The Tiger-Headed Horseman Page 20

  Nightfall was approaching, as it inevitably did, and Lily began to fear for shelter. She had not expected to have been taken elsewhere in the real world after visiting the spirit world. It was a most unusual occurrence and had only ever happened once before when she inadvertently reappeared in the ger next to her own just as her parents were enjoying a particularly intimate moment. Lily had never really recovered from that. Gathering what strength she had, Lily walked to the top of the highest rise near the riverbank.

  She had known the Steppe all her life but it was still forbidding to her, a vast and barren place. Peering into the distances of every direction, she dearly hoped that she would find something she recognised. It didn't take long. Three hundred metres downriver she identified a bend in the river that seemed familiar. Ushering Lucky to accompany her, they walked towards it. To her bemusement they found themselves standing at the campsite where they had been before she had last visited her spirit friend who turned out to be Tsara. Arriving at the camp, Lily ensured everything was at it should be, which it was. As she gave her thanks to the spirit world, she noticed that the moon had moved on and was becoming fuller. It wouldn't be long before she had to meet with Danyal and Millie. That inexorably would mean facing Tengis. Given that, the last she had heard, Tengis was awfully keen for Lily to die, seeing him again was not going to be straightforward.

  Without spending too much time or energy trying to figure out how it was that they could have possibly rediscovered their camp, Lily bid Lucky goodnight and they both clambered into the especially odd-shaped tent and snuggled up against one another. As she lay falling asleep, Lily knew that spirits did things for a reason. That everything they did was part of some bigger plan; Tsara must have known Lily would end up back here. Lily knew that Tsara would not have endangered her when she had returned her to the cave – at least she hoped not. What she couldn't understand was how Tsara had managed to move Lucky as well, but then again Lily was only a visitor to the spirit world; perhaps once she was a fully paid-up member these kinds of things would become clearer, although she hoped that day was still a long way off.

  Lily awoke the next morning with her face firmly pushed against Lucky's nose. The horse dribbled a lot more from his nostrils than she had previously noticed. Where it had oozed into her hair it was gelled back flat against her head at an interesting and mildly amusing angle. It was a tribute to Lily's spirit that she refused to be perturbed by such an event. Her horse was part of her and she part of it – such was the way of the herder. A good night's sleep had been what she had required. She couldn't remember the last time she had been able to enjoy one. It was certainly not since before her father had been captured and that had been weeks ago.

  While it remained extremely cold, the sun shone strongly and she was able to absorb at least a little warmth from its rays. Lily left Lucky sleeping; he was particularly bad in the mornings and even more so if a good dream about carrot fields was disturbed. Having rekindled the fire, she prepared a meagre breakfast of stale bread and mutton. Almost every meal eaten by herders in nomadic camps consisted of mutton, mutton, mutton or mutton, though sometimes as a treat they ate mutton, but only on very special occasions. That morning Lily boiled some mutton scraps along with some dumplings consisting of mutton tail (which was almost entirely fat). Mutton helped herders build up a tolerance against the freezing temperatures they had to endure on the Steppe. It also removed one of the more problematic predicaments that have plagued mankind since its birth, namely – what to have for dinner.

  Sitting next to the fire, Lily looked at the ‘to do’ list she had drawn up with Tsara. It seemed to be getting longer every time that she thought about it. She was sure that wasn't supposed to be the case. Although she had no major new items to add to it, she had discovered many factors that added colour to the old ones. She now knew far more about Tengis and his true intentions. She knew what happened to Chinggis and how Khad had seized power. She knew that she was being helped by at least one other person from a different world, which always made her feel more than a little special. She also knew that she was as yet nowhere nearer to fulfilling her destiny and, although she didn't really know what that was going to entail, she did know that she needed to keep on going. Fear would get her nowhere.

