Jumuka the Younger

Being the youngest of five sons, Jumuka had no thoughts or ambitions of someday taking over the role of leader or chief of the Udikhas. His only ambition in life was to enjoy himself as much as possible through hunting, fishing, playing pranks and horse riding. Horses were his passion and from the earliest of age he was a skilled rider. His mother would lovingly tell the tale of him being able to ride before he could walk. At puberty his father had given him a horse of his own, as was the custom of the tribe, but that didn’t prevent him cutting out a fine steed from the herd and riding off across the Steppes. He was by far the brightest of his brothers. Khajun was the family dullard. Father would state out of earshot that Khajun was short of a few arrows in his quiver and add that being third in line would fortunately never ascend to be their leader. Temuge and Yeskhul, one and two in line, were being groomed for higher things and were expected to behave in an appropriate manner becoming of future chiefs. Oghedi, some two years older than Jumuka was easily led and again had no ambitions of future leadership. Chagata, their mother, was held in high esteem by the tribe for begetting five sons.  Jumuka had no sisters only three half sisters that his father, Jumaka the Elder, sired from captured women. These three girls never featured in Jumuka’s early life.

From an early age, Jumuka was a natural leader and even his elder brothers joined in his games and pranks. His gang was the one to be in and the members swaggered with pride. You had to be loyal, fearless and a skilled horseman to be admitted. The ultimate test for membership was to ride down a hare on the Steppe and catch it with bare hands. Each member wore a shrivelled hare paw tied to his tunic with pride. With their japes and pranks they were the scourge of the tribe and on numerous occasions Jumuka received a whipping at the hands of his father for stampeding the herd or even setting a yurt ablaze. Secretly his father admired Jumuka’s spirit but could only show it to his close associates.

Jumuka and his gang honed their skills at horse rustling by stealing or borrowing horses from their own tribe’s herds to the consternation of the herders and secret admiration of his father. Other boys in the tribe who aspired to similar activity but were often caught in the act, ending up with a sore ear. Horses were everything to the tribe. Although small, they were surefooted, agile, and fast over short distances and totally adapted to their life on the Steppe. They were the wealth of the tribe. They provided the essential food and material supply for the whole community in the form of regular milk and blood and occasional meat and hide. The horses were curried regularly and the resulting hair was converted into felt for blankets, clothing, footwear and the yurt coverings. Occasionally the horses were traded for essentials such as cooking pots and metal weapons. Spear heads, daggers, knives, sabres to arm the cavalry or Ulani. 

Arming themselves with bows, arrows and wooden spears, Jumuka’s gang would range the steppes in search of reindeer and hares to hunt for meat, wolves and foxes for sport. They regularly and proudly provided the tribe with additional source of food from their hunting expeditions. Jumuka could be called brave and courageous but never foolhardy. He planned his expeditions and escapades meticulously, with minimum danger to himself or his followers. Horse rustling from other tribes was the most dangerous sport they engaged in and yielded the greatest prizes of all. Jumuka would take his gang out for days to distant parts of the Steppe, to find tribes beyond his near neighbours. He would spend days observing their herds and the pattern and alertness of their herders. Once satisfied he would strike and cut out some twenty horses and make his escape in some strange direction, away from his own people of Udhigas so that blame and retribution would be pointed at other tribes. 

Capture in the act of stealing horses would generally result in a cut-throat or at the best an ear cut off to mark the culprit as a thief. On return to the tribe with a string of horses, people would look upon him as a hero. More so when the stolen steeds would then be presented to his band members if they didn’t already posses a mount from their fathers or to boys captured or boys of captured women who had little possibility of gaining a horse when they reached manhood. This way he garnered loyalty amongst his band of tribesmen and they were indebted to him for ever. Ownership of a horse was to show manhood whilst a string of horses was wealth. Jumuka was careful to spread his hoard amongst the tribe and only add one steed to his personal herd from each escapade. The more usual way was for the instigator or leader to keep at least half of the spoil. As Jumuka grew and got older he got more and more adventurous and stole horses from farther a field. 

