Dismissing Warnings and Overconfidence
Some of the Janissary officers strongly advised that the Vizier should be removed at once, using many urgent arguments to support their warning. They believed that sparing his life would bring great danger. However, Bektas Aga dismissed their concerns. He claimed that their advice came from fear, lack of courage, and ignorance of their own strength. He argued that there was very little time left until morning and insisted that even if the Vizier wished to act against them, he had neither the power nor the counsel required to do so. Confident in his position, Bektas believed the threat had passed Tours Sofia.
The Vizier’s Escape to the Seraglio
Once free, the Vizier wasted no time. He hurried toward the Seraglio with only two attendants. As he walked, he thanked God for delivering him from the hands of men he considered cruel tyrants and dangerous villains. His heart was filled with both fear and determination, knowing that his life and the fate of the empire might depend on his next actions.
When he reached the Iron Gate, intending to pass through the gardens as was customary, he was surprised to find the gate open—something entirely against normal practice at that hour. Concerned, he questioned the bostangees, or royal gardeners, about the reason. They could tell him nothing except that the order had come directly from the Old Queen.
The Old Queen’s Secret Preparations
As later events revealed, the Old Queen had expected trusted followers to arrive during the night. She planned to withdraw to a hidden and secure place before daylight, where she could protect herself from the dangers she feared would arise the following day. This quiet preparation showed her awareness of the growing unrest and her desire to survive whatever political storm lay ahead.
A Timely Meeting in the Darkness
After entering the palace grounds, the Vizier moved carefully and silently toward the Sultan’s apartments. By good fortune, he encountered Solyman Aga, the Kızlar Ağa, or Chief Eunuch of the women’s quarters. Solyman Aga was making his rounds near the Old Queen’s chambers when the meeting occurred.
Although the darkness hid the Vizier’s face, Solyman recognized him immediately by his voice. He was astonished by such an unexpected visit at such a late hour. Yet once he understood the seriousness of the situation, he expressed gratitude for the Vizier’s watchfulness and loyalty. He praised his vigilance and attentiveness, recognizing that swift action was necessary to prevent chaos and bloodshed within the palace.
This meeting marked a turning point, as hidden alliances and quiet decisions now began to shape the fate of the throne and the empire itself.