Chapter 36
Altai Mountains
All of the Nezak Huns were scattered throughout the mountains, searching for possible tribes. There were four groups lined along the mountains, risking their lives by crossing into uncharted territory. Cera led the soldiers and guided them on how to execute her masterful plan. Soran opted to accompany her, translating her orders to the soldiers. Her training under Navaz and Eksama proved to be fruitful, as she skillfully planned an entire exhibition with minimal help.
After the groups were finished searching their assigned areas, they were told to report to the command tent. This tent was a central point of contact for all the soldiers. They reported their findings, wrote reports, ate, slept, and mended their weapons. At the end of each week, the tent relocated a few miles down to keep up with the soldiers' scouting efforts.
The one person who could not imagine herself sitting inside an Adame full of Mirac's chatty sisters, was Xena. She wanted to join the exhibition and of course, Gabrielle was hesitant, but she couldn't deny her wife this chance. It had been a while since they were in the field, aside from their detective work in Persia.
Gabrielle waddled out of the tent, drenched in her own sweat. Gods, she loathed summer. She thought Pannonia was bad with the sweltering summers, but the mountains were worse. They were approaching the desert and the sun was brutal out here.
She washed her face in a basin of hot water. Of course it was hot. As she dried her face, her eyes fixated on Xena. A warmth encircled her, seeing how calm and focused her spouse was. Xena stood in tight trousers, an oversized burgundy tunic, and flats. It was rare to see her hair pulled into a topknot. Underneath the raven locks lay a large amount of grey and white.
She looked radiant, her sun-kissed skin glistening in the morning sun. Xena caught her staring and showed her pearly whites, the lines around her eyes crinkling.
"Good morning. Care for some wine?"
Gabrielle's nose wrinkled. "Wine this early? How are you not sweating buckets from drinking that?"
"My body is used to it. Besides, I like wine and I am not going to deny myself one of the gods' greatest gifts." She lifted the cup and gently whacked it against Gabrielle's sweaty forehead. "Sweating out impurities is good for the soul."
"Are you sure that's wine?"
Xena broke into a hearty laugh. She dropped the empty wooden cup into a bucket full of dirty dishes. As she brushed the sweaty hair glued to Gabrielle's forehead, Soran dashed towards them, sprinting all full speed. By the time he came to a stop, he took a moment to catch his breath.
"Grandma Khanum," he breathed. "Cera's crew found a tribe located on the northeast side of the mountains. It's hard to tell from afar, but I gather they are not Huns."
Rubbing her hands in delight, she mused, "Excellent. This is what we've been waiting for. Gabrielle, you and I will go to this tribe and find out as much as we can about this 'Khaganate.'"
Muttering to herself, Gabrielle went back into the tent to retrieve some dry clothes. She supposed she could bathe later since she would be riding for a few hours. Xena tucked in her tunic and grabbed her freshly washed vest and knee-length robe.
Soran walked over, tapping her shoulder. "Can I come with you?"
"Ah, you are too valuable to come with us. You're not only Navaz's son, but Arielle's—the Khagana's—brother. It's best if you stay with Cera."
"Please? I'm not the same boy you once knew who smoked opium all day. I've changed, really!"
Xena remained firm in her decision and gave an apologetic smile. "Hey," she called, snatching his collar. "Do not call me 'grandma' in the field."
He stammered, "I didn't mean to offend you. I just—I just see you as my grandmother."
That touched her heart and she eased up on the prince. "I know, and you can call me that but...not on the field. I don't like being called grandma in front of soldiers. You get me?" she said and Soran nodded.
She walked into the tent to grab her boots and heard Soran call her ma'am. Her shoulders tensed and she whipped her head around, grimacing. Soran realized he had made another mistake and ran in the opposite direction.
With a snicker, Gabrielle teased, "He called you grandma."
Xena replied with a low grumble.
"So, what happens when we arrive to the tribe? We can't show up and start asking questions about a missing Hun princess. They might kill us. We don't know if they even like Huns."
Xena drew her sword and examined its sharp edges. "If we're going to stay a while, we'll need a good reason. A few wounded soldiers should do the trick."
Her wife eyed her with caution. "You're going to stab a handful of men? That's your brilliant plan?!" she howled.