To the South were the trade routes set up by the great Ghengis Khan. Horses stolen near those routes were always traded for essential goods, particularly weapons. All of his primary band members would sport a short lance with a metal point, far more effective in hunting than just a sharpened stick. A dagger and especially a longed-for curved sabre, was prized as much as a horse. All of his hare’s paw bearers had one or both. Metal weapons were passed from father to eldest son and formed part of the family wealth. Metal pots and pans for cooking were also prized and Jumuka always brought a present of a pan back for a woman or family he had wronged with his japes and jokes. 

The men’s prime duty was to look after the horses, currying them, attending to their cuts and grazes, bleeding them and even milking the mares. The women’s duty was to bear and look after children, collect roots, mushrooms, cook food and make felt out of horsehair. Three or four times a year the whole village would move to fresh grazing; usually North in the summer and South in the winter. The winters were always bitter and a sheltered valley or a hollow in the Steppe would be sought to avoid the biting wind. Everybody would be involved in the move and all their wealth and materials would be loaded on spare horses and the trek would begin.

 Jumuka and his gang would be sent off ahead as scouts to find the best route, avoiding rivers and to check out for any marauding gangs that might pick off the stragglers. More men would be posted out to the flanks and a group would lag behind to act as rear guard. Normally these transits would happen without mishaps but since the tribe was at its most vulnerable, the neighbouring people might see it as a golden opportunity to strike and capture back some horses, women, children and belongings.  The Udikhas were now too large for most neighbours to steal from them but that didn’t prevent them observing enviously and maybe linking with other tribes for an assault. Jumuka the Elder was always on alert at such times and had his Lieutenants riding to and fro, keeping close communication with the outriders. Jumuka the Elder trusted his younger son to control the vanguard and the scouts.

 The gang were all expert plainsmen, horsemen and were always well armed. Jumuka could be counted upon to find the easiest river crossing and the safest route for the journey. If he found a tribe in the way, he would ride back and consult with his father rather than lead his tribe into unnecessary danger. The vanguard had the toughest job of all, riding back and forth and to the flanks, plus communicating with the main group. Each member had a pair of horses and could cover huge distances by regularly switching from one horse to another. Jumuka arranged them to work in pairs whilst he took up a central position with two of his trusted Lieutenants who would be sent off to check on a problem ahead. Three riders linked with the main group to ensure that they followed the chosen route and that the vanguards were not getting too far ahead. The journey might take them a week or more and they would travel at a steady pace from dawn to dusk. Everybody was familiar with horses, even the women and children so riding for such long hours was not a hardship.

A new location was always a joy for all as it was a break from the tedious chores and the nasty smells. There was new water supply to find, firewood and the nature of the new pasture. The first thing the men did once the yurts were erected and the horses checked over, was to choose the right stretch of land for the tournament course. This is where the men showed off their riding and weapon skills and provided entertainment for the rest of the tribe’s people. The course comprised of two stout poles stuck firmly into the ground some sixty metres apart over some rough ground. This was chosen with much discussion that often turned to argument with fist flying to make the point. In this case some of the elders wanted a difficult course to test the rider’s dexterity, another argued for an easier one where speed was of the essence. Targets were set up for archery on either side, pegs stuck in the ground, hidden by tussocks, to be spiked up by the lances. A bunch of reeds set on poles as dummy heads to be sliced off with a sabre and targets for the lances were set up in groups at a distance from the course. These targets were set at different distances from the direct line to divert the riders and slow them down.

 Five or six riders would race around the course three times, shooting three arrows, picking up as many pegs with their lances, spearing a target with their javelin and finally chopping the heads off at least three dummies and dashing to the finishing line. Following a complicated formula of points, the judges would then decide the winner who could then ride in the next round. Apart from sheer horsemanship and weaponry skills, the riders needed judgement of how close to ride to the targets to score without compromising on the distance covered. Jumuka loved this contest and with his followers was constantly in the upper echelon of winners. What he lacked in strength he made up with guile and cunning. Rounding the marker poles was his favourite for spooking an opponent’s horse so that its rider had to pull up and retake the turn. His weaponry skills allowed him to take the shortest route but at times he would ride across an opponent to spoil their aim and loose their opportunity to score. He certainly wasn’t the most popular of contestants by these antics but was generally admired for his skills. His gang members strived to emulate him. He made this into a more important competition amongst his loyal members by offering a horse to anyone of them who beat him.  He was pleased to hand over two steeds recently as his followers were honing their skills to match his.

