Ch.38Tribe (2)

Since it was a festival, loud voices could be heard from all around.

That’s why Toghrul, Dei-Sechen, and I found a separate place to talk privately.

“You want to continue with the marriage arrangement?”

“Yes, Ulanbaatar.”

Dei-Sechen replied to my words.

Then he began to explain his reasons.

“First, I want to clarify that this is not out of greed because the Khagan has unified the steppe.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Dei-Sechen hadn’t sent word to cancel the marriage arrangement even after I was poisoned.

At that time, marriages were mostly political, so it was common practice on the steppe to immediately send someone to cancel a marriage when a leader fell critically ill.

This was so they could marry their daughter to another tribe to build power.

Of course, he might have acted that way because it was uncertain whether I would live or die.

But considering that Borte, who was of marriageable age, was still unmarried, it seemed Dei-Sechen had been waiting for Temujin to return to his tribe.

“However, there is a small problem.”

“What is it?”

“My son is now married to the daughter of my anda, Toghrul Khan, and will be heading west.”

It was essentially a political marriage.

Understanding my words immediately, Dei-Sechen nodded as if he comprehended the situation.

“I don’t mind. The reason I want to continue with this marriage is because Temujin is no ordinary person.”

“I thank you for gilding my son’s face.”

“There is fire in his eyes and light in his hands. That’s what I felt when I first saw Temujin. He will become a great man.”

Dei-Sechen Khan sincerely expressed his desire to marry his daughter Borte to Temujin.

At his words, I turned to look at the man who would become Temujin’s father-in-law.

“Anda, I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

Again, all of this was entirely Temujin’s decision.

But in this situation, as the Khan of the Kerait tribe, I had no choice but to ask Toghrul’s opinion, as he was planning to move west trusting only Temujin.

“I don’t mind a hero having multiple wives.”

Toghrul was saying the same thing as when he was drinking mare’s milk earlier.

However, as if he had something more to say, he looked at Dei-Sechen and continued.

“But before that, I have a question for Dei-Sechen Khan.”

“I am prepared to answer anything Ong Khan asks.”

“I will lead my tribe west following Temujin. Since my tribe has contributed greatly to this expedition, I believe my daughter deserves to be respected as Temujin’s primary wife.”

Dei-Sechen nodded at Toghrul’s perfectly reasonable statement.

“If your daughter comes as a concubine, I would not object even if she came empty-handed. But if you want her to stand as an equal to my daughter and my tribe, then the tribe that follows you must also move west following Temujin.”

Toghrul’s words meant that if he wanted his daughter to be respected as an equal primary wife, he should bring his tribe to join Temujin’s group.

Otherwise, she would be treated as a concubine, and any future children between Temujin and Borte would inevitably face discrimination in the distribution of property.

The reason for Toghrul’s statement was simple.

If the tribe led by Dei-Sechen Khan joined, the chances of Temujin’s western expedition succeeding would increase.

For this reason, Toghrul was encouraging Dei-Sechen to join in exchange for promising the position of primary wife.

“I understand Ong Khan’s words. However, this is not a decision I can make alone, so could you give me some time?”

“Of course. But before that…”

Toghrul turned his head to look at Borte and Temujin.

Then, smiling, he continued.

“We should see if they make a good match.”

* * *

People suddenly began to gather in the middle of the steppe.

They were coming together in small groups, drawn by rumors of something worth seeing at the Onggirat Khan’s enthronement ceremony.

“What’s happening?”

“Do you know Gur Khan, the Khagan of the steppe?”

“Is there anyone on this steppe who doesn’t?”

At the man’s retort, the other man pointed to the center as if the explanation would be easy.

There, a beautiful woman was riding a horse,

and in front of her, another man was watching her, swallowing dryly.

“I hear that boy over there is Temujin, the eldest son of Gur Khan.”

At the man’s explanation, the man who had asked the question nodded as if he now understood the situation.

This was because this situation was something commonly experienced by Mongol men before marriage.

“Mongol warriors have no choice when it comes to marriage.”

In Mongolia, marriage by abduction or kidnapping was common.

Because of this, unlike in the Middle Kingdom or Goryeo, there was a unique custom even in conventional marriages.

This custom required the groom to chase the bride on horseback and transfer to the bride’s horse.

To be precise, it was a Turkic custom rather than an Eastern Hu one,

but since most of the Onggirat tribe were Turkic people who had adapted to Mongol customs, they followed this tradition.

The reason for this custom was largely to test the groom’s abilities.

