EMPIRE REWRITTEN [Isekai ? Alt-History ? Strategy]

Back at Domokos, Constantine's army had only a brief moment to savor victory before dealing with new threats. In the days following the fortress's capture, disturbing reports filtered into the Byzantine camp. Mounted scouts and local Greek peasants brought word of Ottoman raids and sabotage in the surrounding regions. Under cover of darkness, bands of enemy Akinci cavalry – likely dispatched by Turahan or local Ottoman governors – had circled behind the Byzantine advance. They struck at isolated villages and supply convoys with merciless efficiency. One dawn, smoke was seen smudging the sky to the south-east. A messenger from Neopatras arrived, breathless and disheveled, reporting that an Ottoman raiding party attacked them on their way to Domokos. Another report indicated that a supply convoy from Thebes was ambushed; the wagons were set ablaze and the escort was killed entirely. It was evident that the Ottomans were employing guerrilla warfare and scorched-earth tactics to impede Constantine's forces.

George Sphrantzes collated these grim tidings and presented them to Costantine in Domokos's captured hall, where a makeshift command post was established. "Emperor," Sphrantzes said, pointing to marks on a map spread over a rough-hewn table, "the enemy is lashing out in our rear. Here, near Neopatras, and here along the old road from Thebes... small raiding parties, but enough to disrupt us. They wish to cut us off or at least make it difficult to hold what we've taken." Constantine frowned, tracing the routes with a gauntleted finger. He realized the danger: though victorious at Domokos, his army was now deep in hostile territory with increasingly precarious lines of supply.

Worse yet, rumors started flying among the locals that Murad was gathering a massive army to march south. One of the Greek villagers who had fled into the Byzantine camp swore he overheard an Ottoman soldier mutter, "Wait until the Sultan arrives, he'll burn them all." Such talk, true or not, cast a shadow over the elation of the recent wins. Constantine knew that time was now of the essence – whatever the next move, it had to be decided and prepared before Murad's hammer descended.

Thus, a tense war council was called in Domokos just days after its fall. Constantine gathered his key commanders and advisors in the castle's old keep beneath a vaulted ceiling still blackened by soot. Outside, twilight was settling. The distant rumble of thunder hinted at a summer storm brewing over the Thessalian plain, and occasional flickers of lightning danced on the horizon. In the chamber, an oil lamp cast long shadows over the faces around the table: Constantine at the head, flanked by George Sphrantzes, Captain Andreas, and Despot Thomas. Also present were a few other officers, but the core discussion lay with the first four.

The Emperor opened the council. "Brothers and friends," he began, his tone measured, "we stand at a crossroads. By God's grace and our sweat, we hold Livadeia, Bodonitsa, Zetouni, Neopatras, and now Domokos. Never in recent memory has our banner flown over so much of Greece. Our strategy unfolded exactly as intended—thanks to Turahan Bey being occupied in Albania, we've executed a swift and decisive campaign thus far."

He paused thoughtfully, his eyes assessing each face around the table. "But we also know the enemy will not rest. Murad will come—with fury. The question is: what do we do next? Do we push further while we have momentum? Or do we secure and fortify what we've taken and brace for his counterblow?" Constantine's gaze sharpened, emphasizing the gravity of the moment. "I want your frank counsel."

Thomas was the first to speak, unable to contain himself. He stood up from his stool, one hand instinctively resting on the pommel of his sword as he said passionately. "We must press on to Larissa, Brother. Right to the heart of Thessaly!" He pointed north, in the direction of the great plain invisible beyond the dark window.

"Every day we linger gives Murad time to gather strength. Right now, much of Thessaly lies exposed and trembling. If we march fast, we might seize Larissa and perhaps even parts of Macedonia before the full weight of the Ottoman host is upon us. Imagine capturing Larissa – a rich city and the Ottoman regional capital. Its fall would cripple their hold on Greece and rally even more Greeks to our cause."