As Uluç's army neared the borders of Wallachia, the sight of eagles circling overhead sent a shiver through the ranks. It was an unsettling omen, one that hinted at the unknown dangers ahead. Sensing the growing tension, Uluç ordered his scouts to move forward and gather intelligence. The army, nearly 32,000 strong with additional thousands in the rear guarding supplies, waited in tense silence for the scouts to return.
After what felt like an eternity, the scouts arrived, but they were not alone. With them rode six men, weathered and worn from a long journey. These men were the remnants of the local Hunnic tribes, the last of their kind. Word of Uluç's arrival had spread, and they had come to speak directly with the commander.
Kara, whose own heritage was closely tied to these tribes, stepped forward. "We should hear what they have to say," he urged. Uluç, ever the strategist, nodded in agreement and sent Kara to engage with the riders. Wolfram and Isaakios accompanied him, curiosity driving them to witness this encounter.
As Kara approached the riders, they recognized him immediately and greeted him in old Hunnic. Kara responded in kind, his voice adopting a tone and dialect that felt foreign to the others. Wolfram couldn't help but notice the transformation in Kara. The man who was usually sarcastic and light-hearted now spoke with a directness and seriousness that made him seem like a different person entirely.
The conversation between Kara and the riders grew intense, with the rest of the group watching in anticipation. None of them could understand the old Hunnic dialect, but they could sense the gravity of the situation. Finally, Kara interrupted the riders, turning to Uluç with a grave expression. "You might want to hear this," he said, his voice laced with urgency.
Uluç rode over to them, his presence commanding respect. The riders, recognizing his authority, began to dismount their horses as a sign of respect, but Uluç raised his hand, signaling that it wasn't necessary. The riders then began to relay their message, their words heavy with the burden of the news they carried.
"Beyim," one of the riders began, his Turkish halting and thick with the accent of his people. "My Turkish is not very good, so forgive me if I speak wrongly. Things in the East are dire, Beyim. And we have heard that the Old Wolf has passed. Our condolences. But know this, the East has been changing for some time now. We are but a few of the hundreds of nomads who have been displaced from our homeland. Türkmens, Kazakhs, Mongols—they have united in the Altay region and are moving westward, gathering strength as they go. We heard they assembled in Alma-Ata and, upon hearing of Timurtaş's death, set out for Türk-il. But their coming is not a good omen, Beyim."
The words hung in the air, each one a nail in the coffin of the old order. Uluç listened carefully, his face a mask of calm as he processed the gravity of the situation. The Eastern lands, once the stronghold of their empire, were now in turmoil. The nomadic tribes, united by a common purpose, were on the move, and their intentions were anything but peaceful.
The riders, having delivered their message, fell silent, waiting for Uluç's response. The weight of their words was felt by all, and even the seasoned warriors among Uluç's retinue exchanged uneasy glances. The news was dire, and the implications were clear—if these tribes reached Türk-il with ill intentions, the stability of the entire region could be at risk.
Uluç, still composed, nodded slowly as he absorbed the information. His mind was already at work, calculating the next steps, considering the best course of action in the face of this new threat. The time for decisions was coming, and with it, the future of the realm hung in the balance.
As Uluç processed the information provided by Togtekin, the atmosphere grew tense. He knew that the situation was more complex than it appeared.
"What is your name, rider?" Uluç asked, his voice steady but carrying the weight of command.
The rider, sensing the gravity of the moment, replied respectfully, "Togtekin, beyim."
"And who is the man leading such a force?" Uluç's question was more than just curiosity; it was a probing inquiry into the potential threat they faced.
Togtekin hesitated for a moment before answering, "Beyim, it is said that they are led by a khatun. She is known as Nesli-han. We don't know her name, but Khan Subetei commands the army."
Uluç's eyes narrowed as he absorbed this information. He was intrigued, knowing the name Subetei and understanding the weight it carried. Subetei was kin to Doğukan, a lineage that demanded respect and caution.
"Well," Uluç said, his voice firm, "we shall ride towards Türk-il then."
Togtekin, sensing an opportunity, quickly added, "Allow us to join forces with you, beyim. We heard that Marshal Kılıj and Subetei are engaged in battle. On the way, we saw Captain Kutay's camp as well. He seemed to be waiting for your arrival."
The revelation sent a ripple of shock through Uluç's commanders. Kara, quick to respond, demanded, "Where are they now? Take us to them."
Togtekin nodded eagerly. "Yes, we can show you the direction, but take us with you, Uluç beyim. Our equipment may not be equal to yours, but we've learned to fight from a young age and respect command. Wherever you place us, we will follow your orders."
Uluç considered the offer carefully. While the addition of these men could strengthen his forces, he was wary of disrupting his formation and the potential for deception. He finally responded, "You can ride up front and lead us then." He chose his words carefully, not fully committing them to his ranks but allowing them to prove their loyalty by guiding the way.
As they began to move out, the mood was tense. Uluç rode alongside Kara, both men deep in thought.
"If Kılıj is fighting now against them," Kara mused, "then Kutay is waiting to see who will succeed. That bastard!"
Uluç nodded grimly. "We have to be cautious. It could be a trap. I don't trust these men. Kutay might be onto something. We shall proceed with care."
The two commanders exchanged a look of understanding. They both knew that the path ahead was fraught with danger, and they would need to rely on every ounce of their experience and cunning to navigate it. The addition of Togtekin and his men added an extra layer of uncertainty, but Uluç was determined to see this through, no matter the cost.
Together, they rode towards Kutay, the uncertainty of what lay ahead weighing heavily on them all.