  Since she had left Baatarulaan a good deal had happened. Before she started to forget it all, she jotted it down alongside the existing action points. It was still several days before she would be able to speak to Danyal and she had no idea how long it would be before she was able to speak to her herder community. She also hadn't been able to revisit the spirit world and speak to Tsara since she had found Chinggis in the crystal temple. Lily was bursting to speak to somebody but from the middle of the bleak Steppe she knew this was highly improbable. Talking to a horse was all very well but Lily had quickly discovered that it tended to be a largely one-way conversation.

  As Lily sat wondering how she would be able to communicate with her allies Lucky joined her by the fire. He neighed knowingly. Lily had never been able to figure out how but her horse seemed to know what it was she was thinking most of the time, especially on the odd occasions when she was mad at him. She stroked him fondly before returning to her thoughts about making contact with those in Baatarulaan, the herder community and spirit world.

  Lucky drifted away. Reaching a slight rise behind the camp, he whinnied noisily to grab Lily's attention.

  ‘What is it, Lucky?’ asked Lily. She was feeling a little irritated and in no mood to play games. Lucky whinnied again and swished his mane manfully. Just as Lily was a about to scold him she noticed that several other horses were slowly making their way up from the other side of the rise to join Lucky. As Lily watched on, the four horses acknowledged one another by rubbing noses affectionately. Lily was not entirely certain what it was she was seeing, but her instinct began to form an impression. At any other time and under any other circumstances, Lily would have dismissed her thinking out of hand, but given what she had already encountered nothing seemed too far-fetched.

  As she watched on, the horses formed an equine parade and side by side walked towards her. Each new horse was unsaddled but had a saddlebag. None of the new horses had any distinguishing features other than their natural beauty and a label sewn on to each saddlebag. As Lily walked from left to right inspecting each of the three new horses, she logged that the labels read: ‘Mr Danyal, Baatarulaan’, ‘Elder Chuluun, Steppe’, ‘Tsara, Spirit World’. She gasped. Lucky looked down at her, a smug grin spreading across his muzzle.

  Immediately Lily knew what she was to do. She grabbed paper from Lucky's saddlebag and began to write three identical letters to her allies. She was confounded as to how but knew that once again somebody in the spirit world must be providing some assistance. There had been too many strange occurrences for them to have simply been born of chance. Lily set to writing three copies of the following letter:

  My dearest friends,

  Since we last spoke there have been a number of important developments. Some of you know a few of the details. I will endeavour to recount all and everything as it stands at this moment. Though it might feel strange and unusual, please let me assure you that everything I say is true and that, unless we act swiftly, then our future, as well as that of the entire nation, is in grave danger.

  As a shawoman I have spent a great deal of time in the spirit world. My guide there, whom I would trust with my afterlife, is Tsara, lover of Chinggis and wronged Empress of Mongolia. Together we have been trying to unravel the riddle that was contained within the box that was given to me by the elders of my herder community. While the meaning of some of the words is evident, others remain hidden.

  In order to unravel them further, and in order to find my father, I set out for Baatarulaan. The city is as I had always imagined it to be, perhaps worse. However, in that place of despair I have made great friends who believe in me and I in them. Danyal and Millie, together with Drudger and the Hairy Hordes, have helped me see the
dangers facing our country. We are no longer simply fighting against a Khadist regime. A terrible but talented man called Tengis is making a bid to seize control of the city under the guise that he is Chinggis Khaan's presence in the real world; he calls his movement New Chinggism. He has devised a doctrine which promises everything yet would deliver nothing. He has also uncovered a source of unrivalled wealth in a material more corrupt than anything we could imagine. He has combined his false words with his ‘sunny substance’ to great effect. The people of Baatarulaan are easily swayed and he is well on the way to winning support from the majority.

  However, I have also discovered that this substance is the same vile material with which Khad used to overthrow Chinggis's empire eight hundred years ago. Tengis has unearthed a seemingly limitless supply. How Tengis discovered the mine remains a mystery but he plans to raise enough investment from the fools in Baatarulaan to enable him to mine more mineral wealth than has ever been known. He intends to keep his endeavours a secret known only by himself and his key stakeholders. More terrible yet, he intends to employ Outsiders to undertake the work. We are all aware of the Legend of Khad. Some say it is little more than a myth, but if it is not, the fury of Chinggis may be wrought on us all. Which brings me to the latest development in my adventures.

