Episode 140
Tekish took a deep breath, trying to calm his excitement. He splashed some cool water on his face and took a long drink.
When was the last time water tasted this refreshing? No matter how hard he tried to stay composed, the water sliding down his throat felt sweeter than any wine.
“Your Majesty, congratulations. This miraculous outcome surely means the divine has chosen you as the victor of this war.”
“If that’s true, then yes. But it’s too soon to celebrate.”
Despite his words, Tekish found it hard to suppress the smile tugging at his lips. Surely, the spies in Antioch must have set out around the same time as the others. Shouldn’t they have reported back by now? Why the delay?
“Do you still think there’s a chance they might be lying?”
“Honestly, no. The odds are one in a hundred thousand. If they’ve decided to stay here for a few days, it means Marshal is likely dead.”
“I agree.”
“But I still can’t wrap my head around it. How did they manage to kill him?”
Marshal was a figure of immense influence, and his death would indeed tilt the war in Khwarezm’s favor. The Crusaders would have known this too. Would they really have left him so vulnerable to an assassin’s strike in the midst of war? It defies logic.
“The Assassins were incredibly confident beforehand. Neither of us believed them, but perhaps their confidence was justified.”
“Hmm. For now, we have to assume so.”
“Or should we wait a bit longer? A report should arrive soon anyway.”
“That’s what I was thinking…”
Just then, the tent flap opened, and a guard entered.
“Your Majesty, a messenger from Antioch has arrived.”
“Oh! Finally. Bring them in at once.”
The messenger, who had been waiting outside, rushed in as soon as he received the Sultan’s permission.
“Your Majesty! I apologize for the delay. I—”
“Never mind that. Let’s get straight to the point. The Assassins claim they killed Marshal in Antioch. Is it true?”
“Yes, it is.”
”…!”
Tekish clenched his fists in a surge of joy at the messenger’s confirmation. He glanced at his son, who, usually so composed, was beaming with a broad smile. Tekish imagined he must look the same.
“Did you see Marshal’s body yourself?”
“No, but it’s almost certain. To explain, Marshal returned to Antioch to meet reinforcements from Hungary.”
“Indeed. It’s surprising how the Assassins got that information in advance.”
“Marshal was concerned about the prolonged chaos in Antioch due to the war, so he met with local leaders and merchants to hear their concerns. We weren’t in a position to enter the square directly.”
This matched the Assassins’ plan perfectly. The Syrian Assassins had been operating as merchants in Antioch for years, earning the locals’ trust. It wasn’t surprising they could gain access to the square where Marshal was.
“So, how did Marshal die in that square?”
“I wasn’t there to see it, but there was significant unrest in Antioch. After meeting the local leaders, Marshal and the Hungarian Crusaders were supposed to march out of the city. But Marshal didn’t appear, citing unforeseen circumstances. The Hungarian Crusaders have delayed their departure and remain in Antioch.”
“Marshal couldn’t attend the event, you say?”
“Yes, I’m certain. I stayed in Antioch longer to observe the situation, which is why I was delayed.”
“No, you made the right call.”
Even if Marshal hadn’t shown his face, it could have been due to a minor injury. In such cases, one must be cautious until everything is confirmed. Hearing the messenger’s report, Tekish’s earlier frustration melted away.
“If Marshal missed all his scheduled appearances, something must have happened. The Hungarian Crusaders must be at a loss.”
“Indeed. Hungary likely joined the Crusade hoping for spoils, but with the prophet dead, they must be bewildered.”
“Their faith in the Crusader alliance must be shattered. I would feel the same.”
“Rumors are rampant in Antioch that the prophet is ill. The Byzantines seem unable to counter these rumors effectively. In fact, they appear more confused.”
It’s over. This is enough confirmation.
“Alright, Muhammad, prepare the army. We’ll watch the Crusaders closely and strike when their confusion peaks.”
“Understood.”
“And prepare a feast. We promised the Assassins a grand reception, and we must keep our word.”
”…Will you really treat them lavishly?”
Tekish chuckled at his son’s puzzled reaction. It was proof they were thinking the same thing.
