Swords From the East by Harold Lamb

Author:Harold Lamb [Lamb, Harold]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: 5.0
Published: 2011-12-25T02:43:17+00:00

Shadows, gathering in the gully, concealed the outlines of the fighters, but Alashan watched the flicker of swords, heard the moans of men who had fallen underfoot, and listened to the deep voice of Mitrassof making mock of his enemies. The Tatars drew back at last, and someone called for a bow.

Mitrassof was alone, half-standing, half-lying against the snow on the bank, his hat fallen off, his big head lowering on his shoulders. Alashan spurred down the slope of the ravine. A bow twanged, and after a moment the Tatars rushed in to seize spoil from the body.

"Peace, dogs," cried the boy. "This is the starshim, the chief of the Cossacks. Let him have honor."

Unheeding, they tore away belt, sword, gold-chased scabbard, rings, and the gold chain from which hung the ikon. Alashan lashed them with words, and, as they were moving away, one turned back and laid the chain with its cross on the body of the Cossack.

Then the others stopped, and presently all the spoil was returned to the body, which at Alashan's direction was picked up to be carried before Ubaka Khan.

The Khan was not found until his tent was pitched that night and he rode in, during a tumult of nakers and trumpets, to throw off his steel cap and sit by the fire. Alashan waited until Ubaka had inspected silently the body of his enemy.

After that Ubaka called for food, and the boy stood until his father had eased his hunger. The Khan had not eaten for two days. Alashan was quivering with desire to pour out his story of the fight at the gorge. He wanted, too, to point out that Zebek Dortshi had been first at the Ukim but had waited until Alashan attacked before entering the battle.

Ubaka sat gazing into the fire, his knotted hands resting on his massive knees. He lifted his head and looked at his son.

"I have been to the gorge of the Ukim. I have heard the tale of the skirmish. Zebek Dortshi, who is a leader among a thousand, I have rewarded with foxskins and inlaid daggers, with pieces of red leather and saddles sewn with pearls that we took from the Cossack camp. He did well."

Alashan's heart sank, and he waited for a word concerning himself. Ubaka was pleased with the daring exhibited by the boy, but his hoarse voice was gruff with displeasure.

"My son, a soldier can be reckless and as foolish as a kulan, a wild ass. But a leader of men must think wisely when the swordstrokes begin. You are not yet a man arrived at man's estate."

Alashan, too, began to study the fire.

"The time is not, when my noyons will lift their hands to their eyes and say that you are a true son of the Khan-a falcon of the eagle line. I have spoken. Go!"

In the tent of Norbo, Nadesha came to Billings bringing the news of Mitrassof's death, and the capture of the Ukim. With the words of the girl went the last hope of rescue for the Englishman.

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