Khanate Court of the Timurid Empire

[Voshkod]

The Khan and his sisters sat under the shade of a date tree, watching the dhows ply the slow waters of the Nile. Abu Sa'id Yesugai looked over the agreement a final time.

"You've done well, Orqina. We will turn Cyprus into our trading outpost in the Middle Sea. Once the roads to China are opened - and once Delhi is ours - we will sell the silks and spices to anyone with gold." He smiled at her. "And thank you for including the books. My studies have faltered on this long march. I cannot wait for this absurd war to end, to return to Samarkand and my library."

Orqina bowed her head modestly. "I have done my best for my Khan. And my brother."

"But what about me?," Chabi said petulently. "No one asks me if I want to marry this Egyptian!"

"Because we don't care, sister," Orqina said sharply. "You don't have a say in the matter and . . . ." The Khan raised his hand in warning. He stood and walked over to Chabi.

"Little sister, my beloved Chabi, your happiness is important to me. But you and I and Orqina and Khada all share the same curse. Our happiness is a tool of the Empire." He sat down next to her, put an arm around her shoulders. "The Caliph is a good man. You will be free to visit us any time in Samarkand. After you've had a few children with him, you can probably return there to live."

Chabi tried to look brave, but her lower lip was trembling. "But what is he's cruel? What if he hurts me?"

The Khan scowled, held her tighter. "Then the Horde will burn Cairo to the ground and I'll let you carry his head back to Samarkand. We'll turn his skull into your chamberpot. I promise you that."

 

[I Killed Kenny]

To Great Khan Abu Sa'id Yesugai

You may already know this, but if not We shall inform you. The war in North Africa is ending, We were victories and for that victory We much thank the Sultan of Tunisia to be smart enough for not wanting to lose also. But We write to you, because of greater matters, We were informed that you want to Trade Cyprus for some land in Arabia. We do not care about that land, but We care about Cyprus. For We do not want Mongols rulling over the Mediterranian, without We wanting. For We will not let you have Cyprus unless you give something to Us. For We have the biggest fleet in the World and can simply block the Island and not letting such trade to happen. So If you want Cyprus, you must be ready to pay the prize!

Signed,

 

[Voshkod]

The Khan laughed as he read the note. An earnest page spoke up. "Shall we prepare a response, great Khan?"

The Khan's nimble fingers began to fold the fine parchment in a pattern taught to him by the Caliph of All Islam, who claimed to have learned it on an island off nature worshippers near the Middle Kingdom. Within half a minute, the note of the Portugese King was reduced to a finely folded paper boat. Abu Sa'id Yesugai walked down to the Nile's edge and set it afloat. The current caught the boat and carried it out toward the sea.

"That is our response. If the King of Portugal wishes to prolong this war, so be it. My men have not fought. My treasuries are not empty, and I do not owe foreign Kings money. And Cyprus is in Egyptian hands until we are at peace. Let him march on Samarkand if he wishes."

Still chuckling, the Khan walked back to camp.

 

[I Killed Kenny]

To Great Khan Abu Sa'id Yesugai

You wish not to reply to Us, so be it, you were warned.
And We do not see your so called mighty army. And We shall not invade the Sands of the Mongols for We do not want them for Ourself.

[OOC: Portugal offers White peace to the TE /]

 

[unmerged(9945)]

A Mongol rider bearing The Golden Horde insignia approaches Samarkand, the unwavering determination in his face is obvious.

"I am Checheg and have been requested by The Great Khan to bring word of his rule to The Timurid Empire. I must insist that you grant me entrance."

The rider sits upon his horse, a cold stare penetrating the hearts of all who he looks upon

 

[Voshkod]

The guards stand firm. One steps forward, looking equally fierce and determined.

"No man demands entry into Samarkand, much less the palace of the Great Khan. You may ask for entry, like any other ambassador, or you may go away. I could care less."

The guard smiled. "Besides, if all you wished to do was tell us that the Golden Horde again had a Khan, you have done your task, and you can ride away home."

 

[unmerged(9945)]

Checheg smirks at the guard

"I see you show no respect for foreign emmisaries. Very well i will entertain you and play your games........

May I be granted entrance into The Great Khan's palace?"

Before the guard is able to answer he adds....

"And do you truely believe that I would journey all this way just to inform The Timurid Khan of who rules over the lands of The Golden Khanate? Don't be foolish. Those who seek such knowledge need only ask those who travel to and from the East or those that reside in the lands that fear the might of his armies."

Checheg sits smuggly awaiting the guards response

 

[Voshkod]

The Khan watched as another Portuguese note sailed away down the Nile. "I would have spoken peace with this idiot in the first place, but now, let him stew in his own war. Sooner or later, the world will return to peace without us speaking of it but, for now, let us see how he enjoys empty treasuries."

