Chapter 32
Navaz sat on the floor watching his daughter play with a few toys and he smiled warmly, fixated on her. Anastasia noticed he had been very quiet since he came into her quarters alone, though she did see another woman with him and presumed that they were together or that she was a new candidate to be his future wife. She grabbed a wooden toy out of her daughter's mouth and lifted her eyes, gawking at the father of her daughter.
"So is that woman your new wife?" she asked, jarring him out his daze.
He cleared his throat and frowned at the thought of Natalia. He didn't really like her that much. She came from a super strict family in the Caucasus region and her father was very overprotective of her as were her two older brothers and sister. Natalia was the youngest of her family and was not married off yet. Tuya offered Natalia to court her son and of course Natalia's father could not refuse the courtship between his daughter and a king.
"She's not my wife. I'm just courting her at the moment," he said and smiled leaning downward, staring at Arielle. His daughter's eyes lit up and stared up at him in awe, seeing him for the first time. "How are things with you and Ellac?"
Her cheeks paled and she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She felt awkward talking about Ellac around Navaz considering they were getting married soon and Navaz basically let her go, knowing that he could never be enough for her in the ways Ellac could.
"Good," she answered curtly. "Navaz, I just want to let you know that I care about you and I will forever be grateful for what you have done for me."
He looked into her pale blue eyes and grinned at her serene face. "Anastasia, you don't have to thank me for anything. I should be thanking you for giving me such a special person in my life," he gazed down at his smiling daughter. "I hope...Ellac doesn't mind having her around..."
She shook her head. "He enjoys having her around. Ellac likes children," she smiled and saw his fade slowly. "I know that you will want her to spend time with your mother in Balaam..."
He sighed and crossed his legs, eyes still on Arielle. "She needs to stay with you. She's too young to travel anywhere. She needs her mother. When she is older she can come visit Armenia."
Ana quirked her mouth to the side and watched her daughter interacting with her father for the first time. She was always around a lot of people, most of them women, but she was used to meeting new people, so she definitely gave Navaz a warm welcome and didn't hesitate when she saw him. Ellac was right, Navaz was a good man and she definitely deserve someone like him, but Anastasia hoped that he would find someone that could give him their heart.
Gabrielle opened the door and saw Navaz. Her jaw dropped and Anastasia turned around. She felt like she was interrupting some special moment between the three. "Oh sorry. Maybe I should come back later?"
"No, it's alright Gabrielle," Navaz said.
She nodded and walked in awkwardly. "Anastasia...I need to speak with you alone," she said and Ana frowned.
"You will be alright if I leave you alone with her, right?" Ana spoke to Navaz and he nodded.
"Of course. We will be fine. Go ahead," he shooed her away and she smiled, slowly rising to her feet and left the room with Gabrielle.
Gabrielle and Ana walked down the hallway, passed Natalia sitting on a bench by her lonesome self. Gabrielle was beginning to wonder if she slept longer than expected. What exactly went on last night? "I didn't know Navaz was here.."
"He came in last night," Ana whispered and pulled Gabrielle further away from Natalia. "What did you need to talk to me about?"
"Well...I can't find Xena and there's been a development."
Anastasia frowned, not liking the sound of that. "What do you mean?"
"How do I say this," she rubbed her chin. "A man rode in this morning and he claims to be Attila's oldest son. Ellac invited him in and then Xena..." she trailed off. "Well, she came inside here and now I don't know where she is."
"Attila has another son?" asked Ana. Her breath nearly escaping her as the words flowed from her lips. She couldn't imagine Attila having another son and if he was older than Ellac then that would mean he is the rightful heir to the throne and Ellac was not. This could change everything. Everyone could be doomed. She began thinking the worst and hadn't even met the supposed son yet.
"They're probably in the king's chambers," she frowned, glancing down the long hallway. "And that's probably where my mother is."
Xena said she didn't want to be a commander anymore yet she invites herself to these meetings with kings like she is still one. Gabrielle knew that no matter much Xena tried, she would never be able to stop herself from getting involved.
