After the duel ended, Wolfram calmly tossed the sword he had disarmed from the knight onto the ground. His small dagger, which had been so effective during the fight, was slipped back into its sheath with ease. The room was still enveloped in a shocked silence, but now the shock had transformed into something mixed with admiration and respect for Wolfram.
It was Aslı who broke the silence, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. "Ah, you see, this is what our Tharkan training can achieve," she said, proudly. "Even the weakest of our Tharkan warriors is worth three of your knights, as we have clearly seen today." Her words were not only praise for Wolfram but also a testament to the rigorous military training in Türk-il, the land where Wolfram had learned to fight.
Despite their frustration and disappointment, the Teutonic knights approached Wolfram, offering a grudging acknowledgment. "It was a good fight," one of them said, his voice heavy with defeat. "Your tongue is as sharp as your sword."
Wolfram nodded and replied calmly, "What had to be done was done. This trial was necessary, and I hope now that all of your doubts are settled. As you have witnessed, the gods have spoken. Fate, my words, and my blade were in the right place."
The Teutonic knights, though humiliated, could do nothing but bow to the outcome. They sought the Kaiser's permission to leave, their spirits bruised but their honor somewhat intact. The Kaiser, ever the diplomat, granted them their leave, and they slowly departed the hall.
As the tension in the room began to fade, Aslı, who had been quiet since her earlier statement, stepped forward and broke the silence once more. "Finally, it is my turn to speak," she said with a playful tone, her voice drawing the Kaiser's attention. "Kaiser Anno, I have a request of you. As you know, I was the one who brought your son from the distant lands back to you. He was gravely ill, and I tended to him with great care, ensuring he survived and was returned to you safely. Surely, such an act deserves a reward, does it not? But I'm not interested in gold or riches. I have all I need back in Eses. All I ask is that I be allowed access to the archives—just a few documents that belong to my people. Rest assured, these are records that originally came from us, so there will be no breach of secrecy."
Kaiser Anno, taken aback by her boldness but unwilling to appear ungrateful, responded with a measured tone. "Indeed, if you have brought my son back to me, safe and sound, from the very jaws of death, then your request is a small one. You may have what you seek."
The Kaiser gestured to one of his attendants, instructing them to escort Aslı to the archives. As Aslı turned to leave, she grabbed Wolfram's arm with a familiar smile. "Come on, you're coming with me," she said with a lightness in her voice.
This act did not go unnoticed by the Kaiser, whose face betrayed a flicker of displeasure. He did not like how close Aslı had become to Wolfram. As a ruler, Kaiser Anno had political plans for his grandson—a strategic marriage that would strengthen the borders of his empire. Aslı's influence over Wolfram could derail those plans, and he was keenly aware of how easily Wolfram could be swayed by her presence.
Nonetheless, he said nothing, allowing them to leave together. Aslı led Wolfram down to the archives, where the air was thick with dust and the walls lined with ancient scrolls and manuscripts. They searched through the records carefully, and after some time, Aslı found what she had been looking for—a letter. She held it up, her eyes scanning the familiar writing on the parchment.
"It's from Timurtaş," she whispered, her voice filled with realization. "This letter was sent to Kaiser Anno."
As they stood there, the weight of the letter heavy in their hands, they both knew that this discovery could change the course of their lives—and perhaps even the fate of the empire.
As Aslı nudged Wolfram and whispered, "This letter is from Timurtaş," Wolfram's mind began racing. He leaned in, trying to get a better view as Aslı slowly opened the letter. The library, dimly lit by a single torch, felt intimate and secluded, with the soft crackling of the flames adding to the tension in the air. Wolfram was so close that he could smell the parchment and feel Aslı's breath as she spoke. The darkness surrounding them, with only the flickering light casting shadows on the walls, made the moment feel even more private, almost secretive.
As Aslı unfurled the letter, she glanced at Wolfram, her voice tinged with awe. "Look, Wolfram. This is Timurtaş's handwriting, and here's his seal." She ran her fingers gently over the wax seal, and her eyes sparkled with the realization of the value this letter held. "Do you realize how significant this is?" she asked quietly, her gaze locking with his.
Wolfram remained silent, but his heart raced as she began to read the letter aloud. The words carried the weight of Timurtaş's unmatched authority, and Wolfram could feel the immense power behind them.
"I am Timurtaş, the Khan of Türk-il. From the deserts of Mongolia to the Dresdre River in Eastern Europe, from Bukhara to Alexandria in North Africa, from the Levant to the Caspian Sea, and to the shores of the Black Sea—my rule is absolute across these lands. My authority is recognized and respected throughout.
I fought in many tournaments and most would fear to challenge me, but one never refused a challenge—a woman of great honor, Martha. Her loss is felt by all, and now, I shall take her son, Wolfram, under my protection. It is my duty to ensure he receives the education and training he is destined for.
A convoy has already been sent from Constantinople to retrieve Wolfram. Rest assured, in my care, he will face no harm. Instead, he will receive the finest education from the greatest scholars, learning High German, Shaz Turkish, Greek, and Latin. When he returns to you, he will not only be a knowledgeable ruler but a warrior fit for battle.
