Original subtitles

Shaken Aimanov Kazakhfilm Studios and

the Alem association present

Ardak Amirkulov's film

THE FALL OF OTRAR

The beginning of the thirteenth century...

... was a fateful time for the peoples of Asia and Europe.

The ruler of Khorezm, the great Muhammad-Shah,

... is going to declare war on Baghdad.

Unzhu, a Kipchak scout, returns to Khorezm...

... after serving seven years in Genghis Khan's army.

Screenplay: Svetlana Karmalita & Aleksej German

Photography Saparbek Koichumanov Aubakir Suleyeev

Production Design: Aleksandr Rorokin and Umirzak Shmanov

Music: Kuat Shildebayev

cast: Unzhu - Dokhubek Kydyraliyev Kairkhan - Tungyshbai Dzhamankulov

Shinvyskhan - Bolot Beyshenaliev Mukhamedshakh - Abdurashid Makhsudov ??? [dialog]

Yalbach - Zaurij Zekhov the apostate - Kasym Zhakibaev

THE SCOUT part one

Don't move.

Don't turn away, keep looking.

Today you're a guest here.

When the heat's gone there'll be a lot of birds here.

The flies have grown fat. First the birds eat up the flies.

and then ...

At first they scream and cry and ask for water.

This water.

Ask me, Unzhu-khan, what their guilt is.

What's their guilt?

This old man is a Koran interpreter with funny ideas.

That one is a Kipchak like you.

His untruth is very much like yours.

Did Kairkhan come here?

He will in due time.

- Nobody forbade me to look at his face. - I'm a guest here.

Now you'll drink it up and get the helmet.

Smell it.

The Great One hasn't doubted your words yet.

It can be Allah sent you here to save us.

If you fail, well then you'll die an easy death.

Remember that we are dust on Allah's toes.

Right. But the dust of rock is different from that of dung.

I can do little for him.

He can do even less for me.

I came here of my own free will.

The same goes for them save that old fool.

???

???

That old bald-headed mouse!

Farewell, brother, whatever stock you are.

URGHENCH, the centre of the state of KHOREZM

easy if it were Kayrkhan ???

THE PALACE OF THE SHAH

How come the machines are made from logs

when the Mongols have no wood?

Right. But if they saw these drawings

they'd break my back.

The Chinese make these machines to break their city walls.

If a Chinese is a bad shot,

he is used as a charge.

???

If somebody runs away in fear they execute 10 people.

If 10 men flee, they execute a whole hundred.

You were at the head of 100 Mongol warriors, weren't you?

Not 100 but 1000!

But among them there were many Chinese.

Merkits and other peoples' warriors.

There were even Moslems.

Khan Unzhu speak with Mongols and Chinese in their tongue. With us he talks like a Moslem.

A Chinaman has come.

First Genghiz-Khan sends merchants to reconnoitre.

???

They make a sand copy of the enemy land.

In your town too there're many merchants.

They have gold plates with beasts drawn on them.

Any Mongol takes such a merchant to the great Genghiz-Khan.

I have seen it.

Tell this Chinese about the meaning of your drawing.

[Chinese] You see various formations of three tumens*:

one of them shoots arrows and flees to stretch the pursuers.

Two others to the side of him finish it all up.

Oh Great One! This man speaks a tongue I don't understand.

I speak over 40 dialects of my land,

but perhaps, way up in the mountains ...

You're a Chinaman!

Genghiz-Khan is now devouring the liver of your people!

Your land is being ravished by dogs!

How could he command Chinamen without knowing their tongue?

The Kipchaks refuse to go to Baghdad and you don't care!

I hold the Universe in this hand. Who cares about Genghiz!

What did you come here for?

Genghiz-Khan's horses are closest to my land.

Rubbish!

Who put you up to it? My mother? My son Jeladin?

You'll tell me everything in the Merry Execution Tower,

when flies start eating your eyes.

Start from the beginning, not the end. Who sent you here?

I've told you everything, even how they break warriors' backs.

- The brazier! - They don't spare rulers!

They keep their mothers chained in jail.

- Who sent you here? - I told you everything!

???

???

It's just Kairkhan's tricks.

He seeks power and is holding talks with Baghdad...

for me to turn my sword against some unknown Mongols.

