Read Online Casca 34: Devil's Horseman by Tony Roberts - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Tony Roberts
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other guards and the slaves. The drovers, being neither slaves nor soldiers, had been paid off and dismissed. From now on the yurts and equipment would be moved by the large number of prisoners the Mongols had taken, free of charge. The prisoners were grouped in a miserable mass in a fenced-off compound alongside the main camp and guarded by bad tempered guards, disgruntled at having to be on duty in the cold of a winter’s night when they could be celebrating the victory and the return of the Old Young One.
Casca had a felt cloak wrapped around him, and was waved into the marquee by two well-armed guards holding elaborate bladed pole arms. It seemed the Mongol infantry were favoring these halberds over spears these days, or so it appeared to Casca.
They were shown to a large cloth-covered table set upon a platform that took up much of the floor space in the center of the tent, and male and female servants were already bringing food to it. Seated around the table were a number of Mongols, all now dressed in their finest clothes. No weapons or armor were in sight, and Casca and Kaidur had been told to leave their newly-returned weapons in their tent as they would not be needed, or permitted. Only the personal guards of the yurt carried weapons, and they were on guard outside.
Casca was seated next to Batu and Subedei at the head of the table, and the princes down the two sides, their rank diminishing as they went further down. Then there came the Noyans of the various units and other distinguished guests and visitors. Already some of those feasting had been drinking a fair bit, and from their flushed faces it was clear they were on the way to getting roaring drunk.
“I see you’ve brought your own slave and bodyguard,” Batu said loudly, having to speak up over the general hubbub. “Already establishing yourself, Old Young One?”
Casca grinned, reaching for a chunk of roasted goat. The smell was delicious, and herbs had been smeared on the top. He wondered where the hell they’d managed to get that in the depths of winter! “Kaidur here has been with me since Samarkand, as have the others. Compared to the usual household entourage, Batu Khan, mine is very humble.”
Subedei nudged Casca, nearly hard enough to cave in his ribs. “I can arrange for more guards and slaves for you if you so wish, Casca-Badahur. Slaves we have a-plenty, now our raid on Bulgar has ended, and we have thousands of soldiers here, many of whom would kill to be in your personal elite guard.”
“Your generosity is appreciated, Subedei. I shall decide my needs over the next few days. But tell me, what is it you intend to do now that Bulgar has been subdued?”
The aged general began to speak about his plans. Batu knew them of course, as did the princes. The campaign was to enlarge Batu’s domain and in doing so increase the lands under the rule of Mongolia. After Genghis’ death, his empire had been shared between his sons, and since Jochi had died before him, that which had been due to him had gone to his two eldest sons, Ordu and Batu. Ordu was the elder, and Subedei indicated him by bowing in the direction of a serious looking Mongol who bowed back. Subedei told Casca that Ordu had agreed that Batu should be given seniority which surprised the Eternal Mercenary, but then the Mongols believed in a meritocracy, and often a younger son benefitted rather than an older one if he were more suitable to inherit land or power. Casca supposed that that was why Ogedei, Genghis’ third son, had succeeded to the Khanate rather than Chaghadai, the second and now eldest surviving son.
“So Batu, you are the senior ranked prince here?” Casca asked, the juice from the succulent meat running down his chin. He wiped it with his hands and sucked the juice from his fingers.
“No I am not,” Batu looked briefly down the ranks and his eyes rested momentarily on Kuyuk and Mongke. “But as this is my domain I have precedence as far as military
Casca had a felt cloak wrapped around him, and was waved into the marquee by two well-armed guards holding elaborate bladed pole arms. It seemed the Mongol infantry were favoring these halberds over spears these days, or so it appeared to Casca.
They were shown to a large cloth-covered table set upon a platform that took up much of the floor space in the center of the tent, and male and female servants were already bringing food to it. Seated around the table were a number of Mongols, all now dressed in their finest clothes. No weapons or armor were in sight, and Casca and Kaidur had been told to leave their newly-returned weapons in their tent as they would not be needed, or permitted. Only the personal guards of the yurt carried weapons, and they were on guard outside.
Casca was seated next to Batu and Subedei at the head of the table, and the princes down the two sides, their rank diminishing as they went further down. Then there came the Noyans of the various units and other distinguished guests and visitors. Already some of those feasting had been drinking a fair bit, and from their flushed faces it was clear they were on the way to getting roaring drunk.
“I see you’ve brought your own slave and bodyguard,” Batu said loudly, having to speak up over the general hubbub. “Already establishing yourself, Old Young One?”
Casca grinned, reaching for a chunk of roasted goat. The smell was delicious, and herbs had been smeared on the top. He wondered where the hell they’d managed to get that in the depths of winter! “Kaidur here has been with me since Samarkand, as have the others. Compared to the usual household entourage, Batu Khan, mine is very humble.”
Subedei nudged Casca, nearly hard enough to cave in his ribs. “I can arrange for more guards and slaves for you if you so wish, Casca-Badahur. Slaves we have a-plenty, now our raid on Bulgar has ended, and we have thousands of soldiers here, many of whom would kill to be in your personal elite guard.”
“Your generosity is appreciated, Subedei. I shall decide my needs over the next few days. But tell me, what is it you intend to do now that Bulgar has been subdued?”
The aged general began to speak about his plans. Batu knew them of course, as did the princes. The campaign was to enlarge Batu’s domain and in doing so increase the lands under the rule of Mongolia. After Genghis’ death, his empire had been shared between his sons, and since Jochi had died before him, that which had been due to him had gone to his two eldest sons, Ordu and Batu. Ordu was the elder, and Subedei indicated him by bowing in the direction of a serious looking Mongol who bowed back. Subedei told Casca that Ordu had agreed that Batu should be given seniority which surprised the Eternal Mercenary, but then the Mongols believed in a meritocracy, and often a younger son benefitted rather than an older one if he were more suitable to inherit land or power. Casca supposed that that was why Ogedei, Genghis’ third son, had succeeded to the Khanate rather than Chaghadai, the second and now eldest surviving son.
“So Batu, you are the senior ranked prince here?” Casca asked, the juice from the succulent meat running down his chin. He wiped it with his hands and sucked the juice from his fingers.
“No I am not,” Batu looked briefly down the ranks and his eyes rested momentarily on Kuyuk and Mongke. “But as this is my domain I have precedence as far as military
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