It's half strategical (harder to reach for the constantly raiding Bulcir, closer to the allies' court) and half because I wanted to try out if anything out of the ordinary happens (it doesn't
).You can't be picky if you're sitting in a snake pit...
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It's half strategical (harder to reach for the constantly raiding Bulcir, closer to the allies' court) and half because I wanted to try out if anything out of the ordinary happens (it doesn't
).You can't be picky if you're sitting in a snake pit...
Chapter 26 - Distractions
Chapter 26 - Distractions
October 24, 878 AD
Looks like I'll get even more familiar with these lands, Marshal General Khatir thought. His army had just taken position in Lower Don after their successful mission in Ushytsia and made their accomodations, when orders had come to make their way along the Dnieper to Pereyaslavl, the old and new border of Khazaria to Könugardr and nowadays to the Kievan Rus. Now they were on the road again. The plan had been changed. The march to Azov would have to wait.
Earlier...
In contrast to the Magyars, Galich had put up some defense. When Khatir and his men arrived in Ushytsia in February, about 1700 men were already mustered in the neighbouring lands, who soon tried to move east and make a counter-attack on Ashina lands in Etelköz.
To their misfortune, they waited a bit too long with this plan, and the Ashina were able to siege down the Ushytsia hillfort in early April and take up the chase. While at it, they managed to pick off a minor reinforcement host and destroy it entirely.
It was a minor encounter on the greater scale, but it soon was enough to tip the scales of the war. Galich had no proposition of recovering and surrendered in July. Ushytsia now belonged to Zachariah too, and with it the entirety of the once Magyar lands.
This also was supposed to trigger his claim on the Khaganate, and the Ashina army had orders to immediately move to Lower Don on the border to the Bulanid lands in expectation of a possible succession conflict. On the way, they had an (entirely non-violent) encounter with a far less impressive Byzantine army than last time. Two dozen veterans from Cherson were making their way to the mainland to aid in combat against some heretic rabble, as they told the baffled Ashina soldiers. They also asked for the state of affairs in the Khaganate, with all the rumours running about an ongoing power struggle.
When they had arrived in Lower Don, everything had gone according to plan as far as Khatir knew. The alliance of Khans to impose Zachariah as the new Khagan of Khazaria was assembled as scheduled, and they were prepared for the showdown against the Bulanid. The final ripple of the earthquake that was about to topple the Bulanid rule over Khazaria.
Good if certain people still owe you a favor.
And now off to the west again. Marshal General Khatir and his right hand First Commander Simsam looked over the departure preparations. Simsam was visibly annoyed.
"We could have known that. The war in Chernigov's been lasting for the better part of the year and tied up Yavdi's forces longer than expected. As if Khan Zachariah would ever make his move without every last thing in place. And who knows if that day ever comes? He's got a solid majority of troops over Nisi, even in the unlikely scenario that all his tributaries come to help. He has an announcement to fulfill. And now we're told it will have to wait until Yavdi is no longer tied in their own wars."
"Well, at least we're now about to help out with that instead of sitting on our hands. That's got to be worth the trip to Chernigov. Though I'm really getting bored to siege those goddamn lands.", Khatir replied. "And keep in mind that Zachariah tries to avoid mistakes over everything since the Odessa Incident. I'm as annoyed as you by the unnecessary detour, but I prefer it over taking chances with the Bulanid. And it's not been so sure if Dyre the strange would hold out this long before his buddy from Holmgardr arrived."
It had been Khatir himself who advised Zachariah to not attack right away as long as his closest ally was busy fighting a war hundreds of miles away, though it turned out he was pushing at an open door with that.
Unsurprisingly, Dyre "the Stranger" of Könugardr hadn't been able to peacefully enjoy his renewed independence for long. The first one to declare war on him had been Yavdi of Jabdertim in late February. Yavdi was now called "the Mutilator" by his people - Zachariah, who knew him by now, suspected that there was some kind of connection to the many one-eyed people in the lands west of them that were once Dyre's. And he wanted the Chernigovian lands from Dyre, officially to prevent another "liberation" attempt, actually to raze and pillage Chernigov and probably have more eyes taken out. Subsequently, as those situations usually went in the region, two chiefs from the vicinity had seen their chance to grow their lands and power. Less than three months after Manasseh's death, Dyre "the Stranger" found himself in three different wars again.
While the Ashina were busy with Galich, Yavdi's troops had occupied all of Chernigov. Everyone had expected a quick surrender, but in October, help for Dyre arrived once more from Holmgardr. They were not enough men to challenge Yavdi's host, but managed to outmaneuver the Jabdertim and liberate land behind their backs. While this move was unlikely to turn the tides in the long run, it would drag out the war by several months at the very least.
That was seriously unwelcome news to Zachariah and his general staff who counted on the support of Jabdertim in a possible succession war. Quickly plans were developed to help an ally secure more land for Khazaria and free his troops for the larger plan. Today, these plans would come into motion.
Khan Yavdi had accepted Zachariah's offer to join the war on Dyre. The army was moving.
October 24, 878 AD
Looks like I'll get even more familiar with these lands, Marshal General Khatir thought. His army had just taken position in Lower Don after their successful mission in Ushytsia and made their accomodations, when orders had come to make their way along the Dnieper to Pereyaslavl, the old and new border of Khazaria to Könugardr and nowadays to the Kievan Rus. Now they were on the road again. The plan had been changed. The march to Azov would have to wait.
Earlier...
In contrast to the Magyars, Galich had put up some defense. When Khatir and his men arrived in Ushytsia in February, about 1700 men were already mustered in the neighbouring lands, who soon tried to move east and make a counter-attack on Ashina lands in Etelköz.
To their misfortune, they waited a bit too long with this plan, and the Ashina were able to siege down the Ushytsia hillfort in early April and take up the chase. While at it, they managed to pick off a minor reinforcement host and destroy it entirely.
It was a minor encounter on the greater scale, but it soon was enough to tip the scales of the war. Galich had no proposition of recovering and surrendered in July. Ushytsia now belonged to Zachariah too, and with it the entirety of the once Magyar lands.
This also was supposed to trigger his claim on the Khaganate, and the Ashina army had orders to immediately move to Lower Don on the border to the Bulanid lands in expectation of a possible succession conflict. On the way, they had an (entirely non-violent) encounter with a far less impressive Byzantine army than last time. Two dozen veterans from Cherson were making their way to the mainland to aid in combat against some heretic rabble, as they told the baffled Ashina soldiers. They also asked for the state of affairs in the Khaganate, with all the rumours running about an ongoing power struggle.
When they had arrived in Lower Don, everything had gone according to plan as far as Khatir knew. The alliance of Khans to impose Zachariah as the new Khagan of Khazaria was assembled as scheduled, and they were prepared for the showdown against the Bulanid. The final ripple of the earthquake that was about to topple the Bulanid rule over Khazaria.