Kaiser Anno, once Wolfram completes his training, I will personally see to his safe return. This will strengthen the peace between our two realms and prepare Wolfram for the future political challenges he will undoubtedly face at our borders. His development is crucial for the realm's future."
As Aslı finished reading, the weight of the letter sank in for both of them. Wolfram was silent, his mind processing the enormity of what he had just heard. Timurtaş hadn't just sent a message—he had already dispatched a convoy, moving to take Wolfram without waiting for a response. The Kaiser had been left with little choice. Rejecting Timurtaş's request could have resulted in an invasion, with Timurtaş marching his armies straight into the Holy Roman Empire and forcibly taking Wolfram. Timurtaş's reputation was clear—when he wanted something, no one dared refuse.
Wolfram's chest tightened as he thought about his childhood, realizing now how little control he had over his own life. He had always been a pawn in Timurtaş's game, his destiny shaped by the khan's will. People had whispered about his parentage before, but now, hearing Aslı's words and seeing the evidence in Timurtaş's letter, it felt more real than ever.
Aslı turned to him, her face soft but serious. "Do you see now?" she asked gently. "Timurtaş saw you as someone special. His connection with your mother, Martha—everything he did, he did because of her. You're not a child anymore, Wolfram. Can't you see it now? Do you understand the relationship between your mother and Timurtaş?" She paused, letting her words sink in. "Have you ever wondered... what if Timurtaş was your father? Would you want him to be?"
Wolfram's heart skipped a beat. No one had ever said it out loud before. People had hinted at it, whispered behind his back, but never had anyone spoken the words directly to his face. Even Polish King Janusz had once mocked him, calling him "Timurtaş's bastard." But this—Aslı's words, delivered with such honesty—struck deeper than anything before. His thoughts swirled in confusion, and he found himself staring at Aslı, searching for answers he wasn't sure existed.
Aslı placed the letter gently on the table, her movements deliberate and slow. She turned toward Wolfram and stepped closer. With a soft touch, she cupped his face in her hands, her fingers brushing his cheek. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in the quiet of the dark library. Their faces were inches apart, and before Wolfram could process what was happening, Aslı leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips.
The kiss was gentle at first, but as Wolfram pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her waist, it deepened. Aslı whispered between breaths, "I know you're confused. But that's why I brought you here. We'll figure this out together."
Her words lingered in his mind as they continued to kiss, their connection intensifying. All the tension that had built between them over the years dissolved in those moments, replaced by something far more profound. The closeness they had always danced around had finally reached its peak, and their emotions were undeniable. They both felt a sense of release, as if all the walls between them had crumbled.
Just as they were lost in the moment, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Startled, they quickly broke apart, composing themselves before the librarian entered the room. They exchanged a glance, both of them stifling laughter at the near discovery. The situation had shifted dramatically between them, and now, neither could deny what had happened. The playful banter, the stolen glances—those days were behind them. This was something new, something far more real.
The librarian, an older man with a tired expression, shuffled into the room. "There are additional reports from your homeland," he said, addressing Wolfram. "Perhaps you'd like to review them, my prince? You don't need to bother yourself with these tasks at your age." Wolfram waved him off, dismissing him with a polite nod, and the librarian quickly retreated, leaving them alone once more.
Asli smiled, teasing him, "You really know how to get rid of people, don't you?"
Wolfram grinned, watching the librarian leave, his mind still reeling from what had just happened between them. "Well, I suppose I've learned a thing or two from you," he replied, his voice playful. Once the room was clear, they resumed where they left off, kissing once again, but this time without the weight of doubt hanging over them. They gave in to their desires, allowing themselves to be free for the first time in what felt like forever.
As they sat down later, still flushed from their moments of intimacy, they began examining more documents. It was clear that something had shifted between them; they were no longer just allies or friends—they had crossed into something deeper.
They spread out a large map and placed a report on top of it. The document detailed how Kılıç, one of Timurtaş's commanders, had led an army of 60,000 to rapidly conquer Eastern European territories. The report described how Kılıç had swiftly brought regions like Bavaria, the Teutonic Knights' lands, the Polish Kingdom, the Rus, and the Kievan Khaganate under Türk-il control. The leaders of those regions were stripped of their titles, and new governors from Türk-il were installed in their place.
Aslı pointed at the map, her finger tracing the conquered territories. "Do you see? Timurtaş did all of this... for your mother. When she organized tournaments to keep peace in the region, he saw an opportunity. He didn't even go himself—he sent Kılıç instead. And while Uluç was sick, Timurtaş was still pulling the strings. In the west, he had Kılıç; in the east, Uluç. And of course, there was Kara, who handled all the intelligence work."
She paused, glancing at Wolfram with a knowing look. "There's more here, Wolfram. These documents—these are just the beginning. Timurtaş, Uluç, Kılıç—they all left their mark. And now, it's your turn to decide where you fit in."
Before they could delve any deeper into the reports, their shared passion flared once again, and they gave in to their emotions, making love in the quiet of the library, hidden away from the world. Their connection, once strained by tension, had evolved into something undeniable. Together, they now faced not only their personal truths but also the complex legacies of Timurtaş and the empire that surrounded them.