Asli, having fulfilled her duty by sending her best soldiers to support her husband Kutai, began her journey back to Ephesus, accompanied by her loyal force of 4,000 soldiers. The route home was treacherous, but Asli's mind was sharp, her instincts always attuned to danger. Her troops marched steadily under her command, their discipline unwavering, when they came upon a gruesome scene—a river that once flowed clear, now choked with the bodies of the fallen. The water ran red with blood, the smell of death thick and suffocating, causing even the most hardened soldiers to pause in silent horror.
Asli halted her men immediately. Her eyes scanned the landscape, ever alert to the signs of danger. "We must be cautious now," she declared, her voice calm but commanding. "Something passed through here. A great battle, a bloodbath. This is no ordinary carnage." She signaled her soldiers to fan out. "Search for survivors," she ordered, "but stay alert. Whatever caused this may still be nearby."
Her soldiers moved swiftly, their formation spreading out like the tendrils of a great beast, scouring the area for any sign of life amidst the devastation. After what felt like hours, one of her scouts returned, his face grim but hopeful. "We've found survivors, my lady," he reported. "They've set up camp a little further ahead, but they are in poor shape—starved, thirsty, and defenseless."
Asli's eyes narrowed. She knew that survivors of such a massacre might be dangerous, desperate, or worse, spies. Nevertheless, she made her decision quickly. "Take me to them," she ordered, motioning for a small contingent to accompany her. Together, they rode toward the camp.
When they arrived, the sight before them was pitiful. The camp was little more than a collection of ragged tents, and its occupants, emaciated and weary, looked up in fear and desperation. Among them, however, was a man who carried himself differently. Though gaunt and tired, his bearing was that of someone used to command. He stood as Asli approached, but made no move to introduce himself.
Asli, ever the sharp tactician, noted his silence and met his eyes with her own steely gaze. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice cutting through the air like the edge of a blade. "What happened here, and why are you still alive when so many others are dead? Where are the rest of your men?"
The man straightened himself in his saddle, his noble bearing evident even beneath the dirt and weariness. Despite his disheveled appearance, there was still an air of dignity about him. "I am Prince Hesso of the Holy Roman Empire," he said, bowing his head slightly in acknowledgment. "And you, my lady? You command this army with such confidence, and judging by the discipline of your soldiers, I assume you hail from Türk-il, though we haven't had the pleasure of crossing paths before."
Asli let out a hearty laugh, a sound both genuine and filled with amusement. "Ha ha ha! You are sharp, Prince Hesso. Indeed, I am Asli, the Duchess of Ephesus, though some prefer to call me the Maul of Ephesus." Her eyes gleamed with pride as she continued, "I lead these men with purpose and strength, and I have faced many battles before this."
Prince Hesso nodded in understanding, though there was a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "The Maul of Ephesus?" he repeated. "Well, I am certainly glad you found me, Duchess Asli. My men and I thought we were as good as dead. It's a miracle we survived the ambush. We barely made it out of that hell. It's thanks to my dearest friend, who sacrificed himself to give me a chance to escape. He led the charge into the enemy, and I—well, I fled. But we had no time to gather supplies, no time to even mount fresh horses. These past weeks have been... a living nightmare. Many of my men died from exhaustion, hunger, or their wounds. We thought we'd never make it this far."
Asli listened carefully, her expression calculating. "A terrible fate indeed," she said, her voice thoughtful but with an edge of skepticism. "But tell me, Prince Hesso, who exactly was it that defeated your army? How many of you ventured out into enemy territory? Were you so foolish as to march into the unknown without proper support?"
Prince Hesso winced slightly, his pride clearly bruised. "I… I don't know exactly what happened," he admitted, shaking his head. "We were attacked at dawn, caught off guard. There were too many of them. Far too many. We tried to regroup, but it was chaos. In the end, all we could do was flee. I believe the rest of the army perished under their superior numbers. The enemy outnumbered us greatly, and there was no chance of victory. We were overwhelmed."
