NationStates Jolt Archive

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/kuroutesshin/AltanOrdynFlag.jpg

From the Four Corners of the Steppes, by yassa of Gülügjab Khan, the representatives of the world are called to the ger of the Khan at Karakorum on the eve of the great Kurultai, calle forth by Gülügjab Khan to choose the new Khagan.

The most resolute ruler of All Mongolia, Emperor of Zhongguo, Lord of the Western Steppes, King of Koryo, Lord of the Land of Two Rivers, Gülügjab Khan calls forth the people of all nations to attend the great Naadam in honor of the Khan and to preface the coming Kurultai. The representatives of the myriad nations are called to come pay homage to the Khan in Karakorum so that trade might grow and the people prosper.

Hear the yassa of the Khan! Taivan saikhan!

Aburga Chagatai
Foreign Minister
noyan 1st rank

Basically a diplomatic open house. Send your representatives to Karakorum and enjoy some good old fashioned Mongol hospitality. No skull piles.

Distantly related indeed thought Ghengis al-Kose as he rode in on horseback into Karakorum he rode in with the flag of the Sultan flying as he saw a large building were the message said to arrive, he thought it best to wait, he knew Mongolians had a habbit of sacking large cities.

Even in the midst of talks that could very well reshape Altanar as its residents, and the world, knew it, the wheels of diplomacy still turned. After all, as the old saying went, the show must go on. And so, when the message from Altan Ordyn arrived, Altanar's King and Prime Minister took a brief moment to discuss it with the Minister of State.

"Give me some background on this Altan Ordyn," King Aelkyn asked Nelron Khiskithy. "I know they're a regional neighbor of ours and all, but we haven't had any interaction with them."

Khiskithy smiled widely. "We haven't had much interaction with anyone in our region until the past three years, your Majesty, apart from chasing the stray Findhornian or Telidian off our shores, of course. Hence, I unfortunately have very little information on Altan Ordyn. There are, however, some fascinating similarities to our own historic culture that go beyond their nation's name. They appear to be a historically nomadic culture as well, related to the Mongolians. They seem most similar to the Argali, from what I can tell."

"Very interesting...perhaps an offshoot of our own culture, long lost?" Aelkyn mused.

"I hate to burst your superior Altanari bubble, your Majesty, but if anything, it's more likely that we're the long lost tribes that wandered off from the pack," Jinella Agaranth said teasingly. "There has always been speculation that our original roots come from Mongolian, Kazakh or Turkmen stock. But since we have no real record of our origins, it's hard to say."

"You're right, of course. It's just not proper for an Altanari king to admit that his ancestors were most likely a bunch of hunters who got lost while chasing a yak and ended up here," Aelkyn said wryly. "So, am I correct in thinking that you two want me to send someone to this Naadam of theirs?"

"Indeed, and since we're trying to improve relations between Akamians, Argali and Altanari, this would be a good time for us to practice implementing that 'principle of three' we discussed," Jinella said. "We can send a team of representatives to establish formal relations with Altan Ordyn and improve our own domestic situation as well."

"Hmmm...two birds with one stone, eh? Very well...but who should we send?" Khiskithy pondered. "I'm thinking the Crown Father would be ideal."

"I agree, and we are trying to expand the diplomatic role my father plays for Altanar," Aelkyn said. "I think he'd be up for a trip, too...he does love traveling."

"That's set then...I recommend Kishar Amayra for the Argali side of things, that's if he's willing to go," Jinella said. "And for the Akamian side...since I can't go, I think we should send Ikinar Inimena. He's a noble," Jinella grimaced, "but at least he looks good in dressy clothes and won't make an ass of himself. Besides, it's not like he's doing anything here."

Aelkyn smirked but said nothing. Jinella's dislike for the Inimena family, and indeed all Akamian nobles, was well-known.

"That sounds like a good group to send to me. If they're all willing to go, send a message off to our neighbors and see what happens," Aelkyn said.

---

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/smurfie_bucket/ltrheadpm.jpg

To the ruler of All Mongolia, Emperor of Zhongguo, Lord of the Western Steppes, King of Koryo, Lord of the Land of Two Rivers, Gülügjab Khan, greetings.

We have received word of the great Naadam to honor the Khan. In order to show respect and to establish communication and friendship between our great peoples, the Constitutional Monarchy of Altanar wishes to send representatives to attend.

The group of representatives we wish to send is as follows:

Cianar Aranathas, Crown Father of Altanar, former King of Altanar and father of our currently reigning monarch;
Ikinar Inimena, Lord of Isilkara, leader of House Inimena of Akamia;
Kishar Amayra, First Son of Clan Amayra of Argalia

If this is acceptable to you, please respond at your convenience and we will be honored to attend the Naadam.