Good if certain people still owe you a favor.
And now off to the west again. Marshal General Khatir and his right hand First Commander Simsam looked over the departure preparations. Simsam was visibly annoyed.
"We could have known that. The war in Chernigov's been lasting for the better part of the year and tied up Yavdi's forces longer than expected. As if Khan Zachariah would ever make his move without every last thing in place. And who knows if that day ever comes? He's got a solid majority of troops over Nisi, even in the unlikely scenario that all his tributaries come to help. He has an announcement to fulfill. And now we're told it will have to wait until Yavdi is no longer tied in their own wars."
"Well, at least we're now about to help out with that instead of sitting on our hands. That's got to be worth the trip to Chernigov. Though I'm really getting bored to siege those goddamn lands.", Khatir replied. "And keep in mind that Zachariah tries to avoid mistakes over everything since the Odessa Incident. I'm as annoyed as you by the unnecessary detour, but I prefer it over taking chances with the Bulanid. And it's not been so sure if Dyre the strange would hold out this long before his buddy from Holmgardr arrived."
It had been Khatir himself who advised Zachariah to not attack right away as long as his closest ally was busy fighting a war hundreds of miles away, though it turned out he was pushing at an open door with that.
Unsurprisingly, Dyre "the Stranger" of Könugardr hadn't been able to peacefully enjoy his renewed independence for long. The first one to declare war on him had been Yavdi of Jabdertim in late February. Yavdi was now called "the Mutilator" by his people - Zachariah, who knew him by now, suspected that there was some kind of connection to the many one-eyed people in the lands west of them that were once Dyre's. And he wanted the Chernigovian lands from Dyre, officially to prevent another "liberation" attempt, actually to raze and pillage Chernigov and probably have more eyes taken out. Subsequently, as those situations usually went in the region, two chiefs from the vicinity had seen their chance to grow their lands and power. Less than three months after Manasseh's death, Dyre "the Stranger" found himself in three different wars again.
While the Ashina were busy with Galich, Yavdi's troops had occupied all of Chernigov. Everyone had expected a quick surrender, but in October, help for Dyre arrived once more from Holmgardr. They were not enough men to challenge Yavdi's host, but managed to outmaneuver the Jabdertim and liberate land behind their backs. While this move was unlikely to turn the tides in the long run, it would drag out the war by several months at the very least.
That was seriously unwelcome news to Zachariah and his general staff who counted on the support of Jabdertim in a possible succession war. Quickly plans were developed to help an ally secure more land for Khazaria and free his troops for the larger plan. Today, these plans would come into motion.
Khan Yavdi had accepted Zachariah's offer to join the war on Dyre. The army was moving.
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What happens if the overthrow Khan war is succesful, does it go to one of Nisis relatives, or does it go to one of the Khans?
Oh, that's a straightforward usurpation - Zachariah himself would be the next Khagan. He's arguably the largest fish in the tank right now and has widespread support. Still being true to himself and kind of insecure about big decisions, he's still not exactly in a rush.
Good AAR. Subbed.
Just one thing: all the images seem to have become broken links after "and with it the entirety of the once-Magyar lands".
Just one thing: all the images seem to have become broken links after "and with it the entirety of the once-Magyar lands".
Thanks for reading!
As for the images, I'm seeing everything, including in the preview - maybe some hiccup loading the page properly?
Chapter 27 - Setting the Scene
Chapter 27 - Setting the Scene
Summer, 879 AD
When the Ashina forces arrived in Chernigov to support Jabdertim, the Holmgardians fled back to the north. Rurik was apparently smart enough not to harbor intentions of getting caught against a superior force again, while defending an ally who was destined to fail, consumed by his own greed for power. The duchy was quickly regained, and by spring almost all lands of Dyre were occupied or under siege.
Over the course of summer, the Könugardian holdings in Bryansk and Drutsk fell. In August, Dyre had to surrender to Yabdi of Jabdertim, who now owned the County of Chernigov himself and the allegiance of Chief Gostomysl of Lyubech and Starodub.
While Yavdi and Zachariah besieged Könugardr, trouble broke out in the outskirts where Nisi's tributaries and their respective vassals started to attack each other.
Yavantey of Ezgil, a vassal of Khagan Batir of Bolghar whose father had been subdued by Manasseh II. a decade ago, was attacking Sol of Pechenegs. Batir himself received a war declaration from the Khan of Burtas (who was conveniently also named Burtas). And the Hashimids of Aghbania attacked their neighbour Alania on the caucasus. Khagan Nisi saw himself on the defending side of each of these territorial conflicts. It seemed no one at all trusted him to uphold his responsibilities anymore. And like this, it was even more unlikely he would receive any help from outside in a succession war. After a prolonged peace between his fathers' tributaries, things were spiraling out of his control quickly.
September 11, 879 AD
Everything was set. The Ashina horde was once again standing ready next to the Bulanid lair, and all allies in the fight to come finally had their hands free. Today the ultimatum to Nisi to step down as the Khagan and install Zachariah of Ashina as his successor was about to be sent. Three days at most, and they would have a response - which would most likely amount to war.
The departure of the messenger was accompanied by yet another feast, this time with Yavdi as special guest. He and Zachariah had coordinated their steps from the moment of Manasseh's demise (though not everything did exactly go as planned), and it was Yavdi who had first suggested that Zachariah, who probably wouldn't have dared to think of it on his own, might actually become the next Khagan. Without his support from the beginning, nothing of this would have been possible.
Yavdi had only brought along his guard of the most trusted men along instead of his whole horde this time (who had just returned home from Chernigov anyway), so everything went peacefully. During the feast, a message was dispatched to Zachariah.
"So Burtas has given up – after the Bulanid horde fell into their lands and inflicted more damage on the civil populace than their supposed enemy. They're plundering their own tributary. And as it stands for now, they're refusing to leave after the surrender of Burtas.", he told Yavdi who was sitting next to him and enjoying a wisent filet of the finest sort.
"The Khagan or his country?" Yavdi replied with full mouth and almost choked on his food over his own joke. Zachariah gave him a lukewarm grin. When Yavdi had caught his breath, he went on: "Anyway, Burtas doesn't matter. Nisi does. And he either has no idea what his armies are doing, or he doesn't care, or he actually gave this order to punish Burtas – while the two other wars are running on."
"Maybe he's given up on himself and his horde runs rampant? I can't think of an actual reason to behave like the weak idiot everyone thinks you are.", Zachariah contemplated.
"Well, if everything goes as planned, it's not going to be our problem for much longer."
"What shouldn't go as planned?"
