Erhi shrugged. “I thought they did.”
“What do you know about them?”
“Only that they are intelligent.”
Then perhaps she could negotiate with them as well. “Everyone stay back, under the trees.” She turned back to the meadow.
Dagar grabbed her. “You can’t go back out there. They’ll burn you alive.”
She shook her arm free. “We need the meadow,” she said. “I will talk with them.”
The dragons circled the meadow, watching them. Her body trembled as she stepped into the sunlight, not certain if she should speak aloud or with her thoughts.
Why are you here?
“Our Gods nominated this place as neutral ground for inter-tribal negotiations,” she said, raising her voice so those behind her could hear. “It was not our intention to upset you. We did not realise you would be here.”
She could feel the dragon’s contempt. Why do you think it’s called Dragon Mountains?
“I believed the dragons lived at the top.” She turned on the spot, keeping the circling dragons in view. “My name is Shuree, khan… leader of the Saltar tribe. This gathering is very important to my people and I ask your permission to stay here in this meadow while we negotiate.”
You, or all those people with you?
“All of us, and those still to arrive.” She calculated quickly. “About forty more.”
Tell me what is so important.
“Peace,” she said. “We wish to stop the fighting between our tribes and be able to live harmoniously together on the steppes.”
The dragon was silent for a long moment. Your heart is pure, but I sense unease and uncertainty in your companions.
“They are afraid of you and of what is to come. We do not know whether the others who are yet to arrive will keep the truce.”
And yet you still came.
“Trust has to start sometime.”
One dragon, a pale blue colour, flew low and landed lightly in front of her, tucking his leathery wings against his back. He was the size of a six-moon-old foal and his presence made her step back. He inclined his head. I am Ghalin.
Shuree bowed, her chest tight. “I am pleased to meet you, Ghalin.”
Tell me exactly what you propose.
She explained the agreement she had negotiated with Ogodai, told him about her uncertainty about the tribes in the far west and let her emotions free as she spoke about what she wanted for her people. “All we want is to live in peace and stop the death of so many people.”
Ghalin was silent a moment. It is a noble cause. He glanced behind her. Please tell your companions you are safe. The one you call Dagar is very worried.
She ignored the tug on her heart and waved to the group who were hovering at the edges of the trees. “I am fine,” she called. “Ghalin and I are discussing what to do.”
Ghalin snorted. Some call you a witch for talking with me. He puffed smoke from his nose and his amusement was clear. I spoke with them. Now they wonder if they’re going crazy.
She chuckled, pleased the dragon had a sense of humour. “In truth, I do not know how long we will be here, and I cannot guarantee fighting will not occur. I can only promise you I will do my best to prevent violence.”
Will you guarantee your people will not leave this meadow at all, or wander through the mountains?
“I can guarantee it for my people, but I will need to ask the other khans to guarantee for theirs.”
Bring them out here so they can.
Shuree called them over and explained. Kublai, Bat and Turgen lined up and gave Ghalin their guarantees.
When do you expect the other tribes? Ghalin asked.
“Any day now,” Shuree said.
We will watch for them and return for their promises. You may stay for no more than one moon.
Relief filled her. “Thank you, Ghalin.”
The dragon took flight and joined the other two who still circled, and together they flew off. She sighed, the tension in her shoulders releasing. She’d spoken with a dragon. Not something she’d ever imagined she would do.
She shook her head. The first challenge had been passed.
But there were many more to come.
Chapter 9
They set up camp on the far side of the meadow so the other tribes didn’t feel nervous about approaching. In the centre, they erected a pavilion with open sides where discussions could take place. The first tribe to arrive a day later was the Gertan tribe which bordered Chungson. Seven mounted people hovered at the edges of the meadow and Shuree walked over to greet them, unarmed.
“I am Shuree, khan of the Saltar tribe,” she said. “Thank you for coming.”
The man in front with a long moustache touched the hilt of his sabre. “I am Oktai, khan of the Gertan. You brought more people than you said you would.”
“No, I didn’t.” She smiled. “There are five tribes camped together. Please, join us.”
“Dragon!” A warrior lifted his bow and arrow towards Ghalin above.
“No, don’t.” Shuree flung herself at the man, pulling his arm down. “Ghalin is friendly. We have an agreement with them. Let me explain.”
The khan nodded, and the warrior lowered his bow.
“What agreement?”
We have permitted your tribes to stay in the meadow for your discussions, but no one may leave it for any reason while they are here.
The khan gasped, his eyes widening.
“That was my reaction too,” Shuree said. “Ghalin has given us one moon to resolve our differences. You can choose to camp with us, or choose another location in the meadow if you like. The pavilion is where we will hold our meetings.”
You have very little trust amongst each other, but we will not tolerate any fighting in the meadow.
“All right,” Oktai said. “We shall camp nearby.”
They rode past Shuree and chose a spot not too far away from the rest of the tribes. As she turned, Ghalin told her, Another tribe will arrive within the hour.
And so it went all day as the Danil, Marheg and Adhan tribes arrived. By nightfall, the only tribes not to arrive were the Erseg and Tungat. Tomorrow would be the full moon. Shuree found Dagar sitting by the campfire speaking with the Danil khan, Ulagan. “Excuse me, may I have a word with Dagar?”