On behalf of His Majesty, King Aelkyn:

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/smurfie_bucket/jinellasig.jpg

Jinella Agaranth
Prime Minister of Altanar

Besüd obug-un Balkhanchi was an average noyan bureaucrat in the Ordyn's administrative system, and he had worked for the Khan's Foreign Ministry for some thiry years now. He liked to say he was the longest-serving civil servant in the Foreign Ministry, typically glossing over the fact that the Foreign Ministry was the smallest of the Ordyn's bureacratic organs and the average term of service was 5 years. Most civil servants realized it was a dead-end and moved out.

Aburga Chagatai dipped a pen into his well and scrawled out some quick lines in Chinese while Balkhanchi sorted through some mail. It was a typical slow day in the office.

"Junk, junk... requests for embassy postings, junk. Junk... well then! Diplomatic communication marked "top priority."

Chagatai looked up, a bemused loook on his face. "Really? Well, let's see who it's from."

Balkhanchi turned over the Altanari letter and opened a corresponding dossier that had been sent with it.

"The United Constitutional Monarchy of Altanar... Altanar? That's a coincidence."

The Minister scanned the letter quickly, noting the pedigrees of the Crown Father and the use of the Khan's titles. Gulugjab Khan was, to say the least, a crochety old man who insisted on "proper form," and was always inquiring as to one's family origins when coming to court. Chagatai didn't like to admit it, but the whole business of the Kurultai was little more than an old man's formality. The Empire was a huge bureacracy, far removed from the glorious days of Chinggis. The Borjigin dynasty, which had held so much power in the old days, was clutching to the vestiges of power like a drowning man.

Chagatai shook his head. The Khan was still the head of the nation, and if it weren't for the complex system of marriage arrangements in the old days the Empire would have collapsed long ago. At least the Khan was still coherent.

"Kingdom of Altanar... hmmm. Solar Pantheonic Church... interesting. Well, let's draft a stock response welcoming them and send it out. While you're at it- get me the info for the Dalai Lama and schedule his trip to Karakorum. The Khan may not like him, but we can't have the Khalkha Jebtsundamba Khutuktu performing the ceremonies."

Balkhanchi nodded glumly. He wasn't a Buddhist, but still held fast to the old shamanistic beliefs of his tribe. The Dalai Lama was the spitirual leader of the Buddhist faith, The current incarnation of the lama was more political than spiritual, and the Khan disliked him, but the Jebtsundama Kutuktu was only the chief lama of Great Mongolia, and wasn't the Ganden Tripa, so the Dalai Lama had to be relied upon more often. Balkhanchi thought the whole thing was rather silly.

Shuffling papers, he had another thought.

"Ah yes. Speaking of guests... there's already a foreign representative in the capital. A "Ghengis al-Kose" of the Turkic Shahdom. The palace attendants took his papers and put him up in one of the guest houses."

Chagatai sighed, unbuttoning the neck of his deel and sat back. "Well, alright then. I'll have the Chamberlain pay him a visit. Now, let's get to work."


- - -

To His Majesty, Aelkyn King of Altanar;

The great and mighty Gulugjab Khan is greatly pleased that you choose to honor his throne and his line by sending the Crown Father to take part in the celebrations of Naadam and observe the great kurultai. Lord Ikinar Inimena obugtan and Kishar-ün Amayra are welcome to the ger of the Great Khan as the companions of the Crown Father.

May the Great Buddha smile upon you, and may Höhö Möngke Tngri guide your horses.

Aburga Chagatai
Foreign Minister
noyan 1st rank

The sun's first rays were just beginning to peek out over the rolling hills of the Mongolian steppe, the people of the grat city of Karakorum stirring and moving for the day. The monks of the Diamond Temple were already starting their prayers for the day, and at the great palace of the Khan the kitchens of the Empire were heated for breakfast.

Gulugjab Tangghudai was an unusual man. He had been the youngest of five sons, and a sickly child. He was given the name Gulugjab, which means "Puppy-blessed" when he was young on the advice of a shaman, and had never been taken seriously by his family. He had proven them wrong when his two eldest brothers died in a freak hunting accident, and his father from a stroke when Gulugjab turned 18. His brother, Mongke, became Khan, but Gulugjab built a personal retinue in the court and undermined his weaker brother's political support.

Mongke was found dead one morning, apparently by suicide, after ruling only for two years. Gulugjab, the puppy-blessed, became the Khan of All Mongolia and ascended the thrones of the many states which had been conquered by his ancestors. Thin and gaunt, he had a piercing gaze and an icy voice which impelled commands with a mystical fear. After he ascended to the throne he purged the government of dissenting forces and opponents, eliminating rival nobles and replacing all the provincial governors. He called a kurultai to reform the yassa legal code, and reformed trade laws of the empire.

He also had close to 100 of his opponents arrested for treason and executed. Determined to keep the Borjigin dynasty in power over half of the known world, he married noble women from each corner of the Empire in the Chinese style, secured peace treaties with the nations of Europe and Africa, and formally established religious freedom across his lands. Now a man nearing 70, he had to choose which one of his sons would take the throne.

