Night was slowly settling in, and the soldiers began lighting torches to illuminate the camp. Just then, Kara entered the camp and noticed the leader of the Hunnic riders being led towards the command tent. Surprised, he followed them. When he entered the tent, he saw the leader kneeling before Uluç.
Uluç questioned him sternly, "You brought us here, yet Kutay had everything arranged. While we were crossing the bridge, his army was already gathering. He knew you would lead us here."
Togtekin, visibly shaken, replied, "Beyim, we believed we were helping you. Kutay Bey ordered us to go west and deliver the message. We thought you were allies. We were only trying to assist you, we didn't mean any harm. We grew up hearing tales of your army's greatness—how could we ever betray you?"
"You wanted a place in my army, didn't you, Togtekin?" Uluç's voice was icy and filled with menace. "Now let me show you how things work in my ranks."
With a simple gesture of his eyes, Uluç signaled his soldiers. They dragged Togtekin outside the tent, forcing him to the ground and pinning his head down. Moments later, Uluç stepped out of the tent, his imposing presence immediately drawing the attention of everyone around. Soldiers slowly emerged from their own tents, eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them.
Uluç made another gesture with his hand, and two horses were brought forward. Togtekin, now desperate, began to beg for his life, swearing he was no traitor. The noise and commotion drew the attention of Wolfram and Isaakios, who hurried over to where Kara stood, wide-eyed and stunned, watching the brutal scene unfold.
"What's happening?" Wolfram asked, trying to grasp the gravity of the situation.
Kara, barely able to tear his gaze away, simply muttered, "He's about to make an example of him...but he is doing it to him instead of me!"
Togtekin, under custody, screamed for mercy as soldiers covered his mouth with their hands. Uluç was about to speak, and the tension in the air was palpable.
Uluç's voice was cold and authoritative as he addressed the gathered men, "From now on, everyone will speak knowing that their words can cost lives. I told you that once you go to battle with me, my rules apply. If thoughtless actions lead to the loss of lives, there is only one punishment in my army."
His eyes then turned to Kara, who was shocked his eyes were saying please don't, his face visibly shaken by the weight of the situation. Uluç raised his hand, and when he lowered it, the soldiers stepped aside. The horses were released, trampling Togtekin underfoot. In mere seconds, the blows to his body took his life. He was crushed beneath the hooves of the horses.
Kara fell to his knees, devastated. It was as if his world had collapsed around him. He blamed himself for what had happened, feeling the weight of the punishment as if it had been dealt to him directly. Kara silently said it should have been me!
Kara went to the Hun cavalry camped outside the army's perimeter. After some time, he returned and approached Uluç's tent, requesting to speak with him. The soldiers parted the entrance, signaling Kara to enter. Uluç, with a slight nod, allowed him in. Kara stepped inside and began to speak.
"Today, I should have either killed Kutay or been trampled under the horses. You didn't allow either. Now, I ask for your forgiveness and to inform you that at first light tomorrow, I will ride to the western border with the Hun cavalry. If you wish to have me executed here, so be it, but my body will resist until the very end."
There was a tense silence. Uluç said nothing at first, then finally spoke. "You've already made your decision, Kara. Why come to me with this? After the army is regrouped tomorrow, I will go to meet Togay and then march towards Türk-il. I cannot spare any soldiers for you, and you can no longer remain in my army." He stood up, facing Kara, both of them towering like mountains. The tension was palpable. Kara looked down, sighed, and said, "I promise you, I will gather forces and stop the invasion or die trying." His voice cracked with emotion.
Wolfram, who had been waiting outside, tried to peer into the tent but could see little. Kara left the tent, and Wolfram quickly caught up to him, asking, "What happened? What's next for us?"
Kara, a bit surprised, replied, "Us? What do you mean, us? I will charge to my death tomorrow, as I should have long ago."
Wolfram, determined, said, "Then I'm coming with you."
Kara, trying to dissuade him, said, "No, Gengiz, just leave it all behind. Go back home."
But Wolfram insisted, grabbing Kara's arm to stop him. "I will not leave you like this. If you die, then we shall die fighting for something meaningful, not for who sits on the throne."
Kara smiled, a rare warmth in his expression, and said, "You stupid German. You'll go down in history as one of Kara's soldiers who fell in the invasion. How noble of you, ha ha ha." They both laughed, a moment of levity amidst the grim situation.
They prepared their gear, and before they left, Wolfram spoke to Isaakios. "Thank you for everything. I hope I can visit you in the Balkans when this is all over."
Isaakios, ever the emotional one, responded, "Don't say it like that. Of course, we shall all live through this. May Tengri guide us."
The next morning, Uluç woke early and left his tent. He saw Kara and Wolfram in the distance, already riding off with the Hun cavalry. Uluç watched them for a moment, then turned his back and ordered preparations for the coming journey.