Once, while on the road, Bakai looked ahead and fancied that Manas, Almambet, and Chubak were riding at the head of the group. Lost in thought, he began to ponder: "Am I really seeing these lions before me, or is it just an illusion?"
Upon closer inspection, he saw that it was Semetey, Kulchoro, and Kanchoro. They resembled their fathers Manas, Almambet, and Chubak so closely that it seemed as if their fathers' skins had been taken off and put on their children. Bakai was very pleased about this. His joy knew no bounds, and he began to tell the young men about Beidzhin.
- In the lifetime of your fathers, we went to Beidzhin several times. The Chinese khan Konurbai is not a trivial enemy. Besides human guards, he has shapeshifting beasts stationed everywhere. You are young and inexperienced, and therefore must follow everything I tell you.
I know where these marvelous creatures stand guard. Be cautious; remember that if you, for some reason, do not obey me, the guard beasts of Konurbai may sense your approach, and if they inform Konurbai about you in advance, then our cause will be irreparably damaged.
Ahead on our path lives Muradyl - a more dangerous enemy than Konurbai himself. Almambet killed Muradyl's father. And Muradyl, as I have heard, is stronger and braver than his father - he is a cunning and crafty giant. They say he is preparing for battle against us. We must bypass him and take precautions against him.
We are now approaching the lands of Muradyl. My unfortunate ones, Kulchoro and Kanchoro! Remember that sleep is akin to death: so, be careful not to fall asleep and keep a close watch on your horses!
But Kulchoro and Kanchoro did not heed this wise advice from Bakai.
Semetey ordered to spread the green tent, tied his horse Taybuurol and Bakai's horse Kokcholok to the rope hitch, and himself fell into a hero's sleep. Kulchoro and Kanchoro, saying that they would take the other horses to graze, rode away from the tent, let their horses go, and also lay down to sleep.
At that moment, the guard of Muradyl, Djeedzheldet, went out on patrol, saw the pitched tent, and quickly returned to Muradyl.
- That well-known Bakai is apparently alive! I also heard that the sons remain: Semetey from Manas, Kulchoro from Almambet, and Kanchoro from Chubak. Now these orphans, led by Bakai, are coming to avenge their fathers.
Muradyl, fearing the arrival of enemies, kept a close watch on all the roads, and upon hearing from Djeedzheldet about Semetey's arrival, he became extremely agitated and, climbing up to the watchtower, began to look around.
Seeing Semetey, he decided to guess who would achieve victory if they engaged in battle. The divination suggested to him that neither in a duel nor in a general battle would he have enough strength to overcome Semetey. Then, having thought everything over carefully, he unleashed his magical powers, summoned a terrible snowstorm, causing all the livestock to scatter in different directions from the cold, and the horses of Kulchoro and Kanchoro, lost in the snowstorm, strayed off the road and disappeared.
When Bakai emerged from the tent in the morning, he saw that only Taybuurol and Kokcholok were standing at the rope hitch, while Kulchoro and Kanchoro with their horses had vanished without a trace. Realizing that Muradyl had stolen the horses, Bakai, in anger, began to tear at his beard and weep bitterly, lamenting his fate:
- When Manas was alive and stood at the head of the people, neither he, nor forty choro, nor all our numerous army made me repeat my advice twice, but now my words do not even affect two orphans!
At that very moment, Kulchoro and Kanchoro, on foot, weary, having completely lost hope of finding their horses, were walking, with their belts draped over their shoulders, towards Semetey's tent. Approaching, they said bitterly:
- Father! In our youth, we made a foolish mistake, our horses are lost. Here are our heads; if you want to take them, take them - and they stretched out their necks. Laughing loudly, Semetey replied:
- The lost horses will be found; do not grieve about it, - saying this, he mounted Taybuurol and went to search for the horses. But there were no traces of them anywhere, and in the end, Semetey also lost hope of finding them and returned empty-handed.
To continue their journey, they decided to ride two on one horse, but could not fit; then Semetey and Bakai rode, while Kulchoro and Kanchoro continued on foot. Having traveled some distance this way, both heroes became very tired and were unable to move further. Semetey, looking at them, turned Taybuurol and said to Bakai:
- Father! These heroes cannot move further on foot. If they return home and the whole people learn that they lost their horses, they will probably be very ashamed. Advise me what to do with them?
Bakai replied:
- My unfortunate orphan! Let’s take these heroes off the road, find them a secluded place, and leave them there, while we go on. If we are destined to return safely from the campaign to Beidzhin, we will take them with us.
Semetey agreed with Bakai's words and ordered both heroes to stay in a secluded place. Not reaching their cherished dream due to their own fault, they remained, weeping hot tears mixed with blood.
Bakai, however, led Semetey along the familiar road straight to Beidzhin.
Semetey. The War of Semetey with Konurbai. The Campaign to Beidzhin. Part - 1
