Chapter 6: Süleyman and the Pious Djinn

Suleiman and the Pious Djinn Suleiman and the Pious Djinn To the best of all women, my most beloved wife, Nilüfer.

I write to you from the edge of the lands currently controlled by our empire, from the province of Erzurum.

We are not far from the war front with the Persians, but do not worry, I am not expected to go there.

The war seems to be in a lull at this time.

There are no open hostilities, but that does not seem to stop the Persians from raiding beyond the border and burning down towns and villages around Van and Erzurum.

It is a complex political situation.

We and the Persians have been trading blows across this land for many years now.

At this time, though, the forces here are under the command of Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha.

I have not seen him yet, as he is very busy.

But I have spoken to some officers, and it is the opinion in Erzurum, where we are based, that the Persian Shah, Tahmaz, is trying to draw us into a war.

The recommencing of hostilities is almost certain.

Therefore, it has become necessary to scout out the terrain between us and the Persians, and this is why I have been summoned to this front, because that is proving to be a more complicated task than it usually is.

Bandits, wild animals, and unexpected rockfalls are normally to be expected, but it seems there is something more going on here.

Between Erzurum and Lake Van are perhaps a hundred percent of mountainous terrain.

I am not looking forward to trekking across it, although I am perhaps better prepared than I might have been last year.

You will, of course, remember my failed attempt at wrestling lessons.

The teacher, once he was done trying to not laugh at my efforts, suggested that some other sport might be better for me.

Riding, shooting, archery, running, or javelin.

Perhaps I should have heeded Grandfather Whitespear's advice and taken up jurid.

But I do not like the thought of avoiding flying javelins.

I had little time for leisure on the road, but I have been able to ask the soldiers to let me drill with them.

The heavy infantry turned me away, and I am too poor a horseman yet for the cavalry.

The Janissaries often use loud firearms, which I do not like, although they are a sight to watch.

They are very disciplined and fight in rotating rows, the muzzles of their Damascus steel muskets flashing in the sun.

However, the Akıncı have among them several divisions of irregular light cavalry and scouting troops.