Aburga Chagatai had risen early to go to the palace and meet the Khan for breakfast to tell him about the parties who had arrived to watch the kurultai. The palace was an amalgamation of different building styles- an syncretic mix of traditional Mongolian, Chinese, Tibetan, and Persian styles. When the Emperor of Japan had come to pay homage in 1785 the Khan had ordered a Japanese-style wing to be built, and the form was repeated in 1885 when the Roman Pontiff came, with a wing in the style of Rome constructed. At the heart of the palace was a huge raised platform holding the huge ger of the Khan, a great silk and canvas affair, brightly colored and embroidered. Lanterns, tassels, and tapestries stretched into the sky. It was the largest yurt in the world.

He mounted the platform to the central compound, and heard a call.

"Yehe! Yehe Chagatai!" A smiling man jogged up to him from behind. "Yehe, Ta sain suuj baina uu?"

Chagatai smiled. The man was Jogaila, a noyan from the far east on the borders of Poland, and one of the most popular of the civil servants in the Empire.

"Bi sain, Jogaila. It's nice to see you this early. Have you business with the Khan?"

"Always, Yehe. All this business with the kurultai is going to make me pull out my hair."

Chagatai laughed. "Oh yes. We've already got some foreign dignitaries in the capital... come walk with me, I'm to tell the Khan about who's coming. What is new in Kyiv?"

"There isn't much to speak of. The Poles had a border dispute with the German Republic, but the only thing of note was a particularly nice service for the dead the lama of Kyiv put on. Who's coming to the capital?"

"Good to hear. There's a man from a country called the "Turkic Shahdom" that I'm never heard of before; he's already in one of the guest houses. The ones I'm interested to meet are from the United Constitutional Monarchy of Altanar. King Aelkyn is their sovereign; he's sending his father as the chief representative."

"Altanar? How interesting... I shall have to meet them when they arrive." they chatted for a bit more until Chagatai spotted the Lord Chamberlain. "Excuse me, Jogaila. The Khan awaits."

The Altanari typically were a reserved people. They didn't go in for flashy displays much in their daily lives. So on an occasion where a little bit of ceremony was called for, they typically made up for lost time. The procession that traveled to the Naadam was a perfect example of this.

Whenever the Crown Father (or any other member of the Royal Family) traveled somewhere, they were accompanied by a troop of Aranathan Guards, the personal protectors of the Aranathas line. For official ceremonies, they normally wore their spotless white-and-gold dress uniforms. After thinking about it for a moment, however, Cianar decided that the thoroughly modern-styled uniforms weren't quite enough. The Aranathan Guards that accompanied Cianar and his entourage to the Naadam thus donned the Golden Shield Armor (http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/smurfie_bucket/goldarmor1.jpg) that was normally only seen on the ceremonial guards at the royal palace. The sight of a troop of infantry clad in golden armor (http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/smurfie_bucket/goldarmor2.jpg), catching the rays of the sun in an almost celestial glow, definitely had the desired effect, Cianar noted approvingly. The bulk of the security force remained behind at the airfield that the Altanari had arrived at; Cianar wasn't dumb enough to go to a foreign country with a security force armed only with spears, after all.

As the troop came to a halt, the three men that had led it there dismounted from the magnificent white Argali stallions they had been riding. Cianar (http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/smurfie_bucket/cianar.jpg) was clad in a simple, though very expensive, robe of silk with golden trim, bearing the symbol of House Aranathas and the Altanari royal seal. He jumped off his horse with an agility one wouldn't expect from a man pushing his middle 60s. Next to him, Kishar Amayra, the son of Argali clan lead Hashan Amayra, dismounted in an equally impressive display of agility. His traditional (http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/smurfie_bucket/kishar.jpg) Argali outfit almost - but not quite - trumped Cianar's royal robes.

The last person off his horse was Ikinar Inimena, the Lord of Isilkara. Unlike the other two, he was wearing a business suit (http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/smurfie_bucket/ikinar.jpg) (though a very nice one), and looked slightly uncomfortable as he fell/jumped from his horse. Cianar managed to keep a straight face; Kishar didn't even try to hide his amusement. Damn overcivilized Akamian noble, they both thought as Ikinar did his best to play off his poor dismount, straightening his tie and standing next to Kishar. The two nobles stood slightly behind Cianar, as they waited for their hosts to greet them.

To: His Majesty, Most Resolute Ruler of All Mongolia, Emperor of Zhongguo, Lord of the Western Steppes, King of Koryo, Lord of the Land of Two Rivers, Gülügjab Khan
From: His Most Esteemed High Royal and Imperial Majesty, Owain ap Cunedda, by the Grace of God, High King of the Confederated Peoples, Emperor of Nabarro Abarca, High King of Dana and King of All His Realms and Territories

Your Majesty,

We look with great interest upon the imminent Kurulai to be held to select the next Khagan and upon the emergence of your nation into the larger international community. It is our sincerest hope to foster honest friendship with all the peoples of the world and, to that end, we have appointed, upon the advice of the President of the Government and the Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs, a representative of the Confederated Peoples to attend. After much deliberation, we have selected Her Highness, Princess Sarah ni Beumayn of Selinia, to attend on our behalf and to negotiate the exchange of more permanent missions and the possibility of more substantive relations. Please reply at your earliest convenience to let us know if you are amenable to receiving our representative.

