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#25. Tumultuous Times (1)

An era without plagues is not uncommon.

Even among the living princes, some might soon lose their lives to the plague, which means anyone could die from it at any time.

So, the first thing to inquire about was:

“What type of plague is it?”

Even if I set aside the diseases that are endemic and thus don’t pose a pandemic risk, there were still more than a few that came to mind.

“Based on the letter, the main symptoms are rashes and blisters, so it seems to be smallpox.”

In Europe alone, it was a disease that claimed tens of thousands of victims each year, and when a historical drama depicted a plague, it was often this smallpox.

Common doesn’t mean it’s safe, though.

“What are the chances it will spread to us?”

“They must be working hard over there, and as long as we keep a close watch on those coming from the Circassian region, we should be fine.”

Compared to modern times, medical advancements hadn’t progressed much, but that doesn’t mean the people of this age are foolish.

They had already engaged in countless battles against plagues, and were knowledgeable about basic sanitation measures like quarantine and burning the belongings of the infected. For those who had prolonged contact with patients, they even used full-face masks.

Thanks to this, it had not spread uncontrollably, barring special cases like the Black Death.

‘Thank goodness it’s not the Black Death.’

Due to the over-familiarity of the 14th-century Black Death, even in the 21st century, there were still people dying from it.

In this era, with no antibiotics, the Black Death was like a direct train to Allah.

Yusuf, relieved that it was only smallpox, asked Shemsi,

“What do you think is the reason for the plague, Pasha?”

One could easily ponder if there was any reason for the plague, but a widespread epidemic usually has some underlying environmental factors.

“Surely it’s due to the chaotic situation in the north, isn’t it?”

“Right?”

Currently, the north was marked by a complicated situation with the Kipchak Khanate, born from the lands inherited by Juchi, the eldest son of Genghis Khan, along with the Duchy of Moscow (the precursor to Russia), and the raiding machine that is the Crimean Khanate.

When a brawl erupts, it’s like innocent passersby getting caught in the crossfire, just like the current circumstances in Circassia.

With frequent invasions by raiders, towns lay in ruins and corpses rotted away unattended.

It was an environment where the appearance of a plague would be utterly unsurprising.

While Yusuf and Shemsi were exchanging information, Sinan arrived, perhaps having heard the situation.

“You’ve heard the news, right?”

“I heard it’s smallpox.”

“If you’ve already heard, there’s no need for explanations. What’s the current status?”

At this question, Sinan spoke with a tone of regret.

“For now, we have found cowpox and collected it separately, but it’s not enough for a large number of people to use immediately.”

“Even if we artificially induce it in cattle or horses?”

It seemed Sinan hadn’t considered that, and he pondered briefly before ultimately providing a negative response.

“Even if we secure enough for inoculation, there aren’t any solid results yet; the issue is whether they will trust us.”

Yusuf nodded at Sinan’s valid point.

If you suddenly present an untested method, they’d have no reason to believe it immediately.

They’d likely think it was a trick.

Even Sinan, who was leading the efforts, had doubts, so it was asking too much to expect others to comply right away.

“Maybe if someone of high status personally guarantees it, it would help, but that’s practically impossible.”

If there was someone credible enough to provide such guarantee, it would have to be Yusuf, Shemsi, or Fatima.

One of the three would have to go, but nothing could be resolved in just a month or two, so it was impossible for any of them.

Contemplating from various angles, Yusuf reached a decision.

“Regrettably, we will not interfere with this matter. Sinan, please gather as much cowpox as you can; it could potentially spread to us as well.”

“Understood.”

The two nodded in agreement to the rational decision.

It was an opportunity to forge a deep connection with the Circassians, but there was no need to tie themselves to an impossible endeavor.

What was supposed to end like this changed when Aishe paid a visit that late evening.

Though only half a year had passed, Aishe had changed significantly just as Yusuf had matured.

She was transitioning from a girl into a woman, blossoming in beauty, and rumors even spread that the men of the castle were infatuated with Aishe.

If not for the prince firmly establishing control over Trabzon, there would have been countless men trying to woo her.

“What brings you here uncalled for?”

“I heard about the matter with the Adargate. Please allow me to go.”

At Aishe’s words, Yusuf frowned, as if there was no need to waste words.

“It’s already a done deal. Go back.”

“Prince.”

Instead of turning back at his words, Aishe stepped one foot closer and met Yusuf’s gaze.

In her vividly shining green eyes, he sensed a steely determination.

At that moment, he found his empathic abilities to be quite annoying.

“Alright, I’ll hear you out. What is it you wish to say?”

“I heard from Sinan that those who contracted the disease from cow’s milk don’t catch smallpox. I had it myself two years ago.”

The very discovery of the cowpox method came from observing that women milking cows did not catch smallpox, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Aishe had immunity.

She likely had been engaged in such tasks before being captured as a slave.

“So?”

“It means I would not be at risk even if I went.”

Though the effects of inoculation, like other vaccines, wane over time, two years is still within the effective range.

“That’s still unverified.”

“I have no doubts since it’s what you said, my Prince.”

It felt like an attempt to probe him, yet there wasn’t a hint of doubt in Aishe’s eyes.

