01x02 - Kuroi Mizu

[bunniefuu]

This is Hattusa,

the capital of the Hittite Empire
in the 14th century BCE.

This is the story of a girl
who rides the sultry winds

across the vast stretches of Anatolia.

The wind blows strong,
kicking up the dry sand.

The wind blows hot,

and I live under these skies,

- RED RIVER

- on the banks of the red river.

- THE BLACK WATER

- The Black Water.

Prince Kail is famed
for his quick, wandering hands,

but for him to lay his hands
on our maiden...

Get the water.

The black water.

Send it to Kail's palace.

Why is this happening to me?

Let me go! I want to go home!

Maiden, tell me your name.

Yuri.

Yuri, huh?

For what purpose did the queen abduct you?

She wanted her son to succeed the king.

She needed me so she could put
a death curse on the other princes.

Mom. Dad.

I want to come back to you all.

But how do I even do that?

Excuse me.

I've brought your supper.

Eimi?

Whoa.

You're a boy?

S-Sorry. My mistake.

It's fine. I'm Tito.

Prince Kail sent me
to tend to you, Lady Yuri.

"Lady" Yuri?

I'm thrilled.

Prince Kail has never brought
a woman to his palace before.

Do you like flowers?

Yes.

Say, Tito...

Can I ask you something?

Of course.

Is it possible to k*ll a person
by sacrificing someone else?

Lady Yuri! Such a deed would be a crime!

So you mean it is possible.

Yes, if you are a conjurer
with the power to do it.

So if a conjurer summoned someone
from very far away,

how can that summoned person
get back to where they came from?

They'd have to ask the same conjurer
to do send them back.

I hear only the original caster
can undo a spell like that.

The same conjurer, huh?

Huh? We have an extra one?

I bought a jug from a
water peddler who came by.

He said the water in it
is nice and sweet.

Then, I'll have Lady Yuri
drink some tomorrow.

We will use that boy.

So that means the queen is the only one
who can send me back.

Honestly, I don't want to
go anywhere near her.

But if I want to get back home,
I'll have to face her again.

Tito?

Stop, Tito! What's wrong with you?

Someone help me! Anybody!

Are we prepared for the ritual, Urhi?

Yes. All we need is the maiden's blood
and your divine incantation.

Then go, my child.
Offer up her blood to me.

k*ll her.

What?

Tito! What are you doing?

Enough, Tito.

Yuri.

That water...

Yuri?

Yuri!

Wh-Where am I?

You're awake. How do you feel?

What is it?

I applied ointment to the bruise
on your neck. It'll heal soon.

He only treated me?

Are you in pain?

No. Not really.

I see.

As for Tito...

Queen Nakia manipulated him.

I'm convinced this incident
was part of her plot.

Wh-What is it?

I believe you know what it means
when a man keeps a woman close.

I have no need of a bride,
but I'm willing to take a concubine.

C-Concubine?

W-Wait a minute.

Himuro!

"Himuro"?

H-He's the guy I like!

In fact, I love Himuro!

But you...

I can't stand you!

What's that sound?

They're announcing Tito's execution.

Why are they executing him?

He attempted to m*rder a royal.

That is a capital crime.

Since I've taken custody of you,
you're recognized as a royal consort.

But Tito was manipulated by the queen.

There's no proof.

I don't want to see him die either,
but I can't defy the law.

Prince Kail.

Where are the gallows?

We have to get to Tito!

He's still just a kid.

What did he do?

Tried to k*ll a royal.

That was foolish of him.

Place the rope.

Good. Pull!

Wait!

Stop this now!

Lady Yuri?

This is stupid!

Tito didn't do anything wrong!

My apologies, Lady Consort.

It is a capital crime for a commoner
to turn his blade on a noble.

He did not as*ault another commoner.

Commoners? Nobles?

So it's all about social class?

If he'd harmed a commoner, he'd simply
be penalized with a fine or hard labor.

Then, let me punish Tito
with super hard labor!

That should work out for everyone!

But that would be unlawful.

Oh, come on. I have no status at all.

But if I'm such a big shot who can
have people k*lled, then listen to me!

Yuri.

Nobles cannot abuse their authority
for private affairs.

But this is insane!

Status only exists so the powerful
can protect the less powerful!

If we don't use our authority now,
then when are we supposed to?

It is as you say.

Then we shall return with Tito.

P-Prince Kail, what are you...

As you can see,
my consort is shrilly insistent.

Right now, I don't have the heart
to refuse her pleas.

Kikkuri, bring Tito with us.

Yes, sir.

Let's go, Tito.

Lady Yuri.

I am forever in your service, Lady Yuri.

If you want anything, just ask.

Thank you.

Why can spells only be undone
by the person who cast them?

