Grand Vizier's Aid

[Saray-ı Cedid-i Amire, Edirne(Adrianople}, Rumelia]

The Sultan's palace bustled with frenetic movement, as palace servants hurried back and forth, creating a constant swirl of activity that seemed to engulf the regal grounds.

The cause of this unusual commotion remained shrouded in uncertainty, but over the past week, the intensity of the activity within the palace had surged.

Soldiers traversed the palace's expanse ceaselessly, engaged in the delivery and exchange of urgent messages.

The once-stately atmosphere now vibrated with chaos, an unprecedented level of disorder that hadn't been witnessed since the momentous inauguration of Sultan Mehmed I.

Within the opulent expanse of the palace's throne room, where the Sultan held his seat of power, a confluence of advisors, generals, and dignitaries assembled.

This chamber was in a perpetual state of agitation, incessantly interrupted by a steady torrent of reports originating from the far reaches of the empire's provinces.

Prominently evident was a surge in reports hailing from the Bulgarian frontier, painting a vivid picture of escalating developments in that region.

Conversely, on the Anatolian front, the reports largely narrated successful endeavors in repulsing the Mamluk incursions.

Nevertheless, an undercurrent of concern was steadily gaining momentum, fueled by the relentless string of skirmishes with the Sultanate.

Each engagement carried the weight of not only diminishing the empire's border strength but also jeopardizing the safety of the carefully shielded Beyliks.

The countenances of Sultan Mehmed I and his trusted Grand Vizier displayed a disconcerting distortion, their brows furrowed with concern. Beyezid Pasha could never have foreseen the magnitude of the Arab incursions that had unfolded.

Despite the deployment of one of their most formidable generals, Orhan Öztürk, to safeguard the Anatolian borders, the reports from the eyalet painted a contrasting reality.

What had initially appeared as mere raids orchestrated by the Armenian vassals of the Sultanate had unraveled into a larger assault, encompassing the entirety of the southern Rum elayet.

Within the opulent expanse of the throne room, the atmosphere grew increasingly solemn as heated debates swirled among the advisors. One by one, suggestions were proffered to the Sultan, who occupied the elevated seat of the sofa throne, his head held in contemplative repose.

As the air thickened with discussions and the barrage of suggestions continued, the Sultan's patience began to wane, irritation simmering beneath his outward composure. His gaze shifted to his trusted Grand Vizier, Beyezid, whose demeanor exuded both calmness and a shared sense of vexation brought about by the incessant arguments.

Amidst the crescendo of voices, the Sultan's tone remained composed yet laden with an underlying annoyance. He directed his inquiry to his Grand Vizier, seeking guidance in the midst of the tumultuous counsel.

"Beyezid, what course of action do you believe is prudent in this unforeseen situation? It appears to have strayed far from our calculated expectations."

Indeed, the unfolding circumstances were far from what he had anticipated.

Not long ago, he had operated under the assumption that the Sultanate would regard their activities with caution, particularly as they methodically quelled the uprising of Bulgarian insurgents.

Moreover, bolstered by the increasing deployment of forces in Anatolia, a strategic move to stabilize the war-ravaged region that had once been the epicenter of the Interregnum.

In his strategic calculus, the decision to appoint Orhan had been a calculated one. Orhan, second only to the Grand Vizier in terms of trust, was a logical choice to exert influence and assert dominance over the Turkish populace.

Yet, the current trajectory suggested a disheartening reversal, a gradual unraveling of the stability he had labored to establish over the course of months.

It seemed the Arabs had adopted a cunning approach, exploiting the vulnerabilities of the meticulously stabilized region, causing the very fabric he had painstakingly woven to fray in unsettling ways.

"We must place our trust in Orhan and his men, my Sultan. At this moment, there is little else we can do, especially when faced with the greater problem at hand," Beyezid Pasha calmly responded, his words carrying a sense of resignation in the midst of the impending chaos.

As he stroked his beard, Beyezid Pasha exuded an air of wisdom, a steady presence amidst the turbulent circumstances that surrounded them.

Prompted by the Grand Vizier's reminder, a cold glint entered the Sultan's eyes. The Bulgarians, whom he initially perceived as docile, had transformed into something more menacing, akin to rabid dogs, following the edict he had issued a few weeks prior.

The policy he had implemented had shown promising results initially, quelling unrest for a time. However, this fragile peace shattered abruptly.

Reports flooded in of violent attacks against Turkish communities and colonies, the frequency of which had reached an alarming level.

The capital of the vilayet, Tarnovo, had fallen into chaos.

The very walls meant to protect it had become a battleground, as thousands of armed Bulgarian men stormed the city without warning.

