The Charade

A line of carriages arrived bearing the wives of the Sultan. We all ran to the window to see them. It seemed as if all of Topkapi was moving to Yildiz palace that night. As they entered the Great Hall Rana joined them. When the guards had returned almost two hours later they were dismayed to find Rana amongst us. Rana explained in her sultry voic,e which seemed to drive them mad with desire, that she had in fact been feeling out of sorts and had merely retired to her chamber for a rest.

The guards had been constrained because the private chambers of the Sultan’s consorts were off limits to any man other than the Sultan. None would dare tell that they had not found her and when ‘Hamdi Bey’ returned he was informed that Rana had actually fainted backstage and Jamal had taken her to her room. Gurol, who was now once again an officer, had joined the military guards in quarters directly opposite the harem pavilion. He had easily found his way to Rana’s boudoir, managing to sneak through the gardens hiding behind the tall poplar trees. No -one saw him climb through the window and into her bed. The high walls surrounding Yildiz Palace may have been the reason for ‘Hamdi Bey’s’ preference for it as a place to entertain guests. Not only was it away from the prying eyes of his servants but its location would also limit the possibilities of a seaside attack. We did not yet know that there were plans to make this palace our new home.

Yildiz palace overlooked two other palaces down the hill and close to the waters edge. ‘Dolmobache and Ciragen palaces were much grander but maybe not as safe as Yildiz and, though the walls seemed to reach way up to the clouds, there were gaps in the stone work from which we could glimpse the sea. There was also a bridge which connected the palace with Ciragen but this was off limits to us.

Inside the walls there were manicured gardens weaved around pavilions.There were courtyards with pools, greenhouses and aviaries with rare birds such as the Hoopoe, the Blue Parrot, and the Hunkari, a frill pigeon trained for racing. These birds were greatly prized and sought after. I had once overheard a conversation between a buyer and vendor in the marketplace. The buyer described the bird he wanted thus…

“It must have an arched forehead with large, bright, prominent eyes. It’s breast must be broad and well rounded and its body firm and compact. Plumage must be well developed, smooth and even”.
It was sometime before I realised they were speaking of pigeons and not of women. These caged birds symbolised believers eager to be liberated from their mortal coils. Setting them free would earn them points in heaven.
Strange that these believers could not see the parallels between captured birds and captured women.

Copyright By Renee Dallow ( Author )