The Conqueror Page #3

Forgive her, O Khan.

But lacking the talents

of these women,

the sight of them

is irksome to her.

[Gong Struck]

?? [Music Continues]

?? [Stops]

Chepei!

To the woman"s

quarters!

I beg forgiveness

for her, O Khan.

With such gestures

does the Tartar woman

prove her love.

You see, she would"ve made

a poor gift.

Wine.

Temjin spoke earlier

of grave intelligence.

May we not

hear it now?

Yes! Yes!

Let"s hear it now.

Be gone! Be gone!

The Tartars and the Merkits

are joining forces

to attack us.

You are surprised,

as I was.

Yet we both have cause to know

the perfidy of Kumlek...

and the Merkit,

Targutai"s, ambition.

True.

For long l"ve nursed

revenge against Kumlek.

When I heard

his daughter was to be

the Merkit"s bride,

I struck,

waylaying them.

Targutai, I slew.

And with his dying oath,

he swore he"d be avenged:

that soon Kumlek

would rule the Gobi.

A vain boast in death.

And so I took it, until

the woman, in her wrath,

spat out like threats.

I forthwith sent spies

to Tartar territory,

and learned the news...

which brought me here

in haste.

What say you of this, Shaman?

lfTemjin"s spies

reported truly-

Let the Khan send out

his own spies.

What think you

of that, Shaman?

So grave a question

demands a surer answer.

Let a sheep be slaughtered,

and the shoulder blade

brought hither.

The spirits shall speak.

Gods of fire

and gods of water,

gods of air

and gods of thunder,

show thy message

in the blade bones...

burning hot before my eyes.

Through the vapors,

from the heavens,

make the truth arise, arise!

[Chanting]

[Chanting Continues]

[Sizzling]

Light!

It is even as Temjin

relates, O Khan!

The Tartars prepare

to attack your city.

Alas, there is no peace!

Even for him who seeks

only to enjoy

his hard-won riches.

This yet can be, O Khan,

and your peaceful city

spared all strife...

by destroying the Tartars

in their camp.

Send swiftly and in secret

to your clans to mobilize,

and join with me in wiping out

the Tartars and the Merkits.

Thus my father

will be avenged,

and much stock and grazing land

added to our own.

Temjin speaks wisely,

O Khan.

So let it be, then.

I depart with

the first light.

You will get word from me

naming the day and the place...

for the meeting

of our forces.

Halt.

Well, Shaman,

what brings you out

at this early hour?

The rising sun never finds

a servant of the heavens

sleeping.

I come to speed you

on your journey, Temjin,

and wish you well.

I would speak further,

but, uh-

Chepei, wait outside.

And guard the woman.

I value your good wishes,

Shaman,

for all your doubt

of my report last night.

The spirits

confirmed your report.

And who am l-

humble servant of

the eternal heavens-

Who am I to doubt the spirits

when they have spoken

in the prescribed manner?

The Khan grows idle

and full of years.

Soon his petty chiefs

will fight among themselves

to take his place.

Then other tribes

will fall on us

like jackals.

The moment is ripe

for a young Khan

of bold cunning.

I wish you well,

Temjin Khan.

I wish you well, Shaman.

Your tents burn well.

Chepei, leave the packhorses,

disperse,

and at nightfall

go singly into camp.

l"ll await you here.

Lord, as you command.

[Shouts Command]

Tartars!

Farewell, Mongol!

[Shouts]

Tie him.

The Mongol!

[Shouting]

[Groaning]

Temjin!

Jamuga.

Ambushed.

I know.

Tell me of the battle.

Kumlek and his Tartar dogs

revel in our tents

at this hour!

Bortai with him.

Our losses?

This needs more care

than I can give it.

Our losses-

Are they great?

A few.

The tents were ready

as you ordered.

Thus much was saved

by our retreat.

Nor were we long pursued.

It is you he seeks.

An eagerness we share.

I came with scouts

to warn you,

but too late.

Tartars fell upon us, and

I alone escaped... afoot.

Your place

is with our people.

They are secure

under Borgurchi

in the western gorges.

Your perils are greater.

Coming upon the signs

of ambush, I sought you

among the dead,

and then recalled

this cave of our youth.

The place of our blood rite...

and much dreaming.

Temjin

will yet conquer!

First we must get you

to your people.

We need horses.

I will seek them

in the camp.

Guard yourself well,

my brother.

What venture is

without hazard?

[Laughing]

[Drunken Chatter,

Laughter]

Mongol!

Mongol I am,

Tartar!

Mongol General

come freely to speak

to your great Chief Kumlek.

March, Mongol!

Come, little one.

Come!

[Men Laughing]

Lord,

a Mongol General.

Jamuga, seeking

to serve you, Lord.

Jamuga?

I have deserted

Temjin.

His folly in abducting the great

Tartar Chief's daughter has

aroused his people against him.

He is unfit to lead.

Was he captured?

I made him captive,

Lord.

You lie! I came openly

into the camp, and sought

to be brought to you!

Ah.

I will speak with you

more in daylight.

Take him away.

The man lies, my Father.

He would die the slow death

before betraying

his blood brother.

Hmm.

[Chuckling]

Before we march tomorrow,

he shall be put to the test.

But tonight,

back to your tent,

my daughter.

Come, little Mongol.

[Man Laughs]

[Woman Screams]

So, you would betray

your blood brother!

The lie chokes you,

eh, Mongol?

What is there in this

Temjin that makes you

love him thus?

Untie him.

Put him in a tent

and guard him well.

[Gagging]

Follow.

Do not return

without Temjin.

[Whistling]

[Whistling]

[Whistling]

Hyah!

Temjin, fools!

Temjin!

[Captain]

The Mongol Chief!

Seize him!

He served you well,

your beloved blood brother.

You lie!

Look, Mongol.

[Captain]

I, myself, heard him

betray you to Kumlek.

I salute you, Temjin!

[Whip Cracks]

[Crowd Cheering]

Behold, Tartars!

I bring you Temjin,

son of Yessugai.

Gaze upon him,

Chief of the Mongols.

[Jeering]

To drink! Wine!

When the beasts have been

watered, do likewise

for the Mongol.

You thirst,

Mongol?

[Crowd Laughs]

[Laughing]

Loose him!

I grieve.

He grieves!

Already the Mongol whelp whines!

I grieve that I cannot

salute you as I would.

I am bereft of spit!

Stay.

Tell us, Mongol,

in like circumstance,

what punishment

would you decree?

What else, my wife,

but the slow death?

So be it, Temjin.

The slow death.

Joint by joint, from the toe

and fingertip upwards

shall you be cut to pieces.

[Kumlek]

And each carrion piece,

hour by hour and day by day,

shall be cast to the dogs

before your very eyes...

until they, too, shall be

plucked out as morsels

for the vultures!

[Laughing]

Away with him!

You do well, Kumlek.

For while I have fingers

to grasp a sword

and eyes to see,

your treacherous head

is not safe on your shoulders,

nor your daughter in her bed!

Away, I said!

[Crowd Jeering]

Music! Music.

The bear! Bring the bear.

I am weary, my father.

?? [Dance]

[Laughter]

More wine.

[Laughing]

[Laughing]

Set yourself alight, Juggler.

Give us some real sport!

Bortai.

Bortai.

[Whispering]

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