He smiled for the first time. “And I love you.”
Nerves swirled around Shuree’s stomach as she went to fetch Dagar. Would her people agree with what she was trying to achieve? She couldn’t remember any stories of a female khan. She stopped outside the guest yurt. If all her promises to Ogodai were broken, the Erseg would never trust the Saltar again.
Taking a breath, she called, “Dagar, would you like to witness the voting?”
The tent flap swung open and he stepped out. “Yes.”
He said nothing as they strode to where the tribe had gathered by the communal fire. Erhi stood on a platform in front of the crowd and Amar stood next to her. “Wait with your people.” Shuree pointed to his other tribe members who stood with Vachir and Badma.
Before she could join her brother on the platform, an old, wrinkled hand grabbed her arm. “Shuree.”
A lump lodged in her throat as her grandmother hugged her.
“I’m pleased you are back.” She lowered her voice. “The women support you. You will make a strong khan.” The confidence in Nergui’s voice gave Shuree strength.
“Thank you.” She stepped up next to her brother and Erhi called for silence.
“Our khan, Temujin died during the raid of the Erseg tribe,” she began. “Custom normally has the leadership passing to the eldest son, however this is not law. The law dictates that any of the khan’s children may be khan and as such Shuree and Amar have both indicated a desire for the role. They will each speak and then you will decide who you wish to lead our tribe.” She indicated for Shuree to begin.
Shuree cleared her throat. “After our khan died, I travelled to the Erseg tribe to retrieve our warriors’ bodies, and to free Yesugen and Tegusken who had been taken during the raid,” she said. “My goal was to see our people were returned safely to our land, but I also hoped for change.” She scanned the crowd. Jambal appeared unhappy as Gan whispered in his ear. Then Gan rubbed his bald head and smirked at her, the hostility in his gaze making her skin prickle. Maidar and Koke stood next to her grandmother and their smiles gave Shuree hope.
“For decades the tribes of Rhora have fought each other, stolen harvests and horses, flocks and women. We have lost so many men in battle and our numbers decrease. And yet we have a respectful relationship with the tribes to our east. Why can’t we have the same relationship with the other tribes?”
One of her sisters-in-law nodded and the other shushed her baby who had begun to cry. Shuree was doing this for them, and all the others like Altan and her daughter, who now had to live without their husbands and sons.
“I spoke to Ogodai Khan while I was with the Erseg. I proposed peace and he was reluctant. Trust is the rarest jewel. We discussed many options such as a yearly gathering like we do with the eastern tribes, holding games and competitions, banning weapons so tempers and misunderstandings can’t turn deadly. But in the end we realised we must start small, with a group of people who can make decisions for their tribes and sign a peace treaty. Ogodai agreed to my suggestion of gathering the ten Rhoran khans together to discuss a permanent peace treaty and proposed a two-moon truce. The Gods have told us to meet in the Dragon Mountains to the south and should I be your khan, I will meet with the other Rhoran leaders and broker a peace between our tribes.”
She indicated Dagar in front of her. “Dagar is the son of Ogodai. He travels with me to show their commitment to the process. My goal is to stop the fighting and to live in peace with each other, trading goods freely and sharing our skills.” She scanned the crowd. Some of the warriors were stony-faced, but others appeared interested. She wasn’t certain she had said enough to convince them. Stepping back, she indicated for Amar to speak.
“My sister is young and naive,” he said. “Though her goal is worthy, we cannot trust these people. If the khans gather, it will be slaughter with the Erseg tribe triumphing and ruling us all. We must stand firm, we must train hard and be vigilant against their attack. We cannot be weak. The Erseg tribe desecrated our khan’s body and left our people to rot on the steppes. They are not worthy of our trust.”
Below her Dagar shifted, a deep scowl on his face. Some of the warriors nodded along with Amar’s speech.
When he was finished, Erhi spoke. “Trust is a precious gift,” she said. “Not easily given. Perhaps it would be wise to hear from Dagar, to find out what the Erseg truly want.”
