---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------* Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori Heaven by the Shores of a Red River Volume 3 by Shinohara Chie Flower Comics/Shogakukan 1995 Translation by Emily Horner The Story Until Now Yuuri is a normal middle-school student. But, while she's on a fun date, she gets sucked into a puddle of water. She opens her eyes in the ancient Hittite Empire. Because of the Queen's plans, she was brought through time as a sacrifice. Yuuri was saved from a dangerous spot by Prince Kail, and was taken to his palace as a 'concubine.' Yuuri wants to return to the 20th century, but first, three conditions need to be met. She needs Kail's power as a priest; all of the seven springs have to be full; and she needs the clothes she was wearing. Yuuri sneaks into the Queen's palace with Kail's servant Tito. But, that was the Queen's trap. Yuuri is caught by the Queen's minion, Zuwa. Tito sacrifices himself to save Yuuri. Yuuri vows not to return home until she avenges Tito's death, and joins forces with Kail. Together, they visit Tito's hometown, Alinna. There, Tito's older sisters attack Yuuri. Even here, the Queen's traps are waiting. As Yuuri tries to escape from Zuwa, a man named Talos appears in front of her... Zuwa : Where did you go, girl? Light! You went outside! No matter where you try to run, I'll cut off your neck! <> Yuuri : {If Zuwa catches me this time, I'll be killed for sure.} Please let me go! I don't know what this is about, but if you want to talk to me about something, we can talk later. Talos : I don't want to talk. I hadn't thought about what I would do if I saw you, but...Zuwa of Kashuga is chasing you. I want you to fight him. <> Talos : Come! Yuuri : Wait! I'll never win against him! Who are you, and why are you... {What's he going to do to me? I've heard that name, Talos, before...} Eeek! Yuuri : {So many swords and spears!} Talos : I won't tell you to fight Zuwa unarmed. Choose one weapon. Yuuri : Please, tell me what's going on! Talos : Making these weapons is the job of the Hatti clan. Yuuri : Not about that, about...Hatti...Tito's family? <> Talos : Yes. If he had lived, Tito would have followed me to become head of the Hatti clan. Yuuri : {Talos is Tito's father!} Talos : Choose a weapon, or I'll send you out there as you are. Yuuri : {Just like Tito's sisters, he thinks that I killed Tito.} Wait, I... <> Yuuri : {Can I really say that I didn't kill Tito? I didn't listen when Prince Kail and Tito tried to stop me, and because I broke into the Queen's palace, Tito was killed. And besides, I'm staying in this world to get revenge.} <> Talos : Choose a weapon, and go to Zuwa! Yuuri : {My staying here will be meaningless if I keep running away. I have to chose a sword to fight Zuwa!} <> Talos : You may choose any sword you like. I would not be ashamed to present that golden sword to the Queen herself. That one, encrusted with gems and silver, is worth ten horses. And they aren't only pretty to look at. They're swords that can fight against Zuwa. Yuuri : {They're all splendid, but they're too big for me.} <> Yuuri : {A rusty shortsword. What's it doing in the middle of all these fine longswords? It doesn't look that great, and it doesn't fit in here. Just like me.} Yuuri : {It fits my hand well.} I would like to have this one, if I may. Zuwa : I've found you, girl! Alinna will be your grave! --I don't know how father feels about Yuuri-sama. When we were talking earlier about how she snuck into the Queen's palace, he didn't say anything. Kail : So he might try to kill her just like you did. If Yuuri's alive, she must have seen Talos. Hurry! Kail : Talos! Talos : It has been quite some time, Prince Kail. Kail : Did a girl with black hair and ivory skin come by here? Talos : I sent your concubine out to Zuwa. Kail : What? Talos : You must really care about that girl. I've never seen you so panicked. Talos : There's no need to worry about her. I said I would give her one weapon, and Yuuri didn't hesitate to choose *that* sword. --By 'that