Steppe

Qasar!'

Qasar was bound and brought to the Qan's pavilion on the planet of Karakorum. Alp drew his sword, shaking with fury. 'Do you dare to plot against your own brother?' he demanded.

Qasar looked confused. This ploy only inflamed Alp's nomad rage. 'I'll kill you right now!' he roared.

Qasar looked at him as if he were insane. But as Alp lifted the sword to smite that expression away, their mother Oelun-eke rushed in. She went to Qasar and released his bonds while Alp stood somewhat stupidly, sword in hand. Of all times!

Oelun-eke turned to Temujin and removed her dress, baring her breasts. 'These breasts suckled you both!' she cried. 'How can you quarrel between yourselves? Hasn't Qasar always served you loyally? When did he ever have ambition for more?'

Alp's rage turned to embarrassment. Even though it was all a drama in the Game, he hated being exposed to this sort of scene. He might question the loyalty of almost anyone, but never that of his mother. 'I am ashamed,' he said, leaving the pavilion.

Afterwards he wondered just what had happened to him. Of course Qasar wouldn't plot against him! The man was too stupid to be other than loyal. Tab was the schemer. He had so cleverly planted his poison barb without actually accusing Qasar of anything...

Alp had almost made a bad mistake. He was over-extended, making snap judgments, turning against his most loyal allies. As Uga had, before the end... He needed to ease up before he let schemers like Tab worm him into real trouble.

But Tab was not finished. He gathered quite a following among the Mongol horde. Galactic players were more credulous than they pretended; many of them were coming to believe the shaman's magic was genuine. Alp, who had experience with real magic in life, could tell the difference, fortunately.

Soon Tab turned against Temujin's youngest brother, Temuge, catching him on the streets of the city and forcing him to kneel to the sons of Munlik. Temuge was a real firebrand, and this was a terrible humiliation for the brother of the Qan!

Unlike Qasar, Temuge did not complain. Perhaps he was afraid it would only lead to another scene with the Qan! But the story was circulated, and this time it was Alp's beloved wife Borte who interceded. 'If even during your lifetime your brothers are open to insult,' she said, 'what will happen to your sons after your death?'

Her pointed words affected Alp as the words of his brothers had not. His sons were threatened! Tab had overstepped his bounds, and had to be dealt with.

But the Qan was supposed to be an objective arbiter—and Mongols were forbidden to settle personal quarrels by arms. Alp had laid down that doctrine himself, enforcing it by the death penalty; he could not be the one to violate it. Also, Tab was a powerful political force in his own right, and his untimely removal could trigger a disastrous split in the Mongol ranks that would cost Alp his base of power.

This was one problem that Munlik could not solve, for Munlik's own sons were the cause of the mischief. And Tata-tunga wisely disdained to participate in palace intrigue, however clever he was in organizing the larger empire. Alp had to work this out by himself.

Well, how would clever Jamuqa have done it, or shrewd Togrul? Or Munlik himself, had this involved some other man's son? How did a ruler dispose of a ranking figure in his court, while maintaining the facade of neutrality? This was unclean business, but Alp saw what had to be done.

He called Munlik on the screen. 'You and your sons will visit my ger for conference,' Alp said.

'Delighted!' Munlik agreed, anticipating further enhancement of his influence.

Then Alp called Temuge: 'Munlik and his sons are visiting me for conference. Come also, if you choose.' He paused, noting his brother's perplexity. 'It does not behoove the Qan to take sides. Deal with someone as pleases you.'

Now Temuge's eyes lighted. Alp had let his brother know he would not interfere, keeping his hands technically clean. Temuge knew that Alp knew of his fury with Tab...

In a few Minutes Munlik and his sons arrived. They seated themselves, weapons left outside the ger, according to protocol. Then Temuge appeared, unarmed but fierce. 'Let's see how you do on your own!' he cried, seizing Tab by the throat.

Munlik and the others stood in alarm and sought to interfere. 'Go outside and settle your difference!' Alp cried with unfeigned annoyance. He had expected more subtlety than this!

Tab was a larger man than Temuge and a skilled brawler. He was quite ready to fight, especially since he obviously had the right of it and the Qan had given permission. Angrily the two went out, while Alp gestured Munlik and the others to resume the conference.

There was a scream, then silence.

Now Alp and the others looked out. Temuge stood there, untouched. Tab lay on the ground, obviously out of the Game. Three guards stood near the tent. It took no great perception to know that there had been an ambush.

Munlik, white-faced, turned to Alp. 'O Qan, I have served you until this day...'

Alp was alone in the tent. The six strong sons made as if to set upon him physically. He had no weapon.

'Aside!' he said peremptorily, brushing by them. They might have laid hands on him despite their awe of his office and the certain consequence of such action; but Temuge and the three guards now stood at the entrance, seeming rather eager for a pretext for mayhem, and Qasar was coming down the street by seeming coincidence with another troop of warriors. In fact, there were suddenly a great many loyal and strong Mongols in the vicinity.

The sons of Munlik gave way. '...and I shall continue to serve you,' Munlik finished bravely.

Then Alp told him: 'You did not teach your sons proper obedience. Tab conspired against my interests, so I removed my protection from him. See that it doesn't happen again; I have no other quarrel with you and need your continuing service as a loyal adviser.'