once again the slaves swung wide the great doors to the hall, admitting a large and colorful procession. First came the gifts from foreign nations. Egypt sent a dinner service for twelve-hammered gold plates with matching jewel-studded goblets. From the Mongol khan a marvelous coal-black stallion and two beautiful mares. One Indian ruler sent a gold belt two inches wide, studded with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds. Another prince of India sent two pygmy elephants. From Persia came several bolts of various-colored silks, the finest in the world. The Venetian Levant sent a flawless crystal vase, four feet in height filled with pale pink pearls, each one perfect and identical in size.
Next came gifts from every part of the vast Ottoman Empire. One by one they were laid before the dais-beautifully woven rugs, silken bags containing rare tulip bulbs, cages of exotic birds, half a dozen Pygmy eunuchs, a choir of castrated Christian boys prized for their singing voices, the newest telescope, carved from a piece of ivory and banded in silver. This last gift, from Magnesia, the prince"s former province, particularly pleased Selim, who was an avid student of astronomy.
As the pile of gifts grew higher and wider, Cyra watched the kadin Besma, mother of Prince Ahmed. Though she sat quietly, her face expressionless, her eyes flashed pure hatred at Selim and envy of the vast honor being paid this younger son of her lord and master.
Cyra debated with herself for a moment, and then, when the ceremony of the gifts was over and attention was diverted by the dancing girls, she reached up un.o.btrusively and touched the prince"s hand. Startled, he looked down.
"Forgive the liberty taken by this humble slave, my lord. May I speak?"
He nodded.
"Please notice the lady Besma. The surface of the pond is smooth, but beneath, the currents are deadly. Would it not be wise to oil those troubled waters?"
"My slave is as wise as she is lovely," replied Selim. "It shall be done."
When the entertainment was over and Bajazet started to signal an end to the evening, Selim rose and prostrated himself before his father.
"Yes, my son?"
"My lord father, I can never repay your kindness to me nor your great n.o.bility in honoring your word to my mother, but I can try." Reaching into a satin bag, he withdrew a sapphire the size of a hen"s egg, a gift from the caliph of Baghdad. "Please accept this trifle, my lord, although it cannot possibly repay you for your generosity to me."
Pleased with the gesture, the sultan took the jewel.
"And," continued the prince, "for the pearls of my father"s harem ..." He reached into the Venetian vase and, removing two handfuls of the pink pearls, presented them to the third and fourth of his father"s wives. He then turned to face Besma. "And, for the rarest jewel in all the seraglio, an opal from the mines of Solomon, Its fire and beauty cannot begin to match yours, and its size"-which was that of a plum-"is surely smaller than your heart. For your son, my beloved brother Ahmed, my choirboys to sooth and entertain him."
From behind her thin veil Besma looked as if she had swallowed a small hedgehog. "For myself, my son, and my husband"s kadins, I thank Prince Selim," she said sourly.
"Well done, my son," said the sultan. "Well done!" Raising his jeweled hand, he signaled the end of the evening and departed the Great Hall, followed by his kadins and their attendants. The gediklis, forming into two lines, then filed out.
The Great Hall stood empty save for Prince Selim, his new harem, and Hadji Bey, who bustled forward, a broad smile upon his face.
"Come, my lord Selim. I have arranged your apartments for this night Tomorrow after morning prayers, you and your household will depart the Eski Serai"
"Where am I to go? No word has been given to me save that I will govern the Crimean province within two days" ride of the city."
"Years ago, my prince, your father gave your mother a small palace overlooking the Black Sea. It is now yours. The lady Refet will accompany you as chaperone to your harem."
"May Allah bless you, old friend," replied the prince. "My aunt will be safe now. My father"s kadins hate her because of her loyalty to me."
"I know," said the agha gravely. "Already there have been two attempts on her life."
"What?"
"Do not be angered, my lord. I tell you this but to warn you to be constantly vigilant But come, the walls have ears. We will talk later." He turned to the waiting girls. "Follow me, my ladies. The hour is late."
Leaving the blue-and-gold hall, they trailed Hadji Bey through the winding corridors to a large apartment where they were greeted by Lady Refet The few possessions they owned had been packed and transferred to their temporary quarters, and their nightclothes had already been laid out.
"I suggest, ladies, that you retire now. We leave early," said Lady Refet.
