Chapter 1 – Wolf in Kirghiz lair
September 15th, 1066
Bold o’Ginn was looking at the settlement that was in front of him. It was one of the largest he’s seen since the day Persians migrated to the sea of grass. To the south of the settlement was Tian Shan, a vast mountain range that separated land of Kirghiz from Taklamakan desert. Speaking of land of Kirghiz, it was a territory that encompassed the land between Tian Shan and Altai mountain range to the north. Man who ruled that territory had control of all traffic that passed through it, which included a portion of the Silk Road through the southern territory.
It took Bold and his company a bit over a week to arrive from the west of the Altai. They rode in haste for several reasons, to complete their task and return to the Altai valley as soon as possible. Five men followed Bold o’Ginn to the settlement of Kirghiz ruler, each and every one of them ready to die for their young khan.
About a dozen of horsemen could be seen approaching from the direction of the settlement just after Bold’s presence was declared with a sound of a horn. Raising his left hand, Bold ordered his party to stop upon approaching the incoming riders, who were presumably led by a young man riding in front of others. He was standing out from the rest because of the way he rode proudly, with his chest out. One look at his boiled leather armor was enough for Bold to realize that the armor was of the highest quality found in the steppe, the one only khans his kinsmen wore. He was clean shaven, except for a strip of hair he left to grow above the upper lip.
‘’You’re in the territory of the Kyrgyz!’’ a man in scale armor exclaimed as his party blocked further path to the settlement with the rest of his warriors circling around Bold and his men, taunting them and aiming at them with their bows ‘’Name your intentions!’’
He spoke in Kirghiz variation of the Turkic languages, which was enough for Bold to understand what he had just said. He has spent enough time among Turks and Turkic nomads to learn not just the basics, but to speak their languages fluently. And most of their languages were similar, with some key words being different.
‘’My name is o’Ginn!’’ Bold exclaimed proudly, his yellow eyes switching from one Kirghiz rider to another, making sure he caught all of their looks to ensure they hear him loud and clear. He resisted the urge to smile proudly when he saw their reaction to his name, as several of them exchanged surprised looks. Their leader didn’t seem fazed. ‘’I am khan in the Altai mountains! I have come to seek audience with your leader!’’
Kirghiz’ lips curled upwards into a smile, and he exchanged looks with several of his warriors. Bold kept his blank expression and waited for the response.
‘’No.’’
Bold raised an eyebrow ‘’I didn’t come here to be refused.’’
‘’You are not entering this settlement, Persian.’’ Kirghiz answered with a smirk, looking Bold right in the eyes. ‘’I suggest you turn your horse and return to wherever you came from.’’
Bold felt rage boiling inside him, he was being mocked and looked down upon. One warrior moved his horse next to Bold’s provoking reaction of several Kirghiz warriors who aimed at his head.
‘’He is testing you.’’ Hormuz whispered to Bold who was desperately trying to think about next sentence. ‘’Prove to him that he is just a mere soldier.
You are a Khan.’’
Kirghiz leader sat proudly on his horse, feeling triumphant in thinking he’d beaten Bold with words.
‘’Tell me your name.’’ Bold ordered in his usual emotionless, calm voice.
Kirghiz laughed and turned his horse in place towards his soldiers, raising his right hand proudly up which was followed by his soldiers drawing blades which they pointed up towards the sky. Their actions alarmed almost all of Persians, who had their hands at the ready to pull out the weapons.
‘’Tell him my name, brothers!’’ he ordered, his back still turned to the Persians.
This disrespect won’t be forgotten, Kirghiz, Bold thought while pretending everything is fine. He placed his palm at his lips, yawning widely.
‘’Koza! Koza! Koza!’’ Kirghiz warriors shouted the name, and Koza turned to face Persians once more. Judging by his actions, he was either a man of importance in the tribe or a relative of such a man.
‘’That is my name, outsiders!
