Chapter 69: The Türkmen Victory in the Valley

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The Türkmen Victory in the Valley

The Türkmen victory in the valley was now certain. Shah Abbas's army had completely dispersed; his banner had fallen, and most of his soldiers had either surrendered or fled to save their lives. Amid clouds of dust, the triumphant cries of the Türkmen echoed. Yet Halil Han knew that the true victory would only be complete if they captured Shah Abbas himself.

"Selim, have we heard anything from our spies?" Halil Han asked, sheathing his sword.

Selim hurried to him, looking like a soldier returning from a dusty battlefield. "They say Shah Abbas is fleeing toward the northern narrow passes. He has a group of elite guards with him. But they'll need a guide familiar with those treacherous paths to make it through."

Halil Han took a deep breath and turned to his commanders. "Those passes are dangerous and winding. If we trap them there, the war will be truly over. Selim, take our fastest cavalry and block those passes. I'll follow right behind you."

Selim bowed and moved quickly to carry out the order. Some Türkmen cavalry mounted their horses and sped toward the narrow passes. Halil Han stayed behind to organize the remaining forces and ensure the battlefield was completely cleared of enemies.

Shah Abbas spurred his horse, racing toward the narrow passes. A small group of his most trusted guards rode alongside him. His face was tense, his eyes burning with fury. Accepting this defeat was as bitter as swallowing poison.

"Rustem, how far can we go?" Shah Abbas asked sharply.

Rustem, riding hard, turned to answer. "Your Majesty, if we can reach the end of the passes, we can hide and regroup there. But if the Türkmen act quickly, we might get trapped."

Shah Abbas clenched his teeth. "I thought no one in these lands could challenge me. But Halil Han proved to be a true strategist. This defeat is temporary, Rustem. One day, we will return to these lands."

Rustem bowed his head. "Of course, Your Majesty. But first, we must survive."

The Türkmen cavalry advanced toward the passes as Selim guided the group using information from scouts. The labyrinth-like paths made progress difficult, but the Türkmen remained patient. Selim turned back to his dust-raising riders and shouted, "Faster! We are on Shah Abbas's trail. We must not lose him!"

Upon reaching the entrance to the passes, Selim sent a few scouts ahead. One returned, breathless. "Selim Bey, we spotted Shah Abbas. He's moving with a group of guards, but they are still inside the pass. We can trap them."

Selim immediately issued the order. "Block the pass. Circle behind them and cut off their escape. We'll finish this when Halil Han arrives."

As Shah Abbas moved deeper into the pass, one of his guards shouted from the rear, "Your Majesty! The Türkmen are following us. They're closing in!"

The news deepened Shah Abbas's growing anxiety. He stopped his horse and turned to Rustem. "Is there another way out? We cannot let them trap us here."

Rustem quickly examined a map. "Your Majesty, there are side paths, but they're narrow and dangerous. Crossing them on horseback may be difficult. But we have no other choice."

Determination settled on Shah Abbas's face. "Then we'll take those paths. We'll abandon the horses if we have to. But we will not be captured."

A tense chase ensued within the pass. Shah Abbas's guards tried to hold off the Türkmen riders while he led his group into the narrow paths. The superior tracking skills of the Türkmen, however, made every move increasingly difficult for Shah Abbas.

When Halil Han arrived at the pass entrance, he received reports from his men on the battlefield. "Selim made the right call," he muttered to himself. "We'll end this here."

Riding swiftly into the pass, Halil Han witnessed the enemy's weakening resistance. "We will corner Shah Abbas here. This is not just a victory; this is justice!"

After losing several guards, Shah Abbas continued along a narrow rocky path. His horses were exhausted, and his remaining guards wounded. Rustem turned to the Shah and spoke grimly, "Your Majesty, we cannot hold out much longer. The Türkmen are closing in."

Shah Abbas lifted his gaze to the sky. In the eerie silence of the valley, the distant cries of the Türkmen echoed. A bitter smile crossed his face. "We've lost this time, Rustem. But one day, we will return. While the Türkmen savor this victory, we will plan our revenge."

