01x10 - Chie

[bunniefuu]

The Great Kha'an was poisoned.

But if it wasn't you...

That would mean it was Töregene.

The guardian spirits have spoken.

Saving the patient requires
a sacrifice in his stead.

One of you must drink
every last drop of this water.

So it should be me.

It hurts.

I can't move.

I must be deep within the lower world.

The immortal realm.

Where the spirits reside.

Not even the kams would venture
so deep in search of a soul.

Will I be held c*ptive here
for all eternity?

Brother!

So this is where you were, Brother.

Tolui? Why are you here?

I've been searching for you, Brother.

I scoured the upper and lower worlds,
and I've finally found you.

Come. Let us return.

Tolui.

I'm afraid that's not possible.

Should a single soul go missing
from this tent,

the spirits are bound to take notice.

In their anger, they may visit calamity
upon the surface.

Then let me take your place.

What?

Tolui, you mustn't.

All I know is w*r, and we've already
vanquished our longtime foes, the Jin.

It is you who will forge the era to come
with your cleverness.

Don't, Tolui!

Farewell, Brother.

Tolui!

Be careful when you're back
on the surface!

Please watch over Sorghaghtani
in my stead!

Great Kha'an.

You've awakened?

Boraqchin?

Where's Tolui? Where is he right now?

Is anyone there?

The Great Kha'an has come to!

Tolui.

Sir Qadaq's tent is gone.

But why?

I was hoping he could tell me
what happened to Lady Töregene.

This must be...

Fatima!

Shira?

Wh-What is it?

Prince Tolui has...

What?

It happened shortly after the exorcism.

Prince Tolui suddenly had a fit
on his way back.

He managed to return
to Princess Sorghaghtani's side.

But he perished soon after.

Looks like he really did sacrifice himself
for the Great Kha'an.

That can't be.
The very thought is absurd.

Which would mean he was...

Assassinated?

Wait. With everything that's happened
since yesterday, I'm so confused.

What in the world is going on?

Fatima.

Perhaps it's best you don't return
to the House of Tolui.

Huh?

Princess Sorghaghtani sent you
to prevent the worst from transpiring.

And yet, that's exactly what has happened.

You've betrayed her trust.

Besides...

With Prince Tolui gone,
his house won't last long.

From now on, we may see power concentrated
in the hands of the Great Kha'an.

If that's the case, I'd love to serve
the House of Ögedei.

Say, Fatima. Could you put
in a good word for me?

Are you listening?

Tolui sacrificed his life
for the Great Kha'an.

That could be the truth.
Or it could very well not be.

What's certain is the power imbalance
that had been maintained in the empire

would shift greatly
following Tolui's death.

Next, we have the jarghuchi, Shigi Qutuqu,
who will be announcing the spoils of w*r.

Here are the men we brought
from the Jin capital.

Scholars. Physicians. Engineers.

They are sure to contribute
to our nation's development.

So this is the gift you spoke of?

You called for me?

I heard of it from the jarghuchi.

Going against the law by arguing
for more land and subjects for your son.

My son made great endeavors
during the Jin expedition!

You understand that, don't you?

Mother!

Godan!

Pardon us. Pay no heed to my mother.

Godan! Let me down this instant!

- This is for your sake!

- Mother! Calm yourself!

W-Well...

That wish of yours...

may be granted soon enough.

Huh?

There.

Fatima.

Empress Boraqchin.

What brings you here?

Your efforts have led
to the Great Kha'an's recovery.

I come with a show of my gratitude.

This is for you.

What?

Oh... Elements?

I mentioned to Sorghaghtani
that you were seeking this book,

and she gladly agreed to part with it.

I was seeking it...

Where did you learn of that?

Did Lady Töregene tell you?

Fatima.

Forget about that woman.

I'll have her tent dismantled
by the end of today.

You can relocate next to my tent.

Empress Boraqchin.

Come with me. There's something
I want to show you.

Did Princess Sorghaghtani
relinquish all of these to you?

Indeed. In all her magnanimity.

B-But she said...

I wish to learn more.

About the many lands
within reach of Mongol hooves.

It was tragic what happened to Tolui.

However...

I believe it was a sign
from the heavens.

The Great Kha'an possesses the wisdom
to lead our empire into a new age.

