The Season of Dragons (6) - Dawn on the Salt Flats
Early dawn. Vesta rose from his bed with no sign of drowsiness and began packing his saddlebags.
“All weapons are ready—main and backup. The bow is in good shape. The clothes are thick. Then...”
What had to be prepared wasn’t just gear. He had to check the condition of the horses that would travel with them.
“Any of you feel off?”
He tapped the massive black stallion Gansinbae on the rump and scanned the animal’s health.
Grrrrr.
Gansinbae glared at Vesta as if ready to snap at any moment, teeth bared in a clear sign of good health.
“You’re fine. Now, what next? Ah, I remembered—did I pack the salt? Almost forgot.”
Salt was essential. The horses needed it too. A fact people often overlooked, yet horses sweated a great deal. Without replenishing the electrolytes lost through sweat, even a horse could suffer collapse.
If they were dragged out unprepared and one collapsed from exhaustion, they would be completely immobilized.
‘I’ve lived on the steppe long enough to know this much about horses.’
Horses were livestock, yet Vesta could not treat them like ordinary animals.
The knowledge had come from the Prairie Elves. From Ashtien. From Ahor. And from Bia.
‘My thinking has definitely changed.’
Among the people of the steppe, horses were not mere beasts. They received a treatment unlike any other livestock.
‘In fact, calling them livestock feels wrong.’
Unlike other animals, horses fought as companions. That was an undeniable truth—no one ever rode a horse or ox into battle.
“I’ll rely on you again this time. My friend.”
Neigh—
Horses performed tasks equal to their masters’ missions. As warriors, they deserved respect. And warriors needed proper food and rest to fight well.
That was how the people of the steppe treated their horses. Vesta now thought the same way.
“...Everyone on the steppe, huh?”
Perhaps what he had learned from Ashtien’s tribe was not simple knowledge but something deeper—a feeling for nature, perhaps even a new way of valuing the world.
“Done. Everything’s packed.”
They were ready to depart.
*
They had finished an early meal and left the yurt with Ashtien.
“Wait. Come here.”
“...?”
“You must dress properly.”
Ashtien straightened his clothes.
“Once we leave the tribe, we won’t return until the task is finished. Are you prepared?”
“Yes. I’m fine.”
“Such a spirited reply. I like it.”
They stepped out onto the open field with Ashtien.
The Elf warriors stood ready. Each had two or three horses, fully armed and armored.
It was the Khan’s elite guard, the Keshik, drawn up like an army. The one at the head was Ahor.
‘Small.’
Most Elf warriors were tall, making Ahor’s petite stature all the more striking.
Of course, her small size did not diminish her imposing presence. Perhaps it was the short hair. She looked like a handsome young prince.
‘Just seeing Ushun standing silently makes her seem like a merciless general.’
Ushun. Ahor. The warriors beneath them. Bia, who had brought no centaur companions. And Ashtien.
Finally, Vesta—the Baatar.
These were the group heading toward the salt lake with Ashtien.
As head of the Khan’s guard, Ahor naturally followed Ashtien. It was no surprise Bia had joined them.
‘Centaur Lord, meeting the Khans...’
“Were you well rested? Dragging everyone out at this hour.”
Ashtien looked at the Elves and spoke.
“Some of you are not in top condition. You’re riding, but we have a long way ahead. It’s hard on the ill.”
The one who answered was Ahor, commanding the Keshik.
Her tone was filled with pride.
“The warriors who have lived through the sandstorms of the Wilderness. Though the northern lands are harsh, they are nothing compared to the Wilderness. Rest assured, Your Highness.”
Ashtien smiled with satisfaction at Ahor’s words.
“I see. That is true. Whatever the land, it is the land that gave birth to the mighty Tamugai Ushun.”
Ashtien pointed at Ushun. Ahor shot a glance at the boisterous Ushun.
“I believe it is the Wilderness’s doing.”
Ahor’s answer was precise, yet there was a hint of a sigh.
Ushun laughed heartily and raised an arm.
“Khaha! Khan! My sisters and I fear neither the northern winds—we welcome them like spring breezes.”