"And I'm assuming we can't go in the room while they're having a meeting," Gabrielle stated.
Ana nodded. "I can't, no. If this man is who he says he is then this could ruin everything. He could want the crown for himself and challenge Ellac's position."
"You really think that he can just waltz in here and take the crown?"
"If he is Attila's eldest son then yes he can, Gabrielle. The only reason the title was stripped from Dengi was because he was not a good fit to be king. Instead of Ernak fighting to the death for the crown, Dengi willingly gave it up. Now that Ellac will be king, I don't think he is going to give that crown to this supposed older brother of his."
The thought of losing Ellac to a fight for the crown was not something Anastasia could allow to happen. She didn't want to risk losing the person she loved again, especially since she finally had him back in her life. She just wanted things to go smoothly for once, but that never happened, not in her life.
"Are you sure that's what he came here for? Maybe he wants to meet his brothers and connect with his family."
Ana gave the blonde a knowing look that resembled her mother's. "Why else would he be here?"
Xena watched the two brothers converse with one another. She couldn't quite pinpoint why Ebnedzar came here and what exactly he was looking for. He spoke in riddles and often evaded any question that Ellac presented to him. He was slick, too slick, she thought.
"And where is your mother now?" Ellac asked.
The older brother frowned sadly. "She has passed. An illness took over her mind and she this earth two years ago." He lifted his eyes at the suspicious king and smirked. "So I decided to come here and meet my brothers."
Ellac nodded, remaining collected. He briefly eyed Xena as she sat opposite him. She saw she was gawking at the man, studying him. She was ready to interrogate him, yet he would not give her the chance to. It would be too risky right now.
"Have you come to take the crown?" he went straight for the golden question.
Ebnedzar chuckled and leaned back on one palm. "You think I am so bold? I am Attila's oldest son. I wouldn't lie about that, but I have not known him. I have no claim to your crown, Ellac. I seek to live here in Pannonia with my brothers and I ask that you grant my people of Suevi to stay here as well."
Ellac eyed Xena and then back to his supposed older brother. "You wish your people to seek asylum here?"
The brother shrugged his shoulder, "I see a lot of Bulgurs in Pannonia. I know that you are no stranger to accepting others. So, will you allow me and my people to come stay here? We are the same people, the same blood after all."
"I will take it into consideration," the young king said and Xena's lips parted.
The three walked out of the conference room and there was Anastasia and Gabrielle standing, waiting patiently. Ebnedzar's eyes immediately went to Anastasia and he cast her a charming smile. He walked over to her and she frowned, folding her arms.
"And who is this lovely creature?" he asked. He looked up and down from head to toe and Anastasia took a step back.
Ellac wrapped his arm around Anastasia protectively. "She's my wife," he said and Ebendzar smiled, nodding his head. "And Xena's daughter."
"Oh I see," the elder brother glanced over at Xena whom was giving him quite a glare from afar. "She is very beautiful. You are lucky to have such a gorgeous queen by your side." He winked at Anastasia and she cringed.
"Do you have a wife?" Ellac asked curiously.
Ebnedzar flayed his hand around causally. "Something like that. With so many beautiful women it is hard to choose just one wife." He sighed and began walking off. "Well, this has been interesting. I must go tell my men of our discussion together. I hope to see you all later." He saluted nonchalantly then sauntered off.
Anastasia watched him leave then turned to her fiancé. "I don't like him. Get rid of him."
"I will keep him close so I can observe," Ellac said and Ana gasped. "If he tries anything and I mean anything I will get rid of him, don't worry." He kissed her forehead then marched off to find his younger brothers.
"Did you see the way he looked at me?" Ana turned to her mother. "Mom?"
Xena turned to her daughter and then to Gabrielle. "What?"
"She's talking about Ebnedzar," Gabrielle said and Xena kept eyeing her.
"Yes..." she placed a hand on her hip and spotted the charming man outside talking with his men. "He reminds me of Attila's brother."
"But you said that his brother was not a good person," Ana said and Xena's eyes lowered. "If Ebnedzar is like Bleda then he needs to be gotten rid of and if Ellac won't do anything about it then I will."
