[b]In the Northeast of the Axasiri Khaganate. Lands of controlled by the Aunchini Great Clan and their tributaries[/b]

It was just after dark when Shesk Aglur-Byhar found his sister by the lake skipping pebbles in the water, still wearing armor and with that damned pixie hanging off on her hair messing with the small bones decorating her braids. The young Axasiri nobleman slowly approached his sister, taking care to make his presence known by stepping on sticks and stomping on the ground. His sister did not turn.

Only when he stopped by her side did Avsha turn to him with a silent nod as she threw one last stone towards the lake.

"So that's how you're dealing with the situation?" Shesk asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. "By scurrying off to sulk and brood in the edge of the camp?" 

"She's not sulking you idiot!" The stupid pixie replied in its annoying high pitched voice. "Avsha Aglar-Byhar does not sulk! She plans and plots for two because her brother is too stupid to help!" Shesk glared at the inconvenient little pest and was about to give it a piece of his mind when his sister finally spoke.

"I suppose I should be jumping in joy then?" She asked mockingly. "To be so blatantly humiliated in front of the whole assembly of warriors..." She growled, face twisting into a snarl. "He insults me and our entire clan, and yet you not only do nothing to back me but also sides with them! Father's skin must be shaking back home."

"Don't be so dramatic sister." Shesk replied dismissively as he turned his head back towards the camp. "Did you truly expect to receive a command when the Khan's own grandson is with us? There was no doubt that Ghazan would receive a commanding position."

"And don't I also deserve a prestigious position? My own command directly under Khan Isbarag?" Avsha demanded in indignation. "Have I not proven myself against the Xasar? The pretender Azakrush? My Ayadhr's body was still warm when he called us to fight I marched without complaint. All I ask is for recognition and yet he decides to put me under the authority of a boy with a face barer than yours."

"Completely unfair!" The cursed pixie spoke up. "All Avsha asks is for rightful recognition! The Khan is a fool for not recognizing her worth!"

"It's not as bad as you make it." Shesk sighed, willing himself to ignore the tiny pest on his sister's shoulder, running a had through his brow he made his case calmly. "You speak as if the Khan spat upon you. But the armor you're wearing, wasn't it a personal gift from Isbarag himself? Didn't he give you the hand of one of his close kinsman to marry? It's not his fault Ayadhr fell from his horse you know."

Avsha grumbled something as he shifted on her feet, but Shesk knew enough of his sister to see that she had accepted his points. It wasn't that she was unfit to lead the clan. The Byhars had risen well among the tributaries of the Aunchini since she took over from their father. But his sister never truly managed to manage her temper, specially when she felt slighted or deprived of her "rights".

"You're not entirely wrong." His sister conceded and as far as Avsha was concerned, that was the closest he would ever get of a surrender. "But I still won't bend over for that boy." She half hissed.

"Nobody is asking you that." Shesk replied soothingly. "Besides, I know Ghazan. We rode, hunted and drunk together many times. And though he may lack the tattoos of a renowned leader and warrior, I can assure you that he's no entitled little shit. He will listen and give proper weight to your words." His sister merely raised a black eyebrow at him. "And once you prove your worth he will hold you in esteem. If not as a friend at least as a valued ally."

"But Avsha deserves better!" The irritating pixie whined. Only to be silenced by a grunt from Avsha.

"It's not like I can change things now." His sister sighed as she turned to him. "You better be right about this Ghazan, Little Goat." Avsha grunted. 

"I'm sure, sister." Shesk replied confidently. "Just be your usual self on the battlefield and he will see your worth."

"Yes!" The damned pixie shouted. "Avsha is the bestest best there is!" 

"Come with me then." She said as she took hold of his shoulder, dragging him back towards the camp. "Introduce your big sister to your good friend Ghazan."

"Are you planning to use your womanly wiles to ensnare the poor man?" Shesk joked as they walked back towards the noise, light and scents of the camp.

"Oh please, Little Goat." Avsha laughed. "He's barely older than you. This Ghazan would never be able to satisfy me." She then glanced conspiratorially towards him. "That's not to say I'm not looking for a man. It's been two years already and I'm not getting any younger. My bed is cold, a woman has needs and I gotta have at least one child or let you destroy everything I built."