sword,' do you mean... Kail : What sword? Talos : Prince, the Middle East is being torn apart by war. <> Talos : Mittani in upper Mesopotamia, Egypt in the Nile river valley, and our Hittite Empire in Anatolia, fight wars over territory, and the smaller surrounding countries fight their own small battles. Kail : Even a child knows that much, Talos. Talos : We have prayed for Ishtar, the goddess of war, to be on our side. And now, everyone in the city is saying that your concubine is really the disguised form of Ishtar. --So you made Yuuri-sama pick a sword, father? Talos : I thought that it could do no harm to try. She chose correctly. Kail : What is that sword? --It's a treasured sword that the Hatti clan has protected for a long time. Kail : A treasured sword? Talos : The sword that your concubine chose... <> Talos : Is the sword that will decide these land wars in the Middle East! <> Zuwa : Wait, girl! Yuuri : {I was ready to fight him, but how can I possibly beat such a huge, stupid guy? Prince Kail's soldiers!} --Yuuri-sama! --Yuuri-sama, you're safe! --You're not dead after all! Zuwa : Out of my way, fish! <> --Zuwa of Kashuga? Leave this to us! Yuuri : No, wait! Zuwa : You fool! Yuuri : {What power! What a strong sword!} --Hurry to the top, Yuuri-sama! Kail : Yuuri! <> Kail : A bow! Someone get a bow! --Yes! Yuuri : {I can't do it!} Yuuri : {Tito's bracelet!} Zuwa : Why don't you just give up? Yuuri : {I mustn't run away! I can't!} Zuwa : Do you think you can resist me with that shortsword? Do you want me to slice through that sword? <> Kail : Yuuri, stop! Yuuri : {Tito, give me strength!} Kail : Yuuri! Yuuri : {Please, Tito, give me strength!} <> --Yuuri-sama! Kail : She cut through Zuwa's sword! Yuuri : {What is this sword?} Yuuri : {What is this sword? How could this plain little sword cut through Zuwa's strong sword?} Zuwa : Impossible! <> Zuwa : Don't make a fool out of me, girl! --Zuwa, we'll take revenge for all the dozens of people you killed! Die! Kail : Damn! I can't get a clear shot! <> Yuuri : {I can't think about what this sword is now. It doesn't matter. If I can avenge Tito's death, that's enough.} Zuwa, this time I'll take revenge for Tito! <> Zuwa : You're not ready to fight me, not in a hundred years! Even without a sword, I could wring your neck! <> Yuuri : {Please let me avenge Tito! Please!} Zuwa : Don't get cocky just because of that fluke back there. I'll break that pathetic little sword. Yuuri : {Please!} Zuwa : What? The sword broke the castle wall? Impossible! <> Zuwa : Aaaaaaaaaah! --Look over there! <> --He's dead? --Zuwa's dead? --The executioner of Kashuga is dead! --Zuwa's dead! <> --He killed my father! --He killed my little brother and wore his skin! --He killed my husband! --Kashuga won't try to attack the Hittite Empire again! Yuuri : {Tito, even though I was helpless, you cared about me. It was my fault that you died. I don't want to go back home while I'm still this helpless.} Yuuri : {Tito, I still can't reach the Queen, but I have killed Zuwa. Is it all right if I think that I've half avenged your death?} --A star's coming up. --Is it morning? --That's Ishtar, the morning star. --It's Ishtar! --But Ishtar's not supposed to come up until next year's water season! --I know that! But look there, in the Eastern sky! --Ishtar!? --It's Ishtar! --Ishtar, the Goddess of War, has returned to the Hittites! <> --Wait, that's... --Look! --Yuuri-sama!? <> --It's Yuuri-sama? --Yuuri-sama is Ishtar? --That's right! Yuuri-sama is the Goddess of War! --She's our Goddess of War! Yuuri : {Tito! I send you to Heaven!} <> Yuuri : {I send you to Heaven!} --Hooray for Yuuri! --Hooray for Ishtar! <> --Yuuri! Yuuri! --That's Tito's bracelet. Sister, Zuwa really did kill him. --Yes...I'm very sorry. Kail : Yuuri! Yuuri : Prince Kail! I'm sorry I made you worry. Hey, what are you doing? <> Kail : It's true. Your heart's really beating. Your body feels warm. Thank God. Yuuri : Prince Kail... Yuuri : What is this sword? Talos : What do you think? Yuuri : Talos. Talos : Why did you choose this sword, Yuuri-sama? Yuuri : The others were too nice for me. This one fit my hand the best. Talos : What do you think it is? Yuuri : {Well, it's rusty...