Suleyman sat up in wonder as Davud kneeled at the side of a dying Janissary. He strained to hear what they said in the disorderly distress that surrounded them.
“My dear friend, Halim,” Davud whispered, carefully wrapping his arms around the dying soldier. “I am so sorry for what I did. I was confused. I didn’t understand what was happening, or my true feelings. Please forgive me and my actions of so long ago.”
The soldier smiled, reaching up to caress the lock of hair that grew at Davud’s temple. He convulsed and his breathing rattled in his throat. Blood trickled from his lips. Suleyman continued watching and listening intently, saddened by the c*****e he had witnessed on this night.
Davud held the young man. “Thank you for being a part of my journey, Halim. You have been important to
