Seang rode into the little nomadic village Orhan Ucar called home atop one of the stolen horses from the caravan, along with her cohorts.

The sun was rising as they arrived at the Ucar clan’s ‘village’. It was looking to be yet another clear, but cold day. She envied the fur-lined coats and armor the Khongirats had.

The settlement was a collection of about forty cylindrical tents bound by rope on improvised wooden foundations.

As much applause and congratulations as a village this small could muster was awaiting Orhan and his boyish warriors as they arrived. Seang imagined it was rather humiliating in Orhan’s mind, but she found it sweet nonetheless.

The entire village looked to be in a frenzy. Packs and bundles were being tied to horses as carts with broken down tents were being hitched to oxen.

The young men who had accompanied Orhan were dismounting their horses to take off their armor and help their families pack up. And mostly, those families consisted only of the elderly and children yet to come of age. The occasional young woman could be found, but they were all invariably pregnant.

She caught Orhan looking at her, analyzing her face.

“All the men and women who could fight, who weren’t killed in the first Nikan assault, went out to the east to help the Great Khan fight.” Orhan said, “It has left us crippled.”

“I take it you aren’t very fond of the Great Khan, then.” Seang muttered.

“Was it that obvious?” Orhan scoffed, his voice dripping with bitter sarcasm.

The people’s congratulatory attitude soon turned to one of intrigue as they started noticing the foreigners that Orhan had brought back.

Seang tried to read their faces for their general attitude. Some clearly were suspicious. Others were curious. A mixed bag was better than being surrounded by people who actively refused to trust you.

Orhan slowed his horse to a stop at the foot of a young boy of fourteen, if Seang had to guess.

“What’s all this, Orhan? Foreigners?” the boy spoke as though he were the Emperor of Nikan himself.

“They have offered us many of the supplies they pillaged from a caravan for a week’s food and shelter.” Orhan said, “Is that a problem?”

“Yes. We shouldn’t be relying on the charity of others to survive. Especially not the charity of Nikan scum.” the boy spat.

Kameko raised her eyebrows, but said nothing.

“This woman is a captain of the White Tiger rebellion, Ansar. You will show our guests respect.” Orhan ordered, “And it wasn’t charity. It was a fair trade. Now go help Grandmother pack up.”

The boy, Ansar, scoffed but obeyed his khan.

“That was my cousin, Ansar. He is the only relative who can inherit the clan if I die. If it weren’t for that, I would’ve already banished the little shit.” Orhan muttered.

“I’ve heard many stories about the great hordes of Khongira that once took Nikan lands by storm.” Seang said, “I’ll admit, this wasn’t how I was imagining it.”

“You speak of the glory days of our people. When we were free to roam and what you now call tribes used to be called kingdoms.” Orhan sighed, as though reminiscing on a time he wasn’t alive for. “The Nikan invasion has brought us all low. Bharata included, I presume.”

Bharata was the Nikan and Khongirat word for Seang’s homeland..

“I suppose.” Seang said, “But perhaps if you vassalized under the Khan, your people could rest easy. I hear his system works rather well.”

Orhan scoffed, “The Khan is just as much a tyrant as the Emperor. He seeks to unite the clans under his banner, erasing our identities. Once the war is over, his people will leave him and we’ll return to the natural order of things.”

“But this loose confederation of tribes has been awful for your ability to defend your lands. Perhaps a more centralized system will benefit your people more.”

“We have lived in clans for thousands of years. If it truly was detrimental, we wouldn’t have kept it up this long.” Orhan argued, “I’ve heard enough of this.”

Seang nodded, “Apologies. I tend to poke my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

“It’s good you acknowledge that.” Orhan nodded, “My people will be ready to depart by mid-morning. Rest until then. We have a long journey.”

As Orhan walked off, Seang sighed, surveying the clan. This tribe was doomed. Whether the Nikan found them or not.

________________________________________________________________

Vai stared at the night sky, studying the positions of the stars.

They had been travelling with the Ucar clan for a few days and so far; it had been pure bliss compared to the time they spent alone out on the steppe. They had food, good water, a place to sleep, and fire. It was odd he now considered those things to be luxuries.

“Incredible, isn’t it?”

Vai whirled around towards Orhan as the Khongirat stepped up next to him.

“No matter what condition the world is in, Khongira will always put the full beauty of the stars on display.” Orhan sighed.

“It is one of the few things I rather like about its barrenness.”

“It’s only barren if you don’t know how to find what you’re looking for.” Orhan said. He watched Vai survey the stars for a moment before asking, “What are you doing?”

“Charting the stars.” Vai said, “My people have an ancient, sophisticated art we’ve used to navigate the open oceans. We call it way finding.”

Orhan nodded, “Impressive.”

“Of course it is. It’s stood the test of time for over a thousand years.”

