Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 8

 

8. 

The Janissaries, when they were to ride to battle, had their code of dressing. Their headgear was the Uskuf cap, or better known as the bork, the white hat with the long tail at the rear. Their uniform was a brightly coloured long tunic, a wide cloth belt, and a cape for protection from the heat and cold. Each Janissary carries a musket, the ‘trench gun’ as named by many. The Turkish weapon, "7 to 9 palms long," was used with great accuracy by the Janissaries, in which their firing outclassed that of the defenders by a long way.

When the time for the charge came, the Janissary soldier would sling his musket across his back and use his sword or dagger. The swords carried by them may be several: the Kilij, Pala, and Yatagan. They were light and greatly admired for their ease of use in battle. They also hold the Jamila dagger, a reliable weapon for close combat. They were made of steel and approximately six inches long. The daggers often had gold or silver inlay inscriptions and floral motifs. The variety in weaponry can be attributed to the fact that the individual soldier had to provide his own, and equipment could well have varied greatly from man to man.

Vlad and Radu were given the standard attire and sword. They had no muskets because their training was not complete. However, they were assigned the lance to use. The column consisted of a hundred Janissaries, of which a third were "yeni-cheri."

It was a test of their ability to be a Janissary. All the "yeni-cheri" carried the lances. The Şehzade of the Sultan administered Konya; the formerly independent principality of Karaman was annexed by the Ottomans; Mehmed II appointed his son, Mustafa, as governor of the new eyalet, with his seat at Konya. The Sultan assigns the Janissaries there to train in real conflicts.

Odabaşı (Lieutenant) Yuseff, a senior in the ranks, rode at the helm of the column. He was a veteran of many battles and was to lead his third column to rout the bandits there. He knew that the real task was to train the young ones in battle. These are all young men of the multinational ties, and their real loyalties are unproven yet. The officer surveys the terrain ahead. He halted the column and studied the surroundings.

It was a narrow valley with hills on both sides. It would be an ideal location for an ambush. The janissaries do not fear an attack, but they want to be prepared for any. He calls for three of his veterans to ride ahead on the right hill.

“Ride there, and do the lookout. Signal with the musket if you see an ambush.”

The scouts rode ahead and hiked up the hill. They reached the top and then looked to the other hill for any signs of ambush. The bandits are not trained to fight like the janissaries, but they are familiar with the hit-and-run methods. The veteran saw the hidden bandits, numbered at fifty-odd figures, huddled behind the bushes there. He then looked to his side of the hill and saw the twenty who were armed with muskets. He left the other two behind to keep watch and reported to the Odabasi.

The bigger threat was the musket bandits; they could cause damage to the column numbers. The others were fair numbers to be slaughtered.

“Take a group of twenty veterans to the hilltop. Fire on the musket holders. I will lead the "yeni-cheri" on the left hill to attack the ones there.” The Odabasi gave the orders.

“The others will ride into the valley as if we are not expecting any trouble. Once the battle begins, they will form the flankers to shoot at the bandits from their position. We will form the claws of death for them.”

Vlad had lost his lance and pierced the bandit in the torso. He could not pull the lance out from his mounted position on the horse. He had ridden uphill, and it was difficult to hold the reins while plunging the lance. He released his grip and kicked at the horse to climb. He then drew out the kilij with his right hand, while his left hand held the reins. He saw the bandit with his back to him, fighting off another janissary. Vlad rode to the bandit and slashed from the right to the left of the nape. It was a killing move.

The kill was done, and he was onto the next bandit. The bandits were retreating then, for they were outnumbered, and worse, their ambush had failed. Vlad spurred his horse to pursue on for the kills. He was relentless in his slashing, and his anger vented at the bandits. It was built up from the years of being held as a hostage and dreading the moment when his life was forfeited by the Sultan. He had seen others dragged away in the night or even at training.

“Vlad!’ The call reached his ear. He turned to look and saw Radu had dismounted. The latter was tending to a wounded "yeni-cheri."

“Jacques is wounded,” Radu called out. “He needs medical attention.”

There were a few healers among the Janissaries in the column, but in the heat of the battle, they were fighting for their lives then. The wounded must wait.

“Mount your horse, "yeni-cher"i.” It was another veteran who stopped by Radu. “He will learn not to get careless in battle. Now mount up.”

Radu looked to the veteran and then approached his horse. Vlad had retrieved the horse and handed over the reins.

