The vision seemed to repeat itself. The raven flew and flew. Suddenly the Setna felt that he was being pulled there, and suddenly the eyes of the raven were his own eyes and his wings were his arms. Slowly he slid across the landscape. The cold tips of the Junghal rose from beneath him, and like a thin trickle of blood, Askhar's army wound its way through the deep snow, man behind man. He could see the soldiers in their red armor line up at the foot of the pass, and the warriors of Hys lurking behind their makeshift barricades. The raven, with which the Setna had become one, sank lower, and as it circled between the steep, snow-laden slopes, it accidentally grazed one of the virginally glittering surfaces with its wing tip. At first there was only a small cut in the otherwise untouched, white blanket, but then there was a deep rumble and the cut tore open. After that everything was white. The sky, the air, the earth, everything.
The Setna opened its eyes. The meaning of the v
The general spat the bitter taste from his mouth and prevented further thoughts of what was going on in the palace. Everything would change anyway once he returned home triumphant.He raised his gaze to the two peaks that flanked the pass to Hy. Then he turned in the saddle and looked back at a sea of red armor above which a forest of lances protruded. The army was big and strong, and Kasai was confident. He let his gaze wander over the pass one last time, where a black band slowly began to move: the defenders of the pass were in position!"Then let's go," he said quietly to himself, and little clouds rose from his mouth. His splendid, gold-trimmed armor shone in the sun.The day the general deployed his army was made for it by the gods. Knee-deep powder snow, which would make the Hyaun warriors lose the advantage of their speed, and behind the attackers bright sunshine in a prophetically blue sky - as if the deep celestial body were an unearthly ally of the Roy
'The snow!' Was all he understood. 'The snow is alive!' He hastily turned his horse and drove it as fast as he could out of the side of the funnel entrance. Now it was only a matter of saving your own skin! The part of the standard bearers who had stayed with him and the back rows of soldiers followed him in panic. The horses stumbled through the snow-covered scree and some of the riders fell. Behind them, two roaring walls of snow thundered down into the valley like angry monsters, chasing cold fear into the neck of Kasai and burying the confused army of the king among their masses. A white cloud swept up into the blue sky and then slowly descended in a deadly silence.When Kasai felt himself out of danger, he reined in his horse. He too was powdered white from head to toe. Snow stuck to his beard, eyes and ears. Blinking violently, he looked back. Disbelief and anger mingled in a grimace on his face.A heavy slurry of snow and shattered bodies of people and animals c
After the clans, who had fled over the Nori in the deepest snowstorm, were able to return to their homeland in the shadow of the now safe Junghal Mountains, all the chorten in the central country took in refugees from the lost areas on the other side of the mountains, which of course did not improve the situation . How was all the extra people going to get through the winter? Nobody knewwhat to do , and a gloomy, fateful stupor settled over the whole country. The people prayed to Hyaun in silent swoon and tried to feed their little flame of life from the rations that were getting thinner and thinner every day. It was a fight against time. Before the snow melted and the first nutritious green would sprout in the fields and meadows, there were at least two hard months to survive.The warriors who had returned from the border to join their families were in charge of the clan's supplies. The allocation for each individual was also her job. But as meager as the rations wer
Three days later, Farna's body was cremated on the western wall of Shari-Chorten at sunset, along with four other dead that had occurred that night. The smoke of the fire floated in gray veils around the whitewashed towers of the fortress, on whose roofs the bright red pennants of mourning had been blowing in the wind without interruption since summer, and mingled with the haze of the falling night. The mourners stood still, among them Roman, Alea and Andra at the cremation site and looked into the flames, which at least provided comforting warmth. In addition to the smell of burnt meat and pine wood, there was something else in the warm evening air. And no one could resist it. It conjured up a delicate, hopeful shine in the tired eyes of the exhausted people. Spring was heralding!'Unfortunately for some, however, it's painfully too late,' thought Roman sadly. He sat at the ritual cremation site until late at night and stared at the burned logs, the embers of which bathed hi
At the foot of the burial rock, the funeral procession stopped, and when everyone was full, the ascent began. Even the weak were pulled up, supported or even carried on your back. Up on the small, hand-leveled plateau, the community gathered around a cone-shaped pile of stones in the uncomfortably cold wind. Prayers had been artistically carved into the stones of this heap, which were in turn decorated with gold leaf and which shimmered gently despite the overcast winter sky. The five vessels with the remains of the dead were placed on the cairn by the high priest while his assistants began the monotonous funeral prayers in the ancient Hy language. After the ritual was over, Roman, Farna's only child, stepped forward and took the jar with her ashes. The children of the other deceased did the same and together they walked to the edge of the plateau. He looked carefully into the depths and then into the distance. The circular choir, the territory of his clan, spread out before him. Th
