Free The Tiger-Headed Horseman by Chris Walker Page A

fight.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    8
    By the time Tengis had run home from school his mother already knew. He knew that she knew because she was standing outside the front door looking very cross. He had never been in trouble before and had certainly never had his mother give him a hard time. Unbeknown to Tengis the school, informed by Bankher, had called to complain that her son had been inciting civil unrest. Unrest the school and Baatarulaan could cope with but not if it was civil.
    Mrs Khaan had also been contacted by Clown Oldortar, nominal leader of the Fun Brigade. Clown Oldortar was a large round man who, had things turned out differently, would have been naturally kind but whose job dictated that he be anything but and so he wasn't. He was concerned that her son had been being far too serious and not paying enough attention to humour and Khadism. He made it clear to her that they were very keen to meet such a morose fellow in order to teach him how to have more exuberance and embrace life more wholeheartedly.
    Odval had contacted Tengis's mother, too, in order to explain her concerns, tell her what it was her son had done and how he had behaved, particularly towards her. Mrs Khaan was a very worried and angry woman. None of this concerned Tengis; he was still furious about what he saw as Odval's betrayal.
    ‘Where have you been?’ asked Mrs Khaan.
    ‘I have been at school obviously,’ replied Tengis. ‘Where else would I normally be on a weekday morning?’
    ‘Less of your cheek, young man,’ said Mrs Khaan. ‘Why aren't you there now in that case and what is this I have been hearing about you? I brought you up better than to go about inciting hatred. Do you have any idea how much trouble you are in? Principal Ahgresor wants to expel you. Clown Oldortar wants to introduce you to his Clown School. You know that is only one step away from the House of Fun, don't you? As for Odval, how dare you speak like that to such a charming young lady. Where on earth are your manners?’
    ‘Mother,’ said Tengis. He drew himself together. It was about time she heard how he really felt about life and what he thought about her. ‘Do you honestly think I give a flying fig what school says? Do you think they have actually taught me anything during my entire time there? I have had to educate myself entirely on my own. They don't have any books, let alone teachers, that can help me. They focus on passing exams and fitting into society, a society I think is rotten. I am far wiser than they are!’ Tengis scarcely paused for breath before continuing his rant.
    ‘Clown Oldortar is nothing more than a thug with a badge and a big stick. Those Khadists don't have an original thought between them. They run Baatarulaan as they believe Khad would have wanted. Who could possibly have wanted the filth and debauchery they peddle? They take our money in taxes and spend it on bureaucrats and drug development. Have you any idea how addictive the new Khem is? Almost 60 per cent of the city's population is hooked on that stuff. It's just a way of us giving them even more money. They think they are so smart. I have ideas for the city. I could make this city a great place once more. I am far more intellectual than any Khadist. As for Odval, she betrayed me. She is rich and looks down on me. She thinks I am just an ordinary man but I tell you I am not an ordinary man, I am Chinggis Khaan.’
    ‘How can you say such things?’ implored Mrs Khaan. ‘Wise men talk about ideas, intellectuals about facts; the ordinary man talks about what he eats. You will soon starve if you carry on with this nonsense. What has got into you? Have I raised you badly? Is it because your father left?’
    ‘Leave him out of this!’ yelled Tengis. ‘He is a good man. What's more he will come back, I tell you!’
    ‘He's gone,’ said Mrs Khaan. ‘He left when you were still a child. He just couldn't cope with the responsibility of father-hood, he disappeared, and not