Summary
Part 1
At the edge of the Aelfwood, Andares and Kashin part ways. Kashin assures Andares that he knows enough from the knights of the Steppe to survive the wild wintery Steppes, and that he plans to soon procure a horse from the Steppe horsemen. After a fond goodbye, Kashin sets out across the frozen landscape. He stops around midday for a quick snack before continuing on.
As sunset approaches, he reaches a small ice-cold river. Deciding to cross it in the morning, he camps under a pine tree, fumbling for several minutes to build a fire with one arm. He awakes while still dark and follows the river eastward upstream until he finds a stepping stone to cross it. The effort of crossing, combined with the persistent cold air and frost, sap his energy as he continues south for another full day. At sunset, he collapses from exhaustion as it begins to snow. He gradually loses consciousness as several shadows and voices surround him.
Part 2
Kashin awakes to find himself tied to a bed, stripped to his linens. A nearby young man (Pelgan) tells an old woman to fetch Hanaman. Kashin's questions amuse Pelgan, who ignores most of them and calls him a beast, by Hanaman's request. The woman soon returns with Hanaman, who wears the Sathmoran blade that Kashin carried. After Kashin is fed some bitter but filling broth, he thanks them but insists he must leave for Yesulam on important business. Hanaman denies him this; he saved Kashin from dying in the snow, and thus he owns his life now. Kashin is about to argue when he remembers his service to Akabaieth, and apologizes and promises to live by honor.
Hanaman cautiously relaxes and explains that they are in a wagon travelling an endless route across the Steppes. He still can't decide what to do with Kashin. Kashin swears that he will not leave until his debt is paid. Satisfied, Hanaman promises to free him tomorrow, and asks about his skills. He is disappointed to learn Kashin was a warrior, but decides to see tomorrow if he can dance, and wishes "Nemgas" a good night. Kashin is confused as he leaves, and Pelgan explains that Nemgas is his new name, for he is now a Magyar like them. Kashin realizes with dread that he will never repay his debt, nor reach Yesulam unless Hanaman wishes him to.
After several nightmares, Kashin awakes to find Pelgan with another Magyar, Gamran, to show him around and help him. Kashin asks for his belongings so he can leave, and Gamran laughs that his equipment is Hanaman's now. He gives him the colorful patchwork clothes of a Magyar, but Kashin says that he cannot wear anything but black until he has honored his period of mourning for his lost master. Hanaman emerges from the back room and tells "Nemgas" that as his master, it is his right to decide that Nemgas's time of mourning is over, along with every aspect of Nemgas's life. Kashin refuses to show gratitude and tosses the clothes back at Hanaman.
Rather than show anger, Hanaman merely notes Nemgas's lack of honor. Gamran and Pelgan grab Kashin and kick the back door open. Kashin kicks Gamran in the shoulder, but two Magyars outside grab his legs. Pelgan puts a knife to Kashin's throat, but Kashin disarms him and punches his cheek. He grabs the doorway, but Hanaman shoves him outside into the snow. Hanaman tells him again that unless he wears the Magyar garments, he will die in the snow. As the cold seeps into him, Kashin realizes Hanaman is serious and reluctantly dons the shirt and breeches. The Magyars relax, and Hanaman asks another Magyar for some boots for Nemgas, and invites him to the fire.
The Magyars disperse. Gamran compliments Nemgas on his kick, and Pelgan admires his prowess. Hanaman returns with two acrobatic Magyars, and tells Nemgas that as Magyars, they travel and perform for people on the steppes, taking or earning what they need to survive. He promises that soon Nemgas will enjoy this life. He learns Nemgas can act, so decides to use him in their pageant. He gives him an hour to meet the other Magyars before they set out for Doltatra, a week's journey away. He leaves, and Kashin follows Pelgan and Gamran to get a meal, empty inside.
Cast
Main characters:
- Kashin: A one-armed Yeshuel, seeking to avenge Akabaieth by cleaning Yesulam of its corruption. He fails to stay warm on the Steppes, leading to his capture by Hanaman, who makes him a Magyar named Nemgas.
- The possessions he carried (and then reclaimed by Hanaman) include his black cloak and tunic, the jeweled Sathmoran blade at his hip, and a pack containing an extra Aelvish jerkin, a supply of Aelvish rations, flint and steel, at least four thick Bozojo blankets, a metal cup and knife.
- Many years before he'd been assigned to guard the Patriarch, he took a journey by sea.
- Hanaman: Leader of the Magyars. He calls Kashin a beast until Kashin gives his word to obey him, at which point he calls him Nemgas and plans to make him a Magyar like them.
- He looks to be in his forties, with a wrinkled face and hard eyes. He has graying temples and a ponytail. He wears leather boots.
Supporting characters:
- Pelgan: A young Magyar man, a juggler and thief skilled with daggers. He was tasked with watching over the unconscious Kashin.
- He looks no older than 25, despite his hardened face. He is at least half a foot shorter than Kashin. He has an angular face with dark eyes and long unbraided hair. His hands are well-callused.
