Isaakios, clearly enjoying the lively atmosphere of gossip, leaned in with a knowing grin. "Oh, let me tell you something else, ladies," he began, twirling his wine cup between his fingers. "Kara, that giant of a man, had a thing for Eastern European women too. And trust me, I made fun of him for it all the time!"
The women around him laughed, their curiosity piqued. Isaakios continued, his voice dripping with amusement. "You know how Kara is, right? Two meters tall, a huge guy. He's practically a mountain of a man, and have you seen how he looks when he's in full armor? It's ridiculous! And, of course, there's the wolf sigil of Timurtas on his chest, bold as anything. Can you imagine? I don't even have that, but Kara—he walks around with the Kagan's sigil like it's just another Tuesday."
The women exchanged glances, wide-eyed, picturing the imposing figure of Kara. "Oh, and get this," Isaakios went on, his tone becoming even more dramatic. "Not only does he have that huge armor and the bear fur on his shoulders—yes, bear fur, ladies—it makes him look even bigger. It's like he's trying to remind everyone of just how powerful he is. And trust me, it works."
The women were hooked, eyes fixed on Isaakios as he painted the picture. "But that's not even the best part. Kara carries Uluç's axe—not just any axe, mind you, but the one decorated with garnishes and symbols, a real piece of art. Can you imagine Kara, that hulking brute, swinging around something so ornate? It's wild! And it's not just a weapon; it's a political statement. Kara is out there, strutting around with Uluç's axe like it's a badge of honor. And in a way, it is."
Isaakios paused for effect, letting the image sink in. "You see, by carrying Uluç's axe and Timurtas's sigil, Kara was making it very clear to everyone in the realm. Both Uluç's and Timurtas's influence was still very much alive. It wasn't just about strength—it was about political power. Kara was walking proof that their legacies were still ruling the region. And here's the kicker—Kara wasn't the only one. Timurtas had many others stationed across the realm, each carrying a piece of that influence. Kara was just the most obvious one, thanks to his size and, well, his dramatic fashion sense."
The women giggled, imagining Kara as the giant, armored figure he was, wielding the power of two of the most influential men in the realm. "You should've seen him, ladies," Isaakios said with a wink. "Kara didn't just walk into a room—he commanded it. Every glance, every gesture—people knew they were dealing with a man who had the weight of empires on his shoulders."
There were nods of agreement and more laughter as the group marveled at Kara's reputation and the way he effortlessly combined brute strength with the calculated politics of the realm. Even in gossip, Kara was a force to be reckoned with, and the women of the capital ate up every word, eager to share these stories with others in their circles.
"Kara may be big," Isaakios added with a smirk, "but trust me, his influence is even bigger."