18 Civs; the Mongol Version
- Thread starter Pacifist46
- Start date
hoplitejoe
Top fun-poster
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2010
- Messages
- 5,470
JaGarLo
Settler
Yes!!!!
I can barely wait to see how does this end!
I can barely wait to see how does this end!
JamesCaesar
People-Vulture
Told You! Burn to the following people:
Mosher
Yoshiegg737
General Olaf
Ha!
Mosher
Yoshiegg737
General Olaf
Ha!
Pacifist46
King
Not here yet 
but just 2 more days and it should be ready!
EDIT: I finished it today instead!
but just 2 more days and it should be ready!EDIT: I finished it today instead!
Pacifist46
King
XIV - The Continent Ablaze
Part III
Part III
For perhaps only the second time in his life, Kachiun was left speechless.
Eventually he managed a splutter. Repeat that from the beginning, officer. Lieutenant Arkha Disgakka stood before his desk, his face an unreadable mask as he had calmly delivered the shocking and terrifying news in a dispassionate monotone. Kachiun tried not to find it unnerving as he began again, almost wearily, in the same dull voice.
Well sir, during the late hours of last night, it appears that approximately eighteen thousand military and five hundred civilian personnel have absconded without leave. Items taken: the personal effects of the said personnel, rations from the storehouse sufficient to feed the abscondees for about a day, a cache of medical supplies and ammunition. This leaves our current strength at just over six thousand military and five hundred civilian personnel. Stocks are sufficient for six months at current consumption rate. Ammunition is sufficient for four months at .
Yeah, alright growled Kachiun. Who was on guard duty last night?
3rd minghaan of 22nd Rifles sire. That unit is part of the absconded force.
I see said the lord. Continue then, with the second half of your report again.
The lieutenant obliged. At the seventh hour of this morning, a routine scouting patrol led by myself witnessed a Russian force marching through the thorn brakes obscuring our position to the enemy from the west. Estimated size: 100 000. The standards and pennants of the units identify them as the three Russian battallions and a number of auxiliary wings that have recently been occupying the fortress at Kassite. At time of observation, they were no more than five hours march from the fort.
It was now ten. Kachiun had two hours to prepare for what would be a useless effort in defence of the fort. Alright lieutenant, ready your men. Send me Vice-General Ombolgu.
The lieutenant didnt move. Vice-General Ombolgu is absconded, sir.
For perhaps only the third time in his life, Kachiun was left speechless.
==================================================================
Quiet in the ranks! The voice of the vice-general boomed out through the trees, and the column fell silent.
With a small circle of loyal friends, Nacer had plotted this situation for months, and it was still finely balanced. They had discreetly managed to win the officers of many units over to their side, more than Nacer had hoped to begin with. A full three-quarters of the Mongol force was with him today, and only a handful knew that they were acting against the commanders orders. Nacer had stationed a party of loyal men to intercept any scouting party that Kachiun might send out to find them, but there had been no scouts since this morning, and Nacer guessed Kachiun had learned of the Russians position and was preparing for attack.
His four most loyal supporters, Nacer had sent to do the most dangerous job. They had gone to the Russians, to betray the Mongol position to the Russians. It was a risky manoeuvre, and Nacer hadnt even been sure the Russian general would fall for the ruse. It had obviously worked however the Russians were coming for the fort.
Nacers plan was to let the Russians attack the fort, kill Kachiun and his cronies, then attack from behind and slaughter them. Although he had taken lots of steps to increase his chances massive trunks had been felled, ready to roll into the Russians, pits had been dug Nacer knew his chances of success were slim against such a vast host. It was a drastic plan, but drastic measures had been needed the Khans brothers regime was too harsh. He had already ordered the deaths of over five hundred troopers. Nacer knew his position was perilous, but he wasnt going to let Kachiun get away.
It had been a tough decision to make. Even tougher was the battle ahead.
===========================================================================
As the Mongol fort came into view through a haze of dust and sunlight, General Vladimir Ilic sipped on his canteen, pondering.
Being no fool, he had sent out scouts to see if what the Mongol deserters had told him were true. They had reported back that there was indeed a Mongol fortress there, defended by what looked to be around 6000 men. Vladimirs men would easily outnumber the Mongols and crush them.
That was the only worry.
The general had assumed that his enemies would have more force in the region. Even the attacks on the patrols and other skirmishes and encounters with Mongol forces had hinted at a much larger army. His supply lines had been lacerated; his outlying forts burned; and all was the work of just six thousand men?
Vladimir found it hard to believe. He had slept on it overnight; the morning had brought no answers. Despite his misgivings, he had decided to go with the attack. The prospect of glory and another triumph over the Mongols was too much to resist.
===========================================================================
From the mud-brick walls of his fort, Kachiun watched the Russian army approach. Beside him, Lieutenant Disgakka slouched against a bolt thrower, watching them with a smirk on his face, which irritated Kachiun. The khans brother couldnt work out for the life of him why he had made this soldier a senior officer indeed, the most senior officer left inside the fort. Indeed, all his good officers had absconded with his vice-general.
Kachiuns thoughts of his traitorous subordinate were black indeed. If they ever survived this assault, he was going to root out the bastard and stick so many spikes into him, hed be mistaken for a porcupine. Nacer had never had the stomach for the job, Kachiun told himself. A soldier had to be without emotion, unforgiving. Willing to make his enemies suffer and enjoy it. Bitter thoughts of how hed suffered after Pasargardae filled his head, swirled around like black smoke. If he deserved to suffer, let everyone suffer. Happy people annoyed him, so much so, it took all his restraint to stop himself from lashing out every time he saw a group of soldiers joking, smiling, and to let cool, logical thought return.
He seldom saw any man smiling around the fort any more. That pleased him. Why should they be happy, when he never could be? Not any more.
His thoughts were interrupted by the lieutenants drawl.
My lord, they have started launching cannonballs at our walls, it does appear.
Kachiun barked a command, and his archers responded with murderous volleys. The battle had begun.
===========================================================================
This was perhaps the hardest point of the plan, thought Nacer, as he watched the fort come under attack.
There was restlessness in the ranks. Many soldiers started muttering grimly. One shouted out, Why aint we bloody moving! We need to stick the bastards from the back before the general gets urt!
QUIET! Next man that speaks will be shovelling for the rest of his effing career! growled Nacer, turning so the column could see his thunderous face.
The ranks fell silent, but there was a lot of shuffling of feet.
We must move WHEN I see the signal, not before. The reputation of the Mongol army is finely balanced in our hands, and I will NOT see you pansies lose it. Nacer turned back, looking to where a section of the mud walls was already crumbling under his comrades feet. He grimaced with a mixture of guilt and resolve.
For now, we do absolutely nothing.
