Murad’s advance slowed significantly once it became clear that the prince’s march was progressing far more sluggishly than anticipated.
Was the prince deliberately drawing him in? It was obvious that, given his numerical disadvantage, the prince would avoid a decisive battle. If he resorted to guerilla tactics, the losses on both sides would only mount unnecessarily. Murad needed to create political pressure that would force the prince into an open battle.
To this end, he matched the prince’s pace, ensuring the situation couldn’t simply be abandoned on the grounds of its futility. Yet, when Murad finally surveyed the path the prince had taken, he realized something crucial.
“So that’s it. He hasn’t fully secured it yet.”
It was only natural. Just as the prince had sought information on Murad’s movements, Murad had kept a close watch on the prince. In his brief reign of barely a year, the prince had imposed harsh measures to counter an outbreak suspected to be the Black Death.
If he’d had more time, it might have been different, but Murad’s offensive had been perfectly timed. For the prince, hastily leading his forces north, the cities of central Greece—still not completely swayed to his cause—were volatile sparks that could ignite elsewhere at any moment.
And Murad did not miss this opportunity.
Although the authority of central Greece had nominally passed to Morea due to the mistakes of the previous Sultan, the Sultan still held the upper hand in terms of legitimacy. Morea was merely an agent managing central Greece on behalf of the Sultan. In practice, the true ruler remained the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Dragases must have planned to gradually eliminate the Ottoman influence through time, taxes, and laws.
However, in the end, it wasn’t the prince’s influence but the Sultan’s authority that held sway over central Greece.
It took little time for Ottoman spies to infiltrate central Greece. All Murad had to do was send a few words to the local elites: Your Sultan has returned. Not long after, Murad was greeted by those who came to bow their heads before him. Of course, some still wavered between the Empire and the Ottomans. But Murad resolved to forgive them, recognizing that they hadn’t rebelled of their own accord—they had merely been forced into submission.
This decision to show mercy bore fruit, granting Murad critical information that would alter the course of the war.
“Sultan, beware of the Greek Fire in Dragases’s possession.”
The ancient weapon, which burned fiercely even on water, would only grow more dangerous if attempts were made to extinguish it. The prince had apparently stockpiled it for reasons yet unclear. Naturally, Murad deduced that the prince was planning to deploy a fire attack.
This was another reason for his slowed advance. The forested terrain near Larissa was perfectly suited for such tactics. Murad organized an extensive network of scouts to meticulously search the wooded areas.
At the same time, he diligently gathered intelligence on the enemy.
“So, they’ve entered Nemeapatre…”
A stronghold commanding the canyon between two mountain ranges, it was an obvious choice. The prince likely selected Nemeapatre as a defensive position, knowing he couldn’t utilize sea routes and needed reliable supply lines. But a prolonged siege wasn’t what Murad wanted. He needed to draw Dragases out. Thus, he devised a ploy involving his banners and his elite guard.
“What are you saying, Your Majesty? You’re going to deploy the Janissaries separately?”
Murad’s vassals voiced their shock and opposition, but he responded unfazed.
“Look. Even you assume it’s only natural for the Janissaries to remain by my side. Why would Dragases think any differently?”
“But the banner is not just a symbol! It represents the Sultan’s authority—”
“Do you think my authority comes solely from a banner?”
Use what everyone takes for granted. Murad was genuinely grateful for the chance to execute a strategy he had devised long ago. Just once. This method, so easily discovered after its first use, would only work the first and final time. How could he not use it against his greatest adversary? Against such a foe, he refused to allow even the slightest complacency. That, in Murad’s own way, was respect.
“The Janissaries, who will flank through the mountains and draw the enemy’s attention, will not engage the enemy directly. They will maintain their distance, harass the enemy with arrows, and slow their retreat.”
The foreknowledge of the enemy’s composition was an advantage. Most of Morea’s soldiers were armed with chainmail and long spears, making them slower and less mobile compared to the lightly armored Janissaries. Even if they pursued with their limited light infantry, what chance would they have against the Janissaries? Moreover, the decision to maneuver through the mountains had another purpose hidden within it.
“If their cavalry gives chase, ensure you are familiar with the terrain so that you can defend against them at any time. Scout the mountains thoroughly as you flank, learn how rugged the terrain is, and ensure you can retreat swiftly if necessary.”
Though the orders were demanding, the Janissaries had the discipline to execute them. Murad trusted his finest warriors, and the Janissaries had proven their capability. Yet, his vassals’ doubts did not end there. As the Sultan’s closest advisors, they pressed him further.
“What do you hope to gain by merely slowing their retreat?”
“I hear that Dragases has been enforcing harsh demands on the citizens of Nemeapatre. This will surely breed resentment. It’s obvious—whatever his reasons, Dragases wants us to enter the fortress.”
“Then isn’t it a trap, Your Majesty?”
“A trap, you say… Let me ask you this: can a trap that fails to catch its prey at the hunter’s chosen time and place truly be called a trap? Or is it simply wasted effort?”
A trap only works when both the timing and location align with the hunter’s desires. No matter what schemes Dragases had planned in Nemeapatre, breaking the “timing” would render them futile. And if the trap failed, the only outcome would be the immediate fall of Nemeapatre.
“Slowing their retreat is to position ourselves behind Dragases. And…”
If the fall of Nemeapatre were announced, how would the cities that had been wavering between the Empire and the Ottomans respond? Murad had already sent them clear instructions: if Dragases fled in defeat, they were to serve him without hesitation. Those cities, already warned and offered a path of reconciliation, would hardly view a retreating Dragases favorably.
“…it also gives other vassals time to prepare to greet me.”
The web had already been cast.
Where Dragases intended to use Greek Fire remained unknown. Whether or not Murad could identify where the fire attack would begin would determine the course of the war. But with the Janissaries tying up Dragases forces, the cities rushing to prove their loyalty to the Sultan, and Murad himself moving to crush Dragases after dismantling the trap, no unforeseen variable could overturn the outcome.
Murad was certain.
The last hope of the millennial empire would fall here.