} An iron sword, I guess. Talos : You know about iron, Yuuri-sama? Kail : What is the Hatti clan doing with iron? Talos : I must commend you for being able to say it's an iron sword. Yuuri : {But everybody knows about iron.} Umm... Kail : Iron is a very rare metal, found only in rocks that fall from the sky. So our country wants it, at any price. I'm surprised that you know of it, since it's seen so rarely. <> Yuuri : {Iron is very rare?} <> <> Kail : Why does the Hatti clan have an iron sword? Talos : For a long time, our clan has had a technique to make iron from ore on the surface of the earth. That method of making iron is the hidden treasure of our clan. Kail : You know how to make iron? Hadi : Please punish us severely, Yuuri-sama! It's a great sin to attack Ishtar, the Goddess of War, even in a disguised form. Yuuri : Hadi, I can't punish you... Yuuri : Prince Kail? Kail : You're the one who was in danger. You decide what to do. Yuuri : I don't want to do anything. It was my fault for not telling them the truth from the start. Hadi : Yuuri-sama! Kail : Luckily, not many people know that the 3 of you made Yuuri drink poison, so we can just cover up the whole thing. Yuuri : Prince! Kail : Talos. Talos : Yes? <> Kail : My palace doesn't have any women servants. I've been thinking for some time that I should get someone to serve Yuuri. Could I have those three sisters to be Yuuri's servants? Talos : Thank you very much. Yuuri : {Now I feel as if Tito's forgiven me a little.} --Come along, Yuuri-sama. <> Talos : Now that my son Tito is dead, I have no one to teach the secret of making iron. You cared for Tito and avenged his death. Yuuri-sama, I will teach you how to make iron. Kail : Are you really going to teach that secret to Yuuri? Talos : It is a technique that will decide the land wars in the Middle East, so I will entrust it to Yuuri, who is Ishtar. <> <> King : Kail, is it true that you have the secret for making iron? Then my kingdom will be the strongest in the Middle East! It's an even greater feat than subjugating Kashuga! Kail : It is true, father. It was not me who was presented this technique, but my lady. <> King : All the same, the Hittite Empire has it! Now even I want to believe that your concubine is Ishtar. What is it, Queen? Nakia : Indeed, you have a good eye for choosing women, Prince Kail. Kail : Thank you, stepmother. {Queen Nakia, I'm surprised that you can say that so calmly while boiling with anger that your plan to kill Yuuri failed.} <> King : Kail, is it possible to quickly manufacture a great number of iron weapons? If so, we will go to war with Mitanni. Kail : Mitanni? Have they started to move? King : We have fought wars with them for many years, but it seems that they want to fight a decisive battle this year. King : This will not be a petty squabble like before. Rather, it will be a war that risks the very existence of each of our countries. I have ordered all the princes scattered over the kingdom to return. Do not neglect your preparations, Kail. Kail : I won't. {A war with Mitanni is starting soon...} <> King : Wait, Kail. Kail : What is it, father? King : You should bring along your concubine when the war starts. If nothing else, their belief in Ishtar will raise the soldiers' morale. Understood? <> Kikkuri : Don't grip the reins so tightly. They aren't the reins of life, you know. Yuuri : But I'm gonna fall! Kikkuri : That's why you need to sit up and get balanced! <> Kikkuri : But Yuuri, why are you starting this so soon after returning from Alinna? Yuuri : {I don't want to get in Prince Kail's way any more, and we still need to solve the problem of the Queen.