The Tiger-Headed Horseman Page 15

  ‘A shaman is nothing more than a witch,’ announced Tengis. The crowd gasped in horror. Shamanism had long been the sacred religion of ancient Ongolium and, although rarely, if ever, practised in Baatarulaan, was still held in high esteem. Tengis's words were nothing short of sacrilege. If he knew anything, though, Tengis knew how to turn a crowd his way. ‘You are a witch and that is why you are trying to undermine me. You know full well that the Ten Recommendations are the true words of the people but still you decry them. Why?’

  ‘You lie!’ shouted Lily. ‘A shaman is a holy person and you know that full well. Don't you dare try and twist things.’

  ‘My dear,’ said Tengis, ‘what can I say? Men and women sleep on the same pillow but they have different dreams. I am clearly a man; you are not yet even a woman. Your word counts for nothing. In case you haven't noticed, we don't believe in religion any more. The Khadists saw to that hundreds of years ago. The only thing we people of Baatarulaan worship is the right to be ourselves; the right to freedom and the right to live life according to the Ten Recommendations. We call it New Chinggism; it's a way of life not a religion. Religion is all mumbo-jumbo. Religion is the silly stuff of people that believe in magic and we know what people who believe in magic are, don't we?’ Tengis turned to the crowd looking for their answer.

  ‘WITCHES!’ yelled the crowd. And before long most of the crowd were pointing at her and some were even asking for her to be burned. Lily was learning quickly just how inconsistent people in Baatarulaan really were.

  ‘Hush, please, hush,’ said Tengis. He raised his arms to calm the mob. ‘Let's see what the little witch, I mean little girl, has to say. We are not barbarians here.’ With each moment Tengis's reflux began to move back down inside his throat as well-spun snake oil made its way out.

  In contrast, Lily's blood was boiling. She tried to break free of the guards but they held her firmly.

  ‘Speak up, the people want to hear what magical spells you have to cast.’

  The crowd eagerly awaited her words.

  ‘If you are so just,’ said Lily. She hurriedly tried to find a different tack and recalled the words of Millie. ‘If you are no despotic dictator in waiting; if you are a true democratic leader of people; if you truly believe that the people believe in you; if your New Chinggism is so robust; if your Ten Recommendations really have won hearts and minds, why don't you prove it?’

  ‘What would you have me do, witch?’ said Tengis.

  ‘If you have faith that people have faith in you,’ said Lily, ‘if you honestly believe in a future fair for all, why have you avoided talk of an election? I know that people around you have discussed it, why don't you even mention it? Surely it is the one and only way of finding a leader for Ongolium who truly represents the people?’

  Tengis felt the bile in his stomach rising once more as he struggled to hold the smile on his face. He knew a smile was important.

  ‘Are you trying to cast some spooky spell over us?’ said Tengis. He theatrically pretended to be scared. People in the crowd laughed in support. ‘Are you trying to summon up some long-forgotten evil demon? Is that how you get in contact with your so-called spirit friends, by telling lies? No? I think I know what it is you are doing. You are indeed casting a spell. You are spreading words of mass deception. I can't quite pinpoint which words they are but I know they are in there somewhere. When I find them I will prove beyond all doubt that you are a witch. And what do we do when we find a witch?’ Tengis turned histrionically towards the crowd, holding one hand to his ear.

  ‘BURN HER!’ shrieked the crowd, ‘BURN HER! BURN HER! BURN THE WITCH! BURN THE WITCH!’

  Lily was terrified. She tried once more to shake free of her fearsome custodians but to no avail. The crowd chanted louder and more fanatically as Tengis began to work it into a frenzy. Lily desperately sought a way out. Her future suddenly looked particularly bleak . . . and hot. She frantically looked for support among the crowd. Delusional eyes glared back at her deeply drunk on Tengis's fanaticism.

  Towards the back of the seething throng Lily suddenly spotted movement. Six heavily set figures were slowly but firmly making their way towards her through the crowd. They wore large hats and shook their fists in the air in time with the chanting. The crowd was undeniably in favour of turning Lily into carbon. The hefty men were apparently strong supporters of burning witches. Lily watched them advance, petrified that they might be the last people she ever saw. The six men approached.

