The blood keep pouring from Kartal bandage in his neck. Dilara who have proficiency on medicine, start to check on the severity from his wound. Arrow that struck Kartal, missed his vital part. Recovery is possible once they done the surgery.
Dilara herself take a long breath. Preparing for a major surgery. Putting Kartal under unconscious condition with kumis (alcoholic beverage from milk). Dilara start burning some of his skin to stop bleeding.
"Mother why did you put him unconscious," said Nana.
"So the uncle won't scream or move. Sure he can hold off the pain, but some movement is still dangerous ...," Dilara explain the principle of surgery to his daughter. Intend to taught her skill into Nana.
Physician are very rare in northern frontier region. Almost all of the best physicians available in the empire are the retainers of the royal family, Ashina Clan. Most common folks are struggling to hire them or learn in their apprenticeship. Ashina Clan claim to be the first and purest Azure Turks across the vast steppe.
Learning from the Sui Dynasty, their bitter rival and Goguryeo, their ally. The Ashina decided to build capital. A vast networks of settlement, tallying almost 150.000 settlers, semi-nomadic and full nomadic population. The huge city is called Ordukent. Some Persian merchant called it Suyab.
Dilara still managed to self-taught herself on art of medicine based from her experience and reading some book. All of the medicine and anatomy book that she's read, originated from her husband expedition into the frontier of west.
She also can read latin and greek alphabet but not reaching fluency level in understanding their language.
"I see what can i do next Mother," said Nana.
"Nana bring the East Roman book," Dilara ask.
"Indeed but which book? Father have 3 of them," Nana reply.
"Just bring all, hurry child." as she said it, she start to advance the treatment for Kartal neck.
Nana is Iltas and Dilara third child and the only daughter in the family. She is 13 years old as of this year. Their second child, Yulbar is suffering from paralysis due to mace blow in a war campaign with the Central Gokturk Army. Unlike his other 4 siblings, he spent his day bedridden. Sometimes refusing to eat.
The last two younger brothers is fostered by Dilara childless eldest brother. They live far south east, near Goguryeo Kingdom border. Dilara is also the only daughter among her 7 siblings.
"What's the commotion outside Sister?" said Yulbar.
"We are at war with two or three clans of Koryaks. Uncle Kartal is in critical condition. Do you know where the Roman book for medicine were? I forget where i last arranged it Brother," Nana explain it.
"Curse them! Why?" Yulbar is furious.
"I don't know they suddenly attack us," Nana is also confused.
"Those barbarian, we must convene our local council soon. Where's Uncle Pepe ...," Yulbar almost slip from his bed.
Pepe is Dilara little brother. He is 31 years old at this year. The man is still not married yet.
"Uncle Pepe is on war," Nana nod.
"Ah i know it, why am i so useless!" Yulbar scream.
"No you are not," tears flowing from Nana eyes.
Nana quickly and patiently calm his older brother down. She do her task. Dilara wash his hand before reading the book. The books are three of the twelve book of medicine from Alexander of Thralles. The content are mostly diagnostic and herbs, but she make up the rest with her skill.
Alexander of Thralles is a Eastern Roman physician, born on 525 from the Greek descent.
"According to this book. With this mix of specific remedies, his condition should be stabilized. The plant is plenty available here. For the next treatment, we must minimize neck movement." Dilara explain.
Inzhu as Kartal wife, give the chieftain wife a hug. Crying over her husband injury in Dilara shoulder.
"Words alone can't describe. I'm forever indebted to your family ...," Inzhu still cry.
"As a strong woman we shall support our husband. Nana bring food to your father and brother," Dilara ask her daughter.
"Yes Mother," Nana feel happy. She can support her family.
Yulbar who overheard the conversation, crying in his bed. He feel guilty in the family for becoming their overburden. As a man, Yulbar think he is an otiose. All his capabillity were eating and sleeping. He can no longer fight not helping with physical consuming labour.
Nana sit on her saddle and gallop the horse. Each member of the clan were given horse once they old enough to form serious bond with the pack animal. Whether the members are male or female. For combat training with the horse though, is a different story for female.
—
More retreating Koryaks has fallen under Iltas curved blade. The militia without waiting for their villages reinforcement continue to push north on foot. Emboldened by their leader show of courage and strength in the face of enemies earlier.
"Keep charging! Show them our gallantry. Then we shall be rewarded by their exotic pelt to loot." said Arpad the son of Kure.
Arpad encourage older men behind him. His heart is full of sadness. He think that Kure has already killed under the enemy hand.
"Good tongue you'd have there lads. Let's go we avenge your father," Kilat reply.
"No for the moment we must retreat and regroup. I don't see his body yet, maybe he already back to the village. Our position is already too far from Baikal," Iltas gave his reasoning.
"Don't you dare jest with me Iltas. I can already hear their women scream. From years you keep always doing these, a soft fool indeed!" Arpad conflicting feeling make him throw a tantrum.
Hit!
Kilat quickly hit Arpad back head with his unequiped blade staff. He is the brother-in-law of Iltas through marriage with Dilara. Kilat agree with Iltas reasoning to retreat and regroup. He guide all of the militia to quickly form the vanguard formation.
"They attack us with their weird weapon!" shout Kilat.
"Then we defend while disperse orderly. Even if we want to attack, it's too risky. We don't have cavalry yet," Iltas reply.
Unbeknownst to the group, Nana is already near them with her horse. A Koryaks girl is ready to plunge her arrow into Nana back. Tughluq who in near position from her, quickly throw his axe. There is slight hesitation before the act, but he need to be decisive. Unless he want to see his sister fall.
"There you are brother!" Nana move her horse.
"Let me borrow your steed," said Tughluq.
"Y–you can't," Nana refused.
The axe blade hit the Koryak's girl shoulder. Tughluq ask his sister to tie her up in the back of saddle. Both of them regroup with his father. The intensity of attack from the Koryak is slowly diminishing as they move to the south.
"Thank God i did not kill her. How can they deploy women into battlefield. Such madness ...," Tughluq muttered.
"Tughluq you protect your sister well," said Iltas.
"Haha sure Father they are coward. Just like that fur trader said few months ago!" Tughluq hurling insult.
"Father, i was tasked to deliver this food. Others can join as well. There are plenty," Nana open some of the leather bag.
"No my daughter, we eat after reaching the village." Iltas order his men to move.
Nana brought with her qurut (stapple food, eaten like a meatball with warm soup), dry meat and siberian blueberry. In her horse saddle, Nana also placed cooking tools like stone stove, firewood and wheat flour.
"Wait what about the food?" Nana is confused.
"We can eat later, can't you see we lose 5 good man today. Now men we must prepare to kill our enemies. Yami send message to our kin in the south. Even if they already know this situation. Would be rude without formally informing them," Iltas explain.
"It will be done Chief," his name is Yami. Still 21 years old but already renowned among the many Kyrgyz clans.
Iltas did not want to waste anymore time. Without them knowing, Kure see his clansmen from afar. He did not care much about his own son. Arpad mouth, hand and knee are tied. Placed in the back of saddle after knocked out as a punishment for insulting Iltas without reason.