"But what if the prince should want one of us tonight?" asked Sarina.
"He will not," replied Lady Refet.
"How can you know that?" persisted the girl.
"Sarina, it is obvious to me that in your excitement at being chosen by Prince Selim, you have forgotten your manners. Your status in this world has not changed. You are still a slave-a mere gediklis-and so you shall remain unless one day you manage to please my nephew. I find that highly unlikely unless your behavior improves. Turkish gentlemen deplore rude women and usually end up bowstringing them."
Sarina had the good grace to flush at this well-deserved rebuke. Mumbling an apology, she made ready for bed. Lady Refet stopped by each girl"s couch to chat a minute and make her feel at ease. Then, seeing that all was well, she signaled a slave to dim the lamps, and left the room.
"Allow no one except the agha or myself to enter here," she instructed the guards at the door. "Your fives will be forfeit should you disobey."
She entered the apartment next to the one housing the girls. Prince Selim and Hadji Bey greeted her.
"It is safe to talk here," said the eunuch.
"Praise Allah!" replied the good lady. "I shall be glad to leave the Eski Serai." Turning to her nephew, she said, "Dearest boy, how can I thank you?"
"I am ashamed to say it is Hadji Bey"s doing, aunt. I never even thought of it."
"I merely arranged that which I knew Your Highness would want were he not so involved with other matters."
"I become more amazed each day by your ability to "arrange" matters," replied the prince wryly. "Now, what of the girls you chose for me? Why those three?"
"Each is suited to be a kadin, my lord. At your mother"s request I left Constantinople late last year to seek three exceptional wives for you. We wanted girls uninvolved with the harem system, who, knowing their future ahead of time, would give you their complete loyalty. Firousi is from the Caucasus. I purchased her in Damascus. Zuleika is from Cathay. I found her in Baghdad. Cyra comes from a country called Scotland. It is north of England. I bought her in Candia. It is for her her that our hopes are highest She is endowed with that rare combination of intelligence and beauty, and has a budding wisdom, which, guided properly, will one day make her invaluable. Still, she remains completely feminine. I can only hope she will please you." that our hopes are highest She is endowed with that rare combination of intelligence and beauty, and has a budding wisdom, which, guided properly, will one day make her invaluable. Still, she remains completely feminine. I can only hope she will please you."
"I was treated to some of that wisdom this night It was she who suggested I present gifts to Besma."
Hadji Bey and Lady Refet smiled at each other. "The small bird learns to fly quickly," observed the chief eunuch.
"She also has magnificent eyes," said the prince. "Green eyes like hers are rare. They are so clear, and there are small flecks of black and gold in them. Something like leaves in a pond."
"Then you are pleased with my choices, my lord?"
"Yes, but I think my father was not I hope you have something equally lovely for him, lest he take my harem back. Firousi is magnificent and Zuleika exquisite. You must truly be blessed by the stars to have succeeded with this coup. What do you think of my choices?"
"The Greek and Indian girls are lovely. They are simple and placid and will be a comfort to you. However, I would rather you had chosen someone other than the Spanish girl She is quick-tempered and sharp-tongued. She may have a tendency toward troublemaking."
"Alas, that is true," said Lady Refet "She attempted to question my authority this evening."
"We shall keep a close watch on her," replied Hadji Bey. "Now, to the business at hand. You already know that your mother planned for you to succeed your father. Finding you perfect wives to help you and moving you closer to the capital were merely part part of her plan." of her plan."
"Yes, I know the plan, Hadji Bey. But you know that the succession goes to the eldest living male in our family. Ahmed is my father"s heir."
"Your father"s heir was your older brother."
"Mustafa died at two of a chill."
"He became violently ill after visiting Besma one afternoon. The sweets he returned with and offered your mother were suspect The child suffered horribly and by morning was dead. Your mother was ill for several days. However, when she recovered, she was quite prostrate with grief. I was newly agha then, but I suspected poison from the start I took the remaining candies and fed them to a dog. He died. When I told your mother, her grief became hatred toward Besma, who was now mother of the heir."
"Why did my mother not expose Besma?"
