The Kadin - Bertrice Small [32]
The muezzin’s call rang from the Great Mosque, the former Christian church of Hagia Sophia. Selim fell to his knees and prayed.
10
FOR MONTHS the gediklis of Sultan Bajazet’s harem had prepared for Prince Selim’s birthday. It wasn’t every day such an opportunity presented itself, and each girl secretly hoped that she would be one of the fortunate six to be chosen.
The sultan had three living kadins, and their constant intrigues to keep their lord and master’s favor was an open scandal. Although he was growing old, many girls were still summoned down the Golden Road to the sultan’s bed. Those who managed to please him and avoid the wrath of his three wives counted themselves lucky. The less fortunate were relegated under guard to the Pavilion of Forgotten Women.
Therefore the prospect of possibly being chosen for the harem of a young and handsome prince was a very attractive opportunity. Never had the girls worked so hard on their personal appearance. Never had they studied so diligently, and never had they spent their slipper money so freely on jewelry, perfume, or spies to discover the prince’s preferences.
Cyra, Firousi, and Zuleika had been quietly introduced into the household of Sultan Bajazet The entries made by the keeper of records showed nothing unusual, merely stating the girls’ ages, origins, places of purchase, and prices. Knowing that the enormous sum he had paid for Cyra would attract unwelcome attention, Hadji Bey had used his own wealth to purchase the girl, and had listed her price as five hundred dinars, which would not be considered an outrageous price for a beautiful virgin.
The girls were then assigned to the oda of Lady Refet Hadji Bey could not have made a wiser choice than entrusting them to Prince Selim’s aunt She was a slender woman with lovely dark hair which she wore elegantly braided upon her head. Her beautiful face, with its high, sculptured cheekbones, was gentle and kindly. Her soft brown eyes at once discerned that the facade of bravery worn by each girl covered anxious uncertainty, and perhaps even fear.
Warned of their approach by her eunuch, she was ready as they entered her salon with the agha. Coming forward, her arms outstretched, she warmly hugged each girl and said in her low, cultured voice, “Welcome, my dears. I am so glad you have arrived safely.”
“I leave them in your kindly charge, Lady Refet,” said Hadji Bey. “Farewell, my daughters. May good fortune attend you.”
Lady Refet did not allow them time for tears. “It is the hour of the baths,” she said. “Since we are alone, let us have a cool drink, and while we are waiting, I will show you the oda.”
She signaled a slave for the refreshment and then ushered her charges to their quarters. “This,” she said, waving her hand, “is where you and the other young ladies in my charge live and sleep.”
Cyra looked about the room. She saw three round, low, inlaid tables, several piles of colorful cushions, and a chair.
“Where are the beds?” she asked.
Lady Refet pointed to the paneling along the bottom half of two of the walls. “Behind the paneling are cupboards. Each girl is assigned one, and it contains her sleeping mattress, bedding, outdoor clothing, and other personal possessions. Each morning after prayers, we air our bedding. It is then put away until night.”
“Very practical,” noted the young Cyra, much to Lady Refet’s amazement “Do we also eat in this room?”
“Yes, my dear.”
“Are we ever allowed to leave our quarters?”
“Gracious, my child, of course I You are not a prisoner. Naturally, your movements are limited to a certain degree, but is that not so even in your own country?