Batu - First Vision

The room was dark. Huge, black curtains were pulled across large, arched windows. It was night, anyway, Batu realised as moonlight crept through a crack in the cloth wall and stuck into the gloom. A fire flickered occasionally in the sturdy square hearth as the embers caught a new breath, and smoke trickled gently up into a chimney, which was carved out of the solid rock wall. “What am I to call you now, Khaan?” a gentle woman’s voice filled the otherwise silent room.

“I have chosen a new name, to honour your father,” replied an oriental, middle-aged man, dressed in a deep crimson kimono drawn together with a grey obi. The man’s hair was long, but well kempt – like warriors of old - and around his neck, carved from black stone inlaid with bright-gold runes, was a stone Batu recognised – albeit the runes looked different somehow. He sat on an ornately carved throne, which in any other light would have shone gold. Against the wall behind the throne was a vast black gisarme, covered in ancient, long-forgotten script. A mark of office Batu thought.

“Really?” the woman’s voice was familiar to Batu.

“Did he not meet his end with dignity?” The man asked smirking.

The answer was quick and humourless, “Along with the others, yes, great Khaan.”

“But you I spared, khatagtai,” uncertain that his attempt at endearment had worked, the man shuffled in his seat uneasily before continuing, “the name has a strong sound to it, and when we are married it will seem more real.”

“Batuhan is a strong name, Khaan, but would it not bring hate from the people?” she asked. Batu knew now who she was.

“Hate?” He returned suddenly leaning forward and staring into the darkness, before he could check his emotions. She was always a difficult person. He continued hastily, “regardless, congratulations on your achievement Chimeg, I understand that, in sparing you, we will control again the great city. I trust my warriors did all that was required.”

“They did,” the tone left Batu in no doubt that she had orchestrated everything, “it was adequate compensation for the loss of my family.”

“Good”, he said flatly; it was clear to Batu that the man knew where he stood with her – does she have some form of revenge in mind he wondered?

As if sensing unease, Chimeg continued, “you realise, if he had not aligned himself elsewhere, this… termination… would not have been necessary? Blood is thicker than wine…”

“I would expect nothing less”, now we cut to the quick, “but if he were not so aligned, I would not have had to kill him.” The man clearly felt proud of himself – somehow Batu realised this was a long-lived conversation.

“Quite” she had to concede, “But that is not at the heart of this… I trust you continue the search?” Her beautiful face became clear out of the darkness, lit suddenly by the glow of the resurgent firelight. Black painted, full lips, moving rhythmically as she spoke, eerily charming Batu, luring him into a world of love and lust. She was incredible. Wearing white mourning clothes and the bejewelled, patterned headdress that marked her lineage. Batu recognised the last addition – his own family sign. Then it struck him – the runestones bore resemblance to family signs. What could that mean?

“We do,” the man answered flatly, “but that should not concern you.” Batu sensed the tension; it was clear that Chimeg did not know her place – or refused to contemplate subservience. He recalled how much control she had over his grandfather, the Khaan. So much younger – slightly older than Batu – it was obvious that she had understood much more of the World than he. Batu never knew how she understood what was in men’s minds, but she did – she understood very well about the frailties of men and their desires.

“Good”, she replied with sufficient force to bring Batu out of his reflection, “has your enlightened one examined the runes for clues?” The question was asked with a little too much haste; is that what she’s interested in? “No” he replied, “that is something I would wish to do myself – there is too much at stake.”

“That may not be wise,” her deep, dark eyes seemed to pierce his soul, “there are powers at work that you may well not understand.” Of course, she was right, “…But you do?”

“Of course; my forefathers were the first to witness the act – they delivered what was required.”

It became clear to Batu that there was more to Chimeg than beauty and ambition. What was it they looked for, what power and what was at stake? Why did she betray her people?

She continued, “He provided my brother and I with sufficient insight into the workings of the temple-stones.”

“And you practiced Lady, did you not? You discovered the paths. What a shame you could not bring back your father.” The man seemed to enjoy tormenting Chimeg; however, the fun was short lived - he was not prepared for her coldness.

“Of course I did but no path ever led me that way. I had no use for my father anyway, but finding the path to his nemesis?” she asked rhetorically, “Now that was worth knowing.” She paused, as if reflecting on secret pleasures. Batu shuddered as she continued, “Oh yes, there is much more than is written on the temple walls, my Khaan...Much more, but little of it concerns you.”

“Chih-Chiang Fyu-Ya showed your Father these paths?”

“Look here, my Khaan,” Batu saw that Chimeg had raised a mirror and was holding up before the moon-faced king, “see what my father did.” The Khaan leant forward and the mirror shimmered and an unnatural, red light from within it grew in intensity, “You see what he did?”

Her question was completely unnecessary, both the man and Batu could see well enough. His face betrayed the fact that he recognised the harbingers of doom that nearly destroyed Khagul Gurung.

Did it need to be this way?

“And we could do the same?” the man asked almost against his better judgement.

The reply was swift, “in return for Minnerwe, yes.”

That was simple enough, he thought. There must be more – no doubt she would make that clear soon. The Khaan had some other pressing questions, “what more is required? I do not wish to waste time.”

“You have some runestones, obviously, we need them all – of all sides…”

“Yes.” His reply was frank. “And we gather the souls we need.”

“You need more to supply the blood, tissue and organs; the more powerful the better. The more…noble…”

How can such a beautiful woman talk about such things as if discussing the weather?’ Batu thought whilst the Khaan continued to question, “Does the race matter?”

“No, though at least one will need to be from each Hengeyokai-kind in Khagul Gurung and each of the noble houses – as well as the tigress I know you have, and my kin.”

“This causes you no distress?” asked the man (as Batu was thinking the same), almost to himself and in wonderment.

The response was predictable, “No - you intend to bring the great powers back to the Prime, what better cause is there?”