"It appears that Liyue has some unexpected visitors." Jean said, as she, Eula and Sans held a close meeting in her office. Busy with a sudden topic of a letter and unknown visitors. "Eula, did your Company spot anything odd in recent time?"
"Absolutely not." Bright blue-haired Captain responded. "No interaction between them and Mondstadt up to now. They arrived to Liyue in a different way... Anything unusual about the messenger?" She asked, turning her head towards Sans.
"He had a horse." He remarked, though made an example would fit better.
"... Not exacly usual." Jean nodded. "Grand Master Varka took all of ours on the expedition."
"Something else?" Eula asked again.
"His horse had a chainmail over it and messenger had an arrow stuck in the back."
"He was hurt?!" Jean gasped, suddenly caring about the mysterious person.
"Naah, he was fine." Sans calmed her down. "Propably wore thick cloth or something."
"So they wear thick clothes, put armor on horses and their royalty has a very specific style of writing letters. Yet, speak same language and have same writing system as us." Jean concluded, looking down at the messeage again and then onto Eula. "Given how much you two are invested into this affar, and the respective roles you two have, I want to send you two to Liyue to assess the situation and establish contact with the Iramati as my messengers. They either don't know who we are or didn't had the contact with Mondstadt since Lawrence Clan rule."
"... Understood." Eula nodded.
"Well then, can I entrust this mission on you two?"
"Of course, Grand Master."
"Yes, you can." Sans agreed in his own way.
"Great, now depart quickly. No one knows what can happen in such turbulent situation." Jean added, to which they both bowed their heads and left the office afterwards.
"... Are personal topics allowed on a job?" Sans asked after he closed the doors from corridoor side.
"Not between Knights." Eula responded with short, decisive tone. "Now come along, the sooner we get to the bottom of this the better."
"No need to top the reaction record." Sans said with a laid back attitude. "I know a shortcut."
"No time for jokes. You aren't even three hours in this place." Eula responded, not even looking at his as she went forward.
"I don't need to be." Sans said, coming from behind the corner at the corridoor crossing and facing her upfront.
"Huh?" Eula gasped, stopping to look at him up and down. "How did you-"
"Shortcut I told you about. Handy thing to cut short someone." Sans said, looking over his fingers for a moment. "Either way, wanna go there quick or long?"
"... Quick." Eula said, narrowing her eyes and going after him.
"Neat." Sans smirked, turning around himself and slowly going towards the corner so she could join him.
"Have I short cut the doubts?" Sans asked, as he and Eula stood on top of a small hill.
"Well, we are on the eastern edge of Wolvendom." Eula commented, briefly looking behind herself at the mildly interfiered with landscape. "And forward is Bishui Plain..." She added, looking back forward to notice a tall trail of black smoke from far away.
"I guess something is cooking." Sans commented, grabbing his ketchup bottle tight. "Let's go."
"Fine then." Eula nodded, afyer which the two proceeded downward from the hill to a dirt road alongside the lakes' shore and down south. All the time with scenery of grass, hills or lively waters depending on direction.
"Hmm... Guess the cooking isn't necessary applied to a food in this case." Sans commented after a while of silent walking, as he spotted a group of peasants going the opposite way with tarnished clothes, loaded beyond safe limit trade carts pulled by their hands and pitchforks in hands, pointed around like spears.
"They will propably go further into Mondstadt as to escape whatever there is behind." Eula deducted, making Sans stop. "Here's my plan. We interview them about what happened, them I return with them under protection and you proceed further in to see what is happening."
"Why don't I just teleport back to the base and bring some people?" Sans asked her, turning around with amused face.
"You have no corner to turn behind." Eula reminded.
"It's just less tiring way of doing it." Sans smiled, flicking his fingers and disappearing in a frame. As if upon Gods' touch.
"... Huh." Eula nodded, not even willing to question it. "Guess I start some things now." She concluded, proceeding forward to talk with the traveling group.
"Heya again." Sans greeted her again, coming from behind with Amber and three other Knights. "Sorry for the number, that's all who could join."
"Still quicker than I expected." Eula nodded patiently. "Actually, we can go and talk with them together now that there's more of us."
"Sure thing!" Amber added with enthusiasm.
"Ekhem?" A rather gruff voice made them all look back at the ragtag group as one thinly build man witb short black hair stepped forward. "Are you The Knights of Favonius?"
