‘So I never let my guard down, but I do it in such a way as not to raise any suspicions. It’s a dangerous game we are playing my friend and let’s hope it will be over soon. But until that merciful time I have to watch my back before I slip in an unguarded moment and get carried away to oblivion with the tip of a sword protruding from my chest; nicely skewered and quartered for their dinner. But enough of that. What brings you here in these woods?’

‘I’m on my way to the city, but not directly. I plan to follow a wide arc around the city to check on the positions of the Ottoman troops before I make my final way inside with vital information I’ve gathered on my reconnaissance mission. I suspect your mission would take you on the same trajectory.’

‘Indeed, but not inside the city. I’ll try and see what kind of subterfuge I can achieve on the outside behind the enemy lines. I’ll try and wreak as much havoc as I can to delay the Sultan and give the city time. But tell me. Why would you risk your life trying to get back in? Why did you leave in the first place?

‘Well, to answer your second question, I hated being cooped up in the foul air of desperation. It was choking me. As to your first question I have decided to sneak in to persuade the Emperor to let me take his child and heir to safety. I don’t want to use force, if he does not see the wisdom of this decision, but I will not hesitate to do so, if he doesn’t. That child needs to be protected.’

‘How are you going to get in with your escort there? I hear the Emperor is in an unfriendly mood and has given clear instructions to hit and kill on the spot upon any unknown presence approaching the city.’

‘I’ll leave my carers behind and venture in alone and, hopefully, undetected.