BORTE (A Historical Drama)

YESUGEI: If that is what you believe, then the truth must be with you. When I was riding to my mother’s relatives and approached your district, my horse moved his ears sensitively, then slowed down a little and began to turn in your direction. When that happened I superstitiously said to myself, ‘not even a horse can bring itself to rush past Dai Setsen’s place, and perhaps this has its own meaning.’ And so I ended up coming your way at the behest of the horse. DAI SETSEN: And if your horse not turned then I suppose you would probably be far away having gone straight past my home? YESUGEI: Well, I was overwhelmed by doubts, and the horse, apparently, also felt these doubts. DAI SETSEN: Yes, it’s not for nothing they say, ‘A reasonable horse always leads its owner to the right path!’ Both, as if competing, laugh heartily. Now, please take a look at the adjoining house where we are going to dine. (Both enter the adjacent yurt). Borte approaches the confused Temujin, who has no idea how to feed the golden eagle properly. BORTE: And what is it they call you again? TEMUJIN: Temujin BORTE Temujin… What does it mean? TEMUJIN: I don’t really know. Father once brought a captive Tatar commander back home, and it was then that I was born, so they gave me a Tatar name like his. BORTE: Interesting! Whatever kind of warrior he may have been, a prisoner is still a prisoner, no? So why did your father name you so? TEMUJIN: Probably so that I would become a warrior, like Temujin. BORTE: But he was captured. TEMUJIN: I don’t like what you’re saying; you’re undermining respect for my father. BORTE: Oh, please! One shouldn’t be angry with such sensible speeches. Just imagine it yourself. You have become a famous warrior. You get married. Your wife gives birth to a son. So, would you reward your son by giving him a name of a prisoner? If I were your wife, I simply wouldn’t allow it. What, why are looking at me like that? Am I speaking seditious words? TEMUJIN: Did you say ‘if I were your wife’? BORTE: Come on. You should know what I meant with my example. What do they call it again? Hypothetically or something,

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