The demand went out the day after both crossings. Riders from the two bridgeheads had pushed far enough inland that nothing could travel toward Kiev, or away from it, without passing beneath Mongol eyes. Tangqut's men had settled into the second line behind Torghul's the night before, while Orda and the White Horde still held the near bank, watching the river for any attempt to slip men or supplies across.
The terms were the same ones Batu had offered since Ryazan. One tenth of everything the city possessed, delivered according to the wolf's track after the gates opened. Submit, and the walls would remain standing. Refuse, and Fang's crews would answer with the trebuchets, just as they had at every city that had chosen the wrong path that summer.
Two riders carried the message beneath a plain white cloth tied to a spear.
