Jerusalem Calling - A Khazarian AAR

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 20 - Death and Despair

Winter, 874/75 AD

Everybody was hungover after the feast for the wedding of Yeldem that had lasted for three days. Although the actual celebrations were of course held in Strymon, where the new ducal couple would rule from now on, Zachariah wanted to send a sign of a prospering and worldly realm to his people, with great success. The clean-up was progressing fast, coordinated by the newly appointed court advisor Tähtani and executed by some jaunty soldiers who had tried to molest the serving maids and who Marshal General Khatir happily commanded for duty the next morning.

Tähtani was wife to the court steward Kundaç and well known to the Khan. She was knowledgeable, reliable and pragmatic, and Zachariah needed someone like that. Kundaç himself would not exactly be thrilled, but that was expected. The marriage between the both had been arranged in Zachariah's eager early days as Khan, and though they both considered it suitable and there were no rumours about infidelity of either side, they didn't personally like each other too much and differed on a lot of issues, so no solid front of the two was to be expected.

It was only slow that the daily life resumed in Theodosia, but there was a rare sense of unity in courtier and peasant alike that this had been the greatest feast they had ever seen.

Only Zachariah didn't feel well. It had begun as a slight itch. Soon it would no longer stop from scratching. Then the spot turned to a bright red. Then it began to spread over his body. He couldn't concentrate on anything and slept little, which only added to the frustration. His court physician Azariah was a diligent scholar and his ointment against the rash had actually helped a little.

Not as helpful was when he mentioned smallpox being remotely within the realm of possibilities.

Zachariah, to put it shortly, freaked out in panic and promptly secluded himself from everyone in a small yurt outside of town for fear of spreading the disease to his children and extinguishing the bloodline that had seemed to be doing so well mere days ago. Although he could communicate with his advisors (and everyone was used to the daily aspects of rulership delegated to other people), a proper council meeting or the like was out of question in this state. With Yeldem just having gone to Bulgaria, there also was no one who would convince him this was maybe not the smartest of ideas, and Zachariah held out in his makeshift exile despite Azariah regularly trying to tell him that smallpox would most likely have already killed him in those circumstances.

The sudden isolation gave Zachariah a lot of time to fill, and now that he was a proud father it would probably be good to finally properly learn the tale of his clan and its legendary founder whose name his firstborn son now bore. Some day the lads would ask. And should he live to see that day, he wanted to have something great to tell them.

Soon enough, Zachariah found himself intrigued by this great man of the past (although he wasn't sure if all stories could actually be taken by the word). He had essentially fought himself and his people to freedom by being stalwart in his ways, true to his goals and more ruthless than his ruthless oppressor. One day Muhan had 100 Rouran men executed on one day, each one by a different method. Zachariah had never been able to think of so many ways to spill blood. And he realized it would eventually be the time to show strength. If he wanted to be true to his Ashina blood, he couldn't hide forever.

This was deeply inspiring.

Three weeks into his unilateral seclusion, Zachariah was rugged and smelly, but very much alive and showing no signs of fever. Now the sores started to form patterns and ooze. As unpleasant as it was, this finally convinced Zachariah that smallpox were not what was ailing him. When Azariah looked at him, he thought he should have had it in mind from the beginning.

Zachariah was appalled, but still relieved he was at least not going to die soon. Then he thought of having to explain this to Asli and Virág and wasn't so sure anymore if dying would have been the worse option after all. Nonetheless, Zachariah took up court again the same day (after some prolonged washing and grooming). With smallpox finally out of question, he even got response from Khan Yavdi who would join the feast he called so long ago he hadn't even remembered. It was unsettling how fast the news about his health spread through the realm (and Zachariah knew very well what people would talk about him now), but at least in this case it didn't hurt.

Zachariah tought of his chancellors' words about respect, loyalty and trust and decided to personally tell the Khan on the next occasion how honored he was to have him as a guest. Also, he would have a chance to explain why he had been unattainable for so long.

When they met shortly thereafter, it turned out the "making friends" part would have to wait. Nobody knew exactly how it transpired, but somehow Yavdi took something wrong during Zachariah's lengthy descriptions of how much he enjoyed his solitary existence and replied something about cowardice, weakness and the like. Moments later, the two men were yelling profanities at each other and Zachariah was lucky that three guards held the steaming Yavdi back with difficulty. A fourth one swiftly accompanied Zachariah to an exit. Before their departure, Yavdi's chancellor apologized deeply and asserted they would receive an answer soon. Zachariah didn't know whether to laugh. He was positive not to see Yavdi on friendly ground anytime soon.

March 15, 875 AD

Zachariah was sitting at home and complaining to his physician Azariah about how every single thing went wrong since Yeldem was gone. First his sickness and the wrong diagnosis (for which Azariah had to apologize at least twice an hour, lest he wanted to be threatened with execution methods he had never even heard of in his life) and now the troubles with his impertinent fellow Khan who he had only wanted to befriend after all. Maybe there was a curse upon Ashina blood leaving its original turf, and he was haunted from now on?

The physician quietly listened and nodded while he proceeded to smear his secret and supposedly medicative mixture on Zachariah's blisters. They had held several of these "sessions" over the past few days and Zachariah had gotten used to the stench.

He also recognized that the treatment was actually making him feel better. The unbearable itch it had all started with soon disappeared almost completely, and somehow he slept better and felt more up to the eventful life of a Khan than before he had gone sick. Azariah was worth his money after all.

Zachariah had even wanted to convince his physician to try pre-emptively employing this measure and see if it would make his advisors perform better, but Azariah stated that what heals the sick would actually weaken the healthy and cited some medical expert from Egypt that Zachariah had never heard of.
"Hmh, if you say so. Are we done for today? I'm having an important diplomatic dinner and I'd like the balm to at least have dried properly until then."

"That's not going to be a problem, majesty. In ten minutes..."

Then things happened in quick succession. Without announcing himself, a guard stormed into the yurt completely out of his breath and could merely bring forth "....news from Odessa....there's been an attack....Khatir needs to see you" before he collapsed.

"An attack? In Odessa? But...who?", Zachariah uttered.

"Basileios." it sounded from below.

Zachariah looked at Azariah in shock, who made his best impression of being the wrong one to turn to.

The Byzantine emperor again. We could have thought of this.

And then it dawned to him he hadn't thought about his armies since he had left Theodosia in a hurry for a small hut in the middle of nowhere.

What are those troops even doing in Odessa? And why aren't they able to move faster than that behemoth of an army? What about the commanders?

Half-naked and coated by Azariah's fabled manure-herb mixture, Zachariah burst out of his private tent and toward the central yurt where he hoped to find Marshal Khatir. His supreme commander already waited for him with a grieved face.
"My Khan, I have to..." and Khatir confusedy stopped talking upon the sight of the dung-smeared Zachariah, who gave him an unambiguous gaze.
"Er, I.....have to inform you that as we speak, the Ashina division in Odessa is on its retreat. The army of Basileios marched at night, so we wouldn't take notice of them until it was too late..."
He stopped again, this time to heavily swallow.
"It's estimated that 600 men haven't made it. And the remaning troops have the Byzantines closely at their heels. It's unnatural how fast these men are moving although the bulk of them is on foot. They will be here in about six weeks, with a huge hostile army in their trail. We can only hope they make it to safety before the horses are weary and the Byzantines catch up to them again."

"What the hell were they even doing in Odessa? I hear 500 of our men are still in Cherson. That's 2000 left, who were supposed to do what exactly?"

"My Khan, when the armies had concluded to raid Peresechen, our new border with Moldavia, they pulled back onto our own soil to prevent ambushes by the local armies."

"That did not turn out very successful."

"You see, the problem is...once the general orders for a host are given by the council, such as the plan to raid some lands, the military takes over the micro-management, so that it is conducted as close to the soldiers as possible. In this case....well, those general orders were missing. You were unattainable, and the council can't rule anything without you at least signing the final document. The troops simply didn't know where to go now that their orders were fulfilled, so they stayed put and awaited further notice."

"Are you trying to suggest this was my fault? Without a piece of paper signed, your fabled men are unable to get out of the way if the goddamn Byzantine army is headed towards them?!"
"That's not what I said, my Khan. What the men would have needed was the timely order to retreat from the Bulgarian border altogether. The Byzantines took this route last time Kherson was under siege, and it was apparent they would appear eventually. I already told you they made sure it was already too late when the men finally recognized what was coming."

"So it was not the particular order I mentioned they were missing, but another one. Well, that surely justifies getting slaughtered! Have the Byzantines beat you with their books until you thought of yourself as one of them? We're not the Imperial Administration where people can't fetch the quill they just dropped without approval of their superiors. We are a freaking STEPPE HORDE! You're commanding a band of warriors out for blood and glory and the honor of the Clan and such! Get out of my sight, Khatir. You're disappointing me. And see that the remaining troops make their way to safety."

Zachariah let out a deep, long sigh of desperation and buried his face in his hands. Deep inside, he knew he had screwed up and that this would be costly. Six hundred men! That was almost a quarter of his whole host and would take at least half a year to replace. His reputation would take a hit. Others would possibly try to profit from this weakness. And the Byzantines were on their way to the Ashina homelands again.

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 21 - Keep Your Friends Close...

Spring, 875 AD

Zachariah's Great Pox were somewhat under control and in May Theodosia witnessed the birth of his third son, who Asli insisted to call Yabghu, after some ancestor of hers who had been Khan of a clan which today resided around the Caspian Sea.

Unfortunately for Zachariah, there were no more good news over the following weeks. The Ashina army eventually was unable to escape the Byzantines, who had pursued them relentlessly along the Black Sea, and lost another 630 men in a humiliating rearguard battle in the northern Crimea peninsula.

When the Byzantines decided the lesson was properly taught and marched into Cherson again, the Ashina army had been reduced from 2.500 to 900 men from the two encounters and the attrition of the hasty retreat in between. This was a desaster that would take the horde months, possibly years to fully recover from. The recent expansion of the troops had taken in a lot of fresh blood which was subsequently spilled in Odessa and Crimea.

This time, no one was in the mood to discuss who was responsible. The Ashina, from the Khan to the lowliest, mourned their numerous fallen.



July saw two guests in the Ashina lands, albeit under very different circumstances.
First an army from the north showed itself on the horizon. It was Bulçan's host, who probably sought his chance for some easy looting and revenge for his failed attempt two years earlier. What he hadn't anticipated was that the Ashina forces had called in the few available reserves already. When the Bulçir forces tried to cross the strait of Kerch and enter Crimea, they were intercepted by the still recovering, but well-prepared and eager Ashina host. Khatir and his troop managed to defend the strait and drive the Bulçir off once again. The honor of the Ashina horde was restored.

The second visitor was less unpleasant, although Zachariah hadn't been so sure about that before. It showed that Khan Yavdi of Jabdertim was a man of his word and had not taken their differences from the last time all too personally. Both men soon found out that they actually respected the way they were standing up to each other. Once the ice was broken, their bickerings turned into light-hearted crosstalk and the occasional getting at each other into silly horsing around among pals.

When they dined and debated about the state of their realms and the art of ruling a clan, Zachariah often thought about his twin boys. Muhan and Tarkhan were two years old by now, running after each other and dueling with sticks, constantly locking horns but full of love for each other. And he smiled at the thought that maybe there was something to learn from these little boys he was so proud of.

Or his ancestor after whom he had named the older boy. Sure Yavdi would be delighted to hear some of the impressive stories about how Muhan had punished his foes.

With Zachariah's family growing and expanding, his subsequent sickness, new lands in the west, Byzantines ravaging the horde and Bulçir stopping by to restore same horde's reputation, few people had been keeping their eyes on what was happening in the collapsing Könugardr. The last thing Zachariah had heard was that Manasseh's host had headed off east after their tremendous victory in Turov. Now they were supposedly back, only to witness Dyre's surrender to Drevliania and the majority of his lands splitting off as the independent entity Ruthenia under the de jure control of the Drevlianian High Chief.

Days later, Polotsk and its vassal Mstislavl pressed their demands. Only a reduced Duchy of Chernigov and two minor exclaves would remain in Dyre's hands. The spoils of Manasseh's subjugation campaign were fading rapidly, and Dyre was still not willing to surrender.

October 6, 875 AD

Bozçin and her gang were on discovery tour. They were probably the best detectives in the whole world – maybe except for Khanum Asli, which they all admired deeply. She wasn't in Theodosia often, but there were all kinds of stories about her adventures in Arabia, and the kids wished they could also be a Spymaster one day. Parsbit and her brother Alp, little Dilek, Busir and her - they were inseparable. Their parents were all somewhat important, that's why they didn't have to help them with the horses or the household but were free to their own devices – at least when school, which Bozçin's dad held three times a week so she and her friends wouldn't turn out stupid, was over. That much Bozçin knew, and she didn't care much about the details. She was only six after all.

They had once again dispersed to search for clues. When Parsbit, their commander (although everyone was still allowed to do as he wanted if he felt like it) made the sound of an owl, they would meet up again behind the hill right by the big tree. Then everyone would present what he had found out, and they'd decide together which lead to follow. Bozçin skulked through some yurts, in search of anything unsual.

And then she heard a whip crack, followed by a painful howl. Bozçin's blood froze in shock.
What is happening? And where?

She started running in the direction of the noise.
That's a dog. What is happening??? Oh no, I'm a detective! Whoever is there is not supposed to notice me. I have to be super careful.

Bozçin hid behind a yurt and progressed carefully. The whip cracked again, this time followed by a man screaming and cursing.
What is this man doing and why? What's with that dog? It can't be far from me anymore. Oh god, why is the poor doggy screaming like that?

Bozçin looked around the yurt she was now hiding behind. She would never admit it, but she was terribly scared.
Then she saw it. A familiar-looking man was standing in the yard she was gazing into, cornering a desolate-looking stray dog and hitting him with a short whip. Bozçin froze in shock and anger. Tears filled her eyes upon the terrible scene. This is unfair and gruesome and evil and.... Again, the whip came down on the dog that howled desperately while the man screamed that it deserved this and worse.

Suddenly she didn't feel scared at all anymore.

"HEY!!! STOP THAT!"
Bozçin jumped at the man without hesitating. Time for her favorite stick that she always spoke of as her 'morning star' to shine!

"Take THAT, you mean...."
The man wheeled around, but was too surprised for a proper reaction and Bozçin hit him right into the face, screaming from the top of her lungs.

He stumbled back two steps and now looked at Bozçin with hateful eyes. She fell silent upon a sudden realization.
It's the Khan. This terrible man is our Khan! I'm in SO MUCH trouble.
Khan Zachariah of Ashina raised his whip. Bozçin squeaked and tried to cover her face. The same moment, the Khan screamed and again spun around. Bozçin immediately made a bolt for it. When she looked behind her, she saw the Khan flailing around and trying to get the dog off his leg. She laughed and kept running. Now that would make a fine story for the detective gang!
He gets what he deserves. What an evil, disgusting man he is. Yes, I hope the dog mangles his face and we get a new Khan.

(Author's note: The rivalry will be one-sided until further notice. Zachariah hasn't remembered how exactly Bozçin looks in all the haste. Also, the dog wasn't literally rabid and the superficial bite healed off just fine.)

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 22 - New Lords

December, 876 AD

Zachariah idly sat at his desk, in deep contemplation how the court encampment could possibly be enhanced. He was glad that how to spend money most usefully was his biggest problem for now. Things had again started to run smoothly over the course of the past year, with several pieces sliding into place and form a somewhat stable larger picture. That made it bearable that some kids from the camp wouldn't stop getting onto his nerves. They constantly found new ways to trick his guards and cause mischief around his place. I wonder what the parents of those brats are thinking, he thought more than once, but nobody would ever find out who exactly they were.


Earlier...


The year 875 had closed with Bulgaria going to war against Hungary. This was nothing new – King Boris had already declared a Holy war upon the Hungarians earlier, but Árpád had taken that into account. When that first war went below his expectations, he escaped a loss by converting to Catholicism and nullifying Boris' casus belli (one of the fancy Latin words Zachariah had picked up in his efforts to learn proper diplomacy). Now the Bulgarians had to restrict themselves to Szekelyföld, a single county near the Eastern border of both realms.

Even with the war on Hungary running, Bulgaria was standing way too strong for Ashina to risk a full-scale conflict, but with Boris distracted, Zachariah and his general staff made plans to cross the new mutual border in Belgorod and pillage the countryside. The troops arrived in March, with little perspective for the local lord and brother to King Boris, Duke Gavril Balgarsko, to defend himself without his brother's help. He had only short of 1000 troops to his own disposal – far from enough to oppose the Ashina army that had by now replaced most of their ranks and numbered over 2000 men again.

The Bulgarian army never showed up, and over the course of the year the land were thoroughly sacked and stripped of all valuables. Villages were plundered, and razed to the ground if the locals put up resistance. Castles and cities rapidly surrendered to the might of the Ashina horde. The last bastion, the Bishopric of Belgorod that lent the surroundings its name, fell in August.