I will come to you in two days...

and you'll be talking while I'll keep silent.

If your words are truthful, Allah will forgive me...

because you're the first speck of dust in the storm that's going to bury the entire world.

Life is a crooked wheel which leaves a crooked track.

This day is Allah's gift to us.

First He took it away and then gave it back.

It was me He had in mind chasing the flies with snow.

But my eyes are swollen. Tell me what you can see.

Do you know I'm Khan, sinner?

Do you think, I'm a sinner?

His robe conceals God. ???

Your eye-sockets are empty.

One can see with one's soul. But then is it worth seeing?

There's only one good thing in the world. Snow.

It chases away flies.

Allah created life on earth,

but people began devouring one another and death came to us.

But death horrifies the living. So He invented a torment...

the chosen ones, like me, may call death.

You too will realize that when the flies are here.

My death! ???

You stupid Kipchak! You can only pull the bow-string.

But the arrow's flight is guided by Allah.

Hangman!

Take Kairkhan.

I'll have your arm cut off,

and you won't be able to take off your pants.

Hangman!

I will become Allah's martyr...

and my death will make the Kipchaks stay with you.

My men do not lie. The last one in the Merry Tower

will breathe out the truth to you before he dies:

We're three times as many as the Mongols.

Take your sword, summon the people and glory is yours!

Kairkhan is a khan. You can't give him up to a hangman.

The Great One made a joke.

My nephew will remain in favour as before.

You risked something more important than finger.

Oh Creator! Heed the voice of your humble slave.

May the true solution dawn on the Great Muhammad Shah!

Give patience to the martyr on the pole.

Hey, Corporal. I want to see the Vekil.

The Vekil may come after the evening prayer.

On the other hand, he may not come at all.

Stop whistling. You'll wake up the flies.

What you want will never be.

We are all doomed to death anyway.

Hey Khan, what are you doing way up there?

Get down to earth.

???

???

Hey Khan, you're all soiled. Wash yourself with snow.

???

???

???

???

The Khan is coming with me. You'd better say your prayers.

Can you fight like that, Kipchak?

I can. Even better than that.

Put on your boots. It's a shame to go barefooted.

Post a new guard and string up someone instead of the Khan.

Hang on.

Take the old man. He knows a lot and may be of interest to you.

What were you babbling about? Seems Allah's seen me.

Man's thought is momentary. Allah's wisdom is infinite.

Oh Allah! Give me patience to stand it!

Kneel down!

See who saved you?

Come closer. I've a poor sight ???

but I can hear well.

Why are you wheezing, Kipchak?

I was afraid of telling lies when the flies went for me.

So I wanted to cut my throat with rope

when your son did not believe me and Kairkhan forgot about me.

You say Kairkhan, huh!?

So he didn't see you after your seven-year absence.

Yes. Great One!

You must use my full name when addressing me. Listen!

Terke-Khatun, Ruler of the Universe,

Mother of the Great One, Queen of the Women of the Earth.

Speak up.

Kairkhan sent me to the Mongols seven years ago.

I've been loyal to him, his son and to you.

As he was sending me there, Kairkhan said...

who needs this earth without the Kipchaks?

So I rose from a slave to the commander of 1000 horsemen.

I have mastered the tongues and learned their art of fighting.

I learned the tricks of their scouts.

I know the way our whisper reaches their ears.

Did you talk to the Baghdad Ruler's men?

I've never been to Baghdad.

You don't have to see Baghdad to tell one about it.

You learned Chinese. Did it help you any?

Will the Turkmen Jelaladin defend the Kipchak steppe?

No need to defend it.

You've got to get your army started...

and drive Genghiz Khan to the yet-uncaptured Chinese cities.

If Genghiz Khan turns his army here...

he'll have no reinforcements.

If your eyes are not good then believe mine:

Genghiz Khan will saturate the earth with human fat.

I've seen it done.

First you'll rest a bit and have fun,

then you'll come back here, to tell the hangman the truth of your life in Baghdad,

and not in China, where they want Jelaladin on our throne.

You'll recognize his men from Baghdad.

They'll be shown to you.

You'll be pardoned and take command of 1000 men in Khorezm.

Farewell, Kipchak.

Farewell, Great One.

The Chinese are good at treating eyes.

It's me who has the right to bring up this subject.