===========================================================================
General Ilic saw the crumbling wall and shouted an order. Trumpets blasted out, signalling for the Cuirassiers to attack in the breach and force entry. The Mongol Riflemen did their utmost to keep the invaders out, firing and reloading with almost inhuman speed. The Russians faltered, their horses crying out. The general cursed, and shouted again, the trumpets blasted out again, this time more units swarmed and charged towards the Mongols, striving to cover the distance. The first horses reached the Riflemen and knocked them back, then more, and more Cuirassiers were on the Riflemen as they broke formation, discarded their rifles and drew their sabres for the ensuing, completely one-sided melee.
===========================================================================
Kachiun now stood in the front line of his men, fighting savagely. As his sword arm slashed open the stomach of a Russian officer, his other elbow smashed viciously into the face of a trooper to his left with such brute force that it snapped the mans neck back like a twig, his neck cracking. Russian fighters started to back away, desperate to avoid this mad commander who fought like a beserker of old, with savage abandon.
The red mist had descended upon the khans brother, and the torment that had been afflicting him since the demons had possessed his wife came cascading out, spurring him into a frenzy. He could feel the demons coursing inside him, cursing him, cruising through his veins and assuming control of his body. He fought still; battling with enemies around and inside him, pressure building up to an untenable level. The demons had come for his wife, now they had come for him. Who would they come for next?
The fighters, Mongol and Russian alike, stopped, stunned, as Kachiuns torso suddenly violently imploded, red blood gushing from numerous joints. His eyes shrank back into his head, his hair receded, then the last strands were ripped off. A sudden gust of icy wind swirled around him, lifting his limp body up, up above the scene. When it was ten feet in the air, the wind let him drop, and the body of the Khans brother fell crumpled onto the floor, smashed.
===========================================================================
The spectacle was observed from upon the hill by a grim faced Nacer. He felt pity well up in his heart for the once-great commander. Life had been too cruel to him.
There was no time to dwell on that however. The battle was still in the balance, but now was an opportunity to seize it!
ATTACK!! bellowed the vice-general with blistering volume. And so the Mongols swung into action.
===========================================================================
General Ilic swivelled, alarmed, as Russian cries rang throughout the skies. He watched in growing horror as the peaceful woods on their right flank suddenly sprang into animation. Thick tree trunks rolled themselves towards the Russian auxiliary wings, whilst Mongol warriors rushed, screaming, down the hillside, their charge smashing his flanks into disarray.
Cavalry, encircle! cried the Russian general. His cavalry rearguard swung into action, streaming across the hill to intercept the Mongols.
Suddenly, the ground seemed to give way under the horses hooves. The agonised whinnying of horses and shrill cries of their riders filled the air as the Russian cavalry were engulfed by the earth.
The Russians stared at the disappearing cavalry with dismay. They had seen wild demons fighting them, trees rolling to crush them, the earth engulfing their comrades. Whatever magic and enchantments the Mongols had invoked was truly terrifying.
Almost to a man, the 50 000 strong remainder of the Russian army cast down their weapons, and ran. Trumpets blasted out, ordering them to regroup, but the effort was futile.
The 1000 or so Mongols still manning the fort needed no invitation to avenge their dead comrades. They swept forward, massacring the Russians as they fleed. Opposite them, a column of Nacers Mongols had stealthily occupied the bushes neighbouring the retreat. They sprung out, blocking the way to the Russians, who were slaughtered from three sides, and made little resistance, their hearts filled with fear. The general and his guard fought to the last, fighting on foot after their horses were cut from under them; but they too were slain.
The day belonged to the Mongols. The Russian army was utterly destroyed, a mere 750 men managing to find their sorry way back to the Russian town of Vladivostok, west of the Kassite river a week later. Of the Mongols who had defended the fort there were left around 600 effectives, along with 250 wounded who would recover. Of Nacers Mongols, there were, amazingly, still 14 500 effectives and 1500 wounded, incredibly light casualty figures.
===========================================================================
Later that day, Nacer sat reflecting in his tent. He was sure that he would be promoted to General on the strength of todays achievement, and no-one would ever know of his treachery. He had explained the abscondation as a stroke of genius planned by the Lord Kachiun; he had proclaimed it the late commanders finest hour. The troops readily believed it, especially when the news was combined with a generous donative for each man; they respected Nacer as a formidable soldier.
The vice-general sipped on a cup of wine, and considered his future
Pacifist46
King
1745AD
Genghis and his advisors are outside Sparta, watching the Mongols take the town.
GENGHIS: Too easy! The A-unit sure hasnt brought his A-game to the field today.
A messenger appears on a horse.
MESSENGER: Sire! I bring news of great joy but also great sadness.
GENGHIS: Im hoping the joy part is for me.
MESSENGER: They are both for you, my lord.
GENGHIS: Right. Ok. Go on then.
The messenger tells the story of the great battle near Ghulamann. He recounts the great strategy which Kachiun employed, and then the heroic death of the brother of the Khan. Finally, he reports how the vice-general Nacer Ombolgu led the counter-charge which destroyed the Russian army and left the Mongols in an advantageous position.
JUN: My lord, my deepest condolences, I am so .
GENGHIS: QUIET, Jun!
He pauses a moment.
GENGHIS: Messenger, this is indeed news of great sadness for me, since I have lost a brother this day. But it seems to me that Kachiun would have wanted to die any other way. My brother took great sacrifices in overturning the Russian armies, at high odds. One of the sacrifices he had to make was his own life.
This is the way of a true warrior of Mongolia! A heroic death, fitting for any man, and no man was so worthy as my brother. There will be great feasts to celebrate his life.
Genghis turns to the messenger.
GENGHIS: Dismissed.
The messenger bows, and rides away.
GENGHIS: Ishak?
ISHAK: Sire?
GENGHIS: I have two task for you. One, you are to ride hard to Ghulamann to collect my brothers body. Take an escort of just five trusted men. Two, I want you to tell this valiant vice-general Nacer Ombolgu that he is promoted to general with immediate effect. From this report and the report on Pasargardae, I can deduce he is a worthy Mongol.
ISHAK: Like, bangin sire. I will like be on my way blud.
Ishak leaves.
GENGHIS: Sparta taken yet Kolai?
KOLAI: It will be about another half hour, but the Greeks are broken.
GENGHIS: For all their swagger, when it comes down to it, theyre soft. So after this, we head for Antium?
KOLAI: If you say so sire! Well have three prongs to bear on Western Europe: the northern armies under Nacer will sweep towards Vladivostok, Williams boys are heading through the mountains to Novgorod, and well take on Romans down here.
GENGHIS: Epic does not do this justice.
===========================================================================
In Ghulamann, Ishak meets Nacer.
ISHAK: So, under the authority granted to me by his lordship the Khan Genghis, Lord of all Mongolia, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Army General. Congrats innit.
NACER: My thanks, Lord Ishak. Please pass my sincere condolences on to the Khan.
ISHAK: Will do mate, like everyones doing that atm like, even my mate Oggy told me tell the Khan I am sorry for his loss and I was like Safe tings mate so then later to the Khan I was like Oggy was like
NACER: Yes, my lord. Well Kachiuns body is outside, along with the rest of your guard. I trust you will have a safe journey back to the court. I can lend you an additional guard if you like; the desert is no safe place.
