With the Sultan's arrival, the mood shifted drastically. Soldiers were now on high alert. The Janissaries were a formidable adversary. They exuded a deadly aura that forced you to be on high alert. Tensions flared as the Luxenberg Royal Guard showed no desire to fall victim to their intimidation.
All while this was happening, the Pope approached the Sultan with disgust written all over his face. "Heretic. Your presence is a plague in these Christian lands. Why have you come so far to cause unnecessary conflict?"
The Sultan wore a sinister grin from ear to ear. "Well, you see, I felt left out. A grand event like this and no invite, I was quite disheartened. So I thought I would take the initiative and offer my congratulations personally," The Sultan mocked, every word flowing from his mouth venomously.
Victor and the Pope looked at him with such disdain for joking about. For a man nearing his forties, the Sultan came off as immature. But Victor did not choose to believe this act; he believed that under this facade was a dangerous individual whose limits knew no end.
The Sultan straightened himself up and decided give a more sincere. "I simply could not remain in the shadows while such a union was being celebrated." His gaze flicked between Isabella and Anton. "Two kingdoms joined. Two young heirs crowned by love… and strategy. It made me curious to see how strong your bond was."
Victor was quick to question this motive, "And? What conclusion have you come to, Your Majesty?"
The Sultan let out a short laugh and replied, "I believe that my worries were sorely mistaken." He leaned closer to Victor's ear and whispered. "There is no reason to fear you, not while you are still allied to a moron who cannot quell another brewing civil war."
Victor quickly pulled back. He was surprised to hear such antagonising words from Sultan, especially when he was outnumbered and stuck in a hostile continent. But did the Sultan's words hold any truth?
In all honesty, Victor could not deny that there was some truth to his words. There was no reason for the Sultan to fear Victor, not while his ally's attention is only focused on itself. He also had to admit that the reports from his spies suggested growing discontent in the political landscape of the Visconte Kingdom, but he did not realise the severity of it.
The Sultan was causing a scene, which meant the banquet could not continue normally. But the unexpected visitor did not stay too long. He had had his fun, he caused a ruckus, and more importantly, he had assessed his enemy.
While lost in thought, he watched the Sultan approach Anton and Isabella. "Silly me, it would be rude not to offer the happy couple a gift," he said, rummaging in a pocket and pulling a small pouch from it.
Inside the pouch, he pulled out a beautiful emerald necklace, shaped in the form of an eye. "This is a treasure that had been suffering a boring life in my family's treasure room. It is known as the Eye of Khaffar. Legend has it that when placed upon the highest point in this world, a sea of grass will sprout in the desert."
The couple remained transfixed on the precious item as the Sultan gently placed it into Isabella's hand. "This jewel is too precious to rot away in a dark room; let you show it off to the world. I think it will suit you wonderfully."
Isabella nervously smiled and replied, "Thank you for such a precious gift, Your Majesty. I will make sure that this jewel does not remain hidden."
The Sultan smiled and turned back to Victor, the Pope and Alphonse. "I did not come to cause problems, but I will leave you a message."
"This alliance of Christianity will soon fail. When it does, the crescent moon of Islam shall rise and cover the world in its shadow. I do not wish for war, but if provoked, my armies will sweep across the world and purge you infidels.
He then stepped back with the grace of a dancer and bowed to the crowd.
"My business here is done."
King Victor took a step forward. "Sultan, surely you will not simply vanish after such an entrance and threat?"
"Oh," Mehmet murmured, turning with a sly half-smile, "Majesty, I very much intend to."
Under dozens of watchful, bewildered eyes, he strode back toward the entrance, escorted by his Janissaries.
At the threshold, he paused, looking over his shoulder one last time.
"Enjoy your celebration," he said. "It may be the last peaceful night the world knows for a very long time."
And with that ominous farewell, Sultan Mehmet Hakim slipped into the darkness of the palace corridor, leaving behind unanswered questions, a dazzling emerald necklace, and a hall full of nobles who suddenly found their wine much less sweet.
Victor and his Royal Guard remained on high alert. If the Sultan could skulk through Zandar and not be noticed, then there was always the possibility that more unpleasant visitors could arrive, most likely to be less distinguished and more violent compared to the Sultan.
The wedding banquet had been interrupted.
But this was only the beginning. The Sultan's words left each of the three powerful men conflicted. Inner conflict was weakening the continent of Zandar, which also impacted Victor's alliance with the Kingdom of Visconte. With noticeable cracks beginning to form in their alliance, the Sultan came to make them bigger.
His presence, his threat; they were carefully planned to ensure that the discontent between the Pope and Alphonse grew. This also exposed Victor to a more realistic view of his ally.
If things continued down this path, Zandar would be embroiled in another civil war. And this time around, it would be harder for Victor to choose sides. He could choose his ally, but that would make him an enemy of the Church.
The sooner Victor could get out of Zandar, the better. The Sultan's unexpected visit made it necessary to ramp up preparations for a war with the Hakim Sultunate.