As Uluç's army marched onward, they eventually reached the banks of the Dniester River near Soroca. The river, wide and imposing, presented a natural barrier, but it wasn't enough to stop their advance. Togtekin pointed across the river, his expression serious. "They are stationed there, beyim" Kutay has positioned his rear against the river, making it difficult for any army to cross without serious losses.
Uluç scanned the terrain, noting the strategic placement of Kutay's forces. The rear against the river was a classic defensive maneuver, one that could trap any advancing army in a deadly situation. Just as Uluç was contemplating his options, Togtekin spoke up. "I know of a better passage, beyim. There's an old bridge toward the lake. We've used it before. It's not far from here."
Uluç could feel the intensity of the moment. Time was critical, and the terrain offered few easy choices. Weighing his options quickly, he accepted Togtekin's suggestion. "Lead us there," he ordered.
The army moved swiftly towards the old bridge, but as they approached, they saw that it was guarded. Uluç's eyes narrowed in suspicion. He couldn't afford any delays, and the presence of guards indicated that Kutay was well-prepared for such a maneuver. Without hesitation, Uluç gathered his commanders and rode towards the guards.
As they drew closer, the guards saw the banner of Uluç, and their demeanor changed. One of the guards quickly mounted his horse and started galloping away, likely to report Uluç's arrival. The remaining guards stood frozen, unsure of how to react to the presence of the formidable old Marshal.
Uluç, ever the man of action, wasted no time. "Take us in the direction of that galloping rider, at once!" he demanded, his voice leaving no room for dissent. The guard, visibly intimidated, nodded and gestured for Uluç and his commanders to follow.
As Uluç, Kara, Wolfram, and Chagatai rode ahead, Isaakios and the others were left to manage the crossing. The remaining guards, still reeling from Uluç's imposing presence, were quickly ordered by Uluç to assist his men in crossing the bridge. With no other choice, the guards complied, leading the rest of Uluç's forces across the bridge.
Uluç knew that every second counted. He couldn't afford to let Kutay gain any more advantage, and he was determined to reach his rival before the situation escalated further. Riding ahead with his trusted commanders, Uluç felt the weight of the moment. The decisions made here could very well determine the outcome of the entire campaign.
As they approached Kutay's camp, the tension among the commanders was palpable. They knew that a confrontation was inevitable, and each man silently steeled himself for what was to come. The air was thick with the scent of war, and the quiet before the storm seemed almost unbearable.
Uluç's sharp eyes never wavered as they drew nearer to Kutay's position. The old Marshal was ready, as were his men. Whatever happened next, they would face it together, as warriors bound by honor and destiny. The fate of their world hung in the balance, and Uluç intended to seize it with both hands.
As they arrived at the camp, Uluç ordered the commander of the camp to step forward. The soldiers, visibly shaken by the sight of Uluç, hesitated. Despite their shock, their loyalty remained with Kutay, who had promised them much. One soldier finally spoke up, saying, "The army has already left, beyim. We are here to guard the camp."
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Uluç commanded his riders to move swiftly toward the river, sensing a trap might be imminent. As they rode, the tension grew thicker with each hoofbeat. When they reached the riverbank, they saw Kutay's riders approaching from the opposite side. Chagatai quickly drew his bow and fired several whistle arrows, their eerie tones echoing across the landscape. Meanwhile, Kara, with his immense size, grabbed his horn and blew a thunderous call, reverberating through the air and unsettling the enemy ranks.
As Uluç and his men halted, they saw four riders advancing toward them—likely led by Kutay himself. To their left, Uluç's army was still attempting to cross the bridge, a task that now seemed more urgent than ever. Batun, seeing the situation, impulsively rode toward Uluç, convinced that they were in immediate danger. Isaakios, overseeing the crossing with Togay, shouted after him, "Wait, Batun! Don't leave your post!" But his warning came too late. The sight of Kutay's approaching army caused anxiety to ripple through Uluç's forces. Many soldiers hesitated at the river's edge, unsure whether to cross or stand their ground.