Asli's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and then she burst into laughter again, this time louder, the sound echoing across the plains. "Are you serious, Prince Hesso?" she asked, barely containing her amusement. "You think you were attacked by a massive army? Let me tell you something—there are no large forces stationed on the western borders. None. What kind of grand army do you think defeated you? Were you truly bested by one of our small scouting groups, or was it the Tharkan warriors who struck you? Either way, it's not what you think. Surely, it cannot have been a large force."
Hesso looked at her in disbelief. "What do you mean? There were hundreds—no, thousands of them, at least," he stammered, the confusion evident in his voice. "We were certain we were up against a full-scale army. How could we have been so wrong?"
Asli smirked, clearly enjoying watching the proud prince struggle to comprehend what had happened. "Oh, Prince Hesso," she said with mock sympathy, "if this is how your army fights, this war might be over sooner than I expected. You were bested by small, mobile forces—perhaps even our scouts. And yet, you believed you faced an overwhelming force." She shook her head in amusement. "You truly thought you were up against an army, didn't you? And here you are, believing your men were wiped out by superior numbers when, in fact, you were simply outmaneuvered."
Hesso was stunned into silence. He had been so certain that his army had been overwhelmed by sheer numbers. But now, hearing Asli's words, he realized just how mistaken he had been. His mind raced, trying to reconcile what he had witnessed with this new information. "I... I don't understand," he finally said, his voice filled with uncertainty. "How could we have been defeated so easily?"
Asli grinned, her eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence. "Because, Prince Hesso, you underestimated your enemy. And now, look where that's gotten you. You're here, at my mercy, with no resources, no horses, and no men to speak of. But fear not, I'll take you to your son, as promised. Perhaps he'll help you salvage what's left of your pride."
Asli then spurred her horse forward, leaving Prince Hesso to contemplate the harsh reality of his situation. He was no longer the powerful prince he had once been. Now, he was a humbled man, relying on the mercy of the woman who he had just met.
Prince Hesso's face grew pale as he spoke, the memory clearly unsettling him. "We saw... hooded figures. All of them wore black, as if they were shadows come to life. Their movements were swift and erratic, and their voices... they were always shouting, almost barking, like wild animals. The chaos was overwhelming. It felt like the ground was moving beneath us, and their arrows..." He paused, as if struggling to find the words. "Their arrows... they whistled through the wind in a way I've never seen before. It was... unnatural, as if the wind itself was carrying death."
Asli raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Well, darling," she said with a teasing tone, "what you experienced were whistle arrows, one of our more... creative war strategies. Poor you. Little did you know, you probably outnumbered them by far." She shook her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "You fools."
Hesso blinked in disbelief, still struggling to make sense of the situation. "But... how? We were so certain there were countless enemies. It was chaos, but the way they moved—"
Asli cut him off with a light laugh, "The only army I know that could pull off something like that, especially here on the western borders, are the men of Uluç. But," she paused, her expression turning more serious, "it can't be true. You don't just leave Uluç's army. His warriors are too disciplined, too ruthless. If they were truly after you, none of your men would have survived. It's strange. Something doesn't add up."
Hesso, still bewildered, looked at Asli, his mind racing to piece together what he had witnessed. "So, you think it was them? Uluç's men?"
Asli shrugged, her gaze turning thoughtful. "I'm not sure, but it's possible. His men are notorious for their guerrilla tactics, striking like shadows and disappearing before anyone can fully react. But the fact that you're still alive makes me doubt it. I find myself... intrigued about what we'll find at the end of this journey. There's more to this than meets the eye."
She glanced at Hesso, her expression unreadable. "Maybe they're also looking for Wolfram. We don't know yet. But whatever it is, we're bound to uncover something interesting."
The prince nodded slowly, his mind a whirlwind of uncertainty. The thought that they had been attacked by a smaller, more strategic force left him feeling even more disoriented. But Asli's confidence and sharp wit reassured him, if only slightly. He knew one thing for certain—this journey was far from over, and the truth waiting at the end of it might change everything.
Prince Hesso's face grew pale as he spoke, the memory clearly unsettling him. "We saw... hooded figures. All of them wore black, as if they were shadows come to life. Their movements were swift and erratic, and their voices... they were always shouting, almost barking, like wild animals. The chaos was overwhelming. It felt like the ground was moving beneath us, and their arrows..." He paused, as if struggling to find the words. "Their arrows... they whistled through the wind in a way I've never seen before. It was... unnatural, as if the wind itself was carrying death."