Their unexpected assault resulted in the death of the city's Beyleybey, a striking blow to the once-stable status quo.

The Sultan had initially agreed to send a contingent of janissaries as reinforcement to aid in the recapture of the city.

However, upon their arrival, an enigmatic turn of events unfolded—once again, the insurgents seemed to melt into obscurity, leaving behind nothing but a landscape of ruins.

Unbeknownst to many, the Sultan's decree had effectively wiped out a substantial portion of the city's inhabitants.

Those who remained were the compliant subjects who had bowed to the Sultan's terms, while vast stretches of the urban landscape had transformed into desolate ghost towns.

As the newly arrived janissaries stepped into the city's confines, they were met with a scene that confounded their expectations.

The fallen bodies of both sides lay intertwined, a testament to the recent clash, yet no signs of infighting were evident upon their arrival.

The city had descended into an eerie stillness, days of quietude casting a perplexing shadow over the scene. The testimonies of the remaining residents echoed consistency, further bewildering the janissaries.

"From whence did the rebels emerge? It's as though they materialized from thin air, instigating chaos that pushed the city to the precipice of devastation," the janissaries reported.

"Prisoners who had been apprehended during our operations have vanished—none were left behind. Even the foreign priests who were incarcerated in the dungeons have vanished without a trace. Women and children, too, have disappeared. We conjecture that this assault was a meticulously orchestrated maneuver executed by the Bulgarians to liberate their captive kin. We scoured the city diligently for concealed passages, yet our efforts yielded no results. This leaves us with but one conjecture—that somehow, a guide facilitated their ingress into the city. However, this notion remains unconfirmed,"

The janissaries meticulously detailed their findings in their reports, a narrative that stoked growing ire within both the Sultan and the Grand Vizier. Yet, this was only the beginning, as parallel incidents unfurled across the entirety of the vilayet.

Sofia, Vidyne, Nikopol, and each prominent urban center echoed with accounts mirroring the same sequence of events.

This unprecedented wave of events further confounded the upper echelons of the empire, particularly the Grand Vizier, who found themselves astounded by the abrupt audacity displayed by the Bulgarians.

It was a boldness that shattered his preconceived notions, challenging his prior perception of them as mere timorous and ignoble entities.

"The journey seems to have only intensified the ferocity of these hounds, as though your counsel, esteemed Grand Vizier, has yielded nothing but this," the Sultan remarked, his voice glacial, masking an undercurrent of tension perceptible to the astute Grand Vizier, a figure he both respected and dreaded.

"This struggle is but a finite chapter, my Sultan. With your permission, we can dispatch our elite forces to every province, reinforcing local authorities and bolstering our suppression of the rebels,"

the Grand Vizier replied with a knowing smile, acknowledging the implied rebuke while maintaining an air of composed serenity.

"Carry out your plans as you deem appropriate, Beyezid. I will not waste words on matters beyond my dominion. My focus remains resolute on advancing the dreams of our forebears,"

Mehmed I declared, a glimmer of determination replacing the chill in his gaze as his thoughts rekindled the age-old ambition for the elusive prize known as the 'Golden Apple'—the great city of Constantinople.

Yet, whispers of its recent resurgence gnawed at the Sultan's thoughts; if substantiated, his endeavor would prove even more perilous than those of his ancestors.

The enigmatic co-emperor had been the nucleus of it all, yet after a week's passing, news concerning him inexplicably ceased. His spies and informants within the city failed to trace any sign of the co-emperor's whereabouts.

Still, this was a trivial concern. The advent of a prodigious heir would not avert their empire's preordained destiny, regardless of their efforts.

The Sultan could only commiserate with the co-emperor's circumstances, musing that he should perhaps blame his deity for placing him in that dilapidated empire, resigned to its impending fate.

While the co-emperor's recent actions had impressed him, particularly the introduction of a novel Roman game, the Sultan dismissed it as mere folly.

'What game can salvage them from decline? Games cannot fortify armies.'

He found amusement in the Romans' attempts to evade their misery—a genuinely pitiable defunct empire with a forgotten legacy.

His secondary objective remained to swiftly quell the current situation, propelling him closer to realizing his age-old aspiration—to conquer Constantinople and claim the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Despite their disparities, the Ottoman Sultan's fervor to seize the city remained unwavering. However, the pressing issues plaguing his realm demanded his immediate attention. Grudgingly setting aside his grand designs, he acknowledged that safeguarding his empire's stability took precedence.

"A message arrives from Pasha Emir of Köstence," declared a herald stationed outside the imposing doors of the palace.

