15 August, 586, Lake Baikal Region, Gokturk Empire
Around the northern part of the Lake, a turkic clan has dwelled for decades. Famous for it's way of life. Sometimes they migrate to the south in a group of large caravan, either to trade with the settler or grazing pastures for their livestock. This year, the chieftain decide to settle the frontier despite knowing himself that harsh winter will come.
The chieftain reasoning in his decision was fishes were abundant in the area. Some are displeased and already separated. The cold wind blowing even faster from the north. Water around the lake start to freeze.
Break!
"Did you already dug the hole?" said the clan chieftain. his name is Iltas Kyrgyz
"I'm the village blacksmith not fisherman. You do know that right," his face subtly show contempt. The man's name is Kure, his childhood friend.
"Less talk, more work please." Iltas continue to dig the ice.
Iltas managed to broke his ice first. He quickly cast fishing line in the hole with some insects. Others eventually succeed in their digging. When the noon is near, Iltas three baskets is already full of fish.
The villagers basket is almost full. Today communal catch is way more plentiful than yesterday yield.
"Look father! What i found," Iltas son catch a teal. His name is Tughluq, already a fine and handsome young man at 16 years old.
"Huh?" Iltas is surprised. According to his knowledge, the teal from this lake migrate to China around this season.
"Haha mother would be so happy tonight. Deep roasted," Tughluq smile a little bit.
"Such is blessing from God," Iltas pray.
"Indeed," Tughluq is also praying.
Unbeknownst by Iltas, Kure heart is aching while watching the conversation between the father-son. Leaving by himself to the pine forest near him. Kure's basket is still empty without fish.
"Hey look at his basket hahaha. The man always do as his whim tell. Poor Arpad a good lad," jest the man near Iltas.
"Hahaha he tame a falcon with deformed beak four years. Kure the The Fool's Whim" the man behind him can't contain his laughter.
Iltas want to follow Kure, Kartal stopped him. He said that maybe the man just want to take his sweet time to defecate. The chieftain shake his head. He still search for Kure after he is still not back to them on afternoon. Iltas order the rest to go back without him.
"Don't mind them, your craft is valuable but we still need to barter some of those fishes near spring. Few silver coins would be nice too," Iltas explained. He bring some of his fish to him.
"I know Chief and next time no need for thanks. We are indistinguishable from a blood brother ...," Kure said.
"Why so suddenly," Iltas ask.
"If not now then when Chief?" Kure answer.
Suddenly a man with bizarre ornament around his necklace, walk to them both with one hand grabbing his stomach. He is from the newly migrated tribe near them. They are the Koryaks, a confederation of hunters that usually dwell and migrate even up north. The tribe is currently are not hostile toward Iltas Clan but does not want to ally either.
"Hey you really going to give those fish for free?" Kure ask.
"Can you speak our tongue and before that. Do you have something to bargain with my friend. We barter," Iltas is a little bit cautious. An ounce of prevention is worth pound of cure.
"Uh i'm not understand that but is it fine? You are the Leader right," the Koryak man pointing at the fish. His Gokturk language is limited despite already dwelling here for a long time.
"Me have plenty if you want more but with suitable item," Iltas speak in the manner he can understood. His suspicion rise because the man know he is the clan's leader.
Silently the Koryak's ready his hidden knife while Iltas gazes at front. The man act as if he don't know that someone want to kill him.
Slash!
"My hand!" the blood keep pouring out from his right hand.
"Next is your right eye," said Iltas. He realized that Kure somehow dissapear.
"Please spare me ...," the man beg for his life.
Iltas agree to spare his life if he reveal his and the clan true intention. He soon found out that Kure betray him despite really wanting to trust him. The man's clan is also part of the bigger confederation plot to take Baikal by themself.
The opposite clan want cassus beli (excuse) to attack the horse rider dweller in Baikal. Once they do, loyalty won't be questioned. Almost all Koryak agree to become part of the Gokturk Empire but with Baikal entrusted in their hand.
"This is not the way you do it. All of you broke our trust!" Iltas is enraged. His voice echoes across the trees.
"Please my arm," the man is crying.
"Capital Ordukent will send an army. Koryak is too weak even against the whole Kyrgyz themself," Iltas continue.
"It's everything i know, blood so many ...," the man is cowering in pain.
The commotion can be heard by his group. Kartal, Tughluq and the others leave their work. They rush to defend the chieftain.
"Kill him!" Kartal ready his spear.
"Don't he is just a victim. Give him treatment," Iltas stop him to do so.
"Are you insane? You already cut his hand. Finish the job, that is his cure," Kartal won't budge.
Crack!
Before Kartal lunge his spear, Iltas cut the spear in two with curved sword in his hand. Kartal see his damaged spear and laugh a little. Amused by the choice that his chieftain choose.