Shuree squirmed. They hadn’t discussed this. Dagar covered his surprise quickly as Maidar called, “Let him talk.”
Amar’s face was a thundercloud as Erhi gestured Dagar onto the stage. Dagar glanced at Shuree and she held out a hand to help him up. “Tell us how your tribe feels about the fighting.”
He stepped onto the centre of the platform. “Greetings,” he said. “I don’t feel it is my place to stand here, speaking to you when you are choosing your new khan, but I am honoured you want to hear more about my tribe.”
Hope rose in her. It was exactly the way to get her people onside.
“I will be honest with you, as Shuree was honest with us. Like you, there are members of my tribe who do not trust. They fear being overrun and that fear blinds them. When I asked them what they truly want it is peace, but they can’t see a way to get it. Shuree has offered us a way, by talking with us, by being vulnerable, by risking travelling to our tribe when she knew she may not be welcome. Her courage impressed my father, Ogodai Khan. He saw her strength and was humbled by it. We too fear someone will use the gathering of the khans as an opportunity to attack, to take control, but we can’t let fear rule us. Our spiritual advisor asked the Gods and they support the meeting, they suggested the neutral ground of the Dragon Mountains. I can only believe the Gods, too, want to see us at peace.” He stepped down.
Shuree’s chest was so full of hope she could barely breathe.
Erhi spoke. “I too have communed with our Gods,” she said. “They told me the same as they told Mengu. The Dragon Mountains is where we will find peace and strengthen our people.” She gestured to Amar and Shuree. “And now we must choose our khan. Shuree and Amar, please turn your backs to the tribe.”
Shuree glanced at her brother as she turned. His lips were a thin line, his eyes staring at a spot across the steppes. What was he thinking?
“If you support Shuree as khan, please step to your left,” Erhi said. “If you support Amar as khan, please move to your right.”
Murmuring ensued as their tribe members chose with their feet. Shuree’s muscles were tight as she waited. She would be graceful if she was defeated, though she wasn’t sure how she would face Dagar. He and his tribe had trusted her.
“What are you doing?” a man growled.
“I can choose whomever I want,” a woman answered.
Shuree winced. She hadn’t considered that families would have different opinions. She hoped relationships would not be strained. Perhaps they should have arranged for a secret vote somehow.
The wait seemed to take forever. She didn’t dare look to her brother or Dagar to gauge their reactions. She itched to tap her feet or her fingers, but it would show how nervous she was and her people needed to see only her strength. She would find out if her gamble had paid off soon enough.
Finally, Erhi said, “The vote has been counted and verified by Nergui and Mengu. You may intermingle again.”
Of course. If they stayed where they were, she and Amar would know which way they had voted when they turned around. It was another few minutes before Erhi said, “Amar and Shuree, you may face the tribe.”
Shuree turned and looked at Erhi rather than her tribe. She wasn’t certain she wanted to see their expressions.
“The tribe has voted,” Erhi announced. “Our people have chosen their new khan. Will you both abide by your tribe’s will?”
“I will,” Shuree and Amar answered.
Erhi smiled. “Then please step forward…” She paused and Shuree held her breath. “Shuree Khan.”
Air exploded from her and her head spun.
They had voted for her? They agreed with her vision of the future? Tears welled in her eyes as she stumbled forward. Amar steadied her.
“Congratulations, sister,” he said. “I pray you are truly right to trust them.” He hugged her and then stepped off the platform to join the rest of the tribe.
Erhi gestured for Mengu to join her on the stage to help with the ceremony. Shuree couldn’t move, could barely believe this was happening. Amar was right. She was young. Being khan was more than negotiating peace. She would have to lead the tribe afterwards. Panic threatened to overcome her and she spotted Nergui hugging Amar and then they both turned to her and the faith in their eyes calmed some of the anxiety. She scanned the crowd and met more excited expressions as well as a few warriors who were not impressed. Finally her eyes met Dagar’s. He winked at her, but the relief on his face had to be a mirror of her own.