  As she watched six arms pumping the air rhythmically, one of the men's cloaks fell back. The arm beneath it was far hairier than Lily had expected it to be. The men reached the front of the rabble and advanced upon Lily. Tengis, who had been busily playing the people, suddenly noticed the intruders making their way towards his captive. Lily was close to fainting with fear. The intruders suddenly threw off their hats and cloaks. Standing abreast of one another, they beat their chests and roared into the darkening sky. As they did so, one of them, a particularly stocky broad man, cast a look towards Lily and winked. She noted with joy and relief that his roar had a particularly unique sing-song lilt. The tall boy made his way over to her and shoved her captors out of the way pushing them all a little harder than was actually necessary. Picking her up effortlessly, he placed her on to his wide, warm shoulders. His fellow guerrillas continued to roar at the crowd, who scattered despite their number. Tengis stood watching on dumbstruck. Within a minute there was no sight (or sound) of the guerrilla, or of Lily.

  Rushing along at dizzying speed atop the tall boy's shoulders, Lily tried in vain to figure out where they were headed but they were moving too fast. Presently they slowed and finally stopped. The group stood in the middle of Danyal's yard. Breathing hard, the men and boys began to slap one another on the back and laugh raucously. Even Lily began to giggle as her nervous system rebooted. Danyal and Millie came rushing out of the house to greet her. Drudger walked out of the stable holding Lucky's reins.

  ‘My girl,’ said Millie, ‘I don't know whether you are brave, stupid – or both!’

  ‘Imagine taking on Tengis when he is with his henchmen and in front of a mob of his frenzied supporters,’ said Danyal. ‘Lass, you really must have a death wish for yourself and for Tengis. Trying to attack him single-handedly, brilliant!’

  ‘It wasn't like that,’ pleaded Lily. ‘I was just out walking when . . .’

  ‘When you decided to have a go at Tengis,’ said Drudger.

  ‘Nudge-nudge, wink-wink,’ said the Hairy Hordes in unison as they nudged one another heavy-handedly and blinked wildly at one another. It wasn't long before they were a jumbled mass of dusty, playful fighting.

  ‘Honestly,’ implored Lily. ‘I didn't want to cause any trouble. But when I saw Tengis something came over me. I wasn't in control of myself. I couldn't help trying to attack him. It was weird. It felt as though he had somehow unstopped all of my hatred and was pulling it towards him. I could see in his eyes that he felt the same way. There was an awful and frightening connection of some sort. I really don't remember.’

  ‘It doesn't matter what you do and don't remember,’ said Millie. ‘You are now very much on Tengis's agenda. The question is: are you happy being on his agenda? Would you be willing to take this battle further? From what I have heard he has already unleashed the entire Leggie to find both you and the Hairy Hordes. He has issued a shoot-to-kill mandate to all archers throughout Baatarulaan. Like it or not, you have started the fight. He will probably be forging a coalition with the Khadists, promising that, so long as they give him overall control, he will not banish or execute any of them. We are but a few, but now we have a talisman, or should I say taliswoman?’

  ‘What?’ said Lily. ‘Battle? I only wanted to find my father. I really don't know what to do but Tengis can't be allowed to continue. He is evil – I will willingly do anything it takes to stop him.’

  ‘You are not alone,’ said Danyal. ‘People wanted change. They will soon begin to realise that Tengis
was never really offering change. There is nothing new in his New Chinggism and there is certainly nothing to do with Chinggis, not that we could see. He does have powerful friends but in time I think we will find that so do we. Unless we act soon, there is a grave danger that Tengis will take full control of Ongolium. If we let that happen, the world in which we will find ourselves is likely to be a lot more severe than it is now. As for your father, if Tengis realises who he is, I fear he will never be found. He is a clever man and a devious orator, but he has blackness in his soul.’

  ‘Tengis has no soul!’ said Lily. ‘He is consumed by his greed for power and position. He appears to be so sure that he really is Chinggis Khaan. Listening to him talk was terrifying.’