And how did it all turn out?" Andra asked. She had grown into a bright girl in the past four years, and Raen was a cheerful child too, who kept everyone in suspense with his curiosity. He fidgeted impatiently on the bench next to his sister. They sat with their father in the bay window of the room he shared with Alea. It was cold and dark outside: a winter storytelling evening. Her mother was still at work in the tailor's workshop, and so Roman shortened the waiting time for his children until the evening meal, for which the residents of the chorten always gathered in the large dining room after sunset.“Then spring finally came, and new grass grew in the pastures. We opened the stables and let the horses out to graze. Unfortunately there were only horses left. We had to eat all the other animals! ”“ What, everyone? ”Raen called out. “The oxen too? And the pigs? ”“ Yes, all of them. We were really very hungry! ”
In the past few years, Askhar had actually been preoccupied with many things other than just rebuilding his army. Because the newly conquered land on the other side of the Old Frontier Sea had been waiting to be repopulated. Of course, King Katthike had raged and raged over the embarrassing defeat of his proud armed forces. He had demoted General Kasai and placed the unpopular task of rebuilding the army in his hands. From then on, the old warrior had to turn his back on active warrior life and take care of the not very demanding establishment of new training camps across the country. Kasai had learned firsthand how great the loss of well-trained soldiers and officers had actually been due to his defeat on the battlefield, and that it would take years for the army to regain its former strength. But worse than the memories of his guilt was Lata's open mockery. The Konsultas had fully savored his favor with the demotion of his rival and his exclusion from the king's closest advisory t
Lata sighed, turned on her side and pulled the covers over her shoulder. Riddle upon riddle and no solution in sight. Perhaps a new day would freshen him up and untangle the ball of thought in his head. He decided to take a look around the area tomorrow. Out in the fresh air he could still think best, the walls here were beginning to press him. He closed his eyes and when he finally fell asleep he saw the image of the king. A wide, sinister smile cut his face in half.In the morning a servant appeared in Lata's room, which he had occupied in the former Hy Fortress, and informed him that the king wished to take him on a horse ride. Lata obeyed this request and had his chamberlain look for his embroidered hunting robe from his luggage. They had been here in the north of New Askhar for a few weeks now, because the king wanted to personally convince himself of the progress of the settlement and the construction of his summer pal
Then there was nothing left but waiting. Waiting for death.It wasn't long before the volunteer began to groan. At first quietly, but finally he was clearly gasping for breath. His eyes, which no longer seemed to see anything, rolled into their sockets, his Adam's apple jerked violently upwards from below. Some of those present lowered their gaze, it was mainly the priests, for the warriors continued to pay their last respects to the volunteer by looking at him until his last breath.His body began to sag and that was when he slumped onto his side from his upright position. The priest at his side wanted to see him, but the Hyaunset suer quickly raised his hand. It wasn't that far yet.Indeed, gurgling sounds came from all of their ears, and white foam emerged from the volunteer's nose and mouth. An uncontrollable twitch went through him, his hands clawing the mat. He reared one last time and then fell back lifeless on the mat. Then it was quiet.Only now
At the same moment the Palansetna priests, the personal servants of Setna, were preparing for their difficult task in Tena-lo-Ghan. They were gathered in the prince's house, where they had also spent the night, in the faint hope that the prince's condition might change after all. Of course, he hadn't changed. And now they waited for the one who would accomplish what they all feared. He was the volunteer. The only one of all those involved who could count himself lucky in a clear conscience to do the right thing for the good of the people."I'll do it!" He had said at the meeting of the Board of Governors. He was a very skilled fighter from among the warriors, and his determination was known to all.But where was he now? Had he changed his mind? The palansetna became restless, morning was already advanced and it was not advisable to wait any longer. The inevitable would only be pushed back further and further, the problem would not be solved.Finally, the high pr
Thanks be to the volunteer! And we, who were there in Tena-lo-Ghan, take the risk of being judged by Zaizura! It is up to you to replace us and to take our places with pride if the will of Zaizura should meet us! With Hyaun in our hearts we will humbly receive your punishment! ”The concern of everyone present was reflected in Lako's pale face.It had become their fate to wrest this decision from fate."Hyaun help us!" He said weakly and gave the floor to the high priest.Gahin stepped forward and spoke in a soft, calm voice: “Liberation will take place in two days! So prepare for it. Each of us knows that our Setna gives their life for their people. He lives for our salvation, and if it is so destined for him - be it through Zaizura's will or some other higher force - then he will also die for us! Our trust in Hyaun must be strong. He is with us and will name a new bearer of the gift! Be assured that He will continue to hold His protective hand over