A few days later, Ebnedzar and his men were relocated to a secluded area within the large territory of Pannonia. Ellac alerted his younger brothers about Ebnedzar's presence and made sure to keep an eye on him wherever he went. Even though Ellac saw the obvious resemblance between him and his father, he still didn't trust this elder brother of his. He didn't understand what he wanted. If he didn't desire the crown then why would he randomly show up and why did he wait so long to do so?
Navaz only stayed for a few days to see Arielle before returning to Balaam with Natalia but he promised he would make more frequent visits in the near future. Anastasia quickly realized that the woman whom he was courting was obviously very jealous and not easy to get along with. She tried numerous times to talk to the redhead but Natalia wasn't very keen on speaking with her on any subject. Anytime they spoke, things were intermittent and awkward. Occasionally, she would answer Anastasia if she was asked a question but that's as far as the two women got. Anastasia wasn't expecting the woman to talk to her and definitely didn't want to deal with her if Navaz decided to marry her. That would only make her life more complicated and that meant she would have to see her frequently as long as Arielle was present.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle decided not to question Xena on the subject of Suevi. Ever since she found out that Xena was involved with the raiding of Suevi and what she did to those women, she had no idea what kind of person Xena really was so long ago. It was more than twenty five years ago, but obviously the subject was a bit touchy and personal. Not to mention, Gabrielle could never imagine Xena doing something so heinous as that now.
Xena sat inside the yurt, sewing Anastasia's wedding dress. She had been sewing for hours in order to keep herself focused on one task and to forget about Ebnedzar for the time being. Each time she looked at the young man, she was only reminded of what happened that night in Suevi so long ago.
Gabrielle came inside the yurt, carrying a basket of sewing supplies that Xena requested. Luckily for her, Kreka was amenable and allowed her access to her room to get whatever supplies that Xena needed. It seemed that the khatun was too preoccupied with other matters and as long as she remained the queen of the nation, it was her duty to assist Ellac until Anastasia took her crown and title from her.
She set the basket down in front of Xena. "I got the stuff you asked for." She eyed Xena and saw that she was either ignoring her or blocking out anything around her. Xena kept sticking the needle into the fabric, over and over, as if she were stabbing a person.
Xena reached over for a new thread and stuck the needle in her mouth then lay the gown on the floor, observing her work. "What do you think?" she asked and Gabrielle quirked her mouth.
"It looks nice," the blonde spoke curtly.
Xena nodded and looked at the long sleeves and then to the waistline, lined with a golden sash. "I should take in the waist a couple of inches. Anastasia has always had a thin waist. Should I?"
Gabrielle shrugged her shoulder. "If that's what you think is right."
"Gabrielle, what is the matter with you?" she finally asked. "You've been very quiet these last few days. If this is about what I told you then...I can't change how you feel about that, but you should know that I would never round up women to be taken advantage of now."
"I know but I never thought you would do something like that, Xena." She sighed. "I remember how upset you were when Anastasia was –"
"Don't," Xena stopped her, "don't say it."
Gabrielle sat down on the floor and crossed her legs, staring at the burgundy gown. Xena began hemming the bottom of the dress in silence. "You killed that boy, Gurgis, when you found out he...he violated," she chose her words carefully, "your daughter. I just never thought you'd allow that to happen to women, that's all."
Xena frowned and stuck her finger with the needle and hissed. She sucked on her bloody finger and kept on sewing. "Let's just say I changed after Anastasia was born."
"So then...Ebnedzar is Attila's son?" Gabrielle asked.
"Yes. He is," Xena said in a cold tone. "Attila asked that the most beautiful maiden be sent to his tent that night. I chose the fairest among all the women. She had dark hair and brown eyes."
Gabrielle's eyebrows creased. "And you didn't think to mention that to Ellac?"
"I don't want him to remember Attila as a horrible person and king, because he wasn't."
