Read Online Casca 34: Devil's Horseman by Tony Roberts - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Tony Roberts
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bulk making it awkward, and a soldier had run to his side and placed a small wooden stand for him to step down upon to ease his passage. Casca was surprised to see that the old soldier had put on so much weight, but maybe the good life’d had its effect. There again he may just have gotten fat because his ancestors had all been so.
Batu was much more of a soldier’s build, maybe a touch too stocky, but he was thickset, short and his dark hair covered his head like an unruly sheep’s coat. Casca remembered Batu, as he had been almost at the age where he was ready to be accepted as a man when he’d left. He wondered if Batu remembered him. No matter, Subedei was the important one.
The soldiers and commanders all crowded round. Now the truth would be known. Behind Casca stood Kaidur and the others, their breaths held as their fate would be inextricably caught up with Casca’s. Death would be quick and certain.
Subedei slowly pulled off his fur lined gloves and unbuttoned his hat straps from under his chin, so that the flaps dangled long. His breath clouded the still air and Casca could detect the aroma of horse coming from him and the others. There was almost no sound as Subedei approached Casca, save for the crunching of his boots compacting the already flat ice and snow.
He stood in front of Casca for a long moment, studying him intently. Age had been unkind to Subedei, but his eyes still sparkled and the intelligence he possessed still came clearly through to Casca. Finally the Mongol general grunted. “Welcome, Casca-Badahur, it is good to see you again, my friend.” He broke into a wide smile and embraced Casca.
The relief amongst the group was palpable. Men broke into cheers and hats were thrown into the air. Kaidur puffed out his breath on one long sigh and relaxed. Even the princes nodded and smiled. It was good, they had a legend amongst them, and surely this was a blessing from the sky god.
Batu now came forward and nodded, smiling as he did so. “Yes, yes, I do remember you, Old Young One. I was a young boy but seeing you again has reminded me of that time before my grandfather and father died. Seeing you brings back good memories. You are welcome!”
Batu nodded repeatedly, unsure as to how to treat Casca. Casca grinned. “It will be a pleasure riding with the soldiers of the Mongol army once again. I remember only good things in my time with your grandfather.” It wasn’t true, but Casca wasn’t going to go into the slaughter thing. He knew what these fierce people were all about, and to be truthful to himself, he’d rather be riding with them than having to face them.
Batu nodded one last time, then turned to Subedei. “I go now to clean up. I will hold a feast to celebrate our victory over the Bulgars, and to formally greet Casca-Badahur. It will be tonight in my yurt.”
Subedei beamed. “Excellent! I always attend a feast!” He patted his stomach. “I do not drink, so I must have one vice at least!” as he roared with laughter. “I will speak with you once I have changed and freshened up. There is much to discuss for the future, and I recall how your sage advice was heeded by the great Genghis Khan.”
The two commanders made their way to their respective tents, while Kuyuk and Mongke followed Batu, each jabbering away excitedly at him. Casca caught one glance from Buri, the youngest of the princes, who wasn’t smiling at all. Casca wondered what the hell the matter was with him.
Kaidur bowed to Casca. “We must prepare for the feast, master. From now on, you must not go anywhere without a guard.”
“I know, Kaidur, I know,” Casca said heavily. “ Come, let us be prepared for by our women. We must look our best in front of so many princes of the blood!”
Night came early and the temperature sank even lower. A wind was blowing, but not too hard, pressing against the exposed faces of Casca and Kaidur as they made their way to Batu’s immense marquee. Behind them came the
Batu was much more of a soldier’s build, maybe a touch too stocky, but he was thickset, short and his dark hair covered his head like an unruly sheep’s coat. Casca remembered Batu, as he had been almost at the age where he was ready to be accepted as a man when he’d left. He wondered if Batu remembered him. No matter, Subedei was the important one.
The soldiers and commanders all crowded round. Now the truth would be known. Behind Casca stood Kaidur and the others, their breaths held as their fate would be inextricably caught up with Casca’s. Death would be quick and certain.
Subedei slowly pulled off his fur lined gloves and unbuttoned his hat straps from under his chin, so that the flaps dangled long. His breath clouded the still air and Casca could detect the aroma of horse coming from him and the others. There was almost no sound as Subedei approached Casca, save for the crunching of his boots compacting the already flat ice and snow.
He stood in front of Casca for a long moment, studying him intently. Age had been unkind to Subedei, but his eyes still sparkled and the intelligence he possessed still came clearly through to Casca. Finally the Mongol general grunted. “Welcome, Casca-Badahur, it is good to see you again, my friend.” He broke into a wide smile and embraced Casca.
The relief amongst the group was palpable. Men broke into cheers and hats were thrown into the air. Kaidur puffed out his breath on one long sigh and relaxed. Even the princes nodded and smiled. It was good, they had a legend amongst them, and surely this was a blessing from the sky god.
Batu now came forward and nodded, smiling as he did so. “Yes, yes, I do remember you, Old Young One. I was a young boy but seeing you again has reminded me of that time before my grandfather and father died. Seeing you brings back good memories. You are welcome!”
Batu nodded repeatedly, unsure as to how to treat Casca. Casca grinned. “It will be a pleasure riding with the soldiers of the Mongol army once again. I remember only good things in my time with your grandfather.” It wasn’t true, but Casca wasn’t going to go into the slaughter thing. He knew what these fierce people were all about, and to be truthful to himself, he’d rather be riding with them than having to face them.
Batu nodded one last time, then turned to Subedei. “I go now to clean up. I will hold a feast to celebrate our victory over the Bulgars, and to formally greet Casca-Badahur. It will be tonight in my yurt.”
Subedei beamed. “Excellent! I always attend a feast!” He patted his stomach. “I do not drink, so I must have one vice at least!” as he roared with laughter. “I will speak with you once I have changed and freshened up. There is much to discuss for the future, and I recall how your sage advice was heeded by the great Genghis Khan.”
The two commanders made their way to their respective tents, while Kuyuk and Mongke followed Batu, each jabbering away excitedly at him. Casca caught one glance from Buri, the youngest of the princes, who wasn’t smiling at all. Casca wondered what the hell the matter was with him.
Kaidur bowed to Casca. “We must prepare for the feast, master. From now on, you must not go anywhere without a guard.”
“I know, Kaidur, I know,” Casca said heavily. “ Come, let us be prepared for by our women. We must look our best in front of so many princes of the blood!”
Night came early and the temperature sank even lower. A wind was blowing, but not too hard, pressing against the exposed faces of Casca and Kaidur as they made their way to Batu’s immense marquee. Behind them came the
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