"Oh, my..." Yavdi sighed. "Even if Hezekiah and Bulçan get heavily raided or something like it, our combined forces are vastly superior to the Bulanid horde. Apart from that happening and his tributaries all quickly coming to peace and banding together to support him, there's no scenario in which he's able to defend himself. But we've been through that a million times, Zachariah. Seriously. I'm so glad this ultimatum is out and we'll now Just. See. What. Happens."
Later that night, Yavdi revealed to the stunned Zachariah that his wife had died in July, just two weeks before their conjoint victory over Chernigov. The issue came up because Zachariah had seen him flirting with his former concubine Shurkka, who he had put out of "service" after the birth of his third son so she might pursue her own fortune, but promised to stay friends. Shurkka wasn't much approving of these good intentions at the time and still held a grudge on Zachariah, but she liked Yavdi (who seemed to be very much over his loss). And in the end of the night, he asked for her hand.
Summer, 879 AD
When the Ashina forces arrived in Chernigov to support Jabdertim, the Holmgardians fled back to the north. Rurik was apparently smart enough not to harbor intentions of getting caught against a superior force again, while defending an ally who was destined to fail, consumed by his own greed for power. The duchy was quickly regained, and by spring almost all lands of Dyre were occupied or under siege.
Over the course of summer, the Könugardian holdings in Bryansk and Drutsk fell. In August, Dyre had to surrender to Yabdi of Jabdertim, who now owned the County of Chernigov himself and the allegiance of Chief Gostomysl of Lyubech and Starodub.
While Yavdi and Zachariah besieged Könugardr, trouble broke out in the outskirts where Nisi's tributaries and their respective vassals started to attack each other.
Yavantey of Ezgil, a vassal of Khagan Batir of Bolghar whose father had been subdued by Manasseh II. a decade ago, was attacking Sol of Pechenegs. Batir himself received a war declaration from the Khan of Burtas (who was conveniently also named Burtas). And the Hashimids of Aghbania attacked their neighbour Alania on the caucasus. Khagan Nisi saw himself on the defending side of each of these territorial conflicts. It seemed no one at all trusted him to uphold his responsibilities anymore. And like this, it was even more unlikely he would receive any help from outside in a succession war. After a prolonged peace between his fathers' tributaries, things were spiraling out of his control quickly.
September 11, 879 AD
Everything was set. The Ashina horde was once again standing ready next to the Bulanid lair, and all allies in the fight to come finally had their hands free. Today the ultimatum to Nisi to step down as the Khagan and install Zachariah of Ashina as his successor was about to be sent. Three days at most, and they would have a response - which would most likely amount to war.
The departure of the messenger was accompanied by yet another feast, this time with Yavdi as special guest. He and Zachariah had coordinated their steps from the moment of Manasseh's demise (though not everything did exactly go as planned), and it was Yavdi who had first suggested that Zachariah, who probably wouldn't have dared to think of it on his own, might actually become the next Khagan. Without his support from the beginning, nothing of this would have been possible.
Yavdi had only brought along his guard of the most trusted men along instead of his whole horde this time (who had just returned home from Chernigov anyway), so everything went peacefully. During the feast, a message was dispatched to Zachariah.
"So Burtas has given up – after the Bulanid horde fell into their lands and inflicted more damage on the civil populace than their supposed enemy. They're plundering their own tributary. And as it stands for now, they're refusing to leave after the surrender of Burtas.", he told Yavdi who was sitting next to him and enjoying a wisent filet of the finest sort.
"The Khagan or his country?" Yavdi replied with full mouth and almost choked on his food over his own joke. Zachariah gave him a lukewarm grin. When Yavdi had caught his breath, he went on: "Anyway, Burtas doesn't matter. Nisi does. And he either has no idea what his armies are doing, or he doesn't care, or he actually gave this order to punish Burtas – while the two other wars are running on."
"Maybe he's given up on himself and his horde runs rampant? I can't think of an actual reason to behave like the weak idiot everyone thinks you are.", Zachariah contemplated.
"Well, if everything goes as planned, it's not going to be our problem for much longer."
"What shouldn't go as planned?"
"Oh, my..." Yavdi sighed. "Even if Hezekiah and Bulçan get heavily raided or something like it, our combined forces are vastly superior to the Bulanid horde. Apart from that happening and his tributaries all quickly coming to peace and banding together to support him, there's no scenario in which he's able to defend himself. But we've been through that a million times, Zachariah. Seriously. I'm so glad this ultimatum is out and we'll now Just. See. What. Happens."
Later that night, Yavdi revealed to the stunned Zachariah that his wife had died in July, just two weeks before their conjoint victory over Chernigov. The issue came up because Zachariah had seen him flirting with his former concubine Shurkka, who he had put out of "service" after the birth of his third son so she might pursue her own fortune, but promised to stay friends. Shurkka wasn't much approving of these good intentions at the time and still held a grudge on Zachariah, but she liked Yavdi (who seemed to be very much over his loss). And in the end of the night, he asked for her hand.
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Don't you hate when you have everything set up and an ally goes and messes it up. Hopefully the wait will not affect the coming conflict.
Zacharia has much suppourt for his faction, but I have a feeling that of he is made Khagan, his personality will not exactly endear himself to his vassals
Nisi's position got even worse in that time. Once again, an unplanned diversion is going to turn out rather beneficial.
Yep, that's going to be pretty much inevitable. The Khans aren't very much focused on being virtuous, but his personality is still not exactly endearing. The Syphilis, though still well treated, only adds to that.
Chapter 28 - A Nearly Unbloody Coup
Chapter 28 - A Nearly Unbloody Coup
September 14, 879 AD
7:33 AM, Ashina Army Camp, Lower Don
Zachariah had set up camp with his army for the first time in his reign. He wasn't going to participate in battle, of course – there were people far more suited for that than him. But his presence was meant as a sign to his troops, and he wanted to hold a speech and officially open the campaign as soon as the response from Nisi arrived.
He had accounted for everything in the succession war, but Nisi still managed to surprise him. Instead of sending the usual delegate, scouts reported that the Khagan himself was on his way to the camp. Zachariah was confused. This former mercenary captain with nothing left to lose requests diplomatic entrance to my turf in the face of an upcoming war? What's he up to? Challenge me to a duel? Is that a thing, and why hasn't anyone told me about it? If only Yeldem was here...
Khatir didn't have an answer either, but he promised to dispatch an extra guard patrol and disarm Nisi and all of his men upon them nearing the army camp.
8:00 AM
The Khagan was there, with Zachariah and his entourage still unsure why. He didn't exactly radiate dignity or confidence. In fact, everything about him gave off desperation. He looked even more miserable than usual with his worryingly large dark circles around the eyes when he stepped in front of Zachariah and his household guard.
"Khan Zachariah of Ashina!"
Everyone fell silent. To the surprise of the attendants, Nisi went down on his knee.
