Ashes of Empires

The sudden backhand caught Bakar on the upper lip, disorientating him. He gasped when a punch to the liver sent him to the floor. 

"You do NOT have command here." A man spoke in a thick and raspy voice. "I am the Türüüch. I am in command." 

A kick to the groin forced him to curl up in a spasm of pain.

"I said scout the hills and report back. What part of that don't you understand, 'Erliiz'?"

The word for mongrel angered Bakar. With any other, he would have already attacked him for the insult. Instead, he bit his tongue in frustration and stared at his silent companions. Maral caught his eye and looked away like a scared pup. Arik stood awkwardly kicking dirt, refusing to look at the happenings. 

Then there was Drobei. The small and timid youth was the only one who did not shy away from his gaze as the blows kept falling. Ever loyal he would not shy away from a punishment he had helped bring on to Bakar. 

"The only one with a spine." Thought Bakar as he tried and failed to roll away from a kick. 

"Tomor, that's enough! The kid has learned his lesson you forget that he did manage to win the fight." Badai spoke in a commanding voice. His long hair seemed to have faded even more since he had last seen the grizzled veteran a mere fortnight ago. 

Badai's well-built arms picked him up with ease, steadying Bakar as he swayed from the pain. 

"Boy. Do you know why it is important that you follow our ürüüch's orders to the letter?" 

He knew the answer but to say so would be to invite only more bruises. He shook his head to play along.

"If you had failed or gotten even one of your party killed, it would have reflected on Tomor. Your failings are his failings; you are his responsibility." Badai paused to let the words stick "Tomor and I have ridden in the Tengi of the tribe for many years. We were paired with you youths to train and teach you to take over when we can no longer handle the tasks given to us."

 "The Tengi are the life of the tribe. We must ensure the tribe is safe as we travel from one pasture to another. If you cannot handle that responsibility, I will have you removed from the Scouts and have you be nothing more than a sheep herder." Said Tomor, cutting Badai off which earned him a slight sneer from the One-eyed elder.

"Enough!" Snapped Badai "Tomorrow, we return to the herds. We scouted the hills; the tribe will be safe to pass through to the summer pastures." Without waiting for their ürüüch, Tomor to agree, he left through the sheepskin opening of the large Yurt Tent. 

A nervous quiet filled the tent, and they were left alone with their leader. With a pained limp, Bakar left the tent to his companions. 

Bakar slowly groomed his small pony, 'Ipsus.' Every swipe of his brush sent a jolt of pain through his wounded arm and bruised body. Ipsus neighed, happy to be tended to. Cleaning the young pony always buoyed up his mood. The yearling's silver coat shined in the moonlight; its bright white mane looked like a fire amongst the dark silver background.

"I'm not mad at you, Drobei." 

In response to the statement, a small figure dawdled out of the tent's dark shadow. Drobei opened his mouth to speak, then immediately seemed to lose his tongue. After another silent minute, he gathered the courage to speak.

"It was wrong of Tomor to chastise you so harshly for a victory." He cautiously inched closer as he spoke. "I want to apologize for pushing you to make a decision."

Drobei put two fingers to his forehead and looked down. The sign for asking forgiveness or admitting guilt. 

"It is my fault more than it is yours. Have no guilt, my friend." Bakar said as he gripped the shoulder of his close friend. "Besides. You are missing the bigger picture."

"Oh?" Said Drobei with a raised eyebrow "And what would this bigger picture be?"

Bakar grinned and beckoned Drobei forward. Closer. At fourteen, a full year younger than Drobei, Bakar seemed to tower over Drobei, who lacked the bulk and muscle he had in abundance. 

"The only thing he can tell the khan is that a force of scouts led by me attacked and killed six raiders." 

A sly smile crept across Drobei's face as he understood what he was playing at. The mutual dislike of both men would prevent Tomor from slandering him without Badai disputing it. 

"It would look as if Tomor cannot lead a group of unruly youths. He would lose the Khans Favor."

The cold breeze of the night was the only company he had for the rest of the night. Sleep took him quickly as the aching pains of his beaten body faded into the back of his mind. 

The last thoughts on his mind were those of the spoils he had earned and what the future might entail.

"Maral, Arik, and Drobei. Pawns to be used. Only Drobei shows promise."