The Merry Widow – Chapter 11 – The Intrigue of the Ottoman Court -
Prince Ahmet had decided the best way to rein his wife's tendencies to leave the palace was to send her as an envoy. He sent her carrying messages for his father. She willingly left, but first sent a letter in code to Yusuf and Ezio as to where she was going.
Bayezid welcomed her to his court and in turn sent her with messages to Selim pleading for peace for the good of the kingdom. Selim welcomed her to give her message, and secretly welcomed her to his bed.
Selim loved her gently and would watch her as she lay on the pillows with only a thin sheet about her waist as she watched him. The soft words of lovers came too easily and he bedded her as much as he could in the time they could.
She was happy as she lay with him. She did not fear him as many did. Selim was not an easy man and his retribution for offenses was swift. She had watched a man accused of rape be torn apart by horses as the young woman who accused him watched. Selim then paid her for her troubles. Selim's army was growing. He told her he was going to match to Kostantiniyye with hos army to claim it as his own, with or without his father's blessing.
"When I come to Kostantiniyye, you will be free." He nuzzled her as he finished his last time making love to her. "We will be free to be together and my brother will no longer harm you."
He had seen her bruising immediately, though they had faded much. He also took special care of her injured limb making a point to show it did not bother him. He kissed it and had his own physicians treat it. She felt better after and with the stitches out and the skin allowed to heal, it looked better. She looked at it with him and he had kissed it softly.
He showed her how to use it to hold things so she could cut them. She had cheered when she could cut an orange and then burst into tears of joy. Selim had taken it all in stride.
One of the janissaries, a general and good friend of Selim, had brought her a gift after hearing how she often spoke well of his men and how she had spoken well of the men who had died defending her at their funerals. She had made sure the widows had gained their pensions, despite protests from some people including Ahmet, but he say it politically and had agreed. The janissaries knew well the driving force and had seen her lay flowers at the graves.
The gift was a smooth carved hand. Though it was clearly wood, it took work to see that it was not real, especially when one was not looking at it too carefully. She thanked him as did Selim. The general well knew the Princess wife of Ahmet was Selim's lover, but he knew better than to speak of the matter. Her charm had won over Selim and his officers. She would not be marked as a whore for finding love rather than being in a marriage.
Their last meal together she had told him of her possible pregnancy. He looked up sharply. "Is it mine?" He asked.
She sighed. "I do not know."
He covered her stubbed left arm with his hand. "I will love you regardless if it is mine or his. Know that."
She sighed. "I do not know that I am."
"If you are, I will praise Allah for the miracle." He smiled and pressed a date to her lips.
After the meal, he pulled her to him and kissed her. The officers were startled by his public act of love before them as they stood there, but they said nothing as she mounted. "Allah keep you safe until you are again at my side, Noor."
She smiled. "Seni seviyorum, Selim. En kısa sürede gelecek." She answered him.
He had nodded and watched her go before returning to his maps.
ZzZ
She returned with a light heart and gave her messages to Suleiman and Ahmet. She had not felt more alive in years. She had felt safe and though Ahmet was in Constantinople, he no longer could hurt her. Her body was now Selim's.
She returned and found the pair on a terrace playing chess. Ahmet looked up at her as she came forward, still rumpled from travel. She handed him the messages and he smiled up at her. "I never thought as a princess as a courier, but you make a good one." He said.
Suleiman smiled at her as she turned to leave. "Are you well Auntie?"
"Yes. I will return in a few moments. These clothes have mud on them."
By the time she had returned, Ahmet had finished the dispatches, had called a meeting, and was again playing another game with his nephew. She dropped onto some pillows to watch the game as she held her embroidery. Suleiman watched her a moment as she used her teeth to thread a needle with her good hand and then started to press the thread into the cloth. It was much slower than he had seen before, but her stitches were still small.
He turned back to the game and moved his rook and king.
Ahmet cocked his head. "That's not a legal move."
"It is a European variation. Arrocco." Suleiman looked up at him.
"It's interesting, but not exactly fair when you play by different rules than your opponent." Ahmet said.
"You may think differently when you are Sultan." He paused as he saw Noor look up. "Shall I take it back?" He asked.
Ahmet sighed. "Suleiman, I know it has been hard on you, watching your father and me quarrel over Bayezid's throne."
Suleiman shrugged. "Grandfather has chosen you, and his word is kanun. What is there to argue about?"
"Your father and I were close once, but his cruelty and ambition have made-"
Suleiman lifted a hand. "I have heard the rumors, uncle."
