Asli gracefully took a seat at the table, her presence commanding attention as she looked around at the assembled men. "Good morning, gentlemen," she began, her eyes finally landing on Kara. "And Kara—well, I suppose I should say 'Good morning, barely a gentleman,' shouldn't I?"
"Good morning to you too, Duchess," Kara replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he answered her mockery with a mockery of his own. The foreign title was a pointed jab, reminding her of a life far removed from the steppes, where titles and luxuries held no value in the eyes of warriors like him.
Her eyes settled on Chagatai, who shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. With a raised eyebrow and a hint of mockery in her voice, she asked, "Why are you all gathered here like lost sheep?"
The men exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of how to respond to her directness. Chagatai, in particular, seemed caught off guard, his usual confidence faltering under her scrutiny.
"And you," she continued, her tone sharper as she fixed her gaze on Chagatai. "Why aren't you with Kılıj? Shouldn't you be at his side, ensuring the Marshal's orders are carried out?"
Chagatai stammered slightly, trying to find his footing in the conversation. "We... we were ordered to gather the army and wait for further instructions, Duchess."
Asli leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing. "Gathering an army without knowing where your true allegiance lies? How convenient." Her words dripped with sarcasm, and the tension in the room thickened.
Kara, sensing the need to defuse the situation, leaned forward and spoke up. "We're here to assess the situation, Duchess. There are... complications, as you well know. We're trying to make sure that when we move, we do so with the full strength and support of those loyal to the realm."
Asli's gaze lingered on Kara, her smile tinged with subtle menace. "Complications, indeed. But tread carefully, Kara. Not everyone at this table sees the future through your eyes. I'm curious... just how far you're willing to go to make sure your version is the one that prevails."
The air in the tent grew heavier, the undercurrent of mistrust and ambition swirling among the gathered leaders. Asli's arrival had thrown an already precarious situation into further uncertainty, and everyone present could feel the stakes rising with each passing moment. Her pointed greeting had set the stage for what was sure to be an interesting—and possibly explosive—meeting.
Asli's eyes finally landed on Wolfram, her interest piqued by the striking figure before her. His Nordic features, sharp blue eyes, and composed demeanor stood out among the rugged warriors and seasoned commanders around the table. A subtle smirk played on her lips as she assessed him.
"And who is this, then?" she asked, her tone dripping with curiosity. Her gaze lingered on Wolfram, making it clear she was intrigued by his presence. "Looking around, I see a gathering of familiar faces—vassals and commanders, all seemingly plotting to overthrow my dear husband. But you…" She leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. "Who the hell are you?"
The room grew silent, all eyes turning to Wolfram. He felt the weight of Asli's gaze, her interest both unsettling and oddly flattering. Kara shot a glance at Wolfram, signaling for him to tread carefully.
Wolfram, ever composed despite the tension, met Asli's gaze and responded with measured calm. "I am Gengiz, a loyal servant of the realm," he said, his voice steady. "Though my origins may differ from those gathered here, my allegiance is to the Khaganate and its future."
Asli raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by his confident response. "A loyal servant, you say? How quaint," she remarked, her tone laced with sarcasm. "And what, pray tell, do you bring to this little gathering of conspirators? More loyalty, or something... more interesting?"
Wolfram held her gaze, unflinching. "Loyalty, yes, but also experience from lands far beyond these borders. My skills and insights may differ from those born of the steppe, but they are no less valuable."
Asli's smirk widened, clearly entertained by his boldness. "Experience from afar, hmm? Perhaps you'll bring a fresh perspective to this otherwise predictable assembly." She glanced around the table, her expression amused. "It seems we're not just dealing with the usual players. This might be more interesting than I anticipated."
The tension in the room eased slightly as Asli shifted her attention, but the undercurrent of her scrutiny remained. She was clearly assessing more than just Wolfram's words—she was gauging the potential threat and the usefulness of this enigmatic figure in the larger game that was unfolding.
Kara, not one to mince words, leaned forward and spoke with a tone that matched his imposing presence. "He is a trained Nöker of mine," Kara said, his voice carrying a weight that made everyone listen. "He's spent his whole life training in the shadows, in depths your husband could never reach. So, you'd do well to show him the respect he's earned." Before Kara could finish his sentence, the most formidable figure in the room, Uluç, stood up. His presence was immediately felt—tall, broad-shouldered, and with a commanding aura that silenced the room. Uluç was a man who had earned his respect not through titles, but through deeds, and everyone knew it.
"You shall treat everyone here with respect, young lady," Uluç's voice boomed, leaving no room for rebuttal. Asli, who had been focused on Wolfram and Kara, hadn't even realized who Uluç was until that moment. The realization hit her hard—she had assumed he was too sick to attend, but here he was, towering over her with the gravitas of a legend.
Uluç continued, his gaze never leaving Asli. "Before you go around questioning everyone here, you should be the one questioned first. I am not a man of silly words and politics," he said, his tone growing even more authoritative as he began to approach her. Each step he took seemed to make the room shrink around him.
