Two

It had been a few weeks since Anastasia had settled into the life of a slave though she really wouldn't call herself that, as a slave had a master or mistress to serve and from what Anastasia was told- the Kalfas were once Cariyes who served out their years and wish to remain in the palace, some were even still untouched and hoped that Valide Sultan would choose a suitable husband for them.

Anastasia was tasked in helping set the main room up for dinner, once her small task was complete, she headed towards the baths- taking a spot next to another Cariyes, who came on another ship.

"I was wondering where you disappeared too." Fatmä teased, waving her hand towards both Halime and Ayşe. "Come, Ayşe Hatun was just about to explain the life of the Harem."

"And of the Sultan!" The girl, beside Anastasia spoke, eyes wide with excitement.

"Hush, now! Let Ayşe Hatun speak!" Halime narrowed her eyes, scowling at the girl who quiet down, nibbling on her bottom lip. "Ayşe, please speak."

Ayşe cleared her throat, as Anastasia began to wash herself with the soap offered by the girl that got scolded by Halime, giving her a quick smile- Anastasia tuned into the story that Ayşe began to tell.

"As we all know, that we all attend lessons that we will in need hopes of serving good company to the Sultan, if given the chance to do so." Her words were waved away as Fatmä reached for the pan, to rinse herself off.

"We already know that, Ayşe." She groaned, earning a small annoyed look from the dark haired beauty, who threw some water at her from the pan. "We learn Turkish, both written and spoken. We also learn the Ottoman history, poetry, music and other arts"

With a small wriggle of her eyebrows at the last words, Fatmä earned a small slap from Halime as the rest of their group laughed.

The other groups of young and old Cariyes and some Gözde glanced over at the group, some were curious others were annoyed.

"As I was saying," Ayşe continued, rolling her eyes at Fatmä's childish antics. "Only when completed the training, you will become a Hatun. Only then will you given the chance to walk the Golden path to the Sultan. Those who do will earn the rewards for providing good company and be elevated to Gözde, be called on several times and your position may elevate even further to that of Ikbal and you'll be moved to the mezzanine where you'll share with other favourites, such as myself. You will be dressed in silks everyday and will nothave to participate in the tasks that the Cariyes and Gözde are required to do, if you find yourself pregnant and that child turns out to be a Şehzade then your position changes to Kadin and only then can you call yourself Sultana. As a Sultana, you will be moved to the Royal Wing and won't have a care in the world."

There was a slight paused in her tale as Ayşe washed her face, removing the excess water with the corner of her towel and then continued. "But only the Valide Sultan chooses the girl that is lucky enough to walk the Golden path. She is the one that rules the Harem for the Sultan."

"Who are the Kadins now?" Anastasia asked, rinsing the ends of her hair.

"Mahidevran Sultan and Hürrem Sultan," Another older Cariyes spoke, Fülane answered, giving Ayşe no time to speak. "There is only two, Mahidevran had the first Şehzade, Mustafa therefore she is the Bas Kadin. Hürrem has Şehzade Mehmed, Selim and Mihrimah Sultan."

"We rarely see the Kadins," Fatmä explained, as they continued to bathe, aiding eachother with rinsing off the soap from their skin and hair. "They tend to keep to themselves and do not mingle with us, only in the days of the feasts and celebrations. Mahidevran Sultan meets with Valide Sultan daily and Hürrem keeps to herself as the Kadins prefer to spend the time successfully occupying themselves with their position and with the children."

"And what of the Sultan?" Anastasia asked, earning a loud, sarcastic laugh from Fülane, which annoyed Anastasia a lot.

"Do you honestly think you have a chance to walk the Golden path?" Fülane spoke, scoffing once. "Do not fool yourself, we are here because we are slaves, you will learn the ways of being a perfect concubine and do nothing until a worthy husband is chosen."

Fülane rolled her eyes, before adding. "Hürrem Sultan has the Sultan in her claws, I highly doubt she would release her grip long enough for a lowly Cariyes to get a chance. Almost no one had been called to the path since Hürrem rose to Sultan."

