Tales of the Exalted

"Thank you Chaneque. Your warning is appreciated." Eida took a step back before hanging his head in deference to the Khal's ward.

"You do me great honor in speaking my name, lady Callista of the Terenuth. You are a curiosity in a war chamber, and you have apparently thought me similar, so I thought I may answer questions you have before the great Khal brings us to order. Until the counsel is complete, it is not my place to impose." That was mostly true, but Eida really just wanted to know what interest the woman had in him, and hoped it was more insightful than appearance.

”Thank you, Sanjuro. I know I will come to no harm in your presence,” she flashed him a smile before turning back to Eida. ”A lady cannot be curious to hear about her people going to war? The truth is, I did not find your presence odd but was merely musing over that fact that I do not know enough about the Nahuatl. I would love to hear of your homeland sometime, that is if Awilix does not have you too busy aiding in the Khal’s endeavors.”

"My labors are not Awilix' concern anymore. The Khal accepted my offer of counsel. Until that is revoked, the Khal decides my fate again. As of the Nahuatl, my people are dying, so if it is history you want, I can tell you their stories to keep them alive in my heart." Eida's eyes shifted over to the sentinel occasionally as they spoke.

"My presence here is not frequent, but if you would like to meet somewhere..." He could feel the knives from Sanjuro's eyes, and changed the path of his sentence"Or would be kind enough to invite me to the palace at a time as is convenient..." He let the words hang in the air, all too aware of the unheard threats that were directed at him.

Sanjuro was alarmed at the demon boy's words.
"You must be mistaken, bakemono." he said with certainty about the boy's claim that Shono was going to accept his counsel. "Perhaps he did not recognize you as a man grown, I shall remind him when the Princess is done with you." he said, resisting the urge to drag her to her room and tie her to the bed. Mayumi was going to regret her mistake this time.
"I will not have you whispering poison into the ears of this court, as your teachers did the Nahuatl. Would that my Khal had made a different decision about your fate the last time, and dashed you upon the steps as he did your masters." he said, an uncharacteristic anger in his voice.

”Congratulations are in order for your new station, Eida of the Nahuatl. It would seem the Khal deciding our fates is something we have in common. I would love to hear the stories about your people,” she said sincerely, because she truly was looking forward to hearing what he had to say about the Nahuatl especially if they were diminishing.

”I will see to it that you receive an invite for tea sometime,” she smiled, making a mental note to make sure she followed through. Before she could say any more she was shocked by Sanjuro’s words and the vehemence behind them. ”Sanjuro, your manners please. How are we to understand them if we do not learn? Whether their people are right or wrong, we are not in the position to judge. I am glad Eida was spared so that he could share his knowledge with us.” Callista then turned back to the sorcerer with an apologetic smile, ”Please excuse Sanjuro, his heart is in the right place.”

Eida stared at the confrontational man, making sure that his words were felt.
"Your prejudice against me is noted, Chaneque. However, I am here in debt of the Khal's actions. There is no purpose to acting against the men who spared me. I am not here to preach as the ixiptlatli did. I am not foolish enough to believe myself akin to a god."

Turning back to the Callista, Eida ducked his head in thanks "As you wish it. I came expecting difficult words from some. He turned to head off but hesitated to say one last thing.

"Your offer is most welcome. Any runner would be able to find me through Warlord Awilix." Eida walked away before the sentinel decided that hie presence alone was a threat.

Sanjuro nearly ignored Callista's words, he did not like that the Khal would listen to this demon-whisperer, but the call was a man grown and a wise ruler. The Princess was young and innocent. The wisdom she spoke with came from an open heart.
Sanjuro heard the man's words, and if he meant them it would be a relief. But there was no knowing if the man meant the words, or if he simply spoke with the guile of a demon. As Eida turned to leave, Sanjuro waved Mayumi off. Her hands came away from the daggers in her hair pins and she came forwards, likely unnoticed by either party. She knelt into a deep bow to her brother, one fist on the tile supporting her body as she held her head low.
"I will escort the Princess back to her room." she said solemnly. Sanjuro looked at the Callista once more, remembering the omens he'd read earlier.
"No. She may stay here, and do as she pleases. None are to touch her." he said simply before melting back into the shadows.

Callista hid her exasperated sigh behind a smile, disappointed that her chance to make a new friend had passed so quickly. Her eyes flashed to where where May had emerged from and already felt sorry for any punishment the girl would receive on her behalf. She told herself that later, when he wasn't so worked up over the young Nahuatl man she would speak with him about enacting punishment on May instead of her.