ISHAK: No worries, like, you need, like, warriors the most probs. Ill be off then.
NACER: Farewell.
Once the Lord Ishak had left his yurt, Nacer took a flask from his hip. Finest Osakan ale, bought in celebration of his promotion to General. He toasted himself silently, and gulped the cool liquid, revelling in its taste. The taste of reaching the absolute summit of a professional soldiers career.
He reattached the hip-flask, then reached under his desk and took out some parchment, started to draw out his plans for attacking Kassite.
===========================================================================
Ishak and his guard rode six abreast, galloping through the bare desert six abreast. Around them, the vast expanse of sandy dunes and cracked, rocky cliffs was punctuated only by specks of white. Bones, bleached white under the unforgiving rays of the sun, beating down on their backs.
The body of the Lord Kachiun lay slumped across the back of his horse, covered in a cloak in the respectful manner. Ishak passed the time by wondering about the battle. He thought about the khans brother, what he had faced, what his final thoughts must have been. Ishak remembered Oggy telling him a story the former hustler had heard from a wise man; that you could tell the final thoughts of a dead man by looking upon his face and reaching into his soul.
The six stopped for rest, the guardsmen drawing water for the horses. Ishak himself tried to find shade under his cloak, but the difference was minimal. He slipped off his horse and stretched his aching legs.
While the guardsmen were watering the horses, Ishak decided to have a peek at Kachiuns face. See if he could reach into his soul. He doubted it; Oggy probably could have, he thought, but Ishak did not know how to begin. Still, he lowered the body to the ground, and uncovered the lords face. Kachiuns face was stern, his eyes starkly open, gazing at the heavens. Lines creasing his face told of the many years he had seen, older than even the Khan himself. Ishak knew nothing of the years before Genghiss birth, now a national day of dog-fighting and drinking in the empire. He longed to ask, but the old man was dead.
Looking more closely, Ishak spotted a symbol on Kachiuns forehead. It was small, like an unobtrusive tattoo, the shape appearing to be a kind of crescent. The Kachiun Ishak had known would never have defiled his body so. Ishak wondered what the symbol meant. He touched Kachiuns forehead with his middle finger.
Suddenly, Ishaks mind turned black and his brain started screaming. He found his insides writhing with pain and wanted to cry out, but was strangely unable to open his mouth, as if a clamp had been placed over it. Above him, the skies seemed to have turned black, and rain started to pour, the droplets coming faster, and faster, and then it started hailing, no, raining black rocks, which increased in size until he was knocked to the ground, his mind reeling. Then another rock hit him and he knew no more.
Back in reality, a scream caused the guardsmen to turn round, to see the Lord Ishaks body tumble to the ground, lifeless.
To be continued
Genghis and his advisors are outside Sparta, watching the Mongols take the town.
GENGHIS: Too easy! The A-unit sure hasnt brought his A-game to the field today.
A messenger appears on a horse.
MESSENGER: Sire! I bring news of great joy but also great sadness.
GENGHIS: Im hoping the joy part is for me.
MESSENGER: They are both for you, my lord.
GENGHIS: Right. Ok. Go on then.
The messenger tells the story of the great battle near Ghulamann. He recounts the great strategy which Kachiun employed, and then the heroic death of the brother of the Khan. Finally, he reports how the vice-general Nacer Ombolgu led the counter-charge which destroyed the Russian army and left the Mongols in an advantageous position.
JUN: My lord, my deepest condolences, I am so .
GENGHIS: QUIET, Jun!
He pauses a moment.
GENGHIS: Messenger, this is indeed news of great sadness for me, since I have lost a brother this day. But it seems to me that Kachiun would have wanted to die any other way. My brother took great sacrifices in overturning the Russian armies, at high odds. One of the sacrifices he had to make was his own life.
This is the way of a true warrior of Mongolia! A heroic death, fitting for any man, and no man was so worthy as my brother. There will be great feasts to celebrate his life.
Genghis turns to the messenger.
GENGHIS: Dismissed.
The messenger bows, and rides away.
GENGHIS: Ishak?
ISHAK: Sire?
GENGHIS: I have two task for you. One, you are to ride hard to Ghulamann to collect my brothers body. Take an escort of just five trusted men. Two, I want you to tell this valiant vice-general Nacer Ombolgu that he is promoted to general with immediate effect. From this report and the report on Pasargardae, I can deduce he is a worthy Mongol.
ISHAK: Like, bangin sire. I will like be on my way blud.
Ishak leaves.
GENGHIS: Sparta taken yet Kolai?
KOLAI: It will be about another half hour, but the Greeks are broken.
GENGHIS: For all their swagger, when it comes down to it, theyre soft. So after this, we head for Antium?
KOLAI: If you say so sire! Well have three prongs to bear on Western Europe: the northern armies under Nacer will sweep towards Vladivostok, Williams boys are heading through the mountains to Novgorod, and well take on Romans down here.
GENGHIS: Epic does not do this justice.
===========================================================================
In Ghulamann, Ishak meets Nacer.
ISHAK: So, under the authority granted to me by his lordship the Khan Genghis, Lord of all Mongolia, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Army General. Congrats innit.
NACER: My thanks, Lord Ishak. Please pass my sincere condolences on to the Khan.
ISHAK: Will do mate, like everyones doing that atm like, even my mate Oggy told me tell the Khan I am sorry for his loss and I was like Safe tings mate so then later to the Khan I was like Oggy was like
NACER: Yes, my lord. Well Kachiuns body is outside, along with the rest of your guard. I trust you will have a safe journey back to the court. I can lend you an additional guard if you like; the desert is no safe place.
ISHAK: No worries, like, you need, like, warriors the most probs. Ill be off then.
NACER: Farewell.
Once the Lord Ishak had left his yurt, Nacer took a flask from his hip. Finest Osakan ale, bought in celebration of his promotion to General. He toasted himself silently, and gulped the cool liquid, revelling in its taste. The taste of reaching the absolute summit of a professional soldiers career.
He reattached the hip-flask, then reached under his desk and took out some parchment, started to draw out his plans for attacking Kassite.
===========================================================================
Ishak and his guard rode six abreast, galloping through the bare desert six abreast. Around them, the vast expanse of sandy dunes and cracked, rocky cliffs was punctuated only by specks of white. Bones, bleached white under the unforgiving rays of the sun, beating down on their backs.
The body of the Lord Kachiun lay slumped across the back of his horse, covered in a cloak in the respectful manner. Ishak passed the time by wondering about the battle. He thought about the khans brother, what he had faced, what his final thoughts must have been. Ishak remembered Oggy telling him a story the former hustler had heard from a wise man; that you could tell the final thoughts of a dead man by looking upon his face and reaching into his soul.