"It is almost impossible for anymore than a Kadin to walk the path, even Mahidevran Sultan is finding it hard as Hürrem has a higher favour since she has given birth to two Şehzades," Fatmä spoke, with a small sigh. "Mahidevran Sultan suffered a miscarriage and Hürrem saw her chance to rise, rumors spread that even Mahidevran attacked Hürrem on the Golden path in a fit of anger and she was greatly scolded by both the Sultan and Valide. She was even threatened to be exiled to the Old Palace."

"So we are stuck here forever without serving just cleaning and lessons?" A girl asked, sounding disgusted.

"No, you mistake what I was saying before." Ayşe spoke, giving Fülane a small look. "Women only serve in the harem for around seven to nine years, after that they either marry or chose to stay and become Kalfas or servants to the Kadins or even the Valide Sultan."

That seemed to bring relief to most of the girls, but Anastasia began to panic.

What would become of her? Would she marry?

Chose to stay as a Kalfa or a servant to the Kadins?

Anastasia knew that returning yo her homeland was out of the question,the moment she stepped on that ship she was casted off from all Catholic society, even if she was here.

Against her will.

___

Turkish classes took most their day, in order for them to become more fluent in the language, they were encouraged to use it during their daily task- another way for them to forget their previous lives.

Once they got a good grasp on the language did the classes become easier, soon everyone was speaking Turkish.

Anastasia was further schooled in the arts of music and dancing, as she had shown great skill in there, along with that of Fatmä and Isabel, a girl from Venice who came on another ship.

The routine of classes, daily chores, extra classes and sometime gossiping in between were all that occupied their time- until Nigar Kalfa barked for their attention, immediately all eyes fell onto her.

"Valide Sultan has called for celebration tomorrow."

That had stirred the whispers to become even louder, Nigar clapped for attention again, annoyed that she was not being listened to. "She will announce the reason at the feast, prepare yourselves accordingly."

Sümbal Agha called for Anastasia, Fatmä and Isabel to come forwards, nodding eagerly towards Nigar. "They will do."

Nigar smiled, facing the small group. "You are to play and dance for the Valide Sultan, Hatice Sultan and the Kadins during the celebrations, you will be excused from daily lessons and tasks for practice- I hope you will not dissapoint me."

Her fell immediately onto Anastasia as she spoke, who nodded as she followed Sümbal Agha's movements as best as she could.

The movement went through Anastasia's mind, she could not let herself get distracted as she focused her twirls in time with the music that the musician played.

"I am so nervous!" Isabel spoke, as she twirled with both Anastasia and Fatmä, like flames dancing around each other. "Do you think the Sultan will make an appearance?"

That made Fatmä almost miss her step,the look of shock and nerves were written all over her face.

"Perhaps." Anastasia spoke, focusing back onto her movements. "It is his Harem afterall, he is allowed to come and go as he pleases."

"True."

Anastasia placed a hand on Isabel's shoulder, a look of encouragement upon her face. "But we should practice accordingly, no matter who attends. An opportunity to provide entertainment for the Valide Sultan is enough, do you not think so?"

"I agree." Fatmä called, nodding her head. "An opportunity is an opportunity, whether the Sultan is there or not."

They each shared a small but mischievous grin, sharing the infectious excitement that took hold over the harem, they slept soundly that night as they had to ride earlier then the rest of the harem to practice their parts until it was perfect.

First they practice their music and song choice, Anastasia was tasked in singing and Fatmä was to play the music, then came the dancing.

They were given a small snack to fill their stomachs to frighten away any nerves that dare to show up, after a quick bath they were escorted to the dressing rooms filled with finest silks that were to be shared and jewellery only for this particular occasion or if the Sultan calls for a Cariyes or Gözde.

Isabel was dressed in a light, forest green dress, Fatmä wore a light blue that moved water and Anastasia was dressed in a provocative scarlet red.

Isabel began to play the santur as both Fatmä and Anastasia danced around eachother, like fire and ice.

Nerves began to rise as they paitently waited, which wasn't long as Sümbal Agha quickly came to fetch them as it was time.

Both Isabel and Fatmä sat, began playing the santur, light and airy as Anastasia began to sing an old Turkish love poem about a maiden and her beloved sea captain.