Ahmet rose to his feet. "Well, I have a meeting with the viziers soon. Shall we continue another time?"
Suleiman nodded. "Whenever you like." He said softly.
Ahmet touched his wife's face with something close to affection before he continued.
Noor walked to him and smiled as she moved a piece on Ahmet's side.
"You know my father's plans." Suleiman said.
She shrugged. "I am a woman. No one tells me military strategy."
Suleiman reached out and lifted her chin. "Play your games with Ahmet, auntie, but I know better. My father trusts you more than any other."
She sighed and watched him move a knight. "He marches here." She sighed. "I fear war between him and Ahmet with you and me in the middle."
He watched her move a pawn and sighed. "No harm will come to you. I swear it."
She smiled sadly. "It does not matter anymore, Suleiman."
"You carry his child. Does he still abuse you?"
She looked down. "He is not…affectionate. I do not blame him. He has one of the harem to keep him busy much of the time. I am…grateful."
He sighed. "Stay with me then. I would see you smile."
He took her pawn and she laughed. "My life is a chess game, Suleiman. I will soon have my king in check I am sure."
He touched her hand. "Not if I can help it." He said gently.
She looked up at him. "You are really an old soul on young shoulders, Suleiman."
In three more moves she had him in check and he smiled. "You are better at this game than you let on, Auntie."
"Many underestimate women."
"Indeed." He chuckled. "I hope I have a wife as insightful as you are."
"You wish to marry a woman older than you by forty some years?" She laughed and he did too.
"Perhaps not." He nodded.
"I am content and you will be happy soon as well." She said.
Suleiman took a breath. "Is the baby…my father's?" He asked softly.
She paused and he looked down broodingly wondering why he had asked her so as a frown crossed her lips. She took a breath and sighed.
It was answer enough for the young prince. "I am not angry, Auntie. I welcome it." He told her. "Remember. I am here. If you need a safe haven…come to me."
She looked up. "I will not forget it." She said.
Ezio walked up to them and her eyes rose. Suleiman followed her gaze.
"Ezio." Suleiman said.
"Tarik has been selling guns to a local miser. Manuel Palaiologos." Ezio said. He smiled at his former sister-in-law who watched him. He knew everything he said would not be repeated.
"Palaiologos... that is a sad sound." Suleiman said rising to his feet. "The last Byzantine Emperor was Constantine Palaiologos. If his heir is arming a militia of some kind, this conflict will escalate."
"Tarik knows where the rifles are headed. If I find him first, I can follow the weapons straight to the Byzantines." Ezio said stepping to him.
"He will be with his Janissaries in their barracks. So if you want to get close, you will have to be one yourself."
"Not a problem." Ezio said.
"Guzel. Get the information you need, then kill him." Suleiman said.
Noor let out a small gasp and Suleiman turned to look at her a hard look in his eyes. "Suleiman…no." She whispered as she came to him. "He…he cannot be the problem…he is good and loyal." She looked at Ezio.
Ezio looked at Noor and back. "Are you sure? You told me Tarik and your father were close friends, Suleiman."
"This is true. But such naked treason against my grandfather deserves death." Suleiman said with a hard tone.
Noor touched his arm and the young prince hugged her sharing her grief.
"Intesi." Ezio said quietly. He left them.
Noor began to weep and Suleiman held her.
ZzZ
Noor walked the grounds the next morning and felt ill. She had not eaten since lunch the day before. She sighed and walked trying to clear her head. Tarik could not be the traitor. He was a good loyal man. She liked him.
She reached the terrace and then went to the edge as he stomach rebelled. She vomited over the edge and then leaned against the cool rocks.
A gentle hand touched her shoulder. "My lady." A soft voice said.
She looked up and saw Tarik Barleti himself standing there with two other janissaries. "Tarik…"
"Are you well? You are pale…"
"I…" Her hand went to her head. Though she felt better after removing the excess bile from her stomach she would fake being ill more.
Tarik caught her to him as her knees gave way and brought her into his arms. He turned to the men. "Quickly, the princess has swooned. Find the palace physician and Prince Suleiman."
She listened a hand over her eyes. Suleiman? Why not Ahmet?
He moved quickly holding her securely. The janissaries rushed about as he barked orders. She was laid on a day bed in an airy atrium of the palace. She opened her eyes and saw Suleiman there looking down at her.
"Auntie…"
"It is nothing…just the heat…" She said.