  ‘That as may be,’ said Millie, ‘but whereas the meat-biting tooth is in the mouth, the man-biting tooth is in the soul. You have a stronger soul and spirit than Tengis will ever be able to understand. As for now, it's not safe for you to stay here. You must leave Baatarulaan. The Leggie will be turning over every stone as they search for you. Here, Lucky is ready for you. He will know his way out of here and back across the Steppe. Wear this disguise, it may be dark but everyone will be looking for you. Good luck and rest assured, we will meet soon, I promise.’ Millie leaned over and kissed Lily on the forehead. Lucky nuzzled up next to her happy to be with his mistress again.

  ‘I have packed your belongings,’ said Danyal. ‘There is enough food for both of you for a week. I have also left a note explaining how to contact us in emergency. There is a map – we will meet at the point marked X ten days from now. Be safe: you are an important young woman now.’ Danyal ruffled her hair and hastily walked back inside.

  ‘He's not very good at goodbyes,’ said Drudger. ‘Anyways, it's more of an au revoir, innit?’ Drudger followed Danyal indoors, wiping a tear from his misshapen face.

  ‘Wait. What about you and the Hairy Hordes?’ asked Lily, as she climbed up on to Lucky's back. ‘They're not safe either. They are in as much danger as I am. They can't stay here either.’

  The Hairy Hordes stood and looked at Lily. No one had really ever cared for their wellbeing before. They tried to show how touched they were by the empathy of this young woman but instead replied using the only means they knew how – they snorted loudly, guffawed and gave the fellow nearest them a jolly good kick up the behind. Wiping his shorts comically, the man with the interesting accent wandered over casually and gave Lucky a heavy slap on his rump. The horse reared up and galloped off into the darkness. Lily turned and shouted to the Hairy Hordes: ‘Keep safe and may your moustaches grow like brushwood!’

  18

  For the first time in over a week Lily found herself alone with Lucky. A good deal had taken place since that had last happened. She was thankful of having an opportunity to take stock and think about everything that had taken place. Sitting up in her saddle, Lily wiped the sleep from her eyes. She had no idea what time it was or how long she had been riding. As she looked around her, Baatarulaan was nowhere to be seen. Even if she wasn't certain where she was, Lily knew that she was safely back on the Steppe. She bent over forwards and gave Lucky as big a hug as was possible from her saddle. People had always said he was a very fortunate horse.

  Lily stretched widely and yawned heavenwards. Although they had been travelling for some time, Lily knew that Lucky would simply stop when he needed a rest; she didn't have to worry about his fatigue. Reaching behind her, Lily opened the pannier saddlebags that contained her provisions and meagre belongings. She pulled out the letter that Danyal had left with her and untied the string that bound its scroll:

  Dearest Lily,

  You really have been a wonder. Imagine taking on Tengis on your own – such courage! I no longer have any doubts that with you leading our charge we shall defeat Tengis and with him the Khadist regime that has shackled the true people of Ongolium since the age of Chinggis Khaan. Keep your faith – you are the one; it is your destiny.

  In your saddlebags you will find enough provisions to see you till next we meet. I have also given you a small horn. If you find yourself in danger, blow it. Although you may think you are alone, there are friends in hidden places. The influence of Millie reaches further than you can imagine.

  Be at the spot marked X by midnight of the next full moon. In the meantime, while your horse is strong, travel to see places.

  With deepest support, faith and gratitude,

  Danyal.

  Lily finished reading the letter, rolled it back up and replaced it in the saddlebag. Although she had experienced more excitement in the past month than in the rest of her life put together, she was exhausted both mentally and physically. The last thing she wanted was anything that would cause her adrenalin levels to rise anything over ‘just awake’. She looked around at the flat rocky Steppe. She counted how many birds she could see – eleven in total. In short, Lily was bored. After the excitement of Baatarulaan and the future challenges that lay ahead she didn't know what to do with herself until the next full moon appeared. It was too far for her to head back to her herder group. She also didn't want to go back until she had actually achieved something. To date she had been given a box she didn't understand yet; gone in search of her father but not found him; met some people she wasn't one hundred per cent sure she trusted; and inadvertently started a battle with somebody she utterly abhorred but wasn't sure why. Lily was rather confused. Lucky kept plodding further on into the Steppe. Neither of them was sure where they were heading but both of them wanted to get there.