Valide Sultan then rose her hand up for the music to stop, Anastasia couldn't help but wonder if her singing was pleasant enough.

Was she unpleasant to look at?

The reason was that she was giving the reason of the celebration which made Anastasia let out a small breath of relief.

"I am happy to announce today that my beloved daughter, Hatice is expecting a child!" She beamed with happiness, holding Hatice Sultan's hand who was blushing from either embarrassment or excitement.

Perhaps both.

"We shall pray to Allah for an easy birth and much happiness towards you and your child."

Loud cheers of excitement towards the news spread around and the entertainment began again, this time Fatmä stopped playing the santur and stood beside Anastasia, Isabel played a soft but rhythmic beat- one that was easily to dance to.

"Do not look now, but I swear to Allah that Valdie and Hatice Sultan keep looking at you."

Anastasia glanced quickly towards the two women, and it was true. They both were whispering to each other and glancing her way. "Do you think they were jot happy with my singing?"

"Nonsense, you were lovely." Fatmä spoke, twirling around Anastasia like ice teasing the fire.

Anastasia closed her eyes and focused on the task at hand, twirling around Fatmä and then took hold of her hand, both girls fail to hear the Aghas announcement of the Sultan's appearance until Fatmä's hand let go suddenly making Anastasia fall forwards, almost falling into something hard.

A chest.

Anastasia's eyes widened in fear as the Sultan's eyes held a slight twinkle of laughter in them, helping her back onto her feet as she then lowered her head and dipped into a low bow, mumbling a weak apology.

His hand reached for her chin making her eyes lock onto the Sultan's, a smile upon his face, he did not seem angry at her lack of respect towards him.

"You dance beautifully." Suleiman spoke, brushing his thumb against her flushed cheek, he then let go of her face and walked towards Hatice and his mother.

Anastasia just stared at his back, not knowing what to do or say, though the looks from both Kadins did not go unnoticed and neither did the glances between the Valide Sultan, Hatice Sultan and Gülfem Hatun.

The celebrations continued until Valide called for it to end as Hatice Sultan wished to rest before returning to her own palace.

That night everyone seemed to question Anastasia, from asking if her move was purposely done to hoe soft was the Sultan's kaftan.

"Did you do it purposely?" Ayşe Hatun asked, with a small mischievous grin on her lips. "I swear to Allah that Hürrem Sultan looked as if she ate something sour, it was laughable."

"It was an honest mistake," Anastasia spoke, a light flush of colour danced across her cheeks as she still felt the Sultan's touch on her cheek. "I did not hear the Aghas announcing his arrival and Fatmä's hand let go of mine which made me lose my footing."

"Purpose or not, the Kadins did not like the stunt you pulled, little Cariyes." Fülane spoke, appearing suddenly and made Ayşe jump slightly. "You have managed to capture the Sultan's attention, even if it was for a mere second, and you ended up angering two powerful slaves of the Harem."

Anastasia's eyes widened as she glanced over at Ayşe, who rolled her eyes and waved Fülane away.

"Prepare yourself- their underlings will now approach you in order to intimate you to back down."

Halime and Fatmä shared worried glances, whilst Ayşe Hatun scoffed. "They can try."

Anastasia nibbled on her bottom lip, it was accident, anyone could have seen it as such.

Right?

"What will you do?" Halime asked, her fear could heard in her tone, making Ayşe Hush her with one look.

"Nothing." Anastasia replied, taking a small sip of water before preparing her bed roll and pillows. "The Sultan simply gave me a compliment, whether it meant something more or not, only he can say. I highly doubt Hürrem Sultan will release her hold on him long enough for him to even call on me or anyone of us."

The dance had left Anastasia more drained then she thought, perhaps it was also the shock of receiving a compliment from the Sultan, despite knowing that the second Kadin will never release Suleiman from her hold; Anastasia couldn't help but dream about the man that was the centre of her life.

Anastasia dreamt that she was being lead down the path towards the Sultan's room, there he waited, dressed handsomely in his night time clothes. Suleiman walked towards her, helping her back to her feet, leaning forwards to place a kiss on her lips.