The Endless Golden Dunes

Chapter 32: Plans of the Mountain People

TUGULDUR

'Directly to Baghdad you say?' Tuguldur asked one of the lesser commanders.

'That is what the Khan has said to us.' He replied.

They were too used to the cold temperatures of the mountains. They thrived in the snow. The great height also gave them a nice view of their enemies.

'One of the greatest empires to ever exist, and he wants to go directly to the capital?'

'One of the greatest. We are the greatest, always.'

'Ah, we need to be staying humble, don't we? Do not want the people overpreparing to fight us.'

'You say that when our lands stretch from Rus in the north, India in the south, China in the east, and soon, Syria in the west.'

'Still, Halagu Khan is being too ambitious.'

'His grandfather was more so. Because of him, we are here.'

'He was a master in his art, our Khan? Not so much.'

'You speak of him as if insulting him isn't treason.'

'A few criticisms never hurted anyone.'

Tuguldur looked towards the mountain that blocked the view of the camp, pondering on something before he turned his attention back to the conversation.

'Anyway, our job is to smite this stray camp. We need to rip apart their flesh and stack their bones.'

'Do not be as wild as our horses. I want to let them live.'

The other knitted his eyes.

'What in the name of the gods do you mean?' he asked.

'Remember when I said I wanted to make them suffer? I am sure I told the others such as well after talking to Jochi about it.'

'I do, but I don't see-'

'Be quiet. I want to remove their morale. When they find out about what I wish to do, consider Baghdad destroyed. In fact, if we are successful in this plan, we have ruined the Abbasids. We will roll the caliph in a carpet and trample him. Al- Musta'sim his name is, right? Yes. That would be the sign of our victory.'

'Without killing, I do not see how we can do that.'

'I am a mind. My body is simply what helps it move around. My mind tells me things that are the most useless things, or inform of the greatest plans and schemes. I think, as of now, it is telling me things of the latter.'

'I would like to hear the scheme you have in mind.'

'You will only see it when it comes into action. Listen to me, and I will tell you what to do.'

'You will tell me, but how will my actions-'

'It's a surprise. An unexpected ... move, like a chess piece. The enemy has made a blunder and it is our job to exploit that mistake. Now, hear me.'