"I surrender. I can't have this useless bloodshed among..." - he swallowed heavily - "among our own kind, the children of Muhan. There's nothing to gain from resisting at the state of affairs. Nothing but slaughter and defeat." He took off his felt hat.
"My clan deserves better than that. I can only beg for mercy. Do the honorable thing and let me go, so I may lead them to greatness once again and pursue my irrevocable birthright."
The silence lingered. No one had expected this. Zachariah had been listening quietly, but inside he was puzzled. He had obviously thought of becoming Khagan, but not so soon and not this way. Khaganates were meant to be conquered by blood and iron, not to be surrendered willingly. They weren't the property of their holder, but an honor and a responsibility only to be awarded to the strongest. At least that's what he learned as a boy – and from the tales about his ancestor Muhan.
I can't believe it. I didn't even know one *could* just forfeit the Khaganate. Now I have to improvise on a plan again.
Finally, after what felt like hours to Nisi, Zachariah spoke up. "You'll learn more about honorable things soon. Put him in chains. And send horses out to notify the other Khans and my councillors. There's going to be a coronation this afternoon."
What would Muhan do?
"And a special event after the ceremony to celebrate our special guest's irrevocable birthright."
3:13 PM
The message of Nisi's surrender and capturing spread fast. The coronation was held in the Ashina war camp, mainly for logistical reasons so that all important people could make it in time. And they did – his soon-to-be vassals, their courts and families, as well as Zachariah's own. Everyone came to witness the installation of the new Khagan of Khazaria. After more than a century, an Ashina would lead the realm again.
The usual liturgy was held, Zachariah's long list of titles recited and Kayghalagh bestowed the Khazarian "crown" to Zachariah in Adonai's name and under the joyous cheers of his troops.
The new Khagan and his realm.
It was time for Zachariah's "special event" that would form his first official act as Khagan of Khazaria and seal the fate of his predecessor. The excitement among the courtiers from the various Khanates was great, and Nisi was dragged in front of the new Khagan.
"Khan Nisi of Bulanid." Zachariah prolonged the sentence as if to leave room between the words for all his contempt for the desperate shackled man in front of him.
"The reason why you are even here, why you were a Khagan and are a Khan, is that you're considered a successor of the great Muhan Ashina, the liberator of our people. You know this is a great gift. And it's a great responsibility. You've never been up to this. This is obvious as of today.
The men you command have never lost a battle as long as any of them was alive. They are the proudest army in the Steppes. You have vassals that might even listen to you one day if you had shown them strength. And yet here you are, begging for mercy because you trust my compassion to save your skin more than them. You chose to bow your knee instead of fighting with your head up.
What kind of Khan are you, Nisi? What do your people have to expect from you in the coming twenty, maybe thirty years? A perpetual stream of raiders ravaging the lands while your armies are off causing havoc somewhere on the fringes of what is now my realm? And what do I, the usurper – not conqueror, due to your cowardice - of his titles, have to expect from a man who readily betrays even his allies if he thinks it suits him?
No, Nisi. You're a disgrace to every son of the Steppes and you can't ever be trusted. The Bulanid horde is a strong force, and it deserves someone better. There's no place in a Khazaria under Ashina rule for scum like you. This isn't about mercy. It's about preserving Khazaria's power."
Zachariah clapped twice and the guards on his side grabbed Nisi who started to struggle and protest, but to no avail at all, and was eventually dragged outside. What followed was an intricate spectacle from the annals of Muhan Ashina who had once given this treatment to a similarly cowardly tributary of his. It took well over fifteen minutes and contained a total of sixteen horses in a closely confined space, four branding irons in the hands of experienced riders and a Khan of Bulanid who was now completely tied up and screaming in terror until he was gagged and thrown into the scenery.
No horses were hurt in the process. Nisi's little brother Kibar would be the new Khan of Bulanid and the last of his Clan as for now. His wife would preside over the regency council until the boy came of age in about five years.
The execution was taken with rejoice (though many people were glad they hadn't brought their kids as did Zachariah – Muhan and Tarkhan had looked a bit pale during the process and didn't seem to enjoy it much), but now it was time for business. Zachariah had a new council to announce, as his new vassals had valid claims to be promoted, were largely competent and he wasn't looking for trouble with any of them. This part of the process had been planned in advance and thus went by without greater surprises.
Only the Spymaster position would stay in Asli's hands – although Zachariah valued the other Khans, he didn't trust them and his wife had proven her worth as a spy in Arabia. Ezra, his other most trusted advisor, became the new Court Rabbi to make way for Khan Bulçan as Chancellor – as he had been under Manasseh. Khan Yavdi became the new Steward and replaced this indulgent (yet somehow pretty efficient) lout Kundaç. Hezekiah of Hekel, probably the most formidable warrior in all Khazaria, became Marshal. Degrading the highly decorated Khatir from the supreme command position wasn't easy for Zachariah, but he got to keep his General title. The last open advisor position went to Khan Buzer of Kabar.
With this, the public part of today's ongoings was closed. Cheers were held again for Khagan Zachariah and his new council of advisors. Khazaria had a stable government again, after the obstruction and the chaos of Nisi's short reign. Zachariah scheduled an official meeting for the coming day, stating that today already had been eventful enough and it would be mostly ceremonial stuff anyway.
4:43 PM
Yavdi and his entourage were about to head out to Voin again. Zachariah had taken his time to speak to his friend and ally in private before they left.
"Now the whole 'lack of power' thing is out of the way, I guess." He smirked. "Funny that you've been so cautious about the Blood Oath the whole time. As if you'd wanted to save yourself for the next Khagan. "
Yavdi laughed. "Who tells you I didn't? And you've really delivered more charming proposals to become my blood brother. I must say I'm a bit disappointed. But I think I can forgive you, my Khagan."
"Well, considering that you're now already my heir, I guess the step doesn't look as scary anymore. Is that a yes?"
"Yes, brother. And I'm sorry I flipped your plate over at the dinner the other day. You just shouldn't have said that about my warhorse, and you know it. Your kids sure had a blast."
"Yeah. They're adoring you now. Muhan wouldn't talk of anything else all evening. I'm looking forward to the wedding, man. Sure got yourself a good woman there."
They shared a long, heartfelt hug.
6:37 PM
The guests had left, and Zachariah and his court were on their way home to Oleshye, also by today the new capital of Khazaria. Yavdi, as his new steward, had advised him earlier to make short work of the fledgling permanent villages in his latest conquest Ushytsia. Neither keeping it for himself nor installing a tribal vassal would have yielded the same return as driving off the settlers from Galich, seizing their wealth and incorporating the native population.