Koza Kotyan uulu, son to the khagan of Kyrgyz!’’ he exclaimed proudly, his irritating smirk still glued to his face. His warriors returned their blades to their scabbards.
Bold smiled and separated his lips to speak ‘’It seems your men hold you in high regard Koza, son of Kotyan.’’
In response to Bold’s sentence, Koza laughed and nodded his head ‘’Such is the respect that my blood enjoys.’’
‘’Tell me, Koza…’’ Bold started, still calm and emotionless ‘’How many battles have you won?’’
It seemed as if his question confused young Kirghiz prince. His smirk faded away and his eyebrows narrowed. He was quiet for a mere moment, but then his spirit lifted again and he grinned. ''Cumans who dared to steal from us belong to mother earth now. I personally ensured she greeted them with open arms.''
Bold sighed and shook his head ''Those same Cumans tried to steal our cattle last summer and were driven off by women and children. Those were not battles you fought.''
Koza wasn't grinning anymore. His face was serious, and his eyes stared daggers at Bold. ''What's it going to be?
Not a single one. Am I right?’’ Bold stated the obvious as his lips slowly curled upwards.
Koza’s face was slowly turning red, but he kept his calm, for he knew Bold was right and by stating otherwise he would just make a fool out of himself with meaningless lies. ‘’Mocking me is not going to let you inside, Khan in Altai mountains.’’
‘’And refusing Bold o’Ginn is not in your interest, son of Kotyan. I am here for the benefit of both our peoples.’’ Khan in the Altai spoke, his voice authorative and clear. Koza was not so confident anymore.
Koza looked away for a few seconds before his eyes turned back to Bold’s, admitting verbal defeat ‘’Then follow me, o’Ginn. My father will receive you. ‘’ With that said, Koza turned his horse and proceeded towards the settlement, followed by his warriors. Hormuz, who was still on his horse next to Bold smiled and said ‘’His face was precious. When you put him back in his place, that is.’’
Bold returned a smile ‘’It was a risk though. I could not know whether or not he won any battles. I just asked him the first question that came to my mind.’’
Bold o'Ginn, youngest khan in the steppe but also one of the most ambitious. He is renowned for his tactical ability and ruthlessness to his enemies.
Kirghiz settlement was one of the biggest he has seen since he first arrived to the steppe. Yurts were larger and more decorated the further you proceed into the settlement, and their felts were made in all kinds of colors as opposed to white, gray and black felts used in Persian settlement. On just one glance one can see that it was almost as twice as big as Persian settlement. And this was just one clan. There used to be two other clans, almost as big and strong as this one. One was clan Saur, which was still ruling territories north of here. And there was the Obid clan, which rebelled against Kotyan some three or four years ago. They met their end, and survivors were either exiled or incorporated into Saur and Kirghiz clans. Those who refused to surrender met their end in the north to Hormuz and his warriors.
As Persians rode through what was a wide street that led to the centre of the settlement following Koza, Kirghiz tribesmen that found themselves nearby watched them with curiosity and distrust. It was obvious that they didn’t receive strangers often, and Bold was sure that they were seeing Persians for the first time in their lives. Centre of the settlement was marvelous. Just like in Persian settlement up north towards the Altai, there was a large clearing in the middle, but the difference was in conquest trophies placed all over the clearing of the Kirghiz settlement, brought from all corners of the world. Bold recognized Turkish statues and Islamic religious objects, as well as shrines from India and China. Most of the nomads in the steppe were followers of Tengriism, whose religious objects could also be seen in the clearing, placed there as the trophies of conquest and raid. One particular object caught Bold’s attention. He walked right past it on his way to Khagan’s yurt. It was a golden
Faravahar on a flat pedestal, raising high above many of the other symbols and relics, its wings spread wide proudly for it was the greatest symbol of Zoroastrianism. Bold could only wonder when did they get the hold of a holy object such as Faravahar and how many Persians did they kill to steal it. Kirghiz clans were followers of Manichaeism, religion founded by prophet Mani many centuries ago in old Sassanid empire. It was a religion Bold did not know much about, except it was somewhat similar to his own religion.
