The session ground had a different atmosphere from the ceremony of three nights before.
The fires at the center were gone. The ceremonial stakes and ropes were gone. What remained was the open plain with the faction banners established at their positions, the Great Khan's massive ger at the northern side, and the princes of the empire arranged in the half-arc the debate required.
The morning was already warm, the summer sky flat and clear over the Orkhon Valley. The grass still carried dew the sun hadn't reached yet.
Batu took his position within the Jochid section, with Orda to his left and his brothers and supporters behind and around him.
The Toluid section stood across the floor, Mongke at its front, exactly as the opening ceremony had placed them.
The Chagataid section stood between the two major blocs, closer to the Ogedeid cluster than to either of the others. Chagatai himself stood at its front.
That had been clear from the moment Batu walked onto the session ground.
