Mother of the Blue Wolf: A Mongolian Epic (Fractured Empire Book 3) by Starr Z. Davies

Author:Starr Z. Davies [Davies, Starr Z.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pangea Books
Published: 2022-04-10T16:00:00+00:00

Unebolod should have felt dread or sorrow as he stepped out his door. Instead, he felt nothing at all, as if some great fist had reached into his chest, ripped out his insides, and left a husk. As he passed other gers, men nodded respectfully to him. Unebolod wore a warrior’s stony face, not slowing his stride. It was better to do this now and be done with it.

Mount Burkhan Khaldun buzzed with excitement all around him, and he loathed every moment with intense resentment. How could others be so happy when he was not?

Today, the festival would end, and the victors would be forever marked. Everyone wanted to know who would win the wrestling tournament. Great fortunes had already changed hands over the past two days as horsemen won or lost races, archery teams had been eliminated from rounds, and wrestlers either advanced to the final rounds today or were eliminated from the competition. Runners had raced for miles yesterday in a brutal footrace that was not only a test of stamina but strength. A young Khorlod boy had taken first place.

Unebolod’s archers had made the final round, as had Huoshai’s. He knew he should focus on the competition, but he could not do so with this sword hanging over his head. His wrestler also had made the final round of the tournament with resounding success. The last of Unebolod’s pride hinged on his wrestler and archers.

For most of the Mongols, today would be a day of victory and celebration. For Unebolod, it would be a day of mourning as the last of his hope died.

He rounded Togochi’s ger as Nemeku darted out the door, followed closely by a stumbling Torudur. The boys nearly ran into his legs, unapologetically rushing away. Togochi barked a command from inside for the boys to come back, but there was no helping it. They wouldn’t listen.

Unebolod passed by, his gaze focused on just one door.

Boke stood guard outside, as he always did. Upon seeing Unebolod approach, Boke tensed, and his face creased in scowl lines. The two of them had unresolved issues but now was not the time. Unebolod didn’t care about Boke.

Unebolod and Mandukhai had agreed he would declare his decision publicly, but he wanted to go inside and avoid prying eyes. He didn’t want others to witness his misery. The public display had been his idea, though, and he knew logically that it was necessary so that everyone understood how the two of them would proceed with kurultai.

“I came to speak with the Queen Regent,” Unebolod said evenly, raising his voice so anyone nearby could hear. “I believe she is expecting me.”

With a subtle twitch of his head, Boke commanded one of his men to inform Mandukhai.

Unebolod waited patiently, aware that the surrounding space slowly filled with warriors, Lords, and Ladies who were curious what was happening. At the edge of his vision, Unebolod spotted Togochi. He wore his sword on his hip, his body visibly tense. The two of them had hardly spoken since the fight in his ger two days ago.

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