Kairkhan promised you an easy death if you persist.

You'll tell him a different story now and promise something.

Life is more interesting when viewed from a high hill.

But you live in the steppe.

Are you a foreigner?

I believe in the same God as you. Why should I be one?

That God ran nails through his hands.

By the way, Kairkhan, who sent you the Mongols,

is now here, in his palace, and not in Otrar.

Tell them you saw him in Baghdad.

So I will.

The Great One is interested in you. She may promote you.

Want a woman from Egypt who is taller than you?

I'd rather have a Chinese girl with small feet.

How will you explain what you want?

The Chinaman swore you don't know their language.

Don't disgrace yourself. The Great One likes spying.

She is fascinated by young bodies.

Your clothes will be given back to you in the morning.

MERCHANT YAVLACH'S HOUSE

What's this, merchant?

It's a Chinese machine making holes in a wall.

The Chinese are gentle people, the same as their walls.

They cannot damage your walls.

I hear you merchants serve the Kagan* to get cheap goods.

You model our Moslem lands from sand and rock...

for Genghiz Khan.

I hear you have gold plates which make any Mongol serve you.

Now my men will ransack the whole place.

You know what they are going to look for.

You may look me in the eyes.

They are not the eyes of Allah,

nor the eyes of Genghiz, the yellow-eared bastard you sold your soul to.

And your sons will be guests in the Merry Tower.

The great yellow-eared Genghiz once wore blocks on his neck.

How can a faithful Moslem serve an ex-slave?

I've never been in Baghdad,

but I know that the Ruler of Baghdad and the Kipchak khans are your enemies.

Lie down and don't move!

You lift up your heads you'll have them cut off.

??? Mongol song

???

Perhaps high up in the mountains...

I warned you I'm a better fighter.

May your soul forgive me.

I did it obeying Allah's will.

I'm Allah's arrow. Yes, I am Allah's arrow.

Don't weigh down on the plank, Chinaman.

I've cut off the signal string.

I happened to visit your homeland, remember?

Unfortunately, your Hindu saw me from behind the lanterns.

Now his soul's hiding over the high mountains.

I wonder where your soul will fly?

???

Well, I speak Chinese and nobody understands me.

And you, poor wretch, will die without understanding me.

It hurts... I'm dying.

My family's names are in the casket. Read them when I'm gone.

Your Allah will never forget this deed.

Your kin will never understand me. Our languages are different.

I gave you just a light thrust.

You'll be dying long.

???

You'll have time to think about your homeland.

Sometimes it's really important.

I think Allah chose me to be His arrow.

Just for a while, of course.

Are you Allah's arrow? Yes, I am Allah's arrow.

- Who are you? - I'm Allah's arrow.

??? Mongol song

???

???

???

I'll punish you, my tongue...

for your singing and shouting in the Mongol language.

Can it be I'll sing Mongol songs when we've killed them?

Quiet! I'll do you no harm.

- I'm here. - Good day, Kairkhan.

We and the young khan expected you to come yesterday.

He's your wet-nurse's son. Don't kill the boy.

???

You're so crafty, you've nearly outwitted yourself.

I ought to have told you...

it was not only Jelaladin I met in Baghdad, but you too.

So now you, not me, would be cutting your navel.

You gave me away to hangmen. I've brought you my payment.

Give me the torch!

Want some water-melon wine?

I see you still remember its taste.

- Where are you taking me? - To where your children are.

Everybody face the wall!

???

You're prospering, merchant. Give me a present.

This way, merchant.

We did nothing to the kids. They were only watching.

We asked your scribe if you had been in Baghdad.

He said yes. So did the kids. Everybody says yes here.

Your luck they couldn't describe Baghdad.

You may take your sons with you.

???

They'll recover and be very docile.

???

The Great Khan gives you his bracelet as an award.

These Khans sold themselves to Baghdad as you said.

You'll be taken home for 10 pieces, merchant.

One can buy decent clothes for 30 pieces here.

We're setting out in two days.

We're starting tomorrow. Where is our scribe?

If you're not in a hurry I'll go find him.

I have to let the kids' blood, merchant.

The Kipchak and Turkmen khans who refuse to go to Baghdad...

will be sent to the Merry Tower.

