Chapter 8 - Creating a Bond
A young man got off his horse to be met with a guard.
"Hello! I'm Farjad. I am sent by the Khan of Timurids."
"Please wait. I will inform the Great Khan of your arrival."
The guard went into the camp. Shortly after, another warrior came to meet Farjad.
"Welcome! I'm Pulad and I will take you to our Great Khan. Before you meet him, I suggest you remember one thing if you wish to live."
"What is that?"
"He is the Great Khan. You would be insulting him if you merely called him a Khan."
"I see."
"This way. The Great Khan is waiting."
Pulad led Farjad to to tent where the Khan of the Golden Horde was waiting. This Khan, hearing that the Khan of Timurids sent a diplomat over, was rather amused and decided to give audience. He was interested to see what Timur can offer him. When he received word that the diplomat arrived, he had his personal guards situated within the tent.
"Greetings, Khan. I am Farjad and Khan of Timur has sent me."
"I apologize, Great Khan. Farjad, he is the Great Khan."
"There is only one Great Khan that I know of."
"You ...."
"Pulad, that's enough! Let the diplomat speak. I'm very curious who this Great Khan he is speaking of."
"Khan, the only Great Khan I recognize is Genghis Khan. Unless any Khan has surpassed him, I will see them as merely a Khan."
"Guards!"
The Khan's personal guard readied their weapons. They were ready to cut down the diplomat as soon as the order was given.
"Yes, Great Khan!"
"Leave now and let us talk in peace. Pulad, inform the cook to prepare lunch."
"Yes, Great Khan!"
Everyone left except for the Khan of Golden Horde and Jarhad.
"Well said, young diplomat. You have guts, I'll give you that."
"I wouldn't be here if I feared death, Khan."
"Indeed, you would've given up half way. So, what brings you here?"
"My Khan wishes to form an alliance. He believes that such an alliance would benefit both parties."
"Before I give my answer, I was hoping you can answer a few of my questions."
"Of course, Khan."
"I heard Timur is crippled. Doesn't that make him weak?"
"That only makes him stronger. Khan, you must know that not everyone can become a Khan. Imagine how great a cripple must be to rise to such a position. I assure you that he's not a ordinary warrior."
"He's not the only extraordinary warrior. How about work under me? I will give you a high position within my Khanate."
"I must decline, Khan. I swore my allegiance to the Khan of Timurids and I intend to stay that way. I doubt I'll live if I said yes."
"Not only does the Khan of Timurids show promise but he also knows how to pick his subjects. I am impressed."
"I'm not bragging but my Khan is destined for great things. He, like you, are the only ones capable of restoring the Mongol Empire. Yuan is destined to fall and other Khans are merely pretenders. An alliance between you and my Khan will one day bear fruit."
"Well said! Enough talk for now, time for lunch!"
Pulad entered with servants carrying food.
"Join us, my son. You can learn a lot from this diplomat."
"Yes, Great Khan."
"Farjad, you don't seem hungry. I assure you that my cooks are the best in the region."
"Khan, I ate on my way here."
"On you way here?"
"Yes, Pulad. I pack my rations so I can eat while on horseback. This minimizes the time I waste."
"Learning the old ways of the Mongols. That's very admirable. I can see you are eager to return to your Khan. I kinda regret you are unwilling to serve under me. Tell your Khan this: