Most of the people inside the fort did not rejoice, despite winning against opponent three times their size. The Militia suffer considerable loss with 85 casualties out of 600 warriors. Iltas and Adam only suffer 5 riders death from their expedition. Mostly from the attack in the gates. Adam is sure that he already struck down Kamak before returning. His unit returned the last among others.
One teenage riders in the back of Adam unit sadly slipped from his horse's due to exhaustion. He pass away from his head injury. Udmurt laughed after hearing that tale from Iltas.
"That's not a jest. The riders is from your clan," said Iltas.
"You are too kind Great Leader. If he can't tame his own companion, how can we call him a man? He does not deserve to have respectable life," Udmurt explain.
In the Gokturk custom, horse are raised to fill every roles of other cattles. They are used for transporting the goods, showing status in one's clan and for high quality meat. Horse also viewed as the human closest companion.
A group of Tengri Shaman slaughter all Tatabi's horses. Roasted the horse meat deep with mushrooms and available herbs in the big steel pot. They served the dishes to their chieftains and chieftesses. Mourning the destruction of Kilja Clan.
"Want to have a sip Great Leader? Fine wine from Tocharian," Udmurt offer his wine.
"No i need to keep my mind sharp. What if we are going to get attacker?" Iltas only eat the meat.
"Can i join my husband drinking," Dilara took the wine cup from Udmurt.
"Yes Great Leader!" Udmurt shout. He already drunk after drinking many bottle.
"Indeed the blazing flame of youth," Jelek reply. He's in condition similar to Udmurt.
"Ahaha i'm not that young anymore," Dilara is the same age as Iltas but she is several months older.
Tatabi have 15 horses, 2 main horse and the rest are spares. The meat is enough to feed some of the clansmen. The shamans give the leftovers to high-rank clan members. Tughluq, Layla and the slave's Manila.
Arpad did not receive his meal yet. He notice the other main warrior like Yami and Kilat already got their share.
"Where is my meat!?" Arpad ask rudely.
"Eaten," the shamans gazes him.
"Don't say you eat all of them ...," Arpad mutter.
Tatabi funeral will be held in the midday. Iltas want to dig grave for him but the Siberian soil is already hard even in early autumn. He order the siege ladder used by the enemies, be turned into raft. Tatabi's later wish is still kept. Not revealed to his retainers just yet. He want to conclude the war against Koryak first.
Soon other deceased warriors will get the same funeral. Their enemy bodies will also dropped into the water. Tatabi lifeless body is placed on the wooden vessel. It sank not long after. All his wives is still enslaved. They did not see their husbands funeral. The women from her clan weep, on the same time starting the yog.
Yog ritual is described in the book of Sui. The mourners will harm themself to prove their feelings.
"Chief we can't live without you!" One of woman cut her finger.
Dilara quickly stop her before she cut her little finger in the right arm. Iltas already forbid his clan to do the yog ritual. Dilara remind them, now they are part of the Buqa Clan. Kilja's shamans hesitantly agree with his rules. Iltas does not force everyone to follow his belief.
"May God forgive his ignorance. Amen," Iltas offer prayers.
Iltas show firmness towards his new people. They can gazes at his shoulder and feel at ease. Knowing they will be safe.
—
War still rages on. From the previous days, large plume of smokes can be seen everywhere. The militia launch series of devastating raids. Iltas can see the smoke even at dawn.
The militia penetrate deep into Koryak territory. Riders lead by Adam managed to free Tatabi wives. Some of Kilja warriors are still alive, they live as stragglers in Siberian wilderness.
"We barely got plunder. From days ago i only found 1 gold coin. How can our men be happy Great Chief? Their face are gloomy since last week," Udmurt complain.
"I'm sure the priestess are ready to talk now. We talk about money after the war concluded," said Iltas.
"Ready for action eh," Udmurt smile confidently.
"What are you saying?" Iltas does not know what he mean by that speech.
"She's ready to be your bride. I'm sure of it based on my own experience. When my clan join the war against Amrak holdings in the south, one of the settlement offer me his daughter. We are fighting together with the Uyghur Horde 3 years ago," Udmurt explain.
"Those small horde, they become bigger each year under Nushibi leadership...," Iltas continue his speech.
Hundreds of Koryak yurts has been burned. Thousands of Koryak men, women and children were enslaved.
"Great Leader are talking with them still necessary? We already know her hiding," said Arpad.
"This time Arpad is right," Nana mutter. She is already recognized as one of the horde horse archers.
"I hope this can end with less blood," Tughluq speak his thought.
Iltas does not respond Arpad words. He wield Gokturk White-Wolf banner with his two hands. Waiting for the priestess envoy to come bearing her words. Soon enough one of the warrior girls came.
"Great Leader, the priestess are still dressing for your liking. Let me guide you my lord," the girl speak.
"Ah that's why you want to talk Horny Uncle. Not bad," Arpad mutter. The young man change his mind.
Iltas bring 100 riders with him. Cautious if the horde will attack him during the peace talk.
"Sorry to keep you waiting my lord," the priestess open her veil. Only two of them talk inside the yurt.
"How old are you, younger than Tughluq don't you?" Iltas reply.
"Sorry my lord but i still don't know who that is. Please sit with me. Drink the wine," she pour him cup.
"He is my son, 16 years old ...," Iltas sit near her.
The priestess's name is Tiki. Her hair color is black. Tiki's hair is straight and long length. Wearing jewelry around her neck from the bones of foxes. Tiki have big breasts and butts like Dilara despite her thin appearance.
"You only take a little sip. Come on drink the cup," Tiki already fill her second.
"Are my appearance hideous. You want scarred uncle like me," Iltas ask.
"Why does it matter. You still so handsome and powerful," said Tiki. Maybe she is lying.
"Be honest," Iltas ask it again.
"You are still very handsome. I can see it when you are younger maybe despite your face now," Tiki said what she has been asked.
Iltas have two big scars in his face. He have cleft lips after Gokturk Transoxiana Campaign 20 years ago. An Ak Hun Captain sliced his face. Exposing some of his lower teeth and jaw muscle.
The wound never recovered due to lack of surgeons. Gokturk is barely recognized as a Kingdom at the time without prestige. Despite this, Iltas can still chew food or chug drink without problem.