Just like in Persian settlement, there was a yurt in the middle of the clearing, a largest and most decorated one in the whole settlement, with guards and horses around it. It was a home of the khagan Kotyan and his family. Two warriors guarded the rich entrance, it’s frame decorated with vines wrapped around golden daggers. Golden vines and and animals were sewn into the red felt of the yurt and a gray smoke was coming out of chimney that was peeking out from the middle of the yurt. Seven more guards patrolled around yurt and intercepted anyone who dared to approach the yurt. Upon seeing Koza and his followers however, they moved to make way for the Kirghiz prince and the guests, eyeing them suspiciously. Koza called three men who appeared to be horsemasters, and ordered them to take care of the horses that belonged to Bold and the rest of Persians. Finding themselves in front of the entrance, Koza, now alone with Persians, turned to them one last time before entering.
‘’My father is inside, o'Ginn, as well as khan Ozmush of Saur clan with his wife and children.’’ Koza said and walked inside, two guards in front of the entrance removing the curtains to make way for him and those who followed. Bold turned to his men, who eagerly awaited for his next order. ‘’Hormuz and I will go inside, now. I will tell khagan Kotyan to do something about you, to find you a place to rest and some women if possible.’’
Hearing the last part made them laugh and cheer gratefully, which put a smile to Bold’s face, who then proceeded inside with Hormuz. The inside of a yurt was well decorated. Floor was decorated with rugs from Arabia and walls were covered with pelts and heads of animals, ranging from marmot to a bear. Other than that, pillars made out of dark wood were decorated with runes and inscriptions with lanterns hanged on the pillars to provide light in the whole yurt. There was a large fireplace in the middle of the yurt just like in every bigger yurt with large table right behind it. On the opposite end of Khagan’s home were bedrolls and pillows. A number of Manichean religious object was not to be ignored as they hung from the ceiling and were placed on small pedestals placed on all ends of the yurt. Bold was standing on a purple rag, first of its kind he’s seen since he left Persia, those being rare and expensive and as that were pure giveaways of khagan’s wealth. In the background of the yurt, two women could be seen sitting on pillows chatting, surrounded by five slave girls.
Bold and Hormuz walked behind Koza, who approached a table with two men seated at it.
‘’Father.’’ Koza said to a man who looked just like an older version of himself, even having a same light brown moustache as Koza, albeit a bit longer. His dress was green and rich. It was khagan Kotyan. He was a man in early forties, but he looked younger, like he was barely over thirty years old.
‘’Khan Ozmush.’’ he then said to a man sitting next to Khagan and bowed his head. Ozmush was very young and it looked as if that smirk of his never left his face. His long brown hair was tied in a braid that fell down his back all the way to the waist. After gathering their attention, Koza moved in side and revealed Bold and Hormuz who stood behind him. ‘’This is Bold o’Ginn, father. Khan in the Altai mountains.’’
Bold made one step forward and bowed his head, but kept his eyes fixed on khagan’s. Just one glance into his dark eyes proved to Bold that khagan Kotyan was not an ordinary man. His face didn’t reveal any emotions, but there was something about his eyes.
‘’And what is the khan in the Altai mountains doing in my household?’’ Kotyan asked, his voice deep and strong, experienced in giving out orders, demanding answer. Glancing at Ozmush for a mere moment, Bold spotted his smirk becoming more obvious.
‘’I came here to express my will, my lord khagan.’’ Bold started, feeling Hormuz’s gaze on his back ''I will not do such a thing while I stand here in front of you, my lord?''
Kotyan's face didn't reveal any emotions, but a swift smile decorated his face for a moment ''Of course, o'Ginn. I offer you catering rights in my household. Take a seat.'' Khagan pointed his hand at the chairs on the opposite side of the table. Bold and Hormuz obeyed and sat down, feeling the heat on his back, produced by the fire behind him. Khagan turned his head to a side, giving one swift look to a servant girl that stood by the wall. Understanding the order, servant girl approached the table with two cups in her hand, placing it down on table for Bold and Hormuz. Kirghiz leader filled the cups with dark liquid. Koza walked outside.
