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“Glad I can save my breath.” She grinned at Dagar. “Turgen has calmed down. We’re going to get some more food and reconvene shortly.”

He waved her off. “I’ll be there.”

On her way to her tent, Kublai stopped her. “Shuree Khan, I wish to discuss something of a personal nature with you.”

Surprised, Shuree nodded. “I was heading for my tent. Why don’t you join me?”

Kublai waited until they entered before he said, “This talk of intertribal marriages made me think.” He accepted the drink she handed him. “You are not married and I have a son who is unmarried.”

She raised her eyebrows at him and he grinned, stroking his beard. “My son would be lucky to have such a strong and compassionate wife such as you.”

Shuree knew the son Kublai was discussing and he had only ever been a friend to her. “You honour me, Kublai Khan, however I do not wish to marry your son.”

Kublai sighed as if expecting her answer. “It couldn’t hurt to try. I suspect I was too slow in my offer. Someone else has captured your attention.”

Her cheeks warmed. “My only concern right now is finalising this treaty.”

“Just make sure you do not wait too long and lose the opportunity.” He gulped his drink and slammed the cup on the table. “I’m sure Turgen’s had enough time to cool down. Let’s get back to it.”

Shuree picked up the food she’d come for, and followed him out of the tent.

On the final day,after the spiritual advisors had retired to write the final document, Kublai stood. “I want to propose one last thing.”

A couple of men groaned and Ogodai called, “We’ve already agreed to everything.”

Kublai shook his head. “If there is a disagreement between the tribes, we need someone who can resolve it—an arbiter—so that we don’t resort to violence,” he said. “It will be too difficult to call all the khans together quickly to make a decision, so we need one person we can go to—a Great Khan.”

“Won’t it mean the person has more power than the rest of us?” Ogodai asked.

“To a degree,” Kublai said. “They’ll resolve disputes between the tribes and can be responsible for ensuring the treaty is maintained.”

Shuree shifted. It was a large responsibility to put on one person.

“How do we choose them?” Bat asked.

“I’ll nominate myself,” Ogodai said.

Kublai shook his head. “All the khans must vote for the Great Khan. We can do it at the annual gathering and the person must have all the tribes’ support. That way we do not get stuck with someone who has their own agenda.” He raised his eyebrows at Ogodai and then said to the others, “What do you think?”

“It’s a good idea,” Shuree answered. “Should the person be a khan, or should we choose one of our tribe members for the role?”

“Whoever is suitable,” Bat said. “Though I would hope at least one of us would be.”

A couple of people laughed.

“Raise your hand if you are in agreement,” Kublai said.

Shuree raised her hand along with the others.

“Then we must choose a Great Khan,” Kublai said. “I nominate Shuree Khan of the Saltar tribe.”

Shock speared Shuree and she stared at him, her mouth open. The men before her had far more experience than she did. She tried to protest but no words came out.

“I second it,” Bat said. “We wouldn’t be here without her.”

Ogodai glared at her and then smiled, suddenly looking so much like Dagar that Shuree blinked. “I agree. Shuree would make the perfect Great Khan.”

Her chest expanded but she couldn’t breathe. Tears welled in her eyes as one by one the other khans chimed in with their agreement. This was the last thing she’d ever imagined when she’d started this. She couldn’t believe they had so much faith in her. Could she actually do this?