A bit further north, Ruthenia had declared itself a kingdom and split off from Drevlianian suzerainty shortly after their independence. In the early days of 876, King Vyshata, a hopeful young orphan man who was said to fulfill some ancient Slavic prophecy and thus given the lands that Drevliania had liberated, decided to permanently move into Dyre's former holdings and rightfully succeed him as the lord of Kiev (the local name for what the Norse called Könugardr). To reflect this, the realm should be known henceforth as the Kievan Rus.

A little later, Manasseh finally reported success in his war for the subjugation of Könugardr, although much of the possible gains had been squandered in the ill decision to head east to drive off some raiders (who had already left weeks ago when Manasseh's forces arrived to presumably defend the land).

Still the Khazarian lands would now include the whole Duchy of Chernigov, over which Dyre had started the conflict that should lead to his downfall years ago. In addition there were two small exclaves – Zaslav, to the west of Kiev, and Luki far north of Polotsk. The latter raised much excitement and curiosity in the Khazarian court, as hardly anyone had been so far north in his lifetime. Luki was about to host lots of visitors for the next weeks.

This expansion had some profound effects on the structure and the politics of the Khazarian Khaganate. After the vassalization of Dyre, first thing that happened was the establishment of a new Khan in a small part of the Bulanid lands. Buzer of Kabar got only a single province from Manasseh, but was from now on formally equal to the other Khans and entitled to a vote when it came to matters of the realm.

The same soon went for Dyre. It showed that despite his defeat and his consequent deep grudge against Manasseh, he was a man of splendid talent who had overbid his hand in the greater game. Upon meeting him, it seemed to Zachariah that there was nothing this majestic man didn't know. And still, all it takes to fall from glory is one mistake such as attacking a Khazarian lord, Zachariah thought, not without pride.

Manasseh, who seemed to truly believe Dyre could be convinced to come to terms with his new position, soon provided him with various responsibilities at his court.

This had adverse side effects though: Dyre was not going to support Manasseh's interest in the council by any case. This inclined Hezekiah, Khan of Hekel and Marshal of Khazaria, to pull a few strings and make sure a majority of the council would be voting against Manasseh for the coming years. Hezekiah also approached Zachariah (who traditionally was in opposition to the Khagan anyway) and promised to show his gratitude anytime Zachariah needed his own back scratched.

Apart from those shifts in the Khazarian political stage, there also were pleasant developments for Zachariah in his own demesne. He finally got to know his chancellor Ezra personally, whose competence had always been highly valued by everyone including the Khan. The relatively quiet times gave both men time to converse and develop their mutual visions for Ashina's future.

This was all good and nice, but Zachariah found himself to miss something. If he wanted to be remembered like Muhan was, there had to be combat sooner or later. But there wasn't really anyone to sensibly declare war on – the Khanates neighbouring Zachariah were friendly, Manasseh was going strong and the Magyars were still proteted by a truce.

The acute absence of bloodshed (as Belgorod showed no signs of resistance) had Zachariah even contemplate if a traditional round of War Games would maybe produce some diversion. While everyone was impressed of the skills of the winner, there still was no blood – save for the wisent that Simsam, a survivor of the disastrous Odessa Incident who had been promoted to command by now, had managed to bring down in the final stage and that was roasted for the big feast in the evening. At least those occasions never failed to make Zachariah's court a little happier.

Khatir peaked into Zachariah's hut and saw him contemplating. "Slow times, eh?"

"Almost boring, Marshal." Zachariah saluted sloppily. "But who are we to complain? Not losing men is nice for a change."

"No denying that. You wanna hear something funny?"

"Out with it. I'm always in for a good laugh."

"The Kasogians, a small tribal chiefdom in Alania, have sent a raiding troop to Kuban. Right next to the Khazarian main settlement in Azov, with Manasseh's army of more than 3000 men right around the corner. Guess how many men they've sent."

Zachariah grinned. "Go ahead."

"75. "


Zachariah let it sink in for a second, then started to snort with laughter. Khatir couldn't contain himself either and chuckled hysterically while perpetually facepalming upon the sheer insanity of this move.

 

[terr0rizm]

Interlude - Geography Lesson

January 2, 877 AD

Ezra stood in front of a bunch of children ranging from 6 to 9 years. They were the offspring of the Ashina courtsfolk, the ones who would eventually be competing for political influence – although none of them would think of that yet. Everyone listened eagerly. They all liked Ezra, who was strict but fair, never patronizing and seemingly infinitely patient and always had an open ear for questions.

For today, he had announced an overview over the land they were growing up in and its neighbours. Ezra, diligent as he was, had the scribes prepare various maps and graphs who would still be useful to the administration after he showed them the children. Right now, he was showing a circle of rough portaits with names.

"These are the clans in our lands and their respective Khans. It also shows how many people live in their realm, how many provinces they rule over and their rough opinion of our Ashina clan. I'll show you in a minute where they live. The uppermost of them is Manasseh Bulanid, the Khagan. Now kids, who of you knows what the difference between a Khan and a Khagan is?"

Several hands were raised.

"Great! Parsbit, would you care to explain?"

"Uhm, they are both rulers over a swath of land, but a Khan is...below a Khagan and has to serve him if the Khagan wants it. Anyone who has got no one above him is considered a Khagan."

"Very true. One calls it independence if someone rules without anyone over him - in our part of the world, you're automatically a Khagan in that case. Khans are supposed to supply the Khagan with troops in times of war and the Khagan has to defend them from attacks, but they do not have to pay taxes. Conversely, tributaries pay taxes from their own income, but they don't need to send troops even if the Khagan, or their suzerain, is attacked - and vice versa. Of course, they can still call each other to war or intervene in one.
Now I'll show you the map of Khans, or comparable rulers...because they're named differently in other parts of the world."

"Can you see Theodosia and the Ashina lands, Songul?"
Songul was Ezra's younger daughter, a stubborn and brash tomboy type who rarely sat quiet for long.
"Hmm. I can read the two As in the pink lands right in the middle of the map. Is that it?"

He smiled. "Very well done! It is indeed this land, right to the center. You can see that there's a lot of sea around us – most of the other steppe people can't say that of themselves. The lands between the two rivers to the west are the new pastures we recently took from the Magyars. You can see their remains nearby in the brownish colour.

To our north are the fellow Khanates of Jabdertim and Hekel. Like us, they are subject to our big neighbour to the east, Khagan of Khazaria and Khan of Bulanid Manasseh the Second."

"Why is there a 'Kiev' and a 'Kievan Rus' on the map?", asked Alp, the son of steward Kundaç.

"Oh, I just wanted to explain what's happening in those lands. Let me switch to another map, so it's easier to see what we're looking at."

"Now you see all the Khagan's lands in yellow – and you'll probably have recognized that there's no more Kiev to be found. It's because Dyre the Stranger, the newest ruler under Khagan Manasseh, has not yet found a more suitable name for his realm after he was driven from the original city of Kiev - or Könugardr, as his people call it. The current owners have founded what they call the Kievan Rus. Drutsk also used to be part of Dyre's lands, but keep on fighting to be independent.

You can also see the surrounding High Chiefdoms in the west and the large and powerful Polotsk to the northern border of Khazaria. They're all Slavic Pagans who live in permanent villages and farm the lands instead of moving from pasture to pasture like our people do."

The children were somewhere between curious and sceptic. "But what do they do when their fields are, like, harvested off?" asked Busir.

"The fields regrow much faster than our pastures, Busir. It rains more frequently farther north, and the people there have been making progress working the land for as long as we have taming horses. But that's a story for another time..." and he displayed a new map.

"This is the southern neighbourhood, with the Black Sea in the center. Who of you has heard of the Byzantine Empire?"
Every child raised its hand and some chuckled upon the apparently silly question. Ezra had to smirk too. Of course everyone knew about the Bzyantines. Despite being considered past their prime and facing an upcoming challenger in the Abbasids of Arabia, they were still the largest and wealthiest realm in the world. Stories about Constantinople, its beauty and its vast riches, were abundant all around the Black Sea – and they were Ashina's immediate neighbours on the Crimean peninsula.

"As you can see, they rule the southern coast of the Black Sea. Between them and Khazarian lands, there's Bulgaria in the west – that's where Duchess Yeldem, the older among you surely remember her, resides today. The eastern coast belongs to Georgia, another wealthy kingdom famous for its strong castles high upon the mountains of the Caucasus. It's ruled by the Bagrationi dynasty, whose ancestors were among the first Christians in the region. They have a fascinating history, not dissimilar to our own glorious ancestry. I'll tell you more about it another time."

The children sat and listened in awe to Ezra going on about the lands around the Black Sea and the perpetual conflict on the Caucasus between Muslim and Christian rulers. More than one of them wondered if these religious quarrels would some day would spill into Khazaria.

"We can't be sure about what happens some day." was Ezra's answer. "But for now, we're lucky to be far enough away should it actually come that way - and we can relocate even further if it should be needed. Speaking of 'far away', here's the eastern border of Khazaria."

"That's a lot of nearly uninhabited steppe you see there. Around the Khazarian borders, we have the Khaganates of Burtas, Bolghar and Pecheneg – they're all tributaries to Khagan Manasseh. Next to them, you see Bashkiria and Perm – which is in quite some trouble right now and could well not be on such a map in a few years' distance. Further to the east is the vast, but largely empty Khaganate of Cumania. There's nearly always more than one war running in this region, and most borders are rough estimates."

Bozçin raised her hand. "I've heard of Cumania. Isn't it where Khanum Asli, the Spymaster, came from before she went on her adventures to Arabia?"

The detective gang smiled and Ezra answered his daughter full of support.
"Exactly. I'm glad you're so fond of the achievements of my colleagues. Khanum Asli sure deserves it. She's really an exceptional woman, and maybe one of you will someday be in her place and discover the secrets of far away lands."

The children, upon the thought of discovering secrets, started to get unruly as they knew the lesson was about to be over. After announcing the topic for next time – the life of Bulan Ashina, the first Jewish ruler to Khazaria - Ezra dismissed his class. That tutoring thing is really a nice change from diplomacy once in a while, he thought while hurrying back to the central yurt. A delegation from Jabdertim, there to congratulate Zachariah to his 10th anniversary of getting into power, had to be receipted.

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 23 - Jubilee Year

November 13, 877 AD

Khan Zachariah, Marshal General Khatir and Commander Simsam rode slowly through the cheering crowd, heads high and waving. Behind the trio rode a dozen of Ashina's finest elite soldiers, faces stern and their horses marching in step. It was truly awe-inspiring. A group of squires, handing out flowers to the bystanders and little treats to the children, followed in their course.

The tenth year of Zachariah's reign had been declared a jubilee year as a whole. The coffers were filled due to the involuntary contribution of the Belgorodian population (although in February the Bulgarian king had finally won his war on Árpád Álmos of Hungary, Belgorod was already devastated by that point). Zachariah stood by that promise and festivals were a regular occurrence to him and the Ashina people over the course of 877, although they hadn't always gone as smoothly as today...

Earlier...

Two months after the big celebrations to welcome the year, the Khan and his wife announced that their third child was on the way and of course there would be a feast.

Zachariah and his court had never been exceptionally interested in the implications of their Jewish faith, as for the nomadic way of life it mattered little who someone prayed to. Strength and perseverance, not piety, was what defined your worth in the harsh circumstances of the Steppes. Faith was largely a private matter in Ashina, also because Kayghalagh the Court Rabbi restricted himself to ceremonial duties and wasn't particularly interested in promoting a deeper understanding of Judaism to the people. It mostly mattered because accusations of "paganism" to others always made for a decent justification to attack them.

But in this special year, with the Bulgarian money and no imminent threats, Zachariah got the Ashina elites together in April for their first traditional Passover Seder dinner.

The mood at the dinner was contemplative and spiritual, much different from the usual cheery, sometimes rough revelries of the peasantfolk and especially the horde. It got Zachariah thinking that those traditions, as peculiar as they seemed, were tolerated at best and prosecuted at worst in the rest of the world. Jews were a minority everywhere save for the Khanates of Khazaria. And he realized that it was his duty to protect this heritage as much as his ancestor Muhan's.

Zachariah himself had taken a pagan woman for wife years ago, but although she had staunchly refused to convert all these years, their children were brought up with the Jewish faith. Now he deemed it was time to deepen his bonds to the other Khazarian Khans and secure future generations of devout Jews. Although the Khans were strictly forbidden from warring on each other and proper alliances could only be forged by blood oath in the Steppes, betrothing his children to his fellows' would make for a closer link between their interests.

The most obvious candidate was Zachariah's friend and neighbour Yavdi of Jabdertim. He had half a dozen of children; his youngest daughter was unbetrothed and he would happily accept the proposal of her being betrothed to Tarkhan Ashina, Zachariah's second-born by a few minutes. The same went for Hezekiah of Hekel, who at the time was looking for a spouse for his only son - thus heir to the Khanate - Yavatey. It was soon settled that Ikalay, Zachariah's only daughter, and him would marry once both had come of age.

Again, a series of feasts dedicated to the new bonds between the clans were held in all three camps, the biggest one following a joint military maneuver of the Jabdertim and Ashina hordes near Theodosia. The clans cheered to their own greatness and to a bright future. Spirits were running in streams.

That's when things got out of hand rapidly.

Nobody knew exactly how the sudden outbreak of violence started. Talk was of some soldiers misbehaving around the camp, with the guards not up for that kind of jokery. But with the camp bustling with soldiers, most of which hadn't been fighting for quite some time, soon larger crowds started to form and go against each other, and soon the first men were getting on their horses. Within minutes, the riots turned into a bloody battle between Ashina and Jabdertim forces.

The fights lasted the whole night. The civilians spent a scary night under the sky, in due distance to the carnage in the camp. When the morning dawned, a staggering 1.155 men laid dead or injured. The Jabdertim horde was in wild retreat out of the Ashina lands.

Yavdi was broken upon this desaster. His men had gone out of control in friendly lands and then got themselves beaten up to the point of humiliation, with him unable to stop them at any point. He left in the early morning, with ashen face and unable to utter a word.

Zachariah on the other hand, as shocked as he was in the beginning, later found himself thinking that this pile of corpses might actually not be the worst sign to his foes – and friends could turn to foes quickly, as they all just had experienced. He didn't hold Yavdi personally responsible, but he despised the now apparent weakness of the Jabdertim soldiers. This army is naught but a band of scum. We could burn their homes to the ground and make their children our slaves if we wanted to. 300 men fallen, but they are defeated. They know we're stronger. They're never going to try this again.
Muhan would have been proud of his troops.

When the streets were cleared of the bodies, the feast resumed – this time, to honor the prowess and the sacrifice of the victorious defenders. Few people felt like carousing after the horror of the past night, but Zachariah ordered the show had to go on. Word of the events spread quickly through the realm, and when Khan Bulçan of Bulçir publicly declared he would refrain from further raiding activities in Ashina after two unsuccessful attempts, his people were overjoyed.

Retribution against the Jabdertim was postponed in spite of Zachariah's contempt for them. With Zachariah's newfound reputation as not only a pompous monarch, but a cold-blooded and efficient defender of his lands (although he had been no more in control of anything than Yavdi during that night), the time had come to finish the business in the plains of Etelköz. This time, no less than a complete capitulation and the cession of all lands by Jenö Csaba would be accepted. The Magyars were unable to put up a defense more than ever, and nobody else seemed to hold particular interest in the lands.

The conquest of Etelköz went as quick and ruthless as usual, and Zachariah's fourth son was born in October, not without the next big feast being commissioned.

Today was the day of the final victory over Magyar, which had by the peace agreement ceased existing (apart from a purely ceremonial entity that did little more than getting Csaba into a few court dinners in Hungary). Everything had gone as expected.

After the military parade, a ceremony was scheduled. All the other Khans and even Khagan Manasseh had announced they would be there to pay respects to the conqueror of Magyar. Zachariah, never missing a chance to indulge in his success, had invited them to an exclusive dinner for the same evening, with only Khazarian rulers allowed. Everyone had accepted but Manasseh. Zachariah read the message to the others: "He lets us know he is honored and would love to join us, but he's on a strict diet on behalf of his new physician due to a 'bad healing disposition'."

The exhilaration was great, as Manasseh hadn't appeared very sick to them at the ceremony. Bulçan of Bulçir joked about Dyre just messing with him though probably nothing was wrong. Khan Yavdi said "He's probably just jealous. He's always been one to begrudge other people's success. Let's not be like that and drink to the conqueror Zachariah!"

Yavdi was happy because Zachariah earlier accepted his apologies for his men's previous failure. He had put the suspected initiators of the riot to trial and shown them no mercy, which had impressed Zachariah and convinced him of Yavdi's honesty. The other Khans weren't as close to Zachariah, but they held respect for him – for all his faults, he had been reliable and strictly neutral towards them for all his reign. Ezra had also built diplomatic networks over the years that ensured the Ashina clan was held in proper esteem.

Many cheers were held that evening to the new lord over Etelköz.

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 24 - Earthquake

December 22, 877 AD

4:33 AM

A man rode through the night with tremendous speed. He was one of the elite rider brigade of the Khazarian spymaster, supplied with full passage anywhere and the fastest horses of the realm. Four of them had been sent out that night. It was icy cold, and no cloud was to be seen on the star-spangled sky over the strait of Kerch behind him. He had been on his way for several hours, and finally he spotted the torch lights that indicated the Ashina camp was nearby.