"Xena! The man was married to three women at once at one point!" she spat and Xena frowned, but kept sewing. "I'm not saying that makes him a horrible person, but he sure liked to share his bed with a lot of women. And obviously, his oldest son shares that same mentality. You should tell Ellac. It's the right thing to do."
Xena shook her head and finished hemming the bottom of the dress and tossed the thread into the basket. She lifted her eyes and saw Gabrielle gawking at her with the most intense eyes she had ever seen. "You may think it is the right thing to do, but it is better if I stay out of this. Ellac is a big boy, Gabrielle. I don't need to save him from Ebnedzar."
"But you can't trust him. We don't know his motives."
"The truth will come out sooner or later," she said then stood, snatching the dress into her arms. "I need to take this to Anastasia so she can try it on. Are you coming?"
Gabrielle crossed her arms. "No, I'll stay here."
Ebnedzar leaned on the outside of his yurt that Ellac so kindly gave him. He spotted his king brother walking towards him. He put on a big smile and uncrossed his arms. "Ellac," he greeted and the king frowned, staring at his bare torso which was covered in tattoos. His chest, arms and back covered in Hunnic tribal tattoos. "Markings of my heritage," he noticed Ellac gawking. "I see you've posted guards at every checkpoint. Afraid I'll do something?" he winked.
Ellac folded his arms. "I'm not sure what you will do, Ebnedzar and that's why I have you heavily guarded. Don't take it personally."
"Oh of course not. You are just doing your duty," the elder brother chuckled. "So, your wife..."
"Anastasia."
"Right, right. Anastasia," Ebnedzar nodded and casually walked around his brother. "She's something from the heavens. Those blue eyes. Raven hair and fair olive colored skin. She is the perfect Hun woman. I would have never thought Xena, the finest commander of our late father, birthed such a stunning creature."
Ellac frowned and eyed the man circling him. "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't talk about my wife like that."
Ebnedzar chuckled and looked into his brother's green eyes. "Right, of course. I was just giving compliments. I did not mean to offend," he raised his hands in defense and took a generous step back. "I'm sure she has given you many heirs."
Ellac bit his tongue, "only a son."
"I saw her yesterday with a baby in her arms," he noted and Ellac narrowed his eyes.
"That child is not mine."
Ebnedzar laughed and grabbed his younger brother's shoulder. "A Hun Queen bearing children to other men? That is unheard of. A woman belongs to her husband and no one else. If she were my wife, I'd make sure that she bear as many sons as I see fit."
Ellac's eyes widened and he slapped his brother's hand off his shoulder. He looked around and saw that there were too many eyes around them. He didn't want to cause a scene so he tried to act calm, even though he wanted to punch this guy's face in.
"You should be careful of what you say, Ebnedzar. I am giving you a warning. Do not talk about my wife anymore or you will have to answer to someone that even I myself, fear." He smirked.
"And who might that be?" the older brother scoffed, mocking him lightly.
"Xena. You don't want to make her angry."
"You rather have our father's commander defend your wife instead of yourself? What kind of a king and husband are you?" Ebnedzar grinned deviously and Ellac smiled.
"I know that she can punish you in more ways than I ever could. Enjoy your stay in Pannonia." He pat his brother's shoulder and walked off, whistling casually.
Gabrielle saw the exchange from the two brothers from afar and took this opportunity to speak with Ellac since Xena was not in the way. "Ellac!" she yelled and he turned with a soft smile on his face. "I saw you were talking to Ebnedzar."
He nodded. "He has eyes for Anastasia," he said with a bitter taste in his mouth. "If he as so much looks at her in a certain way I will cut off his balls and feed them the wolves."
Gabrielle's eyes widened. That was more than enough information that she didn't need to hear. "I...have no doubt you will," she said awkwardly. "Xena told me that Ebnedzar is definitely your brother. She told me what happened in Suevi."
He halted in step and stared down into her anxious eyes. "She said this?"
"Yes. She remembers Ebnedzar's mother. She handpicked her...for your father."