"This is us." Eula nodded, stepping further forward from the group. "How can we help?"
"Please bring us all to safety of Mondstadt walls. The horse bandits came to our villages at dawn and took out lawns and fields as theirs!" The man pleaded with a tone full of trauma.
"It will be done." Eula nodded, turning around to the rest. "Amber, Gilon, Rebecca, Paul. Escort these people to the city as if your life depend on it and interview them about what is happening, then report to Grand Master."
"We won't fail you!" Amber gave her a wink.
"Understood!" The three other Knights responded with a semi-chorus call.
"Sans, our mission still stands. Let's go."
"Be safe out there." Sans added, as the group split and the two delegates proceeded forward, walking along the cliffside to grant refugees the space.
"Only four were what you could muster?" Eula asked Sans, almost insulted if a look on the face was to judge."
"Only four were there to be mustered to begin with." Sans responded, looking aside at the long line of lamenting woman, children starring at them with empty, hollow eyes or depressed stares of people in straw hats crossing pitchforks or flails before their belongings like some sort of gate guards. "You really assume I wouldn't bring more?"
"... No. Someone still has to stay behind just in case." Eula respond, looking straight forward.
"Exacly. But I admit, I wouldn't be here alongside you if not for the lack of knightpower."
"Knightpower?" Eula asked, slightly confused.
"I dunno, term manpower just sounds a bit unfair." Sans explained. "I mean hey, how many men are even on top positions right now?"
"Most went with Grand Master Varka on a expedition." Eula said with solemn tone, seemingly not noticing the pun. "But recruitment needs are topic for another time. We need to deal with something else..." She added, pointing forward at a group of six horseman coming towards them.
"Gotcha." Sans nodded, stretching his arms behind the back as the horses started to slow down from gallop into a scenic ride. "Looks like they won't charge at us."
"Looks..." Eula repeated with a note of uncertainity as the six horseman formed a circle and started what seemed at a distance as debate on the horseback(s). "Let's wait for their move now. No need to further provoke."
"Whatever you say." Knight-in-testing looked aside.
"Hmm..." Eula hummed, looking behind at the rear of departing line of Liyue villagers. For as much as she deep down was grateful for having them show up and relief off unexpected duty, the small number of them still pose a risk in case something more treacherous happen.
"You worry about Amber, is that it?" Sans' words made her look back at him, sitting down on the grass and drinking ketchup directly from the bottle.
"Why so intrested? Planning something on her?" Eula nearly scoffed while asking.
"Pal." Sans said with apparent disbelief in his voice. "I'm literally about to become her Company member, if I get to live tomorrow that is. Asking in a spare time about my soon-to-be superior can't hurt."
"I assure you, it can." Eula responded, crossing her arms and turning to face his left side. "I experienced enough to know how easy it is for spies and traitors to make themselves comfourtable with their targets."
"Welp, can't say I don't understand." Comedian shrugged his arms. "But hey, who am I to judge? I'm yet to befriend anyone, really."
"Have it your way then." Eula nodded. "But mark my words-"
"Vengeance will be mine."
"Don't you know it is rude to interrupt a lady speaking?" She asked, angered by the interruption.
"Sorry, figuring out you're one is very hard." Sans joked, taking on her pouty face with a goofy grin as he turned around to sit front towards her.
"Ugh! Now at least you know to do it next time..." Eula shaked her head sideways, annoyed by his remarks.
"Nope." Sans shrugged her off with a single word.
"... Why?" Eula asked him, now visibly irritated as her left hand turn into a fist.
"You are a Knight, that's first. Both as a reason and who you actually are." Sans began his explaination. "Second, I don't remember ladies being rude, brash, aggresive, vengeful."
"Hnh!" Eula sniffed. "And in your eyes, I am like that?"
"Yes you are. And let me tell you something." Sans continued, standing up and starring right at her with unsatisfied face. "If you keep going like that... Heh, heh."
"What?" She asked him.
"... Naah, you don't allow personal topics on a job." He shrugged his arms as if he was in a sitcom.
"Well, now I do." Eula pressed on, looking at him with a frown. "And you better tell me, Sans."
"Messing with rules to satisfy your own curiosity, huh?" Sans nodded with amusement painted all over his face. "Listen, Eula, if you still care about what others have to say about you."
