Chapter 21: The Sultan’s Inspection

The Valide’s words shock me. I cannot deny I have sometimes dreamed of walking the golden path, but I never thought it would really happen to me. While many odalisques are trained to be concubines, we are taught that less than half of those who complete their training are ever chosen to walk the golden path. To be summoned to the sultan’s bed is both an opportunity and a curse. If the union results in the birth of a child, then the mother’s future is assured. If she’s clever enough, she can gain wealth and live in comfort for the rest of her life. However, should the sultan be displeased with the union, or the concubine not prove to be fecund, then she is forced to make a choice ... she can continue to live in the palace as a servant, or she must allow the Valide to find her a suitable husband and leave the harem.

One one hand I could become a member of the Ottoman dynasty ... like Hürrem will be soon. Or, I could become like Ayşe, and end up waiting for a husband to be found for me. The prospect is both thrilling and frightening at the same time. My immediate concern, however, is how am I going to tell Hürrem? She is very protective of her relationship with Sultan Suleiman. I don’t think she’ll take kindly to my news, even though I’ve had no say in the matter.

Everything is ready for this afternoon’s celebration by the time I return to the harem. The sixteen new arrivals who had been sent to the dungeons have returned. It appears five minutes in the dungeons was sufficient time to break the resolve of the troublemakers. I decide I should tell my news to Hürrem as soon as possible before she hears it from someone else.

The look on Fidan’s face suggests she has been told of the sultan’s decision regarding her. Some of the odalisques around her are teasing and making fun of her. Given Mahidevran’s previous support for Fidan, I suspect those odalisques are going to regret their behaviour at a later date. But if it distracts them from my predicament, then I’m not going to complain.

“Where did you disappear to before?” asks Hürrem when she sees me.

“The Valide summoned me to her room,” I reply.

“Is she causing you trouble about our return to the harem?” asks Hürrem. “Don’t worry, I’ll use my influence with the sultan to protect you.”

“Thanks, but I don’t think that will help,” I reply, suddenly realising why I’ve been selected to walk the golden path. “I suspect she is trying to drive a wedge between us. She wants you to become isolated and more vulnerable to her schemes and those of Mahidevran.”

“There may be some truth in what you say,” replies Hürrem. “She has assigned Esme to work in the hospital, and Nilüfer has been warned to behave herself or suffer the consequences. So, how does the Valide propose to drive you and I apart?”

“I’m to walk the golden path tomorrow night,” I blurt out before my courage fails me.

“You’re what?!” cries Hürrem in alarm. “Hah! I thought the Valide had capitulated too easily when she told Fidan her services won’t be required tonight.”

“Are you angry with me?” I ask.

“No. Not with you,” replies Hürrem. “Sultan Suleiman may have many women in his life, but only one woman in his heart. I shall become haseki in the fullness of time, and my son will be the next ruler of the Ottoman Empire. As long as you remember that, then there is no need for us to be enemies.”

Hürrem’s words provide me with very little comfort. If my union with Sultan Suleiman results in a new şehzade, then I will do my best to ensure my son is the next ruler. I cannot do otherwise. If he doesn’t become the ruler, then the son who becomes the new sultan will have all his half-brothers executed to prevent civil war. As bloodthirsty and wasteful as fratricide is, it is the Ottoman way. I wish it were otherwise. It is the fear of losing her son which drives Mahidevran to the extremes that she goes to at times.

Conceiving a new sultana would be safer, but my daughter and I would most likely be sent to a palace in the provinces until she is ready for marriage. Failing to conceive at all would be seen as being my fault, and I would have to make the choice between a life of servitude in the palace, or accepting an arranged marriage. None of the possible outcomes are really to my liking. Whatever happens, I cannot see how my friendship with Hürrem can survive.

Hürrem and I join the other women as the final preparations for the celebration are made. When everything is ready, all the odalisques of the harem are formed into two lines facing each other on either side of the central aisle of the main harem. By tradition the favourites and hatun should stand at the farthest end of the lines from the harem entrance, while the new arrivals line up near the door. Unfortunately the influx of so many new girls has caused confusion. Sultan Suleiman and the Valide will be arriving soon to inspect the women and girls of the harem. Nigar Kalfa decides to simply allow the new girls to stand where they are now.

One of the agas announces the arrival of Sultan Suleiman and the Valide. The whole harem drops into a curtsey as they enter. Even the new girls have the sense to follow our example. Perhaps the weeks of travelling have provided the opportunity to train them in a few of the basic rules of Imperial Harem behaviour.

The sultan walks along one line of women, greeting each woman with a few words before moving onto the next. The Valide follows a few paces behind, seemingly disinterested in her son’s words, but in reality watching each slave’s performance like a hawk. Sultan Suleiman takes his time with his inspection and a few minutes pass before he reaches the end of the first line. He then crosses over to the line where Hürrem and I stand. The first women he encounters in our line are Hatice, Gülfem and Mahidevran. He says only a few words to each of them since he has undoubtedly met them earlier in the Imperial Wing.