At that critical moment, Aslı, who had also not yet crossed the river, turned sharply to the hesitant men. Her voice cut through the tension like a blade, "Look at your faces! "The die is cast; there's no turning back! Wake up, and return to your true selves, children of the Ashina! We are crossing the bridge no matter the cost!"
As Uluç, Wolfram, Kara, and Chagatai faced the four riders, the tension was palpable. On Kutay's side, the first rider was Duke Korkutan the Stout, known for his strong ties with Western neighbors, particularly the Holy Roman Empire. He had served as an envoy multiple times, likely sharing information and negotiating terms that served Kutay's interests. Beside him rode Khanum Gül Khadagan of Volga-Bulgaria, a towering, charismatic woman who had once been a formidable ally during Timurtaş's reign. Her house had always provided the empire with crucial intelligence, maintaining a degree of autonomy that set them apart from others. She was far from her homeland now, standing on the brink of a confrontation that could shape the future of the empire.
The last rider was Duke Oshi IV, known as "The Stallion." His face was hidden behind a mask, a legacy of a deep scar he had received in battle years ago. The mask had become his signature, a symbol of both his resilience and his ruthlessness.
The two groups of riders stopped, facing each other across a tense silence. The air was thick with the unspoken questions that hung between them. This was not just a meeting of armies; it was a clash of loyalties, ambitions, and histories. Each leader had brought their most trusted companions, and now, at this pivotal moment, they were about to see where those loyalties truly lay.
Uluç surveyed them slowly, his gaze intense, and spoke with unwavering authority, "I will say this only once: I am here to take command, and we shall march towards Türk-il to quell the ongoing rebellion immediately! This is our top priority. As the eldest son and Marshal of Türk Budun, I order you to follow my commands. Kılıj needs my assistance, and I will not leave him to face this alone!"
Kutay, with a slight smirk, responded, "I have no such intentions, Uncle." The way he casually disregarded Uluç's name and titles sent a chill down Wolfram's spine, reminding him of Kutay's cunning and disrespectful nature.
Uluç's eyes narrowed as he spoke with cold authority, "You will do as I command. You served under Kılıj, and we will not leave him to face this alone."
At that moment, Khanum Gül Khadagan interrupted with a somber tone, "Kılıj is dead, Uluç. Türk-il is under siege and likely taken by the time we reach there."
"What is this insolence?" Uluç barked, his anger flaring.
Kara, visibly shaken, muttered, "No, Kılıj," as the news hit him hard.
Khanum Gül Khadagan continued, "I gathered my men to confront the threat, but thankfully Kutay sent his messengers, and we joined forces."
Uluç's fury was palpable as he realized they had refused to comply with his orders. Seeing his frustration, Duke Korkutan hesitantly added, "There's more to it, beyim. After we left the borders... well, it's not just raiders. A formidable force has risen."
Duke Oshi IV, aware of the type of straightforwardness Uluç respected, interrupted Korkutan, "To put it plainly, Uluç, lords and vassals of Kiev, Rus, and Poland have gathered a massive army and are reclaiming their lost lands."
Kara, still in disbelief, exclaimed, "Impossible."
Kutay seized the moment, "Those lands are newly conquered, and the common folk there will welcome the invaders. So, Uncle, my intention is that you should stop crossing the bridge now and take your army against the invaders. I shall move to Türk-il and crush the rebellion. After that, we can sit down and talk, hmm?"
Uluç's voice was icy as he responded, "First of all, I am not letting you plot against me and take the crown while I'm on the battlefield. I don't trust your connections with the easterners, and I will not let you pass. And Türk-il won't fall, despite the disadvantage in numbers."
Oshi, sensing the gravity of the situation, added, "Well, Uluç, our esteemed Marshal, after Timurtaş moved the capital from Ustyurt to Constantinople, the castle was left with little to no protection, and it hasn't been properly maintained for a long time. It's highly likely that the castle won't hold out for long. We're not choosing sides here—I can accompany you if you wish—but you must understand that we're facing two battles at once. And I believe the Rus-Kiev invasion is just the vanguard. The Holy Roman Empire is organizing a crusade, Uluç. Your presence in the west is crucial."
