Mongol Shuudan: Ilgeemj Shalgah

Baasan grabbed the man's sleeve, begging for water. As he did, he slid his thumb across the blue wax seal on the nearest bundle. The wax crumbled. Fake. Real seals had a hairline of red thread baked inside.

In the valley, the false caravan master looked up. He knew he'd been assessed. And found wanting. mongol shuudan ilgeemj shalgah

They mounted in silence. The wind changed direction, bringing the first smell of snow. The Mongol Shuudan had done their duty — but the winter, and the true enemy, was still coming. Baasan grabbed the man's sleeve, begging for water