The message the riders carried was an earthquake, and they were spreading the ripples.



4:51 AM

Theodosia laid quiet when the elusive messenger reached its main entrance. The guards made way without a word when he showed them his ring, and he headed straight toward Zachariah's yurt. The guard captain unsuccessfully tried to convince him to first go to Ezra with his message as the Khan would probably be with his family and unapproving, but the messenger wouldn't even talk to him. He went into the yurt.

Khan Zachariah was ungently awoken by a hand shaking him at the ankle and a muffled voice. "Khan Zachariah? Are you awake?"

Then little Baghatur started to cry.

"Yes...and now everyone is. Very good job at that. Who the hell are you and what the hell are you doing here?"

"I'm...my name doesn't matter. I come from Khan Buzer, Spymaster of Khazaria. I bring a very important message, it is urgent and I have to make sure you receive it. All further instructions are enclosed." and the man disappeared as fast as he had come, leaving a large envelope next to Zachariah.

"Oh, please" he grunted. "And this was really necessary?" Khan Buzer hadn't been spymaster for long and was obviously taking this whole 'in the shadows' act a little too eager. But Virág and the children were awake anyway now and it would take some time until everything was at peace again, so he could as well read this stupid message if it was so urgent.

Zachariah went out of the sleeping area, which was somewhat separated from the rest of the room by leather racks, and to his desk to light a candle. When he opened the envelope and unfolded the pergament, his face turned pale and his eyes wide. He read the pergament again.

Manasseh II. had succumbed to an infection in the early morning hours. The scroll before him was a declaration of fealty to his eldest son Nisi Bulanid, the new Khagan of Khazaria, waiting to be signed – or be returned with refusal, with the immediate consequence of declaring Ashina independent. His response would be requested at the next sunrise, when Khagan Nisi of Khazaria would be coronated.

Zachariah sat at his desk in disbelief for the better of five minutes. Then he whispered to Virág he wouldn't come back to bed, put on clothes and made his way to the central yurt, with orders given to his personal guards to get his council together immediately.



5:37 AM

His councillors were no less surprised when they got thrown out of bed than Zachariah was earlier. In his almost eleven years of ruling, the Khan had not once called in a nightly spontaneous meeting. This had to be something of highest importance. And they weren't disappointed when Zachariah disclosed the death of the Khagan to them. Shock and awe were the reaction.

"This might change a lot of things around the realm, my Khan", Ezra pointed out. "You'll probably figure that each of the Khans gets such a letter. The same goes for Dyre of Könugardr, as his only non-Khan vassal."

"Yes, I'd thought that much – though I didn't know it would also apply to Dyre. Who, by the way, was his court physician when a wound hardly anyone had heard of prior apparently spiraled out of control. No one's ever going to know, but Dyre might well have taken his revenge after all." Everyone took a moment to grasp that Zachariah, never short of a daring hypothesis, was possibly right this time.

"Now as I see it, each of his vassals has the chance to declare independence without triggering a secession conflict, right? And what could Nisi do about it should he choose to?"

Khatir answered him. His general staff had used the time without greater conflict to prepare for many scenarios, one of them the sudden death of a Khagan in battle or under similar conditions.

"That's right, my Khan. Each Khan is always factually entitled to declare independence of his Khagan, but under normal circumstances this is a breach of the fealty contract and thus a war declaration.
When a Khagan dies, refusing the fealty to his successor is not considered such a breach. The new Khagan might still fight his former vassal to bring him back under his rule, but he would have to declare the war himself. You already know where the difference is when it comes to calling in his vassals – expanding the realm is much less likely to gather support than defending it."

"I see. So that is the first option. The other one obviously is to stay within the realm. And I'll need to head off at dusk to be there on time for the coronation." Zachariah paused and contemplated. "I don't know Nisi well myself, as Manasseh mostly kept him out of public affairs and he's been on the road a lot. We'll need intelligence on him."

"You're right, my Khan" replied Ezra. "I'll find out what the other Khans think of him. Even more important will be whether they are planning to declare independence or not."

"Very good, Ezra. I'll await your findings. Furthermore, we need to know what a declaration of independence would entail for a new Ashina Khaganate. That's a job for you, Kundaç. Now all head out, I need to be able to make a decision this evening."

And now I'll go back to bed and think about all this, Zachariah caught himself thinking. He was terribly tired.



10:10 AM

Zachariah was studying some maps (the ones Ezra had shown to his class months ago) when the chancellor stepped into the central yurt.

"We've got the first findings, Khan Zachariah."

"Great. Well, I hope they're great. Out with it!"

"Our envoy to Jabdertim has met open ears. Yavdi is just as concerned as you and offers to keep in contact. He's not decided, but seems to lean toward staying within Khazaria. Also, Dyre has already openly declared he'd break off. He was still in Azov and left three hours ago after ripping the contract apart. Nisi is going to need a more trustworthy court physician."

"Thanks for the heads up. What Yavdi does is of great importance to me. See to it that the contact is kept and maybe for our delegations to the coronation to meet a few dozen miles before Azov."



11:42 AM

This time it was Kundaç with news. He had found out about the requirements coming in place as an independent Khaganate.

"My Khan, it is fair to assume that in an independent Khaganate of our size an ambitious lower noble would pop up somewhere in Etelköz and demand land and recognition. Furthermore, it's expected of an independent realm of above 8 provinces – we own 13 – that two thirds of the land is redistributed to rulers under the Khagan, else these rulers would be very unsatisfied. That would in turn render them pretty much useless to you and prone to rebellion."

Zachariah was baffled. "Are there any upsides, too?"

"Well, you would of course yourself no longer be object to calls to war from the Khazarian Khagan. And you could declare war on anyone in Khazaria. Other than that, I can't think of much."

"Thank you, Kundaç. I wouldn't have thought that a Khagan had so many constraints and obligations."
I'm seriously doubting that the other Khans will take this upon them. Shouldn't bet on a lot of independence declarations from them. Khagan Zachariah would still sound pretty good.



3:15 PM

Zachariah's suspicions turned out to be wellfounded. Over the course of the day, it was made more and more clear that none of the other Khans would follow Dyre into independence. Their realms were too small to gain anything from going on their own, and Zachariah was strongly in favour of that sentiment by the afternoon. Khatir's report on the military situation was ready and the marshal briefed Zachariah.

"Nisi's troops are roughly equal to ours in number, and their commanders match ours in skill. If a war broke out, the outcome would stand and fall with his vassals.
In that case, it's highly unlikely though that Nisi would be able to draw upon any support from the other Khans. They seem to be very unsatisfied with him, to say the least. He's been on quite an adventure in the Far East years ago as captain of a mercenary band his daddy financed for him, but he's also gained a reputation with his men as a self-centered smartass who pulled out his arse as soon as things got rough. He is deemed too weak for his position, and because he's weak the other Khans want more land of him, which makes him even less popular."

"Interesting. This explains further why no one is declaring independence. They can likely press their interests for more land better within the realm."

"His tributaries aren't as abhorrent of him, and we can't say with certainty if they would come to help him – but they're also far away and constantly busy fighting among each other and against their eastern and southern neighbours."



6:00 PM

Exactly in time for dinner, the council was dismissed. It had been an extraordinarily successful day of efficient statecraft in Ashina, at least in the eyes of its ruler. Zachariah was honestly proud of himself and his advisors who had diligently procured the puzzle pieces for him to put in place. The picture was clear now: Declaring independence would likely squander everything he had built over the past years. Under a weak Khagan, the liberties of powerful Khans were great – and the Ashina horde had shown time and again what it was capable of. He was still insecure about what it meant for the near future, as Nisi would not be undisputed for long, but a tremendously important question had been brought to a conclusive and well-informed answer.

Ashina would stay loyal.



11:45 PM

Khan Yavdi and his entourage were already waiting by the agreed meet-up point somewhere in the plains of Lower Don when they heard another group of riders rapidly approaching. It was Zachariah, his friend and fellow traveler from Theodosia and his men.

"Good to see you, Zach. Who would have thought it would be so soon, with you never attending a council meeting?"

Both laughed heartily. Yavdi had been a general advisor to Manasseh, but similarly uninvolved into Khazarian politics and generally lent his voice to whoever made the best offer.

"Got me on that one, Yavdi. Well, you don't seem very shaken after all."

Yavdi shrugged. "Manasseh had it coming. I already thought he had gone insane when he insisted on giving Dyre a place on the council. I mean, the guy practically breathed and sweated hate for Manasseh. And then he found it a good idea to make him his damn physician?"

"You also think Dyre is responsible?"

"Who else would it be? The infection was confirmed, so nobody will be able to prove anything – also, he said goodbye and bolted off to the West before Manasseh was even cold. Which doesn't exactly calm the suspicion."

Zachariah nodded. "It doesn't matter anyway if he's independent again. What does matter now is if Nisi proves a worthy Khagan."

Yavdi looked at him. "If it even comes to that. Nisi is weak, and he won't have room for failure. Do you know who becomes Khagan if something happened to him?"

"His younger brother, I suppose."

"Wrong. His brother Kibar would inherit the Bulanid lands, but a child can never be Khagan. In that case, the title goes to the most accomplished Khan, which at the moment is Bulçir."

Zachariah was genuinely surprised. He didn't know that rather important detail about succession in Khaganates. "God damnit, this Nisi lives dangerous now."

"Would you stop slandering the Lord, please? - But yes, you're right. Even if you're not as trusting as Manasseh, the world is a dangerous place. Especially if you're deemed weak."

He stopped for a while, then said: "You know as well as I that Nisi is not going to stay Khagan for long – at least not without a fight. And were it not for the beating that my troops received from yours, I'd think of putting my hat in the ring."

Zachariah nodded and the two grew silent again. There was a lot to think about.

What would Muhan do?

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 25 - Contender


January 24, 878 AD


A mere month had passed since Manasseh's unexpected death and his son Nisi Bulanid's subsequent coronation. When the new Khagan was enthroned, things went as expected and all Khans swore fealty to him. Khazaria lost the remains of Könugardr again, over which so much blood had been spilled, but otherwise stayed intact. The earthquake had not caused structural damage. But that didn't mean the earth stopped shaking. The council of Khazaria was about to meet.

Earlier...

When Zachariah got back from the coronation in Azov, the current location of the Bulanid court, he immediately ordered his most trusted advisor Ezra to meet him and Khanum Asli in private.

Talks at the coronation had confirmed that Khagan Nisi had no support at all among the other Khans. They wanted him gone, nothing less - yet none of them felt strong enough to challenge him on his own. Hezekiah and Buzer couldn't muster enough troops even if they wanted to. The same went for Bulçan, even though his troops had raided and pillaged enough lands in the past decade for him to be considered the rightful successor to the Khaganate until Nisi's brothers were old enough. Yavdi was still suffering from the defeat his horde had brought upon itself in Theodosia.
Which left Zachariah. The Ashina horde was unbeaten for years and he was the only Khan who had expanded his lands significantly for a decade, mainly because the other Khans' neighbours were tributaries to the Bulanid and under Manasseh's protection. By now he arguably ruled over more land than anyone else in Khazaria, and their population was about equal to the Bulanid. And he had Yavdi of Jabdertim firmly on his side. The other Khans knew all that, and would make their moves accordingly.

Khan, spymaster and chancellor convened for hours. With the Khans still also forming the bulk of Nisi's council, he would have to either make changes and anger even more people or give into his fate of being obstructed at every move. Both meant a great deal of instability in the foreseeable future. Without a Khagan capable of acting, the Khazarian Khans would be far more vulnerable. For the good of the realm, a plan needed to be put in place to prevent its disintegration.

Zachariah immediately ruled out the option of an open attack, just as he had done when the question of independence was urgent. The Bulanid were still fielding the larger army and possibly some vassals and tributaries who didn't detest him as much as the Khans. There was no reason to gamble on that kind of insecurities. There had to be something better, even if it would take some time.

In the evening, Ezra packed his bags for a mission to Voin, where the Jabdertim encampment was. Despite Khan Yavdi's and Zachariah's friendly relations, Yavdi was until now reluctant of a Blood Oath to testify their loyalty to each other because he feared his clan would not hold the Ashina as highly in esteem as he did with Zachariah. This had to change.

Asli looked for Kundaç and ordered him to make everything ready for the encampment to be relocated. They would move to Oleshye, along with the main host. For the first time in Zachariah's reign, the Ashina court would relocate.

Zachariah himself would meet with Khatir to discuss further expansion possibilities to the west. Expanding the realm was the best way to show strength. Moldavia and Galich were both neighbouring Ashina lands, had no allies and a considerably weaker army.

"My Khan, the main difference is that Moldavia has adapted European feudal laws and structures while Galich is still very much a confederation of western Russian tribes. Our border with Galich, Ushytsia, used to belong to the Magyars too, but they've built a few villages here and there since the land was handed to the Galicians. No comparison to Moldavia, of course – they've got proper castles and walls we would need to siege down.
I'd also care to mention that Moldavia could well fall to the Bulgarians if we're not to act quickly. They would be valuable to Bulgaria, and their armies are no match for Boris' troops."

"And what do we do if the Bulgarians decide to go after Moldavia anyway once we've conquered it? His son being married to my sister won't stop Boris from anything. That's not how it works. Even if we could beat them back, even if the Khagan and the others come to our defense – our lands would suddenly be the frontline of a major war on a mighty European kingdom. That's the opposite of what I intend. Thanks, Marshal Khatir. Galich it is."

The Ashina host rode to the borders, and the war declaration, unopposed by the council as usual, followed on January 22.

What was not usual about the war declaration was the addendum, stating that with the upcoming reunification of the Etelköz lands under the Ashina banner, Khan Zachariah was entitled to be the rightful Khagan, not by blood but by merit.

War declarations were official and strictly public documents. This was nothing short of a cold rebellion. Zachariah headed back to Azov that evening for the next council meeting. Suddenly politics mattered. The next ripple had shaken the ground of Khazaria.





Khagan Nisi sat on his throne, his face looking pale and terribly tired. He wished he had chosen the life of a monk or just stayed with his mercenary gang. You could tell how uncomfortable he was, in a role he had no experience at and in a room full of enemies.

The meeting had been an utter and complete desaster to him. The Khans, whose support he was supposed to rely on, were in firm opposition to everything he said and did. He had been shouted down, scorned and threatened. And in the end, he found himself against a coalition of his two strongest vassals. Khan Yavdi of Jabdertim had openly declared his support for Zachariah's claims somehow tied to his conquests in Etelköz.

Only Zachariah himself had been unusually quiet and withdrawn. He had even tried to calm down Yavdi on more than one occasion. Almost as if he hesitated. Maybe there was a way to somehow convince him to stay put, at least for some time...? Give him something, so he had something to lose? But how, without appearing even weaker than already?

Nisi was desperate. There was so little he could do with no one on his side. And as long as he was powerless, he wasn't likely to get anyone on his side. How was he supposed to deal with this mess thrown upon him without ever having asked for any of it?

He had to do something.

 

[terr0rizm]

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.

 

[terr0rizm]

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.

 

[terr0rizm]

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.

 

[terr0rizm]

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.

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 30 Wedding and Warring


April 23, 880 AD

Zachariah stood at the edge of the large square in the middle of the big festival tent, his newlywed wife by his side, and watched with enjoyment as a group of his wedding guests performed a traditional Crimean folk dance. He and his new wife Irge, a Yabguid princess from the Caspian region who had previously been sold off to Bashkiria as a concubine to a lower Khan, had been married in the morning.

Irge had the heart and the physique of a warrior, although the traditions in the steppes didn't permit women in the military in any case. Her father had been Khagan in the lands north of the Caspian Sea until his death about four years ago. Her oldest brother was deposed and executed by usurpers from the Subashi Clan upon inheriting the Khaganate. Her younger brothers were under arrest or on the run. There seems to be a pattern, Zachariah thought upon hearing of this. I have to prepare my sons better than those lads were.

There was little doubt Irge would have wished for her husband to be someone more virtuous, but virtue didn't get you far as a leader in the Steppes – and being the Khatun of Khazaria sure was infinite times better than being a concubine in the middle of nowhere. Zachariah in turn was mostly happy that people looked up to his wife's clan. His first impulse had been to marry Virág, because she was the mother of his heir and to safely prevent the same thing from happening again in time - but he quickly was informed that while it was fine to father children with lowborn women, marrying one as a Khagan would be seen as highly inappropriate.

In contrast, divorcing the treacherous Asli, though unconventional even for the Steppes, posed no big issue apart from a small administrative fee to the Court Rabbi.

Yet Zachariah just hadn't been able to make the time and search for a new wife earlier. While he had been hardly surprised upon hearing of his wife's traitorous plans, the news she had slipped through the hands of her captors upset him greatly. He ordered the immediate execution of the herbalist, despite the man's desperate pleas he had nothing to do with the escape. Furthermore, war on Burtas was declared within the hour, though the horde was still a good two weeks away from the border. Zachariah needed to vent his anger, and Burtas wouldn't pose a problem whatsoever - the Bulanid were hardly able to defend them in the current state of their realm and their only other ally, Sol of Pechenegs, in no shape to contribute anything.