''I recognize you, Hormuz.'' khagan said to older Persian warrior, who just stared back, seemingly not surprised. ''You sat at this very table four years ago, when al Gauti still led your people to battles.''
''I'm very honored, my lord.'' Hormuz said and bowed his head respectfully ''Those were better times.''
Kotyan smiled ''For you. Kyrgyz have grown only stronger in recent years under my leadership.''
Bold didn't have the answer for this, he just listened to what khagan had to say and chose his next words carefully. He knew well that Kirghiz are stronger than Persians and one wrong move could cost them all their lives.
''You didn't come here all the way from Altai to talk about history, o'Ginn. State your business.'' khagan ordered, his voice calm, yet commanding.
Bold searched for the words he could use for a mere moment, and then opened his mouth to release his thoughts ‘’Persians are alone in this great sea of grass. And Kirghiz are strong and notorious in the Great Steppe. Yet seperated, we couldn't possibly beat the threat in the west. Cumans are at our doorstep, just waiting for the opportunity to strike. Their numbers are large and their armies are many.’’
''I am aware of Cuman threat, o'Ginn. Something bothers me, though.'' Kotyan smirked and took a sip out of a wooden cup that was lying on table in front of him. ‘’Your people have settled the grounds that formerly belonged to those of Obid clan, khan o’Ginn. Those lands were Kyrgyz lands.’’
Ambitious ruler of Kyrgyz Khaganate, Kotyan. Known for ruling with an iron fist, he does not show mercy to those who oppose him.
‘’Those were lands of the traitor clan, my lord khagan.’’ Bold did not hesitate in answering ‘’I’ve reclaimed those lands.’’
Kotyan raised his eyebrow ‘’From who?’’
‘’From Mongols who met their end in the valley of Altai.’’ Bold had another answer at the ready.
Kotyan smiled and nodded ‘’I’ve heard about your victory, khan o’Ginn. It was a splendid one, I have to admit.’’
Bold just nodded his head in response, hiding his pride.
‘’You have many enemies.’’ Kotyan then noted ''Your little raids against Mongols and their small parties in the north are just going to provoke a full scale war. And not just Mongols, you've attacked and stolen from the priests and traders on the Silk Road, from those who came from the east. And you do realize who lies on the other side of the Altai.''
Bold had another reply at the ready ‘’We've had enemies since we arrived at the steppe many years ago. But you have enemies of your own as well. Your enemies are not just Cumans. I know about the skirmishes with Karluks over cattle which will turn into war in a matter of weeks. Kara-khanid clan is large and powerful.’’
Kotyan exchanged looks with Ozmush who raised his eyebrows and nodded once in approval to what Bold has just said.
‘’Your words are true, o'Ginn. They are formidable enemy indeed.’’ Kotyan agreed and answered.
Bold smirked ‘’Consider Persians as part of Kirghiz tribe confederation. We found ourselves in the middle, between two giants. Cumans in the west and the empire in the east. We must unite, for one day they will attack.’’
Khagan sat still for a moment, his eyes still locked on Bold's. At last, he opened his mouth ‘’I’ve come to a conclusion that your offer could benefit both our peoples, o’Ginn. When and
if those giants as you called them attack, Kyrgyz will indeed fight with Persians.''
Bold nodded when Kotyan finished, but a smirk on khagan's face told him that this wasn't over yet.
‘’Are you aware that your settlement is built those lands which rightfully belongs to the Kyrgyz, o'Ginn?’’
Bold smiled sarcastically and raised an eyebrow ‘’I don’t think so.’’
Khagan’s eyebrows narrowed and look in his eyes was even more serious than before.
‘’You see, khagan of the Kirghiz… When Mongols attacked my people three years ago, they were not alone. There were two armies, one from the east, and one from the south.’’
