Sea of fire has engulfed the Kilja's Camp. It's blaze can be seen clearly from Iltas position, now he and his army are moving closer. Some of the clan women are being chased by their enemies. The clan's use horse to retreat into safety while their chaser relentlessly on the foot.
"The Gokturk woman move as if they are one with the horse. They also deadly with that strange weapon. Unlike the southerners, It will be tough to enslave them ...," Kamak mutter. He is one of two Koryaks Great Wing.
Three of the woman draw their bow and loose the arrows with great accuracy. Hitting legs and arms of their chasers. Kamak still have his last plan. Several group of Koryaks suddenly ambush them. Waiting like a hunter, hidden behind the large mound of snow.
One of the woman is unhorse from her steed. "You have nowhere to run! Your escape route is blocked and the mount is frightened." said by Kamak's underling. Trying to frighten them.
"Can you speak!?" more women draw dagger, club and bow. They are still defiant.
"Slave dare to talk back! You all now belong to our priestess. Surrender," Kamak show up. As one of learned man, he can speak Gokturk tongue.
Iltas whip his horse to gallop even faster. Before they can harm Kilja's women, one by one the enemies were trampled by Alara. The name of Iltas beloved mount. Others were slain by the riders following his lead.
Smash!
"Adam chase them!" Iltas order.
"Understood," Adam chase Kamak and his remaining man. The hunter ironically now become the hunted.
The clan woman dismount from their horses. All of them bend down towards Iltas. Begging to forgive and save their chieftain. Tatabi whereabout is still unknown according to their husbands.
"Why you still here," Iltas ask. One of the woman still remain.
"Please forgive our chieftain insolence. O great leader ...," she explain.
"You'd be harmed if you stay here longer. All of you guide them," Iltas order.
"But Chief?" they argued.
Iltas does not look back. He with his mount alone inspect the still burning camp. No livestocks carcass or the clan treasury such as jewelry or old books burned. It was a well planned raid by the enemy. Using the discords among 5 clan militia to gain advantage for Koryak.
Alone in the dark, the Siberian winds blow harshly. He dismount from Alara to search for trails. Iltas found one with blood on it. He start to draw his sword. Suspecting it maybe a wounded enemy. Right arm with his weapon while in the left he grip the torch.
"Is that you Iltas? I could not see anymore. What took you so long brother ...," blood keep leaking from Tatabi bandage.
"Tell me," Iltas ask.
"So undignified is it? I was struck twice by enemy spear. The one who did it are a woman. I'm ashamed of myself. Weak for a man even after being born for 35 years. I can't face Tangri like this," Tatabi explain.
Iltas pour more animal fat into his torch. He place another one besides him. Preparing to hear his story.
"Tangri does not concern you. He along with Umay and his family are maybe just a normal family," said Iltas.
"Haha arrgghh preposterous," Tatabi cough blood.
"They are merely human being. What we must worship is one true God," said Iltas.
"My time is short. Please explain to me what kind of person is Socrates then. Someone you always mention," Tatabi respond.
"Let me begin, a tale of a wiseman ...," Iltas start his story.
Socrates hail from the family of stone masons in Athens, Greek. He live a modest but borderline eccentric life. Socrates wore a worn-out garment or toga with some holes. He walked in the city barefooted and rarely bought expensive dine despite his fame.
During the Peloponnesian Wars, Socrates prove himself by fighting the Spartans in three battles fiercely. Socrates become a wealthy general and later retire as philosopher. Lecturing and teaching the youth of Athens.
"How did it end," Tatabi ask.
"The city citizens give him chance but he choose suicide," said Iltas.
"Hahaha his martial prowess is wasted," Tatabi try to laugh. His mouth is dry.
"According to Aristoteles, his descendants just become average stone masons," Iltas end his story.
"Well that's to be expected. From now on Kilja's wealth and it's people are your responsibility. In the kurmak (kurultai on Gokturk term) on winter, you must become our horde khagan." Iltas did not realize, he use his last breath to explain it.
"What about your son," said Iltas.
"Don't bother, i want to sleep ...," after that Tatabi never speak again.
Iltas carry Tatabi in his steed. He returning to his fort. Leaving the ruins of Kilja's settlement as the sun rises.
—
Tughluq and Arpad managed to fend off the attack second wave. Sun start to rises, revealing more carnage towards the defender in bastion. Nana puke after what she saw.
"What you think!" Jelek berrate Iltas's son.
"Huh what old man," Arpad is tired.
"Don't just huh him boy. Where are your manner," Udmurt reply.
Layla and the other woman bringing the infantry their horses. When the third wave is heard, Tughluq quickly order them to return. This time the attackers were old man. Unlike the previous two waves, they only plant their spears and dance. Shouting weird and intimidating war cry.
"It's just a trick, chase them. Trample them with our horse," Jelek order.
The Koryaks old men plan to ambush, but their timing missed. The enemies that hiding in mounds can be clearly seen now. Their confident shout turn into a despair one. Trampled and slain by Jelek charge.
Arrgghh!
The enemies scattered everywhere. Some try to brazenly retrieve their ladders due to wood rarity on tundra. They become easy pickings for bastion guards. Iltas just came near them. His cavalry also spotted the panicking Koryaks. Inflicting even heavier casualties to them.
"We have won a great victory!" Tughluq shout.
"Ah youth how envious i'm to both of you," said Jelek.
"Huh me too," Udmurt point to himself.
Nana meet his older brother. She hug him but Tughluq refuse. He ask his sister to follow him.
"Which guy you kill?" Tughluq ask.
"Why you ask such scary question brother. We just win my first battle," Nana prespire profusely.
"I know then which one. Confess," Tughluq ask.
"I only kill that boy. He so handsome but i forced to do it," Nana almost cry. He don't understand why his brother so angry.
"On the second wave huh? Remember this Nana. You kill a human being. Take responsibility," Tughluq coldly leave her alone.
Nana can't bear it, she weep on the same place. Layla came and console her younger in-law. Iltas proclaim that Kilja shall follow Buqa lead from now on. Merging the survivors of the clan under his leadership as Great Chieftain.