"Not fatally," she shrugged. "They knew what their duty was when they signed up. Their duty is to protect the empire and Aurora is the empire."
Four soldiers volunteered to be wounded in order to enter the tribe. Soran stood beside Cera, watching as Xena inflicted wounds on legs, arms, torsos, and shoulders of the men. Cera closed her eyes, but curiously kept watching through her fingers.
"Your grandma is crazy," said Soran, crossing his arms.
Cera frowned. "You just called her 'grandma' a few hours ago."
"When she does crazy stuff like that," he winced as a soldier released a shrill cry. "She's your grandmother."
The comment earned him a swift smack to the arm. Another soldier doubled-over on the grass, holding the large gash on his outer arm, oozing blood. Xena cleaned her blade with a cloth and stepped over the soldiers, who were now being bandaged with thick gauze. She smiled at the step-siblings and they could only look at the bloodied grass beneath their boots.
"I don't know how long we'll be gone for, but I want you two to continue searching the different regions. Who knows, we might get chased out of that tribe," she said, laughing lightly.
Cera didn't find the joke funny at all. She would be utterly devastated if anything happened to her grandmother. Arielle would probably go berserk if that were to happen. "Be careful, please," she reiterated for the zillionth time.
West Governing Rouran Khaganate
The news of Khagan Yollig's death traveled quickly and Pan Kül Tigin was deeply disturbed when his nephew delivered the message. He began to wonder if the Khaganate was ever going to the stable after Bilge Khagan's assassination. From the very beginning of the empire's birth, Pan Kül Tigin had doubts of Bilge's ability to control the governing tribes. It was apparent that his sons were no prize.
His nephew, Ulen, approached the dais. "Uncle, we ought to write Shad Buyruk Chor and demand answers. He was spotted when the fire at the Khagan's palace occurred. He might be conspiring against us."
"Buyruk does not have the balls to cross me," the governor spat a throaty growl. "Organize a group of Alps to investigate the palace. I want to know if the palace was intentionally set on fire."
Ulen thumped his chest and bowed. When he turned around, a guard entered the yurt with concern etched on his face. He passed by the guard and peeked through the curtains. A group of foreigners were outside, yet their faces were unrecognizable due to the night sky and dimly-lit torches.
"Shad, we have visitors with wounded soldiers. The commanding officer in charge wishes to seek refuge here while their men heal."
Pan Kül Tigin rose from the wooden chair, his knees creaking. He adjusted the heavy gold belt around rotund frame. "Bring him to me and I will decide if he and his men are able to remain here."
Ulen replied for the guard. "The officer is a woman. They don't look like one of our own. What tribe has women leading armed men?" he cackled.
A woman leading an army? The governor was instantly intrigued and he wanted to see for himself. Pan Kül Tigin stepped out of the yurt and waved at his men to lower their weapons. He stood tall on the wooden platform, staring directly into Xena's blue eyes that glistened in the firelight. So, it was true—a woman led these wounded men. Then, he spotted another woman, albeit smaller than the blue-eyed one.
"I am the acting governor of this tribe and I see you have brought injured men with you," he announced, silencing the tribespeople. "Come forward so I may greet you properly."
Xena took three steps forward, her face illuminated by the torches encircling the yurt. Pan Kül Tigin studied her carefully, noting that she was older. She looked to be his around the same age as him. He was impressed by her height as it surpassed many of his men. His eyes did not skip over the large sword attached to her hip either.
"And the other woman," he said, nodding at Gabrielle.
Calmly, Gabrielle walked to stand beside Xena. Their fingers intertwined behind their backs, silently communicating with each other. It was decided that Gabrielle would do most of the talking. They were allowed entry into the camp very easily, but it wasn't clear if they would be permitted to stay.
"I'm Gabrielle and this is Xena. We're from—"
Ulen lurched forward. "You dare speak before the Shad announces himself!" he yelled, but his uncle rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Continue," Pan Kül Tigin urged.
She swallowed and continued. "We are from the Barsils tribe in the Caucasus region. A group of bandits attacked us and stole our goods, while also injuring our soldiers. The journey to our tribe is long and we humbly ask that we may reside here until our men are healed."
"I have not heard of the Barsils tribe."