Only days after the war declaration, reports came in that Bulçan's troops in the Bulanid territory destroyed the trade post in Tana. Manasseh had erected it in his reign to make Tana the main Black Sea port of the northern Silk Road branch. Now it lay in shatters, as if to symbolize the rapid downfall of the Bulanid clan.

Zachariah's and his generals' assertion of Burtas' strength and the unwillingness of the Bulanid to intervene proved to be correct, and the war on Burtas was quick and uneventful. They had surrendered to Ashina suzerainty one week ago and made way for the marriage preparations.



The dancing continued, and the children were chasing around the yard. Tarkhan, his second-born twin, ran towards Zachariah waving in excitement. "Daddy!"

Zachariah took him up in his arm. "What's it, my big one? Man, you're getting stronger by the day! Soon I won't be able to take you up without breaking my back!" Both laughed.

"Dad, we've been wondering." Tarkhan now looked very serious. "Özlem has told us earlier that her brother can't be here because he is dead because he went to the potty too much. But me, Muhan and the others have never heard of that. Can that even be true?"

Zachariah looked at him in visible astonishment. What do you tell a seven-year-old about dysentery? "Uhm.....well, that can happen, yes. But Yavantey was very sick. No one dies just because of going to the potty."

Tarkhan looked a little relieved. "Okay. I knew it! The big girls tried to scare us, but I didn't believe them anyway. Thanks!" And off he bolted again to join the other kids.

His father stood in amusement. Tarkhan continued to surprise him. He was a light-hearted kid that didn't worry or care much about dangers. He rather explored the camp or played war with his friends. In that, he was very different from his brother Muhan, who was introvert and thoughtful for his age and in that resembled their younger half-sister Ikalay more. They came after Zachariah in their own way, and he was very proud of all of them.

Although Zachariah does have more children, the pictured Poland is not one of them.



Zachariah hadn't told his own kids about Yavantey's demise yet despite Ikalay's betrothal to him, mostly because he had no clue how to address the issue. Now they'd know it anyway. Probably not for the worst. Good that Özlem seems to be fine and not taking it too heavily. Hezekiah must be under a lot of pressure now, with four daughters and no heir.

His vassals had honoured their Khagan with his presence at the wedding, independent from their political differences, and Hezekiah had brought his whole family – his daughters along with his wife and his three concubines. Indeed he looked more tired and stressed than usual since his sons' untimely death for obvious reasons. Two of his girls were infants (from different mothers) and had been conceived in his renewed tries to sire an heir.

Dearly missed by Zachariah and his family was 'Uncle' Yavdi of Jabdertim, who had sent his best wishes from the southern outskirts of Polotsk. He was leading his men into his most ambitious campaign so far: The High Chiefdom of Polotsk, the largest Russian force all around, should be subjugated in total and become Yavdi's vassal.

That was considered bold by everyone, risky by many and foolish by a few. No one had forgotten the wars on Könugardr and what the hordes were able to do to tribal armies, but Polotsk was an entirely different affair. The lands they would have to take were huge, the winters icy and the summers muddy - and it was close to impossible to sustain an army for long behind the borders. Attrition wars weren't suited to the hordes' way of fighting and conquering quickly and decisively. Yavdi was most literally treading new ground. Should he win, the reward would be equally great.

His sister Yeldem, the Duchess of Strymon had to excuse herself, too – she was in the final weeks of her first pregnancy. Her marriage was going well, and Strymon had prospered in the last years, doubtlessly not without her contribution.



Ezra approached Zachariah, who had by now sat down to have another ale and keep his new wife company, and congratulated him for the great wedding celebration.

"But that's not what I'm here for. I've overheard Khan Bulçan talking about how he's thinking of expanding into Pecheneg, but is unsure whether the Bulanid are going to intervene as he's missing intelligence about their whereabouts in the South."

Zachariah was intrigued. "Hmm. He's been discontent with the situation for quite some time, and frankly he unnerves me with it. And our army is still around the corner with the war on Burtas just won."

Ezra nodded. "That's what I've been thinking. We know well that the Bulanids don't want to take on us. They didn't risk it for Burtas, and they won't for a piece of land from a tributary that is destined to fail sooner or later."

Zachariah took a drag of his ale. "That means it would be another quick war and Bulçan would owe me. It's definitely worth at least looking into. I'll talk to Hezekiah and tell him to send the army eastwards. The war declaration can wait until they're ready to strike. You never know."

"Very well. New ale? My oldest daughter and my wife are sore at each other again, and I'd rather not get in their way too soon."

"Be my guest. And one for Irge, too – just make it as big as mine."

Irge smiled at Zachariah. She had criticized a server earlier for bringing her a smaller glass than her husband's and refused the implication she could drink less, then emptied the new and bigger mug with one drag to the general amusement and admiration of the guests. Zachariah had apparently quickly learned that lesson.

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 31 - Feverish

Summer, 880 AD

While the Khazarian army was on its way to the Pecheneg border, Alania finally fell to the Hashimids and was integrated into the realm. That would have freed the Bulanid army of its defense mission had it ever taken it seriously, but as it was, they continued looting the countryside regardless of its new lord. Duke Hashim now ruled over the whole nothern Caucasus, but was still tributary to Kibar Bulanid, although few people expected it to stay this way forever, with the way the Bulanid acted in their subjects' territory.

Back in Oleshye, Khagan Zachariah struggled with increasingly frequent relapses of fever and rashes. Azariah, dutiful as usual, did his best to keep him free from greater harm and Zachariah's bodily constitution wasn't affected much, but keen observers started to notice that he got increasingly quaint. The old habit of imagining conspiracies against him and the realm had already resumed after the flight of Asli back to Cumania. Her supposed influence from afar became an obsession soon. Each time Zachariah recovered from a fever it got a little worse. Soon he was reported to talk to himself and/or to non-existent dialogue partners.

His councillors, especially the always diligent and loyal Ezra, did their best to cushion or at least circumvent the occasional oddities in Zachariah's behaviour. The Khaganate was ruled in constant consolation of its subdivisions and its council, and the potential for dangerous solo runs was manageable – but Zachariah's instability would also complicate things further when it came to the regular business.



In July, shortly before the army was expected to arrive at the eastern border and march into the Pecheneg lands, the Khagan had the idea to gather them back in Oleshye to publicly heed service to the fallen "national hero" Árpád Álmos, who had sought and found his death in the duel ring at staggering 70 years' age. Zachariah proclaimed that without him leaving Magyar, the Ashina Khaganate of Khazaria would have never been possible, thus only the greatest military honor could ever be enough to honor him.

His marshal Hezekiah was no big supporter of the intended war on Pecheneg, so he asked no questions and headed out to give according orders. Only in the last minute could Bulçan, Buzer and Ezra convince Zachariah that while he was beyond doubt right to be thankful towards Árpád's involuntary contributions, it would suffice to pay respects in a way that was less disruptive to his own plan. Hezekiah was whistled back and the war on Pecheneg declared a week later.

When the council voted in the war, the majorities were as expected. Notable was that Bulçan, seemingly against his own interest, refrained to vote for Zachariah, but he had in turn asked the otherwise malcontent Tähtani for approval so the vote would safely go through.

Zachariah wasn't feeling particularly well that day and was very unapproving of this kind of political trickery. When the war declaration was officially passed, he turned on Tähtani, accused her of treachery and of subduing his authority by working for Bulçan instead of him. That was met with general astonishment, considering she had just voted with him and against Bulçan, but Zachariah didn't care in the slightest and promptly dismissed the supposed traitor. Firing unlanded courtiers was one of the things he could very well pull off on his own.

It was only when Zachariah looked for a suitable replacement for her that he recognized his courtiers had somehow taken their distance from him since he had become Khagan, and more so recently. Hardly anyone was particularly eager to prove his worth to the Khan - though Zachariah wasn't aware of it, word had spread that he was increasingly hard to work with, the recent bouts of weirdness only adding to the challenge. In the end, he promoted his commander Simsam, who at least showed friendly indifference as always, to his special military advisor.

Virág gave birth to a daughter in late August. Zachariah, suspicious as usual, had sent spies after her to find out if everything was as it should, only to be confirmed in that assertion (and paying a rather hefty price for this information). Unfortunately it soon turned out that little Sarantay wasn't as healthy and strong as the other children, which only brought back suspicions in his recently more troubled mind.

When autumn broke, news came in from the western neighbourhood in short succession. King Boris of Bulgaria had run out of luck when he tried to snatch soutchern Sicily from the Aghlabid Sultanate – he had made gains in the beginning against a foe engaged in another war on the mainland, but the Aghlabids were able to finish off the neighbouring Rustamids quicker than Boris had expected and subsequently pushed back his invasion army with ease. The cost of a naval campaign and the due reparations to the Aghlabid Sultan tore a huge hole in his coffers, which was seen with interest by the Khazarian council and Zachariah.

A few days later, the notorious Dyre of Könugardr faced his maybe final defeat. He had to hand over all of his numerous High Chief titles and all his vassals. He was now a lowly chief in Zaslav – back where he had started over 20 years ago when he and his people arrived on the shores of the Dnieper.

Zachariah was staunchly convinced by this point that the ownership of Kiev, be it in titular form or of the actual place, carried a curse that led to inevitable downfall and decay, and sooner or later affected anyone around the unlucky victims. He swore he'd never set foot into these lands or send a single man there as long as he lived.



At the same time, his friend and advisor Khan Yavdi of Jabdertim made slow progress in Polotsk, but his armies were now experiencing the differences in the environment first-hand. Disease and supply problems were abound, although at least little was to see of the Polotskian armies – maybe because they had a peasant revolt to deal with at the same time and their land was full of enemies. Hezekiah's troops and other hordes from the East had been raiding the frontier for the past months as well. This large hostile presence never gave the armies of the Polotskian High Chief and his vassals the chance to properly gather.

December 12, 880 AD

General Khatir sighed deeply and dismissed the discontent soldier that had approached him with complaints about the recent change of plans. This had to be the twentieth time or so that he had to explain to a soldier what he had no real explanation for himself. Only two weeks ago, when the capitulation from the Pechenegs had freshly come in, his superior Marshal Hezekiah had promised to the soldiers in his victory speech that they would see their families soon and he himself would take care that the council blocked any attempts to initiate another war. Khatir was already suspicious when the retreat order didn't occur as usual. The army was ordered by the Khagan in person to stay in the lands they had just conquered on Bulçir's behalf until further notice.

And now they were soon to be marching east again, to make Khagan Tatus of Bashkiria a tributary. Nobody had expected something like that, and hardly anyone understood what they should accomplish there. Bashkiria was vast and thinly populated. It was far off from the Ashina lands and had no military to endanger the Khazarian troops. The main reason for their weakness was a perpetual conflict with the Cumans over Yaik, an otherwise rather ordinary piece of land in the southern outskirts of the Ural mountains. Khagan Sirçan of Cumania, the older brother of the former Khatun Asli, claimed all lands east to the Ural as his, but hadn't been able to get a hold on Yaik for the four and a half years the war was running by now.

Hezekiah himself had returned to the armies from his courtal duties bearing the news, to the general disgruntlement of the simple soldiers who had enough of fighting in the desert and the officers who wished for operations with less unpredictable follow-up risks.

"The Marshal will have to explain a few things." Simsam had been commanding the armies alongside Khatir for years and had recently been promoted to military advisor, mainly because Khatir had taken his demotion from Marshal in vain and held a grudge on the Khagan. "In the end he was the one who gave the missing vote for the war declaration on Bashkiria. Said he had no choice and the speech to the soldiers was a mistake."

Khatir, who had more experience with political matters, replied "He's usually opposed to the Khagan consolidating his power, so I can well imagine that he actually did have no choice. Hezekiah is a formidable warrior who tries too hard to be a politician. Maybe that's inevitable if you lead a clan. One way or the other, he's constantly ending up beind indebted to half the world. I'm almost sure he's paid back some of these debts by casting his vote like this.

Also, don't feign compassion for the soldiers. I know you, comrade." Khatir grinned at Simsam. "You're bored by sieges in the desert with no opponents ever showing up, that's why you don't want to attack Bashkiria."

"Look at this place! Who can blame me?" Simsam smiled too. "Also, I think many of the men think the same way. They're in the Horde to fight for fame and glory, not to drink tea and wait until a bunch of civilians gives up because they have no more supplies."

"It doesn't matter - the big men in Oleshye need to know themselves what they're doing. Following orders is part of the deal too. And it's our duty now to make sure everybody remembers that."

"You're right. No use in complaining. We'd rather get this over with quickly."

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 32 - Painful Losses

Spring, 881 AD

The new year saw another war ending in territorial losses for Sol of Pechenegs, whose reign was now closer than ever to collapsing while Khan Yavantey of Ezgil continued his winning streak. The holdings of Sol's vassal Khan Konel of Kurtsituur were sacked so thoroughly that he was thereafter known as Yavantey "the Despoiler". He now ruled over a large swath of land and was suzerain to the large tribal realm of Perm further to the North. By law he was still subject to Khagan Batir of Bolghar, but there was little doubt about the true power in the realm.

A little later, another war that had already cast its shadows broke out in the open. The Kingdom of the Kievan Rus declared a subjugation war on the competing High Chiefdom of Kiev that was under the command of Voislav, the former Chief of Belz, since Dyre's final downfall. Upon hearing this, Zachariah gave his council an emotional, if somewhat scattered, speech about the inevitability of this conflict due to the "Kievan curse" that consumed everyone within its reach.

Violence also erupted in the heartland of the Bulanid, whose main host was still raiding their own tributary on the Caucasus and left only a small force to defend their own lands. Khan Hezekiah apparently wanted his piece of the cake too.

In Polotsk, the High Chief had managed to push back Yavdi, mainly due to enormous attrition on the Jabdertim armies. That was when grim news spread from his capital hillfort: The peasant revolt that had formed in the neighbouring chiefdom of Lukoml had made their way into the fortifications and caused a massacre among the guards and courtiers. Among the victims were the oldest sons of High Chief Yelisey, who managed to escape with his wife and the children but was heavily wounded. The war on his southern border, although a military success until now, came with a terrible price tag.

The only place where fewer people died than anyone expected seemed to be Bashkiria. Although the Khazarian troops weren't exactly content with their new course, they plowed through the lands with no opposition to speak of and by June, the Khagan readily offered his surrender.

The reason for the suspiciously easy win was disclosed to Zachariah less than two weeks later when the call to arms from Khagan Tatus against the Cumans arrived. His ambassador praised Zachariah's deeds and carefully hinted at how a participation in the war might be an opportunity to get hold of Asli (who by all information was still trying to get her hands on Zachariah's eldest son) without risking much should anything not go as expected. There would also be no need for the council to be considered in case of a tributary asking for assistance. A simple positive answer from him personally would suffice, and possibly save his son.

Zachariah's general staff including Hezekiah was still in Bashkiria and organizing the supposed return voyage of the victorious army, so no one was there to point out that the Cumans fielded a formidable army from all parts of the country, totalling over 3500 men and this war would be considerably harder to fight than the previous ones. The Khagan happily accepted, to the shock of his commanders who were caught in surprise, but had little choice but to cooperate and now orchestrate a campaign even farther east – in Cumania.



September 21, 881 AD

A few weeks after the unexpected entry in this "new" war, the mentioned Cuman army was marching toward the Khazarians, who were laying siege to the Cuman court in Or, but barely managed to avoid them by turning south. Khagan Tatus and his other allies had just been beaten in a battle further north and were on the retreat, and the Khazarian generals who were slightly outnumbered by themselves didn't want to risk an open field battle.

A delegation of messengers from Oleshye came along their way, with urgent and highly worrisome news for the commanders. Minutes later, Simsam rode along Khatir with sweat on his forehead and his face pale.

"The Khagan orders Hezekiah and me to come to Oleshye immediately. Khan Yavdi is dead. Succumbed to cancer. No one knew it until he collapsed in an army camp marching towards Bryansk. The Jabdertim war on Polotsk has been called off with immediate effect."

Khatir gasped. "What?! But we have the Cumans on our heels....we don't have time for a reorganization of command now!"

"The orders are definite - we've been officially stripped from commanding anything as by now. Our new superior is Yavdi's son Itakh. The Khagan made very clear that the consequences of disobeying would be dire. We have to come up with something. Fast."

"Without you two, two divisions will be without proper leadership. We don't have anything close to a replacement, and there's nothing of this Itakh to be seen. Why didn't he ride along the messengers? What are we supposed to come up with? This is madness....may Adonai have mercy on us."

Khatir was as white as a sheet. His desperation was tangible. Without proper command, the Khazarian army would stand no chance in the fluid, situational combat typical for battles between Steppe hordes. They would be fodder for the enemies' arrows and swords. What was the Khagan thinking?



Upon hearing of Khan Yavdi's unexpected death, Khagan Zachariah had gone blind with anger and sorrow. He gave out the fateful order to call in everyone of rank for the funeral and pronounced draconic punishment for non-attendance, then had secluded himself and refused to speak with anyone until now. Even Ezra, probably the only one who could have done something, did not get through to him and had to leave empty-handed after various accusations and threats by the grieving Zachariah.

