HOELUN: (Listening carefully) Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I can’t even hear the rustling of the reeds outside. Where are you hearing this horse’s stamping from? KEIKUAT: You might not hear them, but I do. He (raising her finger up) lets me hear. Borte comes out, pushing back the curtain. BORTE: I hear it too. Everybody, get up! Quickly, Temujin, get up! HOELUN: Hasar, Belgutei, Temuge, Hachiun! Get up, the enemy is on the way! In confusion, everyone begins to gather hastily. Quickly dressed, Temujin picks up a bow and sabre. BORTE: Temujin, get on your horse and gallop into the forest thickets on the slope of Mount Kaldun where not even a snake can crawl. They’re looking for you. Hasar, Belgutei, Hachiun, you will have to go with him. TEMUJIN: How can we leave you and run away? If you’re going to die, I’ll die with you. BORTE: Temujin, there is no time for stubbornness. He who dies in vain is not a hero. Only those who are like shields are heroic – meaning those who are cautious. Let’s not bicker… Run! Don’t worry; we will not stay in this place either. Temujin, Hasar, Belgutei, Temuge and Hachiun say their goodbyes and leave. HOELUN: Hearing the pounding of the horses from which the Earth cracks, does it not strain our souls? KEIKUAT: Hoelun-Ujin, get your things together quickly. Let’s go into the yard; we need to harness the oxen to the Kazakh cart. She hurries off. Outside, there is a hubbub and loud commanding voices. Without slowing, a group of armed soldiers burst into the house – these are Yesugei’s long-time enemies – the Merkits. Hearing them approaching, Hoelun instantly pushes Borte into a voluminous chest and closes the lid. Upon entering, the Merkits conduct a search of the house. – Where is Temujin? – Where did he hide? – Who told him we were looking for him? KEIKUAT: The Sky… – If you don’t tell me where Temujin is hiding, then we will not leave anyone alive. We will cut down everyone with our swords! They grab Hoelun by the hair and throw her to the ground. – Speak while you are alive. Where did Temujin run to? HOELUN: Yesterday they left
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