by Max Barry

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Region: Asiana

Tsaire wrote:Ghazan isnt surprised by the response. He actually completely expected it. Ghazan still sighs dejectedly; disappointed in the outcome he knew was coming. He announces it as such.

"I gotta say, I am disappointed. My master won't be. But I still am." He rubs at the back of his shaved head to relax the tense muscles at the connection of neck and head. Eyeing a small stone on the ground he kicks it gently. "I was really hoping to avoid a battle."

Ghazan sighs again. He shakes his head as he stands straight and tall. Approaching Sahjhan and Tuzniq, he stops right before them with his hands fisted on resting on his hips. He then rests his right fist over his heart. "It will be an honor and privilege to do battle with such esteemed men as yourselves."

Turning, Ghazan strides to his mecha mount. Putting his foot in the stirrup, he hoists himself up and throws his leg over the other side. "It is my hope that you'll quit the field before it's too late. Would be terrible to die over something as paltry as this seaside town."

Pulling on the reins of the horse mecha, Ghazan leads it to turn around and is followed by his entourage who do exactly the same. As the horses trot along a thought comes to Ghazan. They walk a few yards before Ghazan stops and turns his horse around to look at Sahjhan and Tuzniq again. He calls his men to stop as he trots back closer to the Turoki princes. When he is closer Ghazan leans forward over the horse so that his guard might not hear, "Unless I can convince you to join us instead? You would be richly rewarded. Most importantly you'd be alive! Honor can always be regained later." He asks in a half joking half serious tone.

Sahjhan and Tuzniq look at side eye each other before breaking out into chuckles. Tuzniq breaks the chuckling to speak, "No, Ghazan of Chimkent. We actually have value for our honor. Not that a pack of mutinous cur would get that."

"Something I am told you once had value for before your fall to mutinous cur." Sahjhan quipped with a sly smile. "A man of honor and loyalty. So at least a little bird belonging to the Great Khan told me rather recently." Using his spear, Sahjhan points to a near tree. In the tree sits a great golden eagle. It would be apparent, on closer inspection, that the eagle is in fact a mecha belonging to the Great Khan Batzorig herself.

The redheaded Turoki prince brings the heavy spear down again with a heavy thud. "A hero at the battle of Aktau. Where you fought in the name of the Great Khan. For the 10th time. Now you fight on the behalf of the heavy load over there."

Tuzniq scoffs. Disgusted by Sahjhan's statements. "What leads a man of such esteem to fall so far."

"Into blubber no less?" Sahjhan says with a chuckle. He shakes his head turning to Ghazan. "No, you return to your master, dog. There will be no treachery or dishonor from the Turoks today. Just your continued besmirchment of your own honor and reputation."

Sahjhan then lifts his spear to rest it on his shoulder before turning to walk away. As he passes Tuzniq, the stone faced young prince spits at the ground near Ghazan's mount's feet and turns to follow after Sahjhan. The two men saunter with their heavy weapons on their shoulders and their guards disbaning formation to reenter the city after them.

"Maybe reconsider your position, Ghazan." Sahjhan calls out to him but continues walking away without looking at the Tsaire commander. "There may yet still be a chance for you to redeem your honor. Your true master is of course always...watching." He notes just as the golden eagle mech in the near tree takes flight and soars over their heads. "Watch your step on the way. The floodplain is a muddy mess. Wouldn't want your honor dirtied anymore than it is." Sahjhan and Tuzniq start to boisterous laugh with each other. The great gates of the city then firmly shut behind Sahjhan and Tuzniq with their guard in tail.

Inside the gates

"What do you make of it, Sahjhan." Tuzniq asks as he hands over his great axe to two servants. He then proceeds to stretch his arms and rub his shoulder where the axe had been resting.

Sahjhan also hands his spear off to servants that approach him. They hand him a damp cloth which he uses to dust his hands and wipe his face, "They have numbers and mechs. That is it though. If old Ghazan out there shows anything, is that their camp is deeply divided and only working together out of circumstance."

After wiping down his face and throat with the refreshingly cool cloth he tosses it away and then gently shakes his hands of the droplets of water, "Which leaves their numbers to mean little. Their greatest advantage is still those mechs."

Tuzniq nods his head after having intently watched as Sahjhan wiped his face and especially his sculpted throat. He clears his own throat to joke, "I think they'll be in for a shocking revelation about what their supposed advantage actually amounts to."

Sahjhan chuckles with a sly smile before he purrs out, "Agreed. And they'll be all washed up." He chuckles sinisterly as another servant approaches with his gold and black winged, red crested, black helmet. Before placing the helmet over his head, Sahjhan smiles again. "Now...shall we begin?" He then pulls the helmet on over his head and turns to head to the walls with his servants in tow.

Tuzniq bows his head and receives his own gruesome bear shaped helmet form his own servant. He then loudly announces for the area to hear, "Prepare for battle! All forces prepare for battle!"

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