Sincerely,
Owain
High King of the Confederated Peoples et al.

It was just before lunch in the capital, and as was tradition the restaurants were packed and businesses deserted. The lunch time generally extended from 11:00 to 1:00, as the citizens of the capital were quite fond of both food and the company found in consuming it.

Before the palace of the Khan Aburga Chagatai met the Altanari delegation with a retinue of palace officials and servants. A horde of uniformed footmen rushed out, taking the reins of the Crown Father's honor guard and the ambassador's mounts, and the Foreign Minister bowed to the elderly Altanari.

"Welcome, welcome! You must be the Crown Father of Altanar- it is a pleasure to have you here. Please forgive me if I don't not use the appropriate honors for a retired sovereign- it is against the law of the Khan to honor a foreign monarch who has not made obeisance to the Horse Throne. I am Aburga Chagatai, of the Yesugei Clan and the Mongol Tribe, Foreign Minister to the Gulugjab Khan. Welcome to Karakorum."


* * *

A response was distpatched from the Foreign Ministry to The Resurgent Dream, informing the appropriate officials of the happiness the Khan felt at having another foreign delegation attend the festivals and kurultai, and the usual other diplomatic pleasantries. The Princess Sarah ni Beumayn would be more than welcome, and would hopefully recieve the hospitality of the Khan's ger.

If the mention of "making obeisance" to another throne offended the former King of Altanar, he gave no sign of it. Returning Chagatai's bow gracefully, Cianar smiled politely. "Thank you for your kind welcome, Minister. If I may, I'd like to introduce my companions. This is Kishar Amayra, First Son of Clan Amayra, representing the people of Argalia," Cianar said, gesturing to Kishar who gave a short bow of his own. "And this is Lord Ikinar Inimena of Isilkara, representing the people of Akamia," Cianar said while gesturing towards Ikinar. "We are all honored to be here, and we look forward to meeting the Khan and seeing the festivities."

If the mention of "making obeisance" to another throne offended the former King of Altanar, he gave no sign of it. Returning Chagatai's bow gracefully, Cianar smiled politely. "Thank you for your kind welcome, Minister. If I may, I'd like to introduce my companions. This is Kishar Amayra, First Son of Clan Amayra, representing the people of Argalia," Cianar said, gesturing to Kishar who gave a short bow of his own. "And this is Lord Ikinar Inimena of Isilkara, representing the people of Akamia," Cianar said while gesturing towards Ikinar. "We are all honored to be here, and we look forward to meeting the Khan and seeing the festivities."

Chagatai clasped his hands and bowed in turn as Cianar introduced his companions, then again when he was thanked.

"It is my pleasure. Your delegation marks a new era for the Empire- a new paradigm of diplomacy for our nation. In times past our only connexion with the rest of the world was with those nations which came to pay homage to the Horse Throne. It is a momentous occasion."

He bowed again, then turned and gestured to the palace gate.

"The Imperial Highness has requested your presence for the lunch-hour, if you are hungry. He would like to meet the foreign representatives, and is especially interested to meet one of the Kings of another "golden land." Please follow me; your things will be taken to your quarters."

Princess Sarah arrived shortly thereafter. She was a woman of some twenty-three years. She had a relatively slender figure with raven hair worn atop her head in elaborate curls. For her first presentation to a foreign monarch, she wore a high-necked gown of dark blue with red lining and white ruffles which hinted at her shapely figure while leaving almost everything to the imagination. It was always best to err on the side of conservatism. Her tiara was embedded with amethyst and she carried herself with the dignity which befitted a lady of her station.

The princess was accompanied by her ladies-in-waiting, dressed in similar but less striking clothing. She was also accompanied by a handful of diplomatic functionaries in finely tailored suits and by two officers of the Confederal Marines in full dress uniform. They walked silently and at attention on either side of Her Highness's entourage. The party made its way forward to be greeted by their hosts. Sarah smiled slightly as her deep brown eyes took in her surroundings carefully.

He bowed again, then turned and gestured to the palace gate.

"The Imperial Highness has requested your presence for the lunch-hour, if you are hungry. He would like to meet the foreign representatives, and is especially interested to meet one of the Kings of another "golden land." Please follow me; your things will be taken to your quarters."

Cianar gave a polite nod. "We'd be honored to join him for lunch. I must admit, we are very much interested in meeting him, and learning more about your people," he added, as the Altanari group turned to follow Chagatai. "There are some very striking similarities between your culture, what we know of it, and our own."

Princess Sarah happened to arrive at just the right time, as Minister Chagatai was just about to leave with the Altanari delegation. Excusing himself momentarily, the Minister made his greetings to the dignitary in a similar fashion as he had before.

"Madame, if you would like to follow me- the Khan has prepared a luncheon for his guests, and you are just in time. These are the representatives from the various parts of the United Monarchy of Altanar."