He paused, seeing a moment of uncertainity as she dropped her frown in favor or curious face and made a step back.
"You remind me of... A certain child, if size is decisive to say." Sans continued, closing his eyes and putting both hands into jackets' pockets. "It was a determined little fella. And while he didn't spoke much, he sure did a lot of..." He paused, opening his eyes wide and looking straight at her with the creepy tar-black stare.
"Things. Let's say."
He paused again, seeing Eula make a face of disgust, as if she felt truly disturbed.
"Things I really don't want to talk about. Just know it's not something I, or you, want to do in their right mind." Sans continued, having his eye balls and pupils appear again. "First two times back then were fun, truly..."
"Oy, you two! Can I have a word?"
"Nevermind, remind me to talk about the rest." Sans cut the talk short before turning around towards a mid-sized in a long hood man sitting on the horse. "Sup?"
"Soup? I'm not hungry on a job, thanks." Man shaked his head in disbelief. "Now then, it would appear you are not local." He continued, not wasting time with formalities.
"We are from Mondstadt." Sans explained. "We recieved a letter from your Khan and were sent back as envoys."
"Then be pleased when I say we'll escort you to our Khan." The rider said, turning around on his steed to the other five of his friends. "Brothers! Get moving over there! We have an escort duty to proceed with."
"Aye!"
"What's your name, pal?" The male envoy casually asked me, as our unit ride at a slow pace over the dirt road leading up and down towards our Khan and keeping the guests of honor inside our ring of six. Myself riding on the right as previously agreed with my mates.
"Hakh." I presented myself, throwing the hood off of my head. "And yours?"
"Sans." Envoy smiled back from the ground. "How's life?"
"Good, surprisingly." I answered him. "I have Gilbert, family, wider clan also goes on with living and Khan seems to favor my skill for quite some time already."
"Horses go first when counting? That's news to me." Sans commented with surprised face.
"Oh, you know..." I tried to say, but after a while of hold thought I was reminded.
"No, I don't."
"Well, guess I take the longer version then." I said, coughing twice to clear my throats before resuming. "For us, Iramati, horses are like extension of one's favor with a God. You can replace your house, nationality, wife, children, Khan, ethnicity, language, loyalty and heart. But you never, never, replace a horse."
"... Wow." Sans nodded with amazement. "So Gilbert is a name of your... Family member?"
"Lacking a better term, yes." I nodded, acknowledging his attempt at understanding me. "Without them, none of us would be where we are. Heck, we may not even exist!"
"That sounds important." Sans nodded. "Say, pal. Know anything about how the relation between your tribe and horses started?"
"Not a jist of it, but some general stuff." I responded, rubbing my chin and looking up in the sky. "As my old nanny said, It all started around three thousand years ago, when God of Horse Riding, Bucefalos, graced first of our small tribe back then with gifts we hone to this very day. And while we were not first to uptake horses, for from it! Or even make them a primarly value of our lifestyle, we did proceed with arcane knowledge and mastered the art of horseback with all that came from it. Be it razing the hostile land or plowing the field, galloping around with letters or scavenging deserts with endless rows of bandits, we did it. And we were the best."
"Sounds like fun times." Sans commented, to which I silently nodded. "But that begs me to ask..."
"Yeah?" I encouraged him, looking back at the envoy.
"What happened? I mean, why are you here all of a sudden?"
"War happened, that's what. The Great Aegpan War as that bookworm calls it broke out on our continent far east from this land." I explained, feeling something light push on my belly from below. "We, and many other nations or groups wide as eternity itself chose to unite and resist the conquest from Razenvy, the so called 'Great Khaganate' whose Khans imagined themselves to be above Gods and for generations waged war and conquest all across the world as their eyes saw, be it reality, map or a dream."
"And... You lost?" Sans asked again, making me fall silent and stare down at the Gilberts' mane.
"Our land was demolished beyond hospitality." Kadiq spoke from behind my left. "But as luck would have it, Iramati is where their people are, not the other way around. So many who remained of us run away when they came into our pasture and fields, got into some adventures on the way west with many other groups running away from Razenvy Khans and their armies till' we reached eastern ports and luckly baited many ships from river-preferring Razenvy fleet ashore, making our escape with as many of us as we could. Though not all..."