"We were once located near China, but we left because the Sabirs ransacked our tribe," she said, sweat dripping down her back. Everything she said was true, but it was a lie. She hoped it sounded believable.
The Shad crinkled his nose in obvious disgust of the Sabirs. Good, the lie was working, thought Gabrielle. "I am Pan Kül Tigin, Shad of the Western Rouran Khaganate. Any people who went up against the Sabirs are honorable in my eyes. I will permit your soldiers to stay until they are ready to ride again. My nephew, Ulen, will tend to your needs and prepare yurts for you all."
Gabrielle tried thanking the Shad, but he'd already gone back into his yurt. She went to fetch her saddlebag before the horses were taken to the stables. Her eyes brimmed over the horse's saddle, meeting Xena's. They shared a smile together and then turned around to be escorted to the yurts.
Ulen followed his uncle, seething with anger. "We have no idea who they are, and you're allowing them to stay."
"I don't fear foreigners. Your father made a mistake isolating his clan. That's why you're here and he's not," his tone conveyed a darkness that made Ulen's stomach turn. "May his soul find peace."
"You do not know their intentions, uncle."
"I know that their soldiers are wounded. It is part of our custom to welcome travelers in the tribe," Pan Kül Tigin said with finality. "Investigate the fire and leave Buyruk Chor out of it."
"I thought you said you trusted him," Ulen chided.
He eased into the large wooden chair and sighed heavily. "I never said anything about trust. You should never trust co-rulers."
The next morning women from the tribe brought two large basins of water for bathing. They also brought a box of fragrances, soap, and fresh linen. Gabrielle wished she would've bathed when she had the chance. Yet, she didn't really have a choice as she desperately needed to wash her hair. She leaned over the basin and dunked her head in, scrubbing her scalp with her nails.
The tribe was not too different from any other tribe encampment, except for one small detail. All the unmarried, elderly, and widowed women lived on one side of the encampment. This meant that the wounded Hun soldiers were on the other end of the camp.
Xena unraveled her braid as she said her thoughts aloud. "He mentioned this as the Western Rouran Khaganate."
"Who?" Gabrielle shouted as she washed her hair.
"The Shad—Pan Kül whatever his name is. He's the governor of this tribe. I wonder how big this Khaganate is. Do you think there's a governor in the east somewhere?"
Gabrielle flipped her head back and dried her hair. "Can't have a west without an east," she remarked.
"It's possible Cera will find a tribe in the east. If Aurora isn't here then she will be there," Xena declared, already calculating the next move she was to make. She needed to search this encampment. But first, she needed to make friends with the Shad and learn more about the Rouran Khaganate as a whole.
"Hey, Xena, you know I've been thinking about something since last night." She dipped one foot into the lukewarm water and rubbed the soles with a rag. "When I said we were from the Barsils tribe, he didn't know they existed."
Xena's eyes darted around the yurt and she shrugged. "So? We didn't know they existed either until Farah brought that slave girl home."
"Yes, but one of the Alps told us that Gohar was coming to the Rouran Khaganate to form an alliance. If the Shad doesn't know about the Barsils tribe then—"
"Then Aurora isn't here."
A sense of sadness washed over Xena as reality set in. She had been so optimistic when they stumbled upon this encampment. The initial plan was for a smooth extraction and a journey back to Pannonia with Aurora. Unfortunately, things took a different turn. With Aurora still missing, Xena's determination to locate that eastern encampment intensified. She had a maximum of two weeks until the soldiers were healed.
Tang Empire, North China
Upon arriving to the palace grounds, Aurora was immediately overwhelmed. This palace was guarded by a fifty-foot stone wall with huge gates. She realized she was no longer in nomad territory, surrounded by bonfires, yurts, and crop fields. The compound had several buildings, all which housed distant relatives of the emperor.
Almost a week had gone by and Aurora had yet to lay eyes on Wasifah. When they arrived, Wasifah was taken to a separate building on the far side of the compound. Mara was permitted to stay and serve as a maid, which she despised. It was against her rank as an Alp apprentice, but she didn't put up a fight. She wanted to be near Aurora. That's all that mattered.
She and Aurora were given one of the largest suites in a secluded building. A group of fourteen chambermaids were assigned to the suite. They brought fresh clothes, bathed Aurora and Mara, and dressed their hair every morning.
