"Master, master, they are here!"
Hussein, dressed in a black robe, ran over in a hurry. This attendant was now the scout for the team, bringing news of the enemy to his master.
"Is that so? Then let us prepare. Everyone, take cover and get ready to fight!"
Aleph's team was indeed an elite force. Even with low morale, they moved extremely quickly under their commander's orders, occupying all available cover and leading their warhorses to hidden spots.
And in just a moment, the pursuers arrived.
They were squads of Bulgar horsemen armed with bows, all wearing only light armor. Their numbers were clearly much greater than Akad's group.
Many of them were drenched, apparently having had a rough time crossing the stream earlier, and their expressions were quite grim now.
"About seventy men, damn it, why so many?"
Hussein whispered, then was rebuked by Aleph to shut up. The commander's mood was as bad as Hussein's tone suggested.
Everyone on Aleph's side felt the same way, but their distress wasn't due to death; they weren't afraid to die, only afraid they might not be able to protect the Khan's son.
"Lord Aleph, can we come out and talk?"
Just as the Khan's son's guards were wondering how to stall for time, a somewhat familiar voice rang out, and that voice brought a hateful smile to Aleph's face.
It was that traitor, Mahad.
Aleph remembered this fellow. He was the commander of an important tower within Bulgar city. If he had held his post, the coup forces absolutely could not have controlled the city so quickly, but he betrayed them.
Moreover, when he betrayed them, he killed Aleph's friends and comrades, and hung their heads on spears.
Most importantly, this fellow had a very good relationship with Aleph, someone he trusted, and was given such an important responsibility under his recommendation. His betrayal was undoubtedly a personal betrayal of Aleph as well.
Since you are here to persuade me to surrender, that works out perfectly.
The commander thought, then I will turn their plan against them.
"Mahad, it seems you've made your fortune. That betrayal certainly made you prosperous."
Aleph stepped out of his cover, looking at the traitor. Mahad was a man of medium build with an honest face; everyone would instinctively assume he was trustworthy.
Mahad's attire was far richer than his usual clothes. He rode a fine horse from Arab, wore colorful silk and satin, and had jeweled rings on his fingers. Even his bow was intricately carved with various patterns.
"Lord Aleph, I merely changed my stance out of good sense."
Facing the sarcasm, Mahad showed no anger, maintaining his usual calm demeanor.
"I believe you should do the same. The Khan has spoken: as long as you hand over the deposed Khan's son, you can regain everything that is rightfully yours, and even be granted more."
Akad's reason for the coup was that the Khan was acting outrageously and violating religious law, thus deposing the Khan. At the same time, the jurists, faced with money and curved swords, also endorsed this claim, providing the usurper with a legitimate religious facade.
"Do you really think I am a traitor like you?"
Aleph noticed Mahad's subordinates moving, taking advantageous positions, and he regrettably could do nothing. If he reacted, a battle would immediately break out, which was not what he wanted to see.
"Of course, you are not a humble person like me, Lord Aleph."
Mahad's face showed humility, as if he were still Aleph's subordinate, which made Aleph's sense of disgust skyrocket. Seeing that face, his betrayal flashed into his mind.
"You are a famous general of Bulgar. A hero like you will surely make the right choice. Moreover, the Khan said that if you are willing to surrender, he can even give you Suvar."
This truly made Aleph's heart waver a little. Suvar, that was the second-largest city in Bulgar. The usurper actually dared to use it as a bargaining chip.
Unfortunately, Aleph's wavering only lasted a moment. While Suvar was tempting, heaven knows if that Khan would truly fulfill his promise. He had caused that fellow countless troubles.
However, he couldn't turn hostile yet. Just as Aleph was about to continue exchanging insults and stalling, he suddenly saw Hussein give him a signal.
The meaning of the signal made Aleph instinctively pause, then a smile appeared on his face.
"Mahad, I can be frank with you. I will not surrender, and it's even less possible for me to hand over the Khan's son. You and your usurper master can go eat dirt."
Aleph's sudden refusal startled Mahad. How could they be negotiating just now and then... He then froze again, his expression turning ferocious as he realized he had been played, that everything just now was merely to stall for time!
"In that case, then let us go to war!"
"No, no, no, how can we go to war, especially here. Friends in the forest, please come out."
Just when everyone thought battle was imminent, Aleph spoke in a leisurely tone, which left everyone bewildered. What was wrong with this man?
And then, everyone's confusion was resolved.
Because as soon as those words ended, countless foot soldiers rose from all directions. At the very least, they wore armed tunics and leather armor, and there were many warriors clad in iron armor.
"This is Rus' territory, and we are all crossing the border now. So, do you want to fight here, Mahad?"
The triumphant smile on Aleph's face could no longer be hidden. He had gone to such great lengths for this moment, all for now.
The Khan's trusted subordinate had fought for many years on the Rus'-Bulgar border. During those years, he had explored this land thoroughly, learning of many dangers and suitable ambush locations—like those shaky wooden bridges.
Since he had explored this land, how could he not know the Rus' patrol's outposts and their usual routes?
"You, you bastard!"
Mahad looked at the Rus' who had somehow surrounded them, his expression worsening beyond words. He had been played, completely and utterly played.
If a battle started now, just a few "accidental injuries" would inevitably draw these Rus' in, leading to a major diplomatic incident.
Normally, such an incident wouldn't matter, but now, with nearly ten thousand Bulgar captives in Rus' hands, doing so would be too disastrous. The Khan would absolutely make him a scapegoat then.
"You're good, Aleph, but the Rus' can protect you for a while, not forever. And their intentions are very clear. Go on the run with that child, but as long as you dare to set foot on Bulgar land, we will kill him."
Mahad said viciously as he turned his horse around, but Aleph was completely unmoved by these words.
"I already knew that..."
Then he turned to look at the approaching Rus'. Ah, there was still trouble to deal with here, but at least it wasn't life-threatening.
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