With the gold from Ushytsia soon to enhance the realm's coffers and a solid reserve from similar exploits in the past, Zachariah also ordered a proper Gathering Hall for the official occasions to come. This way he wouldn't have his Khans hanging too much in what was essentially his office. And showing strength was also done by the way of wealth and prosperity.
It had been a long and eventful day. Zachariah was deeply relieved on the inside by now that bloodshed had not been necessary. His speech to seal Nisi's fate had been nothing but act for the public. In secret, he just had no use for Nisi and wanted to rule out retribution. And instead of a civil war, Zachariah was the new Khagan right here and now – and all it took was a letter. The satisfaction of getting back at the Bulanid with their own means was great, so many years after they had stripped him of half his inheritance.
He was a mighty man now. His children would be marrying royals from Europe, his court would become the capital of all the western Steppes. The neighbourhood was busy warring each other. And in a few days, his best friend would throw the next big celebration. Life felt darn good.
September 14, 879 AD
7:33 AM, Ashina Army Camp, Lower Don
Zachariah had set up camp with his army for the first time in his reign. He wasn't going to participate in battle, of course – there were people far more suited for that than him. But his presence was meant as a sign to his troops, and he wanted to hold a speech and officially open the campaign as soon as the response from Nisi arrived.
He had accounted for everything in the succession war, but Nisi still managed to surprise him. Instead of sending the usual delegate, scouts reported that the Khagan himself was on his way to the camp. Zachariah was confused. This former mercenary captain with nothing left to lose requests diplomatic entrance to my turf in the face of an upcoming war? What's he up to? Challenge me to a duel? Is that a thing, and why hasn't anyone told me about it? If only Yeldem was here...
Khatir didn't have an answer either, but he promised to dispatch an extra guard patrol and disarm Nisi and all of his men upon them nearing the army camp.
8:00 AM
The Khagan was there, with Zachariah and his entourage still unsure why. He didn't exactly radiate dignity or confidence. In fact, everything about him gave off desperation. He looked even more miserable than usual with his worryingly large dark circles around the eyes when he stepped in front of Zachariah and his household guard.
"Khan Zachariah of Ashina!"
Everyone fell silent. To the surprise of the attendants, Nisi went down on his knee.
"I surrender. I can't have this useless bloodshed among..." - he swallowed heavily - "among our own kind, the children of Muhan. There's nothing to gain from resisting at the state of affairs. Nothing but slaughter and defeat." He took off his felt hat.
"My clan deserves better than that. I can only beg for mercy. Do the honorable thing and let me go, so I may lead them to greatness once again and pursue my irrevocable birthright."
The silence lingered. No one had expected this. Zachariah had been listening quietly, but inside he was puzzled. He had obviously thought of becoming Khagan, but not so soon and not this way. Khaganates were meant to be conquered by blood and iron, not to be surrendered willingly. They weren't the property of their holder, but an honor and a responsibility only to be awarded to the strongest. At least that's what he learned as a boy – and from the tales about his ancestor Muhan.
I can't believe it. I didn't even know one *could* just forfeit the Khaganate. Now I have to improvise on a plan again.
Finally, after what felt like hours to Nisi, Zachariah spoke up. "You'll learn more about honorable things soon. Put him in chains. And send horses out to notify the other Khans and my councillors. There's going to be a coronation this afternoon."
What would Muhan do?
"And a special event after the ceremony to celebrate our special guest's irrevocable birthright."
3:13 PM
The message of Nisi's surrender and capturing spread fast. The coronation was held in the Ashina war camp, mainly for logistical reasons so that all important people could make it in time. And they did – his soon-to-be vassals, their courts and families, as well as Zachariah's own. Everyone came to witness the installation of the new Khagan of Khazaria. After more than a century, an Ashina would lead the realm again.
The usual liturgy was held, Zachariah's long list of titles recited and Kayghalagh bestowed the Khazarian "crown" to Zachariah in Adonai's name and under the joyous cheers of his troops.
The new Khagan and his realm.
It was time for Zachariah's "special event" that would form his first official act as Khagan of Khazaria and seal the fate of his predecessor. The excitement among the courtiers from the various Khanates was great, and Nisi was dragged in front of the new Khagan.
"Khan Nisi of Bulanid." Zachariah prolonged the sentence as if to leave room between the words for all his contempt for the desperate shackled man in front of him.
"The reason why you are even here, why you were a Khagan and are a Khan, is that you're considered a successor of the great Muhan Ashina, the liberator of our people. You know this is a great gift. And it's a great responsibility. You've never been up to this. This is obvious as of today.
The men you command have never lost a battle as long as any of them was alive. They are the proudest army in the Steppes. You have vassals that might even listen to you one day if you had shown them strength. And yet here you are, begging for mercy because you trust my compassion to save your skin more than them. You chose to bow your knee instead of fighting with your head up.
What kind of Khan are you, Nisi? What do your people have to expect from you in the coming twenty, maybe thirty years? A perpetual stream of raiders ravaging the lands while your armies are off causing havoc somewhere on the fringes of what is now my realm? And what do I, the usurper – not conqueror, due to your cowardice - of his titles, have to expect from a man who readily betrays even his allies if he thinks it suits him?
No, Nisi. You're a disgrace to every son of the Steppes and you can't ever be trusted. The Bulanid horde is a strong force, and it deserves someone better. There's no place in a Khazaria under Ashina rule for scum like you. This isn't about mercy. It's about preserving Khazaria's power."
Zachariah clapped twice and the guards on his side grabbed Nisi who started to struggle and protest, but to no avail at all, and was eventually dragged outside. What followed was an intricate spectacle from the annals of Muhan Ashina who had once given this treatment to a similarly cowardly tributary of his. It took well over fifteen minutes and contained a total of sixteen horses in a closely confined space, four branding irons in the hands of experienced riders and a Khan of Bulanid who was now completely tied up and screaming in terror until he was gagged and thrown into the scenery.
No horses were hurt in the process. Nisi's little brother Kibar would be the new Khan of Bulanid and the last of his Clan as for now. His wife would preside over the regency council until the boy came of age in about five years.
The execution was taken with rejoice (though many people were glad they hadn't brought their kids as did Zachariah – Muhan and Tarkhan had looked a bit pale during the process and didn't seem to enjoy it much), but now it was time for business. Zachariah had a new council to announce, as his new vassals had valid claims to be promoted, were largely competent and he wasn't looking for trouble with any of them. This part of the process had been planned in advance and thus went by without greater surprises.
Only the Spymaster position would stay in Asli's hands – although Zachariah valued the other Khans, he didn't trust them and his wife had proven her worth as a spy in Arabia. Ezra, his other most trusted advisor, became the new Court Rabbi to make way for Khan Bulçan as Chancellor – as he had been under Manasseh. Khan Yavdi became the new Steward and replaced this indulgent (yet somehow pretty efficient) lout Kundaç. Hezekiah of Hekel, probably the most formidable warrior in all Khazaria, became Marshal. Degrading the highly decorated Khatir from the supreme command position wasn't easy for Zachariah, but he got to keep his General title. The last open advisor position went to Khan Buzer of Kabar.