“Jacques……” Radu looked at his brother.

“He is dead.” Vlad tossed the reins over to his brother. The reins were covered with blood—not of Radu’s but of the bandits killed by Vlad. Radu turned to look and saw that Jacques was dead. He had succumbed to his wound. He looked to the other Janissaries, who were then pursuing the fleeing bandits. He looked to the other hill and saw a similar scene.

“Blood everywhere…” Radu sighed. It was what he told Aylin soon after they returned to the palace. “There were all killings. The enemies were surrendering, and yet we killed them. No mercy was given.”

“No mercy was allowed in battle.” Aylin had taken the seat across from the young man then. She cannot be seen in public near him. It was prohibited by their faith. She had taken the excuse to bring the ointments to the wounded and sneak off to meet Radu at the far corner.

“Why must we kill?” Radu had questioned the acts. “Are we not to be merciful?”

“Mercy is the death we can offer them. If they are captured, they could be subject to a more painful death.” Aylin looked at the man. She had known him for some years, from a gentle lad to a younger man.

“Aylin, why must we kill?” Radu asked once more.

“Kill or be killed. You learned that in your training. That is the way of life here. For you or me, we are to do what others may do upon us.” Aylin sighed. She was not of the palace, but she was of the Ottoman Empire. Her family was well-to-do, traders of the wares, till her father was imprisoned and said to be a traitor to the Empire. He was tortured by the guards and made to sign a confession that he told the enemies of the military whereabouts. No denial was acceptable, and death was the mercy given. His family and business were forfeited and banished to the borders. It was the Sultana who knew the family had intervened and was given the one choice: select one who would serve you. She did, and Aylin, the youngest, was safe, as was the mother’s plea to the Sultana. The fate of the others was never known.

Aylin was under the protection of the Sultana and given some freedom to move around. She met the Wallachian brothers several years later and had since then grown her affection for one.

“Radu, I heard news that the Sultan has gathered a force to battle one named Juhn Hunyadi. The Hungarians had launched a military campaign against the Ottomans in the autumn. One named Vladislav, a Wallachian, accompanied him.”

“Vladislav is a relative of mine. I do not know him. We never met.” Radu looked at Aylin. “Does this mean that Vlad and I are …?”

“To be executed? I am unsure. The action of your relative may not reflect on you.” Aylin had fear in her voice. “We will not know.”

“I could appeal to the Sultan,” Radu said.

Unknown to him, Vlad was summoned to see the Vizier.

“The Grand Vizier Çandarlı Halil Pasha was summoned to see the Sultan because of one named John Hunyadi.” The vizier there addressed the young Wallachian. The Vizier there reports to the Grand Vizier, and it was the line of command of the palace. Vlad Tepes, a hostage of the Empire, was not privileged to meet the Sultan or the Grand Vizier. However, he was granted an audience with the Vizier.

“The Empire will not tolerate the action of the Hungarians against its people.” The vizier looked at the man who was prostrated on the floor. The Vizier had summoned the hostage there in his main hall. It was a grand hall, designed with the drawn motifs of the achievement of the empire and annotated with religious verses that claim to link the empire and God.

“I …”

“Silence, slave.” The Vizier cut off Vlad’s words. “I am to speak, and you are to ……. I was saying that the Hungarians had invaded our land. He rides with one named ….”

“Vladislav……” Vlad uttered the name. “He …”

“Silence, slave.” The Vizier once more cut off Vlad’s words. “I am to speak, and you are to ……. Why do you interrupt my words, slave?”

“I am not a slave, your excellency. I am a hostage of the empire. My father is Vlad…”

“I know, Vlad Tepes. I knew of your father. I was there when he surrendered you and your brother as guests of the Empire.” The Vizier looked at Vlad. “Your life here depends on the mercy of the Sultan.”

“I …” Vlad was to speak once more.

“One more sound from you, Vlad Tepes, and it will be your head impaled on the stake.” The vizier cautioned the young man. “Today may be your best day. God had mercy on you and your brother. Both of you will leave for Wallachia with the column of Janissaries and battle the Hungarians. You will defeat the Hungarian, and... I am unsure. Return here or stay there; that is up to the outcome of the battle.”

It was an opportunity for Vlad, but Radu declined it.

“I am not going. You may ride without me.” Radu said. “I refuse to battle my own people.”