to unclench their strong embrace. Jamukha watches them intently. It seems that he looks at them with ill-concealed jealousy. JAMUKHA: Enough, that’s enough, that’s enough. What’s with this unbridled tenderness? BORTE: I thought I was brought here to be killed. Thank God I’m still alive and can see you. TEMUJIN: (Looking at the corpses scattered around) So many dead… What a pity. All of these victims because of me. If I had stayed at home that night, they would have done the same with me. HASAR: Looks like a bull fell asleep in the corner of this carriage. Hasar jerks the wrestler Shiligir from the cart. TEMUJIN: Who was that next to you? BORTE: This is my appointed husband. TEMUJIN: (His soul wounded) What appointed husband? BORTE: My father-in-law, Yesugei, captured mother Hoelun from a close relative of this man. When you left, the Merkits threatened us, saying, ‘If you don’t deliver Temujin, we’ll burn everyone.’ They began to openly scoff, grabbing Hoelun-Ujin and old Keikuat by the hair. Unable to bear it, I left the chest where they’d hidden me and stood up for them. Then I heard them say, ‘Yesugei once took Hoelun from Shileda’s grandfather, and now by taking his daughter-in-law we will have our revenge. But Temujin has not gone far yet, so we will follow his footsteps. Let the wrestler, Shiligir, a relative of Shiledu be the new husband of Temujin’s wife.’ So, here he is, my assigned husband. TEMUJIN: And you even spoke the words ‘my husband’ with some kind of sympathy? BORTE: Are you serious? Were you listening to what I said? Didn’t you catch the meaning of my words? Hey, my appointed husband, come here and kneel before Temujin. On all fours, Shiligir crawls up to Temujin. TEMUJIN: This is your assigned husband? Chop off his head! SHILIGIR: Temujin, I will be a slave, just don’t ruin my soul. BORTE: Don’t kill him. He kept his promise. TEMUJIN: What promise? BORTE: (To Shiligir) As you can see, Temujin did not shy away as you said that night. He did not flee; he went to collect his scattered detachment. He crushed your rabble to smithereens. (To Temujin) I told them, ‘Untie my hands. If Temujin notices the traces of a rope on my wrists, he will burn you on the fire and throw you to the dogs.’ Then

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