Rustem bowed his head. "Yes, Your Majesty," he said, though his voice carried the weight of defeat.

Shah Abbas and his remaining guards managed to escape through the treacherous paths, evading capture. But his glorious leadership was now tarnished, while the Türkmen triumph echoed throughout the valley.

Halil Han stood at the end of the pass, frustrated at losing Shah Abbas. "He escaped, but this victory is ours. The Türkmen have triumphed against tyranny today. We have won not just a battle but restored the honor of our people."

Victory songs began to rise across the valley. The Türkmen had shed the shadow of Shah Abbas and proved their sovereignty over these lands.

The war in the valley had ended, and the Türkmen soldiers were exhausted but proud. As the sun dipped toward the west, the smoke and stench of blood still lingered in the air. The thunder of cannon fire was now replaced by the groans of the wounded and the songs of victory. But there was one reason the celebration remained incomplete: Shah Abbas had escaped.

Halil Han climbed a hill overlooking the battlefield, scanning his soldiers covered in dust and blood. His face was a mixture of anger and disappointment. Selim approached cautiously and spoke:

"Commander… We defeated the enemy, but Shah Abbas managed to escape with his guards. Our cavalry pursued him to the end of the pass but lost his trail."

Halil Han raised his fist in fury and roared, "How could he escape? After all this preparation and sacrifice, how did he slip through our fingers?"

The soldiers stood silently under their commander's wrath. Selim stepped forward and spoke calmly, "Commander, Shah Abbas's escape cannot overshadow our victory. We scattered his army and defended our lands. But now our soldiers are tired, and our ammunition is depleted. If we continue the pursuit, we risk greater losses."

Halil Han listened, breathing heavily. His eyes scanned the battlefield, littered with fallen banners, burned cannons, and lifeless bodies. Seeing the heavy toll paid by his own men dampened his anger but did not extinguish his disappointment.

"Don't lecture me, Selim," Halil Han said, gritting his teeth. "How did we let Shah Abbas escape? If we had ended him here, he would never set foot on these lands again."

Selim maintained his composure. "You're right, Commander. But we've scattered his forces; his soldiers are disbanded and will take time to regroup. If we retreat now and regroup ourselves, we'll face him even stronger next time. Continuing the pursuit will weaken us."

Halil Han spat on the ground in frustration, sheathing his sword again. "You may be right. But it doesn't extinguish the fire inside me. I will not allow Shah Abbas to roam these lands freely again!"

A soldier stepped forward and spoke, "Commander, the Türkmen people await your leadership. We need to regroup and tend to our wounded."

Halil Han cast a brief glance at the soldier, then returned his gaze to the valley. For him, this was not just a battle; it was a symbol of defiance against Shah Abbas's tyranny. But he knew he had to act wisely for the safety of his people and the future of his army.

"Fine," he said in a stern voice. "We're pulling back. We'll regroup and treat our wounded. But know this: this war isn't over! I will not rest until I bring down Shah Abbas's arrogance!"

At Halil Han's command, the Türkmen army began withdrawing from the valley. The wounded were being carried, and ammunition was gathered. But this retreat was not a defeat; it was preparation for an even greater victory.

As Selim rode beside Halil Han, he quietly asked, "Commander, what will be our next move?"

Halil Han fixed his gaze on the horizon and replied with a steely expression, "We defended our lands; now we'll fortify them. We'll gather more soldiers and renew our weapons. When Shah Abbas returns, he'll face a stronger Türkmen army."

Amid the dust rising from the valley, the Türkmen army slowly moved away. Halil Han's eyes remained focused on the distant end of the pass. His anger had not subsided, but it only fueled his determination.

"One day," he whispered to himself, "everything left unfinished in this war will be completed. And Shah Abbas will taste the power of the Türkmen once again."

As the valley fell into silence, the retreat of the Türkmen army was not seen as a defeat but as a strategic victory in everyone's minds. Shah Abbas had fled, but the Türkmen resolve stood strong.