The khan gestured for Dagar to go. Shuree walked with him away from the camp. Before she could speak, he said, “I don’t know why they’re not here yet.”
Her skin prickled. “What is your relationship with the Tungat tribe?”
“It is close. My father’s sister married their khan.”
So they were family. And if the two tribes decided to ignore the agreement, they could easily wipe out the khans gathered here. She’d trusted Ogodai, had believed his word, but it was difficult not to worry. She kept coming back to Dagar’s suggestion. Gan could have ridden straight to the Erseg and spread lies.
“Perhaps Ghalin can tell us where they are,” Dagar said.
He might also be able to sense their intentions. “I’ll see if I can contact him.” Before she could walk away, Dagar grasped her hand.
“I am sure my father will not go back on his word.” His thumb rubbed the back of her hand. “Surely you realise I wouldn’t let anything happen to you. I care for you, Shuree.”
She closed her eyes, glad of the darkness around them. “I told you I can’t be distracted.”
“What about afterwards?” he asked. “After this gathering, when peace has been achieved.”
She paused. “Do you really believe peace is possible?” She heard the uncertainty in her voice. She had to stop showing her vulnerability to him.
“I do,” he said. “We already have eight tribes willing to try. If Ghalin can find my father, and the Tungat, we will know for certain all will be here.”
There was so much at stake. “All right.”
He tugged her closer. “When this is over, I will return to our discussion about how I feel about you.”
He kissed the back of her hand and then rejoined Ulagan.
All the tribes sat around the large camp fire. Initially it had been the spiritual advisors who had approached each other, wanting to meet others like themselves. Then Turgen had spotted the Danils’ superior wooden bows and asked about them, and soon they were intermingling, though each person was armed. Their level of defensiveness had lowered as they had all contributed to a communal meal. They were one people and it warmed Shuree even as she was troubled by Ogodai’s tardiness.
She sighed and wandered further away from the fire. The twinkling lights danced in the sky above her, unhindered by any clouds. Would Ghalin hear her if she called him?
She closed her eyes and pushed the call out as far as she could. Ghalin, can you hear me? I would like a word if you are near.
A pause and then, I don’t need to be near to hear you.
She smiled. Do you know where the other two tribes are?
Yes.
Shuree frowned. Where are they?
A long pause. They will arrive early morning.
Something in Ghalin’s tone made her skin crawl. What wasn’t he telling her? Before sunrise?
Another pause. Yes.
Her heart thumped. Are they planning to attack?
I am forbidden from telling you.
By whom?
My elders. We should not involve ourselves in human matters.
Shuree could feel he didn’t agree with it. Can you tell me how many people are with the two tribes?
Twice the number that are gathered here.
She gasped, her stomach clenching. Ogodai hadn’t honoured their agreement. What could she do? If she warned the others, they would be furious and would either leave, or want to attack first. But if she didn’t warn them and Ogodai attacked, they would all be slaughtered.
Where are they camped?
About a league below.
Do they have any men watching the meadow?
Not any longer.
She couldn’t scout them without at least telling someone where she was going. Her absence would be noticed. Is there anything else you can tell me?
Only that I disagree with my elders’ orders.
This was going to end badly. She strode over to the campfire, nerves prickling her skin. A couple of people looked up as she reached the firelight. “May I ask the khans to join me for a moment? Ghalin tells me the other tribes should arrive tomorrow and I would like to go over our agenda.”
“Shouldn’t we wait until they arrive?” Bat tapped absently on his round belly.
She forced a smile. “I think we can get much of the arguing done tonight.”
A couple of people laughed, but the khans got to their feet. Vachir sat just in front of her and she tapped his shoulder and leaned close to speak. “Don’t react, but don’t let Dagar out of your sight. Get Erhi to watch Mengu.”
He laughed as if she’d told a joke, but his eyes showed his concern.
She took a torch from the fire and led the khans over to the pavilion. When she turned, Dagar was there. Goat dung. She hadn’t thought this through. He was his father’s representative. She stared at him until Bat said, “What’s this about, Shuree?”
“Ghalin gave me some disturbing news and we need to decide what to do about it.”
“Do we need to leave the meadow?” Kublai asked.
“Maybe. I asked Ghalin when the other two tribes would arrive and he said early morning. When I questioned him further, he said they had twice our number of men and would arrive before dawn.”
Dagar stepped back.
Kublai drew his sabre and pointed it at Dagar. “What is the meaning of this?”
Dagar didn’t flinch. “I don’t know. My father is not a trusting man, but I believed he would honour the agreement.”
“We are supposed to have an arrangement with the Erseg,” the Adhan khan said. “But it appears he only really trusts the Tungat.”
“Let me go and talk to him,” Dagar said. “I can convince him you can all be trusted.”
“No,” Kublai said. “You will stay here as our hostage.”
“We shouldn’t stay at all. We’re outnumbered,” Ulagan said.
“I’ll go,” Shuree said. “He listened to me once before.”
