Prince Rangan order his servants to build a large open canopy-tent. He is warming himself while sightseeing the freshwater stream. It flows from a confluence of Naryn River. The area surrounding it are considered to be Ashina's Kingswood (personal hunting ground of a royal family).
Trophies and woods inside the forest are only reserved for the royal family. Fishing is in some parts of the river is also forbidden.
"All three of them are late. Did i come too early maybe they want to come on sunset ...," Rangan mutter. He also invite Amrak, one of his uncles.
"Here you are my smart nephew!" Amrak shout from afar.
"Already oh uncle? Why not apologize maybe. I have been sitting for two hours. I thought you already leave to the Tola River (modern day Mongolia)," Rangan mention his domain.
"Shh your impolite mouth nephew. I will be in Ordukent and Grand Yurt for 3 weeks," Amrak dismounts from his steed.
"Please try the warm ale," Rangan offer his uncle drink.
Amrak is the eldest son of Taspar Khagan. He rebelled after the kurmak council shows their favor to Apa in 581. Amrak with his retainers and horse riders are enraged. The empire's factions dissatisfaction lead to the civil wars. Gokturk is divided by the rule of 4 "Great" Khan in 582-583.
Ishbara hold Ordukent and surrounding territories. Tardu went into the western frontier. Favoring the city of Urgench as his kingdom's capital. Amrak is guarding the eastern border. Goguryeo and Jurchen are his domain neighbours. Apa ruled the Kyrgyz but not for long.
Apa fled from one of the Kyrgyz Horde biggest city, Daraid-Khirkhir in 584. Ishbara manage to inflict huge casualties against his army. Seeking refuge with Tardu but despite claiming as a Khan, Apa is no different from a Yabghu. Always helping Tardu in his endeavor.
"Ah you are here too brother," Ishbara are carried on the shoulders by two servants.
"What just happened, years ago you can still run, ride horse and fight!?" Amrak drop his Ale. He carry him to the toshak. An expensive mattress from Persia.
"I wa--want to try the Roman remedies soon ...," Ishbara try to regulate his breathing. The weather is too cold for him.
"It maybe just a bunch of cabbage, white chicken eggs and rices mixed randomly my Khan. Quite plentiful is you ask a merchant. Better to seek more medicine from China. There are some physicians in the south of Sui," Rangan explain.
Amrak peacefully relinquish his claim. He surrender to Ishbara after 2 years secceding from the empire. The Prince's is rewarded with a new title. He is not a Khan anymore but a powerul Shad to the east. It is the third highest title that can be obtained by the Ashinas.
"Where's Rome," Ishbara ask.
"Uh far away from here Great Khan," Rangan answer.
"What he mean is those envoys you buffoon," Amrak smirk.
"They dare to lie against the Great Khan! I'm going to kill the them next time. Amrak help me inform our retainers," Ishbara suddenly shout. Surprising both of them.
"Please be at ease Gre--, i mean Uncle. Maybe they are preparing lavishes gifts for us ...," Rangan try to calm Ishbara.
"I did not realize the once great person anymore. That maybe what sickness did to some people," Amrak mutter.
Both Amrak and Rangan are Shad in the their domain. There are 5 highest titles that can be obtained in the empire. Mostly it is held by the members of Ashinas. Lesser hordes like Kyrgyz, Uyghur and Turkman Salar is forbidden to bestow himself greater than Tigin (Margrave). Khan is the greatest title. Elected in a kurmak (kurultai) from the finest candidate.
Millitarily a Khan are leading all the Wing (5 Tuman strong. 50.000 cavalry and infantry) in the empire. Yabghu are the Khan's right hand man. Guarding a Wing and often act fast as the second khan. Demonstrated by strong leadership of Istami Yabghu in previous generation.
Shad are the viceroy of a vast domain under the command of a Yabghu. Tigin is the fourth highest title. The sphere of their leadership is smaller compared to a shad. They may or may not be under a shad leadership however depending on the domain accreage. The Khan and rarely a Yabghu will decide it.
Bey is the fifth highest. Many prominent lesser horde already posess this title. Someone may not born in an important lineage; they can rise in ranks and gain a prestigious titles such as Aqsaqal or Subashi. Non-Turks also could gain high rank in the empire.
"My majesty, i bear gifts for you and the Kha--," Valentinos brought with him a chests full of expensive clothes. He is accompanied by Gunul. The other chests is carried by male slaves.
"How dare you showing your face here. All of you!" Ishbara shout. The two Shads are silent. They know Valentinos deserved it.