  After I had discovered Tengis's plans in his mine I looked for a means of escape. As I did so I descended deep into the glacial pits of the mountains. There, entombed in ice, I discovered the body of Chinggis Khaan himself. He has been close to us all for all this time. (Tsara, he looks more handsome than I could ever have imagined him to be; I am sure you will be reunited soon.)

  And so to work, my friends. The last news I had about Tengis implied that he was combining the Leggie with all other manner of militia and as well as any willing volunteers from among his ardent supporters. He has also ensured the loyalty of the Khadists. It is truly frightening the power he wields so long as he controls that shiny substance. Although it is perceived he will fight an election, albeit corruptly, and assume power, I know that he plans to buy even stronger protection from outside Ongolium which he will use to rule absolutely. If this happens, the future of our country is dark. But we are not without hope.

  At present he is relying entirely on the power of his oratory skills, the ignorance of fickle, greedy minds and his shiny substance. Other than the most wealthy and greedy, people have not wholly committed themselves to his cause. He remains vulnerable until he garners support from outside Ongolium and commences his mammoth mining project.

  I firmly believe that if we gather as one we will be able to make a stand against him. We may not have the numerical superiority but we have honesty, truth and justice on our side. I judge that those bedfellows will help us gather support from among the people of Baatarulaan. Once we make them aware of his true nature and intent, they will come to our side. If it is battle that Tengis is seeking to prove his dominance, then I am happy to lead us against him. Justice will prevail. The Khadists, and New Chinggists, will finally be driven from our land and the memory of our true emperor will be reborn.

  I know of the perils involved for all of you but implore you to believe in me. If we fail to seize the moment, our nation will be lost in darkness for future millennia. Now is the time. Bring together all the forces we can muster. To Danyal and Millie I ask that you seek to swell the Hairy Hordes into an even more formidable fighting force. To Elder Chuluun I beg that you speak swiftly with the other herder communities and marshal every able body. My dearest Tsara, I ask that you do whatever you can from the spirit world. I seem unable to find a doorway to your world at present but feel that we will be joined again imminently.

  To you all I say good luck, good will and good speed. Let us meet at the point marked ‘X’ three days hence on the night of the next full moon.

  Lily.

  Carefully packing the letters into each of the saddlebags Lily inspected the horses before they set off. A short black stallion was intended for Baatarulaan. Lily felt it was aptly coloured; black seemed a popular colour among the city's residents. She kissed the stallion on the nose and it set off. To her herder community Lily was sending a dappled mare. The horse had a fearsome face with a temperament to match; even the normally over-amorous Lucky had kept several paces away from her. The horse gave Lily a knowing nod before disappearing towards the horizon.

  The horse proposed for the spirit world was a white stallion of whom Lucky seemed rather jealous. Lily brought the two horses together. Given her love of Tsara, it felt important to Lily that both beasts accepted one another. The white horse seemed particularly fond of Lucky and struggled to avert his gaze from Lucky's rear. This really didn't make Lucky feel any more confident, no matter how handsome and fashionable the white horse was. Lily tightened the patent black-leather saddlebag and was astonished at just how well its colour and design coordinated with the overly manicured mane of the stallion. The horse accepted her compliments gratefully and, swishing his mane in Lucky's direction, gave Lily's horse a wicked wink before galloping away.

  ‘What a show-off!’ said Lily.

  Lucky nestled his head under her arm. He really did like his mistress. The pair settled back into their camp. There were four days before the full moon arrived. They would need as much rest as they could afford before then – although neither of them were quite sure why.

