Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia (天幕のジャードゥーガル)

Fatima. I want you...

to act as my spy.

Your spy?

As you are aware, Brother Ögedei has taken the throne as emperor.

Both Tolui and I can accept that outcome if all goes well.

However...

Brotherly bonds are a fragile thing.

Despite being passed over for emperor,

Tolui, as the Otchigin, now wields the most military power in the empire.

Left alone, this imbalance is sure to bring misfortune.

I think I'm beginning to understand.

So what would you have me do?

I want you to insinuate yourself into Brother Chagatai's court,

and tell me in great detail about his movements.

Prince Chagatai?

Yes. Let us assume the worst.

If anyone were to come between the Great Kha'an and Tolui,

it would be none other than Brother Chagatai,

for he has always been closest to Brother Ögedei.

You would not raise suspicion, since he does not know your face.

You will become a spy for our sake, won't you?

Jaadugar

A Snake Shows Its Colors, Man Hides His Colors

Tomorrow morning, head to the tent marked with a flag.

You will then be told how you will go undercover.

A flag. A tent with a flag.

That must be it.

All I was told was to come here.

Fatima.

Hey.

Shira? Is that you?

I hardly recognize you as a grown man.

What are you doing here?

Aren't you in Prince Tolui's employ?

His consort, Princess Sorghaghtani, came asking for me.

So now I'm here to help you out.

Oh?

Not to mention, it sounds like the winds of change are blowing.

Let's both do our best to climb our way to success.

I see you haven't changed.

So what exactly is this tent?

Oh, that's the tent of the lost property officer.

It's where cattle and slaves of unknown ownership are kept for safekeeping.

After the autumn move and the kurultai, I imagine things are quite hectic.

We'll exploit that to have you replace one of Prince Chagatai's slaves.

The two of us will swap places, huh?

Will we really find a slave who resembles me so easily?

Well, I'm sure it will go as planned, if the stars so will it.

Let's head inside.

Huh?

I'm worried this won't end well.

Excuse me, good sir.

I came across a lost slave.

Can I leave her here with you?

Anything that might help identify her?

What? I couldn't say.

She seems no different from other slaves.

As you can see, she's quite unremarkable, save for her friendly smile.

Hey!

Why, you...

Don't get mad at me. The switch will be easier if you don't stand out.

You didn't have to say it like that.

There, there.

You dropped something.

What's that?

This is a bezoar stone.

I found it in some sheep entrails.

Oh, that stone that's used as an antidote? I've heard of it.

Hold on. Isn't that a jada stone?

Huh?

I've never heard of a bezoar,

but we refer to the stones formed inside animals as jada stones,

and they're used to summon rain.

When a kam soaks it in water...

it's said to instantly call forth a storm.

How did one find its way to a slave like you?

What?

Was it a bad idea to bring this along with me?

Um... Oh, right.

I planned to give this to my master, but I lost sight of him.

By the way, officer, I'm actually looking for a lost slave myself.

Do you have any girls who resemble her and are subjects of Prince Chagatai?

A slave from the west belonging to Prince Chagatai?

Not a chance you'll find one that easily.

Just yesterday, I took in three such slaves.

What?

I have plenty of lost slaves now after the kurultai.

Squint a little and you might say this girl resembles her, I suppose—

Looks just like her!

Ah, there you are! I've been looking all over!

We look nothing alike.

You can say that again.

So long. Hope you manage to find your master soon.

Nothing alike.

Thanks a lot!

Okay, we'll have you wait with the other girls.

I'm sure someone will come for you soon.

There really are so many lost people.

Wait, could they be...

Um, do you speak Persian?

We do.

Oh, wow. So you two are from Mashhad and Merv?

I hail from Tus.

Oh, really?

I always wanted to visit.

Is that true?

I heard it was a nice, bustling city.

You're absolutely right.

Then, we perhaps might have come across each other one day.

Yes!

I remember those days fondly.

I used to love shopping at the bazaar.

I serve Prince Chagatai's family now.

But I lost my way before I knew it.

I'm worried about my family.

Your family?

Yes. My husband is a fellow slave.

He's a skilled craftsman who was born in Bukhara.

I felt scared and hopeless when they first brought us to Mongolia,

but I now have my husband and our children.

I could never have imagined how well my life would turn out.

They say home is where you make it.

Prince Chagatai's ulus is a peaceful one at that.

So there are those who have found new lives here.

I mustn't.

At times, I feel myself about to forgive them.

Despite my vow to never forget...

what the Mongols did to all of us...

Hey, the girl who just arrived.

Do you mean me?

Yes. Follow me.

Did Shira get someone to come after me already?

That was faster than I expected.

Here you are. This is the girl.

I hear you've got a jada stone?

Y-Yes.

Let's see it.

What do you want with it?

Come.

Huh? Wh-What?

Hurry up and get on.

What's happening? It's like he's...

You're heavier than you look.

What?

Don't run away, you rotten thief.

What?

Chuu!

What?!

Did you just call me a thief?

There must be some mistake!

Who are you?!

You're not one of Prince Chagatai's men here to take me back!

If I say "camel," you say "goat."

Huh? Come again?

I'm trying to say you're completely mistaken.

Give it up and confess your crimes.

"Confess"?! I haven't done—

Chuu!

Chuu, chuu!

You're hurting me!

Where am I?

Shut up. Just follow me.

It's Qadaq. Pardon the intrusion.

I've brought the girl who stole the stone.

I didn't steal anything!

Get in here.

What?

Good work bringing her here, Qadaq.

I remember her.