Isaakios leaned in, addressing the room with a thoughtful look. "Well, as a ruler and commander of armies myself, I have to say, the Golden Horde has never lost a war. Wherever Uluç went, victory followed. It was nothing short of astonishing. Yes, he spent a lot of money, but from a military standpoint, if you want to control vast lands with an elite Tharkan army, an army made up entirely of Tharkon riders and many loyal servants, you have to pay them generously. It's not just about loyalty out of fear or obedience—it's about respect. Uluç always took care of those in need within his ranks, ensuring their loyalty wasn't simply based on rank or command but on trust and mutual respect."
The women nodded, some remembering the rumors they had heard of the Tharkan riders and how fiercely loyal they were to their commander.
"Getting into Uluç's army wasn't easy," Isaakios continued. "Not just anyone could join the Tharkan warrior system. It was reserved almost exclusively for Turkish and nomadic people, but even then, the selection wasn't made by Uluç directly. No, Uluç only picked renowned, seasoned warriors—men who had already proved themselves on the battlefield. These seasoned warriors would then scout for intelligent and skillful young boys. They would train them, molding them for Uluç's army, and once their training was done, they were placed under the command of a Binlik, a trusted officer."
Isakios smiled slightly, pausing for effect. "For example, Kılıç himself was taken into the army in much the same way, and look where he ended up. And then there's Kara—Kara was handpicked by Kılıç. If Kılıç hadn't chosen Kara, if Uluç hadn't seen potential in him, who knows what would have happened? Another man might have taken Kara's place, but Kara climbed the ranks because of his blunt nature, his honest spirit, and his warmongering drive. He obeyed every command Uluç gave him, no questions asked."
The women exchanged glances as Isaakios continued. "That's what made Kara rise so fast in the army—his ability to follow orders without hesitation, his unwavering loyalty. But it wasn't just about being obedient. Kara had something more—he had a talent for information management. He became the head of the intelligence network within Uluç's army. He didn't just fight battles; he managed the flow of information, coordinating messengers, overseeing the transport of vital documents and messages. He became the very eyes and ears of Uluç's forces."
Isakios chuckled softly. "You see, in a way, Kara was just as important as the warriors on the battlefield. If a message needed to be delivered—if there was vital information that could turn the tide of a battle—it was Kara who ensured it got there in time. He coordinated messengers, and if a messenger requested a horse from a commoner, they were obligated to give it. And if they refused? Kara's authority was so absolute that the messenger had the right to kill the man who refused. No one dared take revenge because everyone knew—it wasn't just Kara's rule. It was Uluç's authority, passed down from Timurtaş himself."
The room grew quiet as Isaakios leaned back, his voice taking on a serious tone. "You see, Kara was untouchable. He wasn't just some commander or nobleman. He was the leader of the Nöker, the secret intelligence group that ran everything behind the scenes. He was the dark hand of Timurtaş, responsible for making sure that information flowed seamlessly throughout the realm. He controlled everything from the shadows. People in the rural areas called him Dajjal, the bringer of doom, because of the way he could make someone disappear without a trace. In high society, he was just as feared, even though most didn't even know what he looked like. They only knew the name and the reputation."
The women shivered at the thought, whispering amongst themselves about the power Kara held.
"But his real name," Isaakios added with a grin, "was Batu. We all knew him as Batu, but the world called him Karadakh, Khan of the Emine Khaganate. That's his official title, though those of us who grew up around him, we just called him Batu."
The women laughed softly at the thought of such a terrifying man being called by such a simple name. Isaakios's storytelling painted a vivid picture of Kara's rise to power, his strategic mind, and his position as the trusted shadow of the realm's most powerful men.
"And let me tell you," Isaakios concluded, his eyes twinkling, "if you ever found yourself on the wrong side of Kara, you'd better pray to Tengri or whatever god you believe in. Because once he had his sights on you, it was already over. That's just how it worked."