"Is he going to make it?"
"I've done what I can; the rest is up to him."
"How could he be so stupid? Picking a fight with the Khan's warriors like that."
The voices were distant, muffled, and full of worry. He reached out, trying to shake off his comatose state.
"Im fine." He tried to say but the words would not materialize.
Like a crashing wave the blackness fell back over him, sending him into a stupor.
The cawing of a chicken was what woke him next, it must have been sometime early in the morning. Shifting around he realized he lay in a smooth feather bed, much more comfy than the rough leather blankets he had back home.
"Feather bed." The words spilled out as he shot up, realising the implication. Scanning the surrounding dwelling he took in the weath displayed. His surroundings were filled with Rugs, furs, jews, and the indescribable smell of a dozen scented candles.
"So much treasure." The thought made Bakar cringe, not in a hundred years would he see so much, not even the late Tolon had such a horde to display it in some minor room.
After a struggle to rise that included nearly falling over a number of times he managed to push off from the side of his bed gain stability using a wooden table. He was wearing pants that were not his, although they fit much better than the ones he had grown out of. On the table was a tunic, boots, and the rest of an outfit that was also not his. Fully clothed now he made to leave, but a glinting in the corner stopped him. A sword, immediately recognizable, was laid out at the foot of his bed, slighting out of it's sheath. The weapon was the one the Khan had given him for the battle, only now was he able to fully take in its beauty. Its hilt was made of a yellowish white wood... "No this is bone." He realized as he took it in his hand. Inlaid at the hilt were a number of gems; Diamonds, rubies, and at the pommel a large emerald that was partially translucent and seemed to swirl with some sort of substance. The Blade itself was long and graceful, perfect for combat from the back of a horse, along either side of the blade was a number of symbols he had never seen before.
The blade was a Masterpiece.
Walking with a new found confidence due to his new blade he left his sick room and emerged into a long hallway.
"Few tents could be so large." Bakar thought, it was just impractical, the amount of pack animals it would take to transport such a palace would be immense. Draperies hung like vines every few feet, each one ornatly made to show a scence for the past. Warlords conquering, honor duals, or large herds showcasing prospering times.
"There was no way for these to be real events in such a short lived time."
A thought suddenly dawned on him, something that even Late Tolon may have not known. This tribe had to be much, much older than it seemed.
Bakar put the thought at the back of his mind as he passed throught a wide doorway. Beyond the passage was a large room wide space, open to the elements; a courtyard within a palace.
"Ah!" A loud clap followed drawing his attention. "Finally, your awake, your indebted to me now boy, you cant even begin to understand the amount it cost me to buy the necessary supplies for my healers." Central to the yard laying on a small wool blanket was the Ilkhan, wearing simple riding clothes that failed to betray is real wealth.
Wearily Bakar moved closer to the Khan stopping a respectful distance away.
"There are no guards." He noted.
Still laying on his side the Khan offered up a bowl. "Cherry? There almost out of season."
Bakar took just one, they were incredibly sweet, and unusually large. "A subspecies maybe."
The Ilkhan sat up and bid Bakar sit which he did.
This was the first time he had really gotten a good look at the Khan, He wasnt handsome and lacked a body with a powerful build. He looked normal, in no way did he have the usual characteristics that was common with leaders. Something was there however, an aura of confidence maybe.
Bakar tossed the seed to the cherry away, looking at the khan he made to speak. "I.." The Khan put a finger to his lips "Sushhhh sushhh sush." The khan interrupted "You now owe me much young one. But." He spread his arms wide. "What kind of a leader would I be if I brought up the debt so soon after you finally started to recover."
The Khan paused to take a drink from a cup that steamed hot. The smell was fruit like but still a tea of some kind. "As such, because our traditions of hospitality are so binding I'll tell you this. You have a week to settle your affairs and recover some more, after that the tribes will be moving east to new pastures and opportunities to raid. You will be joining my personal retinue as was the reward for the slaying Marik."
Bakar bowed his head, he could not, would not refuse such an opportunity.
"Now leave me boy, I wish to enjoy my time alone for as long as it last." Bakar detected a slight hint of sadness at those last words.
"Oh. I almost forgot. The Saber is yours, consider it a gift, Marik was a fine warrior; one of my best. You show great potential, the sword has served me well for years."