  Lily needed something to occupy her time. Two things came to mind. She had a puzzle that she still remained some way away from solving – the strange ornate box and its nonsensical riddle.

  She had seen a tiger. It was apparently meant to signify Tengis and the future, although other than being a strong marketing tool Lily saw little connection between the two and there had been no sign of any tigers wearing a bell. It all felt a little bit like it lacked real substance. The cats Lily had quickly identified as the rich, opulent and lazy Khadists living in Baatarulaan, but there were no fish. During the time Lily had spent in Baatarulaan she had seen people eating many weird and wonderful things but never once fish. There was also hardly any fresh water to speak of. The river near the city was dreadfully polluted and not even Lucky would think about drinking from it. This brought Lily to the Heaven and Earth conundrum. It had to have something to do with her shawomanism, but again she was unsure what. Altogether she surmised that, while she had learned many things from her first experience of Baatarulaan, she had moved no further in understanding the riddle of the box.

  Deflated, she jumped down from Lucky and walked beside him. The horse stopped almost immediately. Lily saw that he was looking to rest. He wandered down to the banks of the river that flowed nearby and drank deeply. Lily was utterly exhausted. Dusk was fast approaching, which meant the chill cold of the Ongolian night would soon be upon her. Where they stood was as good a place as any to set up camp. After starting a suitable fire Lily set up camp. The tent covering Danyal had provided was oddly shaped yet enabled both Lily and Lucky to snuggle up against one another. It was a blustery frozen night but the pair remained warm. Lily dreamed about Baatarulaan and the strange way city people lived. It differed so greatly from the herder life she had grown accustomed to. She could not understand why people lived in such confined spaces so close to one another. It didn't feel natural.

  Lucky dreamed about carrots and a warm bed of hay, snoring noisily as he did so.

  19

  Lily awoke sometime in the middle of the night. She had no idea what time it was but it was almost pitch-dark. The moon was only midway through waxing and its bulging illumination was not yet at its full power. Lily knew from her lunar charts that it had something to do with gibbons or monkeys of some sort. Lucky still lay snoring next to her. He was the largest and warmest hot-water bottle she had ever enjoyed. She made a mental note to build a ger that she could share with her steed; it was odd but it m
ade sense, even with the fruity aromas. Stretching her arms wide and yawning she ventured outside the tent into the chill night air.

  Lily knew almost every constellation in the Ongolian sky. As she wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, she sought out the Big Dipper and Carousel – they were her favourites. Settling down on to the ground, she stoked up the fire to create some additional warmth. She felt empty. Lily had so many questions yet no answers. She feared she really was turning into the idiot with so many questions that Danyal had referred to. How was she to know everything, though? She considered herself to be relatively young. She had never heard of any twenty-two-year-olds who really knew how the world worked despite their constant refrains claiming the opposite. Why should she have been any different? She had spent her life moving between the Steppe and the spirit world; living among her simple herder family; and sharing friendship with no other soul than a particularly grumpy yet loyal horse. Why did people have such great expectations of her? She had been made leader of her herder group simply because she was her father's daughter. The elders had confounded her by trusting and presenting her with the ornate box containing Chinggis's words. Danyal and Drudger had trusted her and taken her to meet Mille and the Hairy Hordes, who instantly knew she was the one to help them return Baatarulaan to the civic glory it had once known. Even her nemesis, Tengis, had somehow known she was his arch foe. Why else would he have acted so dastardly towards her? Why else would he have unleashed the Leggie on her and sworn to kill her if at least some small part of him hadn't realised the threat she posed to his odious plans? Even Lucky willingly carried and cared for his mistress; his equine instincts apparently sensed that she was a valuable cargo.

  Lily seemed to be the only one who had not come to terms with the fact that she was destined for something more than being the daughter of a herder group leader and shawoman. She simply could not accept that she was in the middle of things. Her life had always been spent skulking around the periphery. Why should that have changed? More importantly, she was just small fry; she couldn't comprehend how she now suddenly found herself immersed in a conflict that looked set to define her entire nation. How she was at the forefront of Tengis's evil intentions was beyond her.