He shook his head and took her hand as the doctor arrived. Tarik posted guards and stood watching as the doctor listened to her heart and her belly.
The doctor smiled. "When was the last time you have eaten, my princess?"
"Yesterday."
"Noor!" Suleiman gasped looking at her. "That is not good for you or the child."
"Child?" Tarik blurted behind them.
Noor winced and the doctor nodded. "Tarik bey would you kindly order some tea and a meal for the princess. I suggest she stay here for a while to regain her strength."
"Where is Ahmet?" Noor asked.
"Elsewhere." Tarik said. He could not quite keep the contempt out of his voice. Ahmet should be at the palace with his wife if she carried his heir. Instead he was inspecting the town. Another strike against him in the Janissary's book.
The food came and Suleiman refused to leave her until it was all eaten. She then napped and he moved to a small desk to work on some papers, one of which was to his father.
ZzZ
Two days later Isabelle was better and Tarik had found her again walking the grounds. He smiled. "You look much better, my lady."
"Thank you." She said.
"If you are up to it, the janissaries have asked to see you. Your support has always given them morale. Will you come to the barracks?"
She nodded. "A pleasure, Tarik."
The man was a traitor to her lands, but he seemed to be wanting to have her near. Well two could play at that game. She smiled and wondered how long it would take Ezio to kill him and remove that false smile from his lips.
She pulled up her veil and moved with the captain of the janissaries. Behind them were several of the elite guard as well.
She allowed him to place her on a horse and then he mounted a second. She rode sidesaddle with her knee around the horn. He was amazed she was able to balance so, but she moved with him through the streets.
They passed some Romani who were preforming. She paused to watch and then threw them some coins.
They looked up and thanked her and began to whisper that it was the princess who had come to see them.
He came to her. "Save your coins, my lady." He looked down at the Romani. "They are vermin."
"They are people trying to make a living, like us all, Tarik."
"Your heart is too good for your own good, princess." Tarik said.
They continued to the barracks and several of the men cheered as she came in. Tarik lifted her down after he had dismounted. "See, they love you."
She lifted her hand and many came forward to kiss it as she moved with the captain.
ZzZ
Ezio had attacked and killed one of the janissary members only an hour before. It had taken him two days to find what he needed.
Ezio followed the Janissaries, wearing his slightly damaged disguise. The two were speaking together. He followed behind and listened.
"Selim understands our plight. The Byzantines, the Mamluks, the Safavid. Only he has the courage to face these threats."
"Haklisin. Selim is a warrior. Like Osman and Mehmet."
"So why has our Sultan chosen a cat over our lion?"
"Ahmet shares the Sultan's calm temperament. They are too much alike, I fear."
"Why does Ahmet linger in this city? He knows he is not wanted."
"He is like a moth hovering around an open flame. Waiting for his father to perish so that he may step to the throne." The man smiled. "The only good thing about him is his choice in bride."
"Indeed. She is a good woman and has supported us. It is a shame she is in the middle of all this."
"A shame indeed. There are rumors as well."
"Good ones?"
"Perhaps."
"Did you hear? He offered Tarik a sum of money in exchange for our loyalty."
"God damn him. What did Tarik do?"
"He spent half the money on horse feed and sent the rest to Selim!"
Ezio smiled. They really did not like Ahmet.
The group arrived at the Janissaries' camp.
A guard came running up as Ezio moved behind a tent. "Khardeshlerim! One of our own was found murdered and stripped of his garments not an hour ago, his body dumped like a mound of rubbish. Keep a close watch on these streets as you move about. Someone is planning to strike in our name. We must be ready."
Ezio infiltrated the camp, and overheard several Janissaries talking.
"Any news from the north?"
"Selim's forces have fallen back to Varna. Heavy losses I am told."
"Olacak shey degil, oye degil mi? I pray for a swift conclusion."
"Yes, but in which direction?"
"I cannot say. My heart sides with our Sultan, but my head hopes for Selim."
"Indeed. Had you heard the princess is here?"
"We should go see her. She is beautiful and wise."
Ezio blinked. Isabelle was here? Ezio then eavesdropped on another group.
"Have you met Selim's young son, Shehzade Suleiman?"
"Not personally, but I have seen him. I know he is a remarkable boy."
"Not a boy, but a capable young man. With a magnificent mind."
"Does he take after his father?"
"Belki. Though I suspect he is another sort of man altogether." He chuckled. "The foreign princess and he are close."
"You do not like her? I have heard she has saved several from Ahmet's "justice"."
