Tales of the Exalted

The former Capital of the Temujin Horde lies six days ride from Terunthius with such a small band and numerous Yam way stations.

Prince Jin-Sahn's chest filled with pride as Karakorum came into view. He slowed his horse to a stop and took in the sight of the city. Though he hadn't been here in years, it looked much the same as he remembered. Despite the things many of the people here whispered about him, the Prince truly hoped it would never change. A reminder of his father's first accomplishments, and of who his people once were.
"Welcome, my friends, to the old capital; Karakorum." he grinned at those nearest to him. "This is where the thirteen noble houses of the Temujin swore to follow my father on his quest to unite the whole of the Hundred Kingdoms."

Eida stepped up to join the prince at the ridgetop. The place was certainly imposing, and a great representation of who the Temujin were before this great expansion.

"It is impressive prince Jin-Sahn. It is unfortunate to have to visit a place where such a pact was made under our current pretenses. Do we yet know if Khal Chagatai is here?" The Shining Prince had seen Eida when he was being contentious for Awilix. Now that the Warlord was present, the sorcerer returned to his analyzing commentary and blunt facts. Offense was normal for him, but it wasn't because he was deliberately mean, people just disliked the truths that he spoke.

Callista stopped her horse just behind Jin-Sahn’s and looked over the sprawling sea of tents. She had heard the Temujin talk of their home many times but this was the first time she had seen it in person. It was hard to imagine a city made entirely of cloth and sticks but there it was and soon there would be amidst them. Knowing the horsemen like she did, she was more than a little apprehensive about their stay and she was concerned about the safety of her and her entourage. They could be rough, unpredictable and their respect for women was non-existent. For a moment her eyes drifted down to Eida who had arrived at the other side of the Prince, and she worried about the warnings of the Azuma. Where they went would be perilous for certain but at the very least this time she felt as if she wasn’t going alone.

”Let us hope our visit will be just as joyous as that time and as fruitful,” she said even if she didn’t entirely believe the words.

Jin-Sahn nodded, clearly pleased to hear such words from Callista, not knowing the darkness that weighed the Princess down.
Jin-Sahn's smile wavered as the Nahatal advisor spoke. He slowly reached into his bags and withdrew a spy glass. He looked through it a moment before closing it back and nodding.
"His banner flies in the north eastern section of the city." he said, turning to face the rest of the group. "Whatever your personal feelings, the losses any of you suffered, we are not here on a witch hunt. We have come here to hear with our own ears what happened, and to come up with a plan that will honor the sacrifices of our honored dead. I surround myself with a diverse group, but make no mistake my uncle does not. These men here, as my father says, are those who lack ambition. They cling to the old ways, to what they know. They are brave warriors, and have just as much right as any of you to their ways. We all serve the Khal of Khals. And I aim to show these people that." as he spoke, pride filled him again.
No, he was not like them. He wasn't entrenched in the old ways. But Temijin blood coursed through his veins. He would reach these people, and earn a measure of their respect, if not their acceptance.

May watched Callista speak to Jin-Sahn. She wondered if the Princess would recognize her, as none of the Temujin seemed to notice one of their number was actually Azuma.
May wondered if she would recognize herself. She wore disgusting furs and leathers, her hair pulled back like a boy's. She walked bow-legged and drank their disgusting beer. She rode like them, she smelled like them. Add a scar, some facial hair and she wasn't so sure the two Azuma with Callista would notice her.
But Sanjuro knew. He would have to have. And that scared her. Not because of the punishments that he might levy at her, but because he may seek to interfere. Or worse, his emotions may make him act rashly.
But that was what he got for playing his game of chance with the Princess's life. Mayumi couldn't leave things up to fate.

"Oi, kid! You coming back to the game or gonna keep gawking at them? Ruby was determined to win back the coin she had lost the day before, but it didn't look like the competition had any interest anymore. Dice were a stupidly fickle lot, but at least they could survive the salt, she'd have another chance.

In the mean time, Rebekah had concerns as to why she was with this group. She still didn't have anyone to command, and she wasn't sure she wanted to anyway. She felt like she was here in spirit for their losses, and a way to represent the diverse people that the Shining Prince surrounded himself with.

"I'm in for a game but I'm more of strip poker kind of girl," Jill grinned as she walked with her tail swishing behind her, handing over one of her pilfered sweet rolls when she got close enough. "I just took a peek over that settlement - if you can call it that. It's big and there are lots of shirtless men but nothing that looks worthwhile to blow up."

"I know better than that with you, especially with no tents set up. Besides, I don't think this boy has much to offer you, I've even had trouble to get him to take his eyes off of those three on the hill." Ruby nudged her gambling acquaintance to prove her point.

"One time you catch me cheating at cards, just one time! Well, if my ass looked that good everyone's eyes would be on it too," she grinned, intentionally not indicating which rear was most appealing. "Actually, it is that good looking but the tail gets in the way. Want to know what they are saying? I could sneak up there and listen in."

May heard them just fine. But she wasn't Mayumi today. She was Sabukan, a simple Temujin rider who was full of pride to follow his prince and see his homeland at the beginning of this trip, but now was bored of how little adventure this mission truly had.
"Cards are a beggar's game, but I've nothing better to do." she spat in a gruff Temujin accent. "I have no need to sneak, nor should you. Jin-Sahn is not so frightening. Treat him with respect and he repays it in kind." one of the few truths she had spoken since she put on this disguise. She reached into her coin purse and pulled out one of her few remaining coins. Learning about these new comers was useful. There was something off about the mutant, but she couldn't place it.

"If you say so." Ruby tossed the dice one last time, wincing again as her numbers fell face down. She swiped the traitorous things and left one more coin on the barrel before standing up and walking over to the hill.

