Chapter 22: A Special Day

It soon becomes apparent that my special day is going to be special for all the wrong reasons. At first I attribute Hurrem’s failure to return by mid-morning as an indication that she and Sultan Suleiman are still locked in each others arms. That would be a bad omen for my chances tonight. I’m starting to brood when Esme comes into the harem and walks over towards me.

“Hürrem has been attacked,” says Esme quietly. “Daye Hatun has told me to bring you to the harem infirmary.”

My mounting jealousy and anger immediately evaporates. I follow Esme as quickly as I can without running. Running in the harem is regarded as ill-mannered. Besides, it would only alert the rest of girls to the presence of something wrong. Hürrem has enemies in the harem and I don’t want to give them a chance to gloat.

We reach the infirmary to find Daye Hatun and Nigar Kalfa sitting with Hürrem behind a screen. There are scratches and a large bruise on Hürrem’s face, but she otherwise seems uninjured.

“The doctor who examined Hürrem says the baby is unharmed,” says Esme. “Unfortunately the same can’t be said for Hürrem’s face.”

“What happened? Who did this?” I ask.

“I arrived back here just after breakfast. I was walking along the corridor to the harem when I was set upon from behind,” says Hürrem.

“Was nobody with you?” asks Daye Hatun.

“No. Sümbul Aga forgot to arrange for two girls to accompany me last night, so he escorted me to the New Palace himself. But he didn’t stay. One of the New Palace agas escorted me back this morning, but we parted company at the west door.”

“Did you see anything which might help us identify your attacker?” asks Daye Hatun.

“It all happened so fast,” says Hürrem. “There were at least two of them. One of them was wearing a grey and white harem uniform and the other a green silk dress.”

“I shall inform the Valide,” says Daye Hatun. “You can return to your room when you are ready. Gülnihal ... Until the culprits are caught, you are to stay with Hürrem at all times. Nigar Kalfa will relieve you when necessary.”

My chances of walking the golden path tonight have taken another blow. However, I don’t dwell on the thought. I silently berate myself for thinking of myself while my closest friend is injured and in need of my support.

Hürrem is reluctant to walk through the harem and let the other women see her injured face. There will be a few slaves who will be happy at the sight, but most will be alarmed that such an attack has occurred inside the harem. Her assailants may even be among the women living in our wing of the harem. I don’t doubt that suspicion will fall on the new girls, but I know none of them have silk dresses to wear.

“Your face will heal soon enough, but you can’t hide in your room until then,” I say to Hürrem. “It is better to show the other odalisques that you remain strong despite the attack.”

Hürrem comes around to my way of thinking and we walk sedately through the harem towards Hürrem’s room. I watch the odalisques for their reaction. What has happened should be a shock to everyone. However, those responsible for the attack may give themselves away by failing to react with surprise.

By the time we reach Hürrem’s room, I’m convinced that the attackers aren’t among those present in our wing of the harem. Even Fidan reacts with genuine shock at Hürrem’s injuries. I’m sure Nilüfer would be able to track down the culprits if she were given the task. But she is busy with her work duty elsewhere in the Old Palace.

The Valide and Daye Hatun arrive in Hürrem’s room a few minutes later. Both women examine Hürrem’s injuries before deciding what to do next.

“You are lucky Hürrem. The injuries could be worse,” says the Valide. “This is undoubtedly the handiwork of some of the new girls. We were warned to expect trouble. You should have stayed at Hatice’s house. You have put yourself at risk and must suffer the consequences. Daye. Question the new girls. Have the culprits brought to me when you find the ones responsible.”

“Should we inform His Majesty?” asks Daye Hatun.

“No,” replies the Valide. “I see no need to trouble him about this matter. He has more important issues to attend to this morning.”

I find the Valide’s reaction unsettling. Her conclusion that some of the new girls are the culprits is at odds with the evidence Hürrem has provided. I suspect there is dirty politics at play here. It is even possible that the Valide had prior knowledge of the attack on Hürrem. Sümbul Aga’s apparent forgetfulness in failing to provide an escort for Hürrem now seems suspicious. Unfortunately the Valide has given a direct order which we are compelled to obey.

The Valide and Daye Hatun leave Hürrem’s room. I sit quietly with Hürrem while we wait for Daye Hatun to complete her investigation. It takes her until midday to interview every new girl. Her quest proves futile and each of those interviewed is able to provide a least one witness to confirm she was in our wing of the harem at the time of the attack on Hürrem.

“What will happen now?” asks Hürrem when Daye Hatun returns to our room.

“I shall inform the Valide that those responsible for the attack on you are still unidentified,” replies Daye Hatun. “In the meantime Gülnihal will remain with you.”

I resign myself to my fate. It is clear I’m not destined to walk the golden path tonight. My already slim chance of going to the sultan’s bedchamber tonight takes a further blow when Ayşe returns to the room she shares with Hürrem.

“I’ve heard rumours that Sultan Suleiman is very angry,” says Ayşe. “The Janissary regiment which rebelled a few weeks ago marched to the palace to present their grievances to Sultan Suleiman. The sultan listened to their complaints and then personally executed the leaders of the revolt as punishment for them endangering his family. Apparently there was the threat of more violence, but the rebellious regiment backed down from their threats. The immediate crisis is over, but the sultan is still angry. The city pashas have been summoned to the palace.”