Khezar khaganate part 3

The trio was taken to a cage, on the outskirts of the city, with tough metal bars, that not even a divine person could break. There they were guarded by the Khagan's elite soldiers. They were provided with minimal comforts, and their belongings were confiscated. Liana, Pema, and Gwon were frustrated and worried, unsure of how they could escape this predicament.

Soon the cousin of the Khagan, Kaban came, told the guard to leave, and just stared at the trio. 

"You idiots!" he said, "You could have had everything you ever wanted, and you blew it! Now you're stuck here like caged animals!" he said in a disappointed tone.

"What do you care what happens to us...."Gwon said, getting irritated by Kaban constantly.

"Because the old man of the mountain sent me a message that foreigners are to help in his cause," he said, revealing where his true allegiance was held.

The trio was in shock.

"You work for the old man of the mountain!? Why?" Liana asked.

"Because only he looks after the people. Arslan and Xerxes are gods, but they are squabbling idiots who would rather plunge the world into chaos than settle their differences." Kaban explained," And my cousin is an idiot who follows an idiot god."

"So you would betray your people and Khagan?" Gwon said, accusing Kaban.

"NEVER! I do this because I love my people and cousin. That woman of a queen has not been able to bare any heir and my cousin is too infatuated with her to get another wife. I also have for a long time helped my cousin from the shadows, as I know his heart is in the right place, but sometimes, your heart has to be made from stone, if you wish to lead. He also is a true zealot, a follower of Arslan while I despise all the gods, as they are nowhere near perfect, but as flawed as we all are," Kaban explained his motives,"This world belongs to us to rule as we see fit, and not by the whims of some deity who doesn't care of me or you."

"Then why didn't you reveal yourself sooner to us?" Liana asked.

"I rather keep myself in the shadows from as many people as possible, but now I have no choice. I will free you all but wait until later. I will just prepare some rides for you," Kaban said and left.

As they left Gwon gave a surprisingly insightful take, "I feel like the old man of the mountain, from his influence, is another god who people follow."

~~

As the hours passed, the trio's anxiety grew, wondering if Kaban would truly come through and help them escape. However, their hope was rekindled when Kaban returned to their chamber, his face concealed by a dark hood. The guard looked at him and said," Kaban, you said you would talk to them once only. I did you a favor then as you are a friend, but a second time is too much."

The Kaban slashed the guard's throat who fell, startling the trio in the moment. 

"I've managed to secure mounts for you," Kaban whispered, his voice low and conspiratorial. "They're waiting at the stables. You must leave tonight."

The trio exchanged glances, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Kaban. We appreciate your help," Liana said, her voice filled with sincerity.

Kaban nodded. "I do this not just for you, but for the hope that you might bring something better to this chaotic world. The tribes gathering in Samarqand can only lead to more bloodshed, and I fear for the future. Go there, and do what the old man of the mountain sent you to do."

As the night wore on, Liana, Pema, and Gwon quietly made their way through the dimly lit yurts of the city, following Kaban's directions to the stables. The guards were vigilant, but Kaban had managed to create enough distractions to keep them occupied.

At the stables, they found the three mounts, beautiful kevahs with dark, sleek fur. They mounted the creatures with practiced ease, ready to make their escape.

"Go swiftly and quietly," Kaban urged them. "Head north toward and take the road heading east. It will take you to the Georian Sea, where you continue the road to Samarqand."

Soon a whistling sound was heard and a bright light appeared, shining through the cracks of the ceiling of the stables. Something bright flew right over them, and not soon after it was gone, but it then crashed into the khagan's hall, setting it a flame.

Chaos erupted within the palace as the trio made their swift escape on the kevahs. They rode through the dark streets of Atil, guided only by the faint glow of the burning hall in the distance. The city was in disarray, with guards rushing to extinguish the flames and attend to the sudden catastrophe.

"No, no, no!" Yelled the leader of the Khelian tribe outside the walls of the Atil, "Do not just aim at the khagan's hall but everywhere. EQUALLY!"

Soon more fireballs started to fall down on the city, and the entire city was set upon by chaos.

Khagan and his wife came rushing out of the burning tribal hall and saw that the wooden palisade walls had crashed. Mounted Khelian warriors rode through the opening on the wall, and rushed at the Khagan. His guard rushed to protect him but was shot dead by arrows.

As the riders were about to deal with the Khagan, he mighty destroyed the attackers with his divine power and yelled, "Every woman and child to the seaside. All men. Gather your weapons."

He then looked at his wife and said to her, "You lead the women and children to safety. You understand?"

The woman then left as Khagan rallied his forces. In the meantime, Kaban was escorting the trio to get out of the city. The chaos of the uncontrolled kind was everywhere.

As they made their way through the chaotic streets, Liana, Pema, and Gwon couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and guilt. The havoc they inadvertently unleashed upon Atil weighed heavily on their hearts. They were grateful to Kaban for aiding their escape, but they couldn't shake the sense of responsibility for the turmoil that now engulfed the city.

As they reached the outskirts of Atil, Kaban turned to them with a grave expression. "I've done what I could, but there's no telling what will happen next. You must leave quickly, and I will stay here to fight for my people."