Smirk that decorated Ozmush’s face disappeared and serious expression replaced it. Khagan’s expression was dark and ominous ‘’Do you accuse me of that attack?’’
‘’I’m not accusing anybody in this room.’’ Bold explained ‘’For I believe that invaders belonged to the Obid clan, or should I say what was left of them when they met defeat at your hands. Therefore I claim their pastures as my own.’’
Khan Ozmush directed a questioning look to khagan, who just glanced at him with the edge of his eye. Bold then turned his head to face Ozmush who just opened his mouth to utter something but remained quiet.
Head of the powerful Saur clan, Ozmush is a brave man albeit a bit reckless for his age.
‘’Very well, khan in the Altai. Lands of the Obid are now yours to rule, as long as this alliance lasts.’’ Khagan agreed after few moments of quietness and stood up, offering his hand ‘’May it benefit us both.’’
Persian wolf curled his lips upwards into a slight triumphant smile and stood up, taking khagan’s hand, feeling his grip of steel. An alliance has been made and Persians were no longer alone in the steppe, for the mighty Kirghiz now had their back.
-
The rest of the day was spent in drink and good mood. Bold had the honor of meeting families that belonged to khagan Kotyan and khan Ozmush. Ibeslik was a worthy wife to khagan, appearing strong on the outside and very religious, but seemed overprotective over her and khagan’s only child Koza, whom Bold already met few hours earlier. She could mostly be seen at her husband’s side or talking with Coonhis, Ozmush’s wife. Their children, girl Pekash and boy Cudan, not even a decade old, were playing outside till late in the night.
‘’At first I thought you would ask for the hand of my daughter if I had one.’’ khagan told Bold holding a cup of kumis in his hand which had to be refilled at least thirty times by now. Even so, he was only slightly under the influence of alcohol. His voice was just a bit different from usual deep and commanding one.
Bold smiled and shook his head ‘’I don’t have time for wives, my lord khagan. At least not yet.’’
‘’Nonsense.’’ Ozmush, who was quite drunk by now, spoke ‘’At least, take one of the serving girls to your bed tonight. This day has been good for us all, my lord o'Ginn. It can only end with a woman in your bed.’’
Bold tried to laugh it off, but khagan was suddenly persistent after he heard Ozmush’s proposal ‘’Ibeslik! Summon the slave girls!’’
Suddenly, Bold felt hot, as if something was poking him from inside of his body. There were five girls now lined up in front of Bold just as khagan ordered, all young and groomed. Their bronze skins were oiled and their hairs black and shiny. Most of them looked similar in the way they dressed and wore their jewelry. It was obvious they were personal slaves of khagan’s household. Bold caught Koza eyeing one of the slaves lustfully. Ibeslik on the other hand was displeased by this judging by the faces she was making. Others found it funny and were laughing about it.
‘’Pick one, o'Ginn!’’ khagan ordered with a cup in his hand raised high ‘’Pick two if you like it better that way! Pick them all for all I care!’’
It was not as if I had time for girls, Bold tried to justify his lack of experience in his mind, trying his best to hide his nervousness. After all, he was preoccupied with vengeance and blood to care about anything else. It was not as if he was oblivious about how that act is done, it was just that he was late, as most of the boys do at fourteen summers of age.
What if others learn I have never laid with a woman… a stray thought passed through his mind
I would kill myself.
‘’This one.’’ Bold pointed to a short girl in the middle, who had her hair tied in two braids which covered her breasts. Her figure was slim, and light brown dress looked fine on her, plus the golden jewelry she wore in shape of bracelets, rings and necklaces. Her face revealed that this was exactly what she did
not want to happen. Everyone present cheered and laughed, raising their cups for khan of Persians and his upcoming endevaour. Koza didn't cheer.
‘’Marvelous!’’ khagan exclaimed with his hands spread and khan Ozmush raised a cup to Bold ‘’You are the first one to taste my personal slaves, o'Ginn.’’