"... Kasima..."
"I miss her too, Hakh." Kadiq tried to cheer me up, hearing my slip of tongue. "Still amazed she withstood their army for a whole hour. What a lovely girl she was..."
"Yeah." I nodded, before noticing series of wooden stairs along and within rocks ahead of us. "Be careful boys. For this part we'll need to dismount and lead them over the stairs."
"Aye, aye!" Five full calls responded to me.
"Stone Gate, huh?" Female envoy that I didn't payed attention to so far added, somewhat curious for some reason.
"Don't mind her, she's just strict." Sans waved her off while leaning towards me.
"Hey!"
"Heh, noted." I smiled, getting down on the ground and grabbing the reins back in my hand." Now let's go, I am confident Khan resides not too far ahead behind it."
"Well then." Sans nodded. "Lead the way, please."
"... Huh." Sans said to himself as he stood on top of the Stone Gate, looking down upon mostly flat land with more water to the left, grassy hills and cliffs to the right and dirt road full of horses and people in the middle. On top of that, what part of flat terrain remained now was used as a pasture land with ocassional tent here and there. "This is yours?"
"Horses and people? Absolutely." Brown-haired man with thin moustache nodded before pointing far to the right, as if behind the mountain. "Most of us are actually there, in so called Wuwang Hill where they establish Khans' residence and..." He continued now pointing far to the left. "... Many of our riders are there laying siege to a large tower leading south."
"That would be Wangshu Inn." Eula added, looking over the two from not far behind. "Makes me wonder how you went past them."
"They never attacked us, we were too strong." Hakh answered with a smirk. "Ain't it right, Kadiq?"
"Sure it is." Moustache man nodded, visibly satisfied. "They were too scared of our power to lay a finger on our army. But can't say it will save them from good ol' retaliation."
"Retaliation you say?" Eula asked again, now more intrugued than distrustful. "Over what?"
"Some of their guards tried to stop our passage here and there as we went north. So called 'Unrightful Invasion' or something." Kadiq began to explain. "Fools. We obviously beat them every time with greater numbers, so they now decided to wage war at us and prepare army in their big city. Can't say they come in time for that tower of theirs..." He ended, placing a finger on his chin and starring far into the mountains." Fools, truly."
"Either way, we still have job to do." Hakh said, rallying other four horseman by waving one of his arrow above the head. "Mind if we keep going to the Khan."
"Not at all." Sans nodded with polite smile. "Lead then."
"Gladly..." Hakh nodded, going forward as one and a half Knight plus five other riders followed, quickly getting down from wooden stairs and into the plain filled beyond comfort with new life that wasn't usual to the place.
"Kadiq! Catch."
"Hah!" Called rider smiled, catching a paper bag with some jelly substance inside. "Thanks Gramps!"
"All for you, Sonny! Make me Old Yuru proud!"
"Will do!"
"Heh, supportive family. Isn't it?" Sans asked him, looking behind at an elder with bald head, squinted eyes and long silver beard who used sword as a crutch.
"High goals without support are source of despair." Kadiq explained. "That's the primary rule of my family."
"Thus, every member of his family is obligated to help another. Regardless of almost all circumstances." Hakh explained, looking behind at his group.
"Almost?" Eula asked curiously. "How so?"
"Horses abuse is never a question." Kadiq said. "It's a big no and cut off limb that was used to offend it as an answer."
"Wow, that's rash." Sans commented with wide open eyes.
"But effective. Cases with one of ours doing such bestiality are never above one a year for all I live and remember." Kadiq retored with genuine smile from cheek to cheek.
"Wow, sounds like your ferocity in caring for them is a beast." Sans nodded, making a very bad pun.
"Bad things about beasts is their lack of morals, brutality, unfitting to our view of the world." Kadiq continued, keeping his eyes on the envoy. "But they also have virtues and admirable traits. Strength, tenacity, speed, sometimes even indiscriminate character of their behavior since some attack everyone and everything."
"Welp, that's a way to look at it." Sans rolled his eyes before giving Eula a barely noticable nod.
"I know, right? Funny how much can be missed by ones' viewpoint." Kadiq sighed after saying that. "Either way, I think now we go straight."
"No, left to the south." Hakh corrected him. "Why would a horse nation like ours trap itself inside mountains?"