It was nice to be pampered, but now Aurora knew she would never be able to leave here alive. Not to mention, she was being given the cold shoulder from Mara.
Mara perched herself on the window sill, picking at the peeling wood-framed window. "We've been locked in here for days. It is your fault," she muttered.
The spoon clanked against the porcelain plate. Aurora pushed her chair out as she stood. "It is my fault that Tengri killed his brother's army and kidnapped us? What would you have had me do?"
"I don't know—fight, maybe?" she squawked, throwing her fist into the wall.
"You've got to be joking. Tengri wants me dead. He has people watching my every move! He will kill me if I do or say anything against him!"
"You ordered Gohar to be executed!" her voice rattled, her body trembling as she approached Aurora. "You were so worried about yourself that you decided Gohar's life was less insignificant than yours. The Barsils clan has no Alp leader now because of you."
Her words hurt terribly, and Aurora swallowed them. She forced her tears to stay at bay. "There is such a thing called politics and I played the game. I may have lost with Gohar, but I intend not to lose to Tengri's games again."
Mara gave a cynical laugh and plopped onto the bed. "Politics? That's how you view Gohar's life."
Little did Mara realize that she was the next target. Aurora was fully aware of her selfish motives; she craved the Alp solely for herself, seeking a sense of security, love, and protection. The truth behind her decision was something she couldn't reveal. Her choice had led to Gohar's demise, but that was precisely what Prince Tengri had intended from the start.
"Can you even imagine what it's like to be me for just one day?" Aurora yapped, her fists clenched. "Being a princess of an empire is no easy task. Every choice I make has consequences for my people." She noticed Mara's expression soften. "Tengri was going to kill Gohar no matter what," she revealed. "China is an ally of Persia, and Gohar was just in the way of Tengri destroying his family's palace. He was never going to choose Wasifah or...you."
She added, "He wanted me to be at fault for her death. He tricked me."
And what a dirty trick it was. Forever, she would live with the guilt of Gohar's death. It wasn't until she was walking in the desert when she realized what trouble she caused. The Barsils clan would likely want to disband from the empire. Gohar was a strong leader in the tribe and it was only because of her that they collectively joined the Hun-Avar Empire. The tribe could revolt like the Gokturks did. There could be another civil war.
"I'm sorry I attacked you," Mara said, wrapping her arms around the princess. "We need to get out of this place."
Aurora clasped the Alp's head between her palms. "The only way we're going to get out of here is if I memorize every inch of this palace."
Her face contorted. "Is your fragile princess brain capable of that?" she teased, poking Aurora's forehead.
"I've read hundreds of manuscripts, laws, treaties and memorized them all. It's part of my training to be Khagana one day." Her smile exuded pride, and Mara's mouth parted, speechless.
"But Aurora, this palace stretches for miles."
"I can do it, but we need to start right away. We don't know how long we'll be here, and I don't know when—if—my family will find us. They are forbidden to enter China."
Mara chuckled softly. "Why, what did they do?" she inquired with a light-hearted tone, but the expression she was met with spoke volumes.
All she could muster was, "It was my mother's doing. Before she was Khagana, she commanded the army. She got thrown into prison and then burned down a village in the imperial city." The more she delved into the details, the worse it sounded. "My mother has some interesting tactics in warfare..."
Mara merely stared at her with a blank face. Then she said with a grin, "I am looking forward to meeting your mother."
Anyone with a sound mind would have been appalled by the story she shared. Aurora was truly taken aback when she recounted stories about her mother, yet it failed to frighten Mara. This was a new sensation for her. The girls in Persia despised her mother, except for Hallel. A fond smile crossed her face as she recalled Hallel's sweetness and kindness; she had made life in Persia tolerable, if only for a brief moment.
"You've got a weird smile going on there, princess," Mara remarked, snickering.
Her cheeks flushed crimson immediately. "We should start devising our plan. The easiest way for me to get around the palace is to be at Tengri's side. I'll regain his trust."
West Governing Rouran Khaganate
Pan Kül Tigin was quite a sight, and not in a flattering way. He appeared to be the oldest member of the tribe, often found lounging in his yurt. It seemed he hadn't seen battle in ages, as Xena noted from his appearance. His garments struggled to contain his hefty frame, barely fitting around his ample waist and wide shoulders.
