1453: Revival of Byzantium - Chapter 485

“‎На берегу пустынных волн Стоял он, дум великих полн,”

“Upon the brink of the wild stream He stood, and dreamt a mighty dream.”

–        Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin

“Sanjek! Honourable Sanjek!”

The old Sanjek Hüseyin Çelik slowly came awake and found out that almost every single Ottoman noble are here crowding around him. “How long have it been since I fell?” The Sanjek opened his mouth in a frail tone. “Have I wasted any time?”

“No honourable Sanjek, you have only f… rested for around two minutes, it is not a big deal, everything is still perfectly under control.”

“Good… Good… Get me up.”

The nobles quickly got their sovereign up from the ground and eyed him with panic and anticipation with the question of what they are going to do next all in their sight. The Sanjek knows that he has to say something, he has to do something. As long as his war banner is still flying high above the sky and his head is still here intact to his neck, he is the icon and the backbone of the army and facing the impending threat from their butt they are the most united and obedient at this moment. But there is only one thing, that is he must lead the men out of this place going back for rescue to order to keep up the regimentation, if not these nobles shall soon take things into their own hand.

Though in order to deal with another threat back in their home, it is impossible to ignore the present threat and left their back exposed to the enemy’s spears, so that would only mean one thing for the Sanjek.

“Everyone, gather before me.” The old Sanjek called out as he went back to his seat while the others stood or kneel before him. “I have made up my mind, we need to face the enemies all the way at our back to save our heartland. But we shall need to finish the enemy before us first in order to secure our back, do all of you agree on that?”

Hearing that the Sanjek need them to confront those ferocious and barbaric infidels outside the noble men and lords here in the tent started hesitating again, even at this point of time these big and small warlords and nobles are still thinking about achieving the most benefits for themselves while suffering the least amount of loss, at least that is the idea that they are showing on their faces in the eyes of the Sanjek. The Sanjek is deeply disappointed by these people, but of course he would not express it on his face unlike that lost young man Semseddin.

“Do not worry, my sons!” The Sanjek called out halting all the complaints within these noble men. “It is all my fault, my fault that I did not foresee that Albanon scumbag Skanderbeg to have such a wit to challenge me at this point of time, so I shall take the full responsibility this time round! I assure you people! My troops shall be all the way in front, and they shall engage the enemies first, and I personally shall be there to repent my strategical mistakes by charging in front.”

Following these reassuring words, the debates and quarrels of the nobles quietened down by a lot, with some now kneeling on the ground now begging the Sanjek not to volunteer himself in dangerous grounds, behaving like they actually cared so much about the Sanjek almost showing tears in the corner of their eyes. The Sanjek too looks to be touched by them, he gave a pat on the shoulder of each of them kneeling and comforted them, saying that he shall not risk his own safety so easily before he fulfils the responsibility of the entire army.

The rest of the nobles started kneeling and seeking pardon from the Sanjek, with some of them even shedding tears and covering their face with their arms in the process. While their sovereign the Sanjek in turn started giving them a speech on how they shall be able to defeat the infidels and overcome the obstacles, assuring them again and again that he shall be the one that will bring all the people here back home safely to exterminate the threat of the Albanons. This scene looked just like a wonderful picture whereby a motivating and amiable elder ruler is addressing to a group of ernest and loyal followers.

“My son Emir, I shall need you to guard my left flank, for you always have a pair of eyes that are as sharp as the eagles in the skies and the endurance of an oxen, be sure to have a pair of watchful eyes to all enemy activities and if they do, deter them. Those Rumelians always love to attack our brave Ottoman sons from our left, beware.”

“May the Might and Merciful Allah bless you, my lord.”

“My son Hussein, I shall need you to secure my right flank, for you always have showed your courage that is like the Aslan in the grasslands and ferocious like the vultures preying down on the dead. You shall strike like an arrow flying through the field stabbing right into the heart of the Rumelians when I ordered you to do so, our victory shall be dependant on you.”

“Allah is the greatest! Allāhu ʾakbar!”

“My son Süleyman, I shall need you to protect my central army, for you always have showed your strategic planning like the wolves hunting in pecks and the terror of a crocodile in the Nile. You shall form the backbone of the formation, your existence shall be the most important, this battle you shall take over our dear Semseddin may the Mighty Allah have mercy on him, listen to my order and when I order you to reinforce any of my regiments fighting in the front, please do not hesitate to do so and if I require your troopers to step up and fight, I expect you to have the ferocity of Semseddin.”

“I shall not disappoint you! Honourable Sanjek! And I shall prove myself a more capable being than Semseddin!”

The Sanjek nodded his head with satisfaction, now there are only two posts left, the rear guard and the pioneers. These two positions are fairly important for a few reasons, but the most important out of them is that the rear guard shall has the most convenience when it comes to escaping, as there is no possibility of the enemies manoeuvring to their back with the existence of this war and the narrow landscape behind them. While for the pioneers everyone knows, it is a post that can acquire the most loot and reward but for today, it shall mean the most death and suffering.

The Sanjek glanced around, then suddenly his sight is focused on a man who has been quiet for most of the time since the start of the meeting, that is the leader of the Rumelian infantry regiment Adrianos Chronoulis. “Adrianos! My loyal commander!” The Sanjek called giving Adrianos a surprise. “What role are you and our Rumelian men are willing to take up for this battle?”

Adrianos instantly realised that this question can easily give away his whole life if he is not careful enough about his answer, as this is obviously not just a military decision question but also a test of loyalty. Blood started gushing up to his head allowing him to think with all of his brain juice. In just two second’s time he has already made up his mind as Adrianos kneeled onto the carpet burying his head low. “Your highness! My men and I are always willing to take up the most challenging and dangerous role in the army! I want to serve you! I want to serve the Sultan! Please, put me on the most dangerous front, I shall be the pioneer!”

The Sanjek looked down at the head of the Rumelian commander before him and nodded without giving any emotion on his face. “Don’t worry, I shall not give you that position, for I know that the two infantry regiment you have now are not even half strengthen. I know that you, as my old servant that has served me for more than a decade, is entirely loyal towards me and the Sultan. And so, I shall assign you the equally important role of rear guard, I hope that you shall have the mobility of a horse and always assist us when we need you and your men to be there.”

“I shall follow our order, even if there are knives and lava ahead, your highness.” The sword that has been stuck in Adrianos’ throat finally landed with the last words of the Sanjek, he literally felt the Sanjek’s eye sight moving at him a while ago making him feel like it is a blade that is assessing which part of him is the easiest to cut through.

But soon as his mind came to rest, another old thought started forming up in his head.