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.If you learn from him then perhaps you will be worthy one day of leading the Mongol nation.”There was a heavy silence.Kuyuk leaned forward slowly, his face full of menace.In the silence of the tent, his leather tunic creaked loudly.“I do not need the advice of a man who cannot ride properly.”“Please, please,” Batu tried to intervene, his face full of concern.“There’s no need for such hostility!”“I demand my place in the forthcoming battle!” Kuyuk snarled.“You will obey the command of the commander of the army!” Subedei barked.“I have decided the formations.Do you wish to return to Karakorum with your tail between your legs because you cannot obey a simple command from your overlord?”Kuyuk whirled, his face furious.“You are trying to undermine my prestige by denying me glory in battle!”“Prince Mongke is in the same position as you yet I don’t hear of any complaint,” Casca said calmly.“Are you going to tolerate this European amongst our ranks?” Kuyuk shouted, his arms waving, “for all we know he’s a spy sent by the Russians to undermine our campaign!”Casca roared with laughter and slapped the table top they were all standing round.Subedei shook his head in disbelief.Some of the others smiled and looked at each other, but a few kept silent, their faces still.“A spy!” Casca said, incredulously.“Prince Kuyuk, Subedei here will tell you of my part in the rise of the Mongol nation.Your statement is nonsense, and you know it.You’re just sore at missing out on the action this time round.But carry on and you’ll miss out on all the action as you’ll be sent home.”Subedei glared at Kuyuk, and the prince looked at his commander, seething, then nodded curtly and stepped back away from the table, folding his arms.Batu puffed out his cheeks.“Thank you, Prince Kuyuk.Let’s not forget we’re all here for a common reason – to further the Empire.We cannot do that if we quarrel amongst ourselves.We have all benefited from the sacking of the city and we can do the same again here.”Kuyuk’s lip curled but he nodded curtly.His look towards Casca was of pure hatred.Casca grumbled under his breath but bent to examine the map once more.Subedei carried on.“Once we eliminate Suzdal and Moscow we are free to carry on south west towards the richer principalities.I remember them well from my previous time there.Although we didn’t carry the raid as far as their cities, I’m told they are much richer than these forest towns.And, noble princes, the forest does not extend that far.We will have open plains to ride in!”“Good,” Mongke said with feeling; “I hate these trees!” Others around him nodded.Subedei leaned back and sucked in a deep breath.“Then let us complete this task quickly.I shall divide the army once we have finished here.I will appoint commanders I can trust to obey my orders,” and he glared at Kuyuk as he said those words, “which will enhance their prestige.”Kuyuk reddened and scowled.“Let me make my position clear to you all,” Subedei folded his hands across his rounded gut.“The Khan appointed me as overall military leader of this expedition.Batu Khan here is the figurehead and he has the authority to veto any order I give, but any of you who cannot obey an order might as well pack up now and go home.Any of you wish to do so?”There was silence.“Very well.You may return to your tents and plan for tomorrow.We attack!”The princes broke up and left but Casca was urged to stay.Batu ordered food and drink for the two and slaves brought low wooden seats.The three sat on cushions and rugs that were draped over the benches.“Did you notice Kuyuk challenge my authority through you?” Subedei began, sipping on a hot tea in a delicate porcelain cup.“Aye,” Casca nodded.He waved away the offer of kumass, the fermented mare’s milk that had a kick like a mare.He did nod to the offer of wine, however.“He doesn’t like me one bit.”“It was useful to see who backed him and who opposed him.I need to know the dynamics of my sub-commanders, so as to place them to the maximum effect in a battle.Kuyuk also needed slapping down but I waited till he’d said too much.”“I wondered why you’d kept quiet at first,” Casca said.The wine was a touch acidic but palatable.He admired the crystal glass; it looked like it had come from Samarkand or one of the Asian cities along the Silk Road.“I would prefer there was no quarrelling,” Batu said with a sigh.“Unavoidable, Prince Batu,” Subedei said with a smile.“When you have so many young ambitious men of equal rank together – well it would take a god to keep them from arguing.Cousins of yours they may be, but not all of them hold you in respect, do they?”Batu shook his head sadly.“So – to other matters,” Subedei said.“I am told you were attacked in Riazan by four Mongols.”“How did you know that?” Casca asked, surprised.“I have an excellent intelligence network,” the fat Mongol said, beaming.“Little goes on without my knowledge.You of course don’t know to whom they followed?”“No.They died well.”“Of course; proper Mongols know how to die well.I must impress upon you, Old Young One, to take better care of yourself.Always have a guard.”“I would probably know who was behind it if you’d allowed Batu Khan here to find out who’d trashed my yurt.”Subedei pulled a face.Batu shrugged.“I found out little.Mouths are closed.” Batu looked apologetic.“Whether through fear or loyalty I cannot say.”“Pah.” Casca was disgusted.“It’s someone very close to you,” he said to Subedei.“I know.It may be someone quite unexpected,” he said cryptically.Casca looked at him for a long moment, then threw down the last of the wine and stood up.“I shall return to my yurt and have my slave tend my needs.”Subedei laughed and clapped him on the knee.“At least you’re living like a Mongol! Sleep well.”“I shall.” Casca nodded to Kaidur who’d been standing close to the way out.They left and paused in the searing cold of the open air.“Interesting meeting,” Casca said.The other guard came up to them and waited, his teeth chattering.“Ah hell, let’s get to the warmth of our yurt.”Kaidur nodded with enthusiasm.“Have you got any clearer idea who wants you out of the way?”“Kuyuk of course,” Casca said, his breath billowing in huge clouds ahead of him.“But Subedei threw me a little tasty comment at the end.Did you hear it?”“About someone unexpected? Yes.Who did he mean?”“I really don’t know, Kaidur.Was he referring to Batu? And who the hell told him about those Mongols who had a go at me in Riazan?”Kaidur shook his head slowly.They gratefully entered the yurt and the warmth of the fire crackling away in the center.Tatiana and Ashira tended the two men, and Casca noted the growing attachment between Kaidur and the former slave girl.He grinned and tucked into a slab of goat, spiced with mint [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]