Before they were about to slaughter the animals for the forthcoming
memorial rituals, tens of thousands of enemy troops broke into the mausoleum
in swarms. As the enemy troops closed in on Semetei in massive and streaming
Legend of Manas
columns, they hurrahed at the top of their voice. Only at that time did Semetei realize that his mother’s prophecy had turned into reality. “Turning down my mother’s suggestion means I am making a rod for my own back. As you can see, the God of Death is challenging me. We should get ready for the battle,”Semetei said to Kulchoro and Kenchoro.
Kulchoro offered to negotiate with enemy troops on the conflict on behalf of Semetei.
Having seen his trick taking effect gradually, Kenchoro pretended to be heavy-hearted. He went on saying: “Shut up! Kulchoro. You killed the father of Kyiaz and managed to wrest the horse from him in the past. Today he will take avenge on you on purpose. How do you still have guts to negotiate with him? You ask for it! If you dare to go over to him, you will be torn into pieces by him. So you will have no choice but to stay here. Let me resist the enemy troops,” said Kenchoro.
Then, the evil plotter turned away and said to Semetei: “All of us shared the milk of the same mother. So we are just like brothers. It is imperative that I sacrifice my life as two of my older brothers encounter the danger today. In order to clean up on my opponents, I should borrow the magical horse and all the weapons from you. If you promise to lend all of them to me, what more can I wish for? I swear to force the aggressors to kneel down before you and beg for mercy.”
Unfortunately, Semetei was completely hoodwinked by the evil plotter’s eloquence and never suspicious of his so-called “loyalty.”
After putting on the coat armor of Semetei and mounting his magical horse, Kenchoro turned around and pointed his spear to Semetei. He gnash one’s teeth in hatred and then raved deliriously:
“Semetei, just listen! I regard you as my patron all along.
What benefit have you already let me reap?
Semetei,just listen! Today I am grateful to you
For providing me with a chance to fulfill my long-cherished desire!
Semetei, just listen! Today I obtain what I am longing for
– the gallant horse, coat armor and all your weapons.
Semetei, just listen! Today what I still want to take is
The lives of yours and Kulchoro!
Kenchoro Colludes with Kyiaz and Semetei Vanishes
135
Semetei, just listen! Kyiaz and I already reached an agreement to overthrow your reign.
I will mount the throne as the new great khan of Kyrgyz people.
And your wife Chiachikei will be my queen.
Aichurek will be at Kyiaz’s disposal.
Semetei, just listen! You are a champion idiot in the world.
You don’t take the advice of Kanikei.
Naturally, you come to a bad end today.
No one else should be blamed. You ask for it!”
After saying that, Kenchoro made a lunge at Semetei just like a normally placid dog turning on his master. Directed by Kyiaz, all the enemy soldiers also closed in on the khan and Kulchoro and kicked up a rumpus.
Semetei let out a deep sigh: “I treat Kenchoro like a whole brother. But the thug betrays me right now. Come on, all the sinners with no repentance! Just thrust all your spears at me! I should be blamed for credulity. Please don’t hurt my warrior Kulchoro.” Kulchoro dashed forward and blocked the way of Kenchoro. “Kenchoro, listen! Just leave our oldest brother alone! I killed the father of Kyiaz. Our khan has nothing to do with his death. Come on, thrust all your bayonets at me!” he said to the evil plotter.
The evil plotter got so annoyed that he thrust his spear at Semetei all at once.
Just at such a critical moment, Semetei sent off a ray of red light all of a sudden just like a thunderbolt. All the people were so scared by the harsh light that they closed their eyes at once. When they opened their eyes after a short while, they were stunned to find that Semetei had vanished at a stroke. Moreover, even an imperceptible trace did not leave right there.
The whereabouts of the khan were unknown to all the people right there.
Kenchoro Colludes with Kyiaz and Semetei Vanishes
137