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“Maybe. I asked Ghalin when the other two tribes would arrive and he said early morning. When I questioned him further, he said they had twice our number of men and would arrive before dawn.”

Dagar stepped back.

Kublai drew his sabre and pointed it at Dagar. “What is the meaning of this?”

Dagar didn’t flinch. “I don’t know. My father is not a trusting man, but I believed he would honour the agreement.”

“We are supposed to have an arrangement with the Erseg,” the Adhan khan said. “But it appears he only really trusts the Tungat.”

“Let me go and talk to him,” Dagar said. “I can convince him you can all be trusted.”

“No,” Kublai said. “You will stay here as our hostage.”

“We shouldn’t stay at all. We’re outnumbered,” Ulagan said.

“I’ll go,” Shuree said. “He listened to me once before.”

Bat laughed. “For all we know you’re in on this too,” he said. “I saw you speaking with Dagar in the dark.”

“And you brought only one warrior with you,” Kublai said. “Maybe it was because you knew Ogodai was bringing more.”

Curse it. “We mustn’t panic. Even if the Erseg and Tungat don’t want peace, the rest of us do. We can still make a treaty.”

“Not if we’re all dead,” the Marheg khan said.

“Ogodai may still only bring five warriors with him.” Dagar turned to Shuree. “Where is he?”

She hesitated. “Ghalin said they’re a league from here.”

“That’s a good distance if he leaves them behind.”

“If,” Bat stated.

Shuree could feel the trust slipping away. “Perhaps we can send scouts,” she said. “When they break camp in the morning, the scouts can tell us how many men are coming and we’ll have time to disperse if they bring all of them.”

“If the scouts aren’t caught.”

Oktai twisted his moustache. “We need to calm down. Shuree is right. If we want peace, we must make it happen.” Everyone turned to him. “In the dark, surrounded by forest, it shouldn’t be difficult to disappear before Ogodai arrives if he brings too many warriors. Then we can meet at the base of the mountain to discuss a new plan.”

Bat grunted. “I’ll send a scout.”

“So will I,” Kublai said.

In the end, they all agreed to send a scout and that the Saltar and Erseg people would be guarded overnight. Shuree approved of the arrangement, if that was what they needed to trust her. The khans took them to a tent and posted a sentry inside and out.

Mengu and Erhi spoke quietly with each other while Vachir made himself comfortable on one of the beds, though he kept his gaze on Dagar.

“Shuree, I’m sorry—” Dagar said.

She held up a hand, her heart weary. “I am too tired for your apologies.” She didn’t know whether she could trust him anymore. Tomorrow would bring her answers. She lay down on the bedding, turning her back to him.

And prayed to the Gods like she had never prayed before.

* * *

Shuree slept poorly.After finally dropping off to sleep, every noise outside the tent woke her, from the squawk of a bird, to the steps of the guards outside and Mengu’s heavy snores as he slept. Her eyes were gritty as she woke and the tent was a little lighter than the last time she’d opened her eyes. Was it almost morning? She sat up and the guard inside the tent looked over to her. Yes, definitely morning, she could make out the expression on his face. “Any news?” she asked quietly.

He shook his head.