Jumuka the Elder was a good and ambitious leader who wanted his tribe to grow and thrive. A large strong tribe was more able to thwart the envy of adjoining tribes who liked nothing better than to snipe and steal. Natural growth was slow. Capturing men, boys and women from surrounding tribes was a quicker method. Persuading a local tribe to throw in their lot with them was the greatest prize of all. Jumuka’s expansion was thwarted by the River Guba to the west. It formed a natural boundary between him and the Uguba tribe. To continue his expansion of territory he needed to somehow join with the Ugubas. They were fierce people and enjoyed their independence. Previous approaches had been rejected outright.  Temuge, his eldest son wanted to lead an expedition against the Ugubas. The elders pondered over the issue and finally agreed since this would in all events prove that Temuge was worthy of the leadership of the tribe in the future.

Temuge chose Oghedi to join him as second in command. Jumuka the younger was also asked to join the expedition although he argued strongly in Council against it, pointing out that the Ugubas were far too powerful to be taken by sheer force from his own observations. Since he was asked by his brother openly to join in the fray, he couldn’t lose face by refusing. The expedition was mounted and Jumuka took thirty of his loyal band members. As they got close to the river Temuge decided that it would be prudent to send an emissary ahead to try and persuade the Ugubas to join the Udikhas peacefully. Jumuka argued that this was a crass decision since it would warn the enemy of the forthcoming danger. Temuge, as leader decided that Jumuka should be sent as the emissary. Jumuka was donned in the best finery, with a shiny helmet and breastplate and sent on his way.

The advance party watched as Jumuka, on his horse, swam across the river and disappeared from sight beyond the far levee. As soon as he was out of sight, Jumuka discarded all of his finery. He broke his lance, so it appeared that he only had a stick with a white rag attached as a mark of truce. Looking quite dishevelled and dirty, Jumuka rode up to the guards and told them he was Khajun of the Udikhas and needed talk to the elders. He was led to a yurt where he was made to sit whilst the elders assembled. Jumuka or Khajun in his newly acquired guise, pretended to be a little stupid, lolling his head to one side and dribbling copiously from his mouth.

 He told the elders that an army had been assembled across the other side of the river to attack them if they didn’t join the Udikhas. He made a meal of telling this by stumbling over his words and being distracted by children’s wooden toys on the floor of the yurt. The Ugubas had heard of this Khajun of the Udikhas who was purported not to be all there in his head and thought it odd that he had been sent on this mission. They came to the conclusion that Temuge had considered that Khajun was dispensable and sent on this foolhardy mission to be rid of him. The usual negative response to a proposal was to behead the messenger and send him back, headless. The elders questioned Khajun about the strength of the force against them and the plan of attack. Khajun or Jumuka spent a long time answering all their questions, drooling and often being distracted. He was often quite rude by looking directly at an elder and asking him of his personal wealth. That is the number of horses he possessed. It was unheard of in polite company to ask such direct questions. The elders took this lapse of manners in their stride and were amused by this bumbling youth. Khajun told them the exact size of Temuge’s force and that they planned to cross the river at daybreak and attack with full force, riding down the levee to take extra advantage of the slope. After much argument the elders decided to send Khajun back in one piece rather than retaining his head as a forfeit. It was bad luck to kill a disabled person. Better to send them out on the plain to fend for themselves and be fodder for the wolves. That was the way of the plainspeople. 

Khajun rode back to the river. Found his finery and crossed to tell his elder brother the reply. Temuge and Oghedi were surprised to see the return of Jumuka intact. As Jumuka suspected, his brothers were jealous of him and sent him on a mission of certain death. They finalised a plan where the main force would cross the river at daybreak and attack the village and any opposing force head on, whilst Jumuka and his band would attack from the flank or even the rear. They surmised that the Uguba’s would form up all of his Ulani to protect their village. Jumuka assembled his troop and set off in the middle of the night to cross the river to perform the planned flanking manoeuvre. The Ugubas, having been pre-warned, set up their own counter-attack which was more daring. They also crossed the river in the middle of the night and waited in ambush in amongst the trees on the levee. As Temuge and his men started to cross, the Ugubas attacked from both sides. A force was also waiting for the enemy on the other bank. It was a complete rout and slaughter. Both Temuge and Oghedi were killed in the fight and their men decided to flee. Meanwhile, with all the Uguba’s men being on the field of battle, Jumuka had free rein in the village. He had no intention of joining the battle and helping his devious brothers. Instead, he drove off the Uguba’s extensive herd of horses which were being looked after by boys, too young to join in the battle.

