The Kadin - Bertrice Small [133]
“Let no one enter,” were her final instructions. “When our meals come, ring the bell by the gate and push them through the slot” Patting his arm and smiling a brave, sweet smile, she entered the Tile Court
They were alone. Within a few hours, Karim’s fever was gone, and he awoke as refreshed as from a good night’s sleep. “Where are we, mother?” he asked.
“In the Tile Court, my son.”
“Didn’t Hassan and Nureddin die here?”
“Yes.”
“Then why are we here?”
“Because everyone believes you have the plague.”
“Do I?”
“No.”
Then let us go and tell them.”
“Karim, I want you to listen very carefully to me. Do you know who will be sultan after your father?’
“My brother Suleiman.”
That is right Do you know what will happen to you when Suleiman is sultan?” Karim shook his head. “He will kill you.”
The little boy looked frightened. “Why, mother? I love my brother, and he loves me. He has told me sol”
“Yes, my darling, he does love you, but the law says he must destroy his rivals, and that there can be only one heir. If he does not kill you, there are evil men who would use you to threaten his power. In the end he would have to obey the law or he would not be a good sultan. You want Suleiman to be a good sultan, don’t you?”
The child nodded vigorously. “I will go away, mother. Then Suleiman can be a good sultan.”
“It would not be allowed, Karim. That is why we must pretend you are sick. Then we will pretend you have died—but you really wont,” she quickly added. “Instead, you will be smuggled out of Turkey. You will be taken to my homeland, and you will pretend to be an ordinary little boy. You will go to a wonderful school with other boys your own age. You have often said you wanted to visit Scotland.”
“Oh, yes, mother!”
“You must be very brave, Karim You cannot tell anyone who you really are. There are wicked men in Scotland, too, who, if they knew your true identity, would use you to hurt your father and Suleiman. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, mother. But if I am not Prince Karim, who am I?”
Cyra smiled and thought to herself, Thank God he is bright. “You will be Charles Adam Leslie, my son. Charles, so you have a name of your own. Adam, after your uncle, my brother. And Leslie, which is my family name.”
“Can I be a Christian, mother?”
“Do you want to be?”
“Oh, yes! Marian and Ruth have told me all about the dear Jesus and his mother Mary. I have often thought she must have been like you. Warm and soft and kind.”
“Perhaps, my son.” She glared at Marian. “You could have been killed for speaking to him of Christianity.”
“Nonsense,” returned Marian. “Sultan Selim has always approved of the princes’ learning about other religions. I often spoke to him of the Jews, too.”
“He does not evince any desire to be a Jew,” said Cyra dryly.
Karim was growing impatient “What will I tell people if I cannot tell them who I really am?”
“You will tell them you come from a land far to the east On your journey to Constantinople, you fell from your pony, and now you can remember only your name. Always tell those who ask this story. Never vary it Say nothing more. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, but how will I get to Scotland?”
“Esther Kira’s brother, Joseph ben Kira, leaves for Edinburgh in a few days’ time and will accompany you. He will tell those who inquire that you were brought to his house in Constantinople with instructions to convey you to Scotland. I have set up an account for you with the Kiras in Edinburgh to cover your expenses. You will never lack for money.”
“Will I ever see you again, mother?”
“I do not know, Karim. I realize I am asking a great deal of you. You are still just a small boy, but you are not an ordinary little boy. You are intelligent and wise beyond your years. Though you may never speak of it from the moment you leave the serai, remember that you are a prince of the House