‘Elekum salam, Michael, Allahu Akbar’, the Ottoman replied, with not the slightest hint of surprise let alone shock at his supposedly mortal enemy’s respectful greeting.

The two men embraced warmly and kissed. Without a further word they walked together to a clearing just off the path. Riders from both groups laid down rugs and started to prepare coffee, which they would serve to their leaders once they had settled down to their chosen spot inside the clearing.

Suleyman breathed a secret sigh of relief at Michael’s self-control in keeping up the pretence and not blowing Suleyman’s disguise in his joy at this unexpected meeting. When they reached the clearing they sat down and conversed in whispers. Suleyman’s real name was Mark and he was more than just an acquaintance of Michael’s. Theirs was a relationship of blood.

The hooded figure gave up trying to hear their conversation, but kept his eyes on the other riders who dismounted and were rubbing down the horses and giving them hay and water. Strangely there was no interaction between the riders of the two groups, which made the apparent intimacy of their leaders all the more startling.

Once the coffee was served Michael and Mark dismissed their companions and, only when they were certain that they were out of earshot, did they start their conversation. The matters they had to discuss were not for prying ears. Michael spoke first.

‘My dear brother, your disguise has worked. My men were ready to launch an attack.’

‘So were mine. I stopped them just in time. And let me tell you it wasn’t easy. In these treacherous times they couldn’t understand why I was denying them their prey. I could see the hatred for me in their eyes. Sometimes I have my doubts about their loyalty. I get the sense I’m feeding mercenaries, with their vicious and ruthless nature bubbling under the surface and kept in check as long as I’m showering them with money and food. Of course in a fight I will need that vicious thirst for blood behind me, fighting my enemy as their enemy and looking out for me, as I hope will happen. If I let them catch even a single glimpse inside my soul I’m finished.