It came as a surprise to her when Sanjuro said the she could stay. Callista almost could have hugged him but she knew that wasn't lady like nor reinforcing her claims of being an adult now. She would have said something more but her eyes drifted back to the dais and the real reason she had come here.

Kellian had been close enough to Jin-Sahn and listen to his exchange with the pale tattooed man. It would seem that he belonged to yet another warlord that was not present and it surprised Kellian that the Khal had allowed a proxy to be in place of any of his generals. He watched each exchange with Shono carefully, making notes in his mind at which leader seemed devoted to his cause and which ones seemed reluctant. It was curious to see the white haired man move off to the side to engage in a conversation with a stunning young lady and he couldn't help but wonder who she was and why she was there.

The Guild Prince waited until the mass of warlords had died down and took his turn to approach Khal Shono. He offered the man a polite bow, but not one so low that it would imply he was beneath his own station and flashed him a broad smile. "I see the tales of your mighty forces weren't exaggerated. I am eager, as is the Guild, to hear the wisdom of your council, see that might upon the field as well as to offer any advice I can from an outside standpoint. Later, if you have time I would be interested to walk the camp and see your forces in person."

The old man and Donovan worked through the crowd, the old man pointing out generals, many of whom he had served with in previous campaigns. He was in no rush to speak to the Khal, but the prevailing gossip amongst the warriors was that the Khals successor would be chosen from the Son who brought the most glory and success in defeating the walled city.
Mənim lady Axşamınız xeyir. Məni Donovan təqdim. xarici dilləri danışan üçün məni bağışla edin. Mən köhnə edirəm və bacarıq hətta gənclik mənə kənarda həmişə olmuşdur.
The lady Callista, may I have the honor of introducing Uncle Bryn Dwallin, Warmaster of the Mother of An-Tir’s forces. He begs your forgiveness for not speaking your tongue and speaking through this intermediary.
Mən qarşıdakı nuptuals sizi təbrik edirik diləyirəm. Khal uzun yaşamaq bilər, və onun oğulları hər hansı evlənmək üçün yaxşı olardı. Mən qərbdə kampaniyası onun böyük xidmət. Onun bacarıq yalnız bir min sunrises kimi işıq saçır sizin gözəllik, ilə qeyrisi.
He wishes long life and health to the Khal and to you he wishes to express he congratulations to you and his warm regard for your future bridegroom. He had the chance to serve with the Khal’s oldest in the campaign in the west, and his skill on the field of battle, is only matched by your beauty, which shines like a thousand sunrises.

Jin-Sahn watched as guest after guest paid their respects and caught up with his father. His brother Chen had left the dais to drink with his uncle and cousins, something Jin-Sahn was jealous of, as he knew his presence would only be tolerated at best.
But still, there were many interesting guests who'd answered the call to war. Most notably the Nahautl advisor and a representative of the guild. The latter most recently introduced himself to the Khal of Khals.
"You've seen nothing yet, my new friend, but I will be happy to speak with you when I go inspect the camps myself." the Khal said, tearing off a hunk of meat from the bone and eating it.
"My father's Horde rivals the armies of the Realm in scale, Trade Prince." Jin-Sahn said with pride. "We have to be careful how many warbands we send, or the shares of plunder would be too small to make it worthwhile." he smiled. His father grunted in agreement.
"As far as wisdom, this will mostly be arguing from the look of things. The Temujin are growing restless, too long without war." Shono said, waving for cups of wine to be poured for himself and his new guest.

Kellian grinned broadly at the men, he highly doubted his armies rivaled those of the Realm but who was he to argue the Khal. "The Scarlet Empress is lucky she is so far away or we would be having this conversation sitting in her grand hall!" He chuckled. "I will look forward to a visit to the camps. I know idle men look for idle pastimes and women can only be entertaining for so long. I'm sure many of them desire to ride a real horse." He took the cup of wine and bowed in thanks, eager to see how the man handled the warlords.

Callista turned away from May to give her attention to the pair of men who had come to greet her. It would appear her attempt at being subtly privy to the meeting had failed but thus far no one had seemed bothered by her presence.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Warmaster Bryn Dwallin," she smiled, focusing on the older man instead of his translator as she spoke. "And you Donovan, I had heard you were staying with us here in Terenuthis to fight for the mighty Khal Shono's army. We are lucky to have such a warrior from the great An-Tir." Callista turned her attention back to Bryn as she address his other remarks, "You flatter me with your words, thank you for them. I appreciate the well wishes, but perhaps you should save them for when I know whom my bridegroom shall be. I would count myself lucky to be the wife of either of the Khal's sons." The last part she could feel herself strain inside at the lie but outside her face remained soft and as passive as ever. Neither son had appealed to her, though she had grown up with them almost as brothers she did not enjoy the idea of being part of a gloried harem even if she was the official wife in name. Callista felt even the existence of the Khal's pleasure room sullied the palace greatly but she knew it was not her place to protest such a thing.