Turning back to the other men, he bowed and gestured.

"Please, this way. The palace grounds are expansive, and one can easily become lost."

Chagatai led the four dignitaries into the palace grounds with a small retinue of servants. Through gardens, pavillions, covered hallways and silken corridors they proceded, moving deeper into the floating world of the Khan's palace. Groups of courtiers form all over the Empire glanced furtively at the group, whispering to each other. Chagatai didn't seem to notice; he was used to the petty gossiping of the indolent nobility of the Imperial City. The only people that truly mattered were the civil servants- the aristocrats were just the wasted remnants of the old days.

They came at last upon a huge enclosure, with a covered, pillared verandah circling a huge stone platform. On it sat a tent that rose into the sky- the Khan's great yurt. Up the stone steps they moved, flanked by statues of magical horses and spiritual guardians. Warriors in red armor stood at rigid attention, ceremonial weapons at their sides- with automatic weapons conspicuously displayed as well.

Chagatai stepped up and bowed to a man standing before the entrance- a large silken flap embroidered with a scene from the steppes- horses stampeding across the plain. The two men exchanged brief words, and the man lifted the flap and beckoned for them to enter.

Inside a huge square table was laid out with steaming foods- rice, noodles, game, vegetables, soups- a delicious array of culinary delights. At the end of the table a lone figure sat, thin and gaunt. He was short, sporting a long white beard and a shaped felt hat, wearing a purple and gold del. Looking up from a cup of tea he smiled.

"Come! Come! Enter and sit, you have my blessings. I am Gulugjab Tangghudai of the Borjigin clan. Welcome."

The Altanari delegation greeted Princess Sarah politely and introduced themselves, then followed Chagatai into the palace. Though careful not to show it too obviously, Cianar was quite impressed with the palace. The Aerie, the "palace" that Altanar's royals called home, was really little more than an overgrown manor house/fortress. While there is something to be said for the humility that our family line has always shown, there is also something to be said for having a nice house, Cianar thought. The Khan's palace definitely fit that description.

Ikinar, by contrast, made no effort to hide his favorable impression of the palace. I wonder if we could do something like this back in Isilkara. I doubt that would go over well with Aelkyn or his father, though, if my palace was more impressive than their glorified doghouse back in Ael Khalas, the Akamian noble thought amusedly to himself.

Kishar, though keeping a polite look on his face per his father's instructions not to cause any trouble, was decidedly less impressed than his Akamian or Altanari companions. I thought this Khan was a tribesman like us. What kind of man of the steppes lives in a place like this? Kishar thought warily.

Upon receiving the Khan's welcome at the yurt, Cianar was the only one of them to speak. "Thank you for your most gracious welcome. I am Cianar, of House Aranathas, Crown Father of Altanar. This is Kishar, First Son of Clan Amayra of Argalia, and Ikinar, of House Inimena and Lord of Isilkara. We are honored to be your guests." The three of them gave a graceful bow, and then seated themselves.

(OOC: Just FYI, I may not be able to respond for the next few days due to intermittent Internet access while on vacation.)

For a ruler of millions of people, the Khan appeared quite small and wiry. He waved his hand dismissivley at the foreigners, and spoke quite brusquely.

"Let us not stand on formality. You may simply call me Khan." he snapped his fingers and attendants came forward with bowls of hot water and white towels, bathing the hands of the diners. The Khan lifted a long cigarette holder and another attendant bent forward to insert a cigarette and light it. Lifting a bowl of steaming rice, the Khan pinched a bit betwen his thumb and forefingers and put it in his mouth.

From across the table, Chagatai nodded and motioned with his eyes for the foreign delegates to begin eating.

"Honored guests, the traditional style is to use the thumb and forefingers to eat- but if you desire, we have southern chopsticks and silverware." the Foreign Minister interjected.

Gulugjab lifted a steaming bun and bit into it, chewing thoughtfully.

"Altanar, Akamia, Argalia. Only one of those names has any familiarity to me, for obvious reasons. Your nation is quite interesting, all composite parts of it." he mused, puffing on his cigarette. "And I cannot say I have ever heard of... Resurgent Dream, is it?"

Princess Sarah returned all greetings politely as she allowed herself to be led through the palace. Like the Altanari, she was rather impressed at the sheer grandeur of the Imperial City and its scope. It was vastly larger than her own father's comparatively modest palace in Solomon and, likewise, larger than almost all of the hundred or so palaces her cousin, the High King, had scattered about the Confederated Peoples.

Sarah courtsied to the Khan as she came before him. She smiled softly as she rose. "It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."

As the group took their seats, Sarah tried to eat in accordance with the local style, pinching some rice between her thumb and her forefinger and bringing it delicately up to her lips. After several more bites, she turned towards the Khan and arched one brow ever so faintly. While it was true that she had also not heard of Altan Ordyn before being assigned to this mission, she couldn't imagine admitting that fact out loud. Nonetheless, she simply smiled, "The Confederated Peoples is preferred, Khan."

