Kara and Wolfram had nothing left to lose. Along the journey, they spoke freely, with an ease that only comes from accepting one's fate. Kara even mentioned a Khatun he had once been in love with. In return, Wolfram shared the story of how he had entered Aslı's tent and her attempts to flirt with him. They laughed and enjoyed the rare moments of light-heartedness amidst the grim reality. They had around 2,000 cavalry with them, and Kara had already appointed a commander by his side.
"What was your name again? Tell me once more," Kara asked.
"Tanrıverdi, Beyim," the young commander responded.
Kara looked surprised. "Where are you from? That's the first time I've heard that name. It's not even Hunnic."
Tanrıverdi explained, "Beyim, my father had no sons, only six daughters. When I was finally born, he said Tengri had sent me and named me Tanrıverdi."
Kara laughed. "If I had a son, I wouldn't name him until he earned it. I'd just call him 'son' until he proved himself—brave, honest, a true warrior. Then, when he came of age, he'd earn his name, just like in the old days."
Wolfram, curious about their chances, asked, "How many men do you think we can gather quickly?"
Tanrıverdi replied, "There's nowhere else for them to go. If soldiers have crossed the border, our people have probably already gathered at a common meeting point. We're heading there now. However many we have, that's it. But it's not just Hunnic tribes; there'll be all sorts of different nomadic groups."
The two of them rode onward, deeper into the unknown, with a sense of determination that came from knowing the stakes and embracing the uncertainty that lay ahead.
The group finally arrived at the gathering place of the nomads. Kara was trying to organize them, but one of the men stood up against him. "Because of this man, they trampled Togtekin with horses and didn't even give us his body. Now get the hell out of here you rat!" he shouted. Kara responded calmly, "And what if I don't?" as he crossed his arms. Another man came up beside the first, urging him to stand down, "Fuck off now freak." As he said that a third man stepped forward to back them up.
Kara scratched his chin with his hand and smirked, "Just three? Wow, I must be getting old. It used to take at least a whole squad to stand up to me," he laughed. The crowd was taken aback. "I've witnessed the fall of Baghdad. Slayed countless enemies not only my enemies.
On Timurtaş's orders, I've taken countless heads, thrown many into prison, even strangled his own kin by his order. I came all this way to help my brothers. Now, how about you lot clear out before I hang you here as an example," Kara declared with a booming voice.
Wolfram was stunned. Kara was standing alone, challenging everyone. One of the men couldn't take it anymore and drew his knife, shouting, "I'll cut you to pieces right here!" Kara looked at the knife, then at the man. "I've already been circumcised, but if you want, I can give you a little extra," he taunted. The crowd burst into laughter. This was Kara's audience; the stage was his.
As Kara turned his back, the man charged at him. Despite his massive size, Kara swiftly kicked the man in the chest, sending him flying two meters back. The others drew their knives and attacked. Wolfram, seeing this, threw a shield to Kara. Kara somersaulted, caught the shield, and charged towards them like a bull. He knocked one man to the ground, then rushed at another. Grabbing the terrified man's knife-wielding hand, he twisted the arm towards the man's throat and, with a fierce shout, plunged the knife into his neck. The man collapsed.
Kara then turned to the first man who was trying to get up. He smashed the man's face with the shield, and when the man hit the ground, Kara delivered a powerful kick to his head, knocking him out cold. The last man was in shock, as if he were fighting a raging bull. Kara picked up the fallen knife and slowly approached the man. Before the man could react, Kara lunged to the side and, in one swift motion, slit the man's throat. The man dropped his weapon, clutching his neck, and collapsed to the ground. After a brief struggle, he bled out and died on the spot.
Kara turned to the crowd and shouted, "Well? Anyone else want to die, or should we just kill each other now and end up as whores in the Crusaders' army by morning? No? Then listen up, you fools! Tomorrow, you scatter and gather as many men as you can. We need to fight them and slow them down long enough for Türk-il's armies to come to our aid. Until then, we must stay here and defend our lands. We are the children of Ashina! When have we ever had the advantage of numbers? Be warriors, and Tengri will grant us victory!"
A brief silence fell over the crowd. Sensing the moment, Wolfram spoke the only saying he knew, "Tengri protect the Turks!" He repeated it twice, looking around. Slowly, the people began to echo the phrase, and soon, everyone was shouting it in unison. The atmosphere erupted with energy and determination. Kara looked at Wolfram with pride and winked. Now Wolfram could read the room and act upon it.