It was apparent that his people held him in high esteem, evident from their decision to appoint him as their governor. Conversations between him and Xena lasted for days following her arrival. To everyone's surprise, Pan Kül Tigin quickly warmed up to her. He found her wit and charm delightful.
Xena had no patience for idle chatter, especially when she was running out of time. Each passing day meant she was getting further away from seeing Aurora. It was almost second nature for her to fall back into her old ways while pretending for the governor. She smoothly flirted with him, causing him to open up.
Every time he chuckled at her jokes; it caused her stomach to knot. Gabrielle, fortunately, found the whole thing hilarious and even offered her some pointers. Xena couldn't decide if she was offended or not; her spouse giving her advice on how to flirt correctly.
"Your accent is fascinating," he commented.
Xena's jaw tensed. "I'm guessing you don't get out much," she said, her eyes brimming the cup's rim. "With your tribe in seclusion and all. We're lucky we found you or else my men would've died."
"Indeed, lucky," he gruffly said. The alcohol began to settle in his veins, numbing his senses. "Do not let this old body fool you. I used to go on campaigns in China. I met a young man at the port once. He had the same accent as you," he remarked, wagging his finger.
"I'm from a place pretty far west, governor."
"I thought your tribe was in the Caucasus."
She flashed a smile and corrected herself. "As far as I'm concerned, the Caucasus region is very west from here."
Pan Kül Tigin gawped at her for a while until he burst into a hearty laugh. "Right, you are, Xena! Right, you are!"
Ulen briskly walked in; his attention averted to Xena. He had not been keen about his uncle becoming so close with the foreigner. There was a lingering in her eyes that he didn't care for. She certainly made his uncle feel as if he were on top of the world. It had been many moons since his uncle exuded such happiness.
He waited for Xena to be dismissed but instead, she was permitted to stay. He frowned. "I have gathered a group of men to..." he eyed Xena before continuing. "To investigate the palace, sir."
Pan Kül Tigin merely grunted. "Very good. You'll set off first in the morning."
Xena's raised eyebrow spelled intrigue. She turned to the governor, straightening her posture. "I can't imagine a palace being out in the middle of this desert."
"You are too curious, Xena," the governor laughed, pouring more wine into his cup.
"You could say that." She smiled. "What if I had an interest in building an alliance? I would need to know more about your people. You showed so much kindness to me and my people." Her hand rested over her heart. Gabrielle would be proud of her negotiation skills.
Central Pannonia
Now that the war was over, the focus was on the Byzantines. There was a delay in payments, but there was also a lack of organization from the treasury. As promised, Farah devoted herself to preparing for her eldest son's wedding, which made her neglect her duties as treasurer. Arielle was very unhappy and called for more meetings in her bedchamber. Her calls were ignored and Farah continued to plan for the ceremony.
In the last few weeks, Arielle was stuck in bed, healing from the back injury. It was only in the last few days that she was able to get around the Adame with a cane. In the gathering room, all children were present, chasing each other, playing games on the floor, or talking quietly. Edemen and Öza were seated next to Navaz and Anastasia, being probed with questions.
Arielle's gaze traversed the room and Xerxes held their daughter in his arms. He'd grown very protective over Elif. He even prevented Arielle from being alone with her. Everyone felt the tension and the worst thing of it all was nobody said anything. Arielle expected her mother to be on her side, but she wasn't.
Their eyes locked on each other, blocking out the cacophony of voices around them. Xerxes passed off Elif into Ku-Ilm's arms. He walked toward her and clasped her shoulder. Arielle rolled her shoulder back and kept her head forward.
"This behavior of yours is cruel," she noted sourly. "I don't like it."
"I am not cruel," he retorted. "Far from it, actually."
"You are keeping my daughter from me." Her lips thinned.
"I am protecting her."
"Protecting her from me?" she screeched, silencing the room. She smiled at her family, specifically her young daughters. "Clearly, I cannot get around the Adame without hobbling like a crone. I'm hardly a threat, especially to a child—my child. I should be allowed to be with her without you breathing down my goddamn neck. You are using my injury as a poor excuse to justify your shitty behavior, Xerxes."
