Meet the Khan

"I had thought to wait for half a day or so." Mother said. "Being seen immediately like this bodes ill, Shinabib. Best manners, speak only when spoken to."

"Yes mother." Shinabib said.

"I'm a barbarian." I said. "You don't trust me even though I'm a Truthspeaker."

Mother turned her head and spat.

And then she led the way inside the tent. She took two paces, fell to kneeling, and then bent at the waist. <1 >

Behind and to her right, Shinabib did the same. On her other quarter, I briefly stood, and then popped both knees getting to kneeling.

"You may rise, second cousin." said the man I took for Asheph ibn Harran ibn Pesh. There were similarities of hair and eye color, but the jawline and cheekbones were wrong. I wouldn't have guessed cousins of any kind. <2 >

Mother rose, indicated me. "A hostage, gift for our Khan from the western front."

"I know you meant western flank, cousin." the man said.