"She did, but your father would not listen. After some months of solitude to recover from her agony, she appeared before your father again and, still being his favorite, was welcomed back. You were born of that reunion. Fortunately for Besma, your father now had two sons-one by his third kadin, Safiye-and the witch knew her Ahmed would be safe since your mother couldn"t discreetly dispose of two children. However, your mother had determined from before your conception that you would take Mustafa"s place.
"That is why you have been educated so carefully, and that is why, when she knew she was dying, your mother begged your return from Magnesia. You have been so carefully guarded all your life that even your father does not know you well. She wanted him to see and know you so that he might possibly alter the succession. is why you have been educated so carefully, and that is why, when she knew she was dying, your mother begged your return from Magnesia. You have been so carefully guarded all your life that even your father does not know you well. She wanted him to see and know you so that he might possibly alter the succession.
"She knew you must be more in the public eye so the people might get to know you, and the Janissaries might see the great difference between you and your brothers. You are a good man, an excellent soldier, and a devout Muslim. Add to this several sons, and you are the perfect candidate for sultan.
"When the time comes for Bajazet to join his ancestors in Paradise, you must act swiftly. Before the sultan"s last breath, your brothers, their mothers, and all loyal to them must die. You will then be sultan, and your mother and brother will be avenged!"
Silence engulfed the room as Hadji Bey finished speaking. Lady Refet anxiously watched her nephew for a reaction. Walking out on the balcony, Selim gazed over the slumbering city of Constantinople, its lights dimmed, its quiet broken only by the occasional barking of stray dogs baying at the full moon. Below him the waters of the Golden Horn flowed swiftly.
"They will all be strangled, placed in weighted sacks, and thrown into the straits," he said grimly. "All except Besma. I will personally toss the b.i.t.c.h to the dogs."
Hadji Bey smiled slowly. "It will take many years, my lord. Like the Prophet"s cat, yon must cultivate great patience. If our plans become known, you are a dead man."
"I will not fail my mother, Hadji Bey-nor you, my old friend. I understand that many lives are involved."
The hour is late," said Lady Refet "I think we had best get some sleep. We have a three-day journey ahead of us."
They rose, and the agha, bidding them goodnight slipped out through a secret door behind the tapestries.
"Sleep well, dearest nephew," said Lady Refet "I will return to guard your doves."
"And you, dear aunt sleep well, also." He escorted her to the door and watched as the eunuch guarding his harem pa.s.sed her through into the next apartment.
Closing the doors to his own rooms, Selim clapped his hands for his body servant The slave divested him of his finery, and then, placing a soft wool garment over his master"s shoulders, slipped out.
Standing once again on the balcony, the prince studied the night sky. It was clear and filled to overflowing with bright stars. Breathing slowly, he allowed peace to fill his soul. He was now firmly aware where his destiny would take him, and he knew what role he must play to fulfill that destiny. He would be good Prince Selim, devoted to his father, his half-brother Ahmed, and his family. He would be un.o.btrusive but always known, and he would appear to be content with his portion. And then, when the right moment came, he would strike and take it all The empire would be his. The others were not fit to rule!
Iron had entered his soul. Turning from the night he reentered his room, lay down upon his couch, and fell into a deep, healthy sleep.
11.
THE MORNING brought a clear blue sky and bright sun. A fresh, clean breeze wafted across the city, bringing with it the scent of early autumn flowers and ripe fruit. The crowded streets were in a holiday mood, for all Constantinople knew of yesterday"s events within the Eski Serai. Today Prince Selim and his household would depart the palace for their own province. brought a clear blue sky and bright sun. A fresh, clean breeze wafted across the city, bringing with it the scent of early autumn flowers and ripe fruit. The crowded streets were in a holiday mood, for all Constantinople knew of yesterday"s events within the Eski Serai. Today Prince Selim and his household would depart the palace for their own province.
The more enterprising householders along the route of exit had sold seats in their windows and on their balconies and roofs. Those fortunate enough to have bought the places would have a fine view of the procession.
A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowds as the Main Gate of the Eski Serai slowly began to swing open. Necks stretched, vying for the first look at what was to come. It was a company of Janissaries in their red-and-green clothing, astride glossy brown horses and brandishing metal-tipped whips at the crowds to keep them back.
Next came Ali Hamid, the sultan"s crier, resplendent in orange silk pantaloons and vest, his silver-and-orange-striped cloak spread over the shining bay flanks of his mount, and an orange plumed turban upon his head He advanced his horse several paces out from the gate, stopped, and held up a hand A hush fell over the spectators.
