Chapter 19: Unwilling Guests

I’m dressed and ready by the time Sümbul Aga returns with Hürrem. The three of us leave the harem under the puzzled stares of the other women. In the months since our arrival, I’ve never known anything like this happen before.

“Where are we going, Sümbul Aga?” asks Hürrem, once we are out of earshot of the other women.

“I wish that I knew,” replies Sümbul Aga apologetically. “The Valide simply told me to have you and Gülnihal ready for a journey and to escort you to the west door.”

The last time Hürrem and I went through the west door was when we were taken to the New Palace. As on that occasion, there’s a small coach waiting for us by the door. A coachman and two guards stand nearby. Sümbul Aga tells us to board the coach, but he doesn’t join us himself. Hürrem and I are the only passengers. The blinds on the coach windows are fastened shut so that we can’t look out to see where we are going.

“Do you think Sultan Suleiman has returned early and that he’s waiting for you at the New Palace?” I ask, hoping this is the reason for our journey at this late hour.

“I doubt we are being sent to meet the sultan,” replies Hürrem. “Sümbul Aga instructed me to wear travelling clothes ... not one of my silk dresses. I don’t like what is happening.”

I don’t like it either. This has the feel of palace politics of the worst kind at play.

The coach sets off as soon as we are settled. Although we cannot see out of the windows, I can remember enough of our last journey to the New Palace to know that our route tonight is different. Hürrem must sense the same thing, but she says nothing.

Our journey is relatively short and we must still be within the city boundaries when we halt. The curtain over the doorway is suddenly pulled back and a woman I don’t recognise stands facing us. From her clothing and behaviour, I assume she is a servant of some kind.

“Please follow me, Hürrem Hatun,” says the woman. “I will escort you and your maid into the house.”

“Not until you tell us where we are?” demands Hürrem, staying seated in the coach.

“This is the house of Hatice Sultan,” replies the servant. “She is waiting to greet you. Please follow me.”

Hürrem and I exchange glances. While Hatice Sultan is the Valide’s dutiful daughter, I don’t believe she would willingly involve herself in anything underhand. Hürrem stands up and allows the servant to help her from the coach. I follow close behind. We are escorted to a large room on the ground floor.

“Hatice Sultan,” says Hürrem by way of a greeting to our host. We both give a short curtsey in acknowledgement of Hatice’s status as a member of the Ottoman dynasty. Hatice silently acknowledges our greeting and indicates Hürrem should sit in one of the low couches. I’m not certain of my status here, so I stand behind Hürrem.

“Why have Gülnihal and I been brought here?” asks Hürrem, showing her usual impatience.

“For your safety, Hürrem,” replies Hatice in a tone that suggests that she is no happier than we are at this night-time escapade.

“I wasn’t aware that I was in danger inside the Imperial Palace,” muses Hürrem. “Even during the recent troubles in the city, the palace guards and the agas seemed capable of defending the women of the harem.”

“You are not that naïve, Hürrem,” says Hatice. “There are dangers within the harem from which no Janissary or aga can ensure your protection. My mother has persuaded Mahidevran to halt her vendetta against you, but there will soon be new slaves arriving who will pose a threat to you. The cause of their hatred may be quite different from Mahidevran’s jealousy, but they will be a danger to you nonetheless.”

“What new slaves are you talking about?” asks Hürrem.

“The Valide has received word that there are twenty three girls and young women arriving soon,” says Hatice. “They are war prizes from the captured territories. Some will have been given as gifts by their fathers to prove their new found loyalty to Sultan Suleiman. Others will be girls of noble birth who are being held for ransom. None will be coming willingly, and some may even be violent. If they were to learn that you are expecting my brother’s child, they may decide to vent their anger on you and your unborn child.”

“So I am to hide here like a timid rabbit,” fumes Hürrem. “For how long?”

“I don’t know,” replies Hatice. “It will take time for the agas to identify and confine those girls who are dangerous. The Valide will tell you when she considers it safe for you to return. In the meantime you are my guest.”

“What about my things?” asks Hürrem. “We left in such a hurry that I left most of my possessions behind.”

“Gülnihal can retrieve your possessions tomorrow,” says Hatice. “The Valide’s orders do not specify that she is to remain here all of the time. But Gülnihal, you will need to be careful who you talk with, and what you tell the women in the harem. You must keep Hürrem’s location a secret. There may be Hungarian agents and spies in the city looking for an opportunity to take revenge for their king’s defeat.”

I doubt anything I say to the other odalisques will make a difference. I don’t believe Mahidevran has given up her vendetta so easily. She will undoubtedly know where Hürrem has been sent, and a carefully planted rumour that Hürrem is staying here will soon become common knowledge. Hatice Sultan’s house is only safer than the Imperial Harem while our whereabouts remain a secret.

It is getting late and Hatice orders one of her maids to show us to our room. The room is at the rear of the house and is clearly one used for the servants of visiting dignitaries. Hatice is ensuring Hürrem isn’t treated with any more respect than her current status requires. Nevertheless the room is comfortable enough.