Capítulo 52: Volume 6 – Chapter 7 – An Usless Meeting…
The next day the Sultan completed his preparations and, with our forces united, we marched northeast (the direction from which it was plausible to expect the Mongol army).
We walked for days without finding any source of water, stopping only when necessary.
In the morning we suffered from the stifling heat, and in the evening we froze (considering it's October, a time of year when wars rarely happen).
The situation was becoming unbearable; walking on foot in the desert for all these days would have exhausted anyone.
Until...
|Morning of October 25 – 1249 – Unknown location in the Middle Eastern desert – Attila|
<<Attila, it seems to me that crossing the entire desert was a horrible idea>> Rasha said, almost voiceless.
<<Shut up and walk; sooner or later, we'll get there>>
<<Get where??>>
I didn't answer that question; she should understand soon.
In the distance, I saw some people on horseback coming toward us. My mind was so wrecked from this journey that at first, they seemed like enemies. I thought it was over.
For a minute, I felt a sense of discomfort and resignation, almost ready to alert the troops.
Then I realized, fortunately, that they weren't Mongols but my scouts whom I had sent ahead.
When they approached, they said, <<Honorable Attila, reporting!>>
<<Tell me>> I said with a breathless voice.
<<We have two pieces of good news: first, the Mongols don't seem to be ahead of us; second, beyond the sand dune is the Tigris River. There you can refresh yourselves without any problems>>
FINALLY, I couldn't believe it! Once we knew the news, everyone made the final effort. The sight of the river from the hill brought joy to all of us, exhausted from the journey.
|Afternoon of October 25 – 1249 – Camp on the banks of the Tigris River – Attila|
Once they saw the water, everyone started running into it, some to drink, some to finally take a bath. After many were done, I ordered them to start building a large base camp.
The Sultan approached me after resting a bit and said, <<Finally some water. Have you recovered?>>
<<Yes, I'm fine now. For us, crossing that desert was hell. Who knows how the logistics and supply teams will manage>>
<<They'll manage somehow; my people are used to this hostile climate. Rather, how long have you planned to stay here?>>
<<Don't worry, we'll stay here. There's no sense in crossing the river; the Mongols have to cross it to attack us. We can easily exploit the advantage the river gives us. Not only is it one of the few places where there's water, but it also makes it very difficult for them to cross under our eyes because they would be easy prey for our arrows. They have an enormous numerical advantage, almost overwhelming, so I reserve the right to use the most vile strategies and all other advantages that nature has to offer>>
<<Well said, I also see no sense in crossing the river. Besides, there's only more desert and then the other river: the Euphrates. I fully agree with staying here. There's, however, an unknown factor: the Mongols. Did they choose this route too, or did they take the long way around and besiege our cities without us knowing?>>
<<Their army should have travelled for a long time, months if not years. From now on, I think they've simply chosen the shortest route to get here. In doubt, we have our network of scouts>>
It's known that information is among the most useful things ever, especially in war.
Knowing what the other is doing allows you to respond effectively and immediately.
At this moment, our army is camped on the banks of the Tigris, but even if the Mongols had taken this route, it doesn't mean we would find them in front of us.
They could cross the river from above or below us.
To remedy this lack of information, I have distributed my troops along a large portion of the river to be alerted if the Mongols are above or below us.
Moreover, on the other side, other scouts are exploring in depth to know if the Mongols are indeed coming more or less towards us.
|Morning of October 26 – 1249 – Camp on the banks of the Tigris River – Attila|
This morning I was awakened by worrying news.
Our scouts had a small skirmish with the Mongol vanguard.
Fortunately, they won and retreated.
This is a sign that the Mongols also used at least a minimal scouting system.
So it is certain that the entire army is on the other side of the river and approaching it.
Now I can recall many scouts from the other bank of the Tigris and deploy them elsewhere.
|Morning of October 28 – 1249 – Camp on the banks of the Tigris River – Attila|
Today, a servant of the Sultan woke me up.
He begged me to wake up and come out as soon as possible.
After getting dressed and mentally prepared, I left the tent.
I finally saw the Mongol army.
It was huge and imposing.
A horde of people ready to skin us without any mercy.
I reached the Sultan, keeping my eyes fixed on the enemy army.
<<Impressive, isn't it>> said the Sultan.
<<Yes, undoubtedly impressive>>
<<Look at those on horseback, that must be their leader>>
<<How did you figure that out? Because he's in front of everyone or because he's a mass of muscles?>>
<<Is this the time to joke, Attila?>>
|Morning of October 28 – 1249 – Camp on the banks of the Tigris River – Batu|
DAMN IT!
My fear has come true; they have already taken positions on the other side of the river.
I thought they would stay in their castles and cities like all the other idiots, thinking they were safe.
Instead, they came out to meet us and took an annoying position.
This makes it impossible to send my troops to assault them. Even if I wanted to, they were too tired to fight.
So I'll just enjoy some water after all this time in the desert.
|Morning of October 28 – 1249 – Camp on the banks of the Tigris River – Attila|
What seems to be their leader made a gesture and allowed the troops to approach the river to refresh themselves.
Normally, I would have poisoned the river, but without large quantities of poison, it's impossible, considering it would also be bad for us.
Or I could have told my archers to shoot since they are all in position.
But even though I am ready to use any vile tactic, this time I will leave them in peace.
We are significantly outnumbered, and even if we killed a few Mongols, it would only worsen relations.
I still want to keep the diplomatic route open; I want to fight only if necessary.
Shortly after, a Mongol man tried to cross the river; he was an emissary.
Our soldiers escorted him to us.
<<Good morning, I am an emissary of the Khan. I am here to speak with your leaders>> he said.
