5 September, 586, Northeast of Yenisei River, No Man's Land
Situation inside the yurt become more tense between the two. Iltas did not take a sip from his wine cup anymore. He stares the tent leather more than seeing Tiki. This demeanor from the horde leader make the girl's seem frustrated.
"We already agree to be part of his horde. What is his second demand? I hope not gold. We barely have any to begin with ...," Tiki absorbed by her thought. She did not realize it.
"Tiki?" Iltas ask.
"Yes my lord!" Tiki is trembling because she is surprised.
"Remember you are my subordinate but we don't have agreement yet," Iltas remind him.
"How about the marriage?" Tiki ask the bold question.
"Do you have goods other than the fox pelt," Iltas avoid to answer that question.
People outside of the yurt wonder. What might happen between both of them right now. Are they in action yet, everyone think so except Tughluq, Kilat and Nana. Three of them know that Iltas is a chaste person.
"Uncle what are your thoughts?" said Nana.
"I think this marriage is necessary. Hard for Dilara but it is for the good of our horde," Kilat answer.
"Well if i must marry my second wife, i will ask Layla first. I don't want the first and second bickers everyday," said Tughluq.
"Unfortunetaly they will bickers. Well i don't have two wife so can't say much," Kilat give his advice.
"I'm more curious about marriage," Nana reveal her desire.
"Girl that draw bow and chop wood everyday is scary in the gazes of boys," Tughluq teasing her little sister.
Nana pout when hearing those words. She want to be seen as attractive while skilled with her warbow.
"Perhaps her nose or is too wide ...," Arpad mutter.
Arpad himself have different thought. He don't know before seeing the the priestess beauty. Arpad is very curious when he hear her story from the Koryaks villagers. Arpad almost peak earlier but refrain to do so.
"Ah impossible if she is ugly!" Arpad shout by himself.
"Is brother friend wild, manic or what," Nana mutter.
Koryak society place woman as the leader of nation, head of the household and warrior most of time. Their shamanic priestess leadership pass from mother to to daughter. Different from the Gokturk male-dominated culture.
"What are you thinking from last morning?" Kilat ask mockingly. Arpad is way too absorbed by his thought.
Smack!
"It's hurt! My hand still hurt saving you. You owe me one," Arpad shout.
"Yes i punch your head not hand. That is for not thinking before talk. Can this pebble game played by three people Uncle?" Tughluq ask.
"Perhaps, let's make new rules then," said Kilat.
"Haha that's the spirit!" Tughluq join in.
The game's name in Turkic society are commonly known as kumalak. In it's original language it is called manqalah. This game originally were played by the ancestors of Nabatean Kingdom thousands of years ago. The popularity of this colorful pebble game took the world by storm.
"Wait how i collect the pebble. Why am i only watching?" Arpad ask. Seeing Tughluq grab the yellow one.
"Shush ...," Tughluq gazes are completely in the game. His uncle already have a huge advantage as the first player to move.
"Oh Nephew i won't hold back even if you are amateur," Kilat smirks. Collecting more red pebbles.
Without informing most of the militia's. Iltas order Adam to hunt down Kure two days ago. The clan traitor is not alone searching for the new safe haven. Seven Koryak clans appointed Kure as their new leader. Most of them are under Kamak influence previously. Eager to seek revenge for their previous Great Priestess.
Tiki is utterly powerless to prevent other clansmen from leaving the tribal confederation. The remaining Koryaks is naming her older cousin as their new Shaman Priestess. Others join Kure's newly formed horde. Convinced by his masculine way of leading.
"Is this just me or the enemy that gather here are fewer? Well we slaughter them," Yami mutter.
"Urgent our chieftains!" a horse archer with thick leather mask shout. He is heavily wounded. His forearm is cut down. Leaking blood from the tight bandage.
"Our man! Quickly," Yami approach him.
The man fall from his horse unconscious due to blood loss. They deal with this themself. Iltas must not be disturbed.
"That must be Adam man. He is quite good in war. Can we discuss the terms," Iltas put his almost full cup.
"Yes let us start now. Embrace me," Tiki drink her's second and third cup nervously.
"That is not what i meant. You did not realize it yet do you? You already betray me by failing to deliver Kure. The most important part in our negotiation. Now the war is months longer," Iltas show a little of his anger.
"Forgive me my Lord," Tiki immediately bow in front of him.
Tiki only have two clans still loyal to her. Fearing that Iltas would demand harsher terms to her people, Tiki devise a plan before their weakness is exposed by him. She's quickly order her remaining clan members to raise half-build yurt.
Each 100 yurts placed in the four directions from this village. Hoping their charade would not be exposed by the shrewd siegemaster.
"Are you really the leader or perhaps there is someone else's? Tell me everything," Iltas continue his speech.
"Please have leniency my lord. This is the season when fox fur start to turn into white. Perhaps if you could wait ...," Tiki are still trying to beguile.
"I will free all the captured slaves. Already planned to but for the next two years, your subordinates and retainers must yield all of the pelts in return." Iltas does this as punishment for Tiki.
"I shall do my best but how about our relationship. There are prying gazes outside the yurt. Your men surely want the answer," Tiki ask.
Iltas avoid her inquiring gazes. Trying his best to remember Dilara smile. He can't imagine if she is crying or even lost her lovely smile. Iltas can't bear the pain If he make her sad. The sacred vow in his heart's are to be loyal for each other until death separate.
Here Tiki are, waiting for his reassurance. Both of them are bound by their duty. Iltas can't betray last Tatabi wishes. He need stronger horde if he want to topple the Li Ling, Wei Lu and Su Wu descendants. Standing at the pinnacle of Yenisei Kyrgyz Horde.
"I will marry you but not now. We must prepare the grand fe--," before Iltas can finish his answer, Tiki hug him.
"My husband!" Tiki bawl. She can't describe if it is the crying of happiness or sadness. Perhaps it is the combination of both feelings.
"No need to cry Tiki. You should be rejoice. Where did you learn to speak our tongue so well hmm," Iltas soothe Tiki by stroking her hair.
"I'm not a child. You see me as one do you?" Tiki pouting her face.
Iltas announce his marriage with Tiki. It will be held two weeks from now. Most of the militias are approving for their Great Leader second wife choosing. Some like Arpad are harboring jealousy in his heart. Now that the priestess reveal her face. Arpad is very bad at romance.
Tughluq and Nana have conflicted feeling. Calling the girl near their age as mother. Both of them would not complain otherwise. They are warrior that serve their chieftain decisions. Tiki look at her fiance eye once more. Iltas have many thoughts from his steed mount.
Tiki touch his hand gently. Ready to be his pivot if needed. Tiki wave her hand but Iltas does not look back. She's crying, aware that she will be always number two inside the heart of her dearest's.