Receiving such absolute trust, with not even a shred of skepticism, for the first time left him momentarily speechless.

Being moved by such faith was one thing, but complying with Aishe’s request was another matter entirely.

“Still, I can’t agree.”

“But you promised me, Prince. You said you would do anything for me and the Adargate. I believe it’s time to fulfill that promise.”

He remembered.

He even promised that if it would help, he would grant her wish.

However, he was missing the point of the context of the issue.

“It’s not that the promise isn’t important. It’s that your going there would not be of any help.”

What difference would it make for a slave to go?

Yusuf’s cold words made Aishe smile faintly.

“It depends on how one goes, doesn’t it? I’ll go as the prince’s woman.”

“Ha.”

Yusuf scoffed.

It had been centuries since a first lady was of assistance in diplomacy. In this age, sending a woman to another country was typically for gift purposes.

While the sentiment was admirable, it didn’t quite fit the times.

“If you think they will react favorably simply because you’re going as my concubine, that’s a delusion. You might even face humiliation.”

“Isn’t that up to my abilities? I will give my best for my Prince and the future of the Adargate. For this matter, I believe there is no need to fear failure.”

Though it wasn’t to his liking, Aishe was right that losing would not incur great costs.

As long as the Circassians didn’t completely lose their minds and start swinging swords, it would only take some time and resources.

Yusuf calculated as coldly and rationally as possible, setting aside his emotions.

If this mission succeeded, they could establish a friendly relationship with the Circassians, and it could prove that cowpox could prevent smallpox.

If proven, he could publicly disclose the cowpox method and gain fame.

Considering the importance of gathering support during the civil war, he needed to build up his reputation quickly.

In hindsight, it seemed wiser to pursue this, but the words that came from Yusuf’s mouth were curt.

“I never agreed to accept you as my concubine.”

Feeling a sense of defeat, Aishe’s smile brightened.

“Think of it as an advance on the promise. It was my wish, after all.”

“You fool.”

That could have been said plainly.

Yusuf clicked his tongue briefly, then stood up and brushed Aishe’s face gently.

“I have no intention of letting go of what has come to me. If you regret it later, that’s on you.”

“Isn’t it better than regretting now?”

“Your first priority should be to return safely, especially since we need to prevent Circassia from becoming a firestorm.”

“I will definitely return safe and sound.”

Aishe carefully took out a black hijab from her belongings.

“I hope you can do it for me first.”

Though not unique to Islam, it was mostly the case for women of this era to cover their skin with veils, regardless of their religion.

The hijab wasn’t anything extraordinary in this age, but the presented hijab contained the implication of becoming the prince’s woman.

As the prince’s woman, she would undoubtedly have to convert to Islam.

Yusuf wrapped the hijab around her with clumsy hands, and Aishe smiled brightly.

It was the day their relationship changed.

*

Due to Yusuf and Aishe’s decision, there was a small uproar in the territory, but everyone felt it was an opportunity not to be missed.

Soon, Aishe, Sinan, and those selected to accompany them were prepared to leave for Circassia, and around 50 people had already undergone vaccinations.

It was anticipated to be a long separation of at least six months.

Feeling a strange emptiness, Yusuf sought to shake off his thoughts and asked Arda to teach him swordsmanship.

“When you swing the sword, your weight is too far forward. You’ll have to start over.”

“I’m going to die!”

He regretted it.

During training, leniency was nonexistent.

His hands trembled, his legs went numb, and his entire body was drenched in sweat.

Waking up to muscle pain in the morning had now become too familiar.

As Yusuf repeatedly swung the sword, Arda nodded.

“At least it’s better than using a sword against a person. If you put in about six months’ effort, you might become as skilled as an ordinary soldier.”

Wow, a soldier.

That didn’t feel good at all.

Yusuf suddenly asked out of curiosity.

“How was Brother Selim’s skill?”

“Hm… not bad at all. He was about the level of an inexperienced cavalryman.”

For a prince, that was fairly commendable.

He seemed to live up to the face resembling a bandit leader.

While dripping sweat and about to return to his office, Yusuf noticed a cavalryman rushing in urgently.

“What’s the matter?”

“Sanjakbey! An urgent letter has arrived.”

In an instant, Aishe crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed that possibility.

He well knew that harming an envoy he sent would lead to consequences he could not handle.

As he scanned the contents of the urgent letter, Yusuf tilted his head.

“A delegation is coming from Samtskhe?”

It wasn’t unusual for them to come since they were nearby, but they weren’t close enough to visit without any particular reason.

They were an area suffering greatly under the Ottoman Empire, which was always seeking opportunities to conquer.

Upon seeing the name of the head of the delegation, Yusuf couldn’t help but smile with intrigue.

“Mzechabuk is coming personally.”

He was the younger brother of the current lord of Samtskhe, and after the death of the elder brother, he had risen to power, effectively serving in a regent-like role.

He was someone Yusuf was personally curious about as well.

“Already two years since the brother’s ascension to the throne followed by the ambitious younger brother taking over the regency.”

Could it be mere coincidence?

Somehow, he felt he could become a surprisingly good partner.