Suneka's heartbreak was just as uncurable as Hereke's miserable mood. The whole time the horse boy sat on the sidelines and brooded deeply, even during the big competition he didn't want anyone close by. From a distance he watched Raen and Kosam, and a certain envy of his friend was evident. Hereke no longer understood the world. For the past six months he had had the feeling that Suneka was slowly tilting - they had even kissed at the last harvest festival - but since last night she was suddenly cold as ice.Didn't their kiss mean anything?Hereke hit a willow post with his fist, he was tired of it. He had waited long enough. Probably longer than anyone had ever done for a woman. What about that girl? Even the most ill-tempered horses were easier to handle than them. Maybe he should forget about her, that would be the easiest thing to do. His mother had told him many times that girls who were overly shy are not good for a man. She hadn't meant to accuse Suneka of anyt
I'll help you!" She wanted to get up.“No, stay calm here, I'll do it. I'll be right back. ”“ Should I stay up here alone? ”She asked, half joking.“The pigeons won't hurt you, and otherwise I won't see any other creatures here. I checked it carefully earlier, ”he said, pointing to the ladder with a wink.“Good, but hurry up!”In fact, a little later he was completely out of breath with the mats and blankets. He must have flown up the stairs! Kosam took the mats from him and rolled them out next to the chests, then she spread the blankets and crawled under them. Raen took off his boots, turned off the light, and slipped under the covers with her. They finally fell asleep, snuggled tightly together.The next morning they woke up to the cooing of the pigeons. The first daylight fell through the windows over the platform. Raen and Kosam beamed h
I'm sorry ... um ..." What should he say? That his curiosity had been stronger than her attraction? That would have hurt her badly, and besides, that wasn’t the case either, only he had let himself be too easily distracted again. Perhaps because he was afraid to take further steps. The sheer excitement of kissing and hugging had given him far more happiness than he could have imagined that morning."I ... I ..." he stammered awkwardly.Kosam turned away."Stop, please wait!" He grabbed her arm.She looked at him."I just thought that was great!" Idiot!"What did you think was great?" She asked gruffly. “The dangerous gymnastics on the ladder?”“No. I mean that ... well, the one before that. ”Fool, just say it!Her gaze remained unchanged."Well, the kiss!" He finally managed.She didn't answer, and Raen took all his courage and touched her shoulder. His hand went up to her neck and ch
Raen was in seventh heaven all day. Kosam sat next to him and didn't leave his side. They had a great chat and discovered that they had a lot in common. In doing so, they forgot everything around them. In between, Suneka said goodbye in a strange bad mood and went over to her sister. Hereke initially stayed with Raen and Kosam and merely shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know what she had either. Perhaps she didn't like Kosam, which he didn't understand because he found her very nice. In the end he longed for Suneka and went after her. Her mood seemed to have improved a bit by now, because she laughed out loud when he made a joke and sat down next to her.Time flew by, and soon it was dawn. The big drums and other instruments were set up on the podium in front of the temple, and when clan chief Lako declared the dance to be open to applause, everyone was suddenly on their feet. The mats were swiftly cleared aside, and the first low drum beats vibrated in the full stomachs of
Hello Tor Ban Raen, there you are. You weren't at the morning meal at all. ”“ I was probably too late, ”he replied in monosyllables. 'You're late for anything, Raen, you sheep's head!' he grimly reprimanded himself. But Banskeid Laghat was so nice and already showed me a bit of your chorten. You have a beautiful view from the wall, you can seeall the way to the great mountains. ” Banskeid Laghat was a fully fledged warrior and was allowed to carry his own sword. Raen glanced at the heavy handle protruding from behind Laghat's back. When would he get his sword himself? It just took way too long!"What got over your liver?" Asked Kosam, who had noticed his scowl.'Give it up,' he thought bitterly, 'you're too young. Forget her!' Aloud he said: "We have to go to the temple now, Banskeid Laghat!" But his tone was apparently a little too commanding because Laghat looked at him crookedly.Raen was annoyed. He just turned
“ Was that your own horse earlier? Beautiful animal. ”“ Yes, isn't it! Her name is Jakori and she is very trusting. You can ride her if you want, then we'll take a walk into the forest and I'll show you ... "Raen fell silent. 'I talk too much,' he thought. 'She's definitely not interested in horses.'Kosam looked at him questioningly. “What do you want to show me?”“Oh, just a few stones in the forest, nothing special.”“I'll be happy to accept your offer.”“Yes? Really? Are you interested in that? ”“ Of course. I also like to go on horseback, it's fun. ”Raen smiled blissfully. "I think the day after the race we can definitelyride out together." Raen answered with another dazzling smile from Kosam.Later, when he was in bed, he could hardly sleep. He kept thinking of the girl with the black hair and couldn't wait to be with her again.