The six stopped for rest, the guardsmen drawing water for the horses. Ishak himself tried to find shade under his cloak, but the difference was minimal. He slipped off his horse and stretched his aching legs.
While the guardsmen were watering the horses, Ishak decided to have a peek at Kachiuns face. See if he could reach into his soul. He doubted it; Oggy probably could have, he thought, but Ishak did not know how to begin. Still, he lowered the body to the ground, and uncovered the lords face. Kachiuns face was stern, his eyes starkly open, gazing at the heavens. Lines creasing his face told of the many years he had seen, older than even the Khan himself. Ishak knew nothing of the years before Genghiss birth, now a national day of dog-fighting and drinking in the empire. He longed to ask, but the old man was dead.
Looking more closely, Ishak spotted a symbol on Kachiuns forehead. It was small, like an unobtrusive tattoo, the shape appearing to be a kind of crescent. The Kachiun Ishak had known would never have defiled his body so. Ishak wondered what the symbol meant. He touched Kachiuns forehead with his middle finger.
Suddenly, Ishaks mind turned black and his brain started screaming. He found his insides writhing with pain and wanted to cry out, but was strangely unable to open his mouth, as if a clamp had been placed over it. Above him, the skies seemed to have turned black, and rain started to pour, the droplets coming faster, and faster, and then it started hailing, no, raining black rocks, which increased in size until he was knocked to the ground, his mind reeling. Then another rock hit him and he knew no more.
Back in reality, a scream caused the guardsmen to turn round, to see the Lord Ishaks body tumble to the ground, lifeless.
To be continued
Pacifist46
King
I'll aim for two weeks for the next update, but don't be surprised if it's longer! You know how to play the waiting game by now anyway Hopefully this will make you want to know what I have in store for the conclusion ... (which btw will not be the next part, but we are nearing the end, at last! 
)
Hopefully this will make you want to know what I have in store for the conclusion ... (which btw will not be the next part, but we are nearing the end, at last! )
heitorcccp
Chieftain
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2010
- Messages
- 96
Veeery good! Great storytelling - and a great way to turn a simple BTS-18 civs into a very exciting story!
JamesCaesar
People-Vulture
NNOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Aw, he's dead.
Optical
The Fall of the Eleventh
It's back!
Yoshiegg737
Jungo Jungo
I didn't look at this thread...thinking it was more bumping...until there was actually an update???
Well, good update
Well, good update
thecaesar
Will appear randomly
Wow, this is a really good story... Subbed!
Pacifist46
King
XV A Menacing Presence
Ill check, make sure hes dead.
One of the guardsmen bent down towards Ishaks body, reaching for the neck
Dont touch him! The captain of the guardsmen was white, his face drained of all blood. The trooper straightened up immediately at his superiors voice, looking anxiously down at what now consisted of two dead corpses on the cracked, rocky ground. He turned to his superior, his face revealing shock.
Somethings not right here, and Im damned if were going to carry any more corpses back to Sparta. Cover up the Lord Ishak, and load the two bodies onto the horses again. Then we ride for Sparta without break. The captain swore under his breath, then turned to his horse. His comrades got to work nervously, taking care not to touch the bodies. Something lay within that could kill the strongest of men, and not knowing what it was, the soldiers were scared.
A vulture screeched above, making two troopers jump and cry out. Nerves were fraying. It was imperative that no time was lost. Seeing that the two noblemens bodies were securely fastened, the captain dug into his horse, and the column rode.
===========================================================================
Pacifist46
King
1750AD
Back in Sparta, there was outright terror at the news and nature of Ishaks death.
GRIZNAKH: Oh heavenly honeyed haddock! This is horrendous!
JUN: I agree. This defies all scientific explanation. It can only be evil!
GENGHIS: Calm down you women. It might look bad, but Im badder. Im the baddest baddass badman thats ever been.
GRIZNAKH: But Genghis, this whatever it is, it could kill us all!
GENGHIS: Thats too bad.
GRIZNAKH: I have felt it growing Every city we take, every mile we advance, I sensed a menacing presence growing in power, shadowing us, preying upon our people, eroding our strength
GENGHIS: Dont talk bollocks, Griznakh. This hasnt got anything to do with us expanding or warring.
GRIZNAKH: Well, really Genghis, if wed just been content with our little tribe of yurts instead of expanding across half of the world ...
GENGHIS: Then youd have eaten us into starvation. The only menacing presence that has been growing around here, shadowing our people, is your fat stomach.
KOLAI: Boom! Grab a knife and fork, Griz-man; you just got served!
The yurt flap opens, and a doctor enters, pushing a moving trolley with a cloaked body on.
GRIZNAKH: Somehow, I dont think thats refreshments.
Doctor Ghuzz Malandraya: My esteemed lordship, the body of your brother.
GENGHIS: Can I see his face?
GHUZZ: You can, my lord, but just dont touch whatever you do.
Genghis lifts the cloak from the face of his brother, and gazed upon it. His brothers eyes looked back up at him, searching him for an answer that Genghis could not provide just yet; and it troubled him. He noticed the small crescent tattoo on the forehead.
GENGHIS: Doctor, what is this tattoo?
GHUZZ: Sire?
GENGHIS: He had not this crescent shaped tattoo when last I saw him.
GHUZZ: The tattoo? It looked to me to be some kind of symbol reminded me of the sigil of old Arabia, whom your lordship defeated so many years ago now.
Arabia. The Scimitar.
GENGHIS: It is impossible. The Scimitar?
Kachiuns forehead exploded. A black stream of smoke hurtled out, and shot into Genghiss forehead. He felt it seeping into his skin, corroding him from within he wanted to cry out, but couldnt, he was powerless; it kept coming, it was in his bloodstream now, infusing into him, trying to penetrate his very soul he couldnt let it, he must resist
Then the feeling stopped, replaced by a hazy feeling. His vision was blurred, he was only dimly aware of his advisors panic-stricken voices in the depths of his consciousness, and specific words were lost to him. His eyes focussed, latching on his brothers corpse once more.
Kachiun sat up.
Genghis jumped back in alarm. His dead brother was looking straight at him no, straight though him, his eyes darting around, searchingly. Then Kachiuns eyes focussed on Genghis.
Why? he said. His tone was anguished. Why? he repeated. And repeated again. And kept repeating, that single-word question, and Genghis knew that he did not know the answer. I dont know he said, I dont know at all his voice rose in pitch as he said it, and Kachiun shook his head. Why? he kept repeating.
Then Kachiuns voice changed, morphed, until the voice coming out was an elderly one, but strong and clear; and Genghis knew it was that of the Old Man of the Scimitar.
It has been long since I have known fear
Genghis was scared out his wits now, his haze shattered, replaced by a sense of darkness, foreboding Even as his brothers mouth moved, and the Old Mans words came out, he felt fear awash throughout him. He wanted to die.
