Casca 34: Devil's Horseman (24 page)

He was right. The Hungarian army was destroyed and there was nothing left now between the Mongols and Central Europe. Casca wondered if the king had escaped, and if he had, would he be able to organize a new army? Casca doubted it.

The ground was littered with the dead. Spears and pennants rose up from the ground like the bare trees of winter, and overhead birds were already gathering for the feast. Casca sighed and felt weary. The excitement of battle was gone from his body and he now was too tired for words. He looked up and saw the two Mongol commanders surveying the battlefield. Victory was theirs. They ought to feel elated. But Casca wasn’t thinking of the spoils of victory; he was thinking of a woman, and how he was to rescue her.

Over the next few weeks the Mongols roamed far and wide, terrorizing the Hungarian population and burning the city of Pest. Casca remained close to Subedei’s headquarters close to the burning city, but Batu went north to besiege Gran. Casca wasn’t sure whether Subedei had deliberately sent him there or not.

The other Mongol princes and their forces arrived from Poland, swelling the Mongol numbers in Hungary, and Casca was sat at the late night meal and celebration near Pest when all the princes, including Batu, finally returned from putting Hungary to the torch.

He listened to what had gone on in Poland. Baidar, as the one who commanded the Polish attack, had the honor to present to the others what had happened. It seemed they had enjoyed as much success there as the rest had in Hungary.

“When we neared the city of Cracow, our scouts heard one of the defenders give a warning on a trumpet, so our scout shot him through the throat before he finished! That scared them enough to flee the city.” Baidar smiled and quaffed some wine before carrying on. “Then we found an army blocking our path near the place they call Legnica but we defeated them, destroying them utterly!”

Incredibly, Casca worked out that their victory had come on the same day as the battle by the River Sajo that Subedei and Batu had won over the Hungarians. But even as the others congratulated Baidar on his successes, Batu slammed his goblet down on the table. “Yes, it is a fine victory, and we won one too, but I lost many men because of Subedei’s slowness in getting to the battlefield!”

There was a silence, and eyes turned to either Batu or Subedei. The old general scowled for a moment, then leaned forward. “When the prince attacked he did not realize that the crossing point where I was building my bridge was deeper, so it took longer to cross. He should remember that.”

Batu colored and held Subedei’s gaze for a moment, then nodded curtly. He passed the old general his goblet. “Yes, it is true; our victory was thanks to Subedei.” But his look at Casca was one of resentment and Casca nodded slightly. Batu nodded back in the same manner.

The feast went the same way as the others had. The princes got drunk and Casca had no time to listen to their bragging, or to hear Kuyuk’s needling disdain directed at either Batu or himself. As he stood up to leave, he caught Batu and Mongke talking, heads close to one another. That was interesting.

“On the morrow I am leaving for Karakorum,” Kuyuk suddenly announced, his words slightly slurred. “Batu’s domain has reached the limits of what he can rule. We have destroyed what armies the Europeans can raise against us. My work here is done!”

“And I, too!” Buri stood up quickly, his face flushed. He shot Casca a quick glance and then looked away. But Casca had caught it.

T
he wolves were closing in. Fuck.

“Princes!”
Subedei heaved his bulk out of his stout chair. “There is still much work to be done! More kingdoms to subdue. They are in terror of us, and divided. If we wait too long they may join forces and present a much more difficult opponent.”

Kuyuk sneered. “If Batu wishes to extend his domain further, then he should find the men to do it himself. When I am elected Khan, I will not have the time to wet nurse him!”

“The Khan, your father, has decreed we are to ride to the western ocean! Would you defy his words?” Subedei was angry.

“Pah! He’s an old man, a drunkard. His death cannot be far off. I go to Karakorum to my father, and to be there when it is time for my succession.”

“Surely the Old Young One should accompany us?” Buri said. “He must be present at the succession. Such an endorsement would bind the loyalty of many to your rule, Kuyuk Khan.”

“I go in another direction, Buri Khan,” Casca replied. “My time with the Mongol army is coming to an end. You have proved yourselves superior to all once again. I salute each and every one of you, but you no longer need me. You have grown to a point where my advice and presence is no longer necessary.”

