by Julie Helms

Created on: December 06, 2011   Last Updated: January 13, 2012

The young girl swept aside her gauzy veil as she leaned over to inhale the spicy aromas emanating from the herbs in her garden. She knelt alongside the low rock wall of the garden, which was perched high above the commotion of the old city, on the roof of the Sultan's palace. Glancing over her shoulder she could see another young girl caring for the pigeons in the pavilion that housed them.

These girls were part of the Sultan's harem. They were brought in at around nine years old, often purchased from their parents who greedily stuffed the coins into small purses amazed at the good fortune of having bred a fine-boned girl.

The girls were pampered, fed well, bathed in expensive perfumes, massaged with exotic oils to make their skin so soft and supple. They dressed in silk finery, bedecked in jewels and painted with expensive cosmetics.

The young girl thought back through her years at the harem. Life had been good. Each girl was given a small task for her time here, and hers was the care of this particular roof-top garden. With her hands she coaxed the growth of the leaves, roots and flowers of the vegetables that would be eaten by the other girls.

Today her task was different. She carefully chose a few perfect, succulent leaves and arranged them in a bowl. As her nurturing fingers skimmed the tips of the plants, absentmindedly her thoughts drifted again. The girls were groomed in this opulent fashion until they turned 13. All of the preparation led to this momentous event. Every girl shivered in a combination of fear and anticipation for their turn.

It would be their long-awaited night with the Sultan. It would be the highest honor given them. And in the morning was a small ceremony as each girl was then beheaded, her duty done.

The young girl's silken shawl rustled as she moved to the other end of the garden. She firmly plucked a few more items for her bowl. Another would be given the care of this garden now. She sighed, pushing the hair out of her face. The sun had just begun to dip beyond the western horizon. It was time for her to go down from the roof now. To enjoy the fruits of her labor that lay in the bowl. Her last meal. Tonight would be her special night.

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