Capítulo 52: Kilij of Arslan
[Köşk Höyük ,Kemerhisar, Central Anatolia, Karamanids Ottoman Beylik]
A formidable force, consisting of tens of thousands of Mamluks, surged toward Kayseri, an Ottoman stronghold.
Despite its significant size, the Mamluk army mainly comprised mercenaries and vassal states.
At the forefront of this imposing force was Al-Mustakfi, an Egyptian prince and half-brother to the reigning Mamluk Sultan, Al-Mu'tadid II.
Motivated by a fierce desire to showcase his military prowess for the Islamic cause, Al-Mustakfi sought his brother's approval to engage the Ottoman forces in Anatolia.
Alongside his trusted advisors, particularly the sagacious strategist Uthman ibn Sa'aid, he aimed to decisively end the war.
Assuming the title of a skilled commander, destined to become the Sultan and Caliph of the Islamic Ummah in the Middle East, Al-Mustakfi aspired to prove his battlefield valor.
Despite John VIII Palaiologos' post-Ottoman Rumelia collapse achievements casting a shadow, Al-Mustakfi asserted his superiority over the co-emperor, driven by unwavering self-belief.
He endeavored to secure a victory against their key rival, the Ottoman Empire.
"Ya Sayid Uthman, what chances do we have against these Turkish savages?" Al-Mustakfi inquired, addressing his advisor who rode a camel alongside his palanquin.
"Ya sahib al-sumui, predicting the future is a challenging task. However, prevailing against Orhan Ozturk will indeed be a formidable task," Uthman replied with respect.
"Are you implying we might lose? That's unthinkable!" retorted Al-Mustakfi, displeased.
"Ya sahib al-sumui, that isn't what I meant,"
Uthman explained, continuing,
"We need a smart strategy for his defeat. Despite recent setbacks, the Ottomans' power is undeniable. Their Sultan, though not to be underestimated, also has competences."
"...So you are suggesting the Roman co-emperor is superior? How do I know you're not ridiculing me?" Al-Mustakfi, his brows furrowed, cast an intense, bloodthirsty gaze on Uthman.
"I would never dare to do so, ya sahib al-sumui. Please do not misinterpret my words," the strategist, unperturbed by Al-Mustakfi's piercing glare, calmly replied.
"What I intended to convey is that underestimating the enemy, merely because they've suffered a defeat in one war, should not lead us to perceive them as weak.
"As for the Roman co-emperor, I acknowledge his capabilities, however, he is a young leader, with limited exposure to the complexities of the world."
"Meanwhile, ya sahib al-sumui, you embody the future of our faith and people."
"Your status surpasses even that of a revived empire, and drawing parallels between yourself and a fledgling leader is akin to comparing a tiger to a cub."
Al-Mustakfi chose to remain silent, refraining from responding to Uthman's praise, as the army maintained its steady pace along the winding road toward Tyana.
On the Ottoman side, Orhan Ozturk had efficiently reorganized his men on the field of Tyana, anticipating the imminent arrival of Al-Mutakfi's army.
As he awaited the enemy, he gathered his officers for a strategic briefing, detailing troop allocations and battle plans.
"The Arabs have brought with them significant numbers of lightly armed cavalry."
"I anticipate they'll employ harassment tactics to disorganize our lines before deploying their Mamluk slaves for a frontal assault,"
Commented one of the officers, facing Orhan, who was deep in contemplation.
"Typical... the same maneuver. Do they never tire of this?"
Scoffed another officer, expressing disdain for what he deemed an outdated tactic.
"Be cautious; Al-Mustakfi is among them, along with their sage, Uthman ibn Abu Sa'aid,"
Cautioned another, adding,
"The prince is a proven commander, having crushed every major rebellion in their territory, maintaining peace. As for the strategist, he's elusive—everything he touches turns to ashes. Underestimating them could be fatal."
"You..." Before the officer who scoffed earlier could retort, a stern voice interrupted him and the others.
"Silence... we are here to discuss how we can defeat the invaders, not to comment on what they might do or how well their leaders have performed,"
Declared Orhan Ozturk, overseeing his officers, who lowered their heads in acknowledgment.
"I need you to strategize on how best to deploy our Ghazis effectively in this upcoming battle."
