Npi-Nhut and the other khimoris thanked Bo-Jing for his assistance. They promised to keep watch over the valley and alert him to any more incursions. And, as a further sign of appreciation, Ses-Hami would accompany him as he made his way to Khazu Kala. Bo-Jing was especially grateful for the khimori’s assistance as a scout and promised his father to not expose him to unnecessary danger.
The company made their way out of the valley, Ses-Hami sometimes scouting ahead when they reached likely ambush points. They reached the watch fire of the Nergui horde and were given a cold welcome. The soldiers shrugged off Salt’s questions about the beastmen and rather than share their ger, sent the guests to the firewood.
The company, still including the eight men from the Worm Clan, departed early the next morning and not far from the edge of the valley, heard the sounds of battle. Drawing closer, they found a Nergui encampment under attack by beastmen. Bangqiu broke the beastmen’s charge with a wall of fire then levitated above them to blast them with a cloud of steam. Salt cast her magic missiles and the few stragglers were cut down by Bo-Jing and his men.
The families thanked the company for their timely help and, recognizing Bo-Jing’s status as the local baghatur, expressed their loyalty to him and the Emperor. They prepared a meal and, with the mildest reluctance, expressed their dissatisfaction with Gansukh, explaining that they were avoiding Khaza Kala until something changed. But over the course of the meal, listening to the tales of the Worm Clan, they were convinced that Bo-Jing was that change. The intruders that Gansukh had welcomed into his ger were a graver danger than they had feared and any hope of security lay in supporting Bo-Jing in rallying resistance to invading armies of the mysterious “Master.” There were 3 skilled archers among the group, and a retired officer from Gansukh’s army. Their first duty was to their families but they all pledged to fight for Bo-Jing.
Late in the day, Ses-Hami alerted Bo-Jing to another encampment under attack. Again, Bo-Jing and Bangqiu led an overwhelming counterattack and were ably assisted by several warriors from the encampment. One of these warriors proved to be Batzorig, formerly Gansukh’s right-hand man and brother to Gansukh’s Khatun. Salt warned Batzorig that his sister was in special danger, that the beastmen has been looking for her among the Worm Clan.
Batzorig’s battle-scarred face turned soft and his lip quivered. He nodded. And after hearing what Salt had to say, he shared his own story. He had overheard Gansukh negotiating with a sinister stranger. At first Batzorig thought it was just another black shaman trying to get her necklace. But listening more closely, Batzorig realized the stranger wanted Naransetseng herself. As the people of Khazu Kala lost confidence in their khan and made secret plans to flee to the lands of the Bolad Horde, Batzorig had convinced his sister to join them. Batzorig himself remained and pretended ignorance. This proved easier than expected as Gansukh was also doing his best to avoid his wife. Only when the stranger arrived with a group of terrifying half-man bestial monsters did Gansukh demand that Batzorig present his sister. Batzorig stalled for several hours, and then reported that she had gone to visit her mother’s grave, three days west of the city. Gansukh was furious. And terrified. Batzorig promised that he would go and find Naransetseng nd the stranger promised that he would return. This was four days ago. He had stayed close to Khazu Kala. In case Gansukh needed him.
Why? Because Gansukh was his khan.
Batzorig wanted Salt, Bo-Jing, and Bang-qiu to know that his sister was not a witch. She was the daughter of the King of the East. When he was a boy, his father and uncles went away to trade and to fight in the imperial army. His mother was alone for several years and her own brother died. There was no one to protect her until they were visited by a handsome man in fine green clothes who played a fiddle. He helped Batzorig’s mother buy goats for a good price and stayed with her. After a time, Naransetseng was born. Soon before Batzorig’s father returned, the man went away, leaving Naransetseng with a necklace. She was a beautiful baby and she learned that her father was the squat ugly man who had gone away to the war. And he was. He loved her very much. Maybe more than he loved Batzorig.
“But I think that the stranger knows her true history. That’s why he wants her.”
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