Please, do not consider my haste an insult. Satin bows respectfully. For us, your arrival is like the appearance of a holy angel; wouldn’t anyone rejoice in the same way? YESUGEI: Well, a good first impression is a guarantee of success! Aren’t you Khongirads masters of talking their way out of any situation? (Laughs). First, I will say I am sincerely glad to see you after so long. How are you? DAI SETSEN: As you can see, until the day we’re wiped from the face of the earth, we’ll spend our days bustling around the felt yurt like peas in a pod, remaining safe and sound. After all, we are people who are always glad to serve a simple guest, and when I saw you I seemed to imagine the messenger of the all-mighty descended down to earth, and I was stunned and could not come to my senses. How could one even guess that the Khan himself, the famous warrior Yesugei would come to me today? Please, sit in our place of honour! The other day I ordered for my men to make chests from pine for esteemed guests such as yourself so it would be easier sitting down and getting up. So far, only four are ready. Isn’t it fate that you will be the first glorious guest to lie on this chest? They approach a flat chest lined along the edge with sable fur, and, trying it out, they sit down. YESUGEI: (Looking around) The decorations in your house are simply amazing and no less beautiful than those in the Khan’s horde. DAI SETSEN: They are dedicated to honourable guests such as you, and it is for that reason I have hung them. Though, I almost dare not ask, and yet I can’t stop thinking about it… Where are you headed and for what purpose? YESUGEI: The question is understandably pertinent, so do not fret. My son has just grown up; this year he turned eleven-years-old. I went out to marry him off to a bride, visit my mother’s relatives and to stop by my beibishe, my elder wife, Hoelun-Ujin. On the way I thought, I may as well try to woo a young girl from the Khongirad tribe. But then I
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