"I humbly apologize my majesty. We prepare many exotic foods and remedies. Please try this honey," Valentinos show the same medicine from Cato the Elder.
"Are you mocking us?" Rangan start to get impatient.
"Try it Prince," Valentinos ask.
The Khan surprisingly took the cabbage mix. He likes the earthy but sweet taste and want more. Amrak also tried the treat. Valentinos offer it to Rangan. He eat the last, hesitating about the flavour. Rangan did not like it, different from the two.
"Yuck did not like it. Why not also mix it with rice," Rangan ask.
"We did not grow it, perhaps it can grow in Italian or Sicilly soil. I don't know," Valentinos answer.
"Could i ask your advice about state affairs and kingsly matters. I want to know how the Roman govern it's subjects," Ishbara ask.
"Why don't the Great Khan ask Princess Qianjin? His Khatun, she is also well ver--," Valentinos could not bear to look the Khan in the eyes.
"Answer his majesty offer or politely decline it. You are being rude!" Amrak chide him.
Ishbara's face is very similar to that of his uncle, Tardu. It remind of the grim day on Valentinos life.
"I can give you an advice but Great Khan, i have some request on my own," Valentinos answer.
"Look at his eye. Whom are you talking to? My friend." Amrak menacingly grip at his shoulder.
"Enough Amrak," Ishbara speak. He let Valentinos list his demand.
Not a single thing are mentioned about Tardu or the bad experience on that day. Valentinos give his advice and write it on parchment. How one should govern, he also add some idea on his own. Gokturks are proud people that did not want to abandon their nomadic life.
"Only your nation that can forge it's own path. Your unique culture and the refusal to be bound, settling for too long. How about the tax?" Valentinos end his advices.
"Nomadic hordes still paid their dues. Yak, sheep and in the formerly Ak Hun territory, chicken. There is this one chieftain under the lead of a Tigin named Iltas. That Tigin is one of my allies. He said that Iltas always send his tribute while glorifying God name. You and him have some similarity," Rangan explain.
"Who is this man and where can i find him? I will pay you anything Child!" Valentinos is so excited to meet the man.
"Like you said earlier huh. Giving gold and equipment to Magyar as an example. What do you think Khagan," Amrak continue.
Ishbara order Valentinos to help him stand. "I'm going to discuss it with Khatun," much of the Two Shads dissapointment.
Valentinos could not old his own tears when Ishbara humbly apologize to him. The two hug, the man's cry keep flowing in silent.
"Great Khagan," Valentinos wipes his tears.
"I will drag Tardu and Apa. We have too, your compensations is yours now. Would you fight with me to bend back the twisted iron?" Ishbara implore.
"Bumin the Builder, Muqan the Pioneer, Istami the Generous and Maniakh the Sly Merchant," Valentinos give one more advice. This time it's for free.
"Hey why did you give Maniak such disrespectful epithet," one of Rangan eye slanting. Making it look more slanted.
Zemarchus waiting from afar heard Valentinos report. He is pleased that Amrak and Rangan would welcome East Rome merchants in their domain. Olive oil and wheats flour are the main imports. In exchange of fox pelt and eagle egg.
"Bwahaha smart kid, but what if Qianjin and Zhangsun henchman obstruct us. This kingdom is simply too far from Rome," Zemarchus is pleased by Amrak and Rangan terms.
"We simply need to employ a spymaster in this land," Valentinos gazes at Theogenes.
"Why stare?" Theogenes act as if he don't know.
"From now on you are responsible. Menander will go to eastern part of Sassanid with me. Valentinos and Georgios were free until both of you got a new mission," Theogenes end his words.
Rangan himself offers iron ingot from his territory, but he want the flour to be three times cheaper than the one sold with Amrak.
"Still here?" Amrak ask Gunul.
"Yes my majesty, i will follow the envoys with other swordmaidens soon. First i must check the gifted chests," Gunul answer.
"From near you look like Lady Xiang. So beautiful want to know me more?" Amrak tease her.
"Ah no please i don't have Xianbei blood. I'm descendants of Li Mu from Zhao Kingdom," Gunul moves her head.
"I'm jesting," Amrak realize her position in her clan is too high. He don't want to cause trouble as civil war remains ongoing.
Gunul diligently check Ishbara gifts one by one. Ishbara is pleased with the contents of his gift. Old but polished gladius (short sword), spatha (long sword), lorica segmentata (semi-plate armor) and the gladiatorum plate armor. Asides from weapon, he also receive elephant tusks from Nubia, lion mane of Palestine and crocodile skins of Egypt.