They were the Janizaries, the real strength of the savage Turkish empire; the cutting edge of the most deadly army in the world. Snatched from the cradle, they knew only one master - the Sultan Suleyman - and one joy - slaughter. Like a terrible shining river of steel they rode to the very walls of Vienna, gateway to Christendom. But there a few brave men of the West made their stand - and held the city at awful cost against the savage hordes outside.