Sibel Khanum of Itil Turgu (Volga-Bulgars)

Perhaps, out of all the history that I have read concerning the middle ages, the story of the Steppe People is one of the most fascinating, and most interesting in my opinion. Despite the fact that some, of not most, of their history are still obscure to Historians, their culture and how they contribute their values to the civilization that came into contact with them were invaluable. For example, the curved swords like sabres and scimitars/Kilij, originated from the Central Asian Turkic Civilization, believed to had been developed from as far as the Late Xiongnu Era (before the Hunnic Invasion). On the other hand, Military drums and various signal through banners as well as whistling arrows, had been employed extensively by the Nomadic Turkic army, making them remarkably disciplined and organized. This practice of War Drums was then adopted by the Muslim army after their contact with the Turkic people, and later, incorporated into the Western Military when the crusaders came in contact with the Muslim world.

In this drawing, Sibel Khanum is drawn in heavy turkic armor common to the Western Steppe Army in the medieval period. One of the most striking features would be the helmet with anthropomorphic face plate/head, based on the records and archeological findings in areas previously inhabited by Cumans-Kypchaks and Bulgars, though in my case, is highly stylized. The chainmail and Lamellar armor were also common amongst the "Tarkhan" of the Turkic people, so it's depiction is included here. Her Shield is a decorated round shield, while her weapon is a flail with iron head which was often depicted as the weapons of the Demon in the Eurasian Steppe Mythology. It was a practical weapon in close combat against heavily armored opponents, though on other occasions, she would just use her sword or composite bow.

Behind her on the left is her bodyguard, another Woman warrior just like her, though she is dressed in a much simpler chain-mail and helmet, based on the depiction of Khazar Nobleman. Her armaments consist of one-handed axe, curved sword, dagger as well as composite bow.

Also, the I have included some Hebrew, Latin and Greek inscriptions on the Stones in the right to give more flavor, though their exact meaning is up to anyone's guess.