The Merry Widow – Chapter 8 – A Warm Welcome
The ship crossed into the Golden Horn just past midday.
Suleiman and his aunt were on deck looking out over the city as they pulled to the docks. The other passengers were also on deck looking about.
"It is good to be home, is it not Auntie?" He asked in Turkish.
"Yes." She said. She looked about.
"Uncle will be happy to see you."
"Yes. I am sure." She said.
They were both dressed in plain clothing. Suleiman wore a green outer robe. Noor wore a blue dress and dark blue veil.
Suleiman looked over the side as Noor stood back. The stranger was reading his book as he leaned against the side next to Suleiman. He was dressed in grey clothing and was heavily armed, Noor noticed. On his hand she could see the burn that she herself had on his left hand. About his hips was the red sash that marked him as a member of the assassin order. She had a sash about her hips, but it was mostly hidden under her thick belt.
Noor waited for him to turn. Today she would be able to see his face more clearly with the bright sunshine and being so close.
The stranger lifted his head as Suleiman looked over at him.
"A magnificent sight." He commented.
Suleiman smiled. "It is a work in progress." He said looking through a small tool.
"No city in Europa has a skyline quite like this." The man was Italian surely and he spoke like a man from Florence. An accent she had not heard in sometime.
Noor narrowed her eyes. It couldn't be…
Suleiman pointed. "Well, to be precise, that is Europa..." He pointed to the other side of the Golden Horn. "…that is Asia." He moved to walk down to the lower deck.
"Ah... some borders even the Ottomans cannot move." The stranger said with a smile. Hid golden eyes and scarred lip lifted to the light. He had aged, just as she had, but he still was far more handsome than he deserved. She narrowed her eyes. Fate always seemed to bring them together.
"Very few. You are Italian by the sound of it, but your outfit is not. Have you been traveling long?" Suleiman asked over his shoulder.
"Sì, da molto tempo. I left Roma twelve months ago, looking for... inspiration. And that search brought me here. When I was a child, my father told me stories about the fall of Costantinopoli."
Suleiman turned to him and noted his aunt had joined them quietly. He turned to the side of the boat. "You must mean the conquest of Konstantiniyee. I suppose the moral of any story matches the temper of the man telling it."
The cowl moved in a nod. "That we can agree on."
Suleiman smiled. "Guzel! Konstantiniyee is a city for all kinds and creeds. Students like me or... travelers such as yourself."
The stranger nodded. "Indeed."
The ship docked.
"I have so much work to return to, but it is good to be home." Suleiman said. He looked back at Noor who was speaking to a porter.
"Work?! When I was your age, my interests were... were mainly..." He saw a young red haired woman standing with packages in her arms. "Salve."
Suleiman looked on in amusement as the young woman ignored him. "Incredible. I am surprised you got anything done."
The stranger grinned a little. "As was my mother."
Noor smiled hearing that. That she did, she thought. She sighed. She would soon have to find him again. She had missed Ezio. They had drifted apart and she found that her faithful one-time brother-in-law was like a penny, showing up when he was needed.
Suleiman smiled. "It was a pleasure speaking with you. Beyefendi." Suleiman said touching the stranger's shoulder. "I hope you find something to hold your interest here."
The stranger noted Noor was walking before him. "I have faith I will."
She tripped and he caught her elbows. "Find your footing Madonna, I have you." He said to her. A shiver ran down her spine and she was happy he had not caught her hands lest he feel the scars from the knife wounds and know her. She knew Ezio had a greater purpose here, but part of her was thankful for his presence.
Noor did and straightened. She bowed her head turning slightly to him. "My thanks." She said in Turkish, but he saw her eyes. The violet that he knew from his memory, but that could not possibly be who that was.
Instead he bowed deeply. "At your service."
She smiled and walked toward someone leaning against the tree. It was Yusuf. He dipped his head. "Welcome back, my lady." He said softly.
"I will speak to you when I can." She said softly.
