THE STORIES AND CHARACTERS DEPICTED HERE WERE INSPIRED BY OUR HISTORY
NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED DURING THE FILMING OF THIS PRODUCTION
My Sultan, the emperor will agree to anything
except surrendering the castle.
It's clear that he'll accept our terms, no matter how harsh.
My Sultan, this might be for the best.
Vasilius' death, your presence here, and your army heading this way
have obviously intimidated the emperor, my Sultan.
It's time to stem the poison which flows from this fortress.
They are evidently afraid, but in the current situation,
I believe it would be best to force them to seek peace.
-Continue, Sadettin. -My Sultan...
the demands on our army will be considerable
during the campaign against the Ayyubids,
and this way, we can achieve victory without risking a single soldier.
In addition, the taxes we will force them to pay
can be used to strengthen our state.
My Sultan... gold can't compensate for treachery.
As long as Karacahisar Castle is under their rule, victory will not be ours.
You're right, Ertuğrul Bey.
We will not rest easy until we have uprooted this evil.
The most pressing issue is how we address the Ayyubid violations.
My Sultan, if we divide our army, we cannot win both wars.
If we merely subject them to the heavy taxes Emir Sadettin suggests,
we're giving them time to regroup, my Sultan.
They're weak, my Sultan. This is our chance. Our only chance.
We'll not give them time to heal their wounds, Ertuğrul Bey.
We'll stop them regaining their strength.
I have the utmost faith in the Turk Beys,
your valiant alps and, most of all, in you.
We will agree to a deal for now.
And when the time comes, we will drain the swamp.
With your permission,
I'd like to go to the castle to negotiate the agreement, my Sultan.
In that case, I don't think any agreement should be limited to taxes, my Sultan.
We need to make it clear to the emperor
that they cannot take so much as a breath in these lands
without our permission.
If you'll allow it,
as your chief bey of the frontier, I too would like to go to the castle.
Very good. Very good.
I have no doubt that you will both carry out this duty
to the best of your abilities.
Lion.
My brother, no woman who sees you will know what hit her.
Her heart will flutter like a bird.
She will frolic in the fields like a young horse.
Bless my brother! Bless him!
-Thank you, brother. -Bless you.
My dear brother.
-Thanks. -You're welcome
Turgut Alp?
Brother, you know how I told you that they wouldn't know what hit them?
Look at him.
Speak, Günküt.
Brother Günküt, why are you staring like a fox that's seen a rabbit?
I was looking at Turgut Alp, bless him.
Well, don't. You'll cast the evil eye on him.
I said bless him, brother.
You said that to Brother Dumrul, too, when he dressed up like our sultan,
and he barely made it out alive!
-What is it, Günküt? -Ertuğrul Bey says we must leave.
All right.
Well then, it's time.
Come on, now. Come on, brother. May God lead your way.
Bless him, bless him.
You saved our state from disaster.
If Nikolas had defeated you...
he'd have been able to kill the Turks that had come to make a deal.
You should've known that I'd never have allowed that.
The letter said you would arrive tomorrow.
The fact that you arrived early shows that you understand exactly what's going on.
Because of him, the Sultan's army and the Turk tribes
would have raided the castle.
And you would have lost the privileges the Emperor granted you.
Ertuğrul took everything I had from me.
Nobody wants him to die as much as I,
or for the Turk tribes to go back to the hell they came from as much as I.
I swore an oath that I'd die for our emperor.
Paying them huge amounts in taxes is hardly a retaliation, is it, Ekaterina?
All I know is that the Turks will never stop clamoring for blood.
I never believed they would, nor did our emperor.
As powerful a commander as yourself surely wouldn't fall for that.
I understand now why Vasilius had so much confidence in you.
I carry the fruit of his love in my loins.
I would give my life and that of my child for the Emperor.
You impressed our emperor greatly with your letter, Ekaterina.
You persuaded him that we could only get rid of the Turks with your help.
I am prepared to do anything for our state and my father's holy legacy.
I would very much like to believe that you are strong enough to drive
your poisonous dagger into the heart of the Turks when the time comes, Ekaterina.
Believe me, Commander Ares,
for those forced to share this land with the Turks, you are our last hope.
May God protect you.
Ertuğrul... He is not an easy man to kill.
You know that better than anyone.
The Crusaders, Vasilius, your late husband Ural...
-You know everything. -I know my enemies, Ertuğrul best of all.
And more than you might think.
I have my eye on you, Ekaterina.
I look forward to seeing what you can do. Now go.
I have matters to discuss with my commanders.
Our Father, who art in heaven, spare me from the cowardly enemy
and the betrayal of those who seem like friends.
If I am to die, let it be in victory over the Turks, and not in defeat.
Amen.
-Greetings. -Greetings.
You give honor to my tent, Ertuğrul Bey.
