"Oi, Sultan of the Ottomans!" The messenger's voice cut through the air, resounding across the battlefield. He kept his horse circling, repeating his call to the Ottoman ranks as if waiting for a response before returning to his side.
"Should we silence him, your majesty?" A Janissary commander asked, running his index finger across his throat in a slashing motion.
"No, Ibrahim," the Sultan replied, shaking his head in dismissal. "Killing diplomats and messengers? Such actions are for uncivilized nomads from the Steppe. If we stoop so low, our reputation will be tarnished among the civilized worlds. We'll become a laughingstock for the Shia heretics of Persia."
"As you wish, your majesty," the Janissary commander bowed and backed away.
