The Lake of Sorrows (9 page)

Yannos was more serene, or perhaps morose. “Oh I do. I saw them as they walked in and I am already preparing their coffee. Just pretend they are not here. And keep your big mouth shut, if you wish us to survive.”

“If you make a good name as a wine-seller. then even princes visit you.”

“And if you are a naive son-in-law, your father-in-law will have to visit you very often to save you from yourself.”

Yannos shook his head in disgust. “The young Bey would not visit our shabby tavern just for the coffee, he would order us to the palace if he thought it imperative to taste it. No, he must be here for something he cannot order to the palace, probably something he does not want his father to know about. So we do not want to know about it, either. Just do your job and make sure you do not spill the coffees as you serve them, or I see dawn finding you without a head on your shoulders, my poor son-in-law.”

“It is easy for you to say.” The older man’s reasoning had made Constantine shiver with fear - his customers jested that he had the bulk of two men and the courage of half a one, and, in Yannos’ opinion, they were generous. “You are not the poor soul who has to take the coffee tray to them. I see your daughter a widow already. Fear has made my legs numb.”

“Then revive them and bring them the coffee, before you displease the Pasha’s son!”

These words only seemed to numb the rest of Constantine’s vast figure. “I knew it when I had that dream last night.” Constantine took the tray and reluctantly walked off with it, mumbling to himself. “I was eating fish from the lake. The horror they stand for has come true already.” He made the sign of the cross. Three times.

F
roshenie put the crucifix back in the pouch and handed it back to Levandinos. “I cannot accept this. I beg you take it back to the one who asked you to take it to me.” Her voice was trembling, but her hand was firm.

The merchant stepped back, away from the pouch. “That is out of the question, my lady. I have grown too fond of having a head on my shoulders.” She gestured again with the pouch and he all but fled. “Forgive me, but if you wish to send it back, then someone else would have to do that errand. I doubt you will find anyone who will accept the assignment.”

Tears welled up in Froshenie’s eyes. “Tell him you did not find me home. Any excuse would do. If you are a Christian yourself, please spare me this shame.”

“I wish I could. You are beauteous, my lady, but - again, forgive me - you are not wise.” He sighed. “I have lived for many years in Venice, yet a year here in Yannina was enough to learn the ways of our new ruler. Do you really believe that I was sent to you without being followed? They know I am talking to you right now.”

The rest of his words made her feel as if the earth under her feet had vanished. “There is more. The man who sent this to you wishes to meet you. Privately.

“Tell him that is impossible! I have a husband. Children. Even if I wanted to, it is not possible.”

The anguish in her voice was heartbreaking, but the merchant could not decide if it was caused by the offer - or by the impossibility of accepting it. “All you have to do is decide on the day, my lady, and he will be here.”

Froshenie paced up and down like a bird fluttering in its cage, although she felt more trapped and helpless than such a bird would ever do.

Presently, she turned to the merchant in tearful determination. “Tell him I thank him for his present. I am honored. But that is it. What he wishes for is out of the question.”

Levandinos shook his head. “May God help me, having to deliver such news to him. And may God help you, my lady.” He bowed, shook his head again and departed.

Minutes later, the merchant was sitting at Muhtar’s and Tahir’s table in Constantine’s tavern. He was quite unable, though, to appreciate the fine Turkish coffee that was immediately placed in front of him.

Yannos watched the trio through an ever-so-slightly opened kitchen door. “Hah! Another dignitary to our place.” His voiced was dripping sarcasm. “Looks like we shall have to raise the prices now that we have become a place for people of quality.”

“Please father-in-law. Say no more.” Still moving as if half-numb all over, Constantine was wringing his hands. “Do you not see? They have a secret meeting. The less we know, the better.”

“I am listening.” Muhtar’s anticipation has barely given Levandinos time to take a seat.

The merchant swallowed. “The gift is in her hands.”

“What did she say? I want to know every single word.”

“She was at a loss for words for a while.” Levandinos’ voice trailed off.

“Then what? What? Speak up, man. Are you so moved you have no words? Did she smile? Did she swoon? Will she see me tonight? Speak, damn you!”

Levandinos gulped down his coffee, then launched into a halting and hesitant, but nevertheless complete account of his meeting with Froshenie.