“Of course. It will be their last supper before leaving this world, so we should offer them the finest delicacies.”
“Ah, I see! I’ll ensure everything is prepared to the highest standard. We’ll give them a night they’ll never forget.”
The Assassins had indeed demonstrated their skills in this mission. Tekish acknowledged and admired their prowess. They were astonishing, awe-inspiring, and terrifyingly effective. But such people couldn’t be allowed to live. Though they were allies now, who knew when their blades might turn against him or his son?
Keeping Nur al-Din and Nasr here was partly to confirm Marshal’s death, but also to ensure they could be eliminated if necessary.
“They’ve earned their reward, so make sure their deaths are swift and painless.”
This was the greatest mercy Tekish could offer. His son, with a confident smile, nodded in agreement.
“Leave it to me. I’ll oversee the feast personally to ensure everything goes smoothly.”
Two days after confirming Marshal’s death.
“Hahaha! Thank you for waiting. It took a while to gather the finest ingredients due to the ongoing war.”
“No need to apologize. We’re deeply moved that Your Majesty personally prepared this for us.”
“Actually, it was my son who prepared it. But since he’s the future Sultan of Khwarezm, it’s as if I did it myself.”
“Of course.”
Muhammad had faithfully executed Tekish’s orders, organizing a grand feast. The spread included exquisite meats, fresh seafood kept on ice, and the finest wines reserved for the Sultan himself. Nur al-Din, Nasr, and the Assassins’ leaders were wide-eyed at the lavish display. It was understandable, given they had likely never seen such opulence.
After indulging in such luxury, they wouldn’t mind if today was their last, would they?
“Now, raise your glasses. In honor of your achievements, I will personally pour the wine.”
“Your Majesty, to receive such an honor…”
“Considering your accomplishments, you deserve this glory. As promised, your status will be recognized.”
Though it would be a posthumous honor, Tekish wasn’t lying. In the future, Nur al-Din and Nasr would be remembered as martyrs who sacrificed for Khwarezm.
“By the way, I’m curious about the details of how you killed Marshal. Would you share the heroic tale with us?”
“Certainly. Allow me to explain.”
Nasr, having downed the wine Tekish offered, stood up confidently to recount the story.
“First, I worked hard to gain the locals’ trust in Antioch. I bribed Byzantine officials and feigned sympathy with those wretched Christians.”
“Oh, everyone has their struggles.”
Tekish listened intently, refilling his glass. He planned to toss it into the air after draining it three times, marking the last moments Nur al-Din and Nasr would have their heads attached to their bodies. Still, he was genuinely curious about how the false prophet met his end, so he decided to drink more slowly.
Unaware of Tekish’s intentions, Nasr continued, reveling in his achievements and laughing heartily.
”…In fact, I had met Marshal before. He trusted me completely, without suspicion. Among Muslims, I was probably the one he trusted most.”
“But weren’t you even a little suspicious, given that we’re at war with the Muslims?”
“It’s a bit unfortunate, but merchants tend to prioritize their wallets over their beliefs. Marshall believed I was a merchant, so he thought that as long as he paid me, I’d be on his side.”
“That’s typical of merchants. Personally, I don’t care for them much. They’re the kind who’d sell out their country and religion for money. But it seems this time, their nature worked in our favor.”
Nasr continued to vividly recount how he had driven a dagger into Marshall’s heart and how laughable Marshall’s last words were.
The story was so lively that Tekish thought Nasr could have been a successful storyteller, not just an assassin.
Having heard enough, it seemed time to wrap things up. As Tekish poured his third and final drink, ready to finish it off, Nasr spoke again.
“Additionally, I’ve completed plans to use the network I’ve established in Antioch to sow discord among the Crusaders. If Your Majesty gives the signal, I can have them completely divided within a week. Shall we proceed?”
”…Pfft! Cough, cough! What did you say?”
Tekish, caught off guard, spat out his drink, not even realizing the spectacle he was making of himself. At the same time, he frantically signaled the assassins outside the tent to hold their positions.
Well, well, this changes everything, doesn’t it?