Kara, desperate and pleading, turned to Uluç, "Let's ride west, Uluç. Those are our people—they'll be slaughtered without mercy. I was the one who convinced them to move to those newly conquered lands, promising them safety under Türk-il. We can deal with this rebellion later."
Kutay, with a smug smirk, added, "In fact, you have no other choice. My army is already organized and ready to leave, while your men still need to cross the bridge. By the time you pass it, I'll be long gone. So, you can either chase me to Türk-il and let the west burn, or you can serve your country one last time as Marshal, Uluç, and let me handle the east. Trust me for once, I'm not the devil. I'm just doing what makes sense!"
Uluç's voice, cold and resolute, cut through the tension like a blade. "You may think you've cornered me, Kutay, but I will not allow you to manipulate this situation for your benefit. Togay will lead a force to the east and deal with the rebellion. Their task is to slow the rebels down, to buy us the time we need. By the time they do, you and I will have merged our forces and turned to face the west. And you will fight beside me, under my command. Do you understand?"
Uluç's eyes bore into Kutay, leaving no room for defiance. This was not a negotiation, but an order, delivered with the authority of a man who had seen countless battles and emerged victorious from each. There was no question of whether his will would be done—it was only a matter of how swiftly his orders would be carried out.
As Uluç's words settled, the others exchanged glances, the weight of his plan slowly sinking in. It was a solid strategy—combining forces to face the threats together, ensuring the realm's stability. The idea of two of the most powerful military figures uniting against their enemies seemed reassuring to most. The nods of approval around the group indicated that they saw the merit in Uluç's command.
But Kutay's eyes narrowed, and he spoke up, his voice dripping with skepticism. "Yeah, merging armies, potentially risking the two most famous figures in the realm in one fell swoop. Do you think that makes sense?"
His tone was challenging, clearly not convinced by Uluç's plan. The others shifted uneasily, recognizing the logic in Kutay's caution. The idea of Uluç and Kutay fighting side by side sounded like a formidable alliance, but the risk was undeniable. If anything were to happen to them, the realm would be plunged into chaos.
Kutay continued, his voice calm but edged with defiance. "If we're both on the front lines and something goes wrong, the entire structure of our leadership could collapse. The people need someone to hold the line—someone to fall back on if the worst happens. And that's not something I'm willing to gamble with, Uluç."
The air between them crackled with tension, the clash of wills evident as they stood on the brink of a decision that could shape the fate of the realm.
Uluç's eyes narrowed as Kutay spoke, his words sharp and laced with a tone of defiance. "You only think of you victory. You don't see the whole picture," Kutay continued, his voice rising with conviction. "If I go to the East and stop the rebellion, and they see the old marshal back on his feet, stopping the full invasion from the west. That would be a testament to our rule. It would send a message to our enemies: we are not to be trifled with. Don't you see that?"
He paused, letting his words hang in the air, challenging Uluç's strategy. "You talk about merging armies, going to the West, but what message does that send? That we're weak on the Eastern side? That we can't control two battles at once? If we show our hand too early, they will see only a fragmented force, one that can't manage its own borders, let alone two fronts at once. They'll think we're isolated, outnumbered, unable to handle the pressure."
Kutay's eyes were intense as he laid out his plan. "We shall split. I shall go to the East, quash the rebellion, and when I am done, I will wait for you in Türk-il. Meanwhile, you shall go to the West, as Marshal, and stop the invasion. Two strong leaders, each commanding their own front. It shows strength, it shows strategy, and it keeps our enemies guessing. By the time they realize what's happening, it will be too late for them to respond."
Air fell into silence, the weight of Kutay's words sinking in. His logic was undeniable, even if his intentions were still unclear. The choice was now in Uluç's hands, the path forward uncertain and fraught with peril.