He nodded.
The red haired woman dropped a package.
Suleiman turned hearing them behind him. "Yardim edebiir miyim Effindim?"
The woman smiled. "Grazie, dear boy."
The stranger stood on the docks amused. "A scholar and a gentleman, you are full of surprises."
Suleiman chuckled. "Very few, my friend. Eksik Olmayin!"
The stranger bowed and watched the others until Yusuf stepped to him and touched his shoulder startling him. He had been deep in thought about the violet eyed woman and the red haired beauty.
ZzZ
Suleiman made sure the older, but still young woman had made it safely to the end of the pier before he turned seeing a carriage had been brought. Ahmet, his uncle was rising from his seat to step down to his wife.
He pressed a kiss to her mouth. It was gentle and he gently helped her into the carriage. Suleiman followed and sat across from her as she gratefully took a seat. Ahmet settled himself and smiled. "Was it a pleasant journey?"
"Yes, uncle." Suleiman said. "It has made me realize we must do more for the people. With the Sultan gone, we must make sure the people know the royal family remains strong."
"You have something in mind?"
"I am working on it."
Ahmet touched his wife's cheek softly. "And you, my dear, back on the sea must have been an exciting time."
"It was good, but I find I like land more." She smiled a little. Suleiman knew that smile well. It was disarming. She sighed and gasped as her stomach growled. She flushed scarlet and the two men laughed a little.
"I must give you sustenance, dear wife." Ahmet said amused.
She pressed a hand to her belly and closed her eyes. The serene look on her face made both men go into their thoughts.
ZzZ
The dinner to celebrate their return was massive and Noor was famished. After Ahmet walked with her in the gardens. She was looking at the blooming trees and flowers. He took her hand and led her to a bench. He bent as they sat together. He kissed her neck and she shivered. "How long must I wait to have you?" He asked softly against her ear.
She chuckled. "So eager to bed me, my prince."
He pulled back. "I have not seen you in some time."
She rose to her feet and walked away from him. She then looked over her shoulder and moved quickly back toward the palace. He was startled by this, but soon gave chase. Suleiman heard laughter and looked up from a letter his father had sent him.
Selim was challenging his father and the two armies were at a stalemate for the moment. Suleiman shook his head and watched his Aunt run into the castle with Ahmet close on her heels. Was that how lovers were? He knew that Noor did not particularly like his uncle, but had developed a way of life, despite abuses. Ahmet was not an easy man, neither was Selim, but Selim treated her like a princess where Ahmet seemed to treat her as an object, a jewel in his crown. As principle wife when he became Sultan, she would be his queen consort and have ties to Europe. Her children had all married well and Ahmet had invited them to the Ottoman capital. None had accepted, but they all had written they would soon.
Suleiman hoped it was soon. He longed to meet her children, all senior to him, and know more of his auntie, though on the ship they had spent hours talking. She was a complex woman, which made her all the more interesting.
ZzZ
Ahmet arrived seconds after his wife came into their new rooms. He dismissed the surprised servants with a wave as she panted in the middle of the room. She laughed as his hands came about her and held her as he pressed against her, his face to the back of her neck. "You bewitch me." He murmured.
He then turned her and he stripped her from her clothing. She allowed him to make love to her. He was gentle and calm as he laid her back. He was soon out of his own robes and he entered her. Smiling she rolled him into his back. He was surprised by this as she straddled him and moved her hips against him. He gasped and his hand found her full buttocks to hold and caress.
He sat up facing her, holding her, they moved together then, looking at each other. She arched back, his hands supporting her as she trembled in the aftermath. He had come hard as well and held her as he dropped back. She lay on him for several moments, listening to his heartbeat.
His hands caressed her flesh idly. After a time she moved off him and snuggled to his side facing from him. He smiled as he turned to her and wrapped his arm about her. After he curled against her body, sleeping with her pulled into the curve of his body. It was comfortable, and safe for now. His temper was cooled and she slept.