Uluç was as big as Kara, maybe even more imposing with the thick wolf fur draped over his shoulders, making him look like a mountain of a man. "I am not a man of words," he repeated, his voice low and dangerous. "I like people who speak fast and blunt. And you, Duchess, are about to learn that this is not a place for games."
With mere seconds, Uluç had seized control of the room. The shift was palpable—what had been a tense and uncertain meeting was now firmly in his hands. Asli, realizing she was outmatched, stood still, her earlier bravado vanishing as she adjusted to the new power dynamics at play.
The atmosphere in the room changed as Uluç asserted his authority, his sheer presence a reminder of the old ways, where strength and honor dictated respect. Kara, seemed content to let Uluç handle the situation, knowing that after he started speaking, the stage was his. Wolfram, watching the exchange, could only marvel at how quickly Uluç had turned the tide, making it clear who truly held the reins in this assembly.
His words were like hammer blows, each one striking with precision and force. Asli, who moments ago had been confident, found herself cornered by a man whose presence alone could crush any rebellion. The room was silent, every eye on Uluç as he stood there, a living testament to the old ways of war and conquest. Wolfram, still processing the scene, was stunned by the transformation he had just witnessed. The same man who had been trading jokes with Kara moments ago was now commanding the room with an iron fist, asserting his dominance over a woman who, moments earlier, had thought herself untouchable. The power dynamics had shifted entirely, and it was clear to everyone present that Uluç was the one in control.
Uluç stepped forward, his massive frame casting a shadow over the table. "You see, Asli, I am not a man of silly words or politics," he continued, his voice growing more assertive with each word. "I like people who speak swift and blunt." He moved closer, his fur-lined cloak making him appear even larger, more formidable. The room felt smaller with each step he took, the air thicker. "I didn't leave my beloved people to watch some young brat steal what's mine," he declared, his eyes locking onto hers, unyielding and full of disdain.
Asli, visibly rattled and unsure of what to say next, stood there, her earlier bravado stripped away. The men in the room, seasoned warriors all, couldn't help but feel a surge of respect as they watched Uluç he had reasserted his place at the head of the table.
Uluç's speech had done more than assert his dominance; it had cemented his place as the one who would lead them through the storm to come. In that moment, Wolfram knew he was witnessing history—a legend reclaiming his mantle, ready to carve his name into the bones of the world once more.
Asli's face drained of its earlier confidence, her shock evident as she tried to recover from the verbal assault. "Well, I'm here with 12,000 men escorting me to Türk-il," trying to salvage some semblance of control, but her words fell flat, the old wolf was not impressed.
"Only 12,000 men?" he scoffed, his tone dripping with condescension.
"With a single order, I've seen 12,000 men fall in mere hours on the battlefield then he paused for a second, but thank you for your contribution to my army!"
His words were a clear declaration of power— his tone made it clear that her forces were now his, and there was nothing she could do about it. Uluç wasn't just here to play a part; he was here to take command.
Up until this moment, there had been uncertainty about who would lead the army, but as Uluç stood there, it became abundantly clear that the old wolf was here to seize control. His voice grew stronger, filled with the authority that came from decades of war and leadership. "I didn't leave my beloved people just to watch some young brat steal what is rightfully mine. My father, the mighty wolf, died while I was on my way to festival in Constantinople. I was going to surprise him with my healthy presence. So, the realm thinks I'm too sick, unfit to rule. But I am better than ever. I shall take out your husband on my way to Türk-il, and then I will move to the capital, reclaiming the lands of my father, Timurtas, the living legend."
Asli's anger flared, her face flushing as she tried to assert herself. "But I am not here to join forces with you!" she shouted, her voice shaking with both fear and defiance.
The old wolf's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a deadly calm.
"You think, when we both leave this tent, that your men will fight for you against their old Marshal? Against the old wolf who single-handedly ended the Arabic conquests, who destroyed the Caliph and erased Baghdad from the maps of scholars? Do you think they will stand with me, or against me, for a snob brat like you?" His words cut through the tension like a blade, leaving no room for doubt.
Uluç, unfazed, leaned in closer, his voice now a menacing whisper that carried across the room. "Do you really think that when we both leave this tent, your men will fight for you against their old Marshal? Against the old wolf who single-handedly ended the Arabic conquests, who destroyed the Caliph and erased Baghdad from the maps of scholars? Do you think they will stand with me, or against me, for a snob brat like you?" His words cut through the tension like a blade, leaving no room for doubt.
The silence that followed was deafening. No one dared to speak. Asli stood frozen, her confidence shattered. The men around the table, including Kara and Wolfram, couldn't hide their satisfaction. Uluç had not only asserted his dominance over Asli but had reminded everyone in the tent of who truly held power. He was the one fit to rule, the only one capable of filling the void left by Timurtas. Asli was no longer a rival; she was merely an obstacle, one that Uluç had effortlessly swept aside.
The old wolf had reclaimed his place at the head of the pack, and no one in that tent, not even the proud Duchess of Efes, could challenge him.
