Galata, autumn 1891. While the foundations of an inn are being dug, a lead chest bearing the sultan’s seal is unearthed and carried to Yıldız Palace at midnight. Inside lie a skull and a dagger whose hilt reads “Tu es umbra mea”: you are my shadow. From there the story turns back to the winter of 1442, to two boys sharing the same lessons at the palace in Edirne: Prince Mehmed and Vlad, the hostage prince of Wallachia.
Places and years
Where the chapters take place, scene by scene.
- 1891İstanbul, Galata. (Voyvoda Han Temel Kazısı)Chapter 1
- 1442Edirne Sarayı, Has Oda KütüphanesiChapter 2
- 1444Edirne Sarayı, Has Oda ve Divan-ı HümayunChapter 3
- 1445Edirne Sarayı, Arz OdasıChapter 3
- 1446Sadrazam KonağıChapter 3
- 1446Bursa, Karacabey Ovası / Sultan Murat’ın İnzivagâhıChapter 3
- 1447Tokat Kalesi, “Kuyulu Zindan”Chapter 4
- 1448Tokat Kalesi, Zindan DehliziChapter 4
- 1448Edirne Sarayı, Sadrazam Çandarlı Halil Paşa’nın Kabul OdasıChapter 4