Aleekhan was a typical minor Horde warlord who had come to power after the western campaign. His minghan was composed of fewer than a thousand members, and his store of wealth was even less impressive. Like many other small-time warlords, he was just another tribal bully who managed to be in the right place at the right time to be named Khan. Dumb, maybe… but also dangerously lucky, as the numerous now-dead rivals for the khanship had found out.
"I am Aleekhan, Master of the Wastes, successor to the realms of Yamun Khahan, greatest of all Tuigan, and plunderer of the West," he bellowed in the common tongue used by most of the merchants of Faerun. "All who approach, cower in my wake. All who oppose me, die!"
Passepout, weakened from hunger, having not eaten in more than twelve hours, fainted as if on cue.
"We cower in your wake, O great Aleekhan," replied Volo in his most fawning tone, nudging Curtis to quickly drop to his knees. "We have traveled far to join the greatest of all minghans."
"You are the men who were dropped out of the sky?" the warlord inquired.
"Yes, O great Khan," Volo answered. "We have braved both air and sea to arrive in your presence."
"Well," replied the warlord, his ego fueled by Volo's blandishments, "you are now here. What do you have to offer your Khan?"
"Our undying gratitude, and our lifelong service!" Volo responded with as much enthusiasm as he could muster.
Aleekhan stood up and approached the three travelers.
"What's the matter with him?" the Khan queried, poking the still unconscious Passepout with the toe of his slipper.
"He is the great warrior Passepout, bloodthirsty buccaneer of the Sea of Fallen Stars. No doubt you have heard of him," Volo replied.
"No doubt," replied the Khan in a noncommittal tone, "but why is he unconscious?"
"He was consumed by awe, almighty Khan, having never been in the presence of a warrior even mightier than himself."
"Quite," replied the Khan, returning to the makeshift throne upon which he had been seated before. "But enough about him. Tell me more about why you've come to join me on my quest for glory."
"Well," Volo replied, trying to think fast.
"No doubt, you have heard of my latest hostage," the Khan interrupted.
"But of course," Volo answered. "Further proof that you are indeed the heir to the glory of Yamun Khahan."
"But unlike him, I shall make the West cower at my feet. Even now, my name will inspire terror throughout Cormyr. What other warlord would have in his possession one of the most respected daughters of their greatest trading company, the Seven Suns?"
"You mean your hostage is the daughter of Lord Gruen Bleth of the Seven Suns Trading Company of Cormyr?" the master traveler answered. "I am in awe."
"But of course," the Khan replied. "Rouse your friend, and let us dine. Let it not be said that Aleekhan mistreats his minions."
With that, Aleekhan clapped his hands and was borne in his throne out of the reception tent, and into another even more tackily lavish tent, where a feast already seemed to be underway.
Volo and Curtis quickly roused Passepout with the promise of food and followed the Khan to the feast.
"Your friend the great warrior has the appetite of a dragon," commented the Khan.
"And the fearsome bravery to match, O great Khan," Volo replied.
Volo's fawning blandishments had secured himself and his companions places of honor at the great Khan's side during the afternoon's feast, which they learned was the daily occurrence that accounted for the Khan's massive bulk, which far exceeded that of Passepout, Curtis, and Volo combined.
"So how did you plan on serving me?" the Khan inquired. "What talents do you have to offer?"
"I am learned in the ways of many nations," Volo replied. "In addition to warfare, I can also advise you on politics, customs, cultures…"
"Can you help me get a better price on my hostage's ransom?" the Khan interrupted.
"Sure," Volo replied, "but…"
"Good," the Khan interrupted. "Then tomorrow we head westward to Cormyr."
"No!" Volo exclaimed, then adding quickly, "almighty Khan."
Aleekhan began to become enraged, his bloated body turning red in fury. "You dare to contradict your Khan?"
"No, almighty Khan," Volo obsequiously replied, trying to backpedal as fast as possible. At the same time, he plotted to discourage the Horde leader from causing him and Passepout to double back and risk the mortal consequences that had been promised. "What I meant to say was that perhaps you should consider another destination."
"Why?" the Khan demanded. "Would not her value be the greatest in her homeland?"
"In most cases, almighty Khan, yes," Volo conceded, adding, "but because she is a merchant's daughter, perhaps a higher price can be fetched by selling her to a rival merchant house, like those that exist beyond the Dragonwall in Kara-Tur."
"I know of no such rival merchant houses," Aleekhan interrupted.
"But I do," Volo countered, "and I am sure Lord Gruen Bleth's rivals would pay a handsome sum to keep him in check by holding his daughter ransom."
Aleekhan fingered his beard the way he had seen Volo do, in hopes that it would make him appear to be as intelligent as the quick-witted master traveler appeared to be.
"You may have a point," the Khan said. "Originally I had contemplated making her my consort, my Reeta. That is why I originally bought her from my cousin Sammhie."
"You bought her!" Curtis exclaimed in disbelief. "I thought you had…"
Volo gave Curtis a sharp elbow to the ribs that more than succeeded in hushing him.
"Of course I bought her, and at the time I thought it was a bargain. We had just seized a caravan laden with feed for horses. Sammhie's band had fallen on hard times. He lacks the necessary qualities to be a great Khan and busies himself with collecting tapestries and sculptures."
"Sort of a Khan artist you might say," Passepout offered before being encouraged to silence by the master traveler's inconspicuous pinching of his portly rump.
"Exactly!" the Khan agreed. "He was never much of a warlord, and now his mounts were starving, so I agreed to trade a supply of hay, which I now had in excess, for the lovely hostage he had picked up on one of his bazaar raids. I intended for her to be my bride. All were to know the price I paid for her. She was to be known as my Reeta-hayworth. Unfortunately, she turned out to be more trouble than she was worth. I mean who wants to lie down with a raging wildcat? You see these scars?"
The Khan pointed to a series of scabbed rake marks on his cheeks.
"I thought they were a sign of bravery," Volo answered.
Aleekhan laughed. "No," the Khan retorted, "they are the sign of an uncooperative consort. That's when I decided to ransom her."
Volo sensed that the feast was coming to an end, and decided to make his move.
"O great Aleekhan, I and my companions are at your disposal. Why don't you let us proceed to Kara-Tur to make the arrangements for the ransom? With four of your best-fed steeds at our disposal, we will be back in no time, with arrangements made and booty in hand. Then both east and west will know of the great exploits of Aleekhan, the Khan who dared to ransom the daughter of Lord Gruen Bleth, causing all of Cormyr to quake in his wake."
"Catchy," Passepout commented to his former master, adding, "and don't forget to ask for food."
"All we will require is provisions for two weeks, and the horses."
The Khan briskly rubbed his hands together in anticipation of his upcoming booty.
"So let it be said, so let it be done," the Khan replied. "You will leave at first light."
The Khan then clapped his hands, and the banquet was over.
For the rest of the afternoon, the three travelers went about putting together the provisions for their trip eastward. At sunset they convened at the outskirts of the camp.