Book of Hafsa – Chapter Three

Batal’s Cross

As Hafsa awaits the birth of her child in Trabzon Palace, fear begins to consume her- not only fear of childbirth, but fear of leaving behind a motherless şehzade in the deadly world of the Ottoman harem. In this chapter, Hafsa reflects on her final years in Abkhazia after being taken from her family as payment for a debt. Living under the watch of the powerful Chachba clan, she forms a deep bond with Batal, her riding instructor, whose kindness and faith leave a lasting mark on her life. As her fate draws closer and the slave ships to Crimea await, Hafsa must confront the terrifying reality that destiny may not be escaped, only endured.

The Book of Hafsa is a historical fiction novel (by me) following the life of Hafsa Sultan, the consort of Selim I and the mother of Suleiman the Magnificent. Set during the rise of the Ottoman Empire, the story explores palace politics, dynastic paranoia, love, survival, and the hidden world of the imperial harem through Hafsa’s own eyes.