The funeral was held as soon as the concillors and courtiers were fully gathered, with the military men hardly able to think about anything else but the Khazarian army that was now trapped in Cuman lands with the enemy coming towards them. Khatir was a formidable man, but he couldn't manage a march of three full divisions on his own and support from Oleshye wasn't in sight. After the burial, the changes in the council that had already been disclosed to its members were proclaimed. Several chairs were switched, Hezekiah now (to his surprise) being Court Rabbi and Commander to make way for the new Khan of Jabdertim, whose talents beyond military matters were all but overseeable. His fathers' steward position was awarded to the man whose statue still graced a bay on the shores of Theodosia: Kundaç, the former steward of the Ashina Khanate before Zachariah's ascension to Khagan, made a comeback.

Itakh, Simsam and Hezekiah (who was still a General, though no longer Marshal) rushed towards Cumania after the burial - but they came too late. The inevitable had already happened - the Cumans had caught up to the disorganized armies of Khazaria. The rest of the command ran into an army in hasty retreat and could only join them on their way back into Khazarian lands.

The men reported that the battle in Or was fought relentless and heroically, but to no avail. Although the enemy had more archers on his side, the Ashina troops had managed to inflict a lot of casualties during the beginning of the battle. The tide turned when the light cavalry of the Cumans on the flanks managed to outmaneuver the Khazarian troops and slay many of them before they could regroup. Khatir, caught in the center of the battlefield that had been doing considerably better until then, could only intervene on one side with his troops and had to make a near-impossible call. Predictably, as soon as he rode to the right flank that was about to collapse, the left side gave way and the enemy could rush toward Khatir's men from behind. All that the remainder of the Khazarian army could do was storm ahead, make their way through the enemy lines to open ground and retreat.

Khatir himself proved his devotion and his courage when he rode back several times into the carnage to get isolated troops out of harms' way and to safe ground. He paid for it with his life, fallen to an enemy arrow volley after having saved dozens of lives personally, and probably hundreds more with the bold decision to storm the front instead of getting surrounded entirely.

Zachariah's blind grief had cost almost 1000 more lives, among them the most accomplished war hero from Ashina lands, Khatir Azizid. After Khan Yavdi, the second state funeral had to be announced in Oleshye.

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 33 - Tectonic Shifts



Winter, 881/882 AD



Although the Jabdertim had to retreat, the violence in Polotsk wouldn't stop taking its toll anytime soon. While on the run with the remainder of his family and without proper medical care available, High Chief Yelisey of Polotsk tragically succumbed to the infection of a wound he had sustained in the narrow escape. His brother was now the High Chief of Polotsk and got two of Yelisey's four chiefdoms, while his remaining son Vysheslav inherited two chiefdoms as well and formed the now independent High Chiefdom of Pronsk, quite far away from its original location. The split of Yelisey's demesne left his brother with even less manpower to fend off the unruly peasants that had taken over large parts of the realm in the West. The Jabdertim-Polotskian war truly knew nothing but losers, and Zachariah was more than ever convinced that Khazarians meddling in Russia could only lead to death and despair for everyone involved.

Yavdi's son Itakh wasn't a big supporter of that notion. He remembered that his father Yavdi had been the only Khazarian to successfully conquer Russian lands until now, and in an effort to follow in his footsteps declared war in the final days of 881 to make a tributary of the remains of the High Chiefdom of Kiev. Its leader Voislav was besieged by the Rus' troops by now, and two other neighbours had declared claims on land. Making him a tributary would probably not hold for long – if Itakh managed to win the war at all before Kiev was subjugated by the larger Kiev.

Less than half a year later, Radoslav of Polotsk had to admit that trying to defend his realm against the angry peasants in the west was futile. Vyshata, the King of the Kievan Rus, offered his help in return for Radoslav becoming a vassal to him, just like the prophecy that his rule grounded upon said (this was an overexaggeration - like most prophecies, it was rather vague). Radoslav, though himself no big believer in prophecies and the like, rather could live with a somewhat united Polotsk under the Kievan Rus than with its further disintegration. Thus he had no choice but to succumb – but at least Vyshata kept his promise and quickly obliterated the peasant troops that had already done so much damage.

The Russian lands along the Khazarian border were indeed almost unified now. The Kievan Rus was a larger and more powerful force than anything the region had seen to date. Zachariah, who was by now absolutely devout to the tough that a curse was lasting on Kievan lands, was confused by Vyshata's apparent success, but entirely sure that he never wanted anything to do with that kingdom.

Only a few weeks later, the High Chief of Kiev surprisingly chose to surrender to Itakh, maybe hoping that the Khan of Jabdertim was sending reinforcements to the other wars Voislav was still running. Itakh made clear to his fellow Khans though that his only intention was to prove his troops' worth and he wouldn't take any action whatsoever to defend Voislav from his inevitable subjugation under the ever growing Kievan Rus. That was met with much relief by the Khazarian council, particularly the Khagan.

On the other side of the realm, the Khazarian host who had been so soundly defeated by the Cumans had now set up camp again in the familiar Pecheneg lands. Khagan Sol, in another iteration of his streak of bad ideas, had married his son to the notorious Asli, Zachariah's ex-wife, and forged an alliance with the Cumans not too long ago. He had accepted the call (mostly for formal reasons) before the Khazarians were called in and was now paying the price once again, with his lands being an easy target for the Khazarian host who did not want to afford another open battle after the failure in Or.

Additional to helping with the larger war effort, there were spoils ripe for the taking. When the Ashina troops marched into Uzen, the seat of the young Khan of Kuertsituur (the only vassal of Sol of Pecheneg), they managed to get hold of his family. Taking prisoners was uncommon in the Steppes, mostly because noble families usually had a lot of retreating ground in case of an incoming hostile army, and the opportunity to press for ransom money was new to Zachariah.

Although Yeke of Kuertsituur was by no means rich (which was no surprise, with his lands being pillaged all the time) and Zachariah would have liked to make an example of them what happened if you stood against the Khagan of Khazaria, the additional gold for the treasury posed the stronger incentive. Zachariah had adopted an increasingly extravagant lifestyle since his ascension, procuring exotic animals and all kinds of foreign luxuries to entertain himself and the guests at his frequent and lavish carousals. Money was always needed, and soon Zachariah ordered his armies to also take hostages in Cumania.



Trouble was also returning to the Caucasus, where the Alanian chiefs were highly discontent with Duke Hashim of Aghbania, who hadn't managed to come off as anything but a foreign invader since his subjugation of the Alanian lands. The Bulanid, Hashim's suzerain and supposed protectors, had been plundering the same lands for many months now, with no signs of it stopping soon. The Alanian chiefs had enough and revolted, less than two years after Hashim's victory. Although their endeavour would be hard to pull off, the Duke was busy with a war on Georgia and was caught off guard. The rebels quickly gained territory, slightly benefitting from the Bulanid troops still refusing to take land and instead proceeding to loot Abkhazia after they were done in the Alanian lands.

Ever since he was Khagan, Zachariah had to keep a lot more things on his mind than as a mere Khan. His days were now filled with strategy meetings, diplomatic encounters and requests by courtspeople and peasants alike. Half of Zachariah's councillors had their own Khanates to manage and their own agenda. Without him realizing it, he had become stuck in a routine he never had wished for, and he spent little time around his new wife Irge, who in turn felt underappreciated and isolated in a foreign land. The nightly screaming and crying soon resumed around Zachariah's quarters.

It was after a particularly nasty argument, when Irge stated she was disgusted by him and threatened to move out of his bedchambers, that Zachariah apparently came to his mind. He promised to Irge to spend more time living the good life with her from now on and show her what it was like to be a true Khatun. These sudden mood swings weren't unusual for the Khagan, who got more erratic and unpredictable by the day – but by that promise he stood.



October 19, 882 AD



The Khazarians had returned to Or upon the sack of the Pecheneg lands. The Cuman army, although victorious the last time, was worn out from the long war. The encampment of the Cumans had seen much suffering over its course and was only staffed by the Khagan's lifeguard of a few dozen men, and it was overrun within days. With so little time and much of the surrounding lands under occupation by the Bashkirians, there was no opportunity for Khagan Sirçan's family, now the priority targets, to escape. A troop of soldiers approached the Khazarian High Command yurt with four startled women and two children, a five-year old boy and a toddler barely able to walk who didn't understand a bit what was happening.

"Marshal Itakh, General Simsam, General Hezekiah" – the platoon leader saluted very accurately before the three most important men in the Khazarian army – "I present to you the wife, the concubines and the two sons and potential heirs to Khagan Sirçan. We found them in the outskirts of Or, trying to pass off as a peasant family, but my men knew better. The spies who are supposed to know the lands confirmed their identities."

All three commanders saluted. Hezekiah replied to him. "Thank you, Sergeant Belet. We will see that you and your men are richly rewarded for this valuable catch." He lowered his voice. "Now I have a very special assignment for you: You and your men positively need to keep absolute secrecy about this until the war is concluded. To everyone, including other officers. If you manage to keep quiet, this is going to be very soon and a promotion waits every one of you. If not....well, this war has been running since the summer of 876. Do you comprehend me?"

The sergeant thought he had got something wrong. He had just come to his superiors reporting that the primary mission directive had been accomplished, and he was supposed to tell no one? "I don't understand...."

"That's relatable. I promise you will get all the answers as soon as we're all on our way home – which, I repeat, will be very soon if you keep your mouth shut. In case anyone already has taken notice, tell them you've been mistaken by the spies and it was actually only a peasant family. We will back the story up."

The sergeant vowed to not say a word to anyone, although he was visibly confused about it.

Itakh of Jabdertim had only sat and listened the whole time. He was now superior commander of all things directly troop-related, but Hezekiah was the far more experienced and talented politician. Itakh was outgoing and generous, and he tried hard to become better at ruling quickly - but his talents clearly lay on the battlefield, and he believed in wars being decided by blood and iron rather than secrecy and intrigue. He still had agreed to Hezekiah's plan – everyone knew the men were weary and wanted to return home at last.

Two weeks later, Cumania surrendered, agreeing to a declaration of responsibility for all hostilities and to the ensuing reparations. Over six years after Sirçan of Cumania's war declaration, Tatus of Bashkiria and his allies had won.

Spoiler

Hezekiah had been successful. Instead of Zachariah in Oleshye, an immediate notification went out to the Khagan of Bashkiria, who offered freedom for Khagan Sirçan's sons in exchange for a full surrender and secrecy about the side deal. Sirçan's war efforts had been in bad shape for quite some time, mostly due to the more adept strategical decision-making by the Bashkirians that had moved the "fronts" far into Cuman territory and kept them away from Yaik. The capturing of his heirs would pose the decisive strike to his morale, that much was ensured.

The only possible disruption would have been Zachariah refusing to hand over the children for peace and demanding gold instead. With Zachariah's increasingly erratic decision-making and his recent enthusiasm for ransom money, this would have been the expectable course – had not Hezekiah pulled the strings in advance, from the moment the order to take prisoners arrived. Zachariah was presented with the wife and concubines of the Khagan and was content enough to not ask further questions.

November 24, 882 AD

Extravagant feasts had become more common in the last months, with Zachariah and Irge always in the middle of attention. It seemed as this was what Irge had always wished for, and their marriage had taken a better turn again. Today the victory over the Cumans and the successful defense of the still quite new tributary to Khazaria was to be celebrated lavishly.

To everyone's delight, Yeldem and her family were among the guests this time, and she was overjoyed of seeing the lands along the Black Sea coast once again on the trip to Oleshye. Her husband, by now a seasoned veteran of several wars against Hungary, had inherited more land when King Boris "Ironside" died about three months ago and was now the Duke of Strymon and Vidin. His older brother Gavril was now King of Bulgaria. Yeldem and Simeon were enamored with their two-year-old and very adorable daughter Borislava, and she was always cared for by a myriad of maids.

Yeldem was happy in Strymon and much respected, despite her being Jewish and thus only able to exert political influence behind closed doors. Still she followed all news from Khazaria with enthusiasm and regularly sent messengers to keep up with the antics of her brother and the other people from her former life. She was impressed by Zachariah actually somehow handling his affairs without greater desaster abounding since he had become Khagan – but from all her experience and what she had witnessed during the carousal, she suspected that just like him being able to rise to power his success had to do with capable advisors and favorable circumstances rather than Zachariah's great rulership.


"I hope you all like the larks' tongues, wrens' livers, chaffinch brains, jaguars' earlobes and wolf nipple chips", Zachariah addressed her and Simeon during the feast, not without pride in the numerous amenities he had come by with the help of his new Roman chef. "It's cost a fortune to import them. Irge had the idea to diversify our cuisine a bit. Isn't that the best idea anyone ever had?"

"Definitely, Zach." Yeldem couldn't conceal a smirk. The Roman treats, as exotic as they looked, were mostly disgusting. People ate them out of politeness and coquetry (except Irge whose tastes had always been odd) because Zachariah wouldn't stop going on about it. "Maybe save for the five executions as the highlight of today's program. Who were the unlucky souls?"

Zachariah replied eagerly. "Oh, just some concubines from the east. War spoils, nothing of big notice. What's so exciting about it was that each of them was subject to a different technique of traditional execution methods. Although we don't practice Tengrism anymore, some traditions need to be protected, don't they?"

"Sure that. Though I can't recall the tradition of executing innocent women for public entertainment from my times." was the dry answer.

"Ha-ha! Just because we didn't fight as many wars back in the day. You've always been a crazy one, Yeldem. Executions were always a favorite pastime of Ashina rulers."

Yeldem remained serious. "I take it your men didn't manage to catch Asli. That's a shame. This traitorous snake would be one that actually deserved justice. Will you continue to hunt her?"

"You're right, but Marshal Itakh and General Hezekiah said that she was probably knowing what was coming and will be on the run somewhere further east. The armies are tired and we don't know in the least where to look for her. In addition, Ezra is sure she still has eyes and ears around Oleshye and will be a step ahead of us. And all those wars take the focus away from my feasts. No, we'll have to stop chasing Asli, as much as it infuriates me to even think about her."

Yeldem was pleasantly surprised. Zachariah was clearly less sensible on the whole than he had been in earlier days, but at least there were still people getting through to him at times.
In eastern Europe, everyone talked about the rapid ascension of the Kievan Rus and its continuing unification of tribal lands from Ruthenia to Novgorod. King Rurik had surrendered to Polotskian troops shortly, and only a few smaller states remained independent, among them the new Jarldom of Pronsk that had split apart from Polotsk after Yelisey's passing. Khazaria had an increasingly long border with them, and lands considered rightfully Russian were on their side of it. Itakh of Jabdertim had the decency not to go against the Rus, but there would be more tensions. Some sense would be needed sooner or later.

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 34 - Throw Feasts, Throw Fists



March 14, 883 AD

This time Zachariah followed his intentions of bringing the army home. After he had all too readily got his troops in perpetual wars in the eastern parts of Khazaria, yesterday had been the day of their return. Today had thus been spent with a big ceremony, with decorations and promotions being handed to quite a bunch of soldiers who had gained fame and respect on the endeavours in the Eastern Steppes, far up the Volga. As usual, a feast was to follow, today with Marshal Itakh of Jabdertim as guest of honour. No doubt Zachariah was trying to keep up the good relation with the Jabdertim clan.

This was not to be taken for granted. Conflict never was absent for long in the region, and one month prior Khagan Burtas of Burtas had asked for help in an attack by Bolghar – but this time Khazaria couldn't be convinced to send troops into yet another petty border conflict far away from his own lands. Burtas would always have trouble defending itself, and its tribute was negligible. Zachariah and his high command agreed to leave them to themselves.

"It's good that the men are back", Itakh stated with full mouth. He really had learned a lot of his father, including his rather brutish manners. "A war on Bolghar would have been very untimely. The men need to regroup before we can think about new endeavours."

"That's why I called them here", Zachariah said high-mindedly. "Even though Khan Bulçan was disappointed to the point of pettiness. I've been getting a hint earlier that I should take a closer look in the kitchen, and what did I find? This jester trying to convince the cook to botch the food and make me look bad!

I guess he wanted the spotlight kept elsewhere, to keep raiding in the Bulanid lands for a little longer. Not as if it makes a difference. I've heard that the Bulanid troops show no signs of coming back from the Caucasus. I heard we too could attack the rebels at this point without anyone, including the Bulanid, being entitled to do anything about it."

"Yes, my Khan. Rebellions are mostly fair game in that respect. Not that I think a lot of snatching land that way. Also, in recent times the Bulanid have refrained from just pillaging lands and now actually try to make land gains for their Aghbanian underlings. If they continue, the rebellion could be thwarted quickly. We would possibly drain our reserves further - for an uncertain reward."

"I agree, Itakh. We'll keep the situation under close watch, but our horde deserves the break. They've been through a lot, especially after the unlucky defeat against the Cumanians."

"Well, 'unlucky' is a way to put it, I guess..."

Zachariah frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

Itakh gave him an irritated look. "It's well known that it could have been prevented without the changes in the general staff days before the battle..."

Zachariah looked at him very indignantly, and Itakh realized he might better shut his mouth and have another ale. The issue still brewed in him. He hadn't realized before how little realization Zachariah had of his crucial mistake that had cost almost 1000 men their lives. And he would have to put up with this guy for a long time.