“Today we welcome a new khan to lead us,” Erhi began. “And in the spirit of what we are trying to achieve, Mengu, the spiritual advisor of the Erseg tribe, will help me with this ceremony. Step forward, Shuree.”
Shuree did so.
“Our khan is our leader, our guide and our servant. She must always make decisions for the tribe based on what we need now and in the future.” Erhi turned to her. “Shuree, do you promise to lead us, guide us and serve us, today and into the future?”
Her nerves settled and determination filled her. “I promise.”
“The Gods bless this appointment. Drink now to seal your promise.” Mengu handed her the ceremonial bowl full of litak.
The liquid burned down her throat and made her head spin.
“Please welcome your new khan, Shuree.”
The tribe cheered and Shuree smiled, still finding it difficult to comprehend. They had so much faith in her. She couldn’t let them down. The weight of responsibility landed on her shoulders, heavy and uncomfortable. She held up a hand and the cheers quietened.
“Thank you for this honour,” she said. “There is much we need to do to prepare for peace. I would like to meet with the council now and then we shall announce our way forward.” She stepped off the platform towards Dagar. “Come with me.”
The crowd parted to let her through, many slapping her on the shoulder or wishing her luck. So much hope on people’s faces. She had to deliver.
Raised voices to her right caught her attention. Gan yelled at Amar, but she couldn’t make out the words. Amar glanced around, caught her eye and then turned back to Gan, shaking his head and leading him further away from the rest of the tribe.
What was Gan trying now? The tribe had decided. He knew his opinion was in the minority. She sighed and continued through the camp, hoping Amar could talk some sense into his friend.
At the door to her father’s yurt she hesitated. It was truly hers now. Would he be proud of what she had done? She sighed and went inside and offered Dagar a drink.
“You are overwhelmed,” he said.
“I wasn’t certain they would support me.”
He smiled. “You know your people’s wishes better than you think. The majority supported you. They want change as well.”
She had no words.
“What will you do now?”
“We need to contact the other tribes,” she said. “Send them an invitation to the gathering.”
Erhi entered the tent and with her were Mengu and the members of the council. Amar paused just inside the door and Shuree gestured him in. “You are still a member of the council, brother.”
“Thank you.”
They sat around the table and Shuree took a moment before she sat in her father’s seat at the head. No, it was her seat now. She rested her forearms on the smooth wood, the same way her father had done whenever he sat there. She would do him proud.
“We must focus on the gathering of the khans,” she began. “I need to send trusted riders to our allies in the east and invite them.”
“I can ask the Gods who to choose,” Erhi said.
A good idea. That way she wouldn’t have to worry about sending someone who disagreed with what they were attempting. “Three riders will also join the Erseg messengers and travel to the far western tribes. We do not know how they will react, but we hope that seeing the two tribes cooperating will give them hope and not fear.”
“What do we do in the meantime?” Amar asked.
“We need to prepare for winter,” she said. “With our harvest reduced, we must ensure we have enough food. I suggest we send people to Bonam and trade our sheep for their rice.”
“We wouldn’t have to do it, if the Erseg hadn’t stolen our food,” one man grumbled. “Surely they should give it back as a sign of good faith.”
“My father has sent a half dozen horses with us,” Dagar said. “They will allow you to reach the other tribes faster, and you may keep them when your riders return.”
It was a generous arrangement and the man fell silent.
“Who will go to the Dragon Mountains with you?” Amar asked.
She was allowed five warriors. She would have to choose those with cool heads who were slow to anger. “I will think on it,” she said. “If you have suggestions, I would welcome them.”
They discussed the direction of the tribe and it was night by the time they were done. Shuree stood. “Thank you for your advice and comments. We shall prepare our riders to leave at first light tomorrow, but now I believe it is time to eat.”
A communal meal had been organised to celebrate the new khan.
