He had indeed. He had just never thought to make this particular connection! So the Chinese mock-princess really would have grown to womanhood in four days—had she survived the part! 'When I get you to my
But there was a brief delay while they loaded her dowry, a precious pseudosable cloak. Then Alp and his party took off for home. It had been a successful mission! He only regretted that there was not space enough, riding double on his horse, to commence that four-century makeup. He was able only to snatch a handful of promise.
The most powerful ruler of the contemporary Steppe was Togrul, lord of the Kerayit. Alp took a small party and some gifts—including Borte's dowry of sable—and paid a diplomatic call on Togrul at his major planet of Karakorum. This did not match the sophistication of the great Chinese residences but was far more civilized than anything most Mongols knew.
Togrul was a man of Yesugei's generation, confident in his power. He could muster fifty thousand ships from his own dominions, and more if he drew on his dependencies and alliances. Temujin's forces were pitiful in comparison, yet Alp was not abashed.
'What brings you here, nephew?' Togrul demanded genially.
And Alp had his second recent shock of recognition. 'Uga!' he exclaimed.
'Play the part, Alp!' the man muttered, glancing at his retainers nearby.
Alp played the part. 'I merely wanted to renew acquaintance,' he said, and there was now a double meaning.
'Need help, eh?'
'No, I thought I'd offer you mine.'
Togrul laughed and put his arm around Alp's shoulders. 'You're as sharp as your father was! I don't mind admitting, son, Yesugei helped me out of a pinch once. Some fine fighting men in that Borjigin tribe of his! I'm not forgetful what I owe him, even if he's dead now. Why didn't you come to me before?'
'Didn't have enough of a clan,' Alp admitted. And of course he hadn't known this part would be played by his old friend and collaborator Uga!
'Son, didn't you know I'd have helped you in an instant, for the sake of your father? You didn't have to take any guff off an impostor like Targ!'
Alp shrugged. 'I just like to do things my own way, beholden to none.' But that wasn't true; he had debts to Chilaun, who had now joined him for experience, and to Borchu, now his leading lieutenant, and to many others who had befriended him similarly in need. But they accepted his command; Togrul was hardly of that level!
'Son, you're damn lucky you got out of that cangue! Take my advice: next time you get in a bind, don't fool around with individual heroism! Call on me! And when
They both laughed—but the alliance was no joke. Alp had now become a client of the Kerayit leader, and when Togrul made war, Alp could be called to contribute his resources and perhaps his life. He had waited until now so that he could make the alliance honorably, retaining a large measure of independence. His experiences in the Kentei mountains had shown him that in this part more than any other he survived only by luck and sufferance—and he could not afford to depend on either indefinitely. So it was time for well-chosen compacts.
They entered Togrul's private chambers. 'Glad to see you, Alp!' Uga cried. 'We're finally at the Mongol times! But I thought you'd have a better part!'
'I was looking for Jenghiz,' Alp said. 'But I realized—'
'You know, it came to me that Jenghiz is only a title, a dynasty name! Any leader could fill it, if he had a proper power base. That's why I bought into this one.'
'You—Jenghiz Qan?' Alp asked, surprised.
'Not yet! But in a few years, why not? I'm not a Mongol—but I have Mongol clients! I could conquer every remaining Mongol tribe tomorrow, if I chose! But that would complicate the picture unnecessarily and get me embroiled in debilitating rivalries. No percentage in that! So when the time comes, I'll simply declare myself a Mongol and assume the title.'
'But I—'
'But you expected to take Jenghiz yourself. I know. But I looked at it this way: if you got it, fine. But what if you
'Yes... of course,' Alp agreed. It did make sense. Every player had to strive for the best he could do... and he really doubted that Kerayit part could assume Mongol status like that. Meanwhile, he did have a stout ally in Uga, who seemed to have picked up in this part where he had left off as Khagan of the Uigurs, and who was the one man in all the Game who really understood him.
It was all part of the Game... but Alp could not help himself. He was in love with Borte, player and part. The Game-romance that had started in 841 was a real romance in the late twelfth century, 1184.
'But it passes so quickly!' he complained after making furious love.
'Do it again and it will be much slower,' she promised him.
'I mean our marriage. I shall hardly have tested you before you become an old woman!'
'But what a way to grow old!' she said, laughing. 'And there will be other parts for both of us...'
'All too short! Koka, when the Game is over, will you—'
She waited expectantly—but he could not say what they both wanted him to say. For his Galactic life was dependent on his Game life; if he did not do extremely well here, there would be no future at all for him. How