Three beers later, he found it was enough. Someone had to stand up to Zachariah sooner or later, and why not him and tonight? He would address it again. This time the Khagan would surely acknowledge that Or was his fault.

Zachariah was panting heavily, and his right eye was swelling. His vision was blurry, and he felt terribly nauseous. All the beer and a precise punch to the guts from the younger and stronger Itakh had taken their toll. Still he had been able to land a few hits to that inobedient lout.

The impertinence! The guts this cockroach Itakh possessed! The reason for everyone to come to Oleshye had been his own father's death and the unconditional pritority to show respect to someone that important. He was at Zachariah's house and eating his food. And now he went and accused him, the Khagan, of somehow being at fault for the battle being lost so many miles away!

But he had put up a really good fight, there was no denying that. And he stood up to his opinions, just like his father. Also, Zachariah didn't feel like going on. He yearned for an ice packet on his eye. Luckily, Itakh seemed to agree.

The feast where the Khagan and the Marshal got at each other's throats would be the stuff of legends in the future, along with many other delightful anecdotes about his extravagant parties. By this time, everyone in the steppes was eager to somehow get an invitation to one of the frequent carousals Zachariah threw in the newly constructed gathering hall. Sometimes the courtiers from the various Khanates were the bulk of the guests, sometimes delegations of foreigners were welcomed and richly served. Each time something novel happened – once all servants were dwarfs from Europe, another time a live falconry display was followed by the prey being served as the main platter, and yet another time an anaconda from India was served in one piece, straight along the long table, for all guests to carve their own food off of it.

Summer, 883 AD

The reputation of Zachariah's legendary parties had spread far and wide, and with the new contacts it was possible to marry off more of his children to favorable terms over the year. The Khan of Ezgil was still a vassal of Khagan Batir, but most considered him the true force in the Bolghar lands. And his heir was unbetrothed. Even though he couldn't stand Zachariah personally, he finally gave in to the prestige boost for his son should he get married to the daughter of an Ashina Khagan.

Muhan, Zachariah's eldest son, had a lot of possibilities due to his fathers' status and his chances of becoming the next Khagan. After contemplating many candidates, a Polish Princess was selected. King Sobieslaw Kujawski of Poland was making progress toward uniting his lands, and he had a common antagonist with Khazaria – the Kievan Rus.

Especially Irge had always been very fond of the culinary specialties that life as a Khatun offered to her, and in September she announced that she would give birth to Zachariah's seventh child soon. The ensuing cravings went barely noticed among the guests.

October 24, 883 AD

Over all the glittering nightlife, Zachariah was distracted for quite some time from what had happened on the Caucasus – or what hadn't happened, so to speak. After a short whiff of helping out in Alania, the Bulanid had left again to procure more loot on the Georgian coast. Due to the revolt's desperate determination and the Hashimid army being busy in Georgia as well, they had managed to hold out.

The ranks of the Khazarian army were largely refilled until August, under the competent watch of Itakh and his general staff. Although he didn't exactly share the personal bond that his father Yavdi had shared with Zachariah, their little brawl left him with a certain respect for the Khagan. He apparently wasn't as much a coward as everyone said. And after the fight, he had called Itakh "a true Jabdertim", for all that was worth. Maybe some sense would come to him in time. Even though he wouldn't refrain from that nefarious plan to backstab the Alanian rebellion.

Hezekiah obviously was still bound to his word that had already incited the whole Bashkirian ordeal. That sealed the council majority, and now they were to thwart the efforts of these people who stood up to the Bulanid for years.

When the Khazarian armies entered Alania, they found a desolate country. Poor enough as it was in the harsh climate, the past years of invasion, civil war and plundering Bulanid hordes had left the country bled dry. There was no place where the misery didn't abound. The people who escaped enslavement or death from rampaging riders were starving to death. Entire villages had been left in ruins or burned to the ground, and the homeless flocked by the remaining towns where quickly violence and disease spread.

There was not much to be had for the marching Khazarian army, and they went straight for the hillfort where the family of the local Chief could be captured. Zachariah's armies got more proficient at taking hostages with every campaign, as it seemed.

Today, the revolt leader Hasqar had sent his surrender. He saw no way to save his own skin and family but to give away his land, call off his war and go into hiding. A mere ten weeks after the war declaration, Kasogia now belonged to Zachariah. As devastated as the lands were, there were still plenty of inhabitated settlements and Hasqar's remarkable hillfort left.

The news of Kasogia surrendering sent Ezra into a rush. Sensing that Zachariah would soon be in preparation for the next feast, he hurried to the Khagan's yurt. He and his old colleague Kundaç had already thought ahead of the issues that would come up after the expectable victory.

Zachariah welcomed him joyfully. "Ezra, old chap. Come in and have a sip of that Tej from Abyssinia. It's fabled all over the world! Great stuff! But I got to admit I get a terrible headache from it, so I'm not actually having any."

"Me neither, thanks. Good that you're not taking up drinking during the day." Ezra grinned. Zachariah got ever more extravagant, but at least he was no drunkard or glutton. The lifestyle didn't seem to affect his physical health at least. "Like that, we can have a little talk about what you intend with Kasogia after all. The last time we took a settled province, there were only small...."

Zachariah cut him off. "We burn everything to the ground and make it pastures for more horses."

Ezra was suprised, but as usual kept his contenance. "Uhm....but it's mountainous terrain. It would also take longer than last..."

"Have you not heard me?" bellowed Zachariah. "Make it pastures for goats and sheep. Who cares?"

"Yes, I did. It's going to take about a year. More people there than in Ushytsia." Ezra was puzzled by that sudden mood swing.

"I don't mind. If there's more villages to be flushed out, there's also more spoils and more slaves."

"They might also stand up against our rule very quickly. We would have to protect the troops performing the pillaging heavily."

"Aren't the troops there anyway? I'll send Itakh to conduct an anti-rebel operation. If anyone still tries anything, the armies will crush him with all the force it has. Kasogia will be clear of the original folks when we're done with it. Are we clear?"

A short pause followed, with Ezra still unsure what to think of this unprecedented determination.

"Oh, and you have a new colleague as per today. Khan Buzer of Kabar died. He had cancer. Like Yavdi." Zachariah suddenly grew contemplative. "It's kind of a shame. I still have no idea why Manasseh installed him back in the day, but he never was one to make trouble, with his funny little one-province Khanate. His brother will succeed him as Khan and as my advisor. I wonder what kind of guy he is. Never heard of him, if I recall it correctly..."

Ezra looked suprised. "Oh. No, I didn't know that he's deceased yet. He was very sick in the last weeks though. May he rest in peace. Is that successor his brother Menümarót? Because I know that guy from a few occasions."

Zachariah nodded. "Yes, that's him! Isn't Menümarót the most badass name you've ever heard?"

"I'd have to think about that, probably no – but in any case, the man isn't much of a badass...."

"We'll see about that, but I've really never heard such a great name. I mean, what kind of flow does Menümarót have?"

Ezra tried to get Zachariah back on track, but he wouldn't stop going on about the beauty of Menümarót sounded. Eventually the Spymaster had to acknowledge there was no more sensible ruling to be had from Zachariah today and take his leave.



Later in the evening, Ezra and Kundaç sat in a compartment of the large gathering yurt. They were the only unlanded councillors that also didn't command armies across the realm and thus could concentrate on, and they had lots of experience in their fields. They both knew that the conquest of Kasogia and the aggravating Ashina dominance could grow into a more persistent issue.

"So what did Zachariah say?" asked Kundaç.

Ezra sighed. "I couldn't get through to him in time. I really shouldn't have mentioned Kibar's brothers' name. And you know exactly how it is these days – once he's distracted, you don't need to bother explaining complicated things. Ashina coming off as too dominant in the Khaganate is one thing, but the whole overpopulation issue is a mess – and going to get ever more complicated if it isn't handled properly."

"Not as if Zachariah couldn't know about it already. He's been Manasseh's steward for over ten years. And there have been measures at land management shortly before his death." replied Kundaç.

Ezra looked at him with tired eyes. "Yeah, you know how much effort has gone into that position. Manasseh made the decision to create the new Khanate alone, Zachariah didn't mind a bit. And to be fair, the problem wasn't as evident at the time because Manasseh didn't take lands for himself – which makes it even harder to tackle now. And there's been a tad bit of population growth in between."

"No use trying to hand out the blame. You're right, it's only going to get worse if nothing's done about it. The clans have prospered in the recent years and three of them state they definitely need more pastures soon. And this is happening while Ashina is now controlling over a third of the Khazarian lands alone. No wonder they're getting restless."

"True. And I also wonder what stance Kibar Bulanid will take once he's of age in a few months and the regency ends. I can't imagine many reasons why he would be thrilled with the Khagan."

The two men kept assessing the sitation, but agreed that there wasn't much to be done right now. Although Zachariah had to consult the council before major decisions, there was no way to force him into making them in the first place. They'd have to keep looking for the right occasion.

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 35 - Jewels On Skulls



November, 883 AD

After the quick and ruthless war on the Alanian rebels, the prisoners were ransomed back to Chief Itaz of Alania, who had somehow become kown as "the Son of Devil" among his Christian peers, for over 100 gold. Apparently the man had more than enough in his coffers despite his population suffering from terrible poverty due to the constant "visits" of the Bulanid horde. Added to the loot from Kasogia and from the renewed endeavours in Cherson (undisturbed this time - the Byzantines were currently fighting a civil war, as it happened occasionally), the Khazarian treasury was suddenly bursting. Kundaç was officially in charge of Khazaria's finances, but Zachariah took his liberties when it came to spending the money. No one was surprised when the supposedly largest feast of all time was commissioned a little later in the name of Khazaria's new wealth, and neither was anyone when Irge appeared in ludicrously expensive and fancy clothes made of silk from Persia and brocade from Venice.

Kundaç still had a bad feeling when Zachariah announced in a lengthy speech on the same evening that he was planning to be the first truly crowned Khagan of Khazaria, with pompous regalia of power like the rulers in Europe had. To that purpose, he would hire Savaçka, a renowned goldsmith from the Caspian who supposedly had crafted similar works for rulers all over the Middle East. It would be only a week later, when he was presented with Savaçka's bill, that Kundaç realized how far this spending spree had gone and that probably he should have intervened at some point.

He went pale upon the realization that the current funds, as generous as they had seemed, would not suffice for the horrendous cost this kind of jewelry incurred, especially with Zachariah's carousing habits further draining the resources. If Savaçka expected full payment in advance, they wouldn't be able to pay her off. But the deal was signed. Suddenly the treasury was in considerable debt.

On a more joyous note, Yeldem is in hiding because she was about to give birth to Zachariah's nephew Boris a few weeks later.



Meanwhile Zachariah didn't want to hear anything about the hole in the Khaganate's finances that troubled his steward. He was completely immersed in Savaçka's progress, and especially his younger twin Tarkhan took it as an example. Soon, Tarkhan spent more time in the workshop than anywhere else and built up a lot of strength working with the tools and raw materials. Though the court secretly scoffed at a Khagan's son indulging in such menial tasks, Zachariah himself was happy for Tarkhan - he was enthustiastic about smithing, and that way he'd learn a lot about diligence.

January, 884 AD

It wasn't until the Kievan war ended with the expected Rus' victory in the first days of 884 that Zachariah could be finally brought to his right mind. Marshal Itakh wasn't really able to exert influence on an increasingly detached Zachariah, and it took Hekeziah's intervention (who had kept a low profile as he was busy siring a new heir) to bring the army's shape back on the agenda. With an continuously unifying Russian kingdom right across the border, any sign of weakness could be pivotal. And due to the empty treasury, rations for the army had to be reduced – which was never a good sign. The general staff was strictly in opposition to further petty land-grabbing endeavours, but something had to be done about the realm's finances.

Finally, it was decided that looting in Moldavia was to resume. This way, the horde would be close to the action should the Kievans try something, and the debt could be settled with the valuables of the Moldavians. Offensive wars were ruled out at least until the pillaging of Kasogia, which meant razing a lot of villages and driving off and enslaving the population, was concluded – which would still take a while. The Kasogians, already stricken by war for years and now subject to their ultimate eviction, had already tried to stand up to the Khazarian force conducting this gruesome business, but were put down quickly and brutally. After this failed attempt to rally, even the slightest spurs of resistance were punished with massacres among the population. The terror that the horde spread was unprecedented even to the Alanians.

The generals were also able to put through their agenda when Khagan Tatus of Bashkiria asked for help again. Khan Yavantey of Ezgil, maybe the most prolific conqueror in the North for the moment, had attacked him to wrest a piece of land in said North out of his hands. Hezekiah, Itakh and Simsam had no trouble convincing Zachariah this time that intervening would not be in his best interest, as he secretly admired Yavantey of Ezgil a tad bit for his streak of victories.

When Irge gave birth to Zachariah's fifth son in April, his seventh child in total, a name was quickly agreed on.

October 21, 884 AD

Ust-Dzeguta, Kasogia

Today was the big day. Only a few days ago, Savaçka the goldsmith had sent word that her work was done – and the troops from Kasogia reported that their work was coming to a successful end. Zachariah decided to visit the successful army and hold the big crowning ceremony on site. He had not been this far from home for many years, but he didn't want to miss the opportunity of displaying his new splendor and throwing a big event to conclude the full "integration" of Kasogia into Khazaria.

When Zachariah and his entourage arrived on the Caucasus, the destruction was still abound. The sight of the salted fields and the mass graves made an idea pop up in his mind he had once read about in Muhan's annals. Oh, he would be a true king. To a proper crown belonged a proper throne.

The sight was bizarre even for the hardened steppe warriors who made up most of the spectators of the ceremony. In front of the hillfort, the only structure still standing in Kasogia as per Zachariah's order, stood two large Khazarian banners – and in their middle, a large throne that was entirely clad in human skulls - or was it made of skulls? The remains of the many victims the merciless expulsion of the Alanian population from their lands had taken. Many of them civilians, whose crime it had been to not know where to go with their homes destroyed. To the soldiers, this ordeal was a necessary evil with nothing honorous about it. Most certainly nothing to boast about for a man whose contribution had consisted of simple orders in between sophisticated banquets for his bootlickers. The unease among their ranks was palpable.

It only got quiet when Khan Hezekiah of Hekel made his entrance to the scenery and walked toward the throne. He presided over the ceremony in his position as Court Rabbi, and it was an uncommon sight to see him in the traditional Rabbi garments instead of his usual armor or at least his full dress uniform.

With booming voice he announced: "I welcome my brothers in arms, the riders of Ashina!" and waved gracefully toward the army squadron who saluted their General just as they were used to. "I also welcome the revered noblemen from Khazaria who have made the way all along to our newly acquired Caucasian pastures." The courtiers and high officials from the other Khanates applauded politely.

"With today's nigh-conclusion of the pillage of Kasogia, the Khagan of Khazaria and Khan of Ashina, Zachariah Ashina, son of Tarkhan, has chosen all of you to be witness to the first public display of his new court regalia – and to the fire that will consume the hillfort of the Kasogian tribe, signifying the lands are now Ashina pastures and they are never to come back!"

Hezekiah was used to giving pep talks to armies rather than grave speeches, yet he seemed to sufficiently play his role. A keen observer would probably still have noticed that he wasn't so sure himself how much of an honor witnessing this event would be eventually. The soldiers were excited by all means, though angry shouting was occasionally to be heard among the cheers.

"Now rise to your feet for Khagan Zachariah Ashina, his dearest wife Khatun Irge Yabguid and the regalia-bearers Ikalay, Yabghu and Baghathur Ashina!"

Zachariah and his family marched in, the kids all carrying large cushions that were veiled with thick silk sheets. Particularly the seven-year-old Baghathur struggled visibly with the weight and cumber of his load, especially because he was hardly able to see anything, but his big sister subtly helped him out and they successfully made it to the imposant, if very creepy skull throne.

Khan Hezekiah very subtly and only for the fragment of a second rolled his eyes before he took word again: "I have the unspeakable pleasure to announce the unraveling of Khagan Zachariah's new scepter."

Baghathur stepped forward, and Khatun Irge lifted the silk veil, relieved him of his burden and passed the scepter. It was incrediby fancy, made of massive gold glistening in the mountain sun with emeralds worked in all over the hilt and the tip – but it also completely out of touch with anything in the surrounding. Or anywhere in the steppes, for that matter. Precious metals were of no particular interest to the subsistent life most people in Khazaria lived. The crowd was in awe, if slightly irritated.

The ornamental sword followed, to less than subtle amusement of the military. Although Hezekiah had announced it as the "Sword of Heroes", there was little heroic about it. With its gold-coated, comically thick blade and the unwieldy hilt full of precious stones of varying colors, it would be a hindrance on a battlefield rather than a weapon. When it was handed to Zachariah, he was clearly surprised for a moment by the sword's weight and unbalance. It was still a masterwork in its own respect, there was no denying that.

Finally, Ikalay handed out the new crown – very pompous and very pointless, just as the other pieces – to Hezekiah, who held a very elaborate liturgy and finally placed it on Zachariah's head.

This was his moment. Zachariah was bursting with pride, feeling very much like a true King. And now for everyone to see it and spread the word all over Khazaria. He sat on his throne, freshly crowned, waiting for the big explosion of joy to happen.

