"So scheme.Survive.Come back."He pulled away."I'll await your command, Khatun."
He reached for the goblet.
"To serve a god like you," he whispered, "is truly difficult.But I suppose such a sacrifice is deserved."
The wine went down, and within seconds, he crumpled forward, his head coming to rest on the table.
Azul stared at the body.
Silence followed.
Her body felt cold.
Her eyes were empty.
Without ceremony, she stood.
“Call for Altansarnai and tell him Ragnar Valthorne is dead, by the hands of the Borjigin.”
Chapter 38
Thefeastthatfollowedthe next evening was monstrous.Torches blazed along every wall of the great hall; tables were piled high with meats and fresh fruit—luxuries the Borjigin had not seen in weeks.Soldiers lined the perimeter, their hands never far from their weapons.And at the centre of it all, on a raised platform that had once belonged to the Igwe, Somadina sat with Azul at his side.
Her robes were new—crimson and gold, heavy with embroidery—though cut low, no one could see the bruises her maids had painted over.Her hair had been threaded with pearls that caught the torchlight.She looked every inch the queen Somadina wanted her to be.
The doors swung open.
Altansarnai rode his horse directly into the hall.
An insult, really.Bringing a mount into a space meant for walking, forcing everyone to look up at him.The horse's hooves struck sparks from the stone floor as he advanced, his breath steaming in the warm air.Behind him, his two most trusted commanders followed on horseback, only stopping a few feet in to dismount.
Somadina rose, a forced smile hiding his deepening displeasure.
"General Altansarnai.You honour us with your presence."
Altansarnai reined in his horse before the platform, looking down at the Borjigin prince.
"I was told there would be entertainment."
Somadina's smile didn't waver.He clapped his hands and servants rushed forward with food and wine.Beautiful women rushed out from side doors, their silks rustling, their smiles fixed.
Altansarnai dismounted.His guards took position by the doors.He settled onto the cushions prepared for him, accepting a cup of wine without looking at the woman who offered it.
"I am only here because you have made such a bold claim," he said flatly."You, of all people, have managed to kill Ragnar Valthorne."
Somadina’s eyes lit up with triumph as he snapped his fingers.
The doors at the side of the hall opened, and four guards carried in a long wooden box.They set it before Altansarnai with the reverence due a coffin.
Altansarnai looked at it."A head would have sufficed."
"This is not merely a head."Somadina rose, descending from the platform to stand beside the box.He placed his hand on its lid, tapping it."This is the entire body.Whole.Untouched.Delivered into your hands, to do with as you wish."
Something flickered in Altansarnai's eyes.
"Open it."
"In the morning."Somadina's smile widened."Tonight, we celebrate.Eat, drink, and enjoy the hospitality of the Borjigin.The corpse will be waiting for you at dawn."