Huh? Any caster of equal rank
can undo spells.

Really? So where do we find one?

Try looking right in front of you.

Wait, who?

Is there something wrong with me
ranking as a priest as well?

Prince Kail?

To send you back, we must recreate
the state in which you came.

First of all...

All seven springs of Hattusa must be full.

During this season, the springs fill up
when the morning star shines in the east.

We wait for that moment.

To meet the second condition,

we need the attire you wore
when you came to our land.

Kikkuri, find out what happened
to her vestments.

Yes, sir.

I'll go with you.

Hold it.

The queen is not just magical.
Her authority is second only to the king.

If you wish to keep your head,
wait here patiently.

Still, thank goodness I'm able to go home.

Once the seven springs are full,

and I have my original clothes
and the prince.

Please take heart.

I'm sure Prince Kail will protect you.

Yeah, I'll admit Kail has saved me
plenty of times since I met him.

And in return, all I do is...

I'm amazed at how you constantly
talk back to the prince.

My elder sisters tell me they're unable
to even talk if they see Prince Kail's face.

You have sisters?

Yes. Three in all.

You see this torc?

My sisters gave me this
when I left home.

They must be nice.

They are.

I also have a kid sister named Eimi.
She looks just like you.

Huh? Like me?

Oh, right. I remember how shocked
you were when you first saw me.

Yeah.

I was really having
a rough time being here,

but meeting you cheered me up.

Surely not.

It is I who enjoys your company.

I, for one, wish you
would stay here with us.

We have no one here
quite like you, Lady Yuri.

Tito.

And even Prince Kail will surely grieve
if you go back to your land.

E-Even the prince?

Say what? The queen took Yuri's attire?

Then let's go to her palace.

It's a trap.

She's trying to lure and capture you.

The only choice is to wait.

Hey!

Even so, why do I have to
sleep here with you?

I'm the most renowned playboy
in all of Hattusa.

I can't have people knowing
I have yet to ravish you.

How is that a thing?

Keep arguing and I'll take you for real.

Promise me nothing will happen.

Good night.

I've lost sight of the maiden!

The prince must be keeping her close.

Oh, how this vexes me.

What's this? She's chosen
to leave his side?

The maiden seeks to come here.

In that case, we must
welcome her, by all means.

You can't do this, Lady Yuri.

I thought Prince Kail told you
to wait patiently.

Please. I have to go.

I really need my clothes.

Lady Yuri.

Then I'll come with you.

Huh?

Do you even know how to get
to the queen's palace?

I, well...

Then let me guide you.

Thanks, Tito.

That incorrigible waif.

As soon as I'm asleep,
she flees my chambers.

Prince Kail!

Tito is missing, too.

What?

Honestly.

Why did she think I was spending
the entire night with her of all girls?

But Prince Kail,

you seem to enjoy yourself more around
Lady Yuri than any other consort.

Who does? Me?

D-Don't be ridiculous.

We must recover Yuri
before she's captured.

This is the queen's palace.

We might be able to slip in
through the rear gate.

How bold of you to walk in
so conspicuously.

You won't get away this time.

Let go of Lady Yuri!

Stop!

Let me go!

Ow! What's your problem?

My clothes.

Your skin's like ivory.

I've never seen such a marvel.

Desist, Zuwa!

That prize does not belong to you.

That voice...

This time, I will have your severed head.

Then let me keep the rest of her.

Her ivory skin...

It will soon become part of this coat
made of human hide.

So be it.

I have no need of a body drained of blood.
You may do with it as you please.

This will be mine.

No!

Come to me, god of water.

Accept her blood as my offering.

No!

N-No.

I'd finally found a way to go home.

But now, I'm about to be k*lled.

Mom, Dad, Sis, Eimi...

And Himuro—

Cut off her head!

No!

Prince Kail!

My water receptacle!

Lady Yuri! Grab your clothes!

Finally.

Lady Yuri, this way!

Right!

After them!

Capture that girl!

We must hurry.

If we get out past the gate,
the queen will give up her chase.

Right.

Lady Yuri!

No!

Let me go!

Let go of Lady Yuri!

Lady Yuri, let's get out of here!

You little roach.

You keep getting in my way!

Tito! Come with me!

Lady Yuri.

I'm grateful to you
for saving me from execution.

What? Tito?

I was so happy when you did that for me.

Tito.

Lady Yuri.

Be well.

Tito!

You whelp. I'll skin you alive.

Tito! Open up! Open the door!

Tito!

Yuri!

Prince Kail!

Please help!

Tito's still inside!

What?

He's about to die! Tito's going to die!

All because I roped him into this.

It's all my fault.

Please! We have to save Tito!

I CAN'T GO BACK, I WON'T GO BACK