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He stepped onto the centre of the platform. “Greetings,” he said. “I don’t feel it is my place to stand here, speaking to you when you are choosing your new khan, but I am honoured you want to hear more about my tribe.”

Hope rose in her. It was exactly the way to get her people onside.

“I will be honest with you, as Shuree was honest with us. Like you, there are members of my tribe who do not trust. They fear being overrun and that fear blinds them. When I asked them what they truly want it is peace, but they can’t see a way to get it. Shuree has offered us a way, by talking with us, by being vulnerable, by risking travelling to our tribe when she knew she may not be welcome. Her courage impressed my father, Ogodai Khan. He saw her strength and was humbled by it. We too fear someone will use the gathering of the khans as an opportunity to attack, to take control, but we can’t let fear rule us. Our spiritual advisor asked the Gods and they support the meeting, they suggested the neutral ground of the Dragon Mountains. I can only believe the Gods, too, want to see us at peace.” He stepped down.

Shuree’s chest was so full of hope she could barely breathe.

Erhi spoke. “I too have communed with our Gods,” she said. “They told me the same as they told Mengu. The Dragon Mountains is where we will find peace and strengthen our people.” She gestured to Amar and Shuree. “And now we must choose our khan. Shuree and Amar, please turn your backs to the tribe.”

Shuree glanced at her brother as she turned. His lips were a thin line, his eyes staring at a spot across the steppes. What was he thinking?

“If you support Shuree as khan, please step to your left,” Erhi said. “If you support Amar as khan, please move to your right.”

Murmuring ensued as their tribe members chose with their feet. Shuree’s muscles were tight as she waited. She would be graceful if she was defeated, though she wasn’t sure how she would face Dagar. He and his tribe had trusted her.

“What are you doing?” a man growled.

“I can choose whomever I want,” a woman answered.

Shuree winced. She hadn’t considered that families would have different opinions. She hoped relationships would not be strained. Perhaps they should have arranged for a secret vote somehow.

The wait seemed to take forever. She didn’t dare look to her brother or Dagar to gauge their reactions. She itched to tap her feet or her fingers, but it would show how nervous she was and her people needed to see only her strength. She would find out if her gamble had paid off soon enough.

Finally, Erhi said, “The vote has been counted and verified by Nergui and Mengu. You may intermingle again.”

Of course. If they stayed where they were, she and Amar would know which way they had voted when they turned around. It was another few minutes before Erhi said, “Amar and Shuree, you may face the tribe.”

Shuree turned and looked at Erhi rather than her tribe. She wasn’t certain she wanted to see their expressions.

“The tribe has voted,” Erhi announced. “Our people have chosen their new khan. Will you both abide by your tribe’s will?”

“I will,” Shuree and Amar answered.

Erhi smiled. “Then please step forward…” She paused and Shuree held her breath. “Shuree Khan.”

Air exploded from her and her head spun. They had voted for her? They agreed with her vision of the future? Tears welled in her eyes as she stumbled forward. Amar steadied her.

“Congratulations, sister,” he said. “I pray you are truly right to trust them.” He hugged her and then stepped off the platform to join the rest of the tribe.

Erhi gestured for Mengu to join her on the stage to help with the ceremony. Shuree couldn’t move, could barely believe this was happening. Amar was right. She was young. Being khan was more than negotiating peace. She would have to lead the tribe afterwards. Panic threatened to overcome her and she spotted Nergui hugging Amar and then they both turned to her and the faith in their eyes calmed some of the anxiety. She scanned the crowd and met more excited expressions as well as a few warriors who were not impressed. Finally her eyes met Dagar’s. He winked at her, but the relief on his face had to be a mirror of her own.

“Today we welcome a new khan to lead us,” Erhi began. “And in the spirit of what we are trying to achieve, Mengu, the spiritual advisor of the Erseg tribe, will help me with this ceremony. Step forward, Shuree.”

Shuree did so.

“Our khan is our leader, our guide and our servant. She must always make decisions for the tribe based on what we need now and in the future.” Erhi turned to her. “Shuree, do you promise to lead us, guide us and serve us, today and into the future?”

Her nerves settled and determination filled her. “I promise.”

“The Gods bless this appointment. Drink now to seal your promise.” Mengu handed her the ceremonial bowl full of litak.

The liquid burned down her throat and made her head spin.

“Please welcome your new khan, Shuree.”

The tribe cheered and Shuree smiled, still finding it difficult to comprehend. They had so much faith in her. She couldn’t let them down. The weight of responsibility landed on her shoulders, heavy and uncomfortable. She held up a hand and the cheers quietened.

“Thank you for this honour,” she said. “There is much we need to do to prepare for peace. I would like to meet with the council now and then we shall announce our way forward.” She stepped off the platform towards Dagar. “Come with me.”