"Really?" Iltas said.
"Sure is you are too soft. Chieftain ...," before he can finish his sentence, an arrow strike his neck.
"Loose!" the man who ambush them give order.
Iltas is still honoring his words despite this attack. He order his man to bring the Koryak's man and wounded Kartal to the village. Scores of arrow from enemies are falling upon them. They are not using bow but atlatl. A type of small arrow-spear thrower.
"Woah what is that weapon Father. Do you encounter it before," Tughluq ask.
"Why are you bringing axe? I said clearly about our clan rules," Iltas chide him.
"Eh sorry Father but is it not fair if the chieftain can use weapon anywhere and board all the beautiful weapon," Tughluq say his excuse.
"It's not what i meant son. Go back to your mother," said Iltas.
"But i can still fight!" Tughluq tighten his group.
Iltas punch his son in the face. He don't want to repeat twice. Situation become more dangerous as the arrows stop.
"Faster," Iltas said.
"Behind you Father!" Tughluq look back.
Iltas already know the sneak attack before his son say so. With his curved sword, he almost effortlessly slash three of his enemies. More of them came and try to surround him. All the Koryak attack has failed. More enemies fell to his blade.
Aarrgghh!
"Sorry we have no choice. Kill them!" Iltas give order to his man.
"Why are you apologizing oh Chieftain. This is what we waiting for. It's a chance to prove my prowess. Enslave them," said one of his man.
"Haha don't you worry Elder. We shall follow your command!" the old teen behind him speak.
Iltas Clan, The Buqa start to scout the forest. The retreating Koryak Clan are bigger than they thought. Their movement is coordinated by mysterious woman with three short spears from the Umqa. Not long after the forest are burned by them for diversion.
"Oh God please protect my husband," Dilara start praying.
The smoke rise higher in the sky. Iltas start to pursue their enemies even before their clan's horse archers arrives.
—
Xiongnu Mounds, Koryak Confederation, Gokturk Empire
Strong winds suddenly rose, yet the fire spread more slowly than they had anticipated. A veiled girl stood watching over the massive mounds. For a decade, this land had served as grazing grounds for their reindeer and yaks—completely unnoticed by the Yeniseian Kyrgyz authorities under the Gokturk Empire.
"Why did that man want to destroy his own kinsmen? Ugh did they even dig properly," the priestess grab an arm bone from the mound.
"Well we got such a meek response from them. Especially their leader preaching this and that since last year. What important is survival and that's it. Who do he think he is? Lecturing on us," a Koryak girl speak.
"Indeed they want to be our slaves so bad haha. Sister we are doing something great. They lock their women in the houses as a mere doll. At least they can be our equals immediately," the girl besides her agree.
"We should not celebrate just yet. Our war is only begins" the priestess dismount from her yak.
The ground was already covered in thin ice. It was said that these places were ancient cemeteries for Xiongnu warriors. Many of those braves one are said to have belonged to the stragglers. Wei Qing's pursue them into the Lake Baikal after the devastating campaign during the Han Dynasty.
The Koryaks did not desecrated this place when they start to migrate here. Some of the Turks were also buried in the mounds; the histories of these two different ethnicities are intertwined.
"Mademoiselle," she is chieftess of Umqa Clan. Her name is Miki, a spearmaiden. She is 18 years old as of this year.
"Proceed my brace warriors," she gives her praise.
The shaman priestess was still only 15 years old, leading her people after the demise of her mother two years ago, Vassa. It seems the Traitor from her enemy clan had brought good results. The Buqa is pressured hard by their sudden ambush.
Miki have black hair and eyes. Her body is lean and slightly muscular. There is visible hunting scars on the right ears. Miki is wearing earrings made from teeths of wolf. Unlike the Koryak Priestess, she have small breasts.
"We have slight problem in the rear. Please miss, your royal clan shall retreat first." her warriors is being struck by Iltas on the rear.
"Uhm i want to see who that strong man is. Surely Iltas and his few men alone could not triumph against the might of our 5 clan combined," the priestess still want to lead.
"Your safety is priority," Miki insists.
"All goes smoothly thanks to that Traitor. Now i want that man alive. Anyone who succeed will get a special reward," she commands the other clan to march. Ignoring Miki and leads from the back.
"Uuoohh!" the warriors are excited, expecting the rewards. Especially the male warriors.
"Priestess ...," Miki still worried about her safety.
Iltas suddenly change direction to his rear. Umqa warriors thinks that the Buqa leader are running without shame. They dash to caught their fleeing enemy. The other clans are following suit from the wings. Easy victory are in front of them. Facing only 20 men.
"Umqa you moves too fast! Get back they uses the same tactic as the Jurchen," the priestess voices could not be heard. They are already separated too far from the other four.