Ellac nodded slowly and cast a mocking smile. "My father and his lust for women. I will not speak ill of his mother because she is not to blame. As for Xena...I know she was just following my father's orders. That still doesn't explain why he is here." He gripped her shoulders. "Gabrielle, I want you to do something for me. Spy on Ebnedzar for me and tell me what he does at night and when I am not around. I will release the guards from their posts."
She frowned, not quite sure if this was a good idea or not. She just told him what Xena said and she was sure it was going to bite her in the butt later. "Okay...but what if I get caught?"
He smiled warmly. "I know you are good at spying on others, Gabrielle. I order you as king," he winked and pat her shoulder. "Notify me when you've found something." He said then ran back to the Adame. She exhaled heavily and wondered if this was such a good idea.
Xena came out of her daughter's room and saw Csaba ready to knock on the door. He rose to his toes and tried peeking over her shoulder. "What are you doing?" she asked then closed the door from his prying eyes.
"Is Erzibet in there?" he curiously asked.
She raised an eyebrow and folded her arms. "Yes. Why do you want to know? Do you like her?" she teased.
He cringed and his cheeks flushed. "Grandma, please. I don't like girls," he scoffed.
"Sure you don't."
He grunted and folded his arms. "She is supposed to teach me something today and said to come by in the morning."
She grinned mischievously. "Oh? Teach you what exactly?"
His eyes drifted to the floor and he embarrassingly spoke, "to...sew some stuff," he mumbled.
She ruffled his hair and pat his shoulder. "Don't be embarrassed. Sewing is a fine skill and should be rewarded. Kreka is a master seamstress. Speaking of...do you know where she is?"
He shook his head. "So, anyway, can you get her for me?"
"Sorry, Csaba. You're going to have to wait for your sewing lesson. She is watching Arielle while I work on your mother's wedding dress." She said and he sighed heavily, a bit disappointed. "But...if you find Kreka then I could relieve Erzibet from her babysitting task," she hinted and his green eyes grew with excitement.
"Okay, I can find her for you!" he smiled then ran down the hallway.
"Mother!" Ana yelled from behind closed doors and Xena sighed. She really didn't wish to go back into that room again. So far, the dress fitting wasn't going exactly as planned. Though, she reluctantly went back into the queen's room.
Anastasia pinched the dress from behind and looked at herself in the mirror. Xena saw her daughter eyeing herself, studying the dress, or rather the flaws in it. "You're going to take this in right?" she asked.
"Yes, of course I am. The dress isn't finished yet, Anastasia. Don't worry it will be done in time," she smiled and Ana nodded. "I want Kreka to look at it first before I make any more alterations."
The young queen swiftly turned her head and gasped. "You asked Kreka to come in here?" her face paled and Xena's eyes darted back and forth, suddenly feeling like she made a mistake. "Mother she is a tyrant with dresses! You saw how she reacted when she was trying to make my senlik gown!"
"Well, I just want her to look at it. What's the harm in that? She's very good at what she does," Xena smiled and Anastasia grumbled under her breath.
"I suppose..." muttered Ana. "Where is Gabrielle?"
Xena frowned. "I don't know."
"Has there been any news about Ebnedzar?" Ana asked while she kept staring at herself in the mirror, adjusting the sleeves that dipped off her shoulders.
"Not that I am aware of. Listen, Anastasia, I want you to stay away from him," she said and her daughter turned, giving her a confused look. "If he comes near you just avoid him. His behavior reminds me of Bleda and I don't want him to do the same thing he did to Ellac's mother."
Anastasia's arms dropped to her sides and she looked behind her mother, eyeing Erzibet holding Arielle in her lap. "Erzibet, can you go in the other room with Arielle?"
The young girl's smile faded and she picked up baby Arielle in her arms. "Okay, khatun." She briefly smiled and walked into the adjoining room.
Ana rolled her eyes. She didn't want to be called khatun. It only made her feel like an old lady. She turned to her mother. "What are you talking about?"
Xena pursed her lips and looked into her daughter's eyes intently. "Bleda made several passes at Cera when she was married to Attila. Your father intercepted a few times when he saw Bleda anywhere near Cera. So if you see Ebnedzar, I know you aren't helpless, but avoid talking to him."