"Prince, princess." She waited until the acknowledged her presense. "When do we plan on talking to this Khal?"

"We shall raise our banners so his sentries might notice him and a proper welcome be prepared. Then we shall ride in." Jin-Sahn said at last, giving a signal to one of men. A pair of Temujin rode off, unfurling the the Great Khal's banner.

As they rode through Karakorum, a small sense of tension could be felt in the air. Yes, the Prince rode with a majority of Temujin, but the shining armor of An-Tir was worn proudly side by side with the leathers and lamellar of the Temujin. The bright and vibrant colors worn by Nahatual and the spotted pelts of the Ogun.
But as decorum dictated, Chagatai met his nephew with gathered nobility and a hastily prepared feast. Impromptu celebration preperations had begun, and children played in the streets.

The princess smiled a little at Jin-Sahn's words. Regardless of what the more traditional Temujin thought, he was a refined and skilled leader. She tried to picture herself as his wife again but had difficulties. No matter how much she respected him or cared about him she had a hard time viewing him as anything but her adoptive brother. Next to him she would always be just the princess, a symbol of his father's power and it would be impossible for herself to be anything but the image of perfection around him. Her eyes wandered away from the prince but quickly snapped forward as they began the last leg into the city.

In the presence of the Khal's brother, Callista tried to be the epitome of politeness and social niceties, taking extra care to make sure she acted as much like the Temujin as she could without being entirely improper. Despite this she could still feel the disdain rolling from Chagatai like a thick fog on a cool morning. She knew if he had her way, she would have been tossed into that deplorable harem of the Khal's and forgotten long ago.

As the unit marched towards the camp, Eida let himself wander around the perimeter. He got cold stares from the passing adults and the children watched him walk on with curiosity. They've likely heard stories of the tattooed warriors and their nightmares.

When they arrived, Khal Chagatai was welcoming to his nephew, but there was an obvious tension hanging in the air. He barely acknowledged anyone outside of the prince, and his escorts were watching everyone warily. It was Eida's job here to gauge threats, since Chagatai and his personal men knew firsthand the dangers of the Nahuatl, he would be the measure for everyone else.

Pleasantries were explained, and more than a few toasts shared. Chagatai asked after Chen's health and other news. His sympathy seemed sincere as Jin-Sahn and the other discussed the notables who were lost. Finally the tough question could no longer be put off.
"Uncle, my father wishes to know why your men were so far behind. There are those who would throw this failure at your feet. Please, give me something to clear your name." he spoke diplomatically. Chagatai nodded, as if he assumed this was the true purpose of Jin-Sahn's arrival.
"Many would see it as failure, but I do not, nephew. Word of you and your brother's courage fill me with pride. If only your allies courage had been equal, you may have greeted me from the Jade Throne of Shu Han." he clapped his nephew's shoulder. "Many did not believe you had it in you. You silenced many of your detractors. Myself included, to my shame." he admitted. Jin-Sahn smiled, truly touched by the words.
"You honor me uncle. But please, an answer I can give my father, and then you and I shall plan the next assault together." he said, an edge of excitement in the Prince's voice. The Khal sighed and nodded.
"I was set back at first by my muster taking longer than I had expected. But I did not send word to you because of my pride. I assumed Temujin horses could make up the difference while you were slowed by so many footmen. But I never got the chance. It would seem rumors of the Blue Dragon's death are exaggerated. He caught wind of our advanced and amassed forces from Shu Han and traitors from Cao Wei, some two thousand. He lay waste to that village by the crossing from Cao Wei into Shu Han and flooded the river. His forces on the other side would have blunted my army's might greatly. I headed north in hopes to find another crossing, but his scouts followed me. I knew if he could raise two thousand men so quickly, by the time I found my way to your side I would have too few troops to make the difference. But all of that was in the message I sent to you." the Khal said, taking a drink of ale.
Jin-Sahn and several of the generals who'd served in the conquest of Cao Wei seemed shocked.
"Guan Yu has returned and recruited an army?" the Prince asked. His uncle simply nodded. "This will make our next attack more difficult than it already was. We may have to send word to the guild for mercenaries. Perhaps levy troops from Sun Wu and Plataea..." the young Prince thought aloud.

Ruby bristled at the old man's monologue. How dare he. "Not enough mmph!" a small hand covered her mouth, keeping her from shouting her outrage.

She lowered her voice and turned to the side. "his allies gave their damned lives for him because this man wasn't there. Who is he to question my men's courage?" She fumed in the background as his cheap explanation continued.

Standing behind the men, Eida had to make note of those claims. Awilix should have gotten some word if Cao Wei had fallen again. The sentry posts they had set up would have led to a survivor. If what was said was true, it was troubling. It is wasn't, his story would fall apart, and he knew it. It was entirely possible that the city province fell, but who was to blame for that?

As the sorcerer inched around, Chagatai's men gave him notice and moved towards him threateningly. He backed away slowly and explored other avenues just to see how wary they were.

Awilix was just as shocked to hear of Guan It's apparent resurrection as any other. If Jin-Sahn needed more men, Xbalanque would certainly be roused to battle if his brother's killed still lived.
Then she noticed Eida and the way he was being treated. She interrupted the conversation.
"Khal Chagatai, please remind your men of the famed Temujin hospitality. My medicineman is weary from wounds he suffered fighting in their stead and deserves a seat. They should move before I get upset at their lack of manners and move them myself." she said in a low growl.
Several men tensed and reached for weapons before Chagatai shouted them down and motioned for Eida to sit.

So much for looking around. She had something in mind, but it still put a stop to his feeling around. Eida bowed his head and took a seat, waiting for the leaders to finish their talk, picking at food that was brought his way.