Chapter 60: I make the rules

The Tsarina finally passing me by catches her breath briefly before trying her best to lead me through the castle halls while still maintaining her noble demeanor. Internally I truly wonder if this woman is still somewhat in shock or something, I mean she just lost her husband recently and at the hands of me and my army no less...

It could've just been a loveless political marriage or more likely she is more focused on keeping her husbands empire and bloodline from ending. Well, whatever let's just wait and watch as their plans are easy to see, considering their situation their only option is to make a deal with me or fight to the death.

After rounding a few corners and walking through a few dimly lit hallways we arrive at a beautifully decorated wing of the castle. This wing of the castle is fully furnished with magnificent furnishings and has many exquisite rugs laid on the floor.

The walls have many detailed mosaics and placed atop many of the tables there are intricately designed swords, shields, and ancient relics. I said to one of my shadow guards "This place is clearly designed to show off the age, wealth, and prestige of the Serbian dynasties... I guess this is also a form of diplomacy... *Whispers* Send someone to find the royal children and take them into our care try to make it secretive of course"

*Sigh* I decided to speak up to the Tsarina "So, is this our final destination? Which door leads to the meeting room, I want to sit now after such a long march... *cough* around this damned castle."

I could see the negative reaction from her, but she quickly hid it and said "This is indeed our final destination... All members still willing to heed our royal summon have already arrived and is awaiting your presence in the room, my lord."

Before entering I give a small gesture to the shadowy figure to my right to which he returns in kind. With this signal a lot of assurance was given.

Though we may have just arrived here with the army before entering, my spies have infiltrated this castle and it's surrounding. Gold was the key to accomplishing our infiltration.

Most of the nobility here was unmovable, but the lowliest of servants would still shiver at the sight of gold. This could be 2 years earnings for such a servant but to me it was just loot spend it and receive collective gains.

Using these new assets I had my spy network get to action as soon as I entered the city. We had already assumed the worst from these lords and ladies, so I implemented extreme countermeasures.

Including kidnapping, blackmail, and seizure of property. Well by modern standards but in this war it can be considered checkmate.

Well now it is time to enter the stage set by my adversary and wait for the moment to strike and turn the tables! This is very enjoyable I feel a excitement seeping through my every pore but I must hold it in and wear my best poker face for this will be my debut in foreign diplomacy!

My thoughts came and passed in but a brief moment.. and soon we entered the room, which by late medieval standards was extremely large.

Walking toward the center of the room where the main table was located only a few steps from the entrance. The table was long and rectangular resembling the favored meeting tables of the Austrian empire some centuries in the future.

Taking a quick look around the table before taking a seat, I could easily spot more than a hundred men in the room all staring at me as I take my seat. Oh, this is many more than I imagined would still be loyal to the crown…

Though on second thought… They most likely feel they will gain a favorable diplomatic outcome, dealing with a young sultan and sultanate without much history or standing in the region. Military is one thing, and your diplomatic standing is another, we are probably viewed closer to a invading horde than a conquering kingdom.

As expected as soon as I sat down, the rest also seated themselves. All except one, a man in the far right corner of the table who without introduction spoke loudly.

"sorry to skip formal introductions my queen, it is just we talked a bit before this… what is your name?"

A man whispered into the ear of the man speaking briefly before he continued on " Before this Alaeddin arrived. Now I want to be clear though our EMPIRE, may have faced a set back on the battlefield and lost a saint… god rest his soul! We will not be taken lightly one army is just that, we have a long history and deep background one battle is not enough to shatter our resolve as Serbs!"

I did not really understand the entire speech, as I am not that proficient in Serbian but I understood the most important bits… it seems surrendering may not even be in the minds of these lost souls.

Cheers erupted from the men in the room as the most important men looked in my direction to gauge my reaction… But to their detriment I just ignored the shenanigans, stepping up from my seat first looked at the queen who was still standing just to the left a bit behind me.

Then I looked at the surrounding men… who still have not calmed from the earlier speech. "MAY I SPEAK?" I said loudly but not high enough to be considered a scream enough to get their attention.

After a few men I have noted as the power holders hear nodded the crown noticeably quieted leaving me the floor. With one hand holding the hilt of my sword and the other held out like the great orators I have read so much about I began my reply.

"I am glad to see my enemies have a backbone at least not giving up in the face of despair. Though I must make one thing clear before any more is said, I am not a fool! I have entered into this fortress with full confidence and control of the war. The royal family is done, without a strong leader there is no one left to hold all you power hungry nobles at bay.

I have full confidence to say no more armies will be raised and the final coalition that could be brought out of a castle to fight is here in front of me."

Hearing this the four powerful nobles who now have been clearly showing their disdain and their confidence among allies have been noticeably shaken. After a brief pause I continued riding my momentum " All here understand one thing, I did not enter to negotiate! Remember this for the foreseeable future, A SULTAN DOESN'T NEGOTIATE! I am here to claim this fortress city as my own, all here have this one chance get down and bow show your reverence or maintain your noble status and perish like your so called emperor!"

Without thinking my assassin protectors immediately pull their weapons one small crossbow and a equally small shield meant to block small projectiles that could be tossed my way. But their eyes show no fear and equally no confidence just pure malice for those who would dare not show reverence to me their SULTAN.

-SORRY I HAVE BEEN BUSY THIS IS WHAT I COULD WRITE DURING A WORK BREAK THIS WEEK, Couldnt get to my Pc to touch up the mispelled words or punctuation mistakes so bare with me I will post more soon. Thanks for

Reading still