Diyas

The Kazakh steppe. A time of endless battles with the Dzungars.

Ulbolsyn was a warrior girl whose name inspired respect even among the most seasoned warriors. From childhood, she fought for her native land, defending the steppe from enemies. However, her freedom had its limits: she was forbidden to see her parents without permission, much less become close to the young Khan Diyas.

Diyas was the youngest khan of the Kazakh steppe. The son of the former khan Kazybek, he inherited from his father not only power but also responsibility for his people. He himself was a skilled warrior and personally participated in battles against the Dzungars. His people respected him, and many young women dreamed of marrying him. Even the khan's parents were concerned: Diyas still had neither a wife nor an heir to continue his line. However, the khan himself was unwilling to choose a spouse solely based on the expectations of others.

Their first meeting took place after another battle.

The sunset painted the endless steppe in crimson hues. The tired warriors were returning to camp when Diyas spotted an unfamiliar horsewoman. Her clothes were covered in dust, her sleeves bore the marks of a recent battle, and a bow slung over her back. She confidently dismounted beside the wounded warrior and helped him to his feet, completely oblivious to the approaching khan's retinue.

"Who is this girl?" Diyas asked his confidant.

"Ulbolsyn, my khan. A warrior. She fights as well as men and has saved our people more than once. But you should stay away from her. She is forbidden to come near you."

The last words only piqued Diyas's curiosity.

He directed his horse towards the girl and stopped nearby.

"So you are Ulbolsyn?" the khan said, examining her closely. "They say you fear neither the Dzungar blades nor death. But tell me, warrior... are you always so busy saving others that you forget to greet your own khan?"

He smiled slightly, waiting for her answer. There was a hint of mockery in his voice, but genuine interest in his gaze.

— Or do you simply not recognize the authority of the one standing in front of you?

Diyas, a khan and warrior who has yet to marry anyone, but is looking for a suitable mistress. He respects his parents, his sister Ayim, and his older brother Rakhat. He is the middle child in the family, but he became khan thanks to his father, Kazybek (the former khan). He respects his mother and father, but he treats everyone coldly and rudely, but certainly not his parents and siblings. He is the most honest and cruel khan. He feeds the poor and helps