Jumuka returned in triumph whilst what remained of the expeditionary force licked their wounds. Suddenly Jumaka’s position in the leadership chain was increased by a couple of notches. Without their herd as their only wealth and sustenance, the Uguba’s relented and had no option but join the Udhikas. It was the only way they could survive the severe winter. Jumuka the Elder had achieved his ambition and had extended his realm beyond the Guba River which now no longer limited the tribe’s expansion. News of this triumph spread to other small tribes and they decided to throw in their lot with the Udhikas, without bloodshed or loss of their herds. The overall wealth of the enlarged group grew with the introduction of large flocks of sheep, goats and camels. The Udhikas in the past shunned goats and sheep believing that they attracted packs of wolves which also harassed their horses.

The enlarged tribe needed wealth, not only from its herds, to sustain the increased population and give them reason to stay but from goods to barter with the traders. Jumuka and his loyal band of followers who had increased to over a hundred strong, decided to join an expeditionary force to raid the lands to the West, where there were rich pickings to be had and the armies of the people there were too ponderous to ward off the fleet of foot Tatars.

Jumuka returned from his first raid with huge spoils of horses, metals, and other goods, especially women and children to increase the size of the tribe. The horses were big and clumsy. Not the small sure-footed animals of the Steppes and these were traded in for other essential goods. This sudden influx of new wealth brought in a good feeling within the tribe as the goods were shared out amongst them. Jumuka’s popularity soared amongst the tribesmen but his two bothers were envious of him. Realising this, Jumuka took himself off with his band on more raiding parties to the rich Baltic coastlands.

Whilst away on one of his raids, his father took ill and died of a common pulmonary infection.  Yeskhul, the next in line took over the leadership and set about transforming the Council of Elders. On his return, not only did Jumuka find Yeskhul was now the leader but that he had been poisoned, was ill and in great pain. Kahjun was effectively in charge, led by the Council of Elders. Jumuka immediately realised that there was some serious treachery about. After questioning, Kahjun quickly admitted that it was he that had tried to poison Yeskhul so that he could be leader. Jumuka quickly surmised that this wasn’t of Khajun’s own doing and suspected a plot. He got Khajun to call a council meeting and had his own men surround the yurt. He called on Khajun to name the elder who had provided him with poison. Khajun had no compunction in sharing the blame and named Obgubo and Dhaltek as his main conspirators. Jumuka called them to stand and explain themselves in defence. Before they had time to respond Jumuka had pounced on them and cut their throats. His men had by now entered the yurt and surrounded the other shocked elders. All the elders were given the choice. Have their throats cut and bleed to death as Obgubo and Dhaltek or flee the tribe with three horses and all their personal possessions that they could carry. Khajun was given the same choice. They all took the option to flee with what they could take. Jumaka didn’t think much of their chances on the Steppe with the winter coming. They were too old for any local tribe to take them on. More likely they would be robbed and left to die if they made contact with any of the plainsmen.

A new council was appointed. Jumuka ensured that it included a cross section of all the factions in his now extended tribe. It was decided that since the tribe had grown in size to such an extent that they should split up into four groups and cover their territory and grazing lands more evenly. He appointed four of his followers to lead each group and the council would move from group to group to advise and adjudicate. He then arranged with some of his loyal followers to post guards on the perimeter of his territory to warn of any possible aggression. The traders passing through the southern part of his lands were valuable to him and he gave them not only protection but set up a permanent trading post for them. For a levy, other tribes were allowed to trade there. The trading post soon turned into a permanent settlement where the traders could safely rest under the protection of Jumuka’s patronage.

As Jumuka’s influence grew, along with the wealth of his tribesmen, other groups wished to join. Soon he had to create a fifth then sixth group and had to extend his tour of duty amongst them. His trusted followers, or Generals as he now called them, governed well but to ensure that all was in order and no undercurrents of concern, he planted his stepsisters and cousins as spies. The products of coupling between his father and brothers with captured women. They reported any rumours to him and he could then take appropriate action. Jumuka demanded complete loyalty of his people. They could have their throats cut in the traditional way or leave the tribe if they showed dissent. He didn’t have any taking up his offers. Justice was harsh and anyone caught and convicted of breaching the code he had set, had their throat cut and their body thrown to the wolves. The wolves stayed hungry as the people under Jumuka’s rule thrived.