Someone started to clap. A few other people joined in. Then more after these people. The applause got louder....and then it dispersed again, after maybe twenty seconds of polite, unimpressed clapping. A slight mumbling emerged in the crowd.

Only now did Zachariah properly look into the crowd. A lot of bewildered faces, some people quickly started to clap again as soon as they realized he was watching. But why don't they cherish me? Irge always said this was a splendid idea. And Ezra, too...wait, have I even asked him? And what did Khatir say? No, Khatir is dead....Itakh! Itakh is Hkati in reverse, that's amost Khatir. I must think of a way to distinguish the two, otherwise I might embarass myself.

Zachariah was rudely interrupted in his train of thought. "Dad?"

He looked into the puzzled face of his son Yabghu. The crowd was already in the mid of dispersing. Where are the fanfares? The cheering masses?

"Where are you going?" shouted Zachariah, but apparently no one heard him. The skulls from his throne seemed to be laughing at him in ridicule. Why is everything different from the plan? Is this real, is it a cruel play? Maybe I need a Kingdom too, instead of just a Clan and a Khaganate. We need more money.

"They're going to the hillfort to have a better view. I think we're supposed to go there, too..." said Yabghu.

Zachariah had already forgotten he was there and spun around. "What? Um....are we?" That was when Hezekiah appeared and reminded him that they still had a hillfort to burn down.



When the flames blazed high into the evening sky, with the summits of the Caucasus behind it, Zachariah finally got the cheering mass he had wanted.

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 36 - Growing Boys



November 1, 884 AD

On the head of the large wooden table in the center of the gathering hall throned Khagan Zachariah, now easily discernible by the golden crown and his shiny, but seriously impractical regalia that were still ridiculed by many behind his back. Around him sat his gathered councillors.

It was a rare occasion that the whole Khazarian council came together – meetings weren't held all too often since Zachariah considered it too much tedium for everyone involved. Only in cases when a council vote was mandatory, it came together – and usually there was always someone who was busy elsewhere and sent a delegate. Today was different – it was an important day for two reasons.

First, Zachariah had announced that the problem of the perceived Ashina overweight in the Khaganate and the overpopulation issue in the Khanates would be dealt with – that meant a redistribution of land and possibly an important decision for the balance of power in the Khaganate. Particularly the position of the Bulanid in the future was unclear yet – in contrast to the other clans, they were natural contenders for the legitimate succession of Muhan and thus the Khaganate.

Closely related was the second reason for the importance of this meeting: Khan Kibar of Bulanid, the younger brother of late Khagan Nisi, had come of age a few weeks earlier, and as it was customary to have all Khans sitting in the council, he was proclaimed advisor by Zachariah. If that was supposed to appease him, that had already proved pointless before the meeting. Rumours were going around that Kibar was determined to become Khagan himself and then carry on with his grandfathers' ambition to conquer the Black Sea coast from the Ashina. Today would mark his first appearance to the Khazarian stage as Khan.

Zachariah welcomed his councillors and opened the meeting. "As you all know, we're here today to welcome our new member Kibar of Bulanid who's recently reached the sweet 16 and thus taken over the honor of ruling our highly appreciated neighbourhood, the Khanate of Bulanid.", he said in a slightly too much honeyed voice. "Why don't you introduce yourself, Khan Kibar?"

"Spare your sweet talk, Zachariah of Ashina", Kibar repied with anger in his voice. "The usurpation and the murder of Nisi are not forgiven and not forgotten. Just so you know, Khagan of Khazaria: The Bulanid are your vassal in name, but they will never support you as long as I live. I am the rightful Khagan, and I intend to prove it when the time comes!" he shouted and rammed his hunting knife into the table before him. Ezra and Menümarót of Kabar, who sat next to him, jerked and moved a slight bit away from the grim youngster.

Zachariah himself snickered unimpressedly. "Oh, we will see about that. At least you're not intent to just roll on your back and beg for mercy. I like that." In a much colder tone he added "What I don't like is the whole rest of your attitude. I'll take that into account later."

The meeting proceeded, with the main issue being that the Khans Hezekiah and Bulçan both claimed that their population had outgrown their lands in the past years. Their line of argument was that due to Zachariah making their immediate neighbour, the Bashkirians, a tributary and thus prohibiting easy conquests, it was his responsibility to redistribute some of the Ashina lands that had grown quite a lot since Zachariah's ascension. Kibar tried to make a similar point, but was brushed off by the other Khans and told to make his own conquests on the Caucasus instead of perpetually looting the lands there. The young lad had much to learn about hierarchies, as was now painfully apparent.

As neither Hekel nor Bulçir bordered the Ashina lands, there was no obvious solution to the problem. After a prolonged debate that saw Kibar storming out after he had repeatedly been ignored and a lot of arguments about the chances and challenges of far-away exclaves, an agreement was found. Hezekiah and Bulçan each were to receive one province in Etelköz, bordering the Kievan Rus. That would provide them with a raiding base towards the Rus and additional land to migrate a part of their population to, although it was far off. As Khagan, Zachariah was responsible for the protection of his vassals anyway, but reassured both that should the need arise his host would defend the new exclaves as if it were his own lands.

Etelköz was now divided into a large Ashina part and two single provinces belonging to different Khanates. Bulçan jokingly referred to the new situation as "border gore", a term that immediately spread with his peers and should later somehow find its way into Europe to stick with aspiring geopoliticians for centuries. Exclaves weren't that uncommon in Nomad lands anyhow, as defending largely empty lands was rarely an actual issue. Although their new pastures were secluded from their homeland, the two Khans and their whole clans were very content with this display of appreciation.

March 29, 885 AD

Today Zachariah's twins turned twelve, which also marked the beginning of their formal education. Both boys – under the soft pressure of their mother Virág - opted for a military career. They knew very well by now that the coming years would likely be a contest for the Khaganate until their father died. And whoever won it would even more likely have to fend off the Bulanid. They also knew what happened to rulers not deemed strong enough. Particularly Tarkhan still sometimes had nightmares about the execution of Nisi Bulanid, although he would never tell anyone.

Maybe because of this, Tarkhan was the slightly more engaged of the two. Muhan was quiet and thoughtful, sometimes reclusive and a keen observer rather than a big talker. He often hid behind his books and kept an extensive diary of his insights about the court. Tarkhan was more outgoing and versatile in his interests, and he frequently accompanied his father and his advisors on their endeavours, asking lots of questions and assisting them wherever he could. That made him the slight favorite for Zachariah's succession for the moment – but that was a very close affair and could change again at any time.

But worries about the eventual succession were still far in the future. After their solemn introduction into the ranks of the army, there had been a big birthday party. Now evening was breaking, and the staff was preparing the banquet that should conclude the festivities.



After the sacking of Kasogia and the ensuing land redistribution, peace had returned to the Khazarian lands – at least for the moment. Zachariah was somewhat tired of big politics after the events in Kasogia and the land redistribution and took up his familiar habit of throwing lavish carousals, oftentimes inviting the other Khans over now that they weren't commanding armies and held Zachariah in high esteem.

Especially Khan Hezekiah of Hekel, who has been skeptical at best upon Zachariah's ascension to the Khaganate, had proved a thankful guest and a formidable companion in the past. He had sired three more children by now, among them the long awaited son who had been born to his concubine Kelnissa in the past year. With a lot of pressure off of him, he apparently had gotten the taste of a vivid love life and more than once he and Zachariah delved into the pleasantries that being a mighty man could provide quite easily – namely hitting on peasant wenches, most times with considerable success.

Another regular visitor, in spite of the little brawl on their first encounter, was Khan Itakh of Jabdertim. He spent most of the time supervising the build-up of reserve troops in the vicinity anyways, so he could frequently make the time and appreciated Zachariah's hospitality greatly.

Due to their newfound sympathy with Zachariah, both Khans were honorary guests for today's banquet as well. With the preparations still going on, the three men were occupying a corner of the gathering hall. His generals had caught Zachariah in time for a little talk, knowing that there weren't many opportunities to get through to him once he was in his element.

"By now, the army has a satisficing amount of reservists in addition to our fully manned standing troops totalling 4000 heads. We'd be ready to strike at any time, sir." That was Itakh, eager and dutiful. He had quickly grown into his responsibilities as supreme commander of Khazaria and Khan of Jabdertim.

"I'm not doubting that. The question, my sirs, is....where should we strike? Where can we strike?" Zachariah's gaze wandered while he was talking. "And when?"

Hezekiah and Itakh gave each other a short glance and a barely noticeable nod. Hezekiah explained: "There are three possible directions to take in total. The first option is to attack Moldavia and either make it a vassal or take over their heartlands. They're fighting a war to annex a remain of Hungary to their north, so they would be vulnerable – and their army would pose no match to ours even if it wasn't so.

Second, the Bolghar Khaganate to the north of Bulçir is still tributary to the Bulanid, who seem unwilling to defend their outer territories. Breaking up this alliance by making them our own tributary would weaken the position of Kibar with the other Khans, but would be relatively inconsequential in terms of economic and military support. Khagan Batir of Bolghar looks bigger than he is, with his vassal Yavantey of Ezgil providing the bulk of territory and manpower to his banners.

Third, we could obviously continue to push into the Caucasus. The Hashimids would be the natural choice, as they are also still tributary to Kibar Bulanid, but they are contributing a tad bit more gold to his coffers – be it tributes or the booty his raiders keep on carrying home. They're also exhausted from the perpetual war on Georgia."

"I'd consider those plans about equally viable, my Khagan" added Itakh. "A war on Bolghar would involve the largest hostile force should Yavantey of Ezgil join the war. And there's little reason he wouldn't. On the other hand, the Hashimids and the Moldavians have lands full of natural obstacles, garrisoned cities and above all castle walls. Their armies are hardly a match for ours, but the wars may still drag on for a long time. But the same could happen in Bolghar."

"Well. We've seen how cooperative Kibar plans to be", Zachariah replied, seemingly deep in thought. "He has also amassed quite a fortune by now. I'm not comfortable with just letting him carry on like that, but neither with running into his army on the Caucasus. He might well decide to try and defend the Hashimids, with his troops around the corner. Bolghar would cause him much more trouble, even more so if you provide your troops too. He might just become scared and write it off. And the people of the Clans love new tributaries."

"Undeniable, my Khagan." replied Hezekiah. "It would nullify any hold Manasseh had over the neighbouring Khaganates and thus clarify beyond doubt that no one but you is the ruler over the western Steppes. We recommend to send the army toward the border and closely observe the reaction of the Bulanid. It's not sure if Kibar stays as passive as his regency council did in the face of losing subjects."

"That's what we will do. Very good work, generals. I'll name two of the most accomplished warhorses after you.", Zachariah said - to the visible confusion of Itakh, while Hezekiah was struggling to hide his amusement. The next day, the troops were set into motion.

September 27, 885 AD

Khazarian Army Camp, Bolghar

The evening was about to break, and it was quickly getting colder. The nights already got chilly this time of the years in the lands to the north along the Volga. The Ashina host was moving into the Bolghar lands, facing no opposition until now. Throughout their long journey through the Khazarian lands, they had been moving mostly at night to avoid the searing heat of summer in the steppes. When the Bulanid showed no reaction to the troop movements, war had been declared on August 6 and they had crossed the border. Soon they would face a long, cold winter.

The Bolghar Khaganate was involved in a territorial war on Perm at its northern frontier, which bound its troops there. The Khazarian generals' plan was to quickly secure the heartlands of Khagan Batir and his vassals until reinforcements from the Khans arrived, then seek the decisive battle to quickly end the war. To take no chances with the Bulanid, Zachariah and his general staff had agreed to call Jabdertim, Hekel and Bulçir into the war, whose troops were now on the move towards Bolghar. On arrival, the Khazarian army would field close to 10.000 men. For the first time since Manasseh's reign would a joint Khazarian force march.

Marshal Itakh of Jabdertim and General Simsam Tarbesid were making their usual round along the Khazarian encampment to make sure everything was in order.

"I wonder why Batir still has no allies in this", Itakh thought aloud. "Even if Kibar leaves him hanging, as everyone expects - the man has three vassals, and it's abundantly clear that they're not going to get spared. They could at least try and put up a fight. And they seem to be fine with assisting him attacking neighbours."

"Yes, I don't have any clou either. Seems like everyone's rolling on their backs as soon as our banners appear on the horizon.", Simsam replied grinning. "Without the Ezgil forces and any other support, this is going to be as one-sided as Burtas and Pecheneg. Maybe we should factor in a little more cowardice in our assertions what we're going against. The council was all like 'blood and glory, men proving their mettle'. Only the Khagan seems to take it for granted. At least in hindsight."

Both men snickered. That was when a squire arrived, stating he had a message from Ezra, the spymaster. Itakh thanked the lad and saluted to him (a very honorous moment for a thirteen-year-old – this was the supreme commander after all!). He read the short note and put it down bewilderedly. "It seems like we have our answer. Apparently there's more conflict in Bolghar than the wars."

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 37 - The Scourge of God



June 22, 886 AD

Bolghar Encampment

It was summer again. Over the past months, it had become more and more distinct that despite the rough winter in the northern steppes, the troops of Batir wouldn't be able to stop the Khazarians. Had the Bolghar forces acted quickly upon the war declaration, they could have stood a chance, but Yavantey of Ezgil's demise at the most inconvenient time prevented that. His son Irkhan had taken until February to finally enter the war. By that time, the reinforcements from the Khazarian Khanates had already arrived and the armies were in position to strike. Over the course of spring, the outnumbered Bolghar and Ezgil armies were successively caught by a growing Khazarian horde before they had a chance to join forces. This had cost them more than half of their men, and any chance to fight back eventually.

As if this wasn't enough, the Kievan Rus had declared their own war on Bolghar to take Cheremisa, the province only conquered from Burtas two years before. With his troops routed, this front would pose another near insurmountable problem to Batir of Bolghar.

Under these grim circumstances, nothing was left to Batir of Bolghar but to surrender to Khazaria. He did so in his own encampment that was now occupied by the high command of his enemy. Marshal Itakh and General Hezekiah were the officials to bear witness and confirm Batir's fealty oath to Khagan Zachariah. Once more, the Khaganate had won a victory, and with less resistance than expected. Khazaria was now the undisputed hegemonial power over the vast lands from the Black Sea to the Ural.

To Batir's great disappointment, the following weeks showed that Zachariah wasn't inclined in any way to take responsibility for his safety. The severely weakened Bolghar Khaganate was soon attacked on several fronts, without Zachariah batting an eye. The call against the Russian invaders went unanswered, and little later a Khan from the Bashkirian lands saw his opportunity.

None of this lead to any reaction from the Khagan in Oleshye, mostly because the Khazarian army was already moving south. The war against Georgia had taken its final toll on Duke Hashim of Aghbania in February. He was caught in an ambush with his personal guard and could only be retrieved heavily injured. A few days later, the Duke died from the injury and left the Duchy to his underage son Ishkhan and his appointed regent, the Duchy's spymaster Zaur of Khatti-Baku.

The boy inherited a myriad of problems: an ongoing war on Georgia with no progress to speak of in years, discontent subjects in the Alan parts of his realm and a supposed suzerain that looted those same Alan lands, in turn stirring up the locals even more. And now the Ashina troops were on their way, after the victory over Bolghar. His regency council would have to be creative.



May 3, 887 AD

Durdzukia, Northern Caucasus

It is absolutely incredible, Marshal Itakh thought to himself while watching his Khagan being carried on a sedan through cheering Khazarian soldiers. They keep succumbing. No one wants to even fight for his life and lands. What is wrong with those wannabe rulers? Or is it actually Zachariah that has some kind of clairvoyance? Maybe that's why he's so hard to understand at times...or that's just because he's a lunatic bastard.



Not long ago, their old fight about the defeat at Or had reemerged upon a rather tasteless remark of Zachariah about Itakh's promotion to Marshal and a sassy rebutt that Zachariah in turn took very personal. This time they were prevented from cudgeling by some brave bystanders, but that only lead to a grudge they now carried on each other. Itakh remembered a story that his late father had once told him about Zachariah and his first meeting with him, when both were still young Khans, and thought to himself that apparently the guy hadn't changed much.

Despite his personal caveats, there was no denying Zachariah's success at conquering land. In a campaign of less than nine months they had won two more provinces populated by Alanian tribes without resistance to speak of. Zachariah's miraculous streak of luck had continued, and soon these lands would be free for more nomads. Upon hearing of the Ashina army moving south last October, the regency council in Aghbania apparently panicked and shed the bulk of their Alanian holdings to avoid open conflict, stating that nothing good had ever come from them owning the lands. Yegorlyk and Durdzukia were made independent overnight – which amounted to leaving them free for conquest.

On their own, there was even less chance of the Alanians defending themselves. Only help from the Bulanid could have prevented what befell the largely unprotected chiefdoms north of the Caucasus summits in the following months. Although Zachariah's council was reluctant of allowing the Khagan to expand his lands with barely any effort yet again, in both occasions the faction supporting the notion that essentially everyone profited from a stronger Khazaria formed a tie that was broken by Zachariah's own vote.

The voting about the war on Durdzukia mirrored the one on Yegorlyk.