And death I would embrace
Genghis shut his eyes, willing it to end, pleading with it to stop with all his mind
They will reward me in my next incarnation
With that, black smoke suddenly billowed through the air, blinding Genghis. He choked and spluttered, on his knees. An evil laugh rung throughout his ears, Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha- and he knelt, clutching his head, just kneeling there, fighting with his mind
The smoke began to clear. Genghis didnt move, just knelt, clutching his head. He felt like he would never move again.
GRIZNAKH: Sire!?
GENGHIS: Begone! Leave me alone!
GRIZNAKH: Sire, are you alright?
KOLAI: Id say hes not, personally.
Genghis managed to look up, then looked around. He was in his yurt, Kachiuns body still on the trolley, and everyone looking at him, their faces drained.
GENGHIS: What what happened?
JUN: Well, when you said Scimitar, a black smoke appeared from your brothers forehead, and shot into yours. Since then, youve been kneeling on the floor, shouting and moaning, sire.
GENGHIS: My brother he was alive.
GHUZZ: I can assure you he was not!
GENGHIS: But he spoke to me.
The advisors and the doctor exchange shocked looks. No-one speaks for a moment.
GHUZZ: I know little of these dark arts. But I can tell that something very evil has just taken place. My lord, do you feel alright now?
Genghis thought about the question, looking at his arms and legs, searching for a sign of something wrong.
GENGHIS: I feel empty, but otherwise fine, now.
GHUZZ: Alright. My lord, I feel it would be best for you to come with me, so that we can speak in private. Your advisors can carry on in your absence I trust.
KOLAI: We will do our best.
GHUZZ: Ok.
Ghuzz beckons to the Khan, and the leave the yurt.
GRIZNAKH: Something is horribly wrong here.
KOLAI: We should try to forget it.
GRIZNAKH: How do you propose we forget something like that?
KOLAI: Im generally quite good at forgetting things. If I remember correctly. Actually
JUN: For heavens sake!
KOLAI: Nah, actually I am quite good at forgetting what was I going to say?
GRIZNAKH: I really couldnt give two figs. Now, I suppose wed better make the best of this meeting.
KOLAI: Meeting! Ah, that reminds me. We have recaptured the city of Kassite.
JUN: Now there is some good news, for a change.
KOLAI: Damn right. Oh, and also Ishak asked me to present this if he wasnt back in time.
GRIZNAKH: With all thats gone on recently, weve almost forgot about poor Ishak.
JUN: It points to being a bad time when the death of a friend is not the worst news that weve heard all week.
GRIZNAKH: Definitely. Now, Kolai?
KOLAI: What?
GRIZNAKH: What did Ishak ask you to say?
KOLAI: Ishak? Hes dead. Absolute tragedy.
GRIZNAKH: We know, and we agree, but what did he ask you to say?
KOLAI: How can he have asked me anything? Hes dead!
GRIZNAKH: For gods sake! Before he died!
KOLAI: Before Ishak was dead Wait, he asked me to say something at the next meeting. That was it!
GRIZNAKH: He asked you to say that he asked you to say something at the next meetin ... just WHAT DID HE ASK YOU TO SAY?
KOLAI: Griznakh, calm! I know its been a stressful time for all of us, but I dont appreciate being jumped on.
GRIZNAKH: Just speak.
KOLAI: If youve quite finished! Well, some units back near Almarikh on our eastern edge subjugated the barbarian city of Scythian recently.
GRIZNAKH: It says something about how big our empire is that I have no friggin idea where Almarikh is!
KOLAI: I just told you. Its on our eastern edge.
GRIZNAKH: Yes, I ok, thank you Kolai.
KOLAI: Well heres a map anyway:
Back in Sparta, there was outright terror at the news and nature of Ishaks death.
GRIZNAKH: Oh heavenly honeyed haddock! This is horrendous!
JUN: I agree. This defies all scientific explanation. It can only be evil!
GENGHIS: Calm down you women. It might look bad, but Im badder. Im the baddest baddass badman thats ever been.
GRIZNAKH: But Genghis, this whatever it is, it could kill us all!
GENGHIS: Thats too bad.
GRIZNAKH: I have felt it growing Every city we take, every mile we advance, I sensed a menacing presence growing in power, shadowing us, preying upon our people, eroding our strength
GENGHIS: Dont talk bollocks, Griznakh. This hasnt got anything to do with us expanding or warring.
GRIZNAKH: Well, really Genghis, if wed just been content with our little tribe of yurts instead of expanding across half of the world ...
GENGHIS: Then youd have eaten us into starvation. The only menacing presence that has been growing around here, shadowing our people, is your fat stomach.
KOLAI: Boom! Grab a knife and fork, Griz-man; you just got served!
The yurt flap opens, and a doctor enters, pushing a moving trolley with a cloaked body on.
GRIZNAKH: Somehow, I dont think thats refreshments.
Doctor Ghuzz Malandraya: My esteemed lordship, the body of your brother.
GENGHIS: Can I see his face?
GHUZZ: You can, my lord, but just dont touch whatever you do.
Genghis lifts the cloak from the face of his brother, and gazed upon it. His brothers eyes looked back up at him, searching him for an answer that Genghis could not provide just yet; and it troubled him. He noticed the small crescent tattoo on the forehead.
GENGHIS: Doctor, what is this tattoo?
GHUZZ: Sire?
GENGHIS: He had not this crescent shaped tattoo when last I saw him.
GHUZZ: The tattoo? It looked to me to be some kind of symbol reminded me of the sigil of old Arabia, whom your lordship defeated so many years ago now.
Arabia. The Scimitar.
GENGHIS: It is impossible. The Scimitar?
Kachiuns forehead exploded. A black stream of smoke hurtled out, and shot into Genghiss forehead. He felt it seeping into his skin, corroding him from within he wanted to cry out, but couldnt, he was powerless; it kept coming, it was in his bloodstream now, infusing into him, trying to penetrate his very soul he couldnt let it, he must resist
Then the feeling stopped, replaced by a hazy feeling. His vision was blurred, he was only dimly aware of his advisors panic-stricken voices in the depths of his consciousness, and specific words were lost to him. His eyes focussed, latching on his brothers corpse once more.
Kachiun sat up.
Genghis jumped back in alarm. His dead brother was looking straight at him no, straight though him, his eyes darting around, searchingly. Then Kachiuns eyes focussed on Genghis.
Why? he said. His tone was anguished. Why? he repeated. And repeated again. And kept repeating, that single-word question, and Genghis knew that he did not know the answer. I dont know he said, I dont know at all his voice rose in pitch as he said it, and Kachiun shook his head. Why? he kept repeating.
Then Kachiuns voice changed, morphed, until the voice coming out was an elderly one, but strong and clear; and Genghis knew it was that of the Old Man of the Scimitar.
It has been long since I have known fear
Genghis was scared out his wits now, his haze shattered, replaced by a sense of darkness, foreboding Even as his brothers mouth moved, and the Old Mans words came out, he felt fear awash throughout him. He wanted to die.
