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He turned away. “You are our mother’s daughter,” he said. “Strong and wilful.”

Shuree took it as a compliment. “Thank you.”

“You put us in a very vulnerable position,” he said. “This gathering could lead to the destruction of our tribe.”

“Or it could be the beginning of a stronger community,” she responded. “The old ways aren’t working, brother. Surely you can see that.”

He sighed. “I don’t agree with you, but we will let our tribe decide. Erhi wants us both to explain our vision of the future and then the tribe will choose who they want to lead them.”

It was fair. “I will accept what they decide, but if you should win, I ask that you let the Erseg men go free and that you arrange your own discussion with Ogodai.”

“I will free the Erseg men, but I won’t guarantee to speak with Ogodai.” His expression hardened.

It was the best she could hope for. She’d pushed her brother far enough. “Thank you.”

Someone called to them and Shuree opened the door to find Erhi outside the yurt. “It is time.”

Shuree squeezed her brother’s hand. “No matter what happens, know I love you, brother.”

He smiled for the first time. “And I love you.”

Nerves swirledaround Shuree’s stomach as she went to fetch Dagar. Would her people agree with what she was trying to achieve? She couldn’t remember any stories of a female khan. She stopped outside the guest yurt. If all her promises to Ogodai were broken, the Erseg would never trust the Saltar again.

Taking a breath, she called, “Dagar, would you like to witness the voting?”

The tent flap swung open and he stepped out. “Yes.”

He said nothing as they strode to where the tribe had gathered by the communal fire. Erhi stood on a platform in front of the crowd and Amar stood next to her. “Wait with your people.” Shuree pointed to his other tribe members who stood with Vachir and Badma.

Before she could join her brother on the platform, an old, wrinkled hand grabbed her arm. “Shuree.”

A lump lodged in her throat as her grandmother hugged her.

“I’m pleased you are back.” She lowered her voice. “The women support you. You will make a strong khan.” The confidence in Nergui’s voice gave Shuree strength.

“Thank you.” She stepped up next to her brother and Erhi called for silence.

“Our khan, Temujin died during the raid of the Erseg tribe,” she began. “Custom normally has the leadership passing to the eldest son, however this is not law. The law dictates that any of the khan’s children may be khan and as such Shuree and Amar have both indicated a desire for the role. They will each speak and then you will decide who you wish to lead our tribe.” She indicated for Shuree to begin.

Shuree cleared her throat. “After our khan died, I travelled to the Erseg tribe to retrieve our warriors’ bodies, and to free Yesugen and Tegusken who had been taken during the raid,” she said. “My goal was to see our people were returned safely to our land, but I also hoped for change.” She scanned the crowd. Jambal appeared unhappy as Gan whispered in his ear. Then Gan rubbed his bald head and smirked at her, the hostility in his gaze making her skin prickle. Maidar and Koke stood next to her grandmother and their smiles gave Shuree hope.

“For decades the tribes of Rhora have fought each other, stolen harvests and horses, flocks and women. We have lost so many men in battle and our numbers decrease. And yet we have a respectful relationship with the tribes to our east. Why can’t we have the same relationship with the other tribes?”

One of her sisters-in-law nodded and the other shushed her baby who had begun to cry. Shuree was doing this for them, and all the others like Altan and her daughter, who now had to live without their husbands and sons.

“I spoke to Ogodai Khan while I was with the Erseg. I proposed peace and he was reluctant. Trust is the rarest jewel. We discussed many options such as a yearly gathering like we do with the eastern tribes, holding games and competitions, banning weapons so tempers and misunderstandings can’t turn deadly. But in the end we realised we must start small, with a group of people who can make decisions for their tribes and sign a peace treaty. Ogodai agreed to my suggestion of gathering the ten Rhoran khans together to discuss a permanent peace treaty and proposed a two-moon truce. The Gods have told us to meet in the Dragon Mountains to the south and should I be your khan, I will meet with the other Rhoran leaders and broker a peace between our tribes.”

She indicated Dagar in front of her. “Dagar is the son of Ogodai. He travels with me to show their commitment to the process. My goal is to stop the fighting and to live in peace with each other, trading goods freely and sharing our skills.” She scanned the crowd. Some of the warriors were stony-faced, but others appeared interested. She wasn’t certain she had said enough to convince them. Stepping back, she indicated for Amar to speak.

“My sister is young and naive,” he said. “Though her goal is worthy, we cannot trust these people. If the khans gather, it will be slaughter with the Erseg tribe triumphing and ruling us all. We must stand firm, we must train hard and be vigilant against their attack. We cannot be weak. The Erseg tribe desecrated our khan’s body and left our people to rot on the steppes. They are not worthy of our trust.”

Below her Dagar shifted, a deep scowl on his face. Some of the warriors nodded along with Amar’s speech.

When he was finished, Erhi spoke. “Trust is a precious gift,” she said. “Not easily given. Perhaps it would be wise to hear from Dagar, to find out what the Erseg truly want.”

Shuree squirmed. They hadn’t discussed this. Dagar covered his surprise quickly as Maidar called, “Let him talk.”

Amar’s face was a thundercloud as Erhi gestured Dagar onto the stage. Dagar glanced at Shuree and she held out a hand to help him up. “Tell us how your tribe feels about the fighting.”