Then, Kara's eyes locked onto Kutay. His voice dripped with a mix of anger and frustration as he spat out, "And you..."
Kara's voice started to tremble, but it wasn't from fear; it was from anger. "Now listen to me," he said with unwavering determination. "You're going to give me a portion of the army, and you and Uluç will combine your forces and head east. I'll go west and crush this rebellion. I need to do this—it's the right thing to do."
He took a deep breath, his eyes blazing with intensity. "Those people trusted me. I promised them that their safety would be guaranteed by TÜRK-İL. Now listen to reason!"
Kara's words cut through the tension, capturing everyone's attention. He wasn't just a soldier; he was proving himself once again to be a leader who was deeply committed to his people and his promises.
Without hesitation, Uluç turned to Batun and commanded him to return to his post and assist the soldiers. Batun obeyed, heading back to the bridge to help where he could. Meanwhile, Kara stood there, waiting for Kutay's response.
Kutay, however, chuckled and turned to Duke Osho. "Do you see this, Duke Osho? Everyone is looking out for themselves, but they all wrap their interests up nicely, don't they?"
Kutay then turned his gaze to Kara. "And you, Kara, you feel bad, you feel ashamed. Why? Because those people are distant relatives of yours, coming from the Hunnic culture. But what do they mean to me? They can't even speak my language properly. They barely speak Shaz Turkish. They don't pay proper taxes. They're always on the move, destroying pastures with their herds. So tell me, why should I give you part of my army to save people like them?"
His words were sharp, almost mocking, exposing the cold pragmatism behind his decisions.
Kara couldn't hold back any longer. The division within the society, the cultural differences, and the chaos that came with being an empire were becoming too much for him to bear. He was an old-school warrior, one who believed that if you were Turkic, then you were Turkic—there was no need to overthink it. Whether you spoke the same language or a dialect, it didn't matter to him.
He stepped forward and spoke with a voice filled with conviction. "I've seen over fifty summers, Kutay. Fifty summers," he repeated, his voice growing stronger. "And I have no intention of dying old and frail in bed."
His words carried the weight of a lifetime of battles, loyalty, and unshakable beliefs. Kara was done with the politics and divisions; all he wanted was to fight for what he believed in, to stand with those he considered his own, and to go down fighting if that's what it took.
Kutay responded to Kara's words with a mocking smile. "So, you're willing to die for them, are you, Kara?" he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Then let me give you some news. Right now, as we speak, the Russians, the Kiev Khan, and countless other minor lords are likely already marching into the lands of those tribes you're so eager to protect. They're probably hunting them down, one by one. And here you are, standing in front of me, giving me a speech, trying to lay down the law. You should be riding full speed to their aid. What are you still doing here?"
Kutay's words were harsh, confronting Kara with the cold reality of the situation. Kara's face tensed, a mix of anger and helplessness flashing in his eyes.
Kutay's words were a calculated strike, testing Kara's loyalty and resolve, aiming to push him into action on Kutay's terms. It was a cruel game, one that sought to manipulate Kara's deepest convictions.
Kara turned his gaze to Uluç, his expression intense. "We need to rally our forces and head to the western border immediately, Uluç. Do you understand? We need to do this right now."
But Uluç didn't match Kara's urgency. He looked at him and said, "It will take us a day or two to regroup and pull our soldiers out of here, Kara. Marching to the West right now is not feasible. You need to let go of these thoughts and get a grip on yourself. Now!"
Kutay interjected with a mocking grin, "Ah, the great wolf has spoken. Well said! I agree with you completely. While you handle things here, I'll make my way to Üstyurt and take my rightful place on the throne of Türk-il. And I shouldn't keep my wife waiting much longer either." With that, he gave the order for his forces to march toward Türk-il. Aslı, seeing this, also moved her troops in the same direction.
Uluç, Kara, and Wolfram watched as the armies began to move, realizing they had only a small force left at their disposal. At that moment, Kara had reached his breaking point. His eyes blazing with fury, he shouted, "You little twat! Who are you to speak over the words of Bear Tarkan Kara? In times of peace, warriors like me are forced to bow before the likes of you. But now, in times of war, I'll show you the old ways!"