 |
Kazakhstan
Category: Uncategorized
Kazakhstan was still as Rinaar remembered it when he was a maturing youth; rich in life notwithstanding the steppes of an arid environment. Herds of saiga antelope and siberian roe deer romped in abundance upon the scrublands, providing adequate food and valuable skins for the scattered tribal communities. The hunters gathered in parties to provide for their families, lush pelts of wolves and fox that were divided equally among the providing males of each yurt family. It was a collaborated effort in the winter months were harsh In the Kazakhstan steppes, catching the frigid wind that swept briskly down the mountains to embrace the vast expanse. Deerskin boots sank into the loose drift and followed the hoofed trail across the frozen tundra. Long strands of salt and pepper hair whipped out from beneath his fur lined parka as Rinaar raised his hand to still the other hunters in their steps. With hand signals exchanged, the small band halted and waited eagerly with bows and spears ready for the hunt. The cold air rippled through their heavy garments. Before long, the pronged heads of several deer moved among the brush further ahead in the distance and the warriors squatted down into the white coated prairie grass in anticipation of a successful hunt.
As the deer grazed contently upon the dry tufts, Rinaar edged forwards and soundlessly raised his longbow while nocking an arrow. With breath held, he sighted a young doe and released the projectile into the wind. A soft whistle pierced through the air and the deer bucked as the arrow struck deeply into her shoulder, impaling the heart. It took but a moment of flickering ears to widen in alarm as she brayed a distressing call and the herd bolted in panic, unsure where the danger laid waiting, assuming it was nearby behind them. They flocked towards the concealed hunters with random leaps and twists of their bodies and soon fell swift prey as a shrill whistle tore through the silence and a cluster of men erupted from the tall grass to hurl their spears with force. Later, as the hunters tied up their bounty, legs adhered to a sizable branch and lifted to the shoulders between two muscular men, Rinaar would have the epitome of thought that a formidable army could be forged from these skilled tribesmen. They returned to each their own sectors, Uysun Orda, Argyn Orda, and Alshyn Orda to divide the rich cache of meat among family and friends.
Several days into the following week, he arranged another assembly to propose a unity of arms against the common foe, neighboring tribes and enemies to the Empire of Atlanthesia which he, and his wife had allied themselves with. He had never met the Emperor Misos personally and, while great accomplishments were credited to the War God, he wanted to impress upon him the readiness of Kazakhstan to come to his defense, if needed. Theirs was a volatile world, based on individual nomadic treaties that shifted with the tides of human envy. The tribesmen were simple in their habits, providing nourishment to their people, as well as pelts and furs for trade, clothing and bedding. They had seen tribal wars raid each other, enslaving the women and children and burning of villages. But in the winter, they put aside their petty differences to hunt in collaboration with the singular need to survive. Could he convince them to band together for a greater cause of peace and security for the Kazakhstan republic of Atlanthesia? Only time, patience and effort would provide the answers.
The group shuffled booted feet into the snow packed ground as Rinnar spoke loudly and with authority, “As titled Baron in this land by the Emperor Misos Orcus of Atlanthesia, I beseech you to end the bitter conflicts of our past."
He made deliberate eye contact to each and every man present there, "We have proven that we can be jointly victorious in the hunt, during the harshness of winter that has claimed many of our predecessors with starvation and hyperthermia. We have proven that together, as one unified force that our continued existence is more important than petty feuding and lustful greed for our neighbor’s fertile women. We have proven that peace can be achieved in the greater interest of survival. Now, I ask you to extend this unity towards the defense of all Kazakhstan against the outsiders who grow in strength and number beyond our borders. You all have heard of the powerful War God Misos Orcus, who has entrusted the security of this land to myself and my lovely wife, Surja. I, who was once a cowardly child among you, have returned to bring prosperity into each of your yurts by economical trade, worldly alliances and scientific discoveries outside of our own potential. I promise you this … I will bring all of Kazakhstan into unity. No more will you rest uneasy while your neighbors plot and scheme against you. No more will your wives and daughters become slaves to your enemies. No more will we fear each other.”
A deafening silence fell upon the warriors as they cast speculative eyes upon each other, friend to foe. They tried to image a life without hostility. It would be hard to resist their primitive warlike heritage. They lived by the laws of tribal rivalries, establishing military alliances among themselves within each jüz and quite often, against each other. A few heads shook slowly from side to side, unsure of the benefit of such a unity. Without slaves, they would have fewer births. Without stealing each other’s possessions, they would become poor in wealth. How could Rinaar make such bold promises when the future of each self-governing tribe depended on springtime raids against each other to replenish the winter’s loss of life? Even as they set aside their differences during the winter months, a certain percentage of deaths were expected, due to history’s recollection. Rinaar saw the hesitancy of doubt in their eyes and broke the blanket of silence which had engulfed them, “Please, I beseech you to consider the overall benefit of this treaty; no more violation of our wives and daughters, security within your own jüz and the confidence of have a restful sleep without invasion. You will be able to watch your children and grandchildren grow up to full adulthood!”
Rinnar had witnessed the suffering of his own tribe during a restless youth. His father was an influential man among his people, a chieftain by the name of Baltabek MoQcwu of the Nunar Clan, who campaigned aggressively against the other jüzs. His mother was a simple woman by the name of Mariam, who devoted her attention solely upon her three children; Ulgar, Rinaar, and Asel. His father laid dead now, his mother betrothed to a rivaling chieftain and his sister’s whereabouts, unknown. His older brother, Ulgar stood among the grouping of warriors with his arms crossed and a determined look of hatred upon his face. He had singlehandedly avenged his father’s death without Rinaar’s assistance and felt bitterness towards his gutless brother. He would not be so easy to persuade. It was quite apparent as he protested openly, “Easy for you to make promises, brother. You were not there when they dragged Asel off, kicking and screaming for you to help her. Has your sword been stained by our enemies blood? No, I think not. You ran away like a coward and now you return as a man spouting righteous words against our way of life? I spit upon you, BARON.” He hacked up a wad of phlegm and spat venomously upon the ground at Rinaar’s feet.
Rinaar felt the heated flush of his face as anger welled inside. He disregarded his brother’s taunts and continued unabatedly, “As Baron of Kazakhstan, I insist that you consider my proposal before the next upcoming hunt and, as you bring the bounty of our combined efforts home to your cherished wives, daughters and sons; bless the food before you eat it. Bless your wives when you lay down beside them and your children as you nurture them with the skills passed down from your fathers. Then ... imagine your life without them. This is all I have to say.”
The mountain man turned away before Ulgar could rebuke further, signaling the end of the meeting. He returned to his cabin with the weight of shame upon his heart while the others dispersed into their own with continued arguments, both for and against the idea. By the time that dwindling meat supplies warranted another hunt, many had agreed to give Rinaar’s proposal a chance. They greeted him with clasped hands and nodded words of support to set aside their differences and participate in a unified army for all Kazakhstan, Kingdom of Atlanthesia. His brother remained doggedly sullen and began gathering those in opposition in a unified group against Rinaar. But that … is for another story.
Back to Blog List
|