He reminded her, "You took her without telling me. I thought something happened to her." His voice wavered, attempting to keep his temper from rising. "You broke my trust, Arielle, and you have yet to apologize. I'm Elif's father and I ought to know where she is at all times."
Arielle came to the realization that she was being self-centered by taking their daughter with her. Despite her concerns about being apart from Elif, instead of searching for a new wetnurse or deciding to remain at home, she chose to join the war. The battlefield beckoned her. If she had stayed behind, all her efforts would have been in vain. Ultimately, it didn't make much of a difference since she couldn't fight until the very end.
"My grandma was right," she muttered and Xerxes looked at her. "It's impossible to be a mother and ruler. I can't please anyone, especially myself."
He sat next to her, clasping their hands. "If you need help all you need to do is ask."
A contemplative notion flickered in her mind: what had she done to deserve the honor of having such a man as her husband? Yet, she dismissed the thought, recognizing the genuine warmth of Xerxes' kindness. Although she was reluctant to apologize, accepting his offer would serve as her way of making amends. He embraced her silent apology with a firm grasp of her hand, and they exchanged knowing smiles, finding solace in each other amidst the jubilant revelry surrounding them.
Öza blossomed into a charming young lady. Gone was the timid servant girl Arielle had encountered a year prior. Her face lit up with a radiant smile whenever she engaged with the family. Pannonia had been a haven for her, and Farah was overjoyed to welcome her as a daughter-in-law. As Arielle gazed at her, she couldn't help but be reminded of her own daughter. Öza was not much older than Aurora, and as she continued to look at her, she felt the sting of tears threatening to emerge.
As the Adame quieted down for the night, Arielle took a seat on her balcony, savoring the crisp night air. It appeared that autumn was making an early appearance this year, and after the tribe's grueling summer, it was a much-needed relief.
She could hear soft footsteps trailing behind her, but she kept her focus ahead. As a stack of papers landed on the table, Arielle's gaze shifted to the right. Farah's thin fingers lightly brushed against her arm.
"It's a bit late, but I completed the budgets you asked for," said Farah. "Three payments from Justin weren't sent in. I suggest you hold a meeting with him and Sophia to prevent another war. Sophia is easier to talk to. I could be present at the meeting with you, if you choose to hold one."
Arielle casually browsed through the documents, catching sight of familiar words such as war, money, silver, and armies. The constant reminders of these terms were beginning to wear her out. It was evident that another war was on the horizon. King Alboin had hinted at his intentions to launch an attack on Byzantium, but Arielle wanted no involvement in the conflict.
"Thank you, Farah," she breathed. "I'll review these in the morning." Her scratchy voice displayed her exhaustion perfectly. "How are the wedding plans going? You must be busy."
The queen clamped her hands together in excitement. "Edemen is thrilled with my suggestions. It took him a while to agree, but he'll love it. Öza went with my suggestion of the green dress, as I knew she would."
Arielle chuckled softly. It was funny how Farah, with her mathematical expertise, also had a flair for fashion. It was an odd mix, but she carried it off with style.
The mention of marriage triggered a flood of memories of Aurora. Without warning, tears streamed down her face. She buried her head in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. Farah wrapped her in a comforting embrace, pulling her close.
Farah gently quieted her, running her hand through Arielle's hair. "They're putting in a lot of effort to locate her," she mentioned Aurora, understanding that was the reason for the tears. "She's a smart girl. I'd like to believe you've raised her well enough to know how to avoid danger."
"I...I should've never let her leave," her voice cracked.
"None of this is your fault, Arielle."
"Yes, it is!" she yelped, wiping her eyes. "I could've allowed her to come home, but I was too focused on the war. I wanted her to stay away in case we were attacked."
"That wouldn't have prevented Gohar from taking Aurora. We shouldn't focus on what should have been done. You will only drive yourself mad."
Arielle felt a sharp sting in her lungs as she struggled to inhale. Her eyes locked onto Farah's hazel ones, shimmering softly under the moon's glow. They radiated a calmness and wisdom that was almost unsettling. It was strange how, during some of her lowest moments, Farah had a way of lifting her spirits. Even with their strange bond as sisters-in-law, she treasured those rare, meaningful exchanges they shared.
Standing, Farah extended her hand. "We need to get you to bed. You haven't been sleeping." She was met with a surprised look. "Csaba told me you've barely slept in weeks."