"Kaban, we can't just leave you here!" Liana protested.

"Go!" Kaban urged, "You must reach Samarqand and fulfill your mission. The fate of our world may depend on it. Anyways, these are my people."

Just as Kaban was about to set out to join a fight, three arrows hit him, making him fall off his Kevah.

Liana, Pema, and Gwon gasped in horror as they saw Kaban struck down by the arrows. They immediately rushed to his side, but it was clear that his injuries were severe. The chaos in Atil was escalating, and it was becoming increasingly dangerous to remain in the city.

"Huh....kinda harsh destruction it seems. Did I perhaps go too far?" pondered the Khelian leader who rode casually from behind Pema, Gwon, and Liana.

With a cold and sinister smile, the Khelian leader continued to survey the destruction caused by his tribe. "Oh well, that's the nature of war, isn't it?" he remarked callously. "The Khelians have had enough of being pushed around. We'll show them all!"

Liana immediately summoned a spear made from light and hurled it at the leader of the khelians, who calmly just swatted it away. "Wow, wow, wow. A human and two...mmm whatever you are. Seems like I will be able to acquire the fee," he said.

He lifted his hands and commanded his warriors to lower their composite arrows.

"What are you doing?" Kaban said while spitting out blood.

"I knew you were also on the payroll of the old man of the mountain, but that doesnt mean I had to let you live," the leader said.

"Are you here to stop us?" Gwon said and transformed into his Seng form.

"Wow, hold it, whatever you are...I am here quite the opposite. I was hired actually by the old man of the mountain," he said while smiling," I am Tuk, leader of the Khelians."

Liana, Pema, and Gwon exchanged puzzled glances.

"Why would the old man of the mountain send you to stop us?" Pema asked, still wary of Tuk's motives.

"Ah, you see, I actually am not," Tuk replied. "The old man knows that the tribes are gathering in Samarqand, and he wants to ensure that all the right pieces are in place to confront the gods. So he asked if I could create trouble. Chaos. Well, we usually do, for the right price, and oh did he have it. The old man had...uhmmmm...substantial amount to pay us in advance. BUT. Not long ago he also asked if I could help guide three outsiders to Samarqand if I happen to stumble upon them. And now here we are. Just happen to kill two birds with one stone. Well no, not KILL, we do NOT want to KILL you guys. Only the people of this city."

The trio was stunned as they were not sure what to think. They were free to go and the person doing so much harm was on their side.

"So now, you have burned down the city. What now?" Liana asked in an angry tone.

Tuk scratched his head, seemingly a bit embarrassed. "Well, not entirely just for that. The chaos serves a purpose too. With the tribes at each other's throats, they won't unite so easily against the gods. It's...uhh...part of the plan of the old man I guess, but I do not care. For I. and US, the khelians have always hated the zealous khezars...."

"You don't care about the consequences of your actions?" Pema asked.

Tuk shrugged nonchalantly. "It's the way of the steppes. Survival of the fittest, and all that. Besides, in the grand scheme of things, what are a few villages and cities compared to the impending war between gods? Atil is just one piece on the board."

"But it's not just a piece on the board to the people who lived there," Liana retorted, her voice sharp.

Tuk looked contemplative for a moment. "True, but it's not like we're alone in causing destruction. War is coming, and it's going to affect everyone, whether they're Scethian, Essyrian, or any other sassan. I can say I'm proud of everything we've done, for we know how to survive in this harsh world."

Kaban rose up, coughing blood. "You monster!" he yelled."So many lives were lost for your sick games and here I was trying to not take part in it! You, the old man of the mountain, and the gods themselves are all sick as we are nothing but pawns!"

Tuk then came closer but saw that Pema, Gwon, and Liana had yet to lower their guard.

"Oh, it wasn't that you didn't play the game, but you just didn't know how to play..." Tuk then turned and looked at the trio, "You better escape, as it seems that Khagan doesn't seem too pleased with you three"

He pointed away and saw that Khagan with his men, was ready to fight. He looked mad and they knew he blamed them equally as much as he blamed the khelians.

"Are you ready to explain the situation, or will you take my offer and just leave...."

The trio hesitated but realized that escape was their best option. They had no desire to fight and cause further bloodshed especially since they were in the middle of full-blown chaos and would have to fight everyone on all sides.

"You won't live long as these kinds of actions always have consequences," Liana said before the departure.

Tuk chuckled, seemingly unfazed by Liana's words. "Consequences are everywhere in this heaven. Besides, once the tribes unite in Samarqand and war breaks out between the gods, they will likely have bigger concerns than a few razed cities...."

He then moved closer to Kban who stared angrily at the three who were abandoning him. Tuk then finished him off while provoking the Khaganb to fight him.

With heavy hearts, Liana, Pema, and Gwon mounted their kevahs and rode away from the chaotic scene of Atil. The city's turmoil was far from over, and they couldn't afford to get caught in the crossfire. They rode hard and fast, putting as much distance between themselves and Atil as possible.

As they rode, the trio felt a mixture of guilt, sadness, and anger. They couldn't shake the feeling that they had inadvertently caused so much suffering and destruction. It weighed heavily on their conscience, and they knew they would have to find a way to make amends in the future.