BORTE: Oh, the palms might be a bit harder, but the tongue is softer and sweeter. Now you can get up. Temujin, squeezing her fingers, rises. AISHAN: Now let us say goodbye to Borte. First, the father and mother approach Borte and kiss her on the forehead. DAI SETSEN: May the place where you arrive shine bright with the light of dawn, my sweet little goat, Borte. SATIN: (After kissing Borte, she looks at Hoelun.) A sister by blood is coming to you, walking like a daughter-in-law, Hoelun-Ujin. This girl grew up listening more to her father than to me. She grew up hunting beasts, shooting a bow and participating in prestigious gatherings with her father. Apparently, therefore, her thoughts are not enslaved. I entrust my daughter first to God, and then to you. What can possibly please a mother more than the health of her own child? A happy journey to you! AISHAN: The bride and groom may now begin their procession along the white path forty yards long leading to the wedding carriage. Temujin and Borte walk along the path to the carriage. BELGUTEI: Seeing off girls from the Khongirad tribe is much more difficult than even the election of the next Khan. HASAR: Wouldn’t it be better to take her straight away, to kidnap her than to unravel all these problems? What strict rules they have, and we, not understanding what was required of us, just stood there frozen like statues. HOELUN: Everyone is looking at you; don’t talk so loudly. BELGUTEI: You see, we’re not even allowed to open our mouths. This is worse than if the Tatars had captured and imprisoned us. The Kazakh side sings in chorus one of the traditional farewell songs which are performed when parting with a girl of marriageable age. Everyone takes out their handkerchiefs and wipes the tears from their eyes. The music of the song “Goose” is gradually gaining strength. (Folk song “Balapan-Kaz”.) The upper reaches of the Kerulen River: Temujin’s house in the town of Burgyn, located on a steep bank. It is past midnight. All the households are silent and their occupants fast asleep. An old woman, Keikuat, a worker in Temujin’s house, suddenly raises her head and quickly gets up. KEIKUAT: Hoelun-Ujin, Hoelun-Ujin! Get up! Faster, please! HOELUN: Oh, did the bed catch
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