Ana scoffed, "if he is such a horrible man then why is he here?! Ellac should banish him! He should listen to me. I know I am right and this just proves it." she began taking off her wedding dress and Xena frowned.
"Kreka isn't here yet. I want her to look at it before –"
"We can do this another time." She grabbed her black gown and slipped it over her head. "I'm going to talk to Ellac." She shoved the dress into her mother's chest and stormed out. "Dress is gorgeous by the way. Very good work, mother," she smiled faintly then exited the room. Xena hummed quietly to herself and held the dress in her arms, looking at the unfinished piece.
Kreka entered the room moments after Ana left and frowned. "I just saw Anastasia leave. I thought Csaba said you wanted me here?"
Xena sighed and gently lay the dress down on a chair. "She has other duties to attend to. We can do another fitting later."
Kreka eyed the burgundy gown and sauntered over, picking it up. She looked at the dress from head to toe and nodded her head slowly. "You did this?" she asked and Xena gave her an unwarranted look, expecting her to berate her at any moment. "Impressive. I didn't know you could sew so well, Xena. Perhaps all of your years of sewing flesh wounds paid off."
"And there it goes," Xena muttered. But she decided to take the khatun's words as a compliment. She knew that Kreka was not one to give compliments often, especially ones directed at her.
Setting the gown back onto the chair carefully she clasped her hands together. "I was just in a meeting with Ellac, Ernak and Dengi. They are concerned about this older brother, Ebnedzar, in Pannonia. I hear that you confirmed that he is Attila's son."
"I didn't know that woman had a child, you must know –"
Kreka held up her hand. "It is not your fault, but my the fault of my dead husband and his lust for women. I am beginning to wonder if he sired any more children during our marriage together."
Xena frowned, "Kreka, he would have never done that."
"Why not? He got married to that heinous woman, Kriemhild, without my consent and Ildiko. Who knows how many other women he shared a bed with without my knowledge. Even you cannot be in two places at once, Xena. If Kriemhild did not become so psychotic and kill her own sons, then we would have an Adame full of princes."
"He loved you a lot. Surely, you know that."
Kreka shot her a mocking smile. "He seemed to love a lot of women. Did Anastasia's father...did he ever sleep with anyone else?"
Xena smirked. "If he did, I would have killed the other woman myself," she said with sincerity and Kreka nodded slowly. "Ebnedzar is here for a different reason. He says he doesn't want the crown, but seeks asylum for his people instead. He can't be trusted and he should be watched at all times." She pat the khatun's shoulder then took her leave.
Later that evening as the sun began to set, Gabrielle watched the yurts where Ebnedzar and his men occupied in seclusion. She wore a black cloak and sat on the far side of the huddle of yurts, waiting for hours to see if Ebnedzar would come out of the abode. She decided not to tell Xena what task Ellac gave her, especially since she told Ellac of the truth about Attila and Ebnedzar's mother, Eskayar.
She was a little surprised that Xena hadn't come looking for her, although this place was huge. Anyone could lost in this territory. Or maybe Xena didn't want to come searching for her? Maybe she was too embarrassed from what happened earlier? Or perhaps she was too busy with Anastasia and the wedding dress. Gabrielle knew that Xena wasn't one for gowns or weddings, even if it was her daughter's wedding.
Gabrielle saw Ebnedzar emerge from the yurt with four men behind him. They grabbed their horses and she stood, hiding behind a rack of weapons, watching them descend into the darkness. She panicked and grabbed the nearest horse from a Bulgur Hun male and he growled at her.
"Sorry, I'll bring it back!" she smiled and hopped onto the horse to follow Ebnedzar and the other Huns.
She kept her distance and remained hidden from the Huns riding into what looked like an uncharted territory of Pannonia. There were no yurts here, just barren grasslands and some random travelers, herding camels and sheep back to their homes. She frowned and saw Ebnedzar stop and tied his horse to a tree in the middle of the grassland.