"The Sipahis have a crucial role in safeguarding our rear."
"They should focus on repelling any breaches in our lines and restructuring our infantry on the frontline."
"Meanwhile, the skirmishers should stay on course, directing their arrows specifically at the most pivotal rearguards of the Arabs and, of course, neutralizing their light cavalry."
Drawing lessons from the catastrophic Battle of Constanta, where the Sultan rashly ordered a cavalry charge into the exposed flanks of the Roman-Bulgarian combined forces, falling into a trap in the process.
Orhan is determined to avoid a repetition of such a disaster in this campaign.
Instead, he prioritizes caution and vigilance, ensuring a more strategic and measured approach to the impending conflict.
The briefing extended until its culmination when a scout entered the tent, interrupting the proceedings.
"Vizier, the Arabs have been sighted on the horizon! They are organizing their formations, and their emissary requests a meeting with you."
Orhan and his officers, brows furrowed, maintained a stoic expression. The moment had arrived.
Facing an Arab force of 80,000, the Turks deployed only 40,000 troops to counter the invasion, finding themselves moderately outnumbered two to one in favor of the Arabian caliphate.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Ottomans held a geographical advantage. Positioned on higher ground across the battlefield, they aimed to leverage their terrain advantages rather than relying solely on numerical strength.
Concluding the briefing, Orhan, accompanied by his Janissary corps guards, mounted his heavily armored horse. They set out to meet the emissary awaiting him in the field between the two armies.
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"Commander, why the hostilities? Despite the ongoing truce, I am here as a consequence of our alliance with the Romans," replied Al-Mustakfi, his tone laced with a touch of jest.
"However, let me clarify that, far from being aggressors, we see ourselves as arbitrators in this situation. Yet, there is more to our presence. Your people have persistently raided our vassals in Cilicia, prompting numerous complaints. We are here to address these grievances, and failing to do so would risk our Caliph losing face."
"With that in mind, I must insist that you relinquish control of a portion of your coastal land from Icel to Tekke, in addition to surrendering Kayseri and Karaman."
The conversation took an ominous turn as Al-Mustakfi's face darkened, revealing an unsettling smile.
The Turkish commander found these claims and demands to be unfounded and outrageous, his eyes turning bloodshot red.
"Impudence! What kind of deception is this?"
Raids? Surrendering territories? Instead of seeking resolution through dialogue and mediation, it seems more like a display of invasion.
This doesn't sit well with Orhan, nor does it sit well with the guards surrounding him.
At this point, it's essentially a declaration of war—one lacking any justification or valid casus belli. It's, without a doubt, an aggressive war.
Al-Mustakfi retained his smile as he observed the Turkish commander's enraged expression. It was a victory in his psychological warfare.
"Enough of this insolence! Let us meet face to face, warrior to warrior. Send forth your greatest warriors, and let us engage in a duel to the death!"
Orhan bellowed his declaration, proposing a deadly duel as the starting point for the conflict between the two armies.
Thus began one of the greatest battles in recorded history. While accounts of this historical clash vary, such details are perhaps inconsequential, aren't they?
At this juncture, Orhan was resolute in demonstrating the might of the impudent Arabs facing him with the Kilij of Arslan—the very sword that instilled fear in all who encountered the Seljuks and brought an end to the Romans in Anatolia.
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"Ahmet! Unleash the spirit of our ancestors upon these Arabs! Tanrı en büyüktür!"
Facing Ahmet was the first adversary for the Ottoman Turks, a formidable figure from the Arab contingent.
This Arab champion wielded an oversized axe that towered over him, prompting some to question whether such a massive weapon could be swung swiftly enough to avoid the rapid retaliation of a sword at his neck.
Ahmet remained undaunted. As a janissary, he had been trained from a young age to be the deadliest weapon for the Ottoman Sultan.
Rather than exuding fear, he emanated a fierce fighting spirit.
Recognizing that handling such a hefty axe required great strength and balance, Ahmet also understood its drawback – a sacrifice of speed for increased damage.
Consequently, he needed to utilize his agility as an advantage, relying on speed rather than sheer strength to bring down his formidable opponent.
"Hassan! Defeat that savage Turk! Strike from his hair to his waist!"