Bat laughed. “For all we know you’re in on this too,” he said. “I saw you speaking with Dagar in the dark.”
“And you brought only one warrior with you,” Kublai said. “Maybe it was because you knew Ogodai was bringing more.”
Curse it. “We mustn’t panic. Even if the Erseg and Tungat don’t want peace, the rest of us do. We can still make a treaty.”
“Not if we’re all dead,” the Marheg khan said.
“Ogodai may still only bring five warriors with him.” Dagar turned to Shuree. “Where is he?”
She hesitated. “Ghalin said they’re a league from here.”
“That’s a good distance if he leaves them behind.”
“If,” Bat stated.
Shuree could feel the trust slipping away. “Perhaps we can send scouts,” she said. “When they break camp in the morning, the scouts can tell us how many men are coming and we’ll have time to disperse if they bring all of them.”
“If the scouts aren’t caught.”
Oktai twisted his moustache. “We need to calm down. Shuree is right. If we want peace, we must make it happen.” Everyone turned to him. “In the dark, surrounded by forest, it shouldn’t be difficult to disappear before Ogodai arrives if he brings too many warriors. Then we can meet at the base of the mountain to discuss a new plan.”
Bat grunted. “I’ll send a scout.”
“So will I,” Kublai said.
In the end, they all agreed to send a scout and that the Saltar and Erseg people would be guarded overnight. Shuree approved of the arrangement, if that was what they needed to trust her. The khans took them to a tent and posted a sentry inside and out.
Mengu and Erhi spoke quietly with each other while Vachir made himself comfortable on one of the beds, though he kept his gaze on Dagar.
“Shuree, I’m sorry—” Dagar said.
She held up a hand, her heart weary. “I am too tired for your apologies.” She didn’t know whether she could trust him anymore. Tomorrow would bring her answers. She lay down on the bedding, turning her back to him.
And prayed to the Gods like she had never prayed before.
Shuree slept poorly. After finally dropping off to sleep, every noise outside the tent woke her, from the squawk of a bird, to the steps of the guards outside and Mengu’s heavy snores as he slept. Her eyes were gritty as she woke and the tent was a little lighter than the last time she’d opened her eyes. Was it almost morning? She sat up and the guard inside the tent looked over to her. Yes, definitely morning, she could make out the expression on his face. “Any news?” she asked quietly.
He shook his head.
Surely the scouts had made it back by now. Dagar wiped his face with his hands. “Can we speak with the khans?”
“I’m under orders not to let you leave the tent,” the guard said.
She closed her eyes. Ghalin, any news?
Silence.
Ghalin?
Still no response. Had he been punished for telling her as much as he had, or was he still asleep?
Outside were the sounds of people moving, a clank of a sabre, the rattle of a quiver. People were armed and preparing for battle. She glanced at Dagar and read the same concern on his face.
Suddenly the tent flap lifted and Kublai walked in. “Ogodai has arrived with the Tungat khan. They have nine warriors between them.”
Relief filled Shuree and her body went limp. “May we greet him?”
Kublai nodded. “This way.”
They joined the other khans who were lined up under the pavilion. Across the meadow stood a small group of a dozen people. The sun painted the ground in a dawn light and she picked Ogodai at the front, his posture erect. Next to him rode the man she assumed
was the Tungat khan, and behind them were the rest of their men.
The group slowly made their way across the meadow, tension in their muscles, constantly scanning the surroundings as if expecting attack.
“May I go out to greet them, as I did with you?” she asked the other khans.
“Yes,” Bat answered.
She stepped out from the pavilion and raised a hand in greeting, walking across the field towards them. When she was close, she called, “Greetings. I am pleased you could come. You are the last to arrive.”
“Where is my son?” Ogodai asked.
“With the other khans under the pavilion,” Shuree said. “When you have set up camp, we will meet there. You can choose to camp at any spot in the meadow, however the other khans have chosen to camp near us.”
“They’re really all here?” Ogodai asked.
She nodded. “They all want peace like we do.”
He frowned. “Then how do you explain your scout?” He gestured and one of his men rode forward, pulling something behind him.
Gan stumbled into view, his face bruised and bloodied, defiance in every pore. “Shuree, the men are ready to attack when you give the signal.”
Shuree gaped at him and then horror filled her at his words. “Gan is no scout of mine,” she assured Ogodai, her pulse racing. “He was banished from my tribe for trying to kill Dagar.”
Ogodai’s expression darkened and he took the rope holding Gan from the warrior, jerking Gan towards him. “He said his name was Amar. He told me you’ve been forcing Dagar to write fake updates to make me lower my guard.”
Gan smirked at her.
Shuree clenched her teeth. “Gan lies. Dagar can confirm it.”
Ogodai glanced at the pavilion. “I want to see my son.”
Shuree turned back to the pavilion and picked out Dagar next to Kublai. “He’s the third man from the left.” She waved the men forward and Dagar stepped into the dawn light.
Ogodai grunted. “I figured the scout was lying and now I know his name, it makes more sense. Dagar told me all about him.” Ogodai drew his sabre and before Shuree could blink, he chopped off Gan’s head.
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