Another report emerged from the Bulgarian province, marking a growing pattern rather than an isolated incident. Despite the repetitive nature of these reports, the Sultan maintained a composed demeanor, allowing the messenger to recount their story without interruption.

"In the presence of the esteemed Pasha Emir, my honored Sultan, I beseech your wisdom for reinforcements to quell the recent surge of rebels encroaching upon our territory," the messenger began respectfully, his words carrying the weight of urgency from the distant city of Constantia.

"The disheartening fall of the fortress into the hands of the detestable Bulgarians, coupled with their recent victory against our forces, presents a grave threat. Suspicions arise that the Romans have lent their support to this insurgency, as echoed by those who claim to have discerned Greek voices amidst the rebels' ranks, accompanied by the ominous manifestation of the dreaded hellfire on the battlefield," the messenger continued, his voice unwavering.

"I implore His Magnificent Sultan to extend the strength of his army, assisting this humble servant in eliminating these impending dangers. Reports from my soldiers indicate that the rebel numbers have swelled to the tens of thousands. I fear this multitude could not only annihilate the troops within my city's walls but also jeopardize the very fabric of our empire. Thus, I humbly entreat Your Sublime Majesty's intervention in this critical matter."

The messenger concluded, his forehead touching the palace floor.

Mehmed I, alongside his Grand Vizier, encircled by advisors and ministers, listened to these pleas numerous times before, leaving them more disinterested than helpless or frustrated.

"First, it was the Franks; then the Venetians; after, the Wallachians; and now, the Romans," the Sultan began, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"I wonder what's next—will all of Europe join the rebellion? Perhaps they'll initiate a crusade in favor of the insurgents?"

"This perpetuates the image of my pashas as feeble and ineffectual. I often ponder why my revered father appointed them to such positions in the first place," the Sultan mused, his words echoing in the palace's hushed atmosphere.

Emerging from his throne, the Sultan rose to his feet, a weariness in his demeanor that spoke of the burdens he bore.

"I find myself fatigued, dear Grand Vizier. I trust you to address this matter at hand. My expectation is to receive more favorable tidings in the future, rather than be confronted with these persistent vexations that appear to showcase their ineptitude," he gently reminded the Grand Vizier before departing, accompanied by his retinue of attendants and guards.

In observance of this departure, the Grand Vizier offered a respectful bow, a gesture mirrored by the assembly of ministers and advisors who lowered their heads in deference as the Sultan made his deliberate exit from the grand chamber.

With the Sultan's figure gradually receding from view, Beyezid Pasha emitted a quiet click of his tongue, a subtle sign of exasperation, as he straightened his posture. He turned his attention once again to the messenger from Constantia, his gaze steady and composed.

"Listen attentively and convey this message forth. Inform your pasha that the Sultan, in his 'generosity,' contemplates dispatching reinforcements. However, the realization of such aid rests solely upon his actions and decisions," the Grand Vizier pronounced with deliberate authority.

Turning to the ministers and advisors, he continued, "I trust each of you to fulfill your duties with diligence. This incident reflects poorly on our esteemed Sultan. I expect such matters to be managed seamlessly without burdening him with trivialities," he admonished, his tone carrying the weight of command.

"Your orders are our command, esteemed Grand Vizier," the ministers and advisors chorused in reply. Despite their synchronized response, their expressions revealed a mixture of irritation and a sense of resignation.

"First, let us resolve the predicament in our capital; I want all available troops to reinforce the pashas. From this point forward, our focus shifts to quelling the rebellion," the Grand Vizier proposed to the chamber, his voice resounding with authority.

And so, the situation at the Ottoman capital remained—a struggle to respond effectively to the rebellion and the Mamluk incursions. Yet, this unfortunate circumstance played into John's hands, aligning with his expectations.

As the anticipated day of the city of Constantia's occupation drew ever closer, a tapestry of events began to unfurl during this period.

From Stefan's activities in Tarnovo, to the Mamluks strategically deploying their forces in Cilicia, poised to exert pressure along the Turkish borders, to various intricate developments unfolding within the vicinity of Moskva—where an unexpected turn of events had taken place.

A pivotal occurrence, initially expected in the near future, had transpired sooner than anticipated—an unprecedented outbreak of the great plague had taken hold in the northern regions. Its reach extended far and wide, encompassing territories as distant as Ruthenia and Crimea.

At this juncture, however, neither John nor his expeditionary force were yet aware of the spreading scourge. The impending arrival of this dire affliction remained shrouded from their view, yet it was a revelation that would soon be brought to their attention.

The silver lining, however, was that his campaign would conclude before the plague's reach extended to Constantinople and its surrounding areas. This, though, remained a concern for the future; at present, the spread of the plague was in its initial stages.