There are falcons in the sky!

  The Khazan Zhenjin along with Huaizong. Mahintha and Tan Po hurriedly arrive at the Pavilion of the Sun, the throne room of Khublai. Khublai is in tears. Sitting beside Khublai on the dias of the throne is Empress Chabi. Do?an, Guvercin and Tenger are standing infront of a teary Khublai

  "Father I am here", Zhenjin acknowledges the three falconers. The falconers all give what we can call a "business bow". Low enough to acknowledge royalty but not tedious or ritualized. " what is wrong father?"

  "M?ngke fell in the river. He was crossing equipment and black powder in kegs to help Hulagu. The bridge collapsed. They can't retrieve the body." Khublai teared up. The four brothers had often fought. The tribal elders had tried to mediate between them. Chinggis had built a strong Khanate but when Chinggis died the brothers split the kingdom into 4. It is written in the romance novels of the Xinese that empires come and go. There is no point in sentimental attachment to such things.

  "Zhenjin, I shall travel back to the Barren Hills. They can't find M?ngke's body but we will prepare his grave. I must do this alone. No one except Khan must know where Khan's body lies. Only Khan and his Gods: Tengri and Khimori. I want everyone in red and black ceremonial robes. Tell your Queens to delay their planning till I return.

  They aren't "My Queens"exactly. Zhenjin clearing his throat.

  "You sleep with them right?”

  "?Maybe? ...sometimes" Zhenjin ventures not knowing what to say exactly.

  "I don't sleep with them. What's the point of keeping them in the harem if neither you or I sleep with them" Khublai asks innocently.

  "I sleep with them father…sometimes ." Zhenjin lies. "Sometimes.

  "Good. That's my boy! We must exercise our duties as Kings." Khublai chuckles. Although grieving he takes pride in his son’s virility. "Although Dusshela can't bear children."

  Later back at Weilan

  "So even if you don't sleep with the three Queens everyone thinks you do". Huaizong mutters

  "Let them die of envy. But if you leave Rajasthan unhappy in her bed she will beat you to an inch of your life. Then she will hand you over to her wizards. You wont be human after that." Says Zhenjin

  "I'm scared". Mumbles Huaizong

  "Good leave her alone" Zhenjin insistently

  "What about Raji Dewi?" Mahintha asks

  " I love her but she seems to be more interested in books and politics."Huaizong sighs

  "You're not worthy to stand beside her" Tan Po evaluates

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  "I think I know that."

  "Well surely you know it now." Tan Po, emphatically.

  "I want to be worthy of her love...... her friendship at least". Huaizong hopes.

  "Precisely we must befriend these women. Desiring them is complicated" Zhenjin instructs.

  "We had a long discussion about desire with Hulagu. But Buddhism warns us that satiated desire leads to more desire." Mahintha recalls.

  "But I desire." Huaizong relates.

  "I do too." Zhenjin admits. "But at least we get a reprieve from the Queens. All of whom I rescued and have given sanctuary", says Zhenjin feeling he's been had.

  "Ungrateful bitches" Huaizong curses

  "Watch your tongue". Tan Po warns him.

  "Hahahaha". Aloud together

  "None of them want me yet they are all so willing to marry me off. Insulting somewhere". Zhenjin realizes

  "To be practical Dusshela is the wealthiest". Mahintha

  "TaraBai is so....so seductive". Huaizong sighs

  "Gitarji is the simplest of the Queens. She'd make the best Queen. Approachable" Tan Po quips.

  "Yes but the whole point here is that none of them want me. Nor would they demand it of their handmaidens to marry me. They have a low opinion of me" Zhenjin makes clear

  "Ouch! That does hurt." Huaizong reacts "my pride".

  The next day the Forbidden City was dressed in red and black. Every man woman and child was dressed in red and black. Even the Emperors horses were caparisoned in red and black. All of DaDu came out to see their Lord as he departs DaDu to grieve his brother and be part of this national event.

  Khublai and his Kheshig are also dressed in red and black. His company is already mounted. Khublai exits his Pavilion he mounts his horse. And Khublai and his company walk to the Eastern gate. People are shouting praises for M?ngke: that he was a great man. They are sad that Khublai lost his brother. Some of them are old enough to remember that Khublai has no Mandate from Heaven. But they are discerning enough to realize that Khan was good for their economy. They understood that friendly practical Khan was a better alternative to the cruel sadistic Shi Dao. So over the years the Xinese learned to love Khan. However, he began to alienate some of his own tribal leaders from the Steppes and his brothers as he became more Xinese than Khannic.

  When they reached the the main road to the gate. Khublai signaled and his Kheshig suddenly picked up speed. Guards watched from the walls till they vanished in the horizon. And they will scan the horizon constantly waiting for the return of their lord

  ——————————-

  “we can move the Madjapahits to the Harem at Huoguong but keep Zalir in the guest Pavilion they occupy here at Weilan.” Tan Po. “He will be less guarded when Gitarji isn’t around”

  ”There are too many sisters in the brotherhood? He takes orders from them.” Zhenjin scoffs

  “The Devi TaraBai is already living at Huoguong with Dusshela. They will be at Chaoyang District today. They’re planning something…”.

  “Yes my marriage….. Huyen… where are you?” Zhenjin pleads

  “She’s married. You agreed to all this” Tan Po.

  “i didn’t agree. I just didn’t know what to do. Military tactics are one thing. She was betrothed.”

  “Betrothed but unmarried. You could have stopped it.

  “I didn’t want to get in her way. We have been through this a hundred times.”

  “Yes and you keep paying for her mistakes. She married a man who didn’t treat her right. He is killed by his own men. Now she will marry Agatub”. Tan Po

  “By all considered a boy hero. And a man worthy of our respect. She told me I could have any woman in the empire but her brothers need her.”

  maybe you should just overwhelm her and tell her what she should do.

  ”And she? What did she want? Are her feelings never an issue?”

  ”Father declared war on her Kingdom. She was defending her people. …from Khan. . I cant show up at the Lotus court being reconciliatory after that. Hey I just breached your castle wall but let’s get married? Also she had other admirers…other men who desire ladies never need worry if their father will attack the palace of the woman they choose to court. No man need deal with this.”

  “Comes with being Khazan” Kheshtar Yang inputs

  ”The Queens will be at Beihai today trying to find land for your new palace.” Tan Po

  “I have no intention to leave Weilan.”

  “But what about your wife?” Kheshtar Yang scolds Zhenjin.

  “Oh she can live wherever she likes. Or she can stay with me. May I please talk to the lady so she understands what she is getting herself into.?” Zhenjin demands

  ”We accompany the dreadful Queens around. Ask Huaizong to take his harp. Sing for the ladies distract them while we take Zalir behind to extract the truth.” Tan Po suggests.