Muhtar’s eagerness turned to sullen petulance as the story progressed. “I am not going to stop till I meet her face to face.” Tahir gingerly shushed him, but the young man waved him off. “I knew beforehand this was not going to be easy. You will go to her house again, Levandinos. And again.” The merchant squirmed, but the fire in Muhtar’s eyes nailed him to his seat. “Again and again until she comes to understand my feelings.”

“Or until your father gets to understand all these antics.” Tahir’s warning was quiet, but insistent. “And then we all lose our peace of mind, not just this pretty Froshenie.

Muhtar tried again to wave him off, but this time the captain insisted. “Nothing will abate his ire if you jeopardize his alliance with your father-in-law. He needs him, do you not understand?”

Muhtar smiled arrogantly and looked the captain of the guard straight in the eyes. “I am in love, but I am not a fool, Tahir. I will take any bet you offer that my father already knows everything. Otherwise …” - he paused for a second and smiled mischievously - “Otherwise you would not be here with me right now.”

For a moment, the formidable captain of the guard looked like a servant caught drinking his master’s wine. Muhtar chuckled at the sight. “Living just for power and war is my father’s choice, Tahir, not mine.”

Tahir tried a counterattack. “For Alhi there is no bigger pleasure than his calling as Pasha. Nothing is more important. You know it to be true.”

“His
calling?
” protested Muhtar. “All those games of deceit and death between sovereigns? A ‘calling’? I call it a curse and nothing else. Who knows, maybe when I get to be his age I might do the very same. But right now I want to
live.
”

He turned to Levandinos once again, fierce determination burning in his face. “You will go to her house again. Tomorrow. No delays.”

A
lhi visited the Harem himself the very next morning, something he seldom did. Vajas accompanied him, something he had never done at all. The entire harem was lined up for their master to inspect. The woman had all been ordered to be more dazzling than ever, and told that much depended on the one he would choose.

Alhi spoke earnestly to his advisor, ignoring the women’s curious gazes. “Stop blushing so, Vajas. Be a man. We are here to find our Roche the perfect one. Someone so exquisite she will make him putty in our hands.”

Vajas was struggling to keep a clear and level head while inspecting by so much exquisite flesh covered so scantily. “I … have heard he speaks Greek fairly, so a Greek girl would be a good choice.”

“Oh yes. we have plenty of those in here, too.” Alhi ran his gaze along the line of girls and cursed. “I cannot remember which of these are Greek or Turkish or Albanian or whatnot.” He turned to Eminee, and she nodded.

“This is Zoitsa from Kalamata”. Eminee nudged forward a dark-eyed, raven-haired beauty that could not have seen more than sixteen summers.

Alhi gestured the girl to turn this way, then that, so that he could have a full look. Then he bent so close to her that the girl involuntarily drew back.

“Stay. And open your mouth.” Alhi’s harsh voice froze the girl in place, and he examined her mouth like a horse trader would.

“She will do.” He nodded in satisfaction. “She has no rotten teeth. Eminee. Prepare her for tomorrow before Roche arrives, make her look her very best. I rely on you to make her more seductive than sin itself.”

The harem’s women bowed in relief as he left. One of them whispered savagely to their new sister, Shouhrae, at her side. “Did you see that? He looked and treated her like an animal for sale. The rest of us, too.”

Eminee, still at the door, overheard her and stopped abruptly. She approached them with her head thrown back in a wife’s pride and the girl who had spoken immediately lowered her own head in her mistress’ presence.

“What did you say, girl? Yulebahar, is it not?” Eminee’s voice was colder than ice.

“Y-yes, my lady. And I said nothing. Nothing whatsoever. I was … just mumbling.” Yulebahar wobbled in utter fear, as if she would faint any moment.

Eminee let her wobble for a considerable time before speaking in a severe, majestic tone. “Let me impart to you some words of wisdom that our merchants brought home from faraway China, girl. ‘Think once before you speak. Think twice and say nothing at all.’ Especially, I might add, if you were thinking of saying what you just thought.”

A ripple of laughter ran through the women at this, and even Yulebahar managed a sickish smile. It vanished when she met her mistress’ gaze. “This time, be thankful to Allah I was the only one who heard you. Do you understand?”

