Chien felt his stomach heave, but he fought to keep all expression from his face.
‘A simple “good evening” would have been sufficient to open the conversation, old father. But thank you for the information.’
‘I do not have the time for pleasantries, Chien-tsu, nor the elaborate and inane rituals of the Kiatze.’ The old man laughed. ‘Look around you – this is Nadir land. It is cold, inhospitable. Only the strong survive. Here there are no green fields, no verdant pastures. A warrior is old by the time he is thirty. We have no energy to spend on pretty words.’ He waved one hand. ‘But that is of no matter. It is important only that you are here, and that your desire for vengeance is strong. Follow me.’ Nimbly he leapt from the rock and walked away into the snow.
‘He is a demon,’ wailed Oshi. ‘That loin-cloth is human skin.’
‘I do not care for his lack of sartorial elegance,’ said Chien. ‘If he is a demon I will deal with him, but let us hope he is a demon with a warm cave.’
They followed the old man to what seemed a sheer rock-face. He disappeared and Oshi began to tremble, but Chien walked to the rock wall and found a narrow opening, almost invisible from the outside. He led his horse within and Oshi followed him.
Inside it was dark and cold. From somewhere in the shadows Chien heard a soft chanting. Torches sprang to life in rusted brackets on the walls. His horse reared but he calmed the beast, stroking its neck and whispering soothing words. The travellers moved on into a torch-lit tunnel that branched out into a deep cave where a fire was burning without wood.
‘Sit,’ said Asta Khan. ‘Warm yourselves.’ He turned to Oshi. ‘I am not a demon; I am worse than demons. But you have no need to fear me.’
‘Thank you, sir. Thank you,’ said Oshi, bowing deeply.
Asta Khan ignored him, locking his gaze to Chien. ‘And you do not fear me at all, man of Kiatze. That is good. I am not comfortable around fearful men. Sit! Sit! Make yourselves comfortable. It is long since I had visitors.’
‘How long have you been here?’ Chien asked, settling himself by the magical fire.
‘I came when my lord was murdered. He was Tenaka Khan, the Khan of Wolves, the Prince of Shadows,’ related the old man, his eyes shining with pride. ‘He was the Great One, the heir of Ulric.’
‘I believe I have heard the name,’ said Chien. Anger flashed in Asta’s eyes, but he masked it and smiled thinly.
‘All men have heard it, even the soft-bellied Kiatze. But let it pass. Your people are renowned for cynicism -but I watched you fight, Chien-tsu. I saw you kill Kubai and the others. You are skilful – and fast. Very fast.’
‘And you have need of my skills, old father?’
‘I see your mind works as swiftly as your body. Yes, I have need of you. And you have need of me. It makes for an interesting debate, I think. Which of us needs the other more?’
‘Not at the moment,’ replied Chien. ‘As matters stand I need you not at all.’
‘Then you know how to get into the Khan’s palace?’ asked Asta.
‘Not yet. But I will find a way.’
‘No,’ said Asta, ‘you will not. But I can take you on a path which leads to the throne room. Alone you would not survive, for there are the Dwellers in the Dark to stop you. I will give you Jungir Khan. I will give you the means of vengeance.’
‘And in return, old father?’
‘You will aid the ghosts-yet-to-be.’
‘Explain further.’
Asta shook his head. ‘First we will eat. I can hear your servant’s belly rumbling. Take your bow and walk from the cave. A deer is waiting there – kill it.’
Chien rose and walked back to the cave entrance. The old man was right for a doe stood trembling near the entrance, her eyes open and unblinking. Chien notched an arrow and stood for a moment looking at the beast, then he turned and retraced his steps.