The night was deep and dark.
Yet inside the camp, the tents were brightly illuminated by the campfires, the slightly damp wood occasionally crackling as it burned.
Möngke, determined to declare war on the Qohor people, sat upright in his place, listening to the steward Orfer recount the war history of Qohor City.
When he heard about the three thousand Immaculates defending the city walls and holding back the Dothraki, Möngke, listening intently, asked:
"Were the Immaculates forced to fight, or did they voluntarily deploy outside the city to meet the enemy?"
Orfer lowered his head in thought, organizing his words, and then spoke cautiously:
"They were likely forced to fight outside. At the start of the war, the Qohor people first reinforced the garrison and hired two mercenary companies—the Banner Company and the Second Son Company. Then they purchased three thousand Immaculates. But soon after, Qohor's defensive forces suffered a devastating defeat, the mercenaries fled, and the city was left in ruins. Night fell, and the Dothraki retreated to their camp to prepare for breaching the gates the next day. But at dawn, the Immaculates had already lined up outside the gates…"
"So, the city itself was already incapable of defending; the Immaculates, under pressure, had no choice but to fight outside, with the walls at their backs." Möngke interrupted Orfer before he could continue, then sighed:
"At that time, the Qohor people, though relying on the Immaculates to achieve the final victory, had previously suffered great losses to the Dothraki. Now, I only hope they won't have memories as vivid as yours to remember history."
At that moment, Kosoro, his face fully covered in a beard, expression invisible in the darkness, hurried into the tent. Bowing, he reported:
"Khal, I have already captured the envoy Morey Hertig. By your command, at dawn tomorrow, in front of the city guards, his limbs will be cut off. At the same time, we will use this opportunity to spread the prophecy to them."
After Kosoro finished reporting, Möngke did not respond immediately. He lowered his head in thought, and no one dared disturb him.
The tent fell into silent stillness, broken only by the occasional crisp crackle of burning wood.
After a long while, Möngke finally raised his head, his expression calm and composed, and said aloud:
"Kosoro, starting tomorrow, continue sending slaves who can speak low Valyrian to proclaim the prophecy to all the Qohor people. Tell them that if they do not submit the city, on the day it falls, the followers of the Black Goat will be slaughtered. Immediately dispatch a large patrol force, starting from the confluence of the Qien and Darkflow rivers, moving upstream to prevent the Qohor fleet from landing and ambushing our flanks."
Suddenly, Möngke paused, showing hesitation as the firelight flickered across his uncertain expression.
Everyone waited quietly and patiently for Khal's decision.
He straightened, closed his eyes, and after a moment of contemplation, resolved firmly:
"Search all villages around Qohor City. Bring back all supplies, livestock, and population."
The Dothraki understood well that mercy toward the enemy in war is cruelty toward one's own people.
Taking a deep breath, gathering his resolve, Möngke rose and walked through the tent, thinking over siege strategies. He occasionally glanced at the rough map etched onto the wooden board, then lightly pressed his finger on a dagger-shaped mark and asked:
"Steward Orfer, this is Dagger Lake, formed by the confluence of the Lorn and Qien rivers, and is a key route for the Qohor fleet north and south, correct?"
"Khal, you are correct," Orfer leaned closer to confirm. Then he added, "A fire-ship battle once occurred in Dagger Lake. At that time, the Qohor fleet was the main force. Now, river bandits plague the Lorn River, especially around Dagger Lake. Many small islands hide countless caves and secret fortresses. The bandits have ambushed passing ships before. We might be able to cooperate with them against the Qohor fleet."
Möngke first nodded in agreement, then shook his head:
"We don't have a fleet, and the bandits are cunning; they won't obey commands. Still, we need to cooperate—but in a different way. Later, I want you to send people to Dagger Lake to spread word that Qohor City is under siege by the Dothraki, and that their gold-laden fleet is heading south to procure supplies. Hopefully, when that day comes, these river bandits will give our enemies some trouble."
Orfer's eyes brightened:
"Attract the greedy river bandits with money to attack the Qohor fleet, block their supply route, and bring back provisions to Qohor City."
Ignoring Orfer's reply, Möngke continued pacing and thinking.
Siege is secondary to breaking the enemy's spirit. Securing one's own defenses and cutting off supplies are necessary strategies, but he also lacked the resources and time to drag out the siege. Action was still required.
He spoke:
"Steward, our craftsmen should be able to make siege ladders and giant hides for arrow protection, right?"
Though the Dothraki did not specialize in construction or manufacturing, they had basic handicraft skills.
Sure enough, Orfer replied confidently:
"Khal, that is not a problem. We can gather materials from the Qohor forest to make simple siege equipment."
Hearing this, Möngke nodded, then continued:
"You will be responsible for the siege equipment. Also, take an inventory of the male slaves in the camp and tell them that I will give each of them an opportunity—to leave their status as slaves."
After arranging all plans that came to mind, the others left to carry out their orders.
The breeze flickered the flames as Möngke sat alone in the tent, deep in thought.
The greatest weapon of the nomads is their cavalry—highly mobile in the field, almost unbeatable—but when facing fortified cities, they are at a disadvantage.
Even elite infantry, fully equipped, suffer heavy losses in sieges. For the Dothraki—lightly armored and lacking siege equipment—the challenge is far greater.
In fact, before meeting the Qohor envoy Morey Hertig, Möngke had not planned to attack Qohor City directly. If the enemy sent the Immaculates out, he would give them a painful lesson. If the enemy stayed behind closed gates, he only intended to loot and burn enough to gain advantage, then retreat to the Dothraki Sea.
Before uniting the Dothraki, there was no need to rush for what he truly wanted from Qohor City.
But Morey Hertig's arrival, and the prophecy he spoke of, created an opportunity—the strongest fortress can still be defeated from within.
No hesitation was needed: what heaven does not grant, taking by force will only bring punishment.