“There is one more thing we need to do,” Erhi said. “With you as khan, we must fill the role of Tribal Mother.” She frowned. “No, I guess it would be Tribal Father in this case.”
Shuree blinked. The role normally went to the spouse of the khan and when her mother had died, it had fallen to her. But she had no spouse or children. That left Amar as her only male relative. “Amar will you be Tribal Father until I marry?”
He smiled. “I would be honoured.”
“We shall hold the ceremony tonight by the fire.”
She gestured for the council to leave the tent but couldn’t stop the lingering doubt. Would Amar follow her lead and support the gathering after she left? Or would Gan convince him his way was better?
Chapter 7
Over the next few days, Shuree was forced to calm many prickly tempers. The warriors didn’t like Dagar walking around the village, so Shuree made sure he stayed close to her. The other Erseg men had already left to take messages to the far western tribes and Mengu spent his days with Erhi. To keep Amar busy, Shuree gave him the task of arranging the supplies to trade with Bonam. She hoped it would keep him away from Gan, but every time she saw Amar, Gan was right by his side.
To counteract the hostilities, she made sure Dagar spent time with each group in the tribe so they could get to know him. This truce was far too delicate to leave to chance.
At night they sat by the communal fire and answered any questions from her tribe. Three evenings after Shuree had become khan, Maidar brought her lute out to play. Others soon joined and the music flowed around them.
“Do you play?” Shuree asked Dagar.
He shook his head. “My brother does, but I never learnt.” He was quiet a moment, watching those around the flickering firelight. “We play these songs in my tribe. I could be back home.”
She squeezed his hand briefly. “I saw so many similarities when I visited you. We are one people, simply separated into ten tribes.”
“I thank Qadan that you came to us. This,” he waved his hand at the people around the fire, “is a much nicer way to live.”
Shuree had no words as he turned his gaze back to her. An unfamiliar warmth filled her. “I thank Qadan you didn’t kill me the moment I stepped into camp,” she replied, smiling to keep the sting out of her words.
“I promised my father I would send him updates,” Dagar said. “Would one of your men take a message for me? I hope hearing from me will lessen his concerns about the khan gathering.”
“Thank you.”
Around them children were dancing, pulling up a few adults to join them. Maidar’s seven-year-old granddaughter ran over to them and held out both of her hands to Dagar. “Can you dance?”
Shuree’s mouth dropped open as Dagar took the girl’s hand. “Not very well, but I will try for you.”
They joined the dancers and the other adults nodded a greeting at Dagar. He danced well, moving with grace and a hypnotic rhythm. As the beat changed, he picked up the little girl and swung her around, and her shrieks of glee were all the music Shuree needed.
She scanned those who still sat around the fire. All eyes were on Dagar as he danced and reluctant respect shone in their eyes. Maidar made a gesture towards the pair and grinned slyly at her. She had put her granddaughter up to it.
That didn’t matter. What mattered was they were making progress.
The next day while Shuree was introducing Dagar to the fletchers, Badma approached.
“Shuree, are you going to continue to teach us how to fight?”
Dagar glanced at Shuree in surprise. “What?”
She inwardly winced. “After the raid, the women wanted to learn how to defend themselves,” she told him. “They were upset about Yesugen and Tegusken being kidnapped and wanted to ensure they weren’t taken during the next raid.” She turned to Badma. “With the truce in place and the khan meeting only two moons away, is it necessary?”
“Yes, it gave us confidence,” she said. “The Erseg tribe isn’t the only tribe that has raided and we haven’t heard back from the others yet. We’d like to be prepared.”
Shuree couldn’t argue with that. “All right. I have some time now. Can you gather the others?”
Badma grinned. “We’ll meet you at the training grounds.” She ran off.
“Do your women not trust their men to protect them?” Dagar asked as they walked back to the khan’s tent so she could gather her weapons.
Warlords, Witches and Wolves: A Fantasy Realms Anthology Page 33