And death I would embrace
Genghis shut his eyes, willing it to end, pleading with it to stop with all his mind
They will reward me in my next incarnation
With that, black smoke suddenly billowed through the air, blinding Genghis. He choked and spluttered, on his knees. An evil laugh rung throughout his ears, Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha- and he knelt, clutching his head, just kneeling there, fighting with his mind
The smoke began to clear. Genghis didnt move, just knelt, clutching his head. He felt like he would never move again.
GRIZNAKH: Sire!?
GENGHIS: Begone! Leave me alone!
GRIZNAKH: Sire, are you alright?
KOLAI: Id say hes not, personally.
Genghis managed to look up, then looked around. He was in his yurt, Kachiuns body still on the trolley, and everyone looking at him, their faces drained.
GENGHIS: What what happened?
JUN: Well, when you said Scimitar, a black smoke appeared from your brothers forehead, and shot into yours. Since then, youve been kneeling on the floor, shouting and moaning, sire.
GENGHIS: My brother he was alive.
GHUZZ: I can assure you he was not!
GENGHIS: But he spoke to me.
The advisors and the doctor exchange shocked looks. No-one speaks for a moment.
GHUZZ: I know little of these dark arts. But I can tell that something very evil has just taken place. My lord, do you feel alright now?
Genghis thought about the question, looking at his arms and legs, searching for a sign of something wrong.
GENGHIS: I feel empty, but otherwise fine, now.
GHUZZ: Alright. My lord, I feel it would be best for you to come with me, so that we can speak in private. Your advisors can carry on in your absence I trust.
KOLAI: We will do our best.
GHUZZ: Ok.
Ghuzz beckons to the Khan, and the leave the yurt.
GRIZNAKH: Something is horribly wrong here.
KOLAI: We should try to forget it.
GRIZNAKH: How do you propose we forget something like that?
KOLAI: Im generally quite good at forgetting things. If I remember correctly. Actually
JUN: For heavens sake!
KOLAI: Nah, actually I am quite good at forgetting what was I going to say?
GRIZNAKH: I really couldnt give two figs. Now, I suppose wed better make the best of this meeting.
KOLAI: Meeting! Ah, that reminds me. We have recaptured the city of Kassite.
JUN: Now there is some good news, for a change.
KOLAI: Damn right. Oh, and also Ishak asked me to present this if he wasnt back in time.
GRIZNAKH: With all thats gone on recently, weve almost forgot about poor Ishak.
JUN: It points to being a bad time when the death of a friend is not the worst news that weve heard all week.
GRIZNAKH: Definitely. Now, Kolai?
KOLAI: What?
GRIZNAKH: What did Ishak ask you to say?
KOLAI: Ishak? Hes dead. Absolute tragedy.
GRIZNAKH: We know, and we agree, but what did he ask you to say?
KOLAI: How can he have asked me anything? Hes dead!
GRIZNAKH: For gods sake! Before he died!
KOLAI: Before Ishak was dead Wait, he asked me to say something at the next meeting. That was it!
GRIZNAKH: He asked you to say that he asked you to say something at the next meetin ... just WHAT DID HE ASK YOU TO SAY?
KOLAI: Griznakh, calm! I know its been a stressful time for all of us, but I dont appreciate being jumped on.
GRIZNAKH: Just speak.
KOLAI: If youve quite finished! Well, some units back near Almarikh on our eastern edge subjugated the barbarian city of Scythian recently.
GRIZNAKH: It says something about how big our empire is that I have no friggin idea where Almarikh is!
KOLAI: I just told you. Its on our eastern edge.
GRIZNAKH: Yes, I ok, thank you Kolai.
KOLAI: Well heres a map anyway:
Attachments
Pacifist46
King
JUN: Ok, one last order of business: Who is going to replace Ishak?
The advisors think.
GRIZNAKH: We probably shouldnt bug the Khan with this he has enough to think about.
JUN: But we still need someone. Its part of the formula that has made this Empire what it is; Id be careful about leaving the position vacant too long.
GRIZNAKH: Well, well advertise it around the Empire. Its going to be quite a prestigious position; well paid, well fed, the new advisor will be a powerful, respected, wealthy individual, at the pinnacle of Mongol society. Id say well get thousands of applications.
JUN: On the other hand, the new advisor will spend a lot of time with the Khan. Hence Id say well get no more than a few dozen applications, all from the mentally insane.
GRIZNAKH: What if we put that in the smallprint?
JUN: Oh come on! What kind of idiot is not going to realise that being on the Khans advisory council means spending time with the Khan?
KOLAI: Yeah Griznakh! You can be really stupid sometimes, you know.
GRIZNAKH: Well ok then! Jeez, you two are a gloomy couple arent you? I hold out hope that we will get a strong, intelligent, ambitious individual.
The adverts were sent out, from Karakorum to Kassite, Baghdad to Bombay, Jun and Kolai were proved wrong as thousands of applications flooded the courts. Most were rather unimpressive Griznakh repeatedly voiced his astonishment that anyone boasting their best achievement to date as pulling a freebie from a fifty-dollar-a-night whore considered themselves as having even a sliver of a chance of procuring such a role. In the meantime, Jun completed the technology of Assembly Line, the city of Hovd near the eastern extremities of the continent was founded, and armies under the control of Nacer, William and the Khan respectively surged forward, taking the cities of Vladivostok, Novgorod and Antium respectively. In all honesty, the war was a forgone conclusion now; Catherine seemed to have exhausted her strength and was ceding territory rapidly; as were the other states. The real concern of the age was the health of Genghis. He seemed to grow darker and more malicious with every passing day, driving his troops unnecessarily hard. He stopped attending council meetings; Ghuzz the doctor was frequently running around after him with a worried look. The question people were asking was; was the Khan dying?
The council members, running the Empire almost completely for him now, refused to contemplate the consequences of such an event openly. To themselves however, they mused upon the question.
The advisors think.
GRIZNAKH: We probably shouldnt bug the Khan with this he has enough to think about.
JUN: But we still need someone. Its part of the formula that has made this Empire what it is; Id be careful about leaving the position vacant too long.
GRIZNAKH: Well, well advertise it around the Empire. Its going to be quite a prestigious position; well paid, well fed, the new advisor will be a powerful, respected, wealthy individual, at the pinnacle of Mongol society. Id say well get thousands of applications.
JUN: On the other hand, the new advisor will spend a lot of time with the Khan. Hence Id say well get no more than a few dozen applications, all from the mentally insane.
GRIZNAKH: What if we put that in the smallprint?
JUN: Oh come on! What kind of idiot is not going to realise that being on the Khans advisory council means spending time with the Khan?
KOLAI: Yeah Griznakh! You can be really stupid sometimes, you know.
GRIZNAKH: Well ok then! Jeez, you two are a gloomy couple arent you? I hold out hope that we will get a strong, intelligent, ambitious individual.
