-Did you sleep well,son?-Mustafa asked.
-I did,where am I right now?
-We are in the small inn of the city called Bursa.We will arrive to our destination in less than a week according to the envoy's words.
-I saw myself in a wonderful dream.
-Tell us what you saw!-Safiye exclaimed from excitement and curiosity.
Selim described his dream to Mustafa and Safiye in detail.
-What a marvelous dream!
-Indeed,Safiye!I genuinely believe,that I have younger sisters who were born years after my abduction.I deem,that one day,I will inevitably
get to know them.
-Why do you think so,brother?
-Because today was not the first time I dreamed about them.Before,I saw them on the meadow full of daisies with my twin brothers.They were playing hide and seek together.
-Selim,it's time to get up.We have to get on the carriage soon.We will wait for you outside of this room.
-I got it,father.
Safiye and her father left Selim's room.Selim got ready and came out.The envoy was awaiting for them with 15 Georgian boys outside the inn.Soon,3 carriages headed towards Baghdad(The capital of the Ottoman province of Iraq in the 18th century).They passed several cities on the way.After exactly 6 days they reached their destination.It was afternoon.Selim,Mustafa and Safiye attentively observed the city's scenery from the windows.Baghdad was surrounded by defensive walls.Below them hundreds of mamluk warriors were supervising the security of the city entrance.Soon,the 3 carriages came closer to these walls and the wardens halted them.The envoy immediately got off and informed one of the mamluks:
-I am the envoy of our governor-Suleman pasha the great.I brought 16 Georgian fellows here for him.Please,allow me to enter inside the city.
The wardens didn't delay him anymore and let the carriages in.After a while,the carriages stopped and the passengers got off.All of them were in front of the huge building.
-What is this structure?-Selim asked the envoy.
-This the palace of the governor-Suleman pasha the great.We are now on the eastern bank of Tigris river.This palace is built largely from yellow brick and mudbrick.As you see,we are in its rectangular and open-air courtyard.
The boys observed the building.In the middle of its courtyard was a large fountain which was surrounded by arcaded corridors.After spotting this fountain,they saw beautiful geometric patterns on the walls of this magnificent palace.They found its windows quite weird.These windows were covered by wooden screens.
-Why are these windows so bizarre?
-Selim,it is extremely hot here.These windows are called shanasheel and they are like this in order to allow air to pass through while keeping the sun's heat out.I will take all of you to the governor right now.Afterwards,I will be showing you every part of this palace.