-Welcome, Mother Hayme. -Thank you, my girl.
Halime.
Welcome to you too, Turgut Alp.
Thank you, Aslıhan Hatun.
Come, you must be tired. Let us eat and relax.
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
-Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. -Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Just as we break this bread together, so we have shared in joy and sorrow too.
We have forged a strong bond between the two tribes.
Now, it is my wish
for this bond to be strengthened through blood ties
so we can travel a new and better path.
Anything which benefits our tribes is most welcome, Ertuğrul Bey.
Quite so, my girl. That's why our minds are easy.
We will leave your tent in good faith, God willing.
Thank you.
Aslıhan Hatun... you and Turgut Alp are like sister and brother to me.
You know why we are here.
On the one hand, there is you, whom Aliyar Bey entrusted to my care.
And on the other, there is the prosperity of our tribes.
Aslıhan Hatun, it is my wish
that you and Turgut Alp marry.
Whatever is in your heart, say it freely, Aslıhan Hatun.
I have but one intention, and that is to protect my tribe and my brother's legacy.
God willing, I would like to fill my tent with my children,
raise a son, and continue my lineage.
Do you have anything to say, Turgut Alp?
We fought many a battle side by side with Aliyar Bey.
We never once yielded to the enemy when with the valiant alps of the Cavdar Tribe.
Our sole intent... was to never sway from the road of holy jihad.
As the Kayi Tribe is my home...
so too is the Cavdar Tribe.
Dedicating your life to your children...
to your home and to your woman...
is the duty of a man.
I would happily dedicate myself
to he who dedicates himself to my tribe, Ertuğrul Bey.
Enjoy, my Sultan.
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
The archers that attacked Ertuğrul Bey and his alps...
Still nothing? Still no word?
Everywhere we look is only dead ends, my Sultan.
We've tried to get information, but it's hard.
The treachery runs deep, Sadettin.
The treachery runs deep.
If I don't triumph, the traitors who have infiltrated the veins of our state will.
Our overriding duty is to maintain order preserve the state, my Sultan.
As soon as we return from the campaign, I will take more precautions, God willing.
However...
there is something that worries me.
What?
The Mongolian threat.
The Mongols won't stay quiet while you're away. That's obvious.
I believe it's imperative that we take precautions against them.
What are you thinking, Sadettin?
I must give him his due.
Ertuğrul Bey is exactly the right man for this.
He's spent more time fighting the Mongols than any of us.
He got rid of that troublemaker Noyan.
Who knows the Mongols best?
Who of your beys understands their tongue most clearly?
Ertuğrul Bey.
You're right, Sadettin.
You're right.
However, in Ertuğrul Bey's absence...
I fear our western frontier will be vulnerable.
Then, if you see fit, I will stay
and do my best to serve you from here.
I hope I will be able to fill his shoes.
I'll discuss it with Ertuğrul Bey, tomorrow.
The unity of the Turk tribes is of the utmost importance.
You must have understood why Aslıhan Hatun wanted to remain the head of her tribe.
-My Sultan? -Aslıhan Hatun
quite naturally wants to stay as the head of her tribe
and preserve Candar Bey's lineage.
She is the hope of her tribe.
Don't take that away from them, Sadettin.
-My Sultan-- -I have no doubt
that you will make this sacrifice for our state.
Thank you.
Sister Aslıhan.
We spoke plainly.
We didn't hurt or get hurt.
By the command of God...
and the word of the Prophet...
we would like you to marry Turgut Alp.
Do you consent?
I have the utmost trust in you and Turgut Alp, Ertuğrul Bey.
I consent.
May God bless you.
Be with God.
Be with God, my son.
May God grant you lasting peace.
May your children be loyal to your beliefs, your law and your tribe,
and may they make you happy.
-Amen. -Amen.
May your sons prosper and your lineage grow.
May God unite you as one.
If anyone should cast the evil eye upon your tent...
my tent would go up in flames, too.
If the whole world rose up against you,
they would taste my wrath.
I want you to be married quickly.
I wish this marriage to cast a veil over evil eyes and shield your tent.
May your happiness and your lineage be eternal.
-Amen. -Amen.
Amen.
From this moment forth, I am not your fiancé Aslıhan,
but Aslıhan, bey of the Cavdars.
Our engagement is over
My fate will be to grow old in my tribe and die with my tribe.
Aslıhan...
You have sent me to hell.
Eminence, there is word of Aslıhan Hatun.
Tell me.
Ertuğrul Bey, Hayme Hatun, Halime Hatun and Turgut Alp
have visited the Cavdar Tribe.
Interesting.
-What for? -We don't know, Your Eminence.
Leave.
What are you up to now, Ertuğrul?
Surely you will be gone soon, Ertuğrul.
You'll leave, taking your tricks and the trouble you caused me with you.
