As the room buzzed with gossip and conversation, one of the women, a member of the Holy Roman Empire elite, leaned forward, her eyes glittering with curiosity. She was one of those who spoke High German fluently, but had also mastered Shaz Turkish, the second language of the Empire's ruling class, a clear sign of Timurtaş's far-reaching
Among the women present, some were from the elite of the Holy Roman Empire. These women, having spent significant time under the influence of Timurtaş, were fluent in High German and Shaz Turkish, the high dialect of the Turkic elite. It was a testament to the deep cultural connections Timurtaş had fostered over the years between the empire and Turkic lands. The room buzzed with conversations in both languages, a seamless blend of East and West, as the women shared stories, rumors, and gossip.
One of the Holy Roman elite women, a striking figure draped in velvet, leaned forward with curiosity. Her German accent was thick, but she spoke Shaz Turkish fluently. "Tell me," she said, her voice laced with intrigue, "how did Timurtaş, a man surrounded by so many powerful figures—Kara, Uluç, Sılıç, and countless others—manage to control them all so effortlessly? We know the Volga Bulgars, the mighty Orta, and so many others who revered him, followed him without question. How did he keep them all in check, like pieces on a chessboard? A man like Timurtaş must have had a method."
The room fell silent. The question hung in the air, and all eyes turned toward İlkay Hatun, knowing that if anyone had the answer, it would be her.
Ilkay Hatun, ever poised and graceful, smiled knowingly. Her reputation as the most well-informed woman in the realm was well-earned. She had been by Timurtaş's side for many years, and there was little she did not know about his inner workings.
"Ah," İlkay Hatun began, her voice smooth and calculated, "it's not just about power, dear. It's about knowing people, really knowing them. Timurtaş didn't just control his warriors with fear or force. He controlled them because he understood them. Each one of his commanders, from Kara to Uluç to Sılıç, had their strengths and their weaknesses. Timurtaş knew how to exploit both."
She paused for effect, letting the room settle into silence before continuing.
"You see, Timurtaş didn't rule by brute force alone. He ruled by carefully placed trust and strategic delegation. He gave Kara, Uluç, and the others just enough power to make them feel important, but never enough to make them dangerous. He made them compete for his favor, ensuring none of them would ever rise too high."
The women listened intently, their curiosity piqued. It was clear that this wasn't the first time İlkay Hatun had shared such insights, but each time, it felt like uncovering a new layer of Timurtaş's brilliance.
"Ah, and the Volga Bulgars," İlkay Hatun said with a sly grin, "they were no different. Timurtaş understood their culture, their traditions. He spoke their language, quite literally, and metaphorically. That's how he kept them loyal—by respecting their customs while subtly enforcing his own."
One of the younger women interrupted, clearly enthralled. "But what about his inner circle? Surely men like Kara and Uluç must have been difficult to control."
İlkay Hatun chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Oh, my dear, those men—Kara, Uluç—they were the easiest to manage. Timurtaş gave them symbolic power—titles, lands, wealth—but kept the true authority in his own hands. He let them feel important, but they knew that without Timurtaş, they were nothing."
Just as İlkay Hatun finished speaking, Isaakios—who had been quietly observing the conversation—leaned forward. With a glint in his eye, he interjected, "I know which story you're about to tell next."
The women turned their attention to him, eager to hear more.
"You see," Isakios continued, "it wasn't just about understanding his commanders. Timurtaş knew how to make everyone feel like they had a place in his grand design. Even the women in his life, the elite women of the empire, were part of his strategy. He gave each of them a role, whether they knew it or not."
The room erupted into murmurs of excitement. Isakios had a way of weaving the most mundane details into captivating tales. He looked at İlkay Hatun, a silent understanding passing between them, as the story of how Timurtaş controlled the realm continued to unfold, leaving the women around the table hanging on every word.