Simon personally selected other 3 soldiers for scouting from Georgian soldiers and ordered them to go along with the archer and 2 Persians.They packed food into their bags,got on their horses and went to different directions.2 Georgians went towards Erzurum,1 Georgian and 1 Persian soldier went to Kars(City in northeastern Turkey) and the rest went towards the path that directly would lead Ottoman conquerors to Tbilisi fortress.That path was located in the city called Dmanisi.
The soldiers that arrived in Erzurum and hided close to Lala pasha's camp,eavesdropped the conversation between Lala Kara Mustafa pasha(Lala pasha's full name.Kara is not name.It means black in Turkish.Lala pasha had black hair in his youth and this is why he got this nickname) and the commander of the janissaries' corps called Husein.
-Husein,I reconsidered to go to Tbilisi fortress with the entire army.I have to stay here and protect Erzurum.
-Then who will go there,your excellency?
-The governor of Damascus-Hasan pasha.He is much younger and capable than me in order to suppress Simon's rebellion.Do you know why I trust him so much?
-How would I know?Please,enlighten me.
-He is the son of Sokullu Mehmed pasha.Sokullu Mehmed was Bosnian like me.So,I am used to count on the pashas who are of Bosnian origin.I want to send Hasan pasha at the end of this year,more specifically in autumn.
-What do you wish me to do?
-You will notify the janissaries about this matter and then,you will send me 1 janissary whom I will send to Damascus in order to inform Hasan pasha about this crucial matter.
-As you command,your excellency!-Husein bowed his head in front of Lala Kara Mustafa pasha and went back to the janissaries.
Simon's scouts were meticulously observing the show in front of them.Only 1 of them knew Ottoman Turkish.Soon,they saw one young janissary probably in his early 20s.This soldier went to Lala pasha and bowed his head in front him.
-Greetings,your excellency!
-Lift your head and listen to me attentively.
The janissary did as he was told and looked at Lala pasha.
-Very well!Now,listen.You must go towards Damascus and meet Hasan pasha.You will deliver my letter to him that I wrote yesterday.
-I understood.
-Here is the letter.Ensure that you won't lose it.
-I won't lose.If I lose,I swear,that I will take my life before I return.
The young janissary got on the horse and rushed towards Damascus.Simon's scout who couldn't comprehend anything from those conversations,whispered to his comrade:
-What were they talking about?What is going on?
-We have to get away from here first,then I will relate you everything.
-Okay,brother.
The scouts got away and sat down on the grass near the big tree.The soldier who understood every word that was spoken at the enemy's camp told his comrade those conversations in detail.
-So,turns out we have to go after that janissary that has just gone to Damascus,right?
-No,we don't have to.
-Then,what are we supposed to do?
-I will write the letter to our king and you will return to Tbilisi,meet king Simon and deliver the letter.This information is extremely meaningful.It took us 3 weeks to come here.You will need 3 weeks to go back as well.We have no time to waste!
-Alright,here are inkpot,paper and feather.-The soldier took them out from his bag and passed it to his comrade.
The soldier put the inkpot on the grass.Afterwards,he put the paper on his knees and started writing:
"Your majesty,I and my comrade eavesdropped the conversation here between Lala Kara Mustafa pasha and the commander of the janissaries' corps-Husein.Lala pasha told him his final decision.He won't be personally leading the entire army towards Tbilisi.He will be sending Hasan pasha,the son of Bosnian pasha called Sokullu Mehmed.Hasan pasha is the governor of Damascus.Lala pasha said this,because he considers him much younger and capable than him.My king,please be prepared for ruthless combat.At the end of this year Hasan pasha will arrive in Tbilisi with thousands of janissaries.
Yours sincerely,your soldier and loyal subject-Aleksandre"