} Hadi : Yuuri-sama! Yuuri : Hadi, Ryui, Shalla, teach me swordfighting and archery later, okay? I've heard that you're really good. <> Hadi : What are you talking about? Prince Kail will be home very soon! You're his concubine, and look at you! Kikkuri : Yuuri-sama! Hadi : Your skin and hair are all dirty because of how you've neglected them. Summer is called the 'season of fire' in Anatolia, so they'll get very dry. Yuuri : It's all right, Hadi, really! I always look like this! Hadi : We can't have that happen to you now that you are letting us serve you. When you get out of the water, I'll massage your whole body with aromatic oils. Kail : I'm home, Kikkuri. Kikkuri : Welcome back, Kail-sama. Kail : We'll be at war with Mitanni soon. Kikkuri : Finally! Kail : Call Il Vani if you want to talk about anything. I'll go have a bath. Kikkuri : Oh? But right now, the bath... Kail : I hate being dusty during the hot season. <> Hadi : You have skin like a baby's, Yuuri-sama! Yuuri : But I'm skinny and I don't have any breasts. Hadi : They'll grow soon. The best thing for that is to have the Prince touch them. You should ask Prince Kail. Yuuri : Don't say that to me with a straight face. Kail : You can talk to me about that any time. Hadi : Welcome back, Prince! Yuuri : Eeek! Get out, you pervert! --What did you just do to the Prince? You shouldn't be embarrassed, you spend every night together. Yuuri : {If I was really his concubine, then I'd be able to stay by his side...but I can't.} Hadi : Yuuri-sama, you're dressed like a boy again! Yuuri : That's fine. It would just be a waste to get dressed up anyway. --Prince Zananza has returned from the region of Kanesh! Kail : Zananza's back? Yuuri : Zananza? Il Vani : Zananza Hattusili, the fourth prince. Yuuri : Il Vani-san. <> Il Vani : He and Prince Kail are half-brothers who were raised together. He is Prince Kail's most deeply trusted brother. Yuuri : Deeply trusted brother? Il Vani : Prince Kail needs him to be able to obtain more territory in the Middle East. Yuuri : {Territory in the Middle East?} Zananza : Brother! It's been so long. Kail : I'm glad you're back, Zananza. Are you well? Zananza : Of course! Where's your Ishtar? Kail : What? Zananza : I'm more interested in seeing this beautiful girl I've been hearing about than in the war with Mitanni. Don't hide her, bring her out. <> Zananza : Oh, she is beautiful! Not that one? What about this one? I didn't know you liked little boys, brother! Hadi : That's why I said you should get changed. Yuuri : Leave me alone. Zananza : I'm very sorry. Kail : Zananza! Zananza : She's so different from the lovers you've had before... No, I trust your judgement. Zananza : It's no surprise that you picked Ishtar. You'll win the war with Mitanni. Il Vani : Otherwise, we will be in trouble. This war is a good chance for Prince Kail's name to spread throughout the Middle East. Kikkuri : He'll be fine. There's no soldier as strong as Kail-sama. Kail : Don't get careless. If we lose this war, the Hittite Empire will be destroyed. Yuuri : Prince Kail, do you want more territory too? <> Kail : If and when I reach the throne, there will be an ideal rule. We will neither attack nor be attacked. It will be a peaceful reign, without war. <> Kail : Do you think it's contradictory for me to with for war now? The world as it is now isn't made up only of beautiful things. The weak are soon destroyed by neighboring countries. You cannot have peace without having war first. <> Kail : To that end, I need more territory. Zananza : Let's do it, brother. I'm sure you'll be able to. And I would like to help you, though I know I'm not your equal. Kail : Zananza... Yuuri : {Prince Kail seems to get further away from me the more I learn about him.} We're out of wine. I'll bring some more. Kail : Yuuri... <> Il Vani : I am still opposed to your having a concubine, but I will accept Yuuri-sama. It may be useful to have her by your side, until you marry. Kail : I don't keep Yuuri with me because she's Ishtar! Zananza : Your head is as hard as a rock, Il Vani. Until now, my brother has associated with many princesses, but looked at them only to judge whether or not they would make good wives. If he really loves this girl, isn't that a good thing? <> Kail : Yuuri... Yuuri : Prince Kail. <> Kail : Yuuri, do you want me to build a separate palace for you? I would hire strong guards for it...so do you want to leave me? Yuuri : {Prince Kail has to find a wife soon...