When you are fighting your campaign...
my reign will begin.
My war will begin.
All right then.
-Here you go, brother. -Thank you, brother.
Here you go, brother.
Thank you, brother.
Brothers, my brother Turgut's good fortune has made all of us happy.
I thought I'd give a feast in my brother's honor.
Hafsa made this wonderful food with her own hands.
-Brother? -Yeah?
We are going to eat weeds like goats. Weeds.
Hush, Kader. Hush.
There was no need, brother.
God bless you.
-Thank you for your trouble, Hafsa Hatun. -Brothers!
Eat first, and then say what you will.
Bamsi...
I wish I could have made fish.
We used to eat lots of fish, but it's hard to find around here.
Don't worry, Hafsa Baci. We'll eat whatever God offers.
We will.
Thank you.
There we are. All right.
In Nicaea we would enhance our food with various herbs.
They are both delicious and good for the digestion.
I put a lot of spices into the stew.
It's not like the one you make. I hope you like it.
Come on.
-Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. -Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Here you go, brother.
Bismillah.
I've never eaten such delicious stew before.
Really brother, what have we been eating up till now?
-I'm glad you like it. Bamsi? -Yeah?
I'd like to go see Banu Çiçek for a while. You should tend to everyone.
Don't worry. I can take care of my brothers.
Off you go.
Enjoy your meal.
Thank you.
Hey! You're going to choke, slow down.
Brother, what kind of food is this?
You are so lucky.
Well, brother, you all know my appetite. This is what I needed all along.
These spices make the food taste very different.
Yeah. No need to worry about it being left for the goats!
You're not so different to a goat yourself, Brother Günküt.
Brothers, God created man in various forms.
Each people has its own food, its own way of baking bread.
Brothers, we should experience these foods and remember them.
I wonder what happened to Turgut Alp.
I hope everything turned out well for him.
Brother, if Ertuğrul Bey was involved, no other outcome is possible.
It is done. Now, we have one last thing to do.
What is that, brother?
We make for Karacahisar Castle, brother.
We ride in the morning.
Eat, eat.
So good.
You eat like a goat. Like a goat, Günküt!
You eat like a goat!
An empire can only stand so much belittlement.
You believed them to be a mere tribe and took for granted an enemy
that grew in power before your very eyes.
I don't know who makes me angrier,
my foolish friend or my cunning enemy.
Ertuğrul Bey, come to my castle in search of victory.
Be arrogant. Show weakness.
Prepare your own end.
Commander Ares, Emir Sadettin and Ertuğrul Bey have arrived.
Guards!
Ertuğrul Bey.
-Emir Sadettin, welcome. -Thank you.
Your reputation precedes you, Ertuğrul Bey. You are a valiant warrior.
-We meet at last. -I do not fight...
to further my reputation, but for justice. You must have heard that too.
Although we are enemies, we fight for the same thing ultimately, Ertuğrul Bey.
Justice.
I always respect a chivalrous enemy, and you are one of them.
Our objectives are night and day, Ares.
What you consider just, I consider cruel.
And I trample cruelty under my feet.
See, that's another thing we have in common.
Ruthlessness against the cruel.
We will get along well.
Emir Sadettin, there is much talk of you at Nicaea. Your cunning is legendary.
How nice. You must know then that I'm not likely to walk out of here empty-handed.
-Show our guests the way. -No need, Ares.
I have been here many times before.
In order to stay with my tribe and serve it until the end of my days,
I have broken off my engagement to Emir Sadettin.
And to further our bond with the Kayi tribe
and become blood relatives,
I have decided to marry Turgut Alp.
I hope this marriage will be for the best for both tribes.
May God make it so.
-I hope it will be good. -Thank you.
Please tell the tribe of my decision.
Let everyone know that from this moment, Turgut Alp is my betrothed.
There is a long road ahead of us and many things to do.
We have come to hear Nicaea's offer.
In the name of the Seljuks, Emir Sadettin...
bey of the Kayi tribe, and chief frontier bey of the Seljuks,
Ertuğrul Bey...
I am authorized to speak in the name of our emperor.
Ekaterina is entitled to attend, by the privilege awarded to her by our emperor.
We are here to negotiate for the mutual benefit of both sides.
The outcome is obvious. Make your offer quickly.
Our offer will protect both your soldiers and ours.
The emperor in Nicaea is ready to pay for peace.
Our empire will pay the following tribute to the Seljuk State.
Each year, 150,000 gold coins, 200,000 silver...
and a cut of the trade routes.
The war will end, and our peoples will live in peace.
As long as peace is maintained, the tribute will continue to be paid.
Very good.
I know how generous the emperor in Nicaea is.
And you should know how forgiving our Sultan Alâeddin Keykubat is.
In return for your tribute, your lives will be spared.