Asli, her voice now shaky and devoid of the earlier confidence, attempted one last stand. "There will be those who'll reject your ascension!" she declared, though the defiance in her tone was quickly fading.
Uluç, his confidence unshaken, leaned back slightly, a cold smile spreading across his face. "I know," he said, his voice calm but carrying the weight of an unspoken threat. "And that's when I shall show them the true might of the Gök Türk legacy."
He straightened, his eyes narrowing as he continued, his voice growing firmer. "I am not like my father," he declared, the words cutting through the air like a blade. "I don't speak politics—I command. After my ascension, I will trim the entire Empire of its leeches. And as for snob brats like you, who have ascended into a life of luxury because of my kin's heritage," he paused, letting the weight of his words sink in, "your belongings will be reworked and redistributed—not because of the names you carry, but because of your deeds."
The room was deathly silent, every eye fixed on Uluç. His words were not just a threat; they were a promise. Asli's face drained of color, the realization sinking in that Uluç was not merely posturing. He was prepared to reshape the Empire in his own image, and there would be no place for those who clung to the past or relied on the legacy of others.
Uluç had made his intentions clear: his reign would be one of action, not words. He would tolerate no opposition, and those who dared to stand against him would be met with the full force of his wrath. The old wolf was ready to lead, and the Empire would soon feel the power of his command.
Asli stormed out of the tent, her frustration barely contained. Outside, her escort of 12 men stood waiting, their faces betraying uncertainty as they eyed the banners of Uluç's army fluttering nearby. They had never seen such a legendary figure before, and their confidence was clearly shaken.
Uluç and the others followed her out, his presence dominating the space even in the open air. Uluç's sharp gaze swept over the 12 men before resting on Asli. "Who is your commander?" he asked, his tone almost casual, though there was a sharp edge to it.
The men of Efes, rattled by the aura of the war legend, misunderstood the question as a test. They fumbled before responding in unison, "You, Başbuğ". Their voices echoed with a mix of fear and reverence. Başbuğ, the highest title bestowed upon Legendary Marshals, seemed to naturally belong to Uluç in that moment, further solidifying his authority.
Uluç glanced sideways at Asli, showing her true power of authority. Asli, her frustration boiling over, snapped, "Take me back to Efes now, we are leaving."
But Uluç wasn't done with her yet. "Not so fast, young lady," he said, his voice smooth but firm. "First, we shall eat dinner. Surely, you won't disrespect our customs like this in front of your Marshal?" His words were a command disguised as a suggestion, leaving Asli with little choice but to comply.
Turning his attention back to the 12 men and the camp at large, Uluç's gaze hardened. "Your Tümen leader will be Togay from now on," Uluç announced, making it clear that the armies would merge under his command. Each word he spoke tightened his grip on power, effortlessly bending the wills of those around him to his own.
"We don't need all these banners hanging around the camp," he declared, his voice carrying across the encampment. He called for Togay, who stepped forward promptly. "Replace all the banners with mine," Uluç ordered, his tone brooking no argument.
As he spoke, he let his gaze linger on the 12 men from Efes. His silent command was clear, and they hastily took down their own banner, retreating back to their camp to carry out his orders. Uluç wasn't merely asserting his authority; he was seizing control, piece by piece.
"He had just begun to assert his dominance, and the camp was already bending to his will. "Before the sun sets, we shall dine and wine," he declared, his final command for the moment. Without waiting for a response, Uluç turned and strode toward the center of the camp, where only the highest-ranking officers and the Kagan himself were permitted to reside.
His steps were measured, each one reinforcing his position as the rightful successor to Timurtas. The camp, now under his command, was slowly but surely falling in line, preparing to follow him wherever he would lead.
As Uluç strode away, leaving a heavy silence in his wake, Kara shook his head in awe. "If that's not divine blood, the mighty wolf himself, then I don't know what is," he muttered, respect clear in his voice.
Wolfram Gengiz, still processing, turned to Kara. "I thought I'd seen it all with Timurtas. I called him the wolf… but what do we call this man?"
Duke Isaakios, ever composed, added, "Uluç isn't just a leader; he's a force of nature. He commands fate itself."
Chagatai nodded. "He wears the blood of kings like a second skin. He's the true heir to Timurtas's legacy."
Duchess Asli, visibly shaken, her usual confidence shattered by Uluç's overwhelming presence, remained silent but her clenched fists and pale face spoke volumes. She was not used to being overshadowed, but in Uluç's presence, even she had to admit defeat.
Togay, Uluç's great-grandson, who had been silent throughout, finally spoke. "He's not just a warrior or a leader—he's a symbol. A living legend that men will follow into the jaws of death, not because they have to, but because they believe in him. Timurtas was a wolf, yes, but Uluç… Uluç is the wolf that commands the pack."
The camp seemed to hold its breath, as if the very earth beneath them had been commanded to stillness by the man who had just claimed his place as the future of their realm. The men exchanged glances, all understanding that the game had changed. Uluç had not just asserted his authority—he had claimed his destiny, and in doing so, had bound them all to his path