May felt terrible at the anger in her brother's eyes. She hadn't expected the Princess to come into the throne room! To watch as the guests came in, sure. To maybe wander the grounds and look at all the servants that came with the guests, but not to actually speak to guests. And certainly not ones who Sanjuro considered a threat to security.
She was certain he and the Khal would be arguing about the boy. It wasn't her place to question her Lord or her Khal, but she didn't think the boy was such a threat. Sanjuro had lost men to Nahautl magics before the Khal's conquest, and had always held a grudge against them.
And Awilix's sexual advances on him hardly helped his opinion that they were an undisciplined people. Not that May had any idea why her brother would deny the attentions of such a beautiful and proud warrior.

As the men from An-Tir arrived May positioned herself so they could not come within arm's reach of Callista. She did not like that the older man only spoke the native tongue of that Kingdom, May had yet to learn the language herself and couldn't be certain the translation was true.
But Sanjuro had said Callista was welcome to do as her heart desired, and so it would be.

Of course my lady. We are always in service to you as our Kahl. and the general smiled gently and bowed.
Of course my lady. We are always in service to you as our Kahl. Donovan could see some internal conflict within the woman, He couldn’t imagine the old man not seeing it, of course it would be impolite to say anything. He gave her a sympathetic look, before bowing in his turn.
Come Donovan. It is time we made our appearance before the Khal, as honor requires. But first, from you overhearing the talk of the other warlords here, I am curious to know what is your take of the situation.
Uncle, Most of the warlords here make the same claim. That their forces were the best and should be the first through the breach in the wall. And I must admit, I feel the same about An-Tir’s heavy horse. You have taught me patience though, I would be better An-Tir forces be in a second or third wave through the breach, rather than be smashed against the wall and wasted before the breach was made. The true heroes of the day will be the siege engineers. The troops have to go over, under or through the wall, and it would be those engineers who made it happen. If it were truly up to me, I would turn the walls of the city against themselves. Launch the carcasses from the feasts and the war camp, our sick, dead, and dying (sure there were none now, but just wait – disease would come to the camp sooner or later as it always did in war). Let it fester within the city, poison their air and water until there are none strong enough to oppose. This all takes time though. Time our Khal has not afforded us.
The old man nodded sagely. You have listened well. Come then. Let us make our boasts, but not too boastful, so that we may ride through the breach when it is there. First of the reserves I think will do nicely.

Shono noticed the two men of An-Tir and waved off the guests before him, rising to his feet with a warm smile.
"Warmaster Bryn! It has been too long you old bastard." he came down and clapped the man into a hug. He knew his knowledge of the An-Tir tongue was sloppy and heavilly accented, but he didn't want a translator to muck up his words. "How have the winters since our last campaign treated you old man?" he asked the aged warrior. Then he took note of the boy at his side.
"And who is this? Not your replacement I hope." he grinned, clapping the boy's shoulder.

The Warmaster’s sunbaked features craked into a smile. He would not be so presumptuous as to call the Khal of Khals a friend, no assume that the Khal considered him one, but if ceremony were put aside and they were different men. Then yes, he would like to think they would be friends.
Khal of Khals the Warmaster began, exhausting his knowledge of the Temujin tongue. Continuing on in his own The Mother of An-Tir sends her deepest wishes for you her patron, and extends her blessings of fruitfulness upon your many wives.

My Lord, It has been too long. This is my Aide-de-Camp Brother Donovan, Squire of my squire, and now a knight in his own right. Your victories have been too many, and I can not keep up with all the languages and people under your rule. I leave this to the young one. Hopefully by listening here, he will add something between his ears rather than the idea that a sword and steed can solve every problem. he said purposely setting up Donovan as just another brash youth. Donovan bowed his head to the Khal in respect And yet, he shall be at my side most assuredly when our heavy horse charge though the breach. My I be so bold as to ask which one of your Temujin we shall be supporting this campaign, perhaps the honor of one of your sons, or would be serve better as a thorn under the saddle of Chagatai? he laughed.