- Currently, he wears a warm blue and green jerkin with two daggers at his hips.
- When asked if he chose to be a Magyar, he smiles slightly.
- Gamran: A young Magyar man, a juggler and a master thief. A friend of Pelgan's, he is brought in to help "Nemgas" around their camp.
- He is about the same age as Pelgan but at least half a foot shorter. He is wiry but surprisingly strong. He has a short scraggly beard, nimble fingers, and nervous twitchy blue eyes. He is seen wearing yellows, blues, and reds.
Minor characters:
- Andares: An Aelf. He escorts Kashin to the edges of the Aelfwood, and hopes they will see each other again, though likely not until Kashin has succeeded in his mission.
- Andares's cloak appears to shimmer as it moves, camouflaging him in the natural environment. Kashin notes that this effect is common to all Aelvish products.
- Adlemas: A burly broad-shouldered Magyar, noted for his ability to sing high-pitched.
- He is large with curkly dark hair and a missing front tooth. He has about the shoe size as Nemgas, though with thinner ankles.
- Nagel: A Magyar contortionist.
- He demonstrates the ability to walk on his hands and feet while they are tied behind his back, to dislodge his arms, and to walk upside-down on his hands with his feet behind him.
- He is taller than Gamran but not quite as wiry.
Cameo:
- A long gray haired Magyar woman. She has an old wrinkled face, and her hair is tied into a knot under a brightly colored scarf. She has yellowed, cracked, and missing teeth.
Important Mention:
- Akabaieth: The dead Patriarch, Kashin's former master who he seeks to avenge. It is his memory that keeps Kashin from an argument with Hanaman, and to swear obedience to Hanaman.
Referenced:
- Qan-af-arael: The leader of the Aelves.
- Eli: The Ecclesian god.
- Iosef: A Yeshuel, Kashin's closest friend.
- Zagrosek: The man who killed Akabaieth.
- Vinsah: Akabaieth's closest companion, the bishop of Abaef. Kashin last saw him seriously injured and awaiting treatment in Metamor.
- Tilya-nou: An Aelf who looked cruelly at Kashin in Ava-shavais.
- Alfais: A Yeshuel killed by Zagrosek.
- Lakaesh: A Yeshuel killed by Zagrosek.
- Adlemas's bride (Pitesa).
- Thelia: A Magyar, Gamran's sweetheart.
- Ameli: A Magyar, Pelgan's sweetheart.
- Varna: The Magyar cook.
Locations
- Yesulam is about 4 months' journey on foot south from the border between the Aelfwood and the Steppes.
- The border is marked by a shallow creek. The forest appeared open and gradual before leaving it, but it closes off to become a thick barrier. The trees opposite the creek are smaller, turning into shrubs and giving way to the Steppe's long grass fields. The terrain also becomes less hilly.
- A small river lies about 6-8 hours south from the border. In patches along the banks are bushes and the occasional copse of conifers and poplars. Several trees are less than 5 feet tall.
Society
- This is the first story to feature the Magyars. They are a nomadic people who travel the Steppes in wagons, never staying in any one place for more than a week or two. They stop at towns and villages to perform. They are given what they need for their journey, or steal what they feel they need. Any who are forced to join them are never permitted to leave; in time, they refuse to leave.
- They follow the same route every year. From their current position, their route goes to Doltatra in a week, then to the foot of the Great Eastern Mountains in a month, then through them until the summer, when they head to Pyralis across the Steppes. Then, they head to the Outer Midlands and return to the Northern Steppe by mid-January.
- When camped for the night, they circle their wagons around a large fire, with small wooden benches around it, and a cook site on one end.
- All Magyars wear clothing of various colors. Their pants are sewn in patches. They look light but feel warm and thick, like wool mixed with something.
- They feed a foul broth to Kashin to rejuvenate him, instantly bringing strength back to his limbs.
- From the outside, all of the Magyar wagons look the same, brown along the bottom and brightly painted in reds, blues, yellows, and greens from just below the windows to the rooftops. Hanging from the eaves are various tools and supplies.
- The wagon Kashin awakes in is not said to be anyone's, but given that Pelgan is tasked with watching him, it is probably Pelgan's and Gamran's. On one end is a door with an inset window. From the door to the right is the bed Kashin wakes in, with a wooden railing covered in quilts patterned in zigzagging yellows, blues, and reds. To the left are several cupboards, one of which contains heaps of clothing. A lantern hangs from the ceiling. At the opposite end is a door leading to the perch to drive the horses, alongside a second bed. The wagon itself is warmed with a magical charm.
- The Aelvish rations are shaped like square wafers (and remind Kashin of holy wafers), but much sweeter and more filling.
Chronology
- Kashin sees a waxing half moon on his first night in the Steppe. The next full moon is January 25, 707, which would put this story sometime between January 16 and January 20.
Story Connections
Points of Interest
- Though several Biblical names have been changed for the MK world, the term "Adam's apple" appears here.
- The identity of the long-haired old woman is never revealed, nor does her appearance and behavior match the other older Magyar figures seen later on.