"She is kind, but kindness does not win wars."
Finally, Ezio listened in on a third pair.
"Sultan Bayezid is a good man, and a kind Sultan... but he has lost the fire that made him great."
"No, no. He is still a fighter. Look at the army he has raised against Selim."
"This is further evidence of his decline. To take up arms against his own son? Shameful."
"Do not bend the truth to match the contours of your passion, efendim. It was Selim who attacked our Sultan."
"Evet, evet. But Selim did so for the glory of the Empire, not himself."
Ezio reached the center of the camp and oversaw Tarik with Isabelle looking over some weapons and asking about them with polite interest.
A janissary walked up to him. "Tarik. A message for you."
Tarik turned to Isabelle. "Excuse me, my lady."
"Of course Tarik Bey." She noticed some training. "I will be over there."
He nodded and a janissary came to her elbow.
Ezio remained out of sight listening.
Tarik read the letter. "Harikulade. The rifles have arrived in Cappadocia, where Manuel has garrisoned his army."
"And our men, are they still with him?"
"Evet. They will contact us when the Byzantines decamp, then we will meet them when they reach Bursa."
"Everything is falling into place, efendim."
"Evet. For once." Tarik said. He looked toward Noor. "Take the princess home. She is weary."
The janissary bowed. He came to the lady and whispered to her.
She sighed and walked with him. She moved slowly watching the men train. The janissary was not in a hurry as they walked watching her as she greeted the men.
Ezio climbed above the practice ring where Tarik was circling barking orders to the men training. He then moved off to a private area to be alone with his thoughts. Ezio leapt down and drove his hidden blade into Tarik's chest. Tarik looked up at him startled and then sighed.
"Ah, what a bitter irony. Is this the result of Suleiman's investigation?" Tarik asked.
"You collude with the Sultan's enemies. What did you expect would come of such treachery?" Ezio hissed.
"I blame myself. Not for treason, but hubris. I was preparing an ambush. Preparing to strike the Byzantine Templars where they felt safest."
"What proof do you have of this?"
"See here." He lifted a scrap of paper to Ezio. "This will lead you to the Byzantines in Cappadocia. Destroy them if you can."
Ezio read the paper. What little he could read told him Tarik told the truth. "You have done well, Tarik. Forgive me."
"Protect my homeland, Assassin. Allah ashkina, redeem the honor we have lost in this fight." Tarik said and then died.
Ezio closed his eyes. "Be at peace, brother." He rose to his feet hearing the alarm as some witnessed Tarik's assassination. An alarm rose in the men.
Noor was suddenly surrounded by janissaries and they moved with her.
The Janissaries surrounding Tarik went to attack Ezio.
"Murderer! Kill him!" A janissary cried running after Ezio.
Noor watched him and then stepped back over a stone and yelped as she fell backwards and landed well, but made it look badly. The janissaries paused as a new cry went up.
"The princess. Protect the princess!"
Ezio managed to escape the Janissary camp.
ZzZ
Noor was placed on a horse when the physician. She was taken back to the palace.
She walked to the gardens, dismissing the janissaries, and then sitting by a pond.
"Grazie for your help."
Noor smiled and lowered her veil as she looked up at Ezio. "You are welcome." She sighed. "He is dead then?"
"Yes. I am sorry."
She nodded. She swirled her hand in the pool and sighed. "He was a good man, Ezio."
"Yes."
She then looked up. "Have you seen Sofia again?"
He sighed. "You are determined to be a match maker, aren't you?"
"I am on my third husband and I am carrying my seventh child." She said.
"You are pregnant?" He asked startled.
She paused and looked down. "Perhaps. The physicians believe it to be so."
"And how do you feel about it?"
"It saves me from Ahmet's temper."
"He beats you?" Ezio said suddenly angry.
She lifted a hand. "He has, but now his indifference hurts more." She said.
He touched her cheek. "Come then, sister. We must speak to Suleiman."
She nodded. "I will bring him to the terraces on the shaded side of the building." She said.
He nodded. "I will meet you there."
She smiled and rose to her feet. She walked to the living quarters of the palace. The janissaries bowed to her and some greeted her softly.
Ahmet watched her walk to Suleiman's chambers. The woman spent much time with the young man. Not that he minded. The young boy did not bed her, he knew that much, but he was jealous of the smiles she offered his nephew and the janissaries. Clearly, they respected her far more than him.
He sighed and returned to his work as she knocked politely on the door to Suleiman's rooms.