The Khal sighed, the decision clearly a difficult one.
"I don't care who leads the battle, so long as my horses get to show just how slow the horses of An-Tir are." the voice of Chen called from behind, he pushed his way through a few guests and shook the Warmaster's hand in a warrior's greeting. "Glad you could make it on such slow beasts." he teased.
"You would lead the charge through the breach, son?" the Khal asked thoughfully. Chen grinned.
"If only to fight along side the Warmaster, father." he said with a bow. "I've proven myself, let Jin-Sahn lead." he said. "Besides, the real glory will be to whoever cuts the Dragon-King's head from his shoulders." he punched his brother in the arm before pulling a cup of wine off a nearby tray.
"You honor me, brother." Jin-Sahn spoke up. Chen waved him off, drinking deep. The Khal ran his fingers through his beard contemplatively.
"Well then, let us begin this council." he said, waving a servant at the gong in the back of the room.
It rang several times and soon the room was quiet, everyone taking their proper places.

The Khal stood from his throne and stared down at the assembled generals, warlords and advisors.
"Thirteen Houses of the Temujin united under my banner, over twenty years ago this day. By the time of the Reaping festival, we had conquered our first kingdom. We did not stop there!" a chorus of cheers came from many of the Temujin.
"Now Twelve kingdoms stand with us united, the Eternal Blue Sky above us all. I will celebrate the conquest of the walled city Shu-Han by the time the festival begins." he said with certainty.
"I do not wish for a siege, ugly and brutal. Men dying like pigs in their own filth. No, we will crush their armies, crack their wall and take their riches!" his aspect flared.
"My son, Jin-Sahn shall lead! He will not fail me." he turned to look at his son, the young man's chest puffed with pride. "I know this, because he will only have the best of you to advise him." the Khal looked back at the crowd.
"Who should I count among that number? Who will risk failing me?" he asked. The first man to step forwards was the Khal's brother, Chagatai.
"I will ride with my nephews, Great Khal. I pledge six thousand riders, my whole army. Every able bodied man, all with Temujin blood coursing through their veins." he proclaimed. The Khal of Khal's seemed pleased by his answer.
"You rode beside me at the beginning of this all, Chagatai, my son should be proud to have you beside him now." he said. Chagatai rose from his bow.
"Then let it be as it was then brother! Let your son lead Temujin, and only Temujin!" a roar came from the lesser houses, while notably Khal Yokatsu's party remained silent. "Four thousand of our cousins camp outside Terenuthis, two thousand more within it's walls! A shining horde, twelve thousand strong is more than even the walls of Shu-Han can withstand. Let us reach this great milestone the way we began. Let me teach Jin-Sahn what it is to be Temujin!" he had stirred many of the generals with his impassioned words.
Shono looked about the chamber, trying to gauge the reactions. His face gave away none of his thoughts. The same could not be said for Jin-Sahn. The young prince bristled at the insult.
"How to be Temujin? To be Temujin is to conquer!" he said with fire in his voice. "Our truest conquest is the loyalty of the people's who's home's we raised to the ground. Who's warriors we bested! You would disregard my father's greatest work for some foolish idea of Temujin purity?" he asked angrily.
"What good are warriors who only know defeat?" Chagtai asked, sending a shocked ripple through the crowd. "Twice we have failed to take the walled city, twice these people's have failed us. When did you last know defeat, brother? Before you added the weight of defeated foes to our ranks you were unstoppable!" he said accusingly.
"This was not so." a quiet voice called out as Sanjuro stepped out of the shadows. "Or do you not recall the screams of your son in as he died with his men in the Azuma Mori, Chagatai?" the words were said with no emotion, a simple statement of fact. But cold fury came over Chagatai's face and he reached for the sword at his side.
"ENOUGH!" Shono bellowed, stopping his brother in his tracks. "Sanjuro, apologize to my brother." he ordered. Sanjuro bowed deeply to the Temujin warlord.
"Sorry to remind you of past failures, Khal." he said simply.
"Chagatai! You have offended many with your words here, myself included." he came down the stairs, placing a hand on the shoulders of his kneeling assassin. "You would belittle the strategies of the Azuma? The steel of the Ogun? The heavy cavalry of An-Tir? Every culture I have conquered has become yet another weapon for my Empire. You make a division where there is none, brother." he said.
"Why would I send but twelve thousand to crush a city who has twice escaped my grasp? Why only use Temujin when I can call upon another eight thousand men? A soldier on the field for every man woman and child within the city's walls!" he'd begun to win back the crowd. He put his hands on his brother's shoulders and looked him in the eyes.
"Gather your men. Meet my son in Shu-Han. And show everyone the might of our people." he said. His brother stared into his eyes for a long moment, the tension in the room was clear.
"It will be as you wish, brother." he said finally before being pulled into an embrace.
"So it shall!" the Khal said, turning to his audience and raising a cup of wine. "Now that this has been decided, it shall fall to Jin-Sahn to decide who the reserves are. I shall be drinking until I forget how old I am, and feasting until my belly is so big I don't recognize myself!" he laughed heartily.