Isn’t it strange how our eternal enemies, the Merkits did not avenge their old grievances and without causing any harm, let you go? This is the kind of doubt I wanted to dispel. BORTE: (Putting her hand on his shoulder) This doubt, it seems, will haunt me all my life like an indelible stain. Men are hungry wolves, and girls are grey lambs. TEMUJIN: That’s where it comes from. With your assurance, allegedly, this brute kept his promise – what if it’s just an empty bluff? BORTE: If an empty bluff, what will you do, return me to Shiligir or leave me among the wounded and dying and then leave? I told you the truth. The truth is mine, but the doubt is yours. If you need to decide, then decide for yourself. Deep in thought, Temujin stands in silence for a long time. Then he takes Borte’s hand in his and, carefully lifting it, puts it on his shoulder. Borte does not resist. At this time, a woman dressed in black with loose braids is heading towards them, stepping over the corpses. She has a five-month-old baby in her arms. She is talking to herself animatedly about something as if driven mad. AISHAN: Borte… Borte… Where is Borte? TEMUJIN: That woman is calling your name. BORTE: Yes, it seems so. AISHAN: Borte… I was told that Borte is here. The woman approaches Borte. BORTE: Are you looking for me? I’m Borte. AISHAN: Oh, is that you Borte? Do you know me? BORTE: No, I don’t. AISHAN: When you got married, I accompanied you home. Have you really forgotten? BORTE: Ah, I remember, I remember… are you not Aishan? AISHAN: That’s right, the very same. You got married too late, and me too early. In this war, I lost two sons and a husband. My husband was one of the Merkits that you mowed down here like grass. BORTE: Oh, my Aishan; my dear blood! (Borte reaches out to hug her, but Aishan throws up her arms, evading her and trying to run away). AISHAN: Don’t touch me, you bloodsucking wife! You are to blame for the death of these people. TEMUJIN: If they died, then it is their own fault. They wanted to kill me and capture my wife. They orchestrated a midnight raid on my horde. I escaped death, but they tied up Borte
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