The evening after the third day's racing had a looseness the prior evenings had not.
The games period was done. The demonstrations were behind them. What remained was tomorrow and the formal sessions, and every man in the assembly camp knew the difference and was spending the time between accordingly.
Siban was the first to arrive after Batu got back to the ger. He came in carrying a skin of airag that was already partially depleted and sat down without ceremony and handed it across.
"Been some productive days," he said.
"Did you join any competitions?" Batu said.
"No. I was happy to stay in the crowds, watching."
"Anything relevant."
"Yes. Some more than others." Siban drank and passed the skin again. "You're surprisingly competent for wrestling, for one."
Orda arrived while they were still on that drunk, then Tangqut, then Toqa-Timur. Berke came last, later than the others by enough that his arrival made a small stop in the conversation.
