The Conqueror Page #2

my slave woman, and safe

conduct out of this camp.

Is that so much?

I am tempted, woman.

Tempted above all

to let you go from here,

for you will bring sorrow

between me and him,

and disaster upon his people!

Let me go, then,

Jamuga.

He"s dearer to me

than life.

I cannot betray him,

even for his good.

Better to betray him for his good

than be thought a traitor...

without profit.

What are you saying,

woman?

That I will cry out

and call your beloved Temjin!

[Men Shouting]

Back!

[Snarling]

Hyah!

Out, Mongol! Out!

Out!

Out, Mongol!

Targutai!

[Man Shouts]

- Temjin!

- [Man Shouts]

Mongol!

[Dog Barks]

Why is this carcass

lying here?

It is an omen, my son.

What woman"s talk

is this, my Mother?

Rid us of this carrion!

And what of your dead?

Those who died needlessly

for this cursed child

of Kumlek"s!

Jalair!

Lord?

Let two men guard this woman

in her tent.

If ill befalls her, they shall die

the slow death.

Chepei!

If the outpost guards still live,

bring them before me.

You would punish

your outposts...

after deserting us

and leaving Jamuga

to defend the camp?

Greetings, Temjin.

Ah! To drink.

I could drain

ten brood mares dry.

Where is Jamuga?

Where is Jamuga?

I am here,

my brother.

What of the Merkits?

Routed

and well-bloodied.

But Subaya was wounded,

half his men slain.

Men we shall miss when

the Tartars descend upon us.

Leave the Tartars to me.

[Man]

As with the Merkits?

I dealt gently

with this oaf.

If others would speak,

let it be now!

Lord, the outposts.

Ah! So you had

the guard last night.

Yes, Lord.

The Merkits

fell upon us unawares.

You were fortunate

to have escaped death.

Truly fortunate, Lord.

We had drunk much.

Hang them.

Come.

Let all pay heed.

I have taken

the Tartar woman for a wife.

My son,

this you cannot do!

There"ll be an end of talk

on her account.

Bring meat and drink.

Jamuga!

Miserable fools!

They fear what will befall

when Kumlek strikes.

Who shall blame them?

For less cause, tribes

have slain their chiefs.

And you stand

with them?

Where is your faith,

my brother?

I was to bring

under my standard

all the tribes of the Gobi.

None would dare

stand against me.

Was not that once

your dream for me, Jamuga?

And still is.

But the time

is not yet ripe.

So I share the fear

that Kumlek"s daughter

will bring disaster.

Or lead me to achieve

what I have too long put off:

the destruction

of the Tartars.

How so, my brother?

With the forces

of Wang Khan.

Could it be that

this woman has touched

your wits as well?

Sharpened them,

more likely.

Were not my father and

Wang Khan blood brothers

as you and I?

I have a blood claim on him

l"ve never made,

even in my early trials.

Because the young Temjin

had pride,

and knew that Wang Khan

would not lift a finger,

save in his own interest.

I go to him now

not as a beggar,

but as an ally with gifts...

and grave intelligence.

Kumlek, I learn, is preparing

to attack Wang"s city of Urga.

That lie

will not deceive him.

He"ll send spies

to test my report.

We"ll waylay them.

Their failure to return

will confirm my warning.

It could succeed...

if Wang does not

take counsel of his Shaman.

It is said he places

much reliance

in soothsayers.

What venture

is without hazard?

But not without retreat,

as this is.

If Wang discovers your deceit,

we"ll never leave the city.

This is a hazard

I run alone.

You"ll remain here,

making all ready for

moving camp on my return.

And the woman?

I leave her here, Jamuga,

in your trust.

You are troubled?

There"s something

I would tell.

Concerning her?

She used her wiles

on me last night

to gain her freedom.

What took you

to her tent?

That is a poor thought

between us, Temjin.

Her slave came to me.

I divined the reason,

but went nonetheless

to learn her intent.

There is no limit

to her perfidy!

She is a woman,

Jamuga.

Much woman.

Should her perfidy be less

than that of other women?

I take her with me.

Jalair.

Yes, Lord?

Take three men and

make camp to the north.

If any man comes

riding hard from Urga,

question him on his purpose.

Torture him until

he speaks true.

If he goes to spy on

the Tartars, slay him.

And send word to me

at all speed.

As you command.

[Shouting]

Chepei.

Proceed to make camp

at the water hole.

You"ll find more ease

this night than last.

For me there is no ease

while you live, Mongol.

Your future promises

much discomfort.

Why is no tent

put up for me?

Because you"ll share mine.

I will sleep outside.

You, bring my fur robe.

Tend to your men.

You"ll have no further need

for furs. Come drink.

By night, my warmth,

and for adornment by day...

I shall heap precious stones

on you and rare ornaments.

I want no more

your stolen treasure than

your vile warmth, Mongol!

Those furs are mine!

The dowry for my marriage

with the man you slew!

[Groans]

I have taken you for wife, Bortai,

and I take your dowry.

Tomorrow in Urga,

I make gift of it to Wang Khan.

[Chepei]

Lord, the woman!

[All Laughing]

You"re beautiful

in your wrath.

Were Wang younger and

more nimble at dodging swords,

I might give you to him

and keep the furs.

For they, too, are beautiful.

I shall keep you, Bortai.

I shall keep you,

and responding to my passion,

your hatred

will kindle into love.

Before that day dawns,

Mongol,

the vultures will have

feasted on your heart!

Who goes?

Temjin,

Chief of the Mongols!

Taleek!

To the palace!

[Vendor]

You doubt thejuiciness

thereof?

Ahh.

Temjin salutes you,

O Khan!

Temjin!

My eyes are rejoiced

by the sight of you, my son!

Your welcome touches me.

My heart is reminded

of your father Yessugai.

My blood brother

so treacherously poisoned

by the Tartar Kumlek.

What say you, O Khan?

Is a daughter

a fair exchange...

for a father?

Be it fair exchange

or no,

she"s a fair daughter

whoever"s she be.

What means, Temjin?

This is Bortai,

daughter of Kumlek.

Daughter of

the Tartar?

I had thought to bring

her to you as a gift,

but I could not do you

this ill service,

for her nature is as ugly

as her body fair.

[Chuckles]

I bring you instead

a gift of equal beauty...

that will give you

endless pleasure

without endless trouble.

Ahh!

A regal gift indeed,

Temjin!

A regal gift!

Come.

Let there be music and a feast...

befitting Temjin,

Chief of the Mongols!

?? [Dance Music]

?? [Cymbals]

?? [Music Continues]

A woman of Samarkand.

I recognize her

by the, uh-

There are no finer dancers

under the heavens.

And without compare

in the arts of love.

After them,

all other women are like the

second pressing of the grape.

[Wang Chuckling]

?? [Music Continues]

?? [Stops]

Had I made captive

such a one, O Khan,

she would have made

a worthy gift.

?? [Music Begins]

Does not their skill

excite your admiration?

Or even envy?

It seems your Tartar woman

does not share our delight

in these dancers.

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