Chapter 114 Sotkao
"There are a thousand roads leading into the mountains, and three roads leading out. This is how the wise men of Essos described the Skeleton Mountains.
There are many roads leading into the mountains, and there are many passages across the mountains, but most of the roads are deceptive dead ends, and many more are inhabited by terrible creatures or evil hidden in the shadows.
According to the wise advice of the white-haired old man, the Sot tribe retreated to the east of Vaes Dothrak, hoping to meet up with reinforcements there.
When they safely passed the pass between the Skeleton Mountains and the Mother Mountain, they gradually slowed down their pace. They never thought that Hasha led his troops to catch up again, and they fled into the mountains in a panic.
For a long time after leaving the grassland, they kept climbing up. This road was very dangerous and rugged, and the ups and downs made people feel quite upset.
At this time, they returned Looking back at the land they had galloped over before, they were already far behind them. To the west, everything melted into the blue horizon.
Sotkao and all his men led their horses in silence. They scratched their heads and couldn't figure out where Hasha had recruited reinforcements from. In the end, they could only blame the hatred on Ofer who was stationed at the Silver Sea Camp.
The mountain was getting colder and colder, and the cold wind blowing through the cracks in the rocks was getting more and more fierce. No one dared to speak loudly, because the tranquility in the mountains didn't like to be disturbed. The scorching sun in summer would melt the snow on the top of the mountain, loosen the rocks, and then roll down with earth-shaking momentum.
Sometimes it would fly over their heads, which was already very lucky. Here, only the whistling wind and the cracking of rocks had the privilege of making sounds.
"Father, we can't go on like this! "
Sotkao shuddered, feeling very discouraged, and said to the white-haired old man with some displeasure.
His hair and body were covered with dried blood clots, and he looked very embarrassed. At the meeting outside the "Horse Gate" of the Holy City, Hasha and his thousand households, very dishonorably, directly drew their swords and killed all his blood guards and half of the bandits. These bloodstains were left at that time, which was also the main reason why they were forced to evacuate.
"Okay, if you know what to do, take us away from the pursuers! ”
The white-haired old man called "Father" responded with a heavy breath. He sat against the rock wall and didn't want to move.
Sotkao was silent and didn't argue with the white-haired old man, because he wanted to rely on his wisdom.
The most important thing is that Father rules Shamiliana, Kayakayanaya and their other sister city Bayasabhad.
Some of the female warriors in the tribe are his blood guards and subordinates, and some are his Khaleesi, but they also have a common identity, all of them are daughters of Father.
"Send more cavalry down the mountain by the original route! In any case, we have to contact the Jugsnai people. The white-haired old man suggested helplessly.
As the ruler of the end point of the three exits from the mountain, he naturally understood that even if the enemy was still stationed at the foot of the mountain, the scouts could only return by the original route, otherwise they would be lost in the mountain and they would never be able to meet up with the reinforcements.
Sotkao nodded in agreement, then made a gesture, and his subordinates saluted the two men, and then left immediately to convey the order.
The Jugsnai people are also nomadic people living on the continent of Essos. To the east of the Skeleton Mountains is the great sand sea left after the demise of the Helcolon Descendants. Going further east is the Jugsnai Plain where this people live.
The two rested for a while, and continued to set off with the tribe, leaving enough signs for the scouts on the road.
They must find a place to stay before night falls, otherwise everyone will have to spend a dangerous and cold night.
Along the way, perhaps because he felt that his words just now were too tough, the Great Father said to Sotkao with deep affection:
"Don't give up, we still have time and opportunity to take back your holy city."
"The Dothraki have plundered wealth for thousands of years and can satisfy the most greedy people. They can not only hire one Jaha, but also ten Jahata."
The Jugsnai are similar to the Dothraki. They are a barbaric people and warriors on horseback, but their tribes are smaller than those of the Dothraki. They are called "Lands". Most of them are maintained by blood relations. The leaders of wars and raids are called "Jaha", and all Jaha need to accept the leadership of "Jahata".
These consolations from the Great Father seemed to be spoken to himself and to Sotkao. At this time, they had already climbed over a rock wall covered with snow and walked into a forest that was gray-brown in the afterglow of the sunset.
The forest is in a narrow valley, deeply surrounded by mountains. Two branches extend westward into the grassland. No human footprints can be seen here. It is much warmer than the top of the mountain. There is even some grass for war horses to chew.
"This is it." The father said tremblingly: "It's late now. We can't find the way out."
"Okay." Sot Kao replied expressionlessly.
He covered his waist and abdomen, which were slowly oozing blood, with one hand and turned on the horse. A Kao who can't ride a horse is not a real Kao.
Then he reached into the leather bag tied in front of the saddle, took out a dagger, handed it to the subordinate beside him, and ordered him to carry out the task of arranging the camp.
This bandit Kas was weak and had never been valued by the tribe. He had never received such an important task, so he couldn't believe his eyes and took the dagger with both hands with great respect.
As soon as he got the token, he put his head on Sot's saddle and shouted:
"Respected Khal, may the horse god bless you with good health!"
After saying that, he fell in front of the horse again and slowly retreated. Sot and his father were left alone at the edge of the forest. He looked at the gray and ominous clouds in the east that gradually covered the peaks, as if he was being driven there by an helpless force or disaster.
He felt an extreme pain in his heart, an unprecedented humiliation.
A few days ago, he was still the Khal Sot who traversed the Dothraki Sea and the Stone Road. As long as his name was mentioned, the nobles of the nearby city-states would tremble.
Now, the scene at that time seemed like it was many years ago. They were isolated and helpless in the barren mountains. Although they could see the peak of the Mother of God to the north, it seemed that the distance from success was so far.
The morale of the army has fallen to the bottom. He had defeated and trampled on so many people before. Now, he was defeated and trampled by others. For him, this was an unusual thing, as if the order of the whole world was turned upside down.
Next, he had to cooperate with the alien race to exchange for a glimmer of hope, and he might even have to bow his head and obey their control.
When he thought of this, the wound on his waist and abdomen became numb, but he groaned in pain in his heart, like a wolf howling after being shot by an arrow.
Sotkao made a decision silently. A king always has to choose between humiliation and death, but he is not only made of iron, but also has a will made of steel. He knows how to ask others to surrender, and he also knows how to surrender.