5 September, 586, Banks of Suyab River, Ordukent, Gokturk Empire
Valentinos from the main deck gazes at the busy dock of the river. He touch the scar in his right eye. The man left eye also have the knife stab-mark. Seven years ago he and several other envoys was forced to participate in Tengri ritual. Tardu, a Yabghu (Khan's right hand man. There can be several of them unlike Khagan) at the time enforced all the citizens and guests of the empire to lacerate part of their face.
Istami has guard the Gokturk western frontier for years. Leading the newbie kingdom against their nemesis, the Ak Hun in Transoxiana and make peace with the remnants of Xiognu royal family such as Li Ling's descendants. Tardu is devastated when his father died. In his grief, he undermined Taspar Khagan authority.
Taspar reigned as the steppe emperor from 572 until 581. At the time, Taspar can't prevent Valentinos from getting his face lacerated by Tardu in the yog ritual. The Khan can not exert influence on his own Yabghu. Tardu besmirched his name by making his own law years after.
The weakness in Ashina Royal Family is apparent to other hordes, ethnics and settlement under Gokturks leadership.
"What's with the long face brother?" said Menander Protektor. East Roman historian, mentioned in compilation of Suda.
"I remember the Yabghu slash my face with the sword hahaha," Valentinos try to laugh. He smiles a little after.
"Are you sure not exaggerating? Did the Yabghu really draw his sword to you on that day," Menander ask. He is obliged to write the detail as a historian.
"Whether he do it himself or his bandit did it for him, there are no difference. He assume in his ignorance that everyone muat follow his nonsensical whim," Valentinos explain.
Before Menander could ask more questions, Zemarchus from Cilicia grab his shoulder. Joining the discussion with both of them. The last time Zemarchus visit Ordukent was 15 years ago. East Roman already send envoys to Rouran before.
The Gokturks themself send their diplomat during the of Justinian I. Demanding to relinquish the Yujiulus that were hiding in Crimea. The Emperor feel curious about the new kingdom, send his envoy to the Bumin Khagan.
"Who is Bumin and his relationship to Tardu?" at the same time. Menander write it on his parchment. Made from the skin of goat.
"As my knowledge, Bumin is the eldest of Ashina Tuwu childrens. Tuwu is the son of Shad. Bumin is Tardu granduncle so Istami is his little brother." Zemarchus explaining Gokturk pedigree.
"I still don't understand we already journeyed this kingdom many times. Why don't we go to China?" Menander feel a little baffled.
"Why don't you ask Justinians themself. If i may surmise, it's because China won't trade their valuable porcelain and silk to us. You know what happened to Belisarius, Narses and Uldach by the two Justinians don't you? High taxes nonsense. Those treacherous Samnites nobleman are conspiring against him ...," Zemarchus took a deep breath. The ship is getting closer.
"Long time no see Lord Zemarchus. I shall be the guide!" Georgius shout from the piers. He dwell in Gokturk land from over 10 years.
Anchor!
"Ah i almost forget, you don't need to write everything down. Like the man himself, Socrates ...," Zemarchus explain as he walk in the wooden planks.
Menander are bewildered by Zemarchus words. The historian looking back one last time. Drawing the ship in front of him. The Gokturk ship's that ferried them have large oar. Slaves owned by the dock owner are used as the ship rowers. Rowing is one of the lowest occupation. The sails is absent from the ship's mast.
Georgius lead the East Rome envoys after Menander is finished with his drawing. The Gokturk guards quickly open the city gates. Zemarchus is not so impressed by the cityscape despite it's improvement. Compared to the Ordukent almost 20 years ago when he first came.
The city fortification is now fully made by stone and surrounded by wooden stakes. The stake is repurposed old wooden wall. Inside the city, a new garden and public fountain are under construction. There are also more permanent setllements build outside the walls.
Zemarchus know that the city's population is increasing almost four times since his last mission.
"My lord are you exhausted," one the servant girl hug Valentinos. She is young and have big breasts. Speaking using language that are known by them.
"Is th-- this necessary?" Valentinos ask using Persian.
"Haha of course it is. Embrace," Georgius jesting.
"No ...," said by Valentinos.
The East Roman envoys must be exhausted after a very long journey. Negotiation would not be conducted if their body and mind are not ready. They will be resting in the Ordukent Sarai Palace.
Ishbara will wait for 3 days before they meet him in his Grand Yurt. The Khan never resided in the Sarai even after it's completion. Preferring Grand Yurt for it's mobillity and readyness.
The female servants are preparing meal for them. They are served with Roman foods. The ingredients are imported luxurious items, some menu are using local mixed recipes.
"If you want more, just ask." the girl's smile to them.
In the tables there are: paximata and tea for the light meal. Monokythron, aphraton and garum as the feasts main course. Paximata is Greek bread. Monokythron is fish soup made by olive oil. Aphraton is boiled chicken with garum fish's sauce. Traditionally are eaten with bare hand.
"The taste is different. It's lacking some herbs from Greek," said Valentinos after tasting one of the feasts.
"What is this beverage?" Menander ask.
"It's tea, sour but delicious. From China," Zemarchus answer him.
Hearing the words, Menander does not care if he drink all the hot tea in one chug. The historian is coughing it's content back.
Puck!
"Hahaha you are not going to write this event are you!" Georgius tease him.
"Oh silence," Menander reply.
On the feasts, they continue their discussion. Menander ask Zemarchus about the event during the Gothic War. He is explained about the war between Ostrogoth and East Rome that happened during Justian I reign.
Menander keep asking more question. "You call yourself a historian but you keep asking," Zemarchus reply.
"What so wrong about that?" Menander reply.
Valentinos is going to be hugged once more by the same servant's girl but he evade. The girl with fake smile point them to their room.
"Want to know my name?" the girl tease Valentinos.
"You are not just a servant. Who are you," said Valentinos.
The girl's did not answer Valentinos question. She only said that her name is Gunul.
"Perhaps i'm too young but the one who lead the servants in the Sarai is me," said Gunul.
"So this girl is not working with Ishbara. Tardu perhaps for what purpose did she try to seduce me? What did he gain. Don't say that he feel guilty," Valentinos mutter.
Without realizing it, Valentinos is absorbed by his thought. Gunul smiled towards him. He does not care much as he enter one of the room to nap during midday. Before he go to bed, he found a large bowl of water in the table.
The Sarai give each resting room one large bowl of water. Valentinos used it to see the reflection of his face. He touch his visionless right eye. Gangrene spread from the cut wound. Resulting in one of his eye lost it's light.