Buri looked at Kuyuk for help. Kuyuk looked from one to the other, trying to work out what the heck the young Buri was talking about. Subedei sank back into his chair, looking every one of his many years. It was at that point that Mongke stood up. “I, too, must return to the capital. There is much work for me to do. It may be something that the boy,” and he contemptuously looked at Buri, “may have forgotten, but I am also a candidate for the succession. If Kuyuk is to return to Karakorum to secure his succession, then I, too, must go for the same reason. I regret, Subedei, that I must go, but it is necessary.”

Casca stepped back as the Mongols broke out into an argument. He knew this wouldn’t be sorted out, so it was pointless getting involved. Batu was looking at him, and Casca pointed to the outside. Batu nodded. Casca left the yurt and the raised voices became fainter in the warm air outside. Kaidur stepped forward and Casca shook his head. “I have words for Batu Khan alone, my friend. Wait outside ear shot, and make sure nobody eavesdrops.”

“As you command, master,” Kaidur bowed, and stood twenty paces away from Casca, one hand on the hilt of his sword. Casca felt a pang of regret. Soon he would have to bid the faithful Mongol a sad farewell.

Batu approached, and his guard stood a respectful distance, standing in a similar way to Kaidur. “Is it time, Old Young One?”

“It is time, Batu Khan. I must leave this night. We know they will come for me, and I must save the life of the one I love. You know what I require of you?”

“I do, Old Young One. I am grateful for what you have done since we first met; it is a sad thing you are leaving, but I know you must. I shall keep your memory alive by passing down your tales to my children and grandchildren. Perhaps one day you shall return to our lands and you will be greeted with the honor and respect you deserve?”

“Not if Kuyuk is elected Khan. What were you and Mongke talking about back there?”

“The very same thing.
He is a good friend to me. I know the Mongols will never accept me as their leader, but I would rather serve as a vassal to Mongke than Kuyuk! My brothers feel the same. We have done a deal; I shall support Mongke in the leadership bid in return for his support of me in the lands I hold. Kuyuk would seek to get rid of me and my family, I am certain of that.”

“I have the same impression. Then I give my support to your decision. Kuyuk and Buri must not be allowed to get their hands on the Stone.”

“They shall not. Where do you plan to have the exchange?”

“To the south of here, the great river is crossed by a bridge of stone at a place called Kalocsa. It’s likely to be burned to the ground, but the bridge will be still there. The river is wide and fast flowing, so horses won’t be able to cross. It’s the perfect place. I think one full day’s ride will get me there. I’ll take one other with me.” Casca thought back to the times he’d passed the place in the past. A stone bridge wouldn’t change much over time. It was also the next crossing place downriver from Pest.

Batu nodded. “I shall wish you the best speed there in that case.” He grasped Casca by the forearm, and Casca did likewise. “May the gods give you wings.”

“And may they bless you with many children and grandchildren. Farewell, Batu Khan.”

They parted and Casca waved to Kaidur to follow him. “Kaidur, my friend, you will need sleep this night. Tell Ashira to prepare to leave on the morrow; we’re going.”

“Master?”
Kaidur was puzzled.

“They will come for me in the next few days. The princes are returning to Karakorum. They won’t go without the Stone.”

Kaidur nodded and strode off to his yurt. Casca watched him go sadly. As a farewell that was not one of my most eloquent. He sighed, then steeled his mind. There was one other issue he had to take care of. He pushed into his yurt and shook the snoring Lars awake. He whispered into his ear and the Swede stared in disbelief at him, then threw aside his blankets and shuffled off into the rear of the tent.

Casca shook Karl awake too. “I have something important to discuss with you,” he said.
“But away from prying eyes or ears. We’ll have to ride out from camp.”

Karl looked puzzled, but shrugged his acceptance. He followed Lars and was soon carrying his riding equipment. The other guards who were awake looked on wordlessly. “We shall be gone a few hours. Wait for further orders here.”

They nodded. Casca knew he’d never see any of them again.

Carrying his own saddle and harnesses, he walked to his horse and prepared it. As he returned to his tent he caught sight of Ashira peering out from the flap of her yurt. He changed direction and walked up to her. She saw him approach and ducked back in, but Casca followed her in. Kaidur was lying on his bed, snoring. “That was quick,” he said to Ashira.