You will be allowed to remain in the castle.
We have a deal, then.
That was your offer, Ares.
We haven't discussed it yet.
What do you mean, Ertuğrul Bey?
You may be able to convince the Latins with a handful of gold...
but we did not come here for a tribute.
What is your demand?
Every year, you will pay 300,000 in gold and 400,000 in silver to the Seljuk State.
The gates of the castle will be open to all Turks and Muslims.
No taxes or interest will be applied to Muslims trading at the castle.
All trade routes will be under the management of the Turkmen tribes.
There will be a limit on the number of soldiers stationed at the castle.
We will specify how many.
The Turks and Muslims who live and trade in the castle
will be under the protection of the Seljuk State.
We cannot accept these terms. You have not come to negotiate, but to invade.
Ertuğrul Bey...
What you are asking for is the surrender of the castle.
You have exhausted our patience.
Either you accept our demands, or...
we will melt the iron mountain, make the sky tremble...
and lay waste to your castle.
Wait.
Ertuğrul Bey.
Your demands are too harsh.
Give us a few days to decide.
I will be back soon.
Make your decision quickly.
Door!
He's insane!
He's lost his mind! He thinks we're helpless.
He's forcing us.
If we want to keep the castle, we have no other choice.
Have can we give all that? What authority would we have left?
First, we pay, Ekaterina.
Then we wait.
What is the meaning of this? What are you trying to do?
We came here to negotiate. I am negotiating.
You're not trying to negotiate. You're trying to ruin everything!
What you're asking for is nothing short of the entire castle.
That's what I intended, Your Eminence.
What if they refuse, Ertuğrul?
We will lose the ransom!
Then we'll come back with our sultan's army.
We will take the castle.
Is our sultan's army not heading east to fight the Ayyubis?
Don't you know that?
I do, Emir Sadettin. But they don't.
They think our armies are moving towards their borders.
If we walk out with just the gold, we will lose.
So, you wish to pursue the answer in politics?
But don't forget, Ertuğrul.
If this thing falls apart because of you, because of your stubbornness...
you will pay the price.
I came here at the price of a great many things, Emir Sadettin.
It is time to get what's due to me.
I hope it's worth it.
I hope so.
Halime Sultan, I am so happy.
I hope Turgut Alp and Aslıhan's wedding can take place very soon.
-I hope so too. -It will be good for both of them.
Turgut Alp has kept to himself for so long now.
I hope they will be good for each other.
Love makes the lover beautiful, more amenable.
It brings peace to the heart and blesses the home.
That is true, Halime Sultan. I found that out through experience.
I hope all our unmarried men find that out too.
Hopefully.
Bamsi was often worried about Turgut Alp.
He used to run off to be with him. He couldn't stand him being all alone.
Now, he won't be able to even if he still wanted to, Hafsa.
Turgut Alp will move to the Cavdar Tribe.
No matter. The Cavdar Tribe is so near. In the end, our hearts are unified.
They are.
Ladies, we have a huge task ahead of us.
We have a wedding to prepare for.
We can do it together.
I saw how you helped each other during my wedding. I was envious.
God willing, I'll be able to help in the same way this time.
We will ensure it goes off without a hitch.
People will bring whatever they have to offer.
Ladies, I suggest we help with Aslıhan Hatun's dowry too.
She's been through a lot.
She won't have had any time to prepare anything herself.
-Right. -You are right.
Just standing next to her will help.
-Come on, then. We have a lot to do. -Come on.
Bismillah.
Your demands will batter our empire both materially and morally, but...
our desire for peace is total.
You've gotten what you wanted, Ertuğrul Bey.
Every demand?
Every single one.
But I do have something to ask of you.
All you may ask for is your life.
If you do everything we say without delay...
we will honor your wish.
Ertuğrul Bey... I understand your anger.
Many warriors on both sides fell in this war.
But if the terms of this agreement aren't followed, there will be many more.
What is it you ask for?
Trust.
I ask you to trust me.
Everyone you saw as your foe has fallen.
Simon, the governor, Vasilius.
None took into account the one thing sharper than the sword: honor.
I give you my hand in friendship.
If honor is what you prize, you ride under the wrong banner.
I have no trust.
Not in you, nor anyone associated with you.
But know that I will not be dishonest.
If you are cruel...
I will turn against you.
Cruelty is the armor of cowards, Ertuğrul Bey.
I came into this world naked and will leave it naked.
You have a month to abide by the terms of the agreement.
It will be done, Emir Sadettin.
I will personally ensure we meet the terms of the agreement and your wishes.
May it be good.
I hope it is.
Don't make the mistake Vasilius made and try to play games.
We are in this situation because Vasilius underestimated you, Ertuğrul Bey.
Rest assured I will not make the same mistake.
Subtitle translation by Yurdakul Gündoğdu