Project Aura

Bhatu forgot his meal momentarily. A man who would ride into the camp alone drew his interest. He signaled for the emissary to be allowed in. The man who came through the entrance was richly dressed, cloaked in robes sewn with gold. A thin band of silver encircled the crown of his head, a large gem set in the center. He carried a staff shaped like a tall narrow cross, the gold encrusted with jewels. How could he have gotten through the Mongol lines without being killed and robbed? Bhatu wondered.

The man bowed slightly at the waist. “Greetings, Great Bhatu Khan, Emperor of the East.”

The man spoke Mongol, another surprise to Bhatu. “Soon to be Emperor of the West,” he said as he took a piece of meat off his plate and threw it to one of the dogs that lay nearby.

“It is that issue that brings me here.”

“Whom do you represent?”

“The Priory, great lord.”

Bhatu stood. “Out!” he bellowed, sending lackeys and officers scurrying from his tent. “Everyone out!”

When the tent was empty of sycophants, Bhatu sat back down. “What are you called?”

“I am Hiero

“I travel where I wish and kill whom I please.”

“There are whispered rumors that you seek my people,” Hiero

“My grandfather ordered me to find you. He said your people had great wealth and power.”

Hiero

“Your people sent the army I just defeated against me, didn’t they?”

Hiero

“Then I have dealt with your power,” Bhatu said.

Hiero

“ ‘Persuaded’?” Bhatu leaned forward, his elbow covering the airhole.

“As you’ve noted, the Priory has great wealth. We would be willing to share it with you.”

“Why don’t I just take it now that your army has been destroyed?”

“Our wealth is well hidden. You might find some after much time and trouble, but not as much as we are willing to share freely. And, as you’ve also noted, we have influence with all the kingdoms on the other side of the river. You destroyed a great army, but there are other armies. There is much land and many more kingdoms to the west of here. We could have the pope in Rome raise a crusade against your forces. He is already considering it, as he shakes in fear inside the Vatican.”

Khan’s spies had already warned him of that. They had given him detailed reports of the crusades the Christians had sent against the Islamic empires in the Middle East year after year. It was not the sort of war he wished to get involved in, especially as he was very far from home. His goal was not to conquer land but to gain riches. He had no plans to hold the lands he had ridden through.

“What do you offer me?”

Hiero

Bhatu unrolled the parchment and read. The amount of gold and silver listed astounded even him, who ruled from the Pacific and across Asia. “You can bring me this?”

“Yes. In one week’s time, all that can be yours. But only if you agree not to cross the river. I have been told a Khan’s word is his bond.”

Bhatu leaned back in his splendid chair, letting air into the box once more. He ran a finger along the edge of a gold-encrusted dagger as he considered the offer. He was far from home and his men had been fighting all their lives. It was what they lived for, but even a Mongol needed rest. And he had received reports of rebellions in China and- His eyes narrowed.

“Your people are stirring up revolt in my kingdom, aren’t they?”

Hiero

Bhatu slammed the point of the dagger into the top of the box. “My word is my bond. But I must have the truth from you in turn or I ca

“We have a long reach, great Bhatu Khan, but I did not think it would be respectful to inform you of that.”

“A long enough reach to stir up revolt in my kingdom?”

“Yes, lord.” Hiero

Bhatu’s generals had already begun talking in council about turning back. Great victories had been won, but they were realists. Much of wi

“One week,” Khan said. “If this is not delivered”-he tapped the parchment-“I will lead my men across the river.”

“Agreed.”

“And you will stop supporting the rebels in China.”

“Agreed.”

“You will give me the names and locations of all the rebels you have supported and those in my kingdom you have suborned.”

Hiero

Bhatu had never really understood his grandfather’s obsession with uncovering and destroying this Priory. He had agreed to do it as a respectful grandchild would, but that was years ago and thousands of miles to the east. What this man offered would allow him to run his kingdom for the rest of his days.

Bhatu Khan pressed his palm over the hole, the sounds from inside the box growing fainter. He looked at the man on the other side. “If you give me more wealth, I will destroy the strange ones in the high mountains that my grandfather told me about.”

“We heard that they sent your grandfather after us. We knew that he or his descendants would eventually come this way. They are our old enemies. If you could destroy them, we would indeed bestow great riches upon you. But, unfortunately, you ca

Hiero

Khan smiled. “Or perhaps they will destroy you first.”

“Perhaps,” Hiero