I sent a messenger to Jelaladin, but his palace is heavily guarded.

You're no arrow, but dirt on Genghiz Khan's horse's tail.

I like Genghiz. He never betrays those who serve him.

???

Maybe you're right.

You should have shouted out the truth in his face and then died on the pole.

The truth from a martyr's throat would've taken effect.

I sent five men. Three returned. But not you...

When you saw death you betrayed me. All of you.

My poor people have no martyr.

Right. Set your people right.

Khan, be a martyr.

- Be what? - A martyr!

It's so simple.

Stand up and shout to the Great Council!

"I swear on my mother whom I don't remember.

I'll repeat all this on the pole."

But you have golden shoes and your name's Kairkhan.

So you must live.

But I spit on you! That's why I've lived over the last days.

Call your henchmen! The Great One will reward you for that.

I'll do it myself...

I'm like a dog that bit its master. I'm tired.

When the strong offend the weak, it is only injustice.

But when the weak offend the strong, it is a disgrace.

You killed the great men's servants,

you heard what you were not to hear.

There are a thousand ways in life. You'd better choose the longest.

There is a place on the Khorezm Sea, where people change their faces.

I'm going to sleep well tonight and not talk to myself.

Don't turn me out, Kairkhan.

Don't turn me out.

??? song

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

I sent my thoughts to Allah.

Now listen to what has come back to me.

Convey my words to the Vekils and they'll tell the people.

My son Jelaladin will go to far-away Irat,

for the people living there are in need of a wise ruler.

My troops will have to be satisfied with the fact

that there are enough brave warriors

ready to defend our faith.

The ruler of Baghdad has refused to promote Allah's faith.

He has committed many crimes and has lost the truth.

Shall we put up with it and leave Islam unprotected?

???

Lead us to Baghdad!

It's a shame to go barefooted.

Kairkhan doesn't want you here, nor in Otrar.

The arrow of Allah!

Take the torch!

song ???

???

???

???

???

This is how it was, when Allah created the world.

But He created it without this.

GENGHIZ-KHAN'S HEADQUARTERS

Did your fat ruler himself talk to you about me?

I said: "Your troops are a wisp of smoke compared to his fire."

This is what he gave me.

It's too hard to shake the world with so small a hand.

The Shah wore this bracelet when a little boy.

Why are there two stones around this city?

This is Otrar, the capital of the Kipchak land.

It has big walls and a strong army.

Muhammad declared war on Baghdad.

We'll catch the fish of knowledge from trade rivers.

He who mounts his horse in haste may fall from it.

Let the caravans with our goods

go all the ways and one of them to Otrar.

Our warriors will work as servants and drivers.

Let everybody in Otrar learn about it.

You'll pick the goods and the Moslems, merchant.

You come from this city, don't you?

Yes, I am from Urgench.

You've travelled far and wide.

Have you ever come across people that live eternally?

No, my Great Kagan.

And you've never heard of them?

There's much talk about them, but I myself saw people...

who'd lived 200 years and more.

When you see them, bring them to me...

or find out where they live.

Your sons may rest a bit. We'll give each one several wives.

You're second great after my God. I realized it long ago.

But the boys need mosques.

God is everywhere,

so one can pray to Him everywhere.

But the fact that I'm talking to you, merchant, doesn't mean a friendly talk.

- My boys! - No, not here! That way.

song ???

???

???

???

???

The city's already in sight.

I'm not going farther. Let's do the payment here.

50 pieces are lacking, though.

Do you dread the meeting with Muhammad-Shah's men

when the Moslem warriors are preparing to march on Baghdad?

I've misjudged you.

Were we bad as your guards? You've been so friendly to us.

You can buy a horse for a thimbleful of this oil!

A merchant's purse is fed by the road where I am king!

Be modest with the city guard.

I know where your home is.

Don't stick out your ass and you'll be rich.

P'raps it's the Khorezm Sea

where people change their faces?

Do you remember me, old man?

On the pole you were closer to God, but you didn't like it.

I ordered to have you taken off. Was I right?

The Kipchak. Allah's arrow!

Do you have much work to do in this world?

Oh, no! I'm no match to you!

Allah put me in this quiver and keeps me there so far.

But I have plenty of money.

I could buy you a donkey and we'd go somewhere.

You'll tell me about things I don't know.

