BORTE (A Historical Drama)

together, becoming inseparable for another year,’ was it all a lie? Was there even then a hidden intention devouring you from the inside? By suddenly attacking, you wanted to defeat the horde, kill me, seize my power, and make Borte your concubine? Was this not your goal? JAMUKHA: That’s right, Temujin. GENGHIS KHAN: Many years ago, Dai Orator instilled in me the phrase: ‘You can cope with enemies yourself, but beware of friends’. Now I am executing you, but you have executed my trust in my people, Jamukha. After this, I will no longer believe anyone. JAMUKHA: My dying dream is to know – who sold me out? GENGHIS KHAN: I took care of that in advance; you will not leave this world with your dream unfulfilled. (Clapping his hands) Enter! The guards bring the warrior Korshi and place him next to Jamukha. His eyes widening in surprise, Jamukha stares at him steadily. JAMUKHA: So it was you, Korshi, my relative? Korshi is silent. GENGHIS KHAN: There is only one punishment for betrayal – death. KORSHI: I saved you from death, great Kagan. You said, ‘If I become the Khan of all Mongolia, I will make you a Noyan and give permission to marry thirty beauties.’ GENGHIS KHAN: Wasn’t what you saw a dream, warrior Korshi? Just a dream. You betrayed your Khan, and those who betray their Khans are not pardoned. KORSHI: Oh, great Kagan! Oh, my lord! Show mercy, I am not to blame. Borte approaches Genghis Khan and whispers something in his ear. GENGHIS KHAN: So, warrior Korshi, you betrayed your Khan, but showed your honesty in relation to me. Therefore, I will grant your freedom. KORSHI: Glory to the creator in Heaven, and on Earth to Genghis Khan. May God illuminate your deeds, great Khan! JAMUKHA: Honestly, Temujin, you are no better than me, and you have never excelled at anything. I was not inferior to you as a simple warrior or as a military leader. Your greatness comes from the fact that Dai Orator himself became your father-in-law, that you have a discerning mother in Hoelun-Ujin, and an intelligent wife in Borte. Now, thanks to them, you have reached an unprecedented height of power. And yet I did not have a shred of such support in my entire life. GENGHIS KHAN: You

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