The arm resting on Vesta’s thigh was far stronger than it looked. Perhaps even more so.
‘That power inside her is beyond comparison.’
Ashtien clearly valued it.
“Indeed. I worried for nothing. The winds of the north may be fierce, but they could never shake the people of the Wilderness. That would be unthinkable.”
“““Indeed, Khan!”””
No one who had claimed to be unwell appeared at the end.
“Since everyone says they are fine, I will not ask again.”
‘Ashtien looks a little different today.’
She seemed relaxed, yet filled with concern. At the same time, she radiated majestic dignity. Like a horse in full gallop, or a hawk overlooking the land.
Just like the other Khans in the story.
‘That’s the Ashtien of the story.’
She seemed distant, a place Vesta could only gaze at from afar.
“I had a feeling this journey might not go smoothly. I even dreamed about it.”
No one listened to Ashtien’s words. They had all seen her protect him and knew her instincts were sharp.
“However, because the path is hard does not mean I hesitate to walk it. Not at all. How could a woman of the steppe hesitate?”
‘Absolutely not.’
If the path was hard for everyone, she had to walk it.
That was the value Ashtien and the Keshik followed.
“If you are with me, I fear no dragons. You must feel the same. Dragons, I will shoot them down.”
At that moment.
Ashtien looked directly at Vesta, the human among her other Elves. She sensed something from him.
“Well, shall we follow me?”
Ahor and Bia answered.
“We will follow the Khan.”
Vesta replied.
“We will go together.”
“Then let us depart. Everyone, mount your horses.”
Ashtien nodded with satisfaction. She mounted her horse. Feeling her gaze, Vesta mounted his own and followed Ashtien, the Khan.
When Vesta turned, the warriors were mounting one by one.
And above all, every Elf of the tribe stood outside.
And they bowed deeply.
To their king. To the king’s warrior.
Vesta felt a strange thrill.
‘In the arena, ten thousand spectators cheered for me. But this is different. A different feeling.’
‘Why?’
That emotion remained a question.
Ashtien spoke.
“Our destination is the high plateau with the salt lake. Ainuwail.”
*
“Were you thinking I looked different from usual?”
Vesta nodded at Ashtien’s question.
“From what reason did you sense that?”
“Because you look like a queen...?”
“Haha. When was I not a queen?”
The reason Vesta thought was absurd. Ashtien laughed as if delighted.
“Why, did my appearance seem strange to you?”
“A little.”
“Hmm.”
Ashtien poked Vesta’s cheek.
“You are surprisingly jealous.”
“Hah. That’s not it.”
“Really?”
Vesta lightly tapped Gansinbae’s side to speed up and overtake the Khan.
-Help me.
Neigh—
But Gansinbae was busy nuzzling Ashtien’s hand. He completely ignored Vesta’s signal.
-This guy really...
“No need to be greedy.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Why?”
‘Because you know the ‘me’ they don’t know.’
Ashtien smiled softly as she spoke, and Vesta fell silent.
“So you take the throne from them. Greedy little rascal.”
Ashtien lightly flicked Vesta’s nose, then pulled ahead.
“Ouch.”
When he snapped back to attention, he saw Ashtien talking with Ahor.
He followed behind them.
“Khan. I see a horde of orcs moving northwest.”
“Yes. I see them too.”
“Orcs?”
Vesta’s hand moved to the hilt of his sword at Ahor’s words.
“No need.”
“Huh?”
“You’ll see.”
He turned his gaze to the orcs. Though distant, the wide-open steppe made it easy to spot them.
“......”
It was an impressive sight.
They had removed their helmets and hung them at their waists. Their posture was low.
As if admitting their own weakness.
“...Surrender?”
It wasn’t a retreat. An orc bowing its head and surrendering.
‘They know about the Khan’s procession.’
Ashtien brushed Vesta’s hair and suddenly jerked her head.
“Do you understand? The fact that you can meet my eyes—that is an incredible thing?”
“...Yes. Your grace is immense.”
“Haha. You’ve become modest.”
Not only that. He was truly impressed.
---
The Season of Dragons (6) was complete.