And I'll think about my future.

We could even make a pilgrimage. Let's go.

Sometimes it seems to me I have always lived.

Thoughts can be put into one's head if there's room in it.

Your head's bursting with your own thoughts.

If you wish, I'll tell you

about the wrong interpretation of the Koran.

THE FALL OF OTRAR part 2

One year later

Hey, Khan, we'll go to Otrar with a lot of money.

Alright, but do not drink during the trip.

Let's go.

In front are the goods of the yellow-eared Kagan!

???

OTRAR ???

Karavan-basni is our. You never go to Otrar,

but we don't care. We'll pay you a lot more

and the millet liquor'll shorten your waiting.

Kairkhan says the Mongols may come in.

All right. Let's start then.

But Mongols cannot be slaves or drivers.

They can only be warriors.

A good melon's going to grow here.

If the Khan does not know the town,

I'd show him around. Just for one copper coin.

???

Hey, Khan, are you going to buy this house?

Maybe I already have.

Don't listen to this slave's babbling.

Nobody will turn you out.

Don't be afraid of me.

I'm not afraid of you, at all.

It's just my husband died in the holy war for Baghdad.

That's a Mongol spy! He came here with the caravan.

Don't go near the horse! I've been a guard for 20 years.

What kind of guard would I be if I did not recognize you?

Just the kind you are now.

I told you he's a Mongol spy!

I'll come back tonight and sleep on the threshold.

Your eyesight is poor. I'll show you to the Chinese doctor.

He attaches little crystals to the eyes and the patient sees better.

Read this!

Lighting a little stick is wiser than cursing darkness.

Well, what'll you say to that?

There is so much wisdom in it that one cannot but wonder...

where the people that gave us those sages have gone.

Yes, indeed!

You took part in the Baghdad march, didn't you?

Yes, as a plain Kipchak warrior by your graces.

- How come you're alive? - What's that to you?

I've learned a thing or two from the Mongols.

- ??? - ???

???

They say it was freezing cold on the mountain passes.

- Did you get frost-bitten there? - Yes!

I'm a tiny rock in the landslip of errors.

You're lying!

You damaged your face before that!

You guide merchants, drink liquor and sleep like a tramp.

Now you came with caravan like a dog following a tiger.

Do not you ever go into your house!

- All right, I'm leaving today. - I've found it!

Read it!

These books are full of wisdom. Losing them means losing everything.

Where shall we put this...

if you want to challenge not only fire...

but time as well?

We'll put them into the clay chests

and surround them with our Otrar bricks.

Porcelain is also strong,

but there are few people who can make it.

I'll sleep at home, Kairkhan.

Good, but scouts serve both sides with equal zeal,

that's why you're no longer a warrior, but just Unzhu.

The Mongols are measuring the walls.

Have you grown mute, Unzhu?

They don't need to measure the walls.

In the caravan they have people who're in charge of the walls and pastures.

There're others who know how many lariats* will have to be stretched from tower to tower.

And the Chinese know where to strike walls.

There must be Moslems in the city...

who were granted tablets...

which promise them life for certain services.

Yes, Kairkhan, for certain services.

If you kill them

we'll be the first to stand in the way of Genghiz Khan.

You keep singing the same old song with no beginning...

and one and the same end: our death!

They'll find it hard to break through the walls,

but for them "hard" means "long".

The heat affects the warriors' stomachs.

A horseman's not supposed to sit on his haunches.

That's the only fear they have. I think they talked about...

how to let out the canals' water...

to make us sit on our haunches!

Is Khan Arslan still alive?

Did you have a friend there? One like me?

No! Not like you!

Unzhu didn't lie. This gold thing was inside a cake.

You spent all your life in fear, merchant,

so now you have no fear left in you.

But Allah will give it back to you in full measure.

A Mongol messenger learns his message by heart...

and sing it to his Kagan like a song.

You'll sing Genghiz about my people, our high walls,

our chain armour and our swords.

I'll have to surrender your head to find peace.

O Great One! You killed those who talked you out of going

to sacred Baghdad and Allah froze your troops.

I destroyed the scouts and not the caravan.

The drawings of your fortress, the grazing grounds -

All that was found in the caravan!

You were looking for the Kagan's tablet? Here it is!