The adverts were sent out, from Karakorum to Kassite, Baghdad to Bombay, Jun and Kolai were proved wrong as thousands of applications flooded the courts. Most were rather unimpressive Griznakh repeatedly voiced his astonishment that anyone boasting their best achievement to date as pulling a freebie from a fifty-dollar-a-night whore considered themselves as having even a sliver of a chance of procuring such a role. In the meantime, Jun completed the technology of Assembly Line, the city of Hovd near the eastern extremities of the continent was founded, and armies under the control of Nacer, William and the Khan respectively surged forward, taking the cities of Vladivostok, Novgorod and Antium respectively. In all honesty, the war was a forgone conclusion now; Catherine seemed to have exhausted her strength and was ceding territory rapidly; as were the other states. The real concern of the age was the health of Genghis. He seemed to grow darker and more malicious with every passing day, driving his troops unnecessarily hard. He stopped attending council meetings; Ghuzz the doctor was frequently running around after him with a worried look. The question people were asking was; was the Khan dying?
The council members, running the Empire almost completely for him now, refused to contemplate the consequences of such an event openly. To themselves however, they mused upon the question.
Pacifist46
King
1770AD
The council are assembled in Pasargardae, a central-ish location of the Empire, to interview candidates for the new advisory role.
JUN: We need to appoint someone today. I’ve been overworked for too long.
KOLAI: Agreed.
GRIZNAKH: Kolai, you’ve been in the front-line for pretty much all of the time.
KOLAI: So? Are you saying that isn’t hard work?
GRIZNAKH: No, but I am saying that the appointment of a new Advisor will not alleviate your front-line duties. Whereas, Jun and I have been working three jobs between the two of us.
KOLAI: Right.
GRIZNAKH: Before we invite the first candidate in, remember, if Genghis is dying –
KOLAI: I’ve told you, he isn’t! No evil disease thingy is going to bring the mighty Khan down!
GRIZNAKH: Yeah, alright, the Khan is tough and eternal and all that, but if he’s dying, we need to line up a successor to the Empire. No mean task.
KOLAI: I’ll do it.
GRIZNAKH: No you won’t, Kolai.
KOLAI: Why not? Me and Genghis agreed quite a lot on stuff.
GRIZNAKH: Yes, but Genghis was actually credited with an ounce of intelligence, even if it was misguided in many cases.
KOLAI: I’m intelligent.
JUN: As a man of intelligence, Kolai, I regrettably have to inform you that you aren’t.
KOLAI: Yes I am!
JUN: Oh shut up, Kolai, you’re a dolt.
GRIZNAKH: Nicely done, Jun. Right, I rather have too much on my plate to rule the Empire …
KOLAI: Haha!! Too much on his plate!
GRIZNAKH: What’s so funny?
JUN: You have to admit, that was an unfortunate turn of phrase.
GRIZNAKH: Well anyway, I’m too busy. And Jun, you said you wanted to concentrate on science?
JUN: Ruling the Empire … it just doesn’t interest me, honestly. I’d prefer to stay where I am.
GRIZNAKH: Right! So it’s established; none of us want to rule …
KOLAI: I do!
GRIZNAKH: Oh, will you just shut up! I’ve noticed you’ve gotten a lot more annoying now Genghis is around less.
KOLAI: I’ve noticed the same about you!
GRIZNAKH: WHAT I was going to say is, we need to subtly question each candidate to find out about their suitability for the Empire. But don’t give it away. We don’t want people to know Genghis is dying …
JUN: May be dying. I wouldn’t bet against a recovery.
GRIZNAKH: That Genghis may be dying then. And also so they don’t get power-mad – we don’t want them to know the possibility exists or they might scheme. So remember – be discreet, and subtle. You got that, Kolai?
KOLAI: I think so. Discreet, subtle questioning.
GRIZNAKH: Good. Send the first candidate in.
The servants open the doors to the chamber, and admit a short, thin man, dressed in shabby clothes.
CANDIDATE: H-hello, my n-name is Sidje, a-and I …
KOLAI: Who cares. How would you like to rule half of the world?
SIDJE: What?
GRIZNAKH: KOLAI! Shut up!
SIDJE: W-What do you mean?
GRIZNAKH: He meant nothing. I’m afraid your name is not on our lists?
SIDJE: What l-lists?
GRIZNAKH: The lists of candidates for the new position that has opened on the high council.
SIDJE: I’m not here f-for that, I’m h-here with my p-petition for fairer d-deals for m-Mespotian farmers. M-Mespotian farmers a-are …
GRIZNAKH: Sorry, but we’re not interested.
JUN: Come back tomorrow, Sidje.
SIDJE: O-okay, thank your lordships f-for your time.
He walks awkwardly out.
GRIZNAKH: KOLAI! How was that in the least bit subtle?
KOLAI: Oh come on, it could have been worse.
GRIZNAKH: How exactly? How could you have tried to reveal that we were looking for someone who might be suited to rule in a faster or more obvious manner?
KOLAI: I could have written it on a sign. That would have been more obvious.
JUN: Kolai, I think it best if you kept quiet from now on. Your diplomatic skills are … not the best.
KOLAI: Just another thing I have in common with the Khan, then. He never used the soft approach either.
Be as that may, Kolai was silent through the rest of the interviews, which turned out to be terrible. Jun and Griznakh were grim-faced as they came face to face with the results of the Mongols “education is for wimps” policy. The vast majority of candidates were illiterate and couldn’t even add single-digit numbers without reaching for an abacus, something which Kolai thought was fine, but Jun and Griznakh were appalled. The only intelligent applicants were the privately educated governors, who came from the old Mongol noble families. But they were all corrupt. So it was, as the last applicant was about to enter.
GRIZNAKH: This is the last one, apparently.
JUN: And we have found no-one even remotely suitable! It’s a disaster for the Empire!
The last candidate enters.
GRIZNAKH: Please have a seat.
The candidate sits in front of the desk.
KOLAI: Wait a second … I recognise you! You’re Ishak’s friend! That street hustler! Oggy, if I remember rightly.
OGGY: That’s me, indeed. You’re looking at the Empire’s entire exports sector since 4000BC.
GRIZNAKH: Oggy? I didn’t make the connection with Ishak before. So you’ve applied for his place on the council?
OGGY: I have. Let’s get to why. I know exactly, and I mean exactly, what this job entails, having watched my best friend do it for the best part of six millennia. My knowledge of the Empire is unparalleled, from a regional basis right down to what happens on a street level in Karakorum.
GRIZNAKH: Really? So where is the city of, say, Khurasan?
OGGY: If anyone can get this without the spoiler, it's impressive knowledge of the story!
GRIZNAKH: Correct. Good effort.
OGGY: I really do know the Empire better than the Khan himself.
JUN: Not hard. Can you do math? What’s 6+7?
OGGY: Is that some sort of joke?
JUN: No, really, answer the question.
OGGY: You mean to say this is the standard of interviews? Fine. The answer is 13.
JUN: Ok. Honestly, most people couldn’t answer that one.
OGGY: The education in this Empire is in a bad state, I’ll agree.