“Right?” Orhan asked. “This world is changing too fast. Faster than the natural order of things.”

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“I don’t know about all that.” Vai said, “So long as way finding isn’t lost to history, I don’t really mind change much.”

Orhan scoffed, “If only what I wish to protect was so intangible. The Khongirat way of life is being destroyed. And so many people welcome it.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“The damned Nikan.” Orhan spat. “My countrymen are so obsessed with keeping them away that they are destroying their very identity as a people in the process.”

“I get that. People are becoming more paranoid. More desperate. They don’t have faith in the old ways anymore. They forget to look to the past and learn.” Vai said.

“Exactly.” Orhan drew out the word to emphasize his agreement, “Look at this.”

Orhan drew a crumpled piece of parchment from his belt.

“Ever since the downfall of the Great Khanates, the Ucar clan and the Chagav clan have been mortal enemies.” Orhan said, “But only half a decade after they fall under the Great Khan’s banner, they make a sending for us offering aid!”

“Seems like they just want to work together against Nikan.”

“They refuse to even acknowledge their wrongdoings. They forget that their leaders betrayed us once already and offer peace.” Orhan sighed, “As if livestock and gold will make us forget what they did.”

“What exactly did they do to you?” Vai asked.

“They stole our sacred banner, devoted to He who Lords over the Sky.” Orhan growled, “They stole it and for eight hundred years, they’ve propped it up like it was theirs.”

Vai paused for a moment. Eight hundred years of turmoil over a banner?

Well, a religious symbol like that probably earned them a lot of prestige and-

No. No, that’s completely insane. Vai thought, Is this what people think when they see me? Do I act like this about way finding?

“I’m so sick of hearing people telling us to let it go.” Orhan muttered. “If it weren’t a worthy cause, why would eight hundred years of rulers keep fighting over it?”

“R-right.” Vai nodded, “But...I don’t know, maybe they do have a point. Not that they’re right or anything. But they aren’t completely wrong. It’s good to remember the past, but it shouldn’t hinder you from making amends. If holding that grudge kept your antagonism up for eight hundred years, then maybe try a different response next time.”

Orhan shrugged. “Not like we can do much about it, anyway. My people have dwindled too much. But at the very least, we won’t accept the humiliation of receiving their aid.”

Vai nodded absent-mindedly before he gasped, looking out across the plains. The light of a lantern came into view from the darkness of night. “What’s that?”

“Hm? Huh. An envoy.” Orhan said, “Lucky I’m still awake.”

Three men on horseback rode up to them.

Orhan groaned in disgust when a banner came into view.

“What?” Vai asked.

“They’re one of the Khan’s dogs.” Orhan spat.

Now that Vai could see the envoy better, the men were incredibly more well-equipped than Orhan or any of his boys. They wore full lamellar suits with helmets that had been polished and cleaned. Their horse looked like a much sturdier breed than the Ucari horses he’d seen.

The men hopped off their horses and bowed, offering a greeting as a fist overlapped by their left hands. They spoke to Orhan in Khongirat, but Orhan cut them off and started in Qahtanad.

“Stop bowing like imperials. And speak in the desert tongue so my friend here can understand.”

The envoys stood up straight and spoke again in Qahtanad.

“Honorable Khan Ucar. We bring a delegation from Borhae, on behalf of Agukhan Ertac.” the lead envoy said.

“Tell the Great Khan we don’t want whatever it is he has. I feel sorry for all you errand boys who get sent out to find us every month.” Orhan said, disdain dripping in his voice.

“This is not an offer of aid, Khan Ucar.” the envoy said, “Or at least, not our primary goal.”

“Oh?” Orhan seemed genuinely intrigued now.

“The Great Khan regretfully lost a field battle at Mosuruk Crossing-”

“Did I not say this union would fall into a collapse as it once did?” Orhan asked.

The envoy ignored that comment. “Many Nikan retinues have made it past the river and are searching for the supplies to continue onward in their campaign. We have also gathered reports that Ali’ite Qahtanad forces have been trespassing in the southwest, bolstered by Nikan troops. We encourage independent clans like yours to be on guard.”

“My clan and I will deal with whatever comes to us. We have since the Great Khanates. Now be on your way.”

“But Khan Ucar, don’t you think you should try to bolster your clan with-”

Orhan drew a curved sword, similar to Najeem’s but wider and with a less aggressive curve, from his hip and placed the tip at the envoy’s neck. That got him quiet.

“I don’t want any help from your nation. I don’t want any advice from your nation.” Orhan said darkly, “You imperial imitators ought to figure that out before I decide to only send a head back to your master.”

The envoys raised their hands in a signal of harmlessness as the one Orhan was threatening backed away.

“Tell your master: Leave my people be! The next time you try to intervene with us, I will not hesitate to kill whichever poor soul he sends.” Orhan roared, “Now leave!”