In the Mongolian steppe, where marriage by abduction and kidnapping flourished, a man who couldn’t protect his wife wasn’t respected as a warrior, so this was a reasonably practical method.

“Don’t get caught easily, miss!”

“Win, groom! Win, groom!”

Anyway, this was entirely a matter between the bride and groom.

For the spectators watching, it was merely entertainment that made the festival more enjoyable. So everyone shouted encouragement to Borte and Temujin.

“But isn’t Dei-Sechen Khan one of the finest riders in the Onggirat tribe? Then his daughter must also be good at riding.”

“That’s true. The Khagan’s son will have quite a challenge. Haha.”

At the man’s comment that Borte wouldn’t be caught easily, the man who had asked the question shook his head.

Then he stretched out his hand to point at Temujin’s hand.

“The son of Gur Khan is no pushover either. Look at those hands.”

“What about his hands?”

“Those calluses embedded in his hands only develop after long periods of horsemanship training. So this contest will be fierce.”

As the man said, Temujin had been practicing horsemanship whenever he had the chance.

For this reason, Temujin was no less skilled at riding than Borte.

“So you’re the man who is to be my husband.”

At Borte’s question, Temujin blushed and nodded.

Borte looked at Temujin and continued.

“You could have told me the truth. Why did you deceive me?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to deceive you. It’s just…”

“Just?”

“Just… I was so captivated by your confident demeanor… I made a mistake without realizing it.”

At Temujin’s words, Borte seemed to be pondering what he meant.

Then, realizing what he was saying, she blushed.

“Even with such sweet talk, I don’t intend to be caught easily.”

She pulled on the reins of her horse.

As if it had been waiting, her horse began to dash forward.

“I won’t give up either! Hyah!”

Temujin urged his horse on to catch Borte.

His horse kicked off the ground to chase after Borte’s.

The one fleeing and the one chasing began circling inside the ring formed by the people.

The spectators cheered, calling out their names.

“Borte! Borte!”

“Temujin! Temujin!”

As if gaining strength from the people’s cheers, Temujin’s horse pulled ahead.

The distance had closed considerably. Now, if Temujin rose up and transferred to Borte’s horse, the game would be over.

Sensing the danger, Borte slightly raised her lower body and swayed from side to side.

Her horse quickly moved left and right following its rider’s movements.

“As expected of Dei-Sechen Khan’s daughter!”

“She truly has no equal in horsemanship.”

This made Temujin more cautious about transferring to Borte’s horse.

If he fell now, not only would he risk injury, but his father-in-law Toghrul Khan and Dei-Sechen Khan were watching this contest.

Temujin wanted to avoid showing any weakness in a situation where he had the support of both men.

However, as a man, it was difficult to keep his composure.

This was because Temujin was now watching Borte’s backside as she swayed her lower body seductively in front of him.

“Let me see if the man who is to be my husband has the ability to win me!”

At Borte’s cry, Temujin finally regained his senses.

He shouted back at her.

“I will definitely catch you, Borte!”

Temujin put aside all distracting thoughts and focused solely on catching Borte.

Gradually, he began to see patterns in how she moved.

Realizing this, Temujin immediately stood up and launched himself forward.

“Ah!”

“Oh my! Jumping like that!”

The distance was still considerable.

Temujin’s leap made the spectators gasp in anxiety.

Just as it seemed the groom might fall, Temujin used his horse’s head as a stepping stone to safely land on Borte’s horse.

Then, as if claiming Borte as his prize, he wrapped his thick arms around her, bringing her to a stop.

“The groom has captured the bride!”

“Hurrah for Temujin! Hurrah for the groom!”

The people genuinely rejoiced at Temujin’s success.

Receiving these congratulations, Temujin looked at Borte in his arms while catching his breath.

“Haa… haa… I won, Borte.”

At Temujin’s words, Borte silently turned to face him.

Looking up at Temujin, who was a hand span taller than her, she blushed.

“…Temujin, with fire in your eyes and light in your hands. You are my husband.”

At Borte’s words, Temujin unconsciously raised both arms.

Then he shouted to everyone.

“Steppe! As a warrior of the steppe, I have proven my courage and ability to protect my wife!”

At Temujin’s cry, people responded by calling his name.

Watching this, I couldn’t help but feel moved.

“Your son has become a man.”

At Toghrul’s words, I nodded.

My son Temujin was no longer a boy.

He would live as a warrior of the steppe,

and as the father of a family.