"Behold," he intoned in a deep, strong voice, "behold, o people of Constantinople, behold the loving kindness of our great sultan, Bajazet, the loyal servant of Allah upon this earth-may he live forever. Today his son Prince Selim, child of the sultan"s beloved late wife, Kiusem, leaves his father"s house in great honor. Look upon him, o people of Constantinople, and see the greatness of a parent"s love. Learn from the example of our great sultan, Bajazet.
"Behold, Constantinople, the six virgin damsels, each one more lovely than the dawn, that our prince takes with him. A gift from his sire, selected from the very harem of his father. His own free choice. Who among you has ever heard or known of such true generosity?"
A hum of approval ran through the vast gathering.
"See, o people of Constantinople, the many gifts sent from those who fear and respect our power and greatness. These gifts are to honor our lord"s youngest son. Look upon this spectacle well, and in the winter of your years tell your grandchildren of the greatness of our mighty sultan, Bajazet beloved son of Mohammed the Conqueror of Constantinople."
The sultan"s crier moved his horse onward, stopping every few minutes to repeat his words. Behind him came the caravan bearing the fabled gifts. Flanking it were the prince"s household slaves.
A figure mounted upon a night-black stallion appeared framed in the vast gate. The crowds surged forward for a better look at its rider. The Janissaries forced them back.
"It"s the prince," shouted a voice in the ma.s.s. The crowd took up the cry. "Selim! Selim! Selim!" they chanted.
Urging his stallion forward, the prince rode into their midst He sat well upon his mount a smile turning up the corners of his mouth. He was dressed in white and gold. Jewels sparkled upon his hands, and an enormous blood-red ruby glittered in his turban. The people crowded about him, defying the Janissaries" whips, touching his soft, golden-leather boots, drinking in his youth and charm.
The captain of the Janissaries pushed his horse to the prince"s side. "Sir, you will be injured. Let my men disperse this vermin."
"I have a better way than whips, captain." Selim reached into a pouch on his saddle and drew out a fistful of coins, which he flung to the excited mob. It parted, and he rode on, occasionally reaching again into the pouch and tossing more coins, to the delight of the scrambling men and women.
Selim was followed by the Pygmy eunuchs, dressed in their new uniforms of yellow and green. Behind them came Lady Refet in a silver-and-gold palanquin carried by four oiled black slaves. She was followed by six camels, all white, which carried upon their backs gold-colored howdahs hung with violet silks. Within each rested a member of Selim"s harem. The crowds murmured their imaginations taking flight at their glimpse of the heavily veiled figures.
The procession slowly wended its way through the narrow streets, down the hill into the main city, and along the broad avenues. The day was growing warm, and Cyra, swathed in all her veils, began to wish with impatience that this Oriental pageant, of which she was such a small part, would end Two hours after pa.s.sing through the Main Gate of the Eski Serai, they went through the eastern gates of the city. Almost at once, the procession picked up momentum.
In late afternoon they stopped and an encampment was set up on a small hill overlooking the sea. The following morning the camp was dismantled and they moved on. In late afternoon of the third day, they reached their destination.
Set like a fine jewel amid the soft green hills above the Black Sea, the Moonlight Serai nestled shining and white. At first glance, Cyra was enchanted, but as her camel trotted down the dusty drive, she noticed the neglect surrounding her. Tall poplars lined the roadway, but the land surrounding them was thickly overgrown. As they arrived at the palace itself, she was doubly shocked to find buildings so lovely from a distance in a sad state of disrepair. Clearly, the Moonlight Serai had neither been used nor cared for in many years. Her camel knelt, and the Pygmy eunuch a.s.signed to her helped her out of the howdah. She ran to Lady Refet.
"Are we expected to live here?" she asked.
The sultan"s generosity has obviously not extended beyond Constantinople," the older woman said dryly.
"It is appalling. We cannot possibly five here," cried Cyra. "Something must be done at once!"
"Indeed we cannot" said a masculine voice.
They turned to face the prince.
"Your temper matches your hair," he laughed Cyra flushed. "Forgive your humble slave this outburst my lord and master," she began.
"You are neither humble nor slavish, Cyra."