To the surprise of the troops, Zachariah had started to show up more often in the army camps on foreign ground through the past months. Although he seemed sometimes more and sometimes less collected, occasionally drifting into rambling about the perils of a battered foe and the big trouble on the horizons that nobody else yet knew about, the success seemed to have a profound impact on his world view. In the past, he had mainly excused himself to his officers for he feared to contract dieases or getting caught in the crossfire somehow, and over time everybody got used to the Khagan keeping away from military campaigns. But nowadays he seemed to be winged by the recent successes, holding speeches to the soldiers about how proud he was of their bravery and their skill, how everyone feared their force and resistance to them would be futile.

Likewise it was today. The surrender had arrived, and because Zachariah didn't miss an opportunity to bask in admiration lately, he had decided to personally show himself to the troops upon this glorious occasion. The chiefs of Yegorlyk and Durdzukia hadn't been caught - they knew very well how the Khazarian troops tended to behave and accordingly put precautions into place - but beyond their bare lives and an exile in the isolated and impoverished Alania, there was nothing to win for them. In the short negotiations for peace terms, Zachariah had made abundantly clear that he would not accept anything but a complete cessation of the lands.

Zachariah held another emotional, if somewhat lengthy and incoherent speech about the greatness that lay in conquest, the philosophy of war and the inevitablility of sacrifice before declaring to have the new lands pillaged and cleansed from their former inhabitants, just as happened to Kasogia.

Upon hearing of Zachariah's orders in his exile, the Sunni chief Malkhas Varajnuni who had ruled over Durdzukia, deeply shaken by the grim fate that expected his people, uttered that Zachariah was a scourge sent by a vengeful God. This dictum quickly made its way through the region and stuck with the Khazarian troops, as by now many of the men actually believed Zachariah was somehow infused by a divine spirit protecting his mission to push back unbelievers wherever he could. The Jews had been prosecuted and marginalized all over Europe and the Middle East, even though Islam and Christianity ultimately originated from Judaism. The Khaganate was the last beacon of the original belief in one almighty God. Under Court Rabbi Hezekiah, this narrative had recently become a more important part of the Khazarian identity, especially among the soldiers, many of which admired their former Marshal greatly.

And so their Khagan would soon be called "the Scourge of God".

 

[terr0rizm]

Chapter 38 - Spiralling



November 27, 887 AD

A stiff wind was blowing through the steppes of Yegorlyk. From the northwest, a dozen riders approached the Khazarian army camp. When scouts were sent out, they found it to be a Bulanid envoy from the besieged camp in Sarpa – including the Khan himself, who predictably had objections against their order to stay put.

General Hezekiah and the Khazarian army had stayed on the Caucasus to back up the troops cleansing and razing the villages against unruly residents. They had arrived here about a week ago, after reports had come in of a peasant uprising stirred by some Orthodox zealot in the area. A few weeks earlier, something similar had already been tried in Muslim Durdzukia by a certain Imam Soslan - with predictable results.

Unlike Soslan's unenviable men, the Christian revolters in Yegorlyk had taken their chance to clear the area once they learned of the Khazarian horde approaching – and proceeded into Sarpa, the current location of the Bulanid courtal camp. Zachariah took notice upon hearing this (although usually he didn't listen all too eagerly when presented with information), mostly because it amused him that rebels from his lands were now causing trouble for the petulant Kibar, and he ordered his commanders to stay put and contain the rebels in Bulanid lands, but not attack them until further notice.

Kibar of Bulanid stormed into General Hezekiah's tent. Without salute or other pleasantries, he shouted "Would you care to explain what this is supposed to mean, General? Do we now openly disregard a Khagan's responsibilities?"

Hezekiah looked at him unimpressedly. In his eyes, the young Bulanid Khan had until now produced a lot of noise without showing any effort to back it up with actions. "Good to see you too, Khan Kibar. Welcome to the humble accomodations of the Khazarian horde. Have a seat." He pointed to a chair in front of his makeshift desk, full of maps and documents.

Kibar was visibly unsettled by the reaction, but sat down with as much snootiness as he could muster. "You know that these are rebels from lands Zachariah of Ashina, and no one else, is ravaging. They're out there for his actions. It's your job to get rid of them."

Hezekiah smiled wearily. "Because the Alanians have absolutely no reason at all to be mad at the Bulanid.
Don't make a fool of yourself, Kibar. It were your troops who raided and pillaged those lands for years and paved the way for their eventual destruction. All this while they've been under the rule of your own subject. They're out there because they haven't seen peace in a decade, and now stand with nothing to lose. So if you want to get rid of them, go send your own men in – I heard they're pillaging in Georgia by now. I wonder who you'll whine to when the people there decide they've had enough."

"All you have to say is to deal with it myself? So you're in favor of this petty play by the Khagan?"

"I'm following orders. And Khagan Zachariah's orders were unambiguous. Mind, I'm the Court Rabbi in the first place - who also happens to command divisions into battle and organize some military logistics in between. A more sophisticated pawn, if you want. I have no say in strategical matters of this dimension. The advice to deal with it on your own is from Khan to Khan." That was a blatant lie in almost all aspects, but apparently Kibar had little enough experience with the internal power strife in the Khaganate to swallow it.

"Well, if Zachariah keeps on refusing to defend his subjects, he'll soon lose support." Kibar said defiantly. "His constant switching of council positions certainly doesn't help."

Hezekiah was almost amused by Kibar's naiveté. "You mean the latest change of seats? That was planned and according to the explicit wish of the new spymaster Khan Bulçan, who is absolutely content with his new assignment in Tunisia. The new chancellor is a reliable top diplomat. The one who got the boot altogether is the former steward Kundaç, and he's landless and terminally ill. No, I'm afraid you're wrong on that again."

Kibar was steaming with anger about Hezekiah's condescence. "I don't mind. Once I'm Khagan, there is going to be retribution for everything."

"Sure, sure. I just wouldn't count on it happening by itself. For now, you have a hostile force, as meager as it may be, surrounding your capital." And in a suddenly much more frosty tone, Hezekiah added "And now excuse me, I have an army to manage."




February 21, 888 AD

Zachariah's old companion Ezra, who had always encouraged him to moderate himself, was feeling his age more than ever in recent times, and thus he was less often present at the court. With him missing, the Khagan kept losing control. Like today. One moment ago, he had felt a little tipsy at most. He had been shambling out of the council meeting, but suddenly his feet refused to act as his head started to spin. He lost balance and felt a thud. Everything went black for a few seconds.

Zachariah Ashina, Khagan of Khazaria, lay on the floor, only steps away from the gathering hall. His vision was blurry, and he could taste blood in his mouth. It had been only a stumble, as it happens to everyone, but drunk as Zachariah was his face had hit the floor before he could even react.

Oh God....where am I? Have I....hit my head? I'm feeling drowsy. What happened....didn't we have some kind of meeting? Did I agree to anyth...aaargh!

Fractions of a second later, the initial shock subsided and the pain set in. Zachariah groaned and shouted for help.

Earlier...

In spite of all his success expanding his lands, Zachariah could just not find solace. His troubled mind, the perils of power and the rough life in the steppes would not let him. In Summer, Virág and Irge had each born him another son, number six and seven in total.

While Khatir, named after the war hero fallen in the meaningless slaughter of Or, was as healthy as Virág's other children, Irge's offspring Çat'n was sickly and fragile from his birth on, and the faithful court physician Azariah, by now a renowned expert for the treatment of venereal diseases in courts all over the Steppes and Eastern Europe, couldn't prep him up with all his efforts. Zachariah spent many nights worrying, often accompanied only by expensive wines from Western Europe. He could sacrifice thousands of innocent lives without a second thought, but seeing his own kind wither away in front of him triggered fears he thought he had surmounted.

When Çat'n could not recover from a fever and silently slept away in the arms of his weeping mother, it dealt a severe blow to Zachariah's composure. He spent the following days grieving with Irge, and the nights drinking. Orders were inconclusive or Zachariah refused to be bothered with government affairs altogether.

Zachariah's general staff viewed the situation with worried eyes. The Caucasus was quiet for now (save for the rebels in the Bulanid lands, which as per clear orders were Kibar's problem), but the growing power vacuum that a Khagan as impulsive as Zachariah created called for action. The last time such a breakdown of the supreme authority in Khazaria had happened, it had cost 1000 men their lives. Itakh of Jabdertim and Hezekiah of Hekel thought of proposing a consistent and officially acknowledged order of command for cases of spontaneous indisposition. They were were expecting a troublesome affair - but to their surprise, Zachariah's response was surprisingly cooperative and the council meeting that would deal with the matter was scheduled soon after.

***

During the meeting, Zachariah made a collected impression and the motion to impose a triumvirate that was entitled to take important strategic decisions in emergency situations was put through without much ado. The new circle of command would consist of Marshal Itakh, General Hezekiah and Khan Bulçan as the Khazarian Regent (and heir to the Khaganate until Muhan and Tarkhan came of age). Kibar was discontent as usual and demanded to be included, but was ignored and told he'd better get his troops to defend his lands.

It was only when Zachariah proposed a toast at the end of the meeting that the charade broke. Where everyone else took a reluctant sip (Kibar) or a refreshing gulp, Zachariah emptied his chalice of fine crystal in one drag and greedily refilled it, just to immediately down another load of wine. The rest of the "inofficial" after-meeting mostly consisted of Zachariah rapidly getting drunk and soon going on and on in pointless stories about past anecdotes. His councillors either disappeared quickly or discreetly retreated to converse among each other, and soon no one was listening anymore. Zachariah didn't even notice. What did he need these smelly louts for? He kept talking to the friendly creatures that had joined him, gentle knights from a land far away in glistening armor that fit each of their muscle like a second skin. They were listening with an eagerness he only remembered from his twin boys when they'd been much younger. And Zachariah felt warm inside.

"...Excuse me now, my greatly valued guests... I have to see after my sleep schedule. There's all kinds of responsibilities...."

The newly imposed military triumvirate had been deep into their assertion of the larger picture around the realm when they noticed the Khagan, who had been chugging wine and babbling to himself for the past two hours, abruptly get up. Hezekiah watched him shamble towards the tent flap while Itakh went on about the coming plans. Thirty seconds later, they heard a groan and a slurring voice calling for help.

Hezekiah, as an experienced soldier, bolted instinctively, but knew well what he was going to come upon. When he found the Khagan, Zachariah was a despicable drunken picture of misery, bleeding from nose and mouth and unable to get up. Hezekiah had got quite used to Zachariah's quirks (and how to take advantage of them), but this was different. This was unworthy of a Khagan. All the strength Zachariah had exerted through the years – and now he was lying here in his own blood and all his weakness, fully dependent on his help.

Hezekiah sighed, then he shouted over to the gathering hall. "Get over here. Come see how the Khagan fares against himself."

Zachariah would recover from the cut he sustained falling on the floor, but not from the habit of losing control over his wine intake nor from the blow his reputation had taken.



September 8, 888 AD

After its imposition in February, the triumvirate of Marshal Itakh, General Hezekiah and Khan Bulçan quickly organized itself and created communication channels other than the ones bypassing the Khagan or the rest of the council, all while maintaining their work for their Khanates and their respective job for Khazaria. Especially Bulçan, who was assigned to Tunis as spymaster, had his eyes and ears in many different places now – but the meetings with his closest colleagues were something he'd never delegate.

Tonight the three men had met up in a little encampment to the eastern coast of Crimea. There was much to discuss. Over the past months, Zachariah had further descended into delirium and paranoia, and the occasions where he was of sound mind had become rare. The course of things around Khazaria was left to other hands.

Itakh, the young Khan of Jabdertim who by far spent the most time in Oleshye as he was mainly responsible for coordinating the recruitment efforts, had arranged the venue. "Good that you're here – and welcome to the newest makeshift outpost of the Khazarian army." He grinned at Hezekiah.

"Thanks, Marshal." Hezekiah smiled into his beard. Itakh was promising. He took his job dead serious when it came to practical matters, but his judgement wasn't blinded by ranks and command chains. "How's the Khagan doing? I take it he's having enough luck to not fall over all too frequently?" Since the incident after the last court meeting, Hezekiah had avoided to run across the Khagan, but didn't make secret of his disdain of him.

Itakh replied "He's still stumbling occasionally. It's not a very dignified sight, can't argue with you on that. But it's got a bit better since he's somewhat handling the grief about his deceased infant son. Especially when the funds were finally sufficient to declare a Crimean Khanate, he seemed to be really content. Now he has a legal claim on the Crimean Pensinsula and in Etelköz. Kibar wasn't too happy about it."

"I can imagine." That was Khan Bulçan. "Zachariah declaring himself Khan of Crimea after Kibar's demands about lands in that region, that's clearly directed towards him. And Kibar takes nearly everything as a provocation. But he either learns to take matter into his own hands really soon – or he perishes. Right now, I'm not even sure he is realizing that absolutely no one but himself wants him to be Khagan."

Hezekiah pointed out "Well, it's not as if he isn't trying to. Kibar is apparently trying to get a grip on exerting influence on the Caucasus over his subject, the Hashimid Duchy. Probably a better idea in the long run than just perpetually ravaging their lands. Had he gone on like that, Zachariah would have them attacked sooner or later."

Itakh added "Yes, the alliance to the Justanids and especially the peace with Georgia might become very important. I've heard rumours that Zachariah now wants to go for Georgia himself and make them a stronghold versus the Byzantines and the Arabs. He's not trusting them to leave us alone in the long run. That would be exactly what Kibar intended, I guess – keep the fire away from the Hashimid, so he can keep pressing them for tributes and loot. But that's mere speculation."

"Speculation. Yeah." Bulçan grinned at the others. "You know very well that Kibar is determined to not let an attack on the Hashimid happen. He's indebted himself to half of Khazaria – including you two – to make sure the council votes with him on such an occasion. I don't exactly understand what on earth you are hoping to achieve with that, by the way."

Hezekiah shrugged. "I wasn't going to vote for Zachariah anyway. And who knows what it's good for in the future. The guy is still the leader of one of the three large Khazarian clans and commands close to 4000 men. Also, he's less likely to disrupt our own plans this way."

"Oh, you weren't anyway. But you still expect Zachariah to go through with giving up Burtas and expanding your lands? Ezra finds it hard to walk by himself by now, let alone looking after Zachariah. And that is not good. He's stark raving mad, drunk half of the time and by now has little control left over his impulses. Oh, and he hates you since last time. How do you expect to reason with him if you're now siding with the guy who wants him deposed?"

"Well, it's not as if we supported that", Itakh intervened. "Until now, Zachariah doesn't even have a clou of the whole thing. As long as he doesn't get the idea to attack Duke Ishkhan, I doubt it will even come to him realizing what Kibar is doing."

"Maybe true, maybe not. I'd not just go and hope for the best if I were you. That rarely goes well in Khazaria...but that's really your business."

Itakh and Hezekiah had little to reply to that. Bulçan was referring to their intentions to distribute land again – they were planning to use their new responsibilities on the strategic development of the realm to talk Zachariah into giving Ushytsia, his last border with Kiev, to Itakh and expand Hezekiah's territory into Khagan Burtas' lands. Burtas was small and hardly able to protect itself or contribute much to its suzerain's coffers, so the plan was to make Zachariah to renounce them as tributary and attack in the same course of action. Bulçan himself, who had less population pressure for the moment, could then pick up the rests as soon as the truce ran out.

As Zachariah was unable to properly fill out his responsibility ever more frequently, the freedoms of the triumvirate grew, but they still needed the Khagan's backing to pull through with their decisions. Hezekiah and Itakh trying to do business behind his back with his adversary wouldn't likely make things easier for them in the long run. And if they were that undisciplined from the beginning, what would happen once their interests diverged? Bulçir was annoyed, but chose to keep quiet. They had given their word now anyway, and it wouldn't be his problem if Zachariah found out.



In another place, it had shown that Bulçan himself was doubtlessly one of the people taking the matters into their own hands. After his acquiring of Vinnytsia on the border to Kiev in the land redistribution of 884, raiding had always been a sensitive matter due to Zachariah's fear of stirring up something in Kiev – but now that the Khagan had lost much will to exert authority, that was reevaluated. Bulçan decided in spring that with Vyshata's army busy in Bolghar, the time was finally right to march to Kiev and loot its valuables. He had apparently paid attention to the tactics Zachariah had employed in the past, and shortly after their arrival the Bulçir troops managed to capture the king's children.

The same conflict in Bolghar that distracted King Vyshata's armies also were a major drag on his coffers, thus he had no immediate way to free his family or pacify the horde ravaging his capital county. Bulçan's troops lingered in the area and in August sacked the sacred Temple of Zhytomyr, which was of great importance for the Slavic Pagans of the Eastern European and Russian tribal realms, but the warriors from Khazaria didn't care in the slightest. Once its fortifications had fell, they massacred the remaining clerics and hauled off everything of value in the temple.

Elsewhere, raiding troops from Latvia, Poland and the northern chiefdoms appeared and caused mischief along the Kievan borders, often with sparse to no resistance as the local troops were bled out fighting in the East. King Vyshata's war in Bolghar, although for a minor piece of land, was stalled - three attackers were vying for territory, but none was strong enough to press his claims on his own. Should he not find an exit soon, there would be more trouble brewing.