I joined your banner and changed my name

not only to defend my people!

Give me troops and commanders,

I'll press the Yellow-Eared One to the Chinese towns

and rip his belly apart in his own land.

Your towns will find peace and you - glory!

When a son becomes a husband he wants independence.

???

To you, Kairkhan, this war means independence.

All right.

I'll think it over!

The envoys of the Kagan, Ruler of the Mongols!

The Ruler of the World send his greetings...

and expects a ransom for the caravan and Kairkhan's head.

They're the faithful and serve the infidels.

Hangman, they are yours!

One of them must die, and brand the Kagan's tablet on the chins of the others!

Envoys cannot be killed! You'll get your war!

The Great Shah grants you this sabre, Kairkhan.

The head of Genghiz's envoy was cut off with it.

He appointed Karajikhan, co-ruler of Otrar,

his wisdom will set off your gallantry.

The Great Shah doesn't rush you. Still he hopes

you'll be on your way home at dawn.

Your son stays here, in Urgench.

Get ready to start!

Those not ready by sunrise will be executed!

The Great One stayed up all night.

Allah prompted a decision to him:

the troops will not leave their cities

and the commanders will stay in the Merry Tower.

Our lands are plentiful, the Great One said,

and Genghiz will grown weaker with the siege of each city.

The whirlwinds don't last long.

Allah may save my people...

or throw them to the bottom of a big well

called time.

You'll stay here, in Urghench.

To horse! Light the signal torches!

Break up into two's! To Termez, Sauran and Otrar!

I'll send no messages to the Great One although...

your troops are in the steppe. You're a great warrior, Kairkhan!

Take me with you as a junior commander!

Hear me out! Pray don't do it the way everyone does!

I'll tie this to the handle of your sword.

You'll feel shackled with it. When you decide to remove it,

turn your troops back!

Mind you don't get into a trap!

When the Merkit* brigades turned back,

enticing the Kipchaks,

your Fifth Brigade had already been slaughtered...

and the Merkits found Kipchaks waiting for them.

They did what we did many times.

At night they stole up to the ambush...

where your Fifth Brigade was lying in wait,

and when the Merkits turned back, enticing the Kipchaks,

your Fifth brigade had already been slaughtered.

Hey! The Great Kagan wants to see you!

Kagan ???

Oh, Great One! They did what we did many times.

At night they stole up to the ambush...

where the Fifth Brigade had already been slaughtered.

You cannot kill a whole brigade!

Those deserting the field of battle shall learn eternity without entering the camp.

This one is not afraid of being cheerful!

Let him shout cheerfully me that the mosquito...

flying from their river to their city...

will only fly over my warriors.

A duel between a Kipchak and a Mongol.

Do not let him duel!

You grab hold of my boot a bit too often!

To Genghiz you're nothing but game!

Hey, Kipchak! Did you say goodbye to your wife?

- Are you a frightening one? - You have no wife? Then say goodbye to your horse!

Good day!

Stay here!

Write!

Then you'll have to leave,

otherwise, I will curse you!

All the dead Kipchaks shall rise from their graves...

and curse you.

Writes legibly and in thick characters...

since what you'll write will challenge time,

if Allah so wills.

You'll finish as follows:

"It happened in the year of the Dragon,

and we, the Kipchaks, are saying goodbye to each other."

My people have come to the end of everything...

and the beginning is not to be expected soon enough.

Now go!

Do everything as I told you!

So they can't hear?

But I heard it! Listen!

An ear is nothing but a hole. Lie down!

Take off your hat!

- ??? - ???

Sound enters one through his body.

Even the deaf can sing and play.

???

???

???

- ??? - ???

Quiet!

Dig counter-passages!

Soon the Great One will send us relief!

And you play!

It's the convoy of the captured warriors.

The assault starts at dawn.

???

What is it, old man?

I am wondering, Khan.

It's been my life-long dream to stop being a slave.

You promised to set me free, but not for me,

to go home but to be killed by a Mongol.

On the other hand, your land is far away from here...

and your kinsfolk are out of trouble.

Is it good that I've no one to think about...

and don't want to die for anyone, even for you, Khan!

Forgive me! All my life I've hated your orchards.

In summer they grew yellow, now they're destroyed.

Your city's like an old woman with wizened breasts.

