‘I think Chareos means us specifically,’ put in Maggrig. ‘They weren’t just trying to rob a small travelling party; they were looking for us.’
‘How did you reach that conclusion?’ Beltzer asked Chareos.
‘Tell him, Maggrig,’ said Chareos.
‘First their skill. They were extra careful, which suggests to Finn and me that they knew our strengths. Second, they were prepared to take losses and still keep coming. If we were just a travelling party they would have no way of knowing how much we were carrying – and a few supplies and horses are not worth dying for.’
‘So,’ said Beltzer, ‘the word is out already.’
‘It would appear so,’ Chareos agreed.
*
‘It is most curious,’ said Chien-tsu. ‘The Nadir shaman no longer watches over us.’ Sukai reined in his grey and gazed down at the camp-site below.
‘Perhaps it is because they intend to attack tonight, lord,’ said the soldier, dismounting. Chien-tsu lifted his left leg over the pommel of his saddle and jumped to the ground.
‘No. They will attack tomorrow at dusk – at least that is the plan the man, Kubai, spoke of when he rode out to meet the killers last night.’ Chien would long remember the ugly sound of Kubai’s laughter as he spoke with the two Nadir outriders about the massacre of the ‘yellow men’. His spirit had floated just above the trio and he had heard himself dismissed as an ‘effeminate fool’, a ‘painted doll’ man.
‘It is galling,’ said Sukai.
‘Galling? I am sorry, my mind was wandering.’
‘To be forced to meet one’s death at the hands of such barbarians.’
‘Ah yes, indeed so,’ Chien agreed.
‘It would have been pleasant to have had a secondary option.’ Below them the twenty soldiers had prepared three camp-fires. From his position on the hill-top Chien could see the scout, Kubai, sitting apart from the men. Chien unbuttoned the brocaded red silk coat and scratched at his armpit. ‘I shall not be sorry to say farewell to this garment,’ he said. ‘It is beginning to stink.’
‘It was part of your plan, lord,’ said Sukai, smiling broadly.
‘Indeed it was, but it is dreadfully uncomfortable. Who will wear it tomorrow?’
‘Nagasi, lord. He is your height and build.’
‘I must apologise to him; it is one thing to die in service to your lord – but quite another to be forced to die in a dirty coat.’
‘It is an honour for him, lord.’
‘Of course it is, but good manners should be paramount. I will see him this evening. Would it be too great a privilege if we asked him to dine with us?’
‘I fear that it would, lord.’
‘I think you are correct, Sukai. You and I will dine together – though “dine”, I fear, is too fine a description for a meal of broiled hare. However I have some good wine, which we will finish.’
Chien stepped into the saddle and waited for Sukai. The officer mounted his gelding and cursed softly.
‘What concerns you, my friend?’ asked Chien.
‘The man, Kubai. I would dearly like to separate his head from his neck.’
‘A thought I can appreciate – and share. However, it is vital that the soldiers of Kiatze commit no crime while in Nadir lands. All we can do is react.’
‘As you wish, lord,’ muttered Sukai, touching spurs to his mount and guiding the beast down the hill to the camp.
*
At noon the following day the Nadir scout, Kubai, announcing that he was riding off to hunt, galloped away to the south-west. Sukai watched him go, then turned his horse and halted the column.
Chien-tsu rode alongside him. ‘We have four, perhaps five, hours,’ said Chien. ‘It is time to begin.’ Sukai signalled the twenty guards to dismount and they tethered their horses and stood to attention. Chien walked the line in silence, stopping only to admonish a soldier whose bronze and silver hilt-guard showed a trace of tarnish. The man reddened.
‘You all know,’ said Chien, standing at the centre of the line, ‘that treachery awaits us. The Nadir will attack at dusk. It is imperative that they believe they have surprised us, therefore you will be sitting around fires when they come. You may leave your horses saddled. Once the attack begins you may fight as your hearts desire. The Nadir greed and lust for battle shows us that one day they will march on the kingdom of Kiatze itself. With this in mind, it is vital that you account for yourselves well. I would not expect any man to die until he has despatched at least four of the enemy. There will be no retreat; you will die here.’ Chien turned away, then swung round again. ‘It would not normally be necessary to add to what I have said, but we are standing under an alien sky and far from home. So let me say this: You are the best warriors, the finest of men. If it were otherwise, you would not now be with me. I shall watch the battle from the hill yonder; then I will ascertain whether Mai-syn lives. After that, I will find Jungir Khan and cut the head from his shoulders. That is all.’