With this, the public part of today's ongoings was closed. Cheers were held again for Khagan Zachariah and his new council of advisors. Khazaria had a stable government again, after the obstruction and the chaos of Nisi's short reign. Zachariah scheduled an official meeting for the coming day, stating that today already had been eventful enough and it would be mostly ceremonial stuff anyway.
4:43 PM
Yavdi and his entourage were about to head out to Voin again. Zachariah had taken his time to speak to his friend and ally in private before they left.
"Now the whole 'lack of power' thing is out of the way, I guess." He smirked. "Funny that you've been so cautious about the Blood Oath the whole time. As if you'd wanted to save yourself for the next Khagan. "
Yavdi laughed. "Who tells you I didn't? And you've really delivered more charming proposals to become my blood brother. I must say I'm a bit disappointed. But I think I can forgive you, my Khagan."
"Well, considering that you're now already my heir, I guess the step doesn't look as scary anymore. Is that a yes?"
"Yes, brother. And I'm sorry I flipped your plate over at the dinner the other day. You just shouldn't have said that about my warhorse, and you know it. Your kids sure had a blast."
"Yeah. They're adoring you now. Muhan wouldn't talk of anything else all evening. I'm looking forward to the wedding, man. Sure got yourself a good woman there."
They shared a long, heartfelt hug.
6:37 PM
The guests had left, and Zachariah and his court were on their way home to Oleshye, also by today the new capital of Khazaria. Yavdi, as his new steward, had advised him earlier to make short work of the fledgling permanent villages in his latest conquest Ushytsia. Neither keeping it for himself nor installing a tribal vassal would have yielded the same return as driving off the settlers from Galich, seizing their wealth and incorporating the native population.
With the gold from Ushytsia soon to enhance the realm's coffers and a solid reserve from similar exploits in the past, Zachariah also ordered a proper Gathering Hall for the official occasions to come. This way he wouldn't have his Khans hanging too much in what was essentially his office. And showing strength was also done by the way of wealth and prosperity.
It had been a long and eventful day. Zachariah was deeply relieved on the inside by now that bloodshed had not been necessary. His speech to seal Nisi's fate had been nothing but act for the public. In secret, he just had no use for Nisi and wanted to rule out retribution. And instead of a civil war, Zachariah was the new Khagan right here and now – and all it took was a letter. The satisfaction of getting back at the Bulanid with their own means was great, so many years after they had stripped him of half his inheritance.
He was a mighty man now. His children would be marrying royals from Europe, his court would become the capital of all the western Steppes. The neighbourhood was busy warring each other. And in a few days, his best friend would throw the next big celebration. Life felt darn good.
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Harsh, but probably the right decision. Zacharia has now set a precedent on what is to be done with deposed khagans however, let us hope he never loses his throne or he may end up the same as Nisi.
Absolutely! And even if Zachariah gets through as a strong Khagan - that's what Manasseh did too, and it didn't help his heir in the slightest. There's a reason Zachariah made his sons watch.
Author's note: No more daily updates from now on, but the chapters will get slightly longer and I'll take more liberties with time tags. I'm surprised myself how long I managed to keep this pace up.
The game got far heavier on decisions from this point on, probably even starting with Manasseh's death, which caught me as a player completely off-guard. I'm having a hard time believing how much dumb luck Zachariah had until now - several seemingly random decisions and developments turned out to create a "perfect storm". Had anyone stronger than Bulcan come around after the Byzantines curbstomped the horde twice, they could have devastated Ashina. Without the struggles in Magyar OR Yavdi's ill-fated raiding expedition OR Manasseh's idea to make his arch-enemy his doctor, Zach couldn't have pulled this off - much less in a believable way.
I hope his ascension still felt believable and organic. The tone is going to change in the following chapters - unsurprisingly managing the Khaganate turned out to be much different from a mere Khanate. Again, thank you all SO MUCH for all the comments and the views. It's incredibly reassuring that people enjoy to some degree what I'm doing here.
The game got far heavier on decisions from this point on, probably even starting with Manasseh's death, which caught me as a player completely off-guard. I'm having a hard time believing how much dumb luck Zachariah had until now - several seemingly random decisions and developments turned out to create a "perfect storm". Had anyone stronger than Bulcan come around after the Byzantines curbstomped the horde twice, they could have devastated Ashina. Without the struggles in Magyar OR Yavdi's ill-fated raiding expedition OR Manasseh's idea to make his arch-enemy his doctor, Zach couldn't have pulled this off - much less in a believable way.
I hope his ascension still felt believable and organic. The tone is going to change in the following chapters - unsurprisingly managing the Khaganate turned out to be much different from a mere Khanate. Again, thank you all SO MUCH for all the comments and the views. It's incredibly reassuring that people enjoy to some degree what I'm doing here.
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And a very unbloody one at that. The hard wars are still taking their time to break out.
Chapter 29 - Domestic Treachery
Chapter 29 - Domestic Treachery
January 3, 880 AD
The troops had taken their assigned position. Six men, only of the finest and most loyal members of the Khazarian (formerly Ashina) court guard. Nothing was to be heard from the yurt. When their leader gave the sign, they stormed in, only to find it empty save for the herb merchant that regularly inhabited it, looking at them helplessly.
"Damn it, she's not here!" bellowed one of the men. "She must have got a hint. You, sir, are under arrest under further notice."
"But that doesn't make sense! I'm cooperating with you, you know that! I agreed to set this whole thing up with you! Ask the Court Physician!"
The man was almost crying. The prison cages, unprotected from the elements, were dreadful places. They hadn't been used much in Zachariah's reign, as the Steppe people traditionally ruled out their differences among themselves. Imprisoned people were an inherent liability in the Steppes where you needed to be as mobile as possible, so there was no culture of impeding freedom as a disciplinary measure. Disputes over property issues and the like were settled by compensation, while major crimes were usually punished by banishment or death (which more often than not amounted to the same thing).
"Well, tell that to the Khagan." intervened what had to be the leader of the guards. "If she indeed got a hint, there will be no second chance to get her – and there's few other people involved in the plan. I wonder what he thinks of it."
"I swear I wasn't lying! I wasn't....ow!" Two guards grabbed the protesting man rudely and carried him away with them.
It had all started about six weeks earlier, when suddenly messages from Khatun (her new title, as she was now wed to a Khagan) Asli in Baghdad stopped coming in as usual. Instead, an unsettling letter arrived soon. After all the years Asli had managed to stay under the radar, Caliph al-Mutazz had eventually got a grip on the activities of the subversive spymaster and now held her prisoner. It was soon clarified that the powerful al-Mutazz didn't care for a ransom. All according proposals went unanswered. Asli's whereabouts remained unsure.
