Siutin ran through the field. It was a black night, with not even the moon to shine its light.

Siutin was a wanted man. The Ottomans had been ramming their way through the world, and all the cannon power in the nation had not been enough to repel them. The resistance was strong, though.

Siutin traveled from city to city, opting to be holed up in the homes of trusted advisors. It was easy, now that the Turks had displaced them all, forcing them to live in holes.

For what it was worth, Siutin was proud of his people. In the face of adversity, they only gritted their teeth and fought that much harder. Every massacre, every injustice, every malicious word only served to increase the drive and resolve of the people. If the sun was to set on Siutin’s glorious civilization, a civilization in existence since before written records began, then the sun would not go down on a land of cowards.

He ducked into a cave. The Ottoman soldiers had seen him.

Siutin prayed not for his own safety, but for that of his country.