} If that's what you wish. Kail : If you're with me, you're going to get involved in this world's wars. <> Kail : You don't belong to me. But you'll get dragged into my ambitions, and I'll end up using you. Yuuri : Would I be helpful to you? Kail : Yes, too helpful. I didn't steal you from the Queen just so I could use you. Yuuri : Keep me with you. <> Kail : Yuuri? Yuuri : {I shouldn't fall in love with Prince Kail. He can never be mine. I know that, but...} If I won't be in your way, let me stay with you. Yuuri : {I know that, but right now, I just want to stay with him.} <> Yuuri : {I want to help him!} <> Nakia : Kail Mursili and Zananza Hattusili, known as the two best warriors in the Hittite Empire, are together. And the people have begun to revere that little girl as Ishtar, the Goddess of War. <> Nakia : Unless something is done, Kail's exploits in the war with Mitanni will make him reach the throne. I cannot let that happen! Yuuri : {Someday Prince Kail will get married, and I'll return to Japan next year.} <> Yuuri : {So I can't let myself with for anything. I can't let myself start to like Prince Kail more than I already do!} Kail : All right, that's enough. Yuuri : Prince Kail! Kail : If you can use your sword that well against Zananza, that's good enough, Yuuri. Hadi : Yuuri-sama, you're getting better so quickly, we can't even be your opponents any more. Zananza : You've got good muscles. It's too bad you're a girl. Yuuri : Well, I was always good at gym...but I hated history. {But...this is the only way I can stay with Prince Kail.} Zananza : I think I'm beginning to understand why you're so attracted to her. She always tries hard at everything, and she's cute. Il Vani : Excuse me, Princes. Kail : Il Vani? <> Il Vani : Tonight, the Emperor will hold a banquet for his sons, who are all gathered here after a long absence. Kail : Oh, a banquet? Il Vani : Yes, and I've been told that you may each bring your concubines. Yuuri : You mean...me too? I don't want to. I'd be really out of place at a royal banquet. Il Vani : His Highness has said that he would especially like to see you, Yuuri-sama. Be careful, Prince Kail. It was Queen Nakia who wanted to invite the concubines as well. <> Kail : Is the Queen plotting something again? Yuuri : {I'm not sure what it is, but I think she hasn't given up on killing me.} <> Kail : Yuuri, you have nothing to worry about it, since both Zananza and myself will be here. Zananza : That's right. Not even the Queen can do anything in such a public place. Yuuri : Okay. Yuuri : {All the women are so beautiful, like tropical fish.} --Look! --Is that Kail-sama's-- --But she looks just like a boy! Yuuri : {It's not my fault. Girlish clothes just don't suit me.} Nakia : Ah, Prince Kail, Prince Zananza. Welcome. Yuuri : Queen Nakia! {What's she going to do this time?} Nakia : Step down! You may not enter by this entrance. Kail : Queen, this is the entrance for members of the royal family. My lady should be able to come in. <> Nakia : Your lady? In those clothes, I thought she was only a page! Whether she is Ishtar or not, those clothes are entirely unsuitable. All of the other princes' concubines are elegantly dressed. It's absurd that you cannot even take care of the way your concubine is dressed! Yuuri : But he did bring me the clothes that I like! Nakia : Silence! This is none of your concern. It puts in question the dignity of a prince who would bring a girl dressed like that to the Emperor's banquet. Yuuri : {The prince's dignity...} Kail : Don't worry about it, Yuuri. You're dressed in the way that suits you. Yuuri : But... Hadi : It's all right, Yuuri-sama. I thought this might happen, and I brought you some clothes. <> --What? Aren't you horrified to hear the Queen talk to you like that? Yuuri : Yes, but... --Come on, this way. Hadi : Please give us a little time, Prince. Kail : All right. {It surely isn't such a big thing to make Yuuri get changed. What is she doing?