The Conqueror Page #3

and leaving Jamuga

to defend the camp?

Greetings, Temjin.

Ah! To drink.

I could drain

ten brood mares dry.

Where is Jamuga?

Where is Jamuga?

I am here,

my brother.

What of the Merkits?

Routed

and well-bloodied.

But Subaya was wounded,

half his men slain.

Men we shall miss when

the Tartars descend upon us.

Leave the Tartars to me.

[Man]

As with the Merkits?

I dealt gently

with this oaf.

If others would speak,

let it be now!

Lord, the outposts.

Ah! So you had

the guard last night.

Yes, Lord.

The Merkits

fell upon us unawares.

You were fortunate

to have escaped death.

Truly fortunate, Lord.

We had drunk much.

Hang them.

Come.

Let all pay heed.

I have taken

the Tartar woman for a wife.

My son,

this you cannot do!

There"ll be an end of talk

on her account.

Bring meat and drink.

Jamuga!

Miserable fools!

They fear what will befall

when Kumlek strikes.

Who shall blame them?

For less cause, tribes

have slain their chiefs.

And you stand

with them?

Where is your faith,

my brother?

I was to bring

under my standard

all the tribes of the Gobi.

None would dare

stand against me.

Was not that once

your dream for me, Jamuga?

And still is.

But the time

is not yet ripe.

So I share the fear

that Kumlek"s daughter

will bring disaster.

Or lead me to achieve

what I have too long put off:

the destruction

of the Tartars.

How so, my brother?

With the forces

of Wang Khan.

Could it be that

this woman has touched

your wits as well?

Sharpened them,

more likely.

Were not my father and

Wang Khan blood brothers

as you and I?

I have a blood claim on him

l"ve never made,

even in my early trials.

Because the young Temjin

had pride,

and knew that Wang Khan

would not lift a finger,

save in his own interest.

I go to him now

not as a beggar,

but as an ally with gifts...

and grave intelligence.

Kumlek, I learn, is preparing

to attack Wang"s city of Urga.

That lie

will not deceive him.

He"ll send spies

to test my report.

We"ll waylay them.

Their failure to return

will confirm my warning.

It could succeed...

if Wang does not

take counsel of his Shaman.

It is said he places

much reliance

in soothsayers.

What venture

is without hazard?

But not without retreat,

as this is.

If Wang discovers your deceit,

we"ll never leave the city.

This is a hazard

I run alone.

You"ll remain here,

making all ready for

moving camp on my return.

And the woman?

I leave her here, Jamuga,

in your trust.

You are troubled?

There"s something

I would tell.

Concerning her?

She used her wiles

on me last night

to gain her freedom.

What took you

to her tent?

That is a poor thought

between us, Temjin.

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