He had led Dukmo away as his own.  And Akhu Trotung, who had applied himself to gaining favor with Gurkar, had been reinstated over the chiefs.  Once again, his power felt absolute.  That is, if he made sure the proper tribute reached Hor each year, none could dislodge him.  He was well pleased with life and had convinced himself that Gesar had made a fine meal for Lutsan.

Early in her captivity, Dukmo had looked daily for Gesar’s coming.  She had sent two storks with a tearstained letter to find him.  For years they had flown hither and thither.  Now their sight was dim, their wings lame. But without their message, Gesar would never accomplish the remainder of his heavenly mission.  And at just that moment, Maneney intervened.  Rescuing the birds, she washed them in healing herbs and directed their flight to the north land.

That day, too, Gesar was sitting at dice with Dzemo when “kung! kung!” the crying of the storks sounded above them.  To distract Gesar, Dzemo pointed at the dice.  “Look here, you are stuck,” she said with a rude noise.  But Gesar seized one of her braids and pulled.  “Listen, Dzemo, just listen.  Are those the birds of Ling?”

Then Gesar spread two carpets on the ground, one white, one black.  On the white carpet he laid out fresh meat and on the other, carrion.  “Land here,” he cried, “on the white carpet for good news and on the black for bad.”  And as the birds settled on the black carpet, Gesar almost fainted with anxiety.  The big bird loosed the letter from around its neck and Gesar read the truth about Ling.

Now when Gesar called for Kyang Go, his horse, he could not find him.  He set out to search.  On the loose rocks of the ice fields he finally found Kyang Go, wretched and thin.  “At home with Dukmo I had flour and milk and sometimes sugar syrup,” mourned the horse.  “But with Dzemo I got only a load to carry and sometimes a kick to boot.”  Gesar was overcome with remorse.  “We have both been abused,” he acknowledged, “But today we’ll be on the road to Ling.”

Gesar camped near the Hor-Ling border and sent Kyang Go to the Ling-castle with a letter fixed to his saddle.  And for seven days, the little army that answered that message rode with Gesar into the outlying land of Hor.  Then Maneney appeared.  There was no hope of a military victory, she warned, and Gesar must continue alone.  The forces turned back, leaving only a chastised Akhu Trotung to manage with the provisions.  But the closer they came to Hor’s castle, the more the poor steward shook with fear.  Soon he was quite incoherent, and Gesar sent him back as well.