As Zachariah now did in fact need a new spymaster, the always diligent Ezra was again shifted in position. He wasn't sent to foreign lands though. He was needed as a trustworthy and competent advisor, and just because not much treachery had transpired in Zachariah's time as Khan of Ashina, it didn't have to stay that way now that he was Khagan. His replacement as Court Rabbi would be the court physician Azariah, whose services luckily hadn't been needed since his life-changing maldiagnosis and his making up for it via cow dung.
At the same time, Bulçan of Bulçir wasn't exactly content. He felt outplayed, for the Khaganate had gone to him if Nisi had died a Khagan instead of abdicating first. And he even would have had to take an active role in this usurpation, to repay a minor favor Zachariah had done to him years ago!
But everyone was always just telling him to go ahead and try the same. Apparently some day he wouldn't want to take it any longer, officially declared his opposition to the new Khagan and called in favors owed to him. Yet the result was far less threatening to Zachariah than it had been to his predecessor – at least for the moment.
Later that month, the Bulanid army headed south, probably to try and defend Alania. That was when word came their encampment was under fire by Bulçan's troops. The man sure was angry, ambitious and very prolific at showing it. His raiding trips were well-known by friend and foe alike, and now the Bulanid posed easy targets.
Zachariah's general staff agreed with that assertion and had been developing plans in the past weeks that were now set into motion. Burtas was to be taken as tributary in a quick war before the Bulanids could even react. They still commanded over the largest horde in the Khaganate and as long as they were busy on the Caucasus, unnecessary bloodshed could most likely be avoided. Burtas' only other help would be the Khagan of Pechenegs, who was himself failing in the war against the much more formidable Khan Yavantey of Ezgil. The Ashina host, now under the banners of the Khaganate of Khazaria, pulled to the north.
And then the Caliph sent a delivery.
On the first day of the Christian year 880 A.D., a merchant ship turned up in a remote bay on the coast of Oleshye and left a signal fire visible within dozens of miles when it headed off. When the quickly dispatched scouts arrived they found a small coffer and the befuddled, but deeply relieved Khatun Asli, who was wearing an eyeblind and shackles. No one had told her where they were going, and she'd feared the worst. When they untied her, the initial gladness about the Khatun being back was somewhat marred as one of her eyes was missing and she was still suffering from its violent removal. She would need medical care as soon as possible.
To Zachariah, it still was a pleasant gift for his thirteen year anniversary of becoming Khan of Ashina, and he didn't wanna hear anything resembling doubts if that was the Caliph's actual intention.
Much less pleasant – although Zachariah didn't know of it just yet – was the content of the coffer. Stacks upon stacks of paper, all of it from the stock of Asli's former hideout in the outskirts of Baghdad.
Ezra went through the pages, knowing there had to be a reason why the Caliph would send all this along with Asli. Unlikely he would just send information in good will to someone he just caught spying on him. And suddenly it dawned to him where all those seemingly random pieces of information lead. Ezra's heart stopped a beat and he began to frantically search among the documents. If this is about what I think it is, the Caliph must hate Asli even more than Zachariah.
There was no doubt. The plans bore Asli's unambiguous handwriting, both literally and figurative. She had been planning for years to get rid of Muhan, Zachariah's eldest son, and preferrably his twin brother Tarkhan at the same time (as she knew Zachariah would have him hidden as soon as Muhan was out of the way). She wanted the Khaganate for her own son. And as she was in charge of the clandestine operations, there hadn't been anybody to watch her. Ezra figured he had to tell this to Zachariah extremely carefully – for everyone's sake. Time was pressing though.
"My Khagan....the documents from the chest that was found along with Khatun Asli are worrying. But I assure you there is no immediate peril for you or your family – dealing with the problem will be a formality, now that we have all information we need." He stopped, insecure how to put what he was about to say next.
"Let me guess. Asli wants to kill the twins."
Ezra's reserve was hard to break, but now he stood agape. "How do you know?"
"I didn't know, until now. But I'm no fool either.
I've never trusted her, even less since the twins' birth. She's a steppe princess, the kind of woman who wants to see her children crowned one day, and Muhan and Tarkhan are the only ones in her way. Why do you think I was sending her of all people to live a dangerous life in Arabia?"
Ezra was still speechless.
Zachariah continued: "Had she not been so useful to the whole Clan in her eagerness to prove herself, I would have looked for a way to get rid of her long ago. To be honest, I had hoped for the Caliph to execute her or let her rot in his dungeons. Now we have to deal with the problem."
"But...you even offered to ransom her!" replied Ezra, still in disbelief if Zachariah wasn't just bluffing to appear in control.
"Yes. The Caliph of Arabia sadly, sadly had no use for the meager amounts of coin that we can spare right now, and the loot from the raid on Belgorod most unfortunately was already invested elsewhere when she disappeared. Are we through with the interrogation? As I said, we have to deal with the problem now. She has to be put on trial, of course." And she will suffer for this, the traitorous bitch. I've still got a long list of untried ways to execute people in strange and fascinating ways.
Ezra got his act together again. "You're right, of course. For an arrest we need the approval of the council. This wouldn't be a problem in general, as we have hard evidence she wants to murder your heir – but it'll cost precious time and be very hard to pull off without notice. And if word gets outside, Asli would be gone sooner than anyone could look. She's run this operation for years – she's still going to have eyes and ears around."
"No doubt about that. I'll call in the council. You better develop a good plan of how to get a hold of her once the legal issues are dealt with."
The council approved, the plan was willingly set in motion by the accomplices. Everything went as planned - except Khatun Asli was not at the place she was supposed to be, apparently expecting the danger and leaving a herbalist in big trouble. She shouldn't be seen again in Khazaria after that day.
January 3, 880 AD
The troops had taken their assigned position. Six men, only of the finest and most loyal members of the Khazarian (formerly Ashina) court guard. Nothing was to be heard from the yurt. When their leader gave the sign, they stormed in, only to find it empty save for the herb merchant that regularly inhabited it, looking at them helplessly.
"Damn it, she's not here!" bellowed one of the men. "She must have got a hint. You, sir, are under arrest under further notice."
"But that doesn't make sense! I'm cooperating with you, you know that! I agreed to set this whole thing up with you! Ask the Court Physician!"
The man was almost crying. The prison cages, unprotected from the elements, were dreadful places. They hadn't been used much in Zachariah's reign, as the Steppe people traditionally ruled out their differences among themselves. Imprisoned people were an inherent liability in the Steppes where you needed to be as mobile as possible, so there was no culture of impeding freedom as a disciplinary measure. Disputes over property issues and the like were settled by compensation, while major crimes were usually punished by banishment or death (which more often than not amounted to the same thing).
