The Snake Stone

96

The valide frowned. Minutes had gone by. Prayers concluded, the watermen were beginning to file out into the courtyard through the great doors, under the watchful eye of the sou naziry. In a few moments he would come and present his salaams to the purdah screen. It was really too much! Where was Yashim?

She looked around, just in time to see him emerge from a tiny doorway between two of the great pilasters of the old church. The screen, she observed with relief, concealed him from the watermen. He was brushing his knees, which were covered in old lime, and the hem of his cloak seemed to be wet.

He gave her the blandest of smiles and bowed.

The valide frowned. “Where have you been, scelerat!” she hissed.

Yashim put out his hands. “I saw a door, I went through…I have never been here before.”

The shadow of the sou naziry fell across the screen.

“Valide! Your fragrant presence here this day brings much honor upon us. It shall be known that the company of the sou yolci was not forgotten, by your grace.”

The valide’s face softened at a stroke. “You are most kind, naziry. I do not forget that of all the treasures of Istanbul, that which you guard is the most precious to the people.”

“Valide, you speak the truth. Is it not written that of all living things water is the vital principle?”

“It is written,” the valide replied. Yashim repressed a smile: he doubted, in his heart, whether the valide really knew. “I have a servant, naziry.”

“Yes, Valide?” The sou naziry sounded faintly puzzled.

“Yashim, he is called. A lala. He is an honest man, and desires to talk with you.” She waved Yashim forward, and her bangles clinked.

Yashim stepped out from behind the screen and bowed. The naziry gave a curt nod and then raised his hands.

“You will forgive me, Valide. I have no time for the lala now,” he said. “For two days, I must inspect the bents. On my return…”

He bowed before the screen. The valide made no sound.