" Uluç: "Listen to me, kid. There are dynamics at play here that you don't understand. If the rebels in the East have already reached Alma-Ata as they say, it means they started this long before Timurtaş's death. They took advantage of my absence and grew bold. You're too young to remember, but when I was commanding this realm, we heard rumors of rebellion from the East. They said some groups had claimed land for themselves, refusing to pay taxes. As soon as I heard this, I marched my army there, even though the council opposed it, saying there was no need to deploy such a large force, that it was just a waste of resources and a show of strength. But I knew better—you crush a snake's head as soon as it shows itself. When I arrived, all their bravado vanished the moment they saw me. They tried to talk their way out, saying they just wanted to work the land, that there were too many of them and the local farmers couldn't manage all that territory."
Uluç paused for a moment, his voice filled with a hint of regret as he recalled his actions. "I asked them where the local farmers were. They said they'd driven them out, that their numbers were greater, and the original farmers couldn't use all the land. So, I asked, 'Is that why you defied the Khan's command? Because you wanted this land so badly?' And they said yes. So I told them, fine. I ordered them to start digging the land—deep, down to the soil's core. Then… I buried them alive. All of them. To this day, no one dares plant a single flower on that land."
Uluç's voice hardened as he continued. "That's why they've gone to Alma-Ata now. If I go there, I can calm things down. But we need to rally the rest of the army quickly. We cannot afford to divide our forces. And remember, those rebels need to face me. Now is the time for unity—I have a plan, and you're going to follow it because everything depends on it. Otherwise, thousands of lives will be lost. I'm a commander, the last person who wants to go to war."
Uluç's eyes bore into Kutay's, making it clear that this was not a suggestion but a command."
Kutay: Sarcastically, "Ah, what a riveting tale, uncle. Truly, your exploits are the stuff of legend. It's good to know the head of the snake was crushed so decisively. Your wisdom never ceases to astound me. It seems I still have much to learn from your flawless example."
Just as he finished speaking, the seemingly sturdy old bridge suddenly collapsed. Perhaps it had been weakened earlier by Kutay. Everyone froze, shocked, as what had been a calm and orderly scene just moments before erupted into chaos. The sounds of men and horses crashing into the water echoed through the air. Soldiers yelled for help, their voices filled with panic. The scene was one of utter chaos, with everything spiraling out of control in an instant. Uluç's command now held even more weight, as the army struggled to regain its footing amidst the growing turmoil.
When they looked across the collapsed bridge, they saw Aslı watching them. Just a few minutes earlier, she had been rallying the soldiers, urging them to hold their ground and cross the bridge, projecting an image of leadership. But in reality, she had pulled her own troops back, allowing the others to crowd onto the bridge. When the bridge collapsed, most of her forces were safely on the other side, now standing and looking back at Uluç.
Aslı shifted her gaze from Uluç to her husband, Kutay, and that glance alone spoke volumes. Soldiers were screaming for help, and Isaakios was desperately trying to manage the situation on his own. Chagatai quickly distanced himself and rushed over to assist Isaakios. Just as all this was happening, Batun arrived from the other side, clearly eager for news.
As he arrived, Togay remarked, "Ah, young Batun has joined us. My condolences, Batun. But don't worry, I respected your father—a brave warrior. You may grow up without a father, but not without a nation."
At that very moment, Batun's eyes widened with shock, and he stammered, "What... what do you mean, beyim?" His gaze quickly shifted to Uluç, searching for reassurance.
Uluç, struggling to find the right words, could only offer a strained response. "Nothing is certain yet, Batun. Don't let it trouble you." His voice lacked the usual confidence, revealing the weight of the uncertainty that hung over them all.
The tension in the air had reached its peak. The tables had suddenly turned, and everyone was acutely aware that Kutay now held all the cards. The realization weighed heavily on them all. Kara, unable to bear the stress and the increasingly tense atmosphere, finally snapped. His voice rose, cutting through the thick silence.
"We don't have time for these politics and speculations!" he barked. "Batun, get to Isaakios immediately and help the soldiers. We need to regroup, now!"
Then, Kara's eyes locked onto Kutay. His voice dripped with a mix of anger and frustration as he spat out, "And you..."