The eunuch bowed. “At once, my prince,” he replied.
Amir now turned his attention back to the Janissary. “I am grateful that my uncle thought to send me word,” he said.
Captain Mahmud’s lips twitched with amusement but he answered politely, “And I am grateful for your hospitality, as my men will be. We will, however, begin our return to the capital as soon as they have eaten and the horses have been taken care of by your slaves.”
“My wives will be relieved,” Amir responded with a grin. “The approach of your troop frightened them.”
“I hope the children were not afraid,” Captain Mahmud said.
“There are no children,” Amir replied. “But come and join me in some refreshment.” He clapped his hands, and to his relief his slaves hurried in with sweet, cold fruit sherbets and a light meal of roasted chicken, saffron rice, and warm flat bread with a dish of yogurt mixed with dill and cucumbers for dipping.
The two men sat companionably upon the cushions about a small ebony-and-ivory-inlaid table.
“Women with children tend to give all their attention to their offspring,” Captain Mahmud noted. “Women without children give all their attention to their lord and master. That is a good thing, eh, Highness?” And he chuckled.
Amir nodded. “I must admit my wives spoil me terribly, and I feel no lack at being childless,” he said. Then he leaned forward, dipping a piece of bread in the sauce, putting it in his mouth, and chewing it thoughtfully. “Tell me what is happening, Captain. I cannot believe my father has taken my uncle’s decision either lightly or easily.”
Captain Mahmud put a piece of chicken in his mouth and scooped up some rice. “No,” he said, then swallowed. “Your uncle managed to reach Istanbul first, where we had already taken control of the city for him.”
“My grandfather’s Grand Vizier favored my father,” Amir remarked.
“We executed him before the new sultan arrived in the city, and also intercepted and executed his emissaries to Prince Jem,” Captain Mahmud said.
All but one, Amir thought, realizing now who had sent the messenger to him warning him of the changes to come. “And my father?” he asked.
“Is rousing the Turcoman tribes to fight for supremacy in this quarrel,” the Janissary captain said. “I must admit to admiring Prince Jem’s fiery spirit, Highness, but he will not prevail.”
“No,” Amir said, “he will not. Does my uncle wish me to return to Istanbul with you?”
“No, no, that is not necessary, Highness. You are content here in your little palace, and the sultan knows he has your complete and total loyalty,” Captain Mahmud replied, smiling toothily.
“Indeed, the sultan does have my complete loyalty,” Amir responded.
“Then there is nothing more to say,” Captain Mahmud answered.
As he had ceased eating, a slave brought a bowl of rose water and a linen napkin for his hands. The Janissary washed the grease and other food residue from his fingers, and dried them. Amir did the same. Then both men rose as Diya al Din came to tell his master that the Janissary troop had been fed and their mounts cared for, and were now ready to depart.
“Let me escort you to your horse,” Amir said. “Please convey to my uncle, the sultan, my grateful thanks for sending me word of what is transpiring. He has honored my house.” The prince bowed to Captain Mahmud, who bowed in return before mounting his animal. Amir stood politely as the Janissary troop, in their distinctive red and green uniforms upon their brown horses, wheeled about and galloped off. “Make certain they go,” the prince instructed his head eunuch. “Send to the watchers on the hillsides to be certain. Tell them they are to remain at their posts until I instruct them otherwise.”
“At once, Highness,” Diya al Din said.
“Then gather the slaves so I may tell them what they should know,” Amir told the eunuch before returning back into his home and going to the harem quarters, where his women awaited him anxiously.
Azura came immediately to him, and his arms wrapped about her briefly. “I listened,” she said.
“I know,” he answered, then drew her down onto the cushions with the others. “Sultan Mehmet is no more,” he told them. “My uncle has seized the throne, and is now Sultan Bayezit. My father is already fighting him, but I believe we are safe. My uncle knows I will not join my father. I have no soldiers or adherents to trouble the sultan. There are no heirs of my body. I am no threat to Bayezit.”
“Then why did he find it necessary to send a full troop of Janissaries to tell you of your grandfather’s passing?” the suspicious Shahdi wanted to know.
“My uncle was displaying his newfound power,” Amir replied with a chuckle. “He knows my home is not defendable. He was showing me his authority over us.”
“Are the Janissaries really gone?” Azura asked.
“I believe so, but the watchers on our hills will tell us if they have not returned. From now on I shall keep a watch so that we will not be taken unawares.”
“What will happen if your father does not cease his strife?” Maysun wanted to know. “Will the sultan punish us?”
“My uncle is a patient man, more like his grandfather Sultan Murad,” Amir answered his first wife. He could see his women were frightened by this new turn of events, and it disturbed him that they should be so. “The sultan will find a way to quiet my father’s ambitions,” he assured them.