Asli raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Well, darling," she said with a teasing tone, "what you experienced were whistle arrows, one of our more... creative war strategies. Poor you. Little did you know, you probably outnumbered them by far." She shook her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "You fools."
Hesso blinked in disbelief, still struggling to make sense of the situation. "But... how? We were so certain there were countless enemies. It was chaos, but the way they moved—"
Asli cut him off with a light laugh, "The only army I know that could pull off something like that, especially here on the western borders, are the men of Uluç. But," she paused, her expression turning more serious, "it can't be true. You don't just leave Uluç's army. His warriors are too disciplined, too ruthless. If they were truly after you, none of your men would have survived. It's strange. Something doesn't add up."
Hesso, still bewildered, looked at Asli, his mind racing to piece together what he had witnessed. "So, you think it was them? Uluç's men?"
Asli shrugged, her gaze turning thoughtful. "I'm not sure, but it's possible. His men are notorious for their hit and run tactics, striking like shadows and disappearing before anyone can fully react. But the fact that you're still alive makes me doubt it. I find myself... intrigued about what we'll find at the end of this journey. There's more to this than meets the eye."
She glanced at Hesso, her expression unreadable. "Maybe they're also looking for Wolfram. We don't know yet. But whatever it is, we're bound to uncover something interesting."
The prince nodded slowly, his mind a whirlwind of uncertainty. The thought that they had been attacked by a smaller, more strategic force left him feeling even more disoriented. But Asli's confidence and sharp wit reassured him, if only slightly. He knew one thing for certain—this journey was far from over, and the truth waiting at the end of it might change everything.
As they rode further along the dusty trail, Asli's sharp gaze settled on Prince Hesso, her mind clearly working through a difficult decision. Finally, she spoke, her voice measured but firm. "You do realize, Prince, that while I'm taking you to your son, this little reunion will be brief. Afterward, I have to take you to Ephesus as a hostage—or execute you on command."
Hesso's face went pale, his eyes wide with sudden terror. "What? But we are allies!" he stammered, his voice shaking. The words felt hollow, as if he were trying to convince both himself and her.
Asli turned her sharp gaze toward him, her expression hardening. "Allies?" she repeated with a mocking edge. "Then what the hell were you doing with your Holy Roman soldiers so far from home? What was your real purpose, Hesso?"
Hesso's mind raced, desperate to explain himself. "I wasn't with the Holy Roman Empire's army!" he protested, the panic rising in his voice. "I was just visiting a friend of mine. A warrior from the Eastern Balkans, someone I've known for years. I didn't bring an army, and technically, I'm not a war prisoner because there's no war between Türk-il and the Holy Roman Empire."
His words tumbled out in a rush, as though he could somehow talk his way out of the predicament. But Asli wasn't buying it.
Asli laughed—a cold, almost cruel sound. "Well, that certainly explains how you were outnumbered. Wandering around like a fool with no real plan. But now I'm really curious... who dared to strike at your little band? Who would be so foolish, with such little regard for their own life, to take on a force as esteemed as the heir to the Holy Roman Empire?"
She was silent for a moment, her eyes narrowing as her mind worked through the pieces. And then, in a sudden, quiet realization, it hit her. Kara.
Though she didn't say it aloud, the thought settled in her mind like a heavy weight. Of course. Who else would be reckless—and brilliant—enough to pull off such a stunt? It had to be Kara, her old ally, and Wolfram was surely with him. That would explain everything—the swift, tactical strike, the confusion, the black-clad warriors. But why? Why were Kara and Wolfram heading west, far away from Uluç's forces, and what was their true aim?
Asli's mind raced as she began piecing together the puzzle. Kara and Wolfram were moving in the shadows, clearly up to something dangerous, but she wasn't quite sure what yet. There were still pieces missing, and she would need to complete the picture soon.
For now, she kept her thoughts to herself, leaving Hesso in a state of anxious confusion. The prince had no idea that the woman riding beside him was already several steps ahead, working out the next move in a game far larger than he could ever have imagined.