“I understand, my lady. Forgive me.”

“You do not and I will not. You have been taught a lesson you should not forget. The Pasha’s first wife is the indisputable highest power of the harem and that is so because although I love you all, I love the Pasha more than all of you together. Think of that and you may understand enough to keep your head on your shoulders.”

Once they were alone, Shouhrae fell upon Yulebahar, albeit with concern in her voice. “What has gotten into you today, you silly girl? Are you going mad? Raising your voice before they had left the room!”

Yulebahar took a moment to reply. Once she did, it was in a dreamy tone full of grievance, as if talking to herself. “All this time. Two years in here. All this time and he has never, ever looked at me. Not a single glance.”

“Who?” Shouhrae was startled at the slumbering ardor in Yulebahar’s voice. “Who are you referring to?”

“To Alhi.” Yulebahar sighed deeply.

Shouhrae jumped as if a scorpion had bitten her, her eyes widening in desperation. “You
are
mad. I was right. You took his name in your mouth.”

Yulebahar sighed again and turned her face away.

Shouhrae grabbed her chin and turned her head back, forcing Yulebahar to look into her young friend’s panic-stricken eyes. “Oh, Allah. You are not allowed to fall in love with him, Yulebahar! It brings only sorrow and nothing else. Banish him from your heart, you will never have a place in his, only in his bed.”

“I do not care!” Yulebahar pushed her friend away. “All I wish is to see his face again. To be summoned to his chamber. That is all I want.”

Sinking down onto a sumptuous divan, Shouhrae shook her head. “You have been here far longer than I, and you still think wretches like us get to
want
anything?”

Yulebahar shot a taunting glance at the young girl. “
You
want something. Or did, once.”

“I? What do I want?”

Petulance made Yulebahar mean to hurt. “Noone has told you? You cry in your sleep sometimes. ‘Alexis’, you whisper. A Greek name, too! Perhaps
you
should be careful, little Shouhrae? The Pasha’s lake is far from full yet.”

O
utside, Levandinos met Eminee in the Harem Garden as ordered.

“You asked for me, my lady. I came immediately, as you wished.” He bowed deeply. It was well known the Pasha had a special regard for respect shown to his favored wife.

“Is it true, merchant, that you brought her a Christian crucifix?” Eminee’s tone was even more superior and frigid than the one she had used with the harem women.

The merchant felt his bowels turn to water. He fell to his knees. “Please my lady. I beg you. Do not tell anyone I admitted it is so. Your son will kill me.”

She made no reply, only pouted in disgust.

“My lady, I beg you. I admit it only to you and that because you asked me and I cannot lie. You are his own mother, after all. And besides that, you are also a woman said to have a kind heart. Please. Do not betray me.”

Eminee halted him with an imperious gesture. “You are in no danger from me.” The merchant seemed unconvinced and thought it wiser to stay on his knees. “Do not worry, merchant. You are but a peddler and do as you are told. And besides, Muhtar cannot hide his secrets.” Bitterness twisted her face. “There is not a soul that has not learned of his escapades.”

“Except his wife, my lady.” Having wanted to provide a small measure of hope, Levandinos realized he might have sounded like most men do when speaking of the infidelities of other men. ” I mean … The poor soul —”

“You really think so? Then you are even more of a fool than I thought. Wives are always the first to suspect, though the last to know, since they do not
want
to know.”

She turned to Levandinos again and emphasized each single word of hers. “Very well, you will do whatever my son asks you to do. But Pashou must be able to pretend ignorance, as is her duty. Do you understand? You will be more careful of your tongue than of the most precious diamond you have ever owned or sold. Not a single word. It must remain possible to
deny
Muhtar’s infidelity, even if it is not possible to
prevent
it.”

The merchant nodded so anxiously she thought his head would topple from his shoulders.

“Is this Froshenie beautiful?” Eminee was looking deeply into his eyes.

Levandinos caught his breath and tried not to nod too vigorously again; he failed. Lowering his eyes, he bit his lips.

Eminee inclined her head and sighed. “I see.
That
beautiful.” She sighed again and dismissed the merchant with a flutter of her hand.