The life on the Steppes was not only harsh but tedious. People needed diversity. The riding course was not enough. They needed to gossip and tales to tell. They needed to relieve their aggression. Jumuka had brought peace and stability to the plains. The traders brought needed goods and had a safe place to barter. Jumuka decided to plan a major raid on rich countries to the West where the people grew crops for their own food and worked metals with charcoal from their abundant forests. This time he would lead three parties of a hundred men apiece. Each man would take three mounts, a blanket and plenty of saddle bags. Each would be armed with a bow, short lance and a dagger and maybe a sabre. They set off with a plan to be back before the winter set in.

In the past, the raids were aimless sorties along known routes with plundering and pillaging along the way and avoiding any direct encounters with the local militia. Once their saddlebags were full, they would return and head for home. Jumuka decided that these sorties needed planning to avoid dangerous encounters and to maximise the spoil. The plan was to ride quickly through the rich lands and spy out the best pickings which could be plundered on the return journey. Speed was off the essence and their trusted steeds were much better for a quick attack and get away than the large horses of the Baltic area. These stolen steeds could be used for barter and were in demand as pack horses by the traders.

The three groups kept in constant touch with each other as they surveyed the wealth of the Western lands. Jumuka surmised correctly that if they were spotted by the locals, not a lot would happen and the populous would thank their good fortune that they had been spared and give a quick prayer to their god, of thanks. Normally these robber hoards would leave mayhem in their wake and rider would be sent to villages ahead to warn of their coming. These new groups seem to be intent on targets farther afield.

 Once the survey results showed the maximum wealth that they could recover and carry back, the raiding parties turned eastwards, homeward bound and started their raids. The locals were fooled that the danger was from the traditional east, spreading west and therefore sent troops westward to protect the lands and property already pillaged by the Tatar hoards and already safe. The raiders were ruthless. All men and old women were slaughtered outright and the emptied buildings burned. Young boys under puberty were taken, plus women as potential child bearers, plus the bounty of the land. All metals were sought. Grain, clothing and jewellery found its way into the saddle bags and they were quickly on their way, after laying waste to the buildings. To mislead the locals, they would leapfrog rich pickings and raid the next hamlet. Whenever a force was sent out against them and was becoming dangerous then riders would be sent off to harass the troop, picking off the stragglers and the scouts until their advance petered finally out. The saddle bags started to bulge and their captives were growing in numbers.

A scout had spotted a caravan of two rich looking coaches and a troop of twenty or so horseman guarding it. Jumuka took a look for himself and decided that there were indeed rich pickings there. The thirty horses alone would be useful enough for carrying away their spoils but the contents of the coaches could be a bonus. Just the weapons and armour of the guards were valuable in their own right. Jumuka and his Lieutenants planned an ambush and sent their scouts to keep a constant watch on this caravan.  The caravan leader set two scouts of their own, ahead to check their route. Five horse guards led the two coaches and the remainder of the guards, fifteen of them, including their captain, rode at the rear. No rearguard was posted. Apart from two unarmed drivers on each coach there were two adults and a young lady in the first and only an old maid riding in the second.  The guards were formidable. Well armed and on fine horses. They had long lances, sabres and large shields slung on their backs. Each wore a shiny helmet. This was a rich group of travellers to have such a strong guard. There were rich pickings at hand.

The ambush was set. The two scouts were easily dispatched without alerting the main group. The first attack came from the front, against the five leading guards. A band of Jumuka’s ulani darted forward on their mounts and shot arrows at the horseman and the leading coach drivers. This attack was followed up by a second band, finishing off any survivors with their lances. They hung about waiting for a response from the troopers at the rear. The Captain obliged by screaming orders to engage the enemy. The lancers slung their shields and advanced following their Captain as the attackers turned tail and fled. Having slung their shield forward the lancers now exposed their backs to attack. A hail of arrows followed the guards, taking out most, then the rest were despatched by well aimed javelins from the third larger band of ulani. The battle was over in minutes. The old maid was dragged out of her coach and had her throat cut before she hit the ground. The occupants of the first coach were dragged out and thrown to the ground. The man and older woman were killed immediately. The young woman with golden hair was on the ground backing away with fear in her eyes. An ulani lifted her voluminous skirt with his lance, exposing silk clad stockings, held above the knee with a coloured ribbon. It also exposed her lily-white thighs for the surrounding ulani to gawp at, as Jumuka rode up.