As they finally stopped to make camp, Asli's soldiers swiftly went to work, securing the area and tying up Hesso's remaining men, binding them to their knees with chains. Hesso watched in growing discomfort, his voice tinged with anxiety as he said, "There is no need for this, Duchess. We certainly have no plans to refuse your help—you saved our lives. We would never betray you."
Asli, however, was unmoved. She chuckled darkly, her gaze cold. "Ha! You may think you're harmless, but I leave nothing to chance. I think you can't betray me—but your men will stay exactly where they are." She leaned in, her voice lowering as she added, "And you shall dine with me. I will not take my eyes off you, not for a second. Don't even imagine double-crossing me, Hesso. You have no idea who you're dealing with."
With that, they sat down to eat, the tension still lingering in the air. For the first time in days, Hesso was able to eat and drink his fill, and he felt a wave of relief wash over him as the exhaustion began to ease. Asli, watching him with those calculating eyes, let him eat in silence for a while before the conversation picked up again.
This time, Hesso seemed more blunt, as if he had weighed his options and realized he had little to lose. "You can't simply take me to the Holy Roman Empire," he said, his tone sharper. "I have to leave you before we get there and go the rest of the way on my own. You cannot be seen with me."
Asli raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why the hell not? You said we were allies. I saved you. Surely that warrants some reward, don't you think? I've just met you, and I'm already wondering if you're worth the trouble." Her sarcasm was biting, and her eyes bore into him, demanding an explanation.
Hesso hesitated, but the weight of the situation pressed down on him, and he couldn't keep the secret any longer. Desperation clawed at him as he yelled, "Because I have to find Wolfram before my father does!"
The sudden outburst shocked Asli. She stared at him, her body going rigid as her mind raced to comprehend his words. The camp around them fell silent as her hand moved instinctively to the knife on the table, gripping it tightly. "What do you mean by that?" she demanded, her voice low and dangerous. "What happens if your father finds Wolfram first? What are you so afraid of? Tell me—speak now!"
Hesso, realizing his mistake, quickly tried to calm himself. "Excuse my manners, Duchess, I didn't mean to shout. It's just... it's been a rough few weeks." He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair, his face lined with exhaustion. "You don't understand. After Wolfram was born, I saw Martha... she was doing fine, but then word got to my father."
He swallowed hard, his voice dropping to a whisper. "He wasn't happy about it. My father—Kaiser Arnos—was furious. He was unhappy that the child was named Wolfram. There's... speculation, you see. Rumors that my father killed Martha because he thought Wolfram wasn't my son... but Timurtaş's." He looked away, the pain and guilt weighing heavily on him. "I'm afraid he could hurt Wolfram, too."
Asli's heart skipped a beat. This was deeper and darker than she had anticipated. Her hand loosened its grip on the knife, but her gaze remained hard. "Why didn't he kill Wolfram earlier, then?"
"I don't know," Hesso said, his voice trembling slightly. "Maybe he was waiting to see... maybe he wanted to find out if Wolfram was truly his heir or Timurtaş's. Maybe he was biding his time, waiting for proof." He paused, his voice breaking. "But I can't let him find Wolfram. I have to reach him first—to warn him, to protect him. Please, Duchess, you must help me."
Asli stared at him, her mind reeling from the revelations. The whole situation was a tangled mess of betrayal, rumors, and hidden danger. No one else in the realm likely knew this—except her now. As much as she tried to keep her emotions in check, the intrigue was undeniable.
Her voice, still cold but now tinged with curiosity, cut through the tension. "I don't understand. You are the heir, and Timurtaş already has his heirs—Uluç, and..." She paused, a sarcastic smile creeping onto her lips. "And my beloved husband." The sarcasm dripped from her words, and it was clear she couldn't care less about Kutay.
The silence that followed was thick, and Asli's mind raced. This secret could shift the balance of power, and she was now holding a piece of it. The only question was how to use it.
As the days stretched on, Asli's scouts brought back reports—small clues that indicated Kara and Wolfram's movements. Slowly but surely, they were closing in.