"Because mountains shield us from enemies?" Kadiq asked in response, leaning towards him and making a face akin to ones that scream at those who see them 'Seriously?!'.
"You weren't at the debate where to establish our camp, so shut up." Hakh flicked his finger right in front of his face, going forward at the roads divergent point, not clearly noticable as they still haven't left the densely crowded area of the tribesman. "Now then, let us move."
"Would you look at that." I thought, looking from afar at only seemingly endless rows of horses and weaponized man waiting around Wangshu Inn in a near camping manner. Tents, reins tied to frequently placed wooden poles and general feeling of anticipation could be felt even where I stood.
Now granted, there was no fighting as for now, the so called Iramati propably preferred taking time and secure loot rather than losses and destroy something in the process. An understandable practise. Then again, the fact of them showing literally last night and crossing all the way here was worriesome.
So I was sent in. To see what is this all about and report back, simple enough. That is, if not for a just-in-time second bird to hit with one stone. A certain... Person that apparently fell from the sky if drunk rumours from Mondstadt are to believe.
Sans. Who the same day he came here is paired onto diplomatic mission from Knight of Favonius. And to the same target as me, nothenless. Odd.
But there is no reason for opportunity to go to waste. If I can make two reports already, then why not?
And so I got down to business, walking right to already prepared way of sneaking in without mayhen or notice. After all, I still had a mission to fulfill.
"Ya' thinkin' we can come to his majesty?" Sans asked, as he, Eula and Hakh stood in front of the large tent, given a view of Wangshu Inn to the upper right if they wanted to rise their heads.
"Jerma." Entreance Guard on their left said, bumping the right one with a handle of his pike.
"Eghhh... Fine." Second one groaned, looking behind his shoulder inside. "The emissaries are waiting." He said to whoever would be inside.
"In." Echoed response came.
"He agreed." The guard nodded, looking back at the trio as they both moved their weapons from crossed blocks to a straight hold. "And don't adress him as 'Majesty' please, he is a Khan, not a King."
"Gotcha." Sans, nodded while Eula shaked her head in disapproval. "Aight, here we go..." He added as the two walked inside, leaving Khaq behind in the open.
And the sight to which they went in was truly grand. Grand deep red fabric that made the inner side of the tent was illuminated by several torches placed inside lamps mounted on top of sticks jammed deep into the ground. The floor was also red, but even deeper, turning into burgund at the edges thanks to clever lighting. And then there was the end of the room, composed of a round, tall, golden pouf on which was seated a man mildly old, with closed eyes under grey eyebrows, brown hair that also began succumbing to age and pure brown moustache, whose edges came out from upper edge of white mask he wore over his mouth and jaw. The rest of the man was firm and suited with white toga over which was placed a golden armor resembling ones found across wealthier Inazuma Samurai. All of which in a sit with legs crossed closely before him, as if he was a child waiting for his uncle to tell a story by a fire during family celebrations in calm and safe enviroment of family seclusion.
"Would my eyes decieve me, more than one person came into my sight." Man greeted them smiling weakly. "My entitled name is Huzarib-Khan Please, be guests of honor and state the mission of yours."
"Eula, Knights of Favonius Reconnaissance Captain."
"Sans, Knight in training."
"Very well..." Khan nodded, rubbing his chin with left hand. "And the mission?"
"Establishment of contact." Eula responded first.
"And learning about the fighting between your-" Sans added.
"Shhh!" Eula leaned towards him and put a finger in front of him.
"Now, now. No harm done." Khan waved his hands like birds waved his wings, making them both look back at him. "I understand the fear and curiosity about the unknown, but I will not speak about family matters at official visits."
"We didn't mean family directly." Sans corrected himself, pushing Eulas' hand aside. "We meant the tribe, and Liyue."
"Ah! The side-eyed!" Khan laughed, but quickly stopped with gruff chuckle as if age came back to bite him. "By responsibility of a Khan, I can. But I am obligated to ask you this. Who escorted you towards my presence?"
"Six man. Only two who staded their names were Hakh and Kadiq." Eula answered with straightforward face.
"These two? Now that is a good omen." Khan clapped his hands, sounding a loud 'slap' across the tent. "I always thought little Hakh hated his fellow kids, blindly looking up to the elders with no time for youthful rebellion..."