If conscience for others was a good trait in an ambassador, Chagatai was well worth keeping. After a moment of watching the others eat, he made a very visible gesture and picked up a pair of chopsticks, black and silver, and began eating with those instead of his fingers. An imperceptible wink was there for anyone paying attention; which the Khan was not, and never was.

The Khan did, however, nod at the Princesses' correction. "Of course, of course. The Confederated Peoples. Proper naming convetions are very contrived; I dislike immensely having to learn a new name for a place every time some insignificant group takes power." He turned his head to Ikinar as he chewed on a piece of smoked beef. The Khan was blunt and demanding, as is sometimes the case for aristocrats and rulers who think themselves more cultured and deserving of respect.

"I find your clothing very interesting, considering the similarities between ours and your compatriots. Tell me about... Akamia, is it? A land so close to one called "Altanar" must have reasons for differing culture and clothing."

He turned his head to Ikinar as he chewed on a piece of smoked beef. The Khan was blunt and demanding, as is sometimes the case for aristocrats and rulers who think themselves more cultured and deserving of respect.

"I find your clothing very interesting, considering the similarities between ours and your compatriots. Tell me about... Akamia, is it? A land so close to one called "Altanar" must have reasons for differing culture and clothing."

Ikinar paused in the act of picking up a pair of chopsticks; Cianar and Kishar had already dug into the food with thumbs and forefingers without seeming to find it odd in the slightest. "Akamia and the other Altan peoples share a similar culture, stemming from shared nomadic roots, Khan. I'm afraid I'm just not very traditional."

Kishar snorted. "Indeed you're not, and more's the pity. Our shared traditions and culture are nothing to be ashamed of," he said, giving Ikinar a hard look briefly before turning back to his food.

Cianar, seated between the two, kept a pleasant look on his face and continued eating. Well, here we go, he thought to himself wryly, wondering again why his son had saddled their group with Ikinar - or, more precisely, with Ikinar and Kishar in the same group.

Ikinar did his best to ignore Kishar, instead continuing to look at the Khan. "While Akamia does share ancestral roots in a nomadic culture with our Altanari and Argali neighbors, we do tend to be a bit more...modern in our outlook," he said calmly.

The old ruler gave a sharp laugh. "Yes, yes. Modernism is a double-edged sword. Technological development is welcome, not so the accompanying philosophical ideas." He pursed his lips and gave a conciliatory nod to Cianar as the other two spat barbs. "Even the great and glorious Mongolian Empire suffers, from time to time, from tribal and factional strife. I have tried, for many years, to strenghten the bonds between the peoples of my Empire, but rifts form."

Chagatai nodded imperceptibly. "The Khan is correct, as always. Not simply disagreements between Persian bureacrats and Chinese aristocrats, but arguments along ancient tribal lines within our own Mongolian heartlan-"

The Khan cut him off. "Tribal differences my great ancestor Chinggis sought to eradicate, no less. His methods, though succesful in the past, have not worked so well in the modern day. I cannot simply order an entire town to be eradicated and hope the problem disappears- no, it takes public relations and propaganda on top of that!" He laughed at his own joke, seeming not to notice that he casually spoke of ordering the death of thousands.

Chagatai was quick to cut in. "Yes, My Khan. But I do not think the foreigners know the whole story- for example, I am from the Mongol Tribe, as is my Khan, but my deputy is a Besud from the Merkid tribe. The Kara-Khitai, though decimated hundreds of years ago, have traditionally caused trouble in the far north-east; "squeaky wheels" as you might say. My Khan's Empire is a multiethnic one; and it takes great strength to hold it all together." The Khan looked pleased with himself; the obvious flattery had been added conciously. Gulugjab Tangghudai was vain and cruel, but cunning and intelligent. All were combinations that had great implications.

"Tell me some of the history of Altanar, then. It seems were have a great deal in common."

"It seems interesting," Sarah said with studied indifference, "that you would have so much difficulty keeping up with the changing names of a nation which you had not previously heard of in any event."

Sarah went silent at that point, simply listening with a measure of interest between the Altanari and their hosts. She finished her rice and then took some beef, continuing to eat respectfully in the local fashion. The information was quite useful and most of it was rather new to her.

Cianar gave a polite smile, choosing to ignore the fact that his host seemed to have a casual attitude about mass murder. "Altanar first started out as a collection of roaming nomadic tribes. There is some speculation that we may in fact be descended from Mongolian or other central Asian stock, but our specific origins have unfortunately remained lost to history. It is hard to deny the similarities in culture, though, although ours does deviate from yours somewhat, probably due to isolation and developing in a different area."

Cianar paused to take a quick bite before continuing. "We do know that as time passed, the three distinct regions of the Altan steppes developed their own identities. Argalia, in the west, retained much of our traditional ways, remaining organized in clans without a formal government. Akamia, in the central plains, was loosely federated together in a set of local kingdoms, more organized than the Argali but without a single ruler over them all. In the east, Altanar developed as a unified kingdom under my ancestor, Olen, who sought to bring the scattered Altan peoples together. Akamia and Argalia were integrated into Altanar, partly through cooperation and partly through force. Since then, ideas on how our nation should be organized have changed over the years. We are currently in negotiations to form a federation where each region has substantial autonomy, but continues to stand with its fellow Altan states as a unified symbol of strength to the world."

