Ahmad has defied you. He has committed the most heinous acts of treason, yes. But he has not stolen your throne. You are still the Khan of Khans. I’ll go. I will defeat him in your name. I will show your people that the Vice Regent is not your son and never was. That he was never made of what you are. But I am. Your eyes are my eyes. Your hands are my hands. I speak the truth with your voice. I will rally the army. I will pacify the people. And they will know, as will the chieftains, that this House of Tolui, this bloodline, is strong and worthy.

A Mongol without a horse is like a hawk without wings. The bodies of those mighty mares may burn in the fire below, but their noble souls look down on each and every one of you from the Eternal Blue Sky above. They look down, and they demand their sacrifice was not in vain. Ride down there and prove it!

Taking what you want is the way of great men, Kaidu. Never find solace in settling. Attain or die exhausted in the endeavor.

Given enough incentive, every man’s will becomes flexible.

The best part of granting favors, gentlemen, is the day they return to you.