  24

  The full moon rose high above Ongolium. Across the Steppe the silhouette of Lily riding Lucky slowly came into view. She was heading back home towards her winter campsite. She and Lucky were now a full day's ride from the river that had helped them both escape the strange interior glacier. Rounding the last of the enormous boulders that acted as sporadic landmarks for her winter camp, Lily turned her head expectantly, excited about seeing her home again. It had been a long time since she had first set out for Baatarulaan and much had happened. Searching out the horizon for the cluster of gers, Lily was dumbstruck. Normally there were no more than a dozen gers; more than enough tented homes for the seventy or so members of her herder community. As she looked towards the camp, she stopped counting at one hundred gers.

  Some of the younger herder children rode out to greet her.

  ‘Lily!’ they cried.

  Although she had spent most of her life as a stranger among her people, Lily was still loved. Since she had become leader of her community she was revered. The children jumped from their horses to embrace Lily and Lucky. The herders were taught to ride from an early age and such acrobatics which may have seemed incredible to city dwellers were second nature to those who lived on the Steppe.

  With one swift movement Lily jumped from Lucky and stood cuddling the children. Lily reminded herself how good it felt to be home. Her home had changed, though; there were hundreds if not thousands of strangers here.

  ‘What's going on?’ asked Lily.

  ‘They started arriving two days ago,’ replied the children.

  ‘Who are they?’ asked Lily. She looked around at the strange faces. They looked familiar yet distant.

  ‘They say that they are your friends,’ said the children.

  Lily ventured towards the mass of people milling around and near her ger. She noticed with relief that her door was still closed; she had meant to do the dishes before setting off but hadn't quite got around to it. A huddle of men sat on the ground nearby.

  ‘Excuse me,’ said Lily. ‘would somebody mind telling me what on earth is going on?’

  ‘Lily!’ cried Elder Chuluun, who now ran towards her with a surprising agility. ‘My girl! How happy I am to see you! Please join us.’

  ‘Elder Chuluun, please,’ said Lily, ‘what is this?’ She waved her hand around the camp.

  ‘They are here for you!’ continued Elder Chuluun. ‘They received word and they came. Does it not please you? We have been watching your activities in Baatarulaan closely. Matters are far worse than we had imagined. It appears that Tengis is in league with Khad. We must stop him and quickly. If he gai
ns the ascendency, it will be too late. Please sit here. May I introduce you to the other community elders?’

  Elder Chuluun made the appropriate introductions to leaders from neighbouring herder communities. His final introduction was to two faces Lily knew well and was relieved to see. She ran towards them.

  ‘Millie! Danyal!’ exclaimed Lily. ‘You're here!’

  ‘Well, “X” marks the spot,’ said Danyal, pointing to Lily's ger. Its roof had a cross motif in red stitching spreading across the thick felt cover.

  ‘It's a full moon, is it not?’ asked Millie. ‘That was the arrangement, unless I am mistaken?’ She hugged Lily close to her chest. ‘You have many friends. But come, sit with us. We have a long night ahead of us. There is much to prepare before we face Tengis. We are having . . . what did you call it again, Elder Chuluun?’

  ‘A quriltai,’ replied the old man.

  ‘It's an assembly of tribes,’ continued Millie. ‘It's what the herder communities supposedly do while they are preparing for battle. Come, sit, listen in. Elder Chuluun is quite the quiet little strategic mastermind.’

  Lily joined the assembly. After the initial joy of meeting one another, silence soon descended as they began to discuss tactics.

  ‘We are outnumbered,’ said Elder Chuluun, ‘but we are nomads; they are city dwellers. I mean no disrespect by that.’ He offered his hand in peace to Millie and Danyal. ‘Your Hairy Hordes are hardly typical city dwellers; they are far more like us nomadic herders. We are used to endurance and fortitude. We are hardy soldiers willing and incredibly bloody-minded – in both ways. We number almost eight hundred. I suspect Tengis will bring almost double that number, although we won't know until we see them. As expert horsemen, I propose that at least sixty per cent of our number act as light infantry carrying bows and arrows, two for every man, as well as our usual sabres for closer-range combat. The remaining forty per cent will act as lancers and attack the heart of Tengis's troops. Does anyone have any questions?’