“He advised the Tukholians not to try to stop the Mongols at the entrance to the valley, but to let them in. Here they could be encircled and killed off to the last one. If that proves not feasible, then starve them to death. Barricades must be constructed first on the trail by the waterfall and everything of value carried out of the village, all the stores of grain, bread, all the cattle, and then the Mongols closed in from all sides. Here or nowhere else will you defeat them, Maxim said.”
The assembled listened heedfully to Peace-Renown’s speech. A deep silence fell over them all when she stopped speaking. Only Zakhar, proudly and radiantly, straightened himself and approached Peace-Renown with outstretched arms.
“My daughter,” he said. “Now, I can see that you are worthy of being a daughter to Zakhar Berkut. These are truly the words of my son . . . from them flows his intrepid spirit! With these words you have re-awakened my paternal instinct. Now it is easier for me to bear the loss of my son when heaven has sent such a daughter as you to take his place!”
Laughing and weeping with joy, she flew to his embrace. “You mustn’t say that, father!” she said. “Your son will not be lost, but will return to you safely. He will return here this very night with the Mongol Horde and if with God’s help we defeat it, then we will also release him.”
At that moment from the entrance to the valley came the shouts of the Tukholian guards, “The Mongols are coming! The Mongols!” swiftly running towards the townspeople at folk-mote to warn them that the Mongol Horde with a countless army could be seen approaching along the Opir river.
They were forced to make decisions without delay as to the manner in which they would defend themselves. Zakhar Berkut repeated the counsel of his son to let the Mongols into the valley and there surround them and kill them off or starve them to death.
This time there were no dissenting voices raised against the
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