 

[Voshkod]

I am growing old, thought Abu Bekr al-Karkhi, vizier of the Great Khan of Samarkand. My only fear should be death, not some envoy from the Golden Horde of the north. He sat on a chair beneath the empty throne of Abu Sa'id Yesugai and watched as Checheg was led before him.

"Welcome to Samarkand, Checheg of the Golden Horde. I, Abu Bekr, vizier of the Great Khan, welcome you on his behalf. He is in the valley of the Nile, on campaign against the infidel. What news from your Khan? What business have you in Samarkand?"

 

[unmerged(9945)]

Checheg bows deeply for the vizier and speaks.

Ah yes of course, I had heard of Timurid hordes marching through The Dark Continent, but did not realize that The Khan himself was commanding them personally. I shall deliver my message to you then.......

He then rises and adresses the vizier

Baraq Khan II wishes to strengthen the bond between our lands. For to long has tension grown between the two largest Mongol Khanates. He proposes that we start by resuming caravan trade with one another. Would The Khan be interested in such an arrangement?

He bows again awaiting a response

 

[unmerged(4271)]

In Cairo

Prince Umar completed his drilling with the Mongol officers. Their skill was unimaginable, but the regularity of their practices helped explain this.

However, what more was there to do under the hot sun of Cairo? Algiers had fallen? His ancestral homeland had been razed and the new Almohad Emperess had given up the Barbera lands of the Sahara?

And where, in this time of need, were the Tunisians? Why were all of the entreaties from their allies ignored? It was truly offensive enough that this land of pirates had not honored their treaties and come to their aid when Portugal attacked, but to refuse even to respond to any communication was inexcusable.

Dismounting, the Fezian Emir, who's royal future was now in question with the incorporation of Fez in Algeria, approached the Timurid lead Khada, bowed respectfully and air his grievences.

"Why must we remain here in Egypt while the Portuguese continue their war? It is bad enough that the armies of Fez and Algiers have been massacred and that the palace of the Sultan of Fez lies in ashes. Upon the head of the bastard of Tunis, do I lay their deaths!

Do they abandon their treaties and obligations as swiftly as they abandon their heritage and their very name? Carthage? What is that?

King Joao rides through our lands as a conqueror while this great army sits idle.

Why, Khada, do we not simply ride through their lands? Through the Kaliphate we rode. If the Tunisians will not uphold their treaties with us then they aid the enemy. Truly then, no respect nor recognition is owed to them.

I say, let us ride through Tunis, as none dare stop us! We will pillage the land to feed our army, and we may lose no men despite our long ride! If the Tunisians object, then we shall simply take their land as our own. Yet I fear they can do nothing to stop us.

Let us ride, let us pillage, and let us advance upon this enemy! We are like exiles! By land or by sea we should do something, should we not?

If I misunderstand our situation or your strategy then I offer deep apologies. Help me to understand our course of action, Khada. I am your student."

Prince Umar awaited a response while high thin clouds rolled across the broad sky. The night would bring a storm. But it would be welcomed as anything to break the tedium of the camp would increase morale of the troops, far from their homes and unsatisfied in their thirst for war.

 

[Voshkod]

Khada's horse seemed to be straining to chase the sunset to the West, toward the lands of Algeria. With a heavy heart he pulled the beast's head back. "No, Prince Umar. The war in the West is over. We could ride through Tunisia, through Algeria, and perhaps wrest the sands away from Portugal, but to no end. If Algeria can't fight this war, we can't fight it for them. Another war awaits us in the East."

He extended a hand to the Prince. "We ride back to Samarkand with sunrise. Then I raise armies for the sacking of Delhi. Will you return home to the fallen West, or ride with me against the East?"

 

[Voshkod]

And in Samarkand they expelled the foreign envoys and closed the great doors of the city to outsiders. A few were allowed to remain; Prince Umar and Mirza Mohammad-Reza among them.

Abu Sa'id Yesugai, Great Khan, retreated into study and watched the stars turn, while Khada Yesugai sharpened his blade for the war with Delhi. Their sister Orqina spent her days silently tending the roses in the Gnomon Garden, speaking only when it was necessary.

To eyes from the West, it was almost as if the Mongols of Samarkand had fallen into slumber. But distant thundering from the East echoed at times, telling the world that while Samarkand was sleeping, it was an uneasy sleep, punctuated by nightmares, and perhaps the dawn and a new awakening was not far off.

 

[unmerged(4271)]

Prince Umar hung his head, and resisted the urge to look back one last time towards the land of his birth, the land in some part promised to him as the legacy of his father. He spurred his horse, and followed the Khada.