25 August, 586, Part of Lena River, No Man's Land
Caravaneers from 5 Yenisei Kyrgyz clans has embarked in rigorous journey to the north on the cold autumn. Determine to retaliate into the heartland of Koryak Confederation. According to the reindeer herder tribes that allied with Gokturk, the Koryaks themself originally dwell far north than their current territory.
Around 20 years ago when the Koryak start migrating southeastward, they wage war with the Jurchen. Chased by their victorious foe, they start to migrate into the west direction.
"Ugh Father do we really need to strengthen our fortification with stone too?" Tughluq heave the huge stone with four others man.
"Well we don't dig moat so there's that. You are not yet a true warrior if you can't prepare a simple fort," Iltas explain.
"How they going to break our defence without battering ram anyway. They are unlike the legendary Yakut ...," Tughluq mutter.
No one know where the Yakuts are gone after their defection from the empire. Once they were fearless warrior who help the Ashinas free from their shackle against Rouran Khaganate. They defected when Gokturk intended to sought revenge from their former master into the west. They are also one of the many sons of Gokturk.
Iltas inspect the square-shaped fortification. "This part is lacking, reinforce it with more stones."
Iltas have the most expertise on siege warfare among 5 chieftains. Everyone agree on his fortification placement. The wooden wall reinforced by stone, abut to the riverside. One of it's place advantage are the ease of water source. They also don't have to worry for Naval attack since the river already bogged down by the ice. Making boat and small ship useless.
"Father please let me fight or rather, allow me to help the forti--," Nana ask.
"We have enough warriors already. It's not your or any other female role. Learn from your mother more," her words were interrupted by Iltas.
Nana look at her father calm gaze. She already steel herself to fight for the sake of Buqa Clan. After what happened almost week ago. Iltas is also firm in his decision. He don't want to see her daughter getting hurt.
"The Schythian have one. Queen Tomyris, leader of them all," Nana argue with her history knowledge.
"We are not them even if maybe, i said perhaps. They are one of our ancestors. Our customs is different. She also attack King Cyrus of Persia without reason. Dismiss," Iltas shown a little anger.
"Reason eh? Do we really need one," Tatabi the chieftain of Kilja Clan speak.
"Obviously," said Iltas.
Northernmost territory of the empire is marked by balbal statue. Symbol of the sovereignity of the empire. It's also signified an Ashinas member death. Showing that they devoted themself to the Tengri or Blue Sky. One of major devas in Tengriism.
"So what is our reason to fight then?" said Adam joining their conversation. He is the leader of Ak Yay Clan.
"Plato said in one of his sermons. We are natural monarch on this world. Filled with senses of thumos and passion. As a good monarchs, we shall impose our sovereignity. I also reject Aristotelian philosophers that said we are only animal," Iltas explain.
"Haha well said we shall kill all of those who try to trample us!" Tatabi raise his fist.
"Agree but what is thumos, you make old people like me confused," said Jelek. Leader of Qalqan Clan. He walk towards them.
"Stop all the work. Everyone must come and join us!" Tatabi order all of the men in the fort to congregate.
Hearing Tatabi words, Iltas are surrounded by peoples flocking to his side. Udmurt from the Qara Yay, who only just leave his tent soon join the orration. Iltas stand up so everyone can hear what he want to say.
"What gibberish," Arpad mutter with hostilities yet still sit near Iltas.
"Hey did you find your father body yet?" Tughluq ask. Beside him is the girl that he recently defeated.
"That time i search day and night. Is that your new slave. Don't say Layla got mad," said Arpad.
"Huh jealous, you think i will forget." Tughluq tighten his grip on Arpad shoulder.
Layla is Tughluq wife. They married just a month ago in marriage to strengthen the clans bond. She came from Ak Yay clan.
"Why you came with her!" Layla is jealous.
"She can't spoke our tongue yet. My Father said that i can't treat her irresponsibly. You know wifey," Tughluq reach his wife hand.
"It's always about yourself, Uncle Iltas and Nana. When the time for me?" Layla argue.
"He's so lucky ...," Arpad mutter again.
The slave name is Manila. It's from her tongue. Layla sit beside her husband. Gazing into her eye. Manila doesn't care much. She is not yet touched by Tughluq. She also confident that her people will win against the Kyrgyz and free her from slavery.
"Before we answer Jelek question about Thumos, we shall begin discussing our foundation first ...," Iltas explain.
Iltas begin his orration by describing two Greek words. 'Philo' which mean love and 'Sophia' is the word for wisdom. Philosophy is the combination of those. A seeker or for those who love wisdom is called philosopher. There are some famous philosophers that he know. Such as Socrates, Plato, Aristoteles and Zeno from Citium. He also vaguely hear about Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor.
Socrates is the teacher of Plato. One of thing that he taught to his student are Arete one of the words related to ethics. Branch of philosophy, same with thumos from Plato. It mean the desire to be recognized for one achievement.
"Indeed more complicated words," Jelek muttered. He is already 65 years old.
According to Socrates, "a knife's arete is to be sharp. A horse's arete is to be fast. As for humans, our arete is to better our soul."
Plato also remind that a society that mock it's virtues, prepare to be collapsed.
"I see after all this discussion with foreign terms. Are you perhaps a christian? You never spoke of our devas with reverence," Tatabi ask curiously.
"No i reject trinity," said Iltas.
"Then what are you if not the follower of Tangri or Umai (Earth Devi and wife of Tangri in Tengriism)," Jelek the wisest among the four chieftains speak.
"How can we trust someone with religion different than ours. You see almost everyone here are follower of Tangri," Tatabi start challenging him.
"It is one duty to seek knowledge and i can bear that. Here i'm standing, speak in front of everyone. Leading with all that i have learn, so no one get killed in battle. Can you?" Iltas ask.
Tatabi is silent for a moment. He don't know which answer that he should take. If he said only "no", then he will be humiliated further.
"What i know is that when Tangri is angry, thunderstorm roars in the sky. When his grandson (Mergen) went into outrage, everyone become buffoon," Tatabi give his explanation.
"Even if we have different religion, my blood is the same as you. We are kin, both of us are Turk or Tujue if you ask the Chinese." Iltas declare it to everyone.
"We actually already heard about it. I accept your decision. Wise Leader," said Udmurt.
"Unfortunetaly my own knowledge is still very scarce. There are many book that i have not ready yet. Many more teachers that i sadly still not studied under them ...," Iltas end his lecture.
Adam and Jelek agree with Udmurt view. Tatabi does not think like his colleagues did. He along with his clansmen quickly leave the fort protection and make their own open camp. The caravaneers morale inside start to plummet due to this issue. Iltas does not chase him and decided to wait instead.