} --The Crown Prince, Sali Arnwanda, his wife and concubines. The second Prince, Rois Telipinu, his wife and concubines. The third Prince, Kail Mursili, and his concubine. Oh? Where is she? King : Kail? What happened to your Ishtar? --She must've been too embarrassed. <> Kail : Please wait a little while. Ishtar, the morning star, is waiting for dawn. King : Zananza, now that Kail has a concubine, you're the only one without a woman. Zananza : I should find someone soon. Hadi : Excuse me, Yuuri-sama is ready. Hadi : Yuuri-sama, what is it? Yuuri : I'm too embarrassed in these clothes! Zananza : It seems that the veil of night is thick. I will escort her. <> Zananza : Come on out, Yuuri. <> Yuuri : {What is it? Do I really look weird?} --She's beautiful! King : I barely recognized you! Of course, Ishtar is also the goddess of beauty and fertility. --I would never have thought that Kail would bring such a beautiful concubine. Zananza : Watch out! Yuuri : I'm sorry, I'm not used to wearing these things... Zananza : No, I'm sorry. Nakia : Two men, and one woman...in that situation, it's very easy to disturb the harmony. I will make Kail fall from power, and cut that girl's neck as a sacrifice. I won't let the throne go to anyone but my son! Zananza : What's wrong? You look tired. Yuuri : Oh, Prince Zananza. I've just never been in a place like this before, and I got worried looking at the Queen. If you're looking for Prince Kail, he's talking to the ministers over there. Zananza : No, I'm not looking for my brother...I was surprised when I saw you before. You look like my mother. Zananza : My mother was a lady in waiting for Kail's mother, the former Queen. She caught the eye of my father, and I was born. Yuuri : So that's why you were raised with Prince Kail? Zananza : That's right. But my mother was weak, and died while I was still young. Hinti-sama, the Queen, took me in, and my brother and I became inseparable. <> Zananza : I remember my mother as being small and thin, like a young girl. Just like you. Kail : Come here, Yuuri. I'll introduce you to the ministers. Yuuri : I'm sorry, Prince. Excuse me. <> Zananza : Ah, Il Vani. Will you talk with me for a while? I'd like to stay a little longer tonight. Il Vani : Prince, you should find a wife or a concubine quickly. Someone just for you. Zananza : This is none of your business. I wasn't... <> --Would you like some more wine, Prince Zananza? Zananza : Yes, please. --I gave it to him, Queen. Nakia : Thank you. I wanted him to drink it right away because it's a very fine import from Egypt. <> Zananza : What? {My body's hot...my head feels like it's going to break...} Nakia : Prince Zananza, what you just drank is called Rose Water. Beautiful young prince, there is something that you wish for. There's no need to repress your feelings. <> Nakia : Go, and take what you want! Zananza : I want that girl. <> Zananza : {I want that girl!} Yuuri : Oh, I'm finally home! I'm getting changed. I don't want to wear these clothes any more. Hadi : I'll prepare your bath right away. Yuuri : Hadi, I'm taking a bath by myself tonight! Hadi : But I'll wash your body... Yuuri : I can do it myself! Really, I can! Kail : Let Yuuri do what she likes, Hadi. Zananza : {I want her!} <> Yuuri : {This doesn't feel right. I was sure that the Queen was going to try something tonight...} Who's there? <> Yuuri : Prince Zananza? What are you doing here? {There's something strange about him.} <> Yuuri : Ah! Eeek! <> Yuuri : What's happened to you, Prince? Get a grip! Zananza : Don't try to escape, Yuuri. I want you. Yuuri : No! Let go! Yuuri : Ah! Prince Kail! Kail : Yuuri? Kail : Zananza? Yuuri : Prince Kail! Kail : What do you think you're doing, Zananza? <> Zananza : Let me have this girl, brother. Kail : Do you understand what you're saying? Zananza : It isn't so unusual for a man to give his concubine to another. Il Vani : It seems that Prince Zananza is being controlled by someone, Your Highness. Kail : Indeed. Zananza : Give her to me. I will love her dearly. Yuuri : No! Kail : Zananza! <> Zananza : If she won't be mine, I will kill her right here. Kikkuri : Prince Zananza! Kail : Wait, Kikkuri. He's serious. Yuuri : Prince Kail! Kail : Yuuri! Close the gates, don't let him get outside! Kikkuri : Prince Zananza struck down the guard and escaped on horseback! Kail : Then get me a horse, I'll go after him. Kikkuri : But he released all the horses in the stables! <> Kail : What? Yuuri : Go back, Prince Zananza! Please! {He's acting like Tito when the Queen was controlling him. Is that what happened to him?