"Speaking of marriage." Shesk replied, desperate to change the subject away from her sister's "needs" (he had heard and seen enough of it when she was married.) "Have you talked with Draga and Maur about their daughter? Api said that she just needed her parent's approval..."

"I've asked around and they said they would not give away their daughter to just anyone with a good name." Avsha replied. "Father really managed to piss off Draga and his clan during his days." She sighed. "If you're really serious about it then you better hope to distinguish yourself in this war, Little Goat."

"Of course I will." Shesk smiled back, ignoring the doubt in the back of his mind. "We will smash these Paleskin shits and I will ride to Draga's hut to give his daughter an entire set of skull cups!"

"Now that's the attitude I wanna see, Little Goat." His sister cheered. "Just don't get too cocky. You're the only one who knows how I like my massages. And I still need someone trustworthy to do the hard work when I get pregnant"

"And we can't have that can we?" Shesk asked in mock fear. "You would end up getting the entire clan outlawed without my invaluable services."

[b]Karablagasun. Axasiri Khaganate[/b]

Anukyr Adhurzh, loyal priest of Babash Talek, bowed respectfully as he entered the side room occupied by Teush-Saraska, the High Priestess of the Karablagasun temple. Having been involved in the preparations for the coming enterprise since the beginning, the tall, red haired priestess gestured for him to move closer as she sat in a stool by the window.

"Your blessings, High Priestess." Anukyr intoned respectfully with a short bow. Teush took hold of his bowed head and murmured the usual blessings before letting it go.

"We are ready to start Anukyr." She finally declared. "My visions have been confirmed by word of the Bannik. Supplies are ready and our holy band is gathering."

"These are great news, revered high priestess." Anukyr smiled at her. "When shall it start?"

"As soon as you are ready to go." She replied. "Finish your preparations, my loyal priest. And depart the capital as soon as possible at the head of the band. The Khagan has set aside four of his most trusted companions to support us in this endeavor and the other chosen members will meet you on the way."

Anukyr fought the urge to grin too much at the announcement. He already suspected that the leadership of the band would fall to him, but the priest did not allow himself to count his victory too early. Though now it seemed that it was an unnecessary precaution. 

"You do me a great honor by trusting me such task, revered high priestess." He spoke, giving another bow.

"I'm only exercising the will of the Red Goddess, Anukyr." She replied, tattooed face breaking into a warm smile. "The visions were more than clear enough for me to see that you were the one to be trusted with the leadership of this quest. Babash Talek smile upon our endeavors and if you and yours remain true to her and the Avestas we shall not fail." She then stood up, extending a hand to him. "But enough of that, come with me. The others will arrive soon for one last purification ceremony before departing."

Anukyr too her hand and followed the high priestess back to the main hall, where lesser red-clad acolytes and priests had already prepared the altar and shrine for the ceremony. Braziers with incense and cannabis were lit and caskets of haoma were laid near the altar. The Priest also knew that there was an animal, probably a horse, hidden behind one of the huge tapestries draped on the walls of the hall, depicting scenes from the War of Gods. When the ceremony reached its peak, the animal would be brought to the altar and sacrificed, the participants would drink its blood and share its heart for good luck in their coming mission.

As they waited near the altar, Anukyr ran one last mental check up of those who would be sent under his leadership. There would be, he knew for sure, the four warriors sent by the Khagan. Anwukhuar, another priest of Babash Talek, this one hailing from Bishgar and well known for his archery prowess. A trio of blue priests, whom he was only superficially familiar. And lastly Savahir-Oiur, a priestess of the god of merchants and close friend of his. Of these, only Savahir and the Khagan's warriors were in the city. The rest would join their march as they rode northwards into the lands of the Old Empire. 

Overall, Anukyr was confident that this band would be able to accomplish their mission. To compensate their lack of numbers, his party would be have to ride light and fast to their destination. With any luck they would be able to present themselves as simple mercenaries or traders to avoid suspicion. Though he recognized that it would still be a hard task to accomplish even without taking in consideration the fact that others would surely try to seize the Goddess' Eye before them. In the end, he would simply have to have faith in the Red Goddess and trust Her final judgement, if She deemed him and his band worthy of gaining the Eye then they would get it.