Feed Swap: The Very Prudent Decisions of Hortlakçı Süleyman Hoca: Chapter 1 - Süleyman and the Vrykolakas

To my wife, Nilufar, my flower.

I write to you from the deck of a galley as we pass through the Strait of Çanakkale on our way to Greece.

I intend to write regular letters to you while I'm away, although I cannot be sure that these letters will reach you before I return home.

The rolling of the waves has calmed down a little, and I am not as sick as I was when I first came on board.

When I was better, I tried to study, but the calling of the sailors and the noise of the oars has made it almost impossible to concentrate.

I have given up on my drier texts and have returned instead to studying the books of Persian poetry I have brought with me, in the hope that I will be able to speak more easily and well with esteemed sages and scholars when we cross each other at public events.

I realize that I was unable to give you much detail of my mission before I left Istanbul.

As you know, I have been sent to Rumeli, to the region administrated from the city of Selanik.

This city was last to fall to the forces of Murad some hundred years ago and is now an important and busy port.

It is not to Selanik I am to deliver this judgment, but to a small village some way to the north of that city.

The people of that village have asked for guidance from the authorities as to what they should do about one of the local Christians who has refused to remain in his grave.

Yes, you did read my words correctly.

It seems that after the death and burial of this man, he did not remain at rest, but instead came to the doors of people of his village, after which the people visited also died within a few days, no doubt of fright.

The Muslims who live in this village were also frightened at this and sent word to the local officials for guidance, asking if they should flee.

The officials did not know what to do either, and they sent a letter to Istanbul for guidance on the matter, wishing to have a clear ruling on what should be done in this unusual circumstance.

It is apparently considered in the public interest for this matter to be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law, in order to reassure the locals and preserve the peace.

A judgment has been provided by the eminent scholar, Abbassud Efendi.

In the absence of any guidance from any holy book on this matter, and according to the principles of Hanifis school, he has consulted several learned persons who are familiar with the local customs of the area and taken a consensus view on what should be done.

I will deliver the judgment and see that it is carried out, and by the will of God, this will set the minds of the villagers at rest.

I anticipate this matter being resolved swiftly, and perhaps I shall be able to spend some time in the region of Selanik and purchase something pretty for you in the city.

Perhaps I might even have time to visit the birthplace of Alexander the Great, which I understand is nearby, but this might perhaps be too much of a diversion from my duty.

So God willing, I should not be away for too long, but while I'm away, invite your dear friend Fatima to visit and be sure to give her much warm food.

I remember well the time that I returned home and found you both huddled together in our bed because she was so cold.

You are a good and sweet flower to visit her when she's ill, as she is often, and she's so dear to you.

I would hate for her to become ill and for you to be all alone.