} <> Zananza : Soldiers, open the castle gates! --But Prince Zananza, you need permission to open the castle gates at night... Zananza : I don't care, open them! Open them! <> Kikkuri : Prince Kail, Prince Zananza has escaped from the town. Kail : What? Which way did he go? --Straight to the south. Kail : The south? {To the town of Kanesh, which Zananza knows well?} King : Kail! Is it true that Zananza kidnapped your concubine? Kail : Yes. I am ashamed to say that I was unable to watch him properly. Nakia : As well you should be! Can we leave control of the army and government to someone who cannot even control his own concubine and little brother? Kikkuri : How can you say that, while you're controlling Zananza-sama? Il Vani : Shh! King : This is the first time there's been such a scandal at court--and with the war with Mitanni so close! Kail : Father, please give me permission to pursue Zananza. King : But you have preparations for the war to make. Kail : I will not neglect them. King : Very well, Kail. Let us see how you will handle this. Kail : He's going to Kanesh. Get horses ready, Kikkuri. Kikkuri : Yes, sir! Kail : Take care of the rest, Il Vani. Make sure my army will be ready to leave at any time. Il Vani : Very well. Hadi : Prince Kail, please let us come along! Nakia : This will be the end of Kail's reputation. If Zananza sleeps with that girl, the harmony between the three of them will surely be shattered. Then it will be an easy task to behead her. This should be interesting, Uruhi. Il Vani : Kikkuri? Kikkuri : Il Vani-sama? Il Vani : You have to find Yuuri-sama before Prince Zananza makes her his own. <> Il Vani : Prince Kail realizes that Prince Zananza was not acting out of his own free will, but logic and emotions are different matters. His heart will not remain calm if Yuuri-sama is stolen from him. <> Kikkuri : Zananza-sama isn't here, Kail-sama. Kail : What? Kikkuri : It seems that he only stopped here to change horses, and then left immediately. Kail : How far is he going to take her? It's already been three days from Hattusa. Hadi : In this heat, I'm worried about Yuuri's health. Kail : {I don't believe that Zananza would put Yuuri in danger... however...} <> Kail : Which way did he go, Kikkuri? Kikkuri : To the south. Kail : To the south? That will take him to Kizzwatna, the country that borders on Mitanni! <> [On the map: the Hittite empire is the large light grey expanse to the west. The more northern city there is Hattusa; the more southern city is Kanesh. Kizzwatna is the region to the south of Kanesh, and Mitanni is the region to the east.] Kizzwatna is a small kingdom that lies between the two empires. Bordering on the Meditteranean, it is an important site for naval commerce. Because of that, the two empires often go to war for it. It is currently a province of the Hittite empire. Yuuri : Please, Prince Zananza, let's go back. How much further are we going? Zananza : We'll be in Kizzwatna soon. They won't chase us any further. <> Zananza : Do you have any rooms, sir? --Yes; this is an inn, after all. Zananza : We'll be staying here for a while. Take care of my horse, and don't let anyone come near my room. Yuuri : Water...water... Yuuri : Ah! Stop, Prince Zananza! Let me go! You're being controlled by the Queen! She's trying to break the friendship between you and Prince Kail! <> Zananza : My brother? Yuuri : Right! Get a hold of yourself! Let's go back to Prince Kail's palace. Zananza : I've always hated my brother! I was always jealous of the bond he shared with his gentle mother! Yuuri : Prince Zananza... <> Yuuri : Eeek! Zananza : Someday my brother will become the Emperor. He'll have to choose a Queen or Princess from some other country as his wife. But I'm different. I could marry you. <> Yuuri : Prince Zananza, stop! Zananza : Yuuri, I'll always love you. You'll always be precious to me. Be mine. <> Yuuri : Nooo! {He isn't listening to me. His hot breaths...hot body... so strong...I can't run away!