<<Yes, we saw you crossing the river to come here. What do you have to tell us>> replied the Sultan.
<<The Khan is magnanimous and wants to offer you a meeting>>
<<Sure, right! He is forced to! Do you think I didn't see his twisted face once he saw us on this side of the river?!>> I replied.
The emissary looked at me in silence.
<<Attila, calm down>> the Sultan told me.
<<I am calm, but it pisses me off how he is trying to convey the message that he wants a meeting because he is magnanimous and not because he is forced to!>>
<<Okay. Where does the Khan intend to hold this meeting?>> The Sultan asked the emissary
<<Do you see that island in the middle of the river? It's not large, but it is big enough to organize a meeting>>
The Sultan and I looked at that little island.
It is really small and has no strategic or tactical value, but it can be used as neutral ground.
<<So do you accept>> the emissary asked us.
We looked at each other, and I said, <<Yes, we accept. When do you want to hold the meeting?>>
<<The Khan told me to be ready in two days to meet you>>
Now he also wants to take some time to reorganize himself.
<<Okay, tell him we agree to talk with him in two days. Have a safe return, and be careful not to die. After all, hell is approaching, and you might catch a cold>>
Despite being a jibe, perhaps the emissary thought it was a genuine wish.
He thanked us and returned to the other side of the river.
The moment to meet this so-called new Khan is approaching.
|Morning of October 30 – 1249 – Camp on the banks of the Tigris River – Attila|
The sun beat down hard on our heads.
But it was nothing compared to the tension in the air since both armies had been staring at each other.
The Sultan and I had been on that little island for an hour while the Khan, in front of our eyes, went about his business.
And it was a ridiculous situation because while we seemed like idiots sitting on a damn little island, he acted as if he didn't even remember that he himself had asked for the meeting.
<<You know what, let's leave>>
<<But Attila..>>
<<Sultan, trust me. Let's leave>>
The Sultan and I got up and were about to go.
The Khan, noticing we were leaving, shouted, <<Okay, sorry, I'm coming now!>>
<<Did you hear that>>
<<Yes, he finally decided to stop fooling around>>
The Sultan and I sat back down on our chairs.
After the Khan prepared himself, he joined us on the little island.
He took his damn chair and sat across from us.
He said, <<Forgive the delay>>
<<Better late than never!>> I said.
The Sultan looked at me with an angry face.
<<You know what makes me laugh? That he thinks he's better than us and makes us wait while he does his own thing. This idiot thinks that by doing this, he establishes the hierarchy by making us wait for him. Look, you're so ridiculous that you deserved to be killed by a treacherous arrow when you were coming here>>
<<Have the youth of today always been so arrogant, Sultan>> replied the Khan, addressing my ally.
He deserves death, I am sure I will kill him.
But currently, I am not in the situation to do so, so I will hold back.
I sat down and let it go with a displeased face.
The Sultan ignored the question and decided to get straight to the point: <<So Batu Khan. Why did you decide to organize this meeting>>
<<What kind of question is that? I asked for this meeting to save time and human lives by giving you the chance to surrender immediately. I don't have much desire to fight>>
The Sultan and I remained silent; we were not so surprised, but we didn't think he would be so blunt in asking us like that.
The Khan, seeing that we were silent, said, <<What's the matter, why aren't you responding>>
I spoke up, <<Forgive us, dear Khan. As rulers, every day we have to hear a lot of crap. So our ears automatically filter the nonsense from the sensible. If we didn't respond to you, it's because you surely said something stupid, so forgive us, but if you want to repeat it, it would be helpful>>
The Khan was irritated: <<Will you stop being funny? Look, I don't understand what the members of the kurultai see in you...>>
<<So a group of elders from the other side of the world were interested in me>>
<<It seems so, they told me that to be the definitive Khan I had to destroy your kingdom. That's why I came here to fulfil this mission they gave me. Along the way, I heard a lot of good things about you. But in person, you leave much to be desired..>>
<<Well, forgive me if I made such an impression, the problem is I can't stand those who think they are superior to me for no reason>>
<<But I am. I am older than you and have fought many more battles than you. I am more trained and surely more experienced than you in combat. I also have a huge army, in fact, it's the largest army I've ever commanded. I am someone who has devastated Eastern Europe and subdued the principality of Moscow. Therefore, I am superior to you in every way, boy>>
Put that way, he's not entirely wrong: <<All true, but don't be arrogant. Otherwise, you will end up like those who underestimated me>>
The Sultan: <<In any case, Khan Batu, we have no intention of surrendering without a fight. So we reject your ultimatum>>
<<Are you stupid? Do you have eyes? Have you seen how many people I have behind me? Sure, you also have quite a few men, but they are not enough to stop me. Why do you want to come to a clash>> said the Khan.
<<Firstly, you are attacking us; if it were up to us, we would have stayed comfortably at home. Moreover, the modus operandi of you Mongols is not negotiations but exterminating everything in your path (as demonstrated by your famous campaign in Eastern Europe). So if you thought you could attack us, you would have already done so. But there's the river in between, and we fortified ourselves a few days before you. That's why you are trying to initiate at least some negotiations, but you started off on the wrong foot, which is normal since your people don't know what diplomacy is>>
<<The issue of the river is secondary, I wanted to, I can destroy you at any moment>>
<<Then why didn't you attack us as soon as your army was rested? At that point, there are two possibilities: option one, you are a coward; option two, you thought you couldn't do it easily. Which one do you choose>>
The Khan infuriated at that point, stood up and said, <<I see you are eager to get all your men killed. It's their fault for deciding to follow an overzealous brat and a senile old man. I swear I will kill you personally>>
After saying that, he left, without the Sultan and me adding anything more.
From that moment on, nothing happened in the following days.
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