Am I supposed to die for that? No! It's not my life. It's someone else's life.

Your shoulders show you have never worn wooden blocks.

That means you've never killed anybody!

- Give me an arrow! - What for?

I saw your back. It's smooth.

That means you've never raised your hand against your master.

So you'll never understand me, old man!

Halt ???

Kairkhan,

It's a ruse! They'll drive captives in front of them.

The warriors'll go through the tunnel.

We're Kipchaks, brothers!

Drive them all up!

You're so big, still your hands are shaking.

Keep joking, are you?

Khumar!

Get ready!

Your ass has shut out half of the world, Khumar.

I'll cut you to pieces!

Let's leave here, Unzhu-khan!

Get the oil and fire here!

???

Here we set fire to the ferret's muzzle. Now, let's see his tail smoking.

Hey, how about my teeth?

how about my teeth ???

???

I did it farthest!

It's raining! Enough's enough! Let's go!

Look lively!

Why did Kairkhan forbid you fighting, Unzhu-khan?

Kairkhan wants to see you. He's receiving Mongol guests.

Unzhu-khan! Kumarkazan �nder ??? khadjib

Good day to you, Arslan-khan!

??? Let go of the horse!

You're right! It's me, commander Unzhu!

Want me to scratch your shoulder blade?

You used ??? to like it.

You look too scruffy, Unzhu.

But I've no resentment against you.

Sit down. Have some tea.

Sit down. Let's talk a bit.

How are your wives and herds? Has your son grown up?

Why are you dressed like a simple warrior ???

I guess the Kagan is angry with his gallant noyon*

for its inability to capture Otrar.

???

I've been missing you.

I heard you were strangled ??? by the Chinese.

We co ??? sulted in their to one of their cities. Where is the armour I gave you?

And where is half of your people, Arslan-khan?

Don't you dream about your s ??? ain killed by the Mongols?

Hey, you killed his Merkits, didn't you?

But our cities were ready to fight you.

You have no cities at all. This is a piece of the cloth

I found in the chief house of your God in Bukhara.

Our dogs are running about Samarkand and Urghench.

And your fat Shah is tied to the Kagan's tent...

by the organ he made his harem so happy with.

Take him!

Mistakes, so many mistakes!

It's not the same fabric.

It looks very much alike though.

The Mongols are very cunning, you know.

I've always disliked you, Unzhu,

because I have always felt my guilt towards you.

That's the way it was.

Now it's going to be different.

If a stinking Merkit brought me this cloth from Bukhara,

that's still undefeated,

then why could not a similar cloth have been brought to Great One from Otrar?

So the troops I'm expecting, haven't been sent?

Tonight we'll send the Mongols from the north side.

There will be a lot of people and fire there.

When the guests leave, nobody pays attention...

to them or the servants.

You and Khumar will disguise as Mongols.

Start a fire on the hill at dawn. Here is a letter, Unzhu.

I'm not the best messenger to the Great One, Kairkhan.

Quiet!

Now go!

Well, if a piece of cloth is stretched between trees,

it'll snap when the wind blows.

But if the trees are weak and the cloth is strong, the trees will snap.

If you fix a cloth in a boat, the boat will sail.

Why? I think boats never thwart the wind.

Your Arslan-khan and his surviving Merkits and noyons...

are playing dice. I'm going to play too.

Want to hear us talk while we play?

There, with your Mongol friends?

Friends? You know better than that.

I trust very few people, that's why I'm in Otrar.

I had my doubts about you and proved right.

Allah's dropped the mosque!

Woe to us! Allah's turned away from us! Allah's wrath! Let go!

Pull out the tongues of those daring to say or whisper...

that the mosque's fall means Allah's wrath!

Allah can't side with the infidels!

Down on your knees!

Allah can't side with the infidels,

the defilers of Islam. Allah is with us!

Let them announce that for seven days.

Pull out the tongues of those daring to say...

that the fall of the mosque is a sign of Allah's wrath.

To edify them, the hangman will have extra work to do!

I didn't say anything!

Allah's my witness, I didn't say anything!

What if we say the mosque's buried the tunnel dug by the infidels?

???

Hey, Mongol, we've got to hurry!

What's wrong with my eyes ??? Or with my head ???

With your head!

Where is the cupola of the old mosque?