Yet Tolui would have proved meddlesome
in bringing this to fruition.

You said as much yourself.

You were afraid of the House of Tolui
dominating in both might and intelligence.

I will use this opportunity
to correct that imbalance.

Fatima.

It won't be might that commands the future
of this empire. It will be wisdom.

Don't you wish to harness
your wisdom to its fullest?

What could be more enjoyable?

Had I stayed in Tus, I would have
never beheld a sight so majestic.

I... intend to go on a journey.

And engage with wisdom from any
and all sources in search of truth.

Master Muhammad.

I'll have you know
I was so frustrated back then.

I was filled with envy.

You could freely journey
wherever your heart took you.

I've learned far more than you ever did
in the brief time you were alive.

Maybe it's time...

I moved on with my life.

Huh? What was that?

Hey. Is everything all right?

I'm so sorry. This pillar toppled over.

I thought lightning might have struck.

They're all in a panic.

At this moment in time,
you don't know where you are,

what is happening,

or what is going to become of you.

Your life is full of unknowns.

How could I think myself cleverer
than Master Muhammad?

Where is my place in this world?

Euclid's Elements.

Elements, which my mistress
tried to protect.

Elements, which caused
to my mistress to lose her life.

The man who k*lled my mistress is no more.

My purpose in life was to take back
this book as my mistress's sl*ve.

Mistress Fatima.

I've succeeded in what I set out to do.

A sl*ve?

Empress Boraqchin.

Were you told the reason
for me seeking this book?

That book is a treatise
on geometry, is it not?

I heard you had an interest
in the subject for a long time.

Taking after your father
who was a scholar, I believe?

Yes. It's just as you say.

Now I know one thing.

Empress Boraqchin heard about this book
from Lady Töregene.

I can't guess at what
might have transpired,

but what I can say for sure is...

My name is Sitara. I'm a sl*ve.

That's why I chose to keep my past
as a Merkit a secret from everyone.

Please keep it a secret too.

Lady Töregene did not divulge...

the secrets we shared,

nor the anger we bear.

You worked hard today.

Shira.

Fatima?

I told you not to come back.

I came to ask you something.

Help me out, and I can introduce you
to the Great Kha'an or the Great Khatun.

Ask me anything.

You said the House of Tolui
wouldn't last long.

Why is that?

Think about it.
With Prince Tolui gone,

I can't imagine Princess Sorghaghtani
and the others who survived him

will hold onto their influence.

In fact, just earlier...

They took away so many
of your books, Mother.

Say, are you really okay
not saying anything?

That book, Elements...

Didn't Father bring that book
all the way from Persia for you?

It's fine.

I have no need for it any longer.

The Great Khatun can take all she wants.

Ah, I have no interest in following
someone who's lost all hope.

Huh?

It was her all along.

I was at the mercy of Empress
Boraqchin's machinations.

How frustrating.

I believed myself cleverer
than everyone around me,

and challenged her
completely unaware.

But now is not the time for frustration.

I beg of you, Shira.

Help me.

There's someone I need to save right now.

Chuu!

H-H-Hey! Don't leave me behind!

Chuu!

Sir Qadaq.

Fatima!

How'd you find me?

Here.

Isn't this your branding iron?

Sir Qadaq!

Where is Lady Töregene?
Please tell me she's safe!

I'm doing everything I can at the moment
to save Lady Töregene.

On my master's orders, that is.

Your master?

Isn't that Lady Töregene?

I've told you countless times she isn't.

It's a long story. Come with me.

Prince Güyük. I'm coming in.

Oh?

There's no one in here.

It's me, Prince Güyük. Qadaq.

Qadaq?

Oh, it's just you?

I thought a stranger might have—

H-Hello—

Qadaq! Qadaq!

Who is she? Send her away!

Prince Güyük is prone to swings
in his temperament.

It seems today's not your day.

Out.

What?

Hey, you can't be serious.

That's right. What's the meaning of this?

Like I said—

Qadaq!

I beg of you!

I don't know who he is,
but Lady Töregene needs his help—

This is Lady Töregene's firstborn son!

Prince Güyük...

is the Great Kha'an and Lady Töregene's
firstborn son.

What?

Next time: "An Ungraceful Stone."