"I will remind them," Miki hastily moves after the her own clan's.
"Hehe next time bring reinforcement you fool," Zetrov the Insane are leading the Umqa. He is second-in-command for his clan. Zetrov is 19 years old.
"Hehe yes Great Warriors also for the woman and Quykil (The Great Raven), we sha--," more and more male warriors charge at Iltas position.
Slash!
Iltas swings his sword, he moves as if he is dancing. Swift, powerful and precise. He saved his kinsmen several times.
"Are you hurt boy? Go back," Iltas order him.
"No i could not leave my leader alone. Let me fight!" Buyuk throw his sword. He still have his dagger to fight.
Iltas lunge himself forward at the forefront. "Remember the old drill men! Guard the flanks," he shouts several times.
Zetrov want to retaliate but suddenly the Buqa retreating again. The warriors under his lead keep pursuing them in fury.
"What should we do chieftain? Nobody fell yet but many of us are tired and wounded," Buyuk explain. His leather clothes is full of blood.
"One more time, Buyuk endure it. Men to me!" Iltas rises his curved sword.
Second clash happened between the two forces. Iltas did not deterred by the sheer size of his enemies. Many of his kinsmen fell in the fighting. Buyuk, who is still 16 years old, was bleeding several by Zetrov, who was swinging his sword erratically.
"Chieftain my newly born daughter ...," Buyuk fall to the ground.
Iltas try to get his body but the enemies are too many. The Umqa are tightening their shield once they realize many of their brethrens has fall. Iltas and his remaining men are fully surrounded.
Swish!
"A horde of buffon, why you are not retreating! The Kuraginos are struck because of you. We don't have counter to horse archer yet." the Traitor shout in his horse. Miki are sitting in the saddle behind him.
"We better sew your mouth Outsider. This is our fight. Turuk!" Zetrov rally his men. His heart's pump even harder knowing Miki are watching right now.
Zetrov want to fight the Buqa's horse archers head on. Pepe with his spears charge at the enemy. Iltas and his remaining men breaks from the inside of enemy circlement. This result in massive casualties for the Umqa Clan.
"Pepe! Today we destroy 2 or 3 clan," Iltas now rides one of his man horse.
"Yes chieftain," Pepe switch back to his bow's.
"Hoho not so fast my friend. You shall die," the Traitor did not want to waste this chance.
Miki is dismounting from his steed's. She is aiming her javelin while the man are pulling the string's of his bow. Miki dropped her weapons due to pain while Iltas deflect the incoming attack from the Traitor.
"Huh that voice, he alters it with something but he must be someone from my allies. Tatabi of the Kilja Clan perhaps. No he is a chieftain so why would he," Iltas muttered with his curved sword's ready.
"Why so quite suddenly. Where is that smug face of yours. Come on then lecture me with that Zeno of Citium gibberish. Stoicism haha, you have many faults against me," the Traitor is taunting him.
"Oh so presumptous of me. I'm not strictly a practitioner of one Traitor," Iltas gives his answer.
Miki is in deep after Pepe's arrow piercing her left thigh. Zetrov are furious when looking at her beloved got injured. He jump at Iltas and swings wildly. The duel rages on with two. Exchanging blow after blow.
Ting!
"Turuk!" Zetrov screams.
"Enough! You too Traitor," the priestess speak. She order all of the remaining forces to retreat. More than 150 Koryaks has fell.
"My perspective is right. Slowly you shall see me as the true victor ...," the Traitor muttered. He is leaving without Miki.
"We he leaves with that strange beast. Gah!" Zetrov carries the wounded Miki.
Pepe want to attack her with his bow's but Iltas stops him. He want to talk with the enemy leader.
"A woman from the highland. How about we stop the war now. I will teach you fishing or blacksmithing but Kure, our most capable one is slain by your people. I don't demand compensation just we stop the killing," Iltas gazes at her eyes.
The priestess could not understand Iltas. Why he want to end the war so fast. The priestess still firm by her decision.
"Oh so you mock me because i'm a woman? That is one my reason. Now you become my horde willingly, follow our customs and free your women from their shackles or die." the priestess want Iltas to surrender.
"You ruffians no one shackles their women. Now you die!" Pepe is ready to loose his arrow.
"What i said earlier Pepe? That's your people desire huh. There will be no truce between us. Next time we meet, it will be a bloodbath." Iltas leaves the battlefield with his forces.
"Uhm so handsome, sadly this could not end smoothly ...," the priestess mutter. She is retreating with the others as well.
Iltas and his forces goes back to their yurt. They could not wait for the bigger clan in the south to move. Iltas assemble his couriers to his closest acquintance. Neighboring clans to the south. Buqa Clan and it's allies shall move to the north. Bringing the fight closer into the heartland of Koryak Confederation.