"Well, he didn't seem to be a child by the look." Sans said.
"I'm so old that my children are already adults, roughly in your age." Khan continued with friendly tone. "Then again, they were, are and looks like will be the most of my worries as to taking the tribe after I die."
"Hmm..." Eula rubbed her chin, thinking over what topic to touch upon next.
"No heir is a perfect option, I assume?" Sans asked out of nowhere, giving a curious look forward.
"I think that's nice enough to say about them." Khan nodded, nodding solemnly. "It just so happens that from my three sons all have more than something against them." He paused, coughing twice to clear his throat. "The youngest Hakh you already met. Open heart, warm in touch and kind in the eyes of The Bucefalos, but too soft for lenghty wars and not ready to sensibly manage bigger groups of people. Not out of spite or lazyness, but lack of natural talent and charm needed in troubling times like now."
" Welp, that explains Hakh." Sans nodded in understanding. "But that's only one of the three."
"Then we have Ike, studious and rational, the factual scribe of ours and the one who wrote the letter in my name to your King... Yes?"
"We have Grand Master, not King." Eula corrected him with rised arm.
"Thank you for informing me." Khan thanked before continuing. "As I was saying, Ike is as literate as whole libraries and self-educated beyond what most can even dream of. However, his love of books and foreign literature alienated him from what us Iramati, view as ourselves, nevermind humans themselves as a whole. He spends his days and nights in his own yurt, studying, translating and adopting everything except his homeland, to which her seems to have near natural aversion. But that's still eons away from the oldest if the three..."
"... And that wou-" Sans spoke up slowly before abrupt interruption.
"Shhh!" Eula nearly hissed, moving a finger in front of his mouth. "Don't you know to not pressure the elders?"
"... Now that I think about it." Khan spoke up, making the two look back at him. "It might be the best intrest of the whole world for you to hear what he may do."
"Then we listen." Sans nodded, making a step to his left away from Eula.
"Dragel... Was a fierce man. Brave, adventurous, dedicated. None of ours could honestly speak ill of him nor he knew a taks he couldn't handle. Politics, war, daily life... He had it all."
"But what happened?" Sans asked. "I mean, he sounds like a perfect heir if we stay at this part."
"Well... Kh, khh" Khan grunted with breathless cough. "Ever since their Mother died after stroke complications, he started to change. Hakh and Ike managed to go throu this hardship with clean hooves, mature enough to know the less successful part of life. But Dragel, used to always succeeding, couldn't make it throu after such a first loss. And then the war started, making us lose our wits and minds while riding and sailing all the way to this land."
"... Oh." Sans gasped shortly, narrowly noticing Eula silently standing with face that clearly implied she wasn't in the conversation from now on.
"Consequences came swiftly. Hakhs' preparation for the future slowed down, Ike became reclusive and Dragel... Dragel started to seek for a new God to himself."
"... And alienated himself from the tribe?" Sans asked.
"Not really. He in fact organised himself a large ammounts of followers." Khan responded with meek tone. "However, he may not view us as needed anymore since his group recently broke away from us and went further west into the mountains."
"And now he acts as he seems fit." Sans concluded.
"But I don't think I go after him. My loyal tribe needs me here on the throne, not there in a wild chase. Besides..." He slowed himself down, pointing behind the two. "It seems I have an urgent messenger."
"My Khan?" Person covered in brown, blanked-like cloth asked, dropping down to the knees and speaking in mildly female tone.
"Speak."
"The enemy forces are approaching the tower!"
"Go rally the warriors and have them come to the aid!" Khan ordered, lightly coughing as the messenger nodded decisively. "Seems like time grabbed me by the throat now, kh, kh. As for your dear duo, I am afraid I must end the visit. In exchange, you may come with my army and observe our valiant efforts from afar."
"Will do, thank you Khan." Sans bowed, quickly turning around and following the cloaked messenger with Eula coming soon after him.
"Rally the warriors, Khans' orders." Cloaked person spoke clearly to the two guards and few other people outside the tent before turning to Mondstadtian visitors. "So... Ready to see sky covered by arrows?"
"Sure, I guess." Sans nodded. "By the way, who are you?"
"Well, my name is Lily." She responded, moving the lenghty cloak on her up to reveal pair of brown boots and streaks of long blonde hair. "And I'll be your guide from now on."
