An Invitation

Baga-Bars watched as the other Mongols rode away from the tsereg-ger. He had sent them out to search the land for clues. That the others had trust enough in his judgment to swear allegiance to him as Khan had been a surprise to the young Mongol. He was determined to show that this trust was not misplaced.

Baga-Bars looked at the still form standing alone in the corner of the chapel room. The humble pride which he felt at being selected as temporary Khan was tempered by a great sadness at the state of his friend and true Khan, Haruchai.

The bugu of the Mongol tribe were working to decipher the message on the parchment that had been found on the bones of one of the dead orghs near Haruchai. The bugu said that the spirit was gone from Haruchai's body. How or why they did not know.

Baga-Bars had a hard time believing that the orghs could have done this. Although lately they had shown some surprising abilities. Baga-Bars examined this new paper that he had been given. He could not read the han runes upon it, but the message had been translated for him. It was an invitation.

Some of the hans were having a party and the Mongols were invited. Although Baga-Bars did not feel like festivities, with the Khan frozen and soulless, some of these han knew the ways of powerful buyu. Perhaps their magic could help the Khan. Besides, Baga-Bars had been told that attending this party would be the "polite" thing to do.

Now Baga-Bars did not exactly understand the han concept of "polite". He suspected that it somehow involved not killing people who annoyed you or perhaps just talking nicely with them *before* you killed them. In any case, he understood the han concepts of food and drink perfectly. Baga-Bars wrote out a message to all the Mongols. At the 22nd hour of the seventh day of the seventh month, all Mongols who are able should attend the han party.

--------------------------------------------------------
Bunelck watched as the Mongols went about their business. He determined that he would shadow this young Khan until the time was right. Perhaps this one would listen to his message of warning. Perhaps not. Bunelck decided that he should write down his message in case the Mongol decided to let his kryss do his listening. At least then his warning would survive even if he didn’t.

© 2001 Todd Bailey