} Yuuri : Prince Kail! Yuuri : Stop... {This can't be happening!} Prince Zananza, no! {Prince Kail...save me, Prince Kail!} <> Yuuri : Prince Kail! Zananza : What's that? There's a fire? Yuuri : {A fire? How?} --Run away, quickly! The town is under attack! --Mitanni is attacking us! Yuuri : {Mitanni? The country Prince Kail was going to go to war with?} --Aaaaaaaaah! Yuuri : {This is terrible!} Zananza : This is an arrow from Mitanni. Yuuri : Come on, let's go back to Hattusa. We've gotta go tell Prince Kail about this. Zananza : My brother... Yuuri : That's right! Quickly! Zananza : I...I... <> Yuuri : Prince Zananza! Yuuri : We've gotta go tell Prince Kail! {The Queen's magic is too strong. I can't break her control.} --Aaah! --Aaah! --Heh heh heh...the war's not going to end, as long as we can get loot like this. --No kidding. Look at this stuff. <> Yuuri : Let me go! Please, let's go home! --Hey, it's a girl! --A girl! --Hey, bro. Looks like that girl doesn't like you. --Give her to us, we'll take care of her. Yuuri : {Soldiers from Mitanni?} <> --Come on! Yuuri : Eek! --Hey, she's just a kid. Yuuri : Stop! --Even if she's a kid, she's still a girl. --This guy's not bad-looking himself. And he's trying to run away unarmed, just like a girl! --Must be some rich guy who's never even held a sword! Yuuri : Zana-- --You come over here! <> Yuuri : {Prince Zananza! If he were himself, he'd never let them treat him like that! How can he go back to normal? Before, Prince Kail made Tito throw up what he drank, and he started acting like normal again.} --You little brat! Wait! Yuuri : Sorry, Prince! <> Yuuri : Rose-colored water? <> Zananza : What are you doing, Yuuri? Trying to kill me? Yuuri : You're back to normal? Zananza : Now I remember...I kidnapped you, and... Yuuri : You are back to normal! <> --Hey, what are you talking about? --Come over here! --Wait, she just called him the Prince! Zananza : Don't touch me! Yuuri : Prince! Zananza : I'm sorry, Yuuri! Yuuri : There'll be time to apologize later! {Prince Zananza...I'm so glad...} <> Yuuri : {Prince Kail and Prince Zananza are brothers and trusted friends. I knew that he wouldn't be my enemy at a time like this!} --What happened to him? --He's strong! --What happened? --Support me! Yuuri : {There are so many soldiers!} Zananza : Yuuri! Yuuri : What? <> Zananza : Let's see how much your swordsmanship has improved! Yuuri : Right! --This brat thinks she can fight the best of Mitanni's soldiers? <> --Don't get careless; she's good! Yuuri : {I learned how to use a sword so I could help Prince Kail. I can't die until I tell him that Kizzwatna's been attacked!} <> --Retreat! Retreat! Zananza : Are you the leader? Then I want to ask you something. Good work stopping their retreat, Yuuri! --Aaah! <> Zananza : How powerful is the army from Mitanni that's advancing? --Why should I tell you? Zananza : You won't be very popular with the ladies if you don't have a nose. --Five thousand! Five thousand foot soldiers, five hundred carriages! <> Zananza : Who is the general leading them? --He's the Black Prince! He'll kill you all! Zananza : The Black Prince? Yuuri : Who's the Black Prince? <> Zananza : He's the Prince of Mitanni. His real name is Matthiusa. Zananza : His style of warfare is cruel and merciless. The wake of his chariot is like a river of blood, littered with the corpses of women and children. That is why they call him the bloody Black Prince! If Mitanni is using him from the beginning of the war, they must be serious. <> Zananza : If Kizzwatna falls, the Empire itself will be under attack! Yuuri : {Prince Kail!} [End]