The Snow Leopard by Daniel Leston

Author:Daniel Leston [Leston, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781467972611
Published: 2013-11-13T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

It wasn’t often that Alexei thought about Tjena, but there were times when it was thrust upon him without choice. Now was such a time. Re-rolling the parchment scroll, he placed it back on the chest by his bed, wondering how Subedei was going to take this news. He guessed not well.

He glanced at the still slumbering figure of Jiang before sitting up. Asai had put a steaming bowl of gruel within reach, and this he devoured hungrily. The girl was new to his small household, a Naiman acquired during the previous summer’s raid on the outlaw strongholds. Scarcely more than a child, she seemed to be adjusting well and was now devoted to his wife. Jiang began to stir as he ate. Between mouthfuls, he said, “It seems Tjena is no longer in Karakorum. He’s been posted to the kha-khan’s Imperial Guard as an officer.”

Jiang opened her eyes. “When did this take place?”

“Apparently some time ago,” he replied, setting the empty bowl aside. He was still hungry. “It happened before Lord Genghis left to put down the Tangut rebellion. Yehlu’s letter implies Subedei already knows all about it.”

“You don’t think so?”

Standing, Alexei found his dry trousers and pulled them on. “I’m sure he doesn’t,” he answered, buckling his belt. “According to Tonke there’s been no direct word from Tjena since he chose to remain in Karakorum.”

Fully awake, she clutched his ankle. “Stay,” she coaxed. “It’s still early.”

“I wish I could, but Subedei must be told.” He slipped his bare feet into his sheepskin boots, annoyed with himself for not having read the scroll last night.

“At this hour?”

“I intend going over this with Tonke first. He should be up by now.”

Disappointed, Jiang snuggled back under the warm blanket. As she did so, a thought came to her. “Tjena might be killed during this Tangut campaign,” she mused aloud. By her tone she might as easily have been commenting on the weather.

Alexei stared at her in surprise. “Why would you say something like this?”

“It’s true though, isn’t it?”

“Jiang, you’re talking about Subedei’s son! This isn’t like you. Tjena has caused us no trouble since the Yarke-Siyu.”

Unrepentant for her words, she added, “I think it would be better for all of us if he never returned. Not even Ktani wants him back here. He beats her for no reason. Nayala knows this to be true, my husband. As does Lady Arika, for why do you think it is she never pressures Subedei to bring their son home?” She hesitated; then said, “By not taking Ktani to Karakorum, Tjena unknowingly made her the happiest of women.”

“And I say you worry for no reason,” he replied, dismissing this with a quick shake of his head. Aware it was still drizzling, he grabbed his cape and threw it over his shoulders. “Go back to sleep while you can. I may be some time.”

Jiang tried to do so when he was gone, but found it impossible.

Her dread fear of Subedei’s second son hadn’t diminished over the past years.

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