The envoys quickly mounted their horses and rode off.

“That was overdoing it a tad.” Vai commented.

“Schemers who lie and scare others into service deserve anything better?”

“You think they were lying?” Vai asked.

“You don’t?” Orhan sheathed his weapon. “I hear the Sea People live in tribes much like our people once did. The first thing you should know about nations: The only people who get into power of a nation are those who are able to lie the best. They only ever desire power and personal gain. They will do anything necessary to make you bend the knee to them. At least the Nikan are straightforward about it. Don’t let them trick you.”

__________________________________________________________________________

“And he just...ignored it?” Shakti asked. She stared at Orhan, whose back was turned to her and her allies, dumbfounded.

“Claimed they were lying to try and scare him into servitude.” Vai said.

Shahla pinched the bridge of her nose. “He doesn’t have to make the Great Khan an enemy. Actually, it’s a rather bad idea from a political standpoint. The Bedouins in Qahtan practically had to help resolve the civil war. Without Qahtan, we wouldn’t have enough trade going to survive.”

“Orhan seems obsessed with preserving his people’s former way of life.” Vai muttered.

“Well, even if we make him take the threat seriously, it’s not like there’s much he can do.” Seang said, “So the seven of us will have to be on guard. Thank you for telling us, Vai.”

“No problem.” Vai said.

The rest of them separated to get food or occupy themselves as the Ucari packed up their camp, except for Shakti and Vai.

“I won’t lie.” Vai gulped. “Listening to the way Orhan talked about his people was kinda...weird.”

“Weird how?” Shakti asked, “Last I recall, you’re a rather old-fashioned guy yourself.”

“Well, yes, but it isn’t the same. Not anymore, at least. Did you know that they’ve been fighting with the same clan over a banner for eight hundred years?”

Shakti’s eyes shot open. She couldn’t help but snicker. “Really?”

“Yeah. Now they want to help the Ucari and Orhan want them to shove it up their asses. I thought he was completely insane. Is that what I sound like? Am I that anal about way finding?” Vai asked.

Shakti shrugged, “Well, you aren’t that bad.”

“But I’m bad.” Vai said, “In some capacity?”

“Mm...I think the issue is that you get a little too defensive about it.” Shakti explained.

Vai sighed, “Najeem says his Shedim talks to him sometimes whenever he’s having a dilemma. I kind of wish mine did the same.”

Shakti shrugged. “I’d argue it’s better to talk with an actual person rather than a magic ghost. Besides, I’ve known you for…what, five years? Your Shedim’s been here for less than two months. I think myself to be more reliable than your Shedim.”

“But aren’t you leaving us?”

Shakti cringed and hissed, “You overheard that?”

“Well, not everything, but...it sounded like you were done.” Vai said, “You’re really gonna leave? After all this?”

Shakti pinched the bridge of her nose. “Shit. Vai, I didn’t...I didn’t mean I’m going to leave. It’s just...we’ve sunk so much time and effort into this quest and...frankly, I’m just here to maybe one day see my home liberated. But that could take years. Decades, even. I want to live my life as an artist, not get stabbed on a battlefield.”

Shakti hadn’t truly meant to be as forward as she had been with Shahla. She had thoughts about leaving, but she was still unsure.

“But if you leave, all that effort will have been in vain.” Vai argued.

“For you guys. You all don’t need me. My power is only useful if I have time to plan and draw, but we both know I’m not going to do that. At best, I can create some minor tricks of the light. Shahla can do the same thing. And better.” Shakti said.

Vai raised an eyebrow, “I thought you were an artist.”

Shakti frowned, “What?”

“Shakti, Shahla can drive people mad. She can’t control what people see. All you need is practice and I’m sure you’ll be able to do that. We can use a power like yours a thousand different ways. With enough practice, you might even be able to completely disguise yourself.” Vai said.

“You’re just speculating.” Shakti muttered, “And I don’t have time to practice. I have my art to work on.”

“So do your art and practice at the same time. Your art is inherently tied to your ability, right? I know you don’t get as much of a kick out of developing your powers as we do, but I think it’s for the best.”

“I didn’t ask to be a Shedim Master. Why should I do something I don’t want to?” Shakti asked, “I’m content where I am.”

“Life doesn’t give a damn about what you enjoy. We all have to do things we don’t want to.”

“And that’s what makes people’s existence so miserable.”

“But we do those things in service of our greater goals. You want to live in a world where you can be free to make your art as you see fit, right? Do you think letting the Nikan trample over the entire world is going to help you do that?” Vai asked.

Shakti sighed, “I...I suppose not.”

“I’m certain Seang and the rest will be more than happy to help you develop your abilities. Just...don’t leave us to deal with the Nikan all on our own, alright?”

Shakti nodded, “Alright.”