“What do you mean, Old Young One?”

“The sleeping potion or draught you gave him. He told you we were leaving, didn’t he?”

She nodded dumbly, her eyes wide in the candle light.

“So you knew you had to go warn your master. But you also had to save your husband from your master’s wrath, so you drugged him. I told him to tell you we were going so that you would knock him out.”

“What – are you talking about?” she said slowly.

“I’ve known for a long time you’ve been a spy for Subedei. He’s known too much about what’s been said in my yurt for there not to have been a spy within, and you’ve been the only one it could have been. It wouldn’t be Kaidur here; he’s a loyal soldier, and believe me, woman, I know all about that. I became suspicious after Vladimir. Then, outside Kiev, I was speaking to Tatiana about leaving and somebody must have overheard it and passed that onto Subedei, because the next thing Tatiana is kidnapped and I’m told to behave or she gets it. All the others were in my yurt at the time and had no opportunity to sneak off, but you did; you had your own yurt and had to have been eavesdropping.”

“You-you’re making this up!”

“Really?
Well let’s see if I am.” He went over to Kaidur and shook him. He shook him violently, then slapped him on the face. Kaidur continued snoring. Casca stood up straight and gave Ashira an unfriendly look. “I don’t know why or when you started spying for Subedei, and I don’t care. I’m leaving now for Kalocsa. Tell your master that I will exchange the Stone for Tatiana there. I shall wait until sunset tomorrow. If she isn’t there at that time I’m going to leave and the Stone will never be seen in Mongol lands ever again.”

He left, cursing. Lars and Karl were sat on horseback with Casca’s horse next to them. He mounted up and they rode out of the camp into the night. Wordlessly they rode for perhaps a couple of miles,
then Casca stopped. The moon was out, a half moon, and it gave off enough light to see reasonably well. Casca dismounted and waved Karl to join him. Lars remained with the horses, watching them walk off a little distance.

“What is all this about?” Karl demanded, a little pissed off.

“You fucking traitor,” Casca whirled on him and punched him full in the face, knocking the Austrian clean off his feet. Karl landed heavily and stared up at him, clutching his bleeding lips. Casca loomed over him. “You were on guard duty that night when they took Tatiana and you saw nothing, heard nothing and did nothing. No other entry was made into the yurt, so they had to have gone in the entrance right past you, struggled with her and then a note left. All that would take time. And you said to me that nothing had happened!”

Karl stared up at Casca, his eyes black in the night, full of hatred.

“You’re one of Subedei’s stooges. He made sure that you joined my unit to keep an eye on me. He just doesn’t trust me. So when he needed an extra piece of leverage to ensure my loyalty to his master plan he got you to hand her over. You probably did the entire thing yourself.”

“So what?”
Karl said thickly, “your girlfriend is going to die unless you return to camp and give him the Stone when he demands it.”

“I’m not returning to camp. If Subedei wants the Stone he can damn well hand Tatiana over to me first. But this is irrelevant as far as you’re concerned. Tonight I’m going to kill you. Get up.” Casca stood back and drew his sword.

Karl spat blood onto the ground, a dark spot of liquid, and heaved himself up. “I can’t kill you, so I’ve been told.”

“But I can be hurt; you can take the Stone to your master if you succeed in beating me. Imagine what reward you’d get?” Casca laughed mockingly. “The only reward you’re going to receive is death.”

Karl dragged his blade free and faced Casca. “Very well,
Hurrenhund
, if that is to be the way of it, that’s the way of it.”

Casca slashed at Karl, aiming for the midriff, and Karl blocked, backhanding at Casca’s throat. Casca stepped back. The blade missed him by inches. Another swipe aimed at the gut was parried but Casca stepped forward and slashed down for the skull. Karl blocked high and came down with a blow of his own. Casca deflected the blow aside and swung two-handed hard into Karl’s midriff, slicing in deep. The Austrian gasped and dropped his sword, falling forward onto all fours, drooling blood.

Casca stood above him. “Maybe they’ll find your corpse here; maybe they won’t. I doubt anyone will honor the life of a traitor. Farewell.”

He turned and walked back to his horse, leaving Karl to slide onto his side and lay there in a fetal position, clutching his ruined stomach, his blood pooling on the ground beside him.