"Well, tell that to the Khagan." intervened what had to be the leader of the guards. "If she indeed got a hint, there will be no second chance to get her – and there's few other people involved in the plan. I wonder what he thinks of it."
"I swear I wasn't lying! I wasn't....ow!" Two guards grabbed the protesting man rudely and carried him away with them.
It had all started about six weeks earlier, when suddenly messages from Khatun (her new title, as she was now wed to a Khagan) Asli in Baghdad stopped coming in as usual. Instead, an unsettling letter arrived soon. After all the years Asli had managed to stay under the radar, Caliph al-Mutazz had eventually got a grip on the activities of the subversive spymaster and now held her prisoner. It was soon clarified that the powerful al-Mutazz didn't care for a ransom. All according proposals went unanswered. Asli's whereabouts remained unsure.
As Zachariah now did in fact need a new spymaster, the always diligent Ezra was again shifted in position. He wasn't sent to foreign lands though. He was needed as a trustworthy and competent advisor, and just because not much treachery had transpired in Zachariah's time as Khan of Ashina, it didn't have to stay that way now that he was Khagan. His replacement as Court Rabbi would be the court physician Azariah, whose services luckily hadn't been needed since his life-changing maldiagnosis and his making up for it via cow dung.
At the same time, Bulçan of Bulçir wasn't exactly content. He felt outplayed, for the Khaganate had gone to him if Nisi had died a Khagan instead of abdicating first. And he even would have had to take an active role in this usurpation, to repay a minor favor Zachariah had done to him years ago!
But everyone was always just telling him to go ahead and try the same. Apparently some day he wouldn't want to take it any longer, officially declared his opposition to the new Khagan and called in favors owed to him. Yet the result was far less threatening to Zachariah than it had been to his predecessor – at least for the moment.
Later that month, the Bulanid army headed south, probably to try and defend Alania. That was when word came their encampment was under fire by Bulçan's troops. The man sure was angry, ambitious and very prolific at showing it. His raiding trips were well-known by friend and foe alike, and now the Bulanid posed easy targets.
Zachariah's general staff agreed with that assertion and had been developing plans in the past weeks that were now set into motion. Burtas was to be taken as tributary in a quick war before the Bulanids could even react. They still commanded over the largest horde in the Khaganate and as long as they were busy on the Caucasus, unnecessary bloodshed could most likely be avoided. Burtas' only other help would be the Khagan of Pechenegs, who was himself failing in the war against the much more formidable Khan Yavantey of Ezgil. The Ashina host, now under the banners of the Khaganate of Khazaria, pulled to the north.
And then the Caliph sent a delivery.
On the first day of the Christian year 880 A.D., a merchant ship turned up in a remote bay on the coast of Oleshye and left a signal fire visible within dozens of miles when it headed off. When the quickly dispatched scouts arrived they found a small coffer and the befuddled, but deeply relieved Khatun Asli, who was wearing an eyeblind and shackles. No one had told her where they were going, and she'd feared the worst. When they untied her, the initial gladness about the Khatun being back was somewhat marred as one of her eyes was missing and she was still suffering from its violent removal. She would need medical care as soon as possible.
To Zachariah, it still was a pleasant gift for his thirteen year anniversary of becoming Khan of Ashina, and he didn't wanna hear anything resembling doubts if that was the Caliph's actual intention.
Much less pleasant – although Zachariah didn't know of it just yet – was the content of the coffer. Stacks upon stacks of paper, all of it from the stock of Asli's former hideout in the outskirts of Baghdad.
Ezra went through the pages, knowing there had to be a reason why the Caliph would send all this along with Asli. Unlikely he would just send information in good will to someone he just caught spying on him. And suddenly it dawned to him where all those seemingly random pieces of information lead. Ezra's heart stopped a beat and he began to frantically search among the documents. If this is about what I think it is, the Caliph must hate Asli even more than Zachariah.
There was no doubt. The plans bore Asli's unambiguous handwriting, both literally and figurative. She had been planning for years to get rid of Muhan, Zachariah's eldest son, and preferrably his twin brother Tarkhan at the same time (as she knew Zachariah would have him hidden as soon as Muhan was out of the way). She wanted the Khaganate for her own son. And as she was in charge of the clandestine operations, there hadn't been anybody to watch her. Ezra figured he had to tell this to Zachariah extremely carefully – for everyone's sake. Time was pressing though.
"My Khagan....the documents from the chest that was found along with Khatun Asli are worrying. But I assure you there is no immediate peril for you or your family – dealing with the problem will be a formality, now that we have all information we need." He stopped, insecure how to put what he was about to say next.
"Let me guess. Asli wants to kill the twins."
Ezra's reserve was hard to break, but now he stood agape. "How do you know?"
"I didn't know, until now. But I'm no fool either.
I've never trusted her, even less since the twins' birth. She's a steppe princess, the kind of woman who wants to see her children crowned one day, and Muhan and Tarkhan are the only ones in her way. Why do you think I was sending her of all people to live a dangerous life in Arabia?"
Ezra was still speechless.
Zachariah continued: "Had she not been so useful to the whole Clan in her eagerness to prove herself, I would have looked for a way to get rid of her long ago. To be honest, I had hoped for the Caliph to execute her or let her rot in his dungeons. Now we have to deal with the problem."
"But...you even offered to ransom her!" replied Ezra, still in disbelief if Zachariah wasn't just bluffing to appear in control.
"Yes. The Caliph of Arabia sadly, sadly had no use for the meager amounts of coin that we can spare right now, and the loot from the raid on Belgorod most unfortunately was already invested elsewhere when she disappeared. Are we through with the interrogation? As I said, we have to deal with the problem now. She has to be put on trial, of course." And she will suffer for this, the traitorous bitch. I've still got a long list of untried ways to execute people in strange and fascinating ways.
Ezra got his act together again. "You're right, of course. For an arrest we need the approval of the council. This wouldn't be a problem in general, as we have hard evidence she wants to murder your heir – but it'll cost precious time and be very hard to pull off without notice. And if word gets outside, Asli would be gone sooner than anyone could look. She's run this operation for years – she's still going to have eyes and ears around."
"No doubt about that. I'll call in the council. You better develop a good plan of how to get a hold of her once the legal issues are dealt with."
The council approved, the plan was willingly set in motion by the accomplices. Everything went as planned - except Khatun Asli was not at the place she was supposed to be, apparently expecting the danger and leaving a herbalist in big trouble. She shouldn't be seen again in Khazaria after that day.
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Unfortunate, Zacharia will have to keep an eye on his sons safety because no doubt Asli will continue to keep her own open for an oppurtunity. Am I correct in thinking that the marriage was ended with her fleeing?