Ogul says Persians give out awards...

on any occasion, even for a minor deed.

Here nobody does that.

That's not as it should be, my friend Unzhu.

???

Allah, pray moderate your wrath!

I don't know what I am guilty of.

Those sleeping can hear neither their commander...

nor their death.

They are bowing before the Great Karajik-khan!

The Mongols are entering through the great gate!

Shut up! If they hear you they'll cut off our tongues!

Hurry to the city gate!

They'll kill you, mother!

???

Watch out!

Get ready!

Make way!

Step aside!

How long are you going to lie here?

Close your eyes! Don't look at me!

What's your name?

You've always been a lousy shot!

So you too are lying here!

I'll be back soon.

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Why'd you stop singing? Come on, sing!

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soldiers' talk ???

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Which one of you can confirm...

this man's Kairkhan...

governor general of Otrar?

???

We can all confirm that!

All Kipchaks and this boy, his son too.

He's a great warrior and if we hadn't helped the Kagan...

You are talking like a tradesman.

The Kagan's designs are so great that the hook-nosed man

can neither help him... nor stand in his way.

A Mongol warrior can't see the one who betrayed if only once.

It's a bad example, isn't it?

And since Mongol warriors must be everywhere...

you and your people have no place on this earth.

Yavlach's speech ???

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soldiers' talk ???

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# song lyrics ???

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Father!

???

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???

Want some meat?

You've just thought what everyone thinks about.

When I was born, there raged a terrible wind.

The sky was yellow and my eyes grew yellow too.

But people didn't realize I was the wind of wrath.

They hurt me a lot and my eyes grew more and more yellow.

I can see better and farther than other people.

I hear what other people hear.

I have yellow eyes and not yellow ears.

So you are mistaken there too.

When you slaughtered my caravan

giving me back only a wet-assed merchant,

my eyes grew yellower.

Just a trifle yellower!

You know well whom I killed.

And I saw your brigades with wet asses.

???

Want some meat? No? Look at them!

They are learned old men.

The wind can only raise trash.

???

They belong to our people but both of them want me

to skin the other one alive only because...

one says God says this

and the other's God a slightly different ???

I keep my horses in the houses of their God.

Each promises to prolong my life...

if I kill the other one.

Why do you think I'm wrong

when I let my horses trample down this land? I want something different to grow here!

These Chinese told me a lot about the great conquerors.

Whole peoples have disappeared but still...

people remember many details about those rulers.

Some of these details are pleasant to my ears...

while others are not!

And though there was not one ruler like me among them...

still I must think about what people'll tell about me...

1000 years after my death.

And of course you're nothing but a detail.

I wouldn't like them to ever attach much importance...

to what happened to your city.

Only laughter can save us such exaggerations.

Why are you not eating?

I wanted to chain you here by my tent,

so I'll chain your regal aunt instead.

As for you, I'll commit you to eternity.

Your visage will be coated with silver.

That'll do too much credit to your merits, of course.

But on the other hand, my dear ???

My victory!

Some time later they'll do us justice.

I'll be considered wise, right, Chinaman?

Don't kill my son!

What d'you want with one boy in this huge world?

If I let such fathers' children live...

they'll slaughter my grandchildren.

Don't grudge him the silver, Chinaman!

soldiers' talk ???

# song lyrics ???

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I saved this girl in exchange for this plank...

which was thrown to me by a Mongol at the gate.

He decided I was the one that had opened it.

How will you reward me for it, Khan?

I might set you free.

You're a great deceiver, Unzhu-khan! Where are your Chinese doctors?

What have you been doing over the last two years, Khan?

I've been killing. We started in different ways...

but the end was always the same.

And everything might have been the other way round.

???

My life too has gone awry.

When I was her age

I couldn't imagine I'd live the life of a slave.

???

???

And who could imagine...

that the shaker of the universe Muhammad-Shah would die a destitute tramp?

And that the mistress of all women would be chained and be happy to be thrown a bone?

Who could imagine the Great Kairkhan, who wanted me to become a martyr,

would become one himself.

Listen, I hear our Otrar held out longer than any other city.

Translated by O. Flynn Edited by R. Svirina

THE END

Transcribed by mitbrille @KG 2013 new timings and corrections by serdar202@KG 2017