Beneath the boundless sky, a crescent moon hung like a hook, and the stars flowed, waxing and waning.
Möngke stared at Morey Hett's furious, grimacing face, illuminated by the campfire, and his suspicion only grew stronger.
He simply could not connect this man with the Faceless. A high Valyrian phrase associated with the Many-Faced God reads: "All mortals must die; all mortals must serve." The Faceless view death as a gift from the god, seeing themselves merely as servants of the Many-Faced God. They never indulge vanity or personal desire; they are discreet, calm, gentle, and merciful.
Yet the Faceless were also masters of acting. As part of their training, they had to abandon their true identities, seeing themselves as "no-name people." Combined with the ability to alter their appearance at will, they could convincingly impersonate anyone. It was entirely possible that Morey Hett was in disguise.
"Kosoro, behead this man and send him to Qohor. Let them tell us if they know him," Möngke ordered.
A faint smile appeared on his face. There was no need to overthink what could not be known. Before the resurrection of the body through the Twelve Trials was activated, all threats had to be eliminated at the cradle stage.
Whether he was a Faceless assassin or a genuine envoy mattered little.
What he sought from Qohor could not be obtained through war, nor through diplomacy. The envoy was essentially useless.
If the man's head could enrage Qohor and force them to dispatch troops into the field, that would be even better.
Kosoro never hesitated when following the Khal's orders. Drawing his arakh, he advanced toward Morey Hett.
Startled by the command, Morey Hett froze in place, then shouted in desperation:
"I am an envoy of Qohor! You cannot kill me! This will ignite a war!"
Receiving no response, he tried to retreat but was pushed down by the Roaring Warriors behind him. Helplessly, he lay on the ground, pleading:
"Khal… Möngke Khal… please, I beg you!"
"Prophecy… is prophecy. The Qohor blood witch foresaw the future of the city's nobles, and he saw you in his visions."
The arakh gleamed faintly in the firelight, reflecting in Morey Hett's pupils. His remaining composure vanished, replaced by despair and pleading, his voice hoarse as he cried:
"The crimson warhorse comes from the east! The human king is about to be born! Darkness, fire, and destruction follow him! Qohor will be strewn with decapitated corpses, and the Black Goat will roar amidst the flames!"
Möngke cared only for power, not prophecy. He despised the superficial respect and false airs of the priests. Therefore, he saw Morey Hett's beheading as far more valuable.
After provoking him, Ófvor remained silent. But when he heard the prophecy, he leaned over and whispered:
"Qohor is known as the 'City of Mages,' where divination, blood magic, and necromancy are common. The people of Qohor firmly believe in these arts. You could listen—it may benefit us in the coming war."
Yet even as he mentioned blood magic, Ófvor's face showed disgust. The Dothraki mistrusted, despised, and forbade blood magic, seeing it as the product of consorting with demons.
Hearing Ófvor's advice, Möngke waved his hand to halt Kosoro, and spoke loudly:
"Morey Hett, you lack loyalty to your god. He will no longer protect you. Now explain this prophecy—perhaps I will grant you life."
Morey Hett collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath, utterly humiliated. He obediently explained:
"It is the blood witch Bass Potter. Using blood magic, he coupled beasts with noble daughters to produce half-human, half-beast infants. He then sacrificed these infants to receive prophecies regarding the nobles' future. Every clue in his visions pointed to you. The future of Qohor rests in your hands."
Blood magic, as the name implies, derives its power from blood. It is one of the darkest and most powerful sorceries. Practitioners, known as blood witches or sorceresses, often prophesy through blood, giving them a repulsive reputation.
Hearing Morey Hett's account, those present were filled with disgust, but the priest had to continue if he wished to survive:
"Do you recall the tax officer at the Darkflow River Long Bridge? When you rode your crimson warhorse across, your figure and valor left him an indelible impression. He is a devout follower of the Black Goat God. When blood witch Bass Potter issued the prophecy, that officer immediately thought of you."
Möngke recalled the timid tax officers he had encountered while scouting, though he did not know which one it was.
Seeing the young Khal's silence, Morey Hett became increasingly obsequious:
"Great Khal, you rode your crimson warhorse from the east, easily defeating the arrogant Qiumo Khal. You are the human king foretold in the prophecy. The flames refer to the followers of R'hllor, who sought to preach in Qohor and incite believers to burn the Black Goat's altars. They feared you would be swayed by these heretics."
Möngke now fully understood the prophecy. The Black Goat followers feared collusion between R'hllor's believers and him to capture Qohor and annihilate their faith.
R'hllor, also called the Lord of Light, the Red God, or the God of Fire, is worshiped across eastern Essos. His followers light flames in temples at night, praying for dawn. After the extinction of dragons, R'hllor's magic waned. At present, it is still inferior to the divinations of priestesses and blood witches.
Though magical prophecies were generally accurate, the deeds of Bass Potter sounded undoubtedly evil.
Faith-based conflicts did not concern Möngke. He only sought practical advantage.
With a cold glint in his eyes, his tone calm, he said with a smile:
"Then let us wait and see if Bass Potter's prophecy comes true. From your expressions, even you are unsure of its accuracy."
Morey Hett was surprised. He had not expected the young Khal to speak so.
"The followers of the Black Goat have already offered gold for you."
"Qohorans," Möngke stood and shouted angrily. "Do you think I am like other Khals of the Dothraki Sea, who can be satisfied with a small tribute? I have one warning: kneel and submit, or prepare for war. I will treat you as your ancestors treated the Dothraki warriors four hundred years ago—your heads will hang on Dothraki spears."
Morey Hett was stunned by the young Khal's reaction. Before he could beg, Möngke continued:
"Kosoro, amputate this man's limbs without killing him. Send him to Qohor. Tell our warriors: war has come."