‘If you want to stay alive, do not come closer to me than half a metre.’ He kept his word. When there was a massacre here, fearing that one of the crazed Merkits might abuse me, he led me to this cart and hid me, and he lay down in the corner, crouched like an infectious patient. For added security, he tied me to the cart. (To Shiligir) Well, did my prediction come true; did you fall at Temujin’s feet? SHILIGIR: Yes, yes, it came true… I… I knew then … After all, I was not your husband, Borte, but one of your captors. (Looking at the piles of the dead) The Merkits, Toktabek and Ubas, they hammered the idea into my head – ‘Take the Khan’s woman, Borte, as your younger wife,’ and so a demon hit me. I asked myself, what have I achieved? I’ve stirred up the people living peacefully here and plunged them into blood and tears. And the Zanchak warriors having heard the name of Temujin fled to a mountain gorge. I was guilty for this massacre. I… I… I am no better than these unfortunate scum! (Points to the dead with his finger) I stretched out my hand for the unattainable, hopelessly moving forward, and so I ask of you… Kill me, Temujin. Temujin rests the tip of his sabre on his chin for a moment. TEMUJIN: I have a principle not to raise my sabre towards those who have sincerely confessed. Get up and go; catch up with your escaped relatives. All survivors can join me of their own free will, and those who resist will face a fate such as this (Pointing to the corpses). SHILIGIR: (Stretching out his tied hands) All the surviving Merkits are entirely at your disposal, Temujin. TEMUJIN: In this case, trot along and get down to business without any more fuss. Shiligir, not believing his luck, looks around and leaves. JAMUKHA: Now go and find Toktabek and Ubas and execute them! (Hastily leaves). Temujin and Borte are left alone. TEMUJIN: Now, tell me the truth, how was it really, Borte? During your week of living together, this black souled bull has not even touched you once? BORTE: (Gazing long and intently into Temujin’s eyes) Somehow I don’t understand your question, Temujin. What do you mean by that? TEMUJIN: I just want there to be
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