Cianar grinned briefly at his companions. "As much as these two bicker, it makes sense. An ancient legend of ours says that the Altan tribes are descended from a set of brothers. The Argali are descended from the youthful, impetuous one who retained his wild streak; the Akamians are descended from the thoughtful, emotional, idealistic one; and the Altanari are descended from the sensible oldest brother, the one who keeps the household together. We argue and bicker among each other, as families do, but ultimately we recognize the importance of family and maintain those bonds."

The Khan nodded, seemingly disinterested.

"Perhaps your people are descended from the Mongol tribes that spread during the Great Father's day, it is in fact likely. But you, Cianar, are a former King, are you not? Has your son deposed you and relegated you to performing his diplomatic missions?"

Chagatai spoke before the elderly Altanari could answer. "It was common in the past for aristocrats and sovereigns to be quite cutthroat in their behavior toward family members. Ambitious sons deposed fathers and uncles killed nephews for the Horse Throne, or any of the positions given to aristocrats. Why, my Khan's own grandfather wisely deposed his own uncle for the damage he was doing to the Empire, and put him to death."

Chagatai told the tale with exceeding embellishment; the tale of Khan Subedei was well known among the people of the Empire. Borjigin Subedei was of a cadet branch of the ruling house, and when he turned 19 he organized loyal nobles in Mongolia and stormed the palace, deposing the Khan (His uncle) and executing him; ostensibly to "rectify the wrongs" his uncle had done while ruling. A bloodthirsty and dangerous man, Subedei initiated a wave of pogroms throughout the Empire intended to root out unfaithful civil servants and disloyal groups. He luckily died five years into his reign, and Gulugjab's father took the horse throne (after poisoning his three elder brothers).

The Khan waved his hand, smiling. "My family has long cared for the management of the Empire. When there was injustice, they removed it."

"Removing injustice immediately where it may appear is a wise thing," Cianar replied calmly. "But to answer your question, my son did not depose me. We've never had such an event occur in our history. I chose to step down and let my son take over. I still serve my country, but in a different way. The infighting in our history has tended to be between Houses, rather than within them."

"An excellent policy." the Khan said approvingly. "It is the curse of no longer being bound to the land; the ties of the family are reduced. Much as I would like to take to the horse and ger again, the duty of my house is to administer the entire Empire- and without a capital I cannot do that."

He munched on a dumpling.

"If I could retire- such a thought is laughable, though- I would visit the palaces of Baghdad. It was a wise thing that Hulëgu Khan spared the glories of that city, or so the poets say. I have never been to the Persian provinces myself, but I am told it is quite beautiful."

Chagatai waited until he finished and put another bite in his mouth before speaking. "There will be a new high-speed train running from the Capital to Baghdad and then on to Jerusalem opening in April. It is quite a feat; the Khan was wise in approving the plan. Another leg will run from Samarkand to Kaifeng and Beijing, and then down to Guangzhou- imagine being able to go from Jerusalem to Guangzhou in three days time!"

The last bit was clearly for the Khan's benefit; he had no idea if the four guests would have any idea the distance between the places.

"Yes, yes. Now- I understand one of your peoples is a nomadic group?" the Khan said, suddenly interested in his visitors.

Kishar spoke up at that point. "The Altan peoples all have the blood of the nomad in our veins, but it is we Argali who still follow the old ways. Our neighbors have forgotten them to a large extent," he added, a crooked grin on his face as he looked at Cianar and Ikinar.

"Oh, I don't know about that. I wager that I can still hold my own living the 'old ways', if it came down to it," Cianar said mildly, but with a bit of a glint in his eye.

The Khan smiled strangely, putting some golden rice in his mouth.

"Good. I am glad to see there is still some strength in your aristocracy."

He waved a hand to Chagatai, who bowed his head. The Khan rose, adjusting his del.

"I have duties elsewhere. The Foreign Minister will care for your needs today, and tomorrow tehe Nadaam will begin, follower by my proclamation." He turned to leave, with the Mongol servants and officials bowing as he left.

Chagatai turned to the guests when he was gone and well out of earshot. "Thank you for tolerating the discussion. The Khan is not the most worldly of men, and likes to paint himself as a humble tribesman forced to rule. As for the rest of the day, there is some time for you to relax in your quarters, but one of the Khan's sons has prepared a hunt for the gentlemen, and one of his daughters has planned something for the lady, what I cannot say. The Prince will send his herald for you at 1:30, giving you an hour and a half to relax and prepare."

He gestured for servants to begin clearing the table of food, and bowed to the foreign guests, pointing toward the door. "Come, I will show you to your quarters. They are in the Chinese wings, I think you will enjoy them quite a bit."

