Yesugei takes Temüjin across the steppe to find him a bride, and over days on the trail a distant father and a guarded son grow close. Among the Olkhun'ut the boy is betrothed to the fierce Borte and left behind to prove himself. Riding home alone, Yesugei is surrounded by Tartars who honor guest-right only long enough to strike and takes a poisoned wound that will not heal.