The map board had been on the table since before the commanders arrived.
Batu had placed the pieces himself in the early morning. Two carved markers on the eastern bank of the Volga, and one on the far side above where the Kama's mouth met the main river.
The commanders came in at different times and read it before sitting, which was the appropriate thing to do with a map that had already been thought through.
Subutai arrived last.
He stood at the board with his cup in his hand, turning it in the motion he used when he was organizing the next thing. He had been doing it long enough that the airag inside had gone cold before he noticed.
He set the cup down and looked at the piece above the Kama confluence.
At the room's far side, Tangqut sat with his arms across his chest and his attention on the board. Toqa-Timur was beside him. Berke was slightly apart. Kirsa was at the far corner.
All four of them had come to observe, and were observing.
