The Successors of Genghis Khan - Robert Bedrosian's Armenian ...

THE SUCCESSORS OF GENGHIS KHAN
good intent." And on the understanding that they should accompany
each other to Mongke Qa'an, the aforesaid emirs went to Shiremun
and the princes and held cups for one another. Then, accompanied
only by a small number of horsemen, they set out for the Court of the
Qa'an. When they drew near, the greater part of their nokers were
detained and their arms taken from them. And it was commanded
that some of the emirs who had accompanied the princes should
stand outside. They were all detained, and then having made obeisance
nine at a time they entered the or do. For 3 days they feasted and no
questions were asked of them. On the fourth day, when they came to
the audience chamber and tried to enter, a messenger from Mongke
Qa'an arrived and said: "Stay for today." And at once another messenger
arrived and said: "Let every noker and soldier that was with
them go back to his own unit of a thousand, a hundred, or ten. If they
remain here they will be put to death." In accordance with this
command, they all went back and the princes were left alone, and
a soldier was appointed to guard them.54