"How many this time?"He asked.
"I killed thirty-five men this time.You have too many enemies, Great Khan."Nyraxa mused.They could try to kill Ragnar as much as they wanted, but the women of the Varkesh banner were not easily beaten.
"The situation," Nyraxa continued, abandoning her lounging to sit up properly."The Borjigin are in chaos.The Igwe is dead as of last week.The details are...creative.The First Prince was also reported dead to the public.He was apparently killed in Orda Naiman's camp while negotiating."
Ragnar's jaw tightened."How?"he asked.
"Someone in the Borjigin court is working with Naiman.They never planned to accept the negotiations; they were just fucking with them."Nyraxa's eyes were sharp."The same someone who's been feeding Naiman information for months, who wrote those letters.The viper—well—one of them."
Caius spoke up."Which raises an interesting question, Great Khan.Why are we still here?This is not our war.The Borjigin are not our people.If someone on their end has been allied with Naiman all this time, this is not something we can easily extract ourselves from once involved.It means we are in his territory.We should be on our own horses, riding in the opposite direction."
Thane nodded, his first movement in minutes."He's right.This isn't our fight."
"The Khatun is our business," Ragnar stated.
Caius's eyebrows rose."The Khatun.A woman you've known for—what—months?You're willing to drag us into a war for her?"This wouldn't end with just one battle.
Ragnar met his gaze."Yes."
Thane made a low, frustrated noise; he’d run out of patience."Great Khan, with all due respect—"
"With respect, General, you've made your position clear."Ragnar grunted."Multiple times.I've heard you.I've considered your words, and I've made my decision."
Thane choked on his words, his body shaking from anger.Nyraxa exchanged a glance with Caius, something passing between them.
"You're certain she won't betray you?"Nyraxa asked."Certain enough to put us against Naiman this early?You know we aren’t ready for a full-blown territorial fight, It would take us another five years before we can challenge him."
"Yes."
He didn’t hesitate.Thane's expression could have curdled milk."You legitimately trust her; she was most certainly a honey trap sent to force this exact situation!"
Ragnar felt his body tense; he had asked her who she was acting on behalf of, and she had told him clearly.
Myself.
"I trust that she won't play a losing game."Ragnar met his general's eyes."Azul is many things—vengeful, calculating, ruthless—but she is not a fool.She knows who her enemies are.She knows who her allies are.And she knows that I am her most valuable pawn."
"A pawn," Caius repeated, giving them a look to question his sanity.
"The most valuable on the board.The one she can't afford to sacrifice."Ragnar's lips curved.
Nyraxa's expression had shifted."Unbelievable.She has you wrapped around her finger," she said finally.
"Yes."
"And you're fine with that?"
Ragnar considered the question.
“Yes.”
Azul had been sent to force this situation.Whoever was behind this mess had planned for Orda Naiman's men to arrive, and planned to use him—Ragnar—as a sacrifice.To be rid of him for good, and to garner the superior warlord's favour.
Caius broke the next bout of silence with a chilling tone."This is a terrible decision, Great Khan.We will be fighting a war on foreign soil, against an enemy who outnumbers us, for a woman who may or may not survive long enough to appreciate the gesture."
"I'm aware."
"And yet you persist."