Shouted the Arabs to their champion, oblivious to the irony that it was their own champion who appeared savage rather than the Turks they implied.
"Huarrrghhh!" Hassan replied with a battle roar that echoed throughout the battlefield, establishing his imposing figure and presence in the hearts of those with fickle courage.
Both opponents cautiously closed the gap between them, meticulously studying each other's movements.
Ahmet kept his scimitar close to his round shield as he advanced towards Hassan. Simultaneously, Hassan tightly clutched his axes near his chest and neck.
As the two warriors engaged in close-quarters combat, it was Hassan who took the initiative with a charge akin to that of a bull, while Ahmet maintained his position, relying on his shield.
The duel was now in full swing.
Hassan's forceful charge momentarily pushed Ahmet back a few steps, but the Ottoman warrior adeptly defended himself, avoiding a fall to the ground—a feat that elicited cheers from the Ottomans and disappointed groans from the Arabs.
"Come on, Hassan! You can do better!"
Shouted one of the Arabs, expressing dissatisfaction with Hassan's performance.
Seizing on the distraction caused by the discontented remark, Ahmet capitalized on Hassan's momentary lapse in focus and initiated his own charge.
Sensing the imminent threat, Hassan swiftly turned to face the charging Turk, wielding his axe in an attempt to halt the oncoming assault.
Agile and quick, Ahmet deftly evaded the swinging axe, sidestepping with nimble precision to successfully avoid the attack and bring his charge to a conclusion.
Irritated by the unfolding situation, Hassan persistently swung his axe at Ahmet.
Displaying nimble agility, Ahmet rolled to the ground, skillfully evading the attacks.
Unbeknownst to Hassan, his relentless assault unwittingly drained his energy, rendering him vulnerable as he continued pressing forward in an attempt to corner and exhaust his opponent.
Gasping for breath, Ahmet seized another opportunity, sacrificing defense by pushing his shield aside to gain more speed as he charged towards Hassan once more.
Unable to match the sudden shift, Hassan hastily retreated, attempting to increase the distance between them while preparing his axe for another swing.
However, it was too late, as Ahmet's nimble footwork and speed swiftly closed the gap.
With a deft swing of his sword, Ahmet targeted Hassan's right leg and then thrust it into his abdomen.
"Arghhh!" Hassan's anguished cry echoed as he swung his axe in desperation, attempting to land a blow on the nimble Turk.
Although the axe connected with Ahmet, the strike only resulted in a superficial injury, narrowly avoiding anything fatal. The onlookers, both armies held in suspense, watched the thrilling duel unfold. Both combatants bore wounds, adding an extra layer of intensity to the already captivating confrontation.
"You rat bastard!" Hassan, consumed by rage and seemingly oblivious to his injuries, charged at the Turk in a final, determined attempt to dispatch him swiftly.
Unfazed, Ahmet held his ground, poised to counterattack. Hassan, undeterred by the prospect of confrontation, roared and swung his axe.
However, Ahmet skillfully sidestepped the swing, evading it like a matador eluding a bull, and positioned himself behind the charging Hassan.
Gripping his scimitar tightly, Ahmet struck at Hassan's left arm, the very point where the axe pivoted. Another agonized roar erupted from the imposing Arab as he relinquished his axe, clutching his torn and bleeding shoulder.
To end Hassan's suffering, Ahmet approached slowly, scimitar in hand. With a decisive strike, he severed Hassan's head from his neck. The decapitated head was raised high, met with thunderous cheers from the Turks that resonated across the battlefield. In stark contrast, the demoralized Arabs lay in silence.
Click.
"What a waste of time. Sound the horn! First line, march forward!"
Al-Mustakfi, growing bored with the spectacle, promptly ordered his troops to initiate the battle right after the duel concluded.
"I don't think that is wise, ya sahib al-sumui," advised Uthman. His concern was met with a nonchalant response from the Egyptian prince.
"Don't you see how my men look like they are already lost? Rather than making them appear defeated, launching the first attack is what wins wars, not some useless duel."
He cared not for honor, recognizing it as a luxury afforded only to the fortunate. Though aware that as a warrior, he couldn't fully embrace the dogma that a duel is sacred.
He personally believed that death in battle is more honorable than engaging in a meaningless duel over pride.
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