A Khan's Path

Everything after was a blur of emotions and frantic preparation.

Before anything was explained messengers had been sent to the other parts of Moana Mau’u, and a council called within the village which was practically buzzing with tension.

According to Rune it would be almost a fortnight before the earliest reinforcements would arrive, in that time there was a strong likelihood the village would be attacked; but worse than that it would give the kingdom of Luvall more of a chance to dig their heels in. And so less than two hours after the banner had been discovered, a decision had been made.

They would have to strike first.

Rune would head out on his own as a battalion of warriors would stand guard around the village. He came back with such fervour that it was almost like seeing a completely different person from the jovial, carefree man she’d met just a few days ago, now he was focused and determined.

But he spoke as if he were going alone, and so Midori voiced the thought that jumped into her mind.

“I’m coming with you.”

He looked at her taken aback, mouth slightly agape for a moment before shaking his head.

“It will be dangerous, Midori. I can't put-”

“It’s dangerous here too! You just said it. But… with you I’ll at least feel a bit safer.”

She looked down and shuffled her feet slightly. A knot of anxiety had tied in her stomach at the thought of being in this strange place completely alone, especially since she did not speak the language adding an additional level of isolation.

“Alright, alright…I know better than to argue when someone has that look in her eyes,” he smiled at her before returning to packing what they would need.

Their journey would be swift and so they packed light with only simple sleeping gear, canteens for water, and a few rations for nights they couldn’t forage for enough food. She wondered how well Aki would approve of their apparel.

Before they set out Gilya brought Midori a gift.

She was brought into the older woman’s hut and the elder gestured to a small wooden box made of rich, warm cherry wood resting on a cabinet at the far side of the room. Though the box had clearly been wiped down recently there was still a thin layer of dust clinging to the hinges.

“I want to give you something before you set out.” Gesturing to the box Midori opened it to reveal a rather beautiful and exquisitely made cloak. It was deep moss in colour with a striking trim of crimson and gold, and as she pulled it over her shoulders it was surprising how well it fit.

“I wore this when I was younger and travelled the world, it kept me safe from the elements, and it is woven with the thread of a particularly rare breed of sheep that will render minor magical effects inert.”

Wonder sparkled in her wide eyes at the beauty she was being gifted, having only ever seen such things draped on those with Sara’s features. To have something like that for herself brought tears to her eyes, and she reached out bringing Gilya in for a warm, firm embrace.

“Thank you so much Gilya, I will make sure to treat it with great care.”

“It’s yours now, treat it how you like. But my hope is it will keep you safe.”

Rune then entered to ask if she was ready to go but was froze as Gilya beckoned to him, and like a child feigned annoyance while walking toward her.

“What now you old bat?”

“Rune,” she began. “You have for many years tried to prove your worth to me, to this village, and to the lands of Moana Mau’u.”

Midori did not know what was happening but she could tell by the way Rune’s posture had gone from casual to serious in the span of a few seconds it was something of grave import. She looked at his stern but earnest face and felt a faint warmth in her cheeks.

“I have tried to show you that such attempts, though brave, do not prove worthiness for they were done with a desired outcome in mind. However when you dove into the Glass Basin to retrieve Midori’s shadow, and now as you set out to confound our enemies, you do so with only the betterment of others in mind. You do so with the mindset of a true Khan.”

Rune swallowed hard but remained silent. Watching as Gilya reached up to the antlers of the headdress she wore and casually snapped a piece of it free—another reminder to Midori of the woman’s impressive strength—before tying the antler to a strip of cloth.

“You are worthy of this token. I give you not only my blessing, but my support, to walk the path of Khan.”

As she draped the antler piece around Rune’s neck, Midori was certain she saw Gilya wearing a faint but proud smile.

Silence hung in the air as Rune stared at the object he had just been gifted, holding it gently in his hands as if it might break if held tighter. His eyes glistened with emotion, his mouth agape, and though he tried to speak only two words escaped.

“Thank you.”

-----

They left Yanara before the day had even finished.

Along with the gorgeous cloak Midori had also been gifted an impressively comfortable pair of leather shoes for travel, and had traded the sandals along with the jacket she had been wearing for them to either study or re-purpose, she hadn’t quite understood. Though the fact she had understood at all was quite amazing to her.

Through that interaction Midori had discovered she was learning the language at a rather astounding rate despite the short amount of time. Gilya had been very kind in teaching her some very basic phrases to interact with the villagers, but somehow just hearing it being spoke and seeing the context she was picking things up faster than she ever thought possible.

As her fingers brushed the mark on her chest she wondered if being a Herald had something to do with it.

“Can I ask about your mark?”

It was only the briefest of moments but Rune had paused before continuing with the brisk pace he’d set for them. When he spoke it was curt, but the tone was still welcoming of questions.

“What do you want to know?”

Countless questions crashed down upon her that it was almost overwhelming deciding on where to start.

“How long have you had it?”

“I think it’s been thirteen years now.”

“Did it come in a dream, like mine? Gilya said they mostly happen that way.”

“Yeah, they do,” he sighed sadly. “I was the exception. I got mine when this happened.” He reached up and touched the broken horn.

“Oh,” she let her voice trail off. She wanted to know more but wasn’t sure if that was off limits.

“I lost it when I challenge the current Khan to a fight.”

“A fight to be the next Khan?” She had begun learning more about the culture of the peoples here and apparently it was common for the Khan to accept and face many challenges.

“No, it was something…else.” The way his voice trailed off told Midori that he was not ready to discuss it.

She let the silence hang in the air until he was ready to continue speaking.

“I remember burning. He had kicked me into the fire during our battle… I don’t remember much after that but not long after the fire apparently went out.”

“That’s horrible.”

“I healed quick enough, a part of my new gift along with a profound increase in strength. But to face the Khan again I would need to earn that, and that’s when I started trying to earn this.” He held up the small bit of antler that Gilya had given to him, marvelling at it like it were the most precious thing in the world.

Seeing his joyous smile it was hard not to smile herself.

“And what exactly does that do?”

“They’re a token, antlers adorn the headdresses of the Wise Women in every settlement and are earned by proving oneself both reliable to the community and selfless of spirit."

“That seems tough,” her mind thought of the way leadership was chosen in her world and chuckled darkly. “Though I can think of worse ways to do it. How many do you need?”

“I need to earn a second one, but having two of these guarantees me a trial by combat with the Khan. It means I’ve proven myself to the Wise Women of two settlements and earned the trust of the peoples there.”

He turned the antler over in his hands slightly.

“It took me seven years to earn this, hope it won’t take that long for the next one.”