Then he leaned over the table towards Bold ‘’Tell me how she performs, I may find more use for them.’’
Finishing the sentence with a loud laugh, he ordered another refill and continued his small talk with Hormuz and Ozmush. Bold exchanged looks with Hormuz. His father's best friend was calm and composed, he didn't drink much. Persian khan then turned his head to a slave girl he’s supposed to spend a night with only to see her looking at something unknown in the distance.
Not too long after, people gathered in khagan’s home left to spend the rest of the night in dreams. Bold made sure his men get the space where they were going to rest for the night. Unfortunately, he couldn’t arrange any women for them, but at least they got a bed to sleep in and their horses were tended in the fenced area.
Bold was given a small yurt of his own for the night. It was not royal or decorated much at all, but it fulfilled the basic necessities. And now, all it needed was bed. When he entered, the slave girl was waiting for him, standing next to his bed with her eyes swollen.
Ignoring her, Bold just sat down on the bed, untiying the belt which bothered him and made his skin all itchy and red. Taking this as a gesture to remove her clothes, slave girl immediately undressed her dress, leaving it down on a floor covered with pelts. Bold raised his head and looked at her body, and was never more grateful for the darkness he found himself in, for his face was burning. He found himself admiring her curves and body and gained a sudden urge to jump on her. But she was the one who made a first move. She sat in his lap, slowly closing her lips to his own while she gently took of his shirt.
At least I know how to kiss a girl, Bold thought as he continued kissing her intensely, and his strong hands squeezed her hot body tightly. But something was off. He knew he wanted to break the ice here and now, but something about her was not right. Seperating their lips as he gently pushed her away, he saw a surprised look in her black eyes he could barely see in darkness, with only a ray of light produced by a weak candle next to the bed.
‘’My lord?’’ she asked in confusion. He lowered his hands and grabbed her by the waist. Then he placed her on a bed next to him.
‘’What is your name?’’ he asked her, his eyes still glued on hers. She was beautiful. He could see it better now.
‘’Bermet.. my lord.’’ girl said, breaking away the eye contact by turning her head in the side.
‘’What is wrong, Bermet?’’
She was sobbing. Bold rolled his eyes and took a deep breath.
Is this how’s first time supposed to be? Placing tips of his fingers on her chin, he slowly pulled her face towards his, beginning to grasp the hold of situation.
‘’I won’t hurt you, Bermet. What is wrong?’’
A surprised face Bermet made was a straight giveaway that she hasn’t experienced a behavior like this from a lordly figure. She opened her mouth to speak, but words weren’t coming out. Instead, tears rolled down her face.
‘’ There is someone you love, right?’’ Bold asked, pretty confident he asked the right question, but instead of replying verbally, she just nodded her head few times.
‘’And Koza is using you for your body.’’ feeling pretty proud he was right twice when Bermet nodded again, Bold continued ‘’I knew it by the way he was looking at you and the face he made when I chose you.’’
Bermet was just nodding her head, as her mouth was still shut.
‘’Well then. I guess you and I are going to make a deal.’’ he proposed to her, causing another surprised look aimed at him ‘’We will pretend as if we had spent a night to remember, but we won’t do anything.’’
The expression of gratitude on Bermet’s face brought a smile to Bold’s face, and he placed his hand on her shoulder and laughed ‘’I am sure your lover is asking himself where are you. Go to him.’’
Bermet directed her smile to Bold which could be describe as mixture of happiness and shock, and leaned towards him to give him a kiss on a cheek before she picked her dress from the floor and began to dress it.
‘’Thank you, my lord khan.’’ she said her last words and headed outside, leaving Bold alone in yurt. He crumbled on the bed with his eyes fixated on the darkness of the ceiling. He smiled weakly, glad he did not hurt that girl but rolled his eyes in disappointment for missing such an opportunity. It seemed everyone was happy tonight, except Bold, who was still shrouded in darkness and inexperience.
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