A quick shout and the ulani backed off. The girl pushed down her skirts and gazed with scared eyes at Jumuka as he admonished his men. They weren’t supposed to kill off the occupants until they had established who they were. Jumuka was thinking of the possible rich ransom he had missed. A second order and the men offloaded the trunks and cases whilst another band rounded up the loose horses and stripped the dead guards. The girl was ignored as she sat there on the ground sobbing. A blow of an axe soon opened the first of the big wooden trunks and the contents spilled out. Another group brought over large saddle bags and started stuffing the booty into them. A small, richly adorned chest was thrown to the ground and the axe was about to break open the lid when the girl leaped up and lay her body over the trunk in a protective way. An ulan was about to cast her aside when a curt order from Jumuka stopped him in his stride.

 The girl stared wildly at Jumuka as he approached. He stopped and held out his hand. The girl understood and pulled out a key on a ribbon around her neck. Jumuka signed for her to open it. She did reluctantly revealing a chest full of her private possessions, clothes and jewellery. On a nod from Jumuka she closed the lid and locked it, slipping the key down the front of her dress. An order was barked and the small trunk was lashed to the side of a horse as the girl watched with horror on her face. She was ignored as the men plundered what was valuable from the coaches. Leather harnesses were bagged, metal fitting broken off and even the wheels taken. Once everything was stripped and packed away, Jumuka ordered the spoils to be taken away to join the main band. One of his ulani brought a horse for the girl and helped her to mount and she was led away. The men were in high spirits when the returned back to join their main group. This was a good haul, especially the fine horses which would help them to carry even more booty home. 

More raids were carried out on selected hamlets as the bands moved eastwards, away from danger. Together the bands had eighty captives, ranging from babies in arms, to boys, girls and young women. Golden girl was admired by all but left alone. She belonged to Jumuka. The captives were well looked after. Hunting parties would bring venison, wild boar, geese and ducks for all to feed on. Each of the captives had a horse to ride on with a couple of saddle bags and they had to cover great distances each day. The captives were checked over carefully every day. The women had their skirts thrown up and were carefully examined for saddle sores. Any red spots and any signs of rubbing were liberally smothered with bear grease as it was called, a mixture of duck and goose fat, to allay saddle soreness. After a few occasions of what appeared to be harassment and indignity, the women would check themselves and the children, applying the grease liberally. Even Golden girl was checked until she got the message and did her own precautionary first aid.

Once they had reached their own recognisable territory, the three bands coalesced into one. They still proceeded with caution and posted scouts, a strong vanguard and rearguard to warn of danger. Hunting parties had to work hard to provide the food from the lands they passed. Many of the women, resigned to their fate, helped with the cooking and others helped with consoling the children. At night the men would take turns to lie with the women. At first there was much uproar and natural disquiet from the women until they realised that apart from sport, the men’s intention was to get them pregnant. It was no use bringing a barren woman home. Jumuka attempted to lay with his golden girl but she pulled a dagger on him and he backed off. He made a mental note to disarm her at some stage.

Golden girl was aloof and kept herself away from the rest of the captives. The captors treated her with some deference since she belonged to Jumuka. One evening she leapt on a loose horse that was grazing nearby and rode off into the deep forest. Jumuka let her get out of sight then signalled to two of his men to follow her. The two rode off shouting and whooping. As they got close, they didn’t even try to capture her, just gradually headed her off. Each time she saw them she put on a spurt of speed away from them. Most of time she didn’t even see them but just heard them to one side and off she would gallop. As the sun was setting, she spotted a fire and hoped it would be some hamlet and safety. She was disappointed as she rode into her own encampment. She had been expertly herded back to her start point. Anger melted to disappointment and turned to dismay as she dismounted, her horse led away and a bowl of food thrust into her hand. She sat and ate with the rest. The two ulani returned, dismounted and didn’t even look her way. It was as if she had just gone off for a leisurely ride in the forest. 