She dismounted the horse and hid behind a hill, laying on her stomach, she watched the son of Attila walk towards someone that stood behind the tree, wearing a cloak. Squinting her eyes, she saw him pass a scroll of some kind to this masked person and then the mystery person mounted their horse and took off, riding as quickly as possible under the night sky.
Ebnedzar quickly hopped onto his horse and took off riding again, though in a different direction. She raised an eyebrow and waited until the other men followed him and then got to her feet to trail behind. "Where are you going now?" she whispered. She kicked the horse and rode quickly.
For someone who has never been to this area of the Hun nation, he sure looked like he knew where he was going. Not even she had been to all the encampments inside of Pannonia, but Xena did. She knew this place like the back of her hand as did Kreka and her sons. If she could just remember the exact locations where they were riding to and from, then she could not only tell Ellac but possibly Xena too. She knew that Xena did not want to be a commander anymore, but she was so good at it and Ebnedzar was obviously up to something and that something was not good, Gabrielle could tell.
Several minutes later, the Hun men stopped at a camp filled with a lot of people it seemed like. This was definitely the backwoods of Pannonia. Gabrielle never knew there were so many different camps in this land and how big it truly was. She looked behind her and couldn't even see the royal encampment anymore. This land that had become her home long ago suddenly felt foreign to her.
Dismounting the horse she crept behind a large line of yurts facing the outer rim of the camp. She saw Ebnedzar shaking hands with a few men and they laughed together and smiled. Ebnedzar was no stranger to these people. He knew them very well it looked like. But how? Have you been living in Pannonia this entire time?
Ebnedzar and his trusted men were lead into a large yurt. Must be the leader of this camp, Gabrielle thought. A Bey. There were several Beys throughout Pannonia and they were in charge of their own tribes even though they had a king overseeing them, the Beys were allowed to govern their own tribes as they see fit unless it conflicted with the king's rules.
She crept into the encampment and a lot of men saw her coming into the camp and gawked at her with strange eyes. One man grabbed her by the arm roughly and she grunted, struggling to get away. "A Latin. What are you doing here in Hun territory?"
"I...am traveling to the Caucasus. I stopped for some supplies."
The man frowned and looked around for her horse. "You come alone, kadin? That is not very wise to travel to the Caucasus alone."
She felt her heart racing and began to panic. She needed to remain calm and act like she knew what she was doing. "I know the royal family in Armenia," she spoke and the man raised an eyebrow. "King Khushnavaz is a good friend of mine and I don't think he would appreciate you manhandling me..."
He let go of her arm and squinted his eyes, gaping at her foreign face. "If you are staying the night the women's quarters are over on the far right side of camp," he nudged his head in the direction and she gave a brief smile.
"That won't be necessary. I just need to buy some grain." She said and he pointed to the wells filled with grain across the way. She nodded and wrapped the hood around her hair tightly, quickly heading to the wells. She eyed the large yurt where Ebnedzar slipped into awhile earlier. She rounded the wells and pretended to sample the grain.
Turning her head over her shoulder, the man that grabbed her, left his post to talk to one of his buddies it looked like. She took her chance to get out sight and crept behind a huddle of yurts and watched a few soldiers pass by her. She couldn't exactly go inside of the yurt and there were guards posted outside, which made this mission impossible. She didn't have any information to go off and the fact she had never seen these Pannonians before also made her question everything she had known about this place. Were these people even Huns to begin with?
She ran across the path in between the yurts and leaned against the large yurt that belonged to the Bey. She heard voices coming out of the yurt and recognized Ebnedzar's voice. She crouched down and peeked her head from behind the rounded yurt and saw Ebnedzar talking to a tall dark skinned Hun man.
"You are certain that I can trust you?" Ebnedzar asked.
The man nodded. "Of course. I will have this message delivered to my men stationed in Constantinople."
Ebnedzar smiled. "Good. I will come back in a fortnight. I expect that Emperor Anastasius will be gotten rid of by the time I arrive."
Gabrielle's eyes widened. "Anastasius..." she muttered under her breath. She lifted her head and saw Ebnedzar leaving with his men to go back to the royal camp. "I must warn Ellac and the others."