Sarah waved off the apology for the Khan's behavior. If she had found it offensive, it would have been still worse to have acknowledged that she had. The Confederated Peoples tried, for the most part, to avoid taking offense on petty points of personal honor. She smiled as she rose to follow Chagatai, "I must confess to being quite in suspense, sir. I don't know how I shall prepare when I do not know what Her Highness intends although I imagine it will be most pleasant."

Cianar, Kishar and Ikinar rose as well. Cianar simply grinned at Chagatai's apology, but said nothing about it. "We're certainly looking forward to the hunt. It's a sport we practice often in Altanar."

"Some of us do, anyway," Kishar said. "Ikinar, are you sure you won't shoot yourself in the foot?" he asked the Akamian with a smirk on his face.

"I am sure I will do just fine," Ikinar replied with a raised eyebrow.

"We'll see, anyway," Cianar laughed. As the group turned to leave, Cianar stood next to Princess Sarah. "I hope I'm not being rude, madam, but if you have the opportunity before leaving to return to your homeland, we'd like to converse a bit more with you if we could. One of the reasons we Altanari go on trips like this is to meet new peoples and new nations, and I don't think we've interacted with your nation before. I hope you'll have time to humor an old man like myself in doing so," Cianar said with a polite gesture.

Chagatai bowed conciliatorily to the Princess, grinning sheepishly.

"Forgive me. I do not personally know, but the lady has sent one of her attendants to your quarters to help you. The Princess Yi has very diverse and refined tastes, she may be just happy to converse with you in the gardens."

Chagatai clasped his hands, bowing once more, and sent the guests away to their quarters under the guidance of liveried attendants.

Princess Sarah inclined her head, "Thank you. I'm sure it will be lovely, although I also would have enjoyed the hunt." She gave a small smile and turned to follow the liveried attendant to her quarters, wearing the same small smile.

Cianar, Ikinar and Kishar gave their own bows, and walked to their quarters behind the attendants. Once they were behind closed doors, Cianar calmly turned to his companions. "I am an old man, but I've been a parent for a long time, so I still know how to deal with misbehaving children. By the gods, I'll take both of you over my knee and spank you like stubborn third-graders if you persist on squabbling in front of our hosts. Do not embarrass me, or your homelands, any further with such childishness," the former King said, his face impassive.

Ikinar and Kishar eyed the old man, and decided that he not only meant every word, but that he was still quite capable of doing so. They simply nodded.

"Good. I suggest you get changed into suitable clothes for the hunt," Cianar said, turning away to do a series of stretches and exercises in preparation.

Since the reclaim of eastern drefach from the old of valley of death, workers and peasants have rejoiced in light of their new leader president. With much work beginning in the forced labour camps, Drefach Velindre is looking for world allies with similar policies...
sincerly president.

The many corridors of the Khan's Palace were best compared to a honeycomb, though much less ordered and identical. At almost all times, various groups of courtiers, nobles, officials, and servants could be found gossiping, plotting, and directing the actual business of the state. It was in a covered alcove surrounded by creeping ivy that Minister Chagatai met Besüd obug-un Obugtan with a whisper.

"The guests are in their quarters, preparing for the events the Prince has prpared, Obu. But I am afraid the Khan is not interested in them or the Naadam. He showed even less regard to the Princess from the Confederated Peoples."

The other man waved his hand dismissively. "Don'y worry. Out of the delegations that have arrived, the Khan has showed the most interest in these two. My worry is not with the foreigners- but with the Princes. You know what happened to the Khan's elder brother? I would bet he didn't mention that during lunch."

Chagatai shushed him quickly. "Quiet! Don't be so reckless as to mention it in the palace. The noble assemblymen don't even dare to speak it."

Obugtan nodded. "You're right. But you know what happened. What if Prince Tamacha does something reckless?"

The other minister took his colleague by the arm and led him down the hallway, looking over his shoulder. "The Prince Tamacha is taking the Altan delegation on the hunt. I am more worried about Prince Chinua... but less us not try to foresee the future. It is best to go about our business without worrying. Send the attendants to the delegates- and the Princess's handmaiden to the Princess Sarah."

-------------------------------------

As the Altanari, Argalian, and Akamian men were getting ready, a young servant entered the guest's quarters and bowed.

"My lords, I am Chagan, the servant of the Gulugjab höbegün Tamacha, the Yuanzhong Prince. I am here to help you prepare for the hunt."

He looked at them quickly, seeing the state of their clothing and preparation they had already undertaken, Ikinar in particular. A look of surprise, and then deference, crossed his face.

"Oh, sirs. Please, we have traditional clothing for you to wear- it would be improper to wear anything else. Did your lordships bring your own bows?" he asked innocently.

------------------------------------

While the Prince's servant was tending to the Altan delegates, a young lady entered the quarters of the Princess Sarah and bowed to her.

"My lady, I am the Pearl Concubine, servant of the Princess Yi. My lady wishes your presence in the orchid garden this afternoon- a flowery, spring dress is preferred for her Majesty. If your require assistance, I am here."