After seven weeks of raiding the party returned home with riches beyond all their dreams. The six groups on the Steppe assembled and the booty was put on display for all to view and marvel at. The hoard, apart from golden girl’s chest, was divided into materials that could be useful and kept by the tribe and other stuff that could be traded. Most of it fell into the latter category and people wondered what riches would find themselves their way when the spoils were divided. The captives were split amongst the groups and would hopefully eventually integrate in the tribe. Apart from Golden girl, all the women captives were pregnant and well looked after. The young children were divided amongst the families and would be brought up as Udhikas.

Almata, Jumuka’s half sister by his father, was allotted to look after the wellbeing of Golden girl. She was to teach her the local customs, their language and also to spy on her for Jumuka. He had decided that she would become his bride in the New Year, during the springtime festival. According to Almata, Golden girl kept aloof and would keep to herself all the time, even eating meals on her own, brought by Almata who looked after her like a servant and kept talking to her nonstop. After a month of almost solitary confinement, Golden girl finally relented and started donning the local felt boots instead of her fine but flimsy leather booties, also succumbed to a felt cape which was much better at keeping out the bitter cold and winds of winter.

One day Almata confided with Jumuka that although Golden girl would not speak and kept silent all the time, she could understand what Almata was saying to her, through her gestures and bodily responses. Jumuka praised his half sister and promised her that she could chose her own husband in time and that he would present her, on her wedding day with a string of fine horses. Almata was to continue serving Golden girl and report regularly to Jumuka.

 

The snow was melting, the river ice was breaking up and new tufts of grass were fought over by the hungry horses out on the Steppe. Spring was coming and the elders were planning for a fine wedding. New yurts were erected for the guests from other tribes. Their own groups, wintering in sheltered hollows, would all assemble as one large clan for the Spring festivities and of course the main wedding was on the agenda. Fine clothes were being pulled out from saddle bags, cleaned and checked for size and condition. Horses were getting their first major grooming. The whole Steppe was a hive of activity and excitement. There was talk of bestowing on Jumuka the title of ‘Khan’ or ‘King’ since he had brought much wealth and stability to the region. Some said he was too young but most agreed that it would be a fitting gesture. But would he accept since he generally refused to wear the finery of his position as their leader. He and his Generals wore the same ordinary felt clothes of their people. The only distinguishing mark they wore to show their position of authority was a leather belt and shoulder strap, supporting their sabre, which was encrusted with badges of silver and occasionally gold. The fine trappings would however be fully on display on the day of the wedding.

The long-awaited day finally came and the enlarged encampment was full of young men riding their finest mounts and sporting their finery for the girls to applaud and giggle over, hoping to catch the eye of a chosen rider. The ceremony for Jumuka and the Golden girl, who had adorned her bridal gown from her treasure chest, was short and sweet after all there was serious celebrations to follow. Exquisite food, drink to consume and dancing to perform, interspersed with stories of brave deeds and play-lets performed by the children to instil in them the knowledge of the history of their people. Apart from the deafening music, the party had to endure the loud explosions of firecrackers, bought from the traders, made in lands far to the East.

As the sun sank over the horizon, it was the signal for the bride and bridegroom to depart to their specially prepared yurt, decorated with first spring flowers and hazel catkins collected from the trees along the riverbanks. The people were anxious too for the pair to depart so that the real partying could begin and they could let their hair down and dispense with the decorum. In the safety of the darkness and away from the lights of the fires, young lovers could drift off into the plains and carry on the serious part of their courting. Jumuka carried his bride into his fine yurt amongst shouts of encouragement from the followers. He laid her on the fine bed of bear skins where her night gown had been specially laid out by her servant Amalta. Jumuka left her on the bed as he checked the candles and prepared some glasses of refreshment. As he returned, he was pleased to see that his Golden girl had accepted her fate and was lying out in her fine night attire. He discarded his rich tunic and eagerly approached the bed, lay beside her and snuggled in. Although there was no complementary response from her, she didn’t flinch or pull away. Getting bolder, Jumuka lifted her gown and gently laid his body onto hers. As he positioned his member with one hand between her thighs and supporting himself with the other arm, Golden girl suddenly thrust her sharp dagger into the side of his neck. Jumuka involuntarily arched his body back but his action just exacerbated the slicing of his own throat. Crimson blood spurted and pumped from the cut jugular, covering Golden girl as she pushed Jumuka off and watched him expire besides her.