"He has a big mouth." She took Farah's hand and grabbed her cane to stand.
Rouran Khaganate
The next day saw the commencement of the investigation, as Xena's requests to accompany them were disregarded. However, she had a backup plan in place. Gabrielle was instructed to shadow the soldiers and sketch out a map of their route. The only issue? She wasn't authorized to follow them. It was a covert operation, after all.
Ulen, the nephew of Pan Kül Tigin, guided the troops across the rugged mountains. Gabrielle moved cautiously through the sparse vegetation lining the path. She despised these types of assignments. Xena had warned her that she wouldn't be good at it, and Gabrielle had to admit she was right. Xena was not known for her stealth.
This palace was situated in a remote area, far removed from society. As they journeyed north, the number of trees dwindled significantly. Gabrielle stayed back a few yards, ensuring she stayed out of sight. The oppressive summer heat seemed to wither everything in its path. In the distance, the dirt path led to the palace. Struggling to see through the intense waves of heat, Gabrielle had to squint to catch a glimpse of the palace on the horizon.
Ulen raised a clenched fist. "Spread out and search for bodies," he commanded.
Gabrielle crouched behind a wall surrounding the compound. The soldiers pulled out several badly burned bodies from the courtyard. She covered her mouth as the stench reached her. A cough trapped in her throat, rosing her cheeks as she held it in.
Whatever happened here, and whoever did this, was cruel and diabolical. The wounds on the bodies were inconceivable. Many were decapitated and some had pikes driven through their rectums, shooting out through their mouths. Gabrielle's stomach roiled at the sound of bodies being thrown atop of one another.
"There is nobody here, Ulen," a soldier said. "Only the dead among us."
"Where is Khagan Yollig?"
The deceased Khagan was carried to the pile of bodies by a pair of men. They carefully laid him on the ground. Flies were devouring Yollig's flesh, and maggots were spilling out from the openings in his cheeks. Ulen took off his fur hat and draped it over the Khagan's decomposing face.
"We will take his body to my uncle and bury him properly. Prince Tengri has fled with his mother. It is clear that this fire was deliberately set."
A soldier dared to ask, "Do you believe the prince has something to do with the fire?"
Ulen's lips curled. "I cannot make assumptions. The investigation continues. I want an Alp sent to spy on Buyruk Chor's camp."
The Khagan's decomposing body was carefully placed on a stretcher by Ulen, who then led the Alps on their journey back to the south. Meanwhile, Gabrielle remained concealed amidst the meager foliage on the ground, biding her time until they had passed so she could venture into the palace alone.
After dusting off her clothes, she entered the abandoned palace. The sheer size and peculiar appearance of the place were a stark contrast to the beautiful wooden Adames in Pannonia. Stepping inside, Gabrielle was greeted by the sight of multiple bodies scattered across the courtyard, the stench causing her stomach to churn.
During the next two hours, she scoured every room, hunting for clues. The absence of Aurora's body among the fallen was a positive indication. Yet, there were no definitive signs that Aurora had ever set foot there. That was until Gabrielle noticed a headless female body tucked away at the back of the palace, a discovery that sent shivers down her spine.
Kneeling down, she felt a deep sense of regret as she turned the head that had been severed. From the open mouth and vacant eye sockets, worms began to wriggle out. Gabrielle instinctively pulled back, bile rising in her throat.
"Oh, Gohar..." she gasped. "How long have you been here?"
Gabrielle dashed out of the palace and vomited beside a tree. After wiping her mouth, she leaned against the tree and slowly sank to the ground. A refreshing breeze brushed past, replacing the stifling heat. It suddenly dawned on her. Gohar was dead. However, the silver lining was that Aurora was here.
Her gaze swept across the landscape before a small carving on a tree piqued her interest. As she rose, her knees made a faint cracking sound. She gently brushed her fingers over the carving and a smile blossomed on her lips.
"Aurora, you clever girl," she whispered.
Another marker probably lay nearby. The chances of discovering more markers seemed slim. Darkness was encroaching, and without a light source, Gabrielle had to make a decision. She could either stay among the decaying corpses or attempt to find her way back in the dark. The thought of sleeping among the dead was completely out of the question.