GRIZNAKH: Ok! It looks like we have our new advisor, wouldn’t you agree, Jun?
JUN: I would. Oggy, you seem by far the best choice for the job.
KOLAI: I agree, you’re a sound dude.
OGGY: I never expected … Wow, thank you very much.
GRIZNAKH: Just one last question.
OGGY: Fire away.
GRIZNAKH: Is Oggy your full name?
OGGY: No. Oggy is just a shortening. My full name is … Ogedai.
To be continued…
The council are assembled in Pasargardae, a central-ish location of the Empire, to interview candidates for the new advisory role.
JUN: We need to appoint someone today. I’ve been overworked for too long.
KOLAI: Agreed.
GRIZNAKH: Kolai, you’ve been in the front-line for pretty much all of the time.
KOLAI: So? Are you saying that isn’t hard work?
GRIZNAKH: No, but I am saying that the appointment of a new Advisor will not alleviate your front-line duties. Whereas, Jun and I have been working three jobs between the two of us.
KOLAI: Right.
GRIZNAKH: Before we invite the first candidate in, remember, if Genghis is dying –
KOLAI: I’ve told you, he isn’t! No evil disease thingy is going to bring the mighty Khan down!
GRIZNAKH: Yeah, alright, the Khan is tough and eternal and all that, but if he’s dying, we need to line up a successor to the Empire. No mean task.
KOLAI: I’ll do it.
GRIZNAKH: No you won’t, Kolai.
KOLAI: Why not? Me and Genghis agreed quite a lot on stuff.
GRIZNAKH: Yes, but Genghis was actually credited with an ounce of intelligence, even if it was misguided in many cases.
KOLAI: I’m intelligent.
JUN: As a man of intelligence, Kolai, I regrettably have to inform you that you aren’t.
KOLAI: Yes I am!
JUN: Oh shut up, Kolai, you’re a dolt.
GRIZNAKH: Nicely done, Jun. Right, I rather have too much on my plate to rule the Empire …
KOLAI: Haha!! Too much on his plate!
GRIZNAKH: What’s so funny?
JUN: You have to admit, that was an unfortunate turn of phrase.
GRIZNAKH: Well anyway, I’m too busy. And Jun, you said you wanted to concentrate on science?
JUN: Ruling the Empire … it just doesn’t interest me, honestly. I’d prefer to stay where I am.
GRIZNAKH: Right! So it’s established; none of us want to rule …
KOLAI: I do!
GRIZNAKH: Oh, will you just shut up! I’ve noticed you’ve gotten a lot more annoying now Genghis is around less.
KOLAI: I’ve noticed the same about you!
GRIZNAKH: WHAT I was going to say is, we need to subtly question each candidate to find out about their suitability for the Empire. But don’t give it away. We don’t want people to know Genghis is dying …
JUN: May be dying. I wouldn’t bet against a recovery.
GRIZNAKH: That Genghis may be dying then. And also so they don’t get power-mad – we don’t want them to know the possibility exists or they might scheme. So remember – be discreet, and subtle. You got that, Kolai?
KOLAI: I think so. Discreet, subtle questioning.
GRIZNAKH: Good. Send the first candidate in.
The servants open the doors to the chamber, and admit a short, thin man, dressed in shabby clothes.
CANDIDATE: H-hello, my n-name is Sidje, a-and I …
KOLAI: Who cares. How would you like to rule half of the world?
SIDJE: What?
GRIZNAKH: KOLAI! Shut up!
SIDJE: W-What do you mean?
GRIZNAKH: He meant nothing. I’m afraid your name is not on our lists?
SIDJE: What l-lists?
GRIZNAKH: The lists of candidates for the new position that has opened on the high council.
SIDJE: I’m not here f-for that, I’m h-here with my p-petition for fairer d-deals for m-Mespotian farmers. M-Mespotian farmers a-are …
GRIZNAKH: Sorry, but we’re not interested.
JUN: Come back tomorrow, Sidje.
SIDJE: O-okay, thank your lordships f-for your time.
He walks awkwardly out.
GRIZNAKH: KOLAI! How was that in the least bit subtle?
KOLAI: Oh come on, it could have been worse.
GRIZNAKH: How exactly? How could you have tried to reveal that we were looking for someone who might be suited to rule in a faster or more obvious manner?
KOLAI: I could have written it on a sign. That would have been more obvious.
JUN: Kolai, I think it best if you kept quiet from now on. Your diplomatic skills are … not the best.
KOLAI: Just another thing I have in common with the Khan, then. He never used the soft approach either.
Be as that may, Kolai was silent through the rest of the interviews, which turned out to be terrible. Jun and Griznakh were grim-faced as they came face to face with the results of the Mongols “education is for wimps” policy. The vast majority of candidates were illiterate and couldn’t even add single-digit numbers without reaching for an abacus, something which Kolai thought was fine, but Jun and Griznakh were appalled. The only intelligent applicants were the privately educated governors, who came from the old Mongol noble families. But they were all corrupt. So it was, as the last applicant was about to enter.
GRIZNAKH: This is the last one, apparently.
JUN: And we have found no-one even remotely suitable! It’s a disaster for the Empire!
The last candidate enters.
GRIZNAKH: Please have a seat.
The candidate sits in front of the desk.
KOLAI: Wait a second … I recognise you! You’re Ishak’s friend! That street hustler! Oggy, if I remember rightly.
OGGY: That’s me, indeed. You’re looking at the Empire’s entire exports sector since 4000BC.
GRIZNAKH: Oggy? I didn’t make the connection with Ishak before. So you’ve applied for his place on the council?
OGGY: I have. Let’s get to why. I know exactly, and I mean exactly, what this job entails, having watched my best friend do it for the best part of six millennia. My knowledge of the Empire is unparalleled, from a regional basis right down to what happens on a street level in Karakorum.
GRIZNAKH: Really? So where is the city of, say, Khurasan?
OGGY: If anyone can get this without the spoiler, it's impressive knowledge of the story!
Spoiler :
GRIZNAKH: Correct. Good effort.
OGGY: I really do know the Empire better than the Khan himself.
JUN: Not hard. Can you do math? What’s 6+7?
OGGY: Is that some sort of joke?
JUN: No, really, answer the question.
OGGY: You mean to say this is the standard of interviews? Fine. The answer is 13.
JUN: Ok. Honestly, most people couldn’t answer that one.
OGGY: The education in this Empire is in a bad state, I’ll agree.
GRIZNAKH: Ok! It looks like we have our new advisor, wouldn’t you agree, Jun?
JUN: I would. Oggy, you seem by far the best choice for the job.
KOLAI: I agree, you’re a sound dude.
OGGY: I never expected … Wow, thank you very much.
GRIZNAKH: Just one last question.
OGGY: Fire away.
GRIZNAKH: Is Oggy your full name?
OGGY: No. Oggy is just a shortening. My full name is … Ogedai.
To be continued…
