PIF 24

Plot Summary

Lymond sets in train the complex escape plan, which at first seems to go well. But he is ambushed at Gabriel's house and, when he reaches supposed safety at the House of Míkál he finds Gabriel waiting for him. The escape party is rounded up and taken back to the Seraglio.

Dates

Winter 1553, shortly after the events of PIF 23.

Fictional Characters

(including references to characters not present)

• the Meddáh
• Jerott Blyth
• Ishiq
• the assistant keeper
• Georges Gaultier
• Onophrion Zitwitz
• Názik
• the carpet dealer
• the cage-maker's man
• Philippa Somerville
• Kuzúm
• Míkál
• Gabriel
• Marthe (referenced)
• the girl|his niece|the Khátún (referenced)
• Khaireddin (referenced)
• Hepsabah (referenced)
• Kate Somerville (referenced)
• the Head Keeper (referenced)
• Tulip (referenced)

Non-Fictional Characters

(including references to characters not present)

• Pierre Gilles
• Herpestes
• Jean Chesnau, French chargé d'affaires (referenced)
• the Bostanji Bashi
• Suleiman the Magnificent (referenced)
• Theodosius (referenced)
• Khourrém Sultán (referenced)

Locations

(Including references to other locations)

• the Hippodrome, Constantinople
• Constantine's Palace
• House of Gaultier, Constantinople
• the French Embassy, Constantinope
• the Imperial Gate, Constantinople
• the Ortokapi Gate
• the Divan Court
• the Gate of Felicity
• the Golden Horn
• Topkapi
• the Seraglio, Topkapi
• the Gate of the Dead
• the Edirne Gate
• the fields of Thrace
• the Bayazit Mosque
• the House of Míkál
• the House of Gabriel
• the Marmara Sea (referenced)
• Rome (referenced)
• St Mark's Cathedral, Venice (referenced)
• the Church of St Sophia (referenced)
• Karnak (referenced)
• Temple of Delphi (referenced)
• Adrianople (referenced)
• Cairo (referenced)
• Sevigny (referenced)
• Aya Sofia (referenced)
• Bursa (referenced)
• Cathay (referenced)

Literature

• none

Other References

• Castor and Pollux
• Hercules by Lymachus
• Chariot of Lysippus
• Column of Constantine
• Alterius non sit - Let him not be another's who may be his own man
• the Leet Oath
• Venus of Praxiteles
• Cum fueris Romae - When you are in Rome, do as the Romans do
• Opus Plumarum
• Sons of Ghudáneh
• Väinämöinen to Vipunen

Scots Words and Phrases

• wee
• lass
• stone deid
• bairn

Quotes from Dunnett

• The world is full, said Jerott wearily, of people who might have wanted to meet Francis Crawford and who are going to be disappointed
• With his blue eyes and thick silky cap of bright hair, the little boy in his Turkish jacket and slippers was as sweet as a peach
• I have madness in many forms, but that which springs from the passions of the heart is not in my nature. That is all. We are all fashioned differently
• We are all alike, said Míkál. But this thou hast not yet discovered

Controversies

• which child is which?
• whose side is Míkál on?
• where is the opium coming from?

Previous/Next

PIF 23 / PIF 25

References

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