01x09 - Tenohira no Shirushi

[bunniefuu]

Lord Governor, we greatly appreciate
your generous hospitality.

If it isn't Prince Mursili.
It is my most humble pleasure to—

We'll be making ourselves
at home for a while,

governor.

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 SIGN ON THE PALM

- The Sign on the Palm.

Alas, my father has sent me
on this silly military campaign.

Taking a lengthy respite here
would please me greatly.

Oh, we can leave the soldiers
outside these walls if needs be.

If that is the case, you may stay
for as long as you desire.

Thanks.

Honestly. Fighting wars truly is taxing.

But we received word of
your brilliant victory in Kizzuwatna.

Oh, that was my brother's army.

He gives me half the credit
for the battles he wins.

I suspect he's still out on the battlefront
winning more glory for me.

But when I have this one,
I never grow bored.

Well? Do you like the taste?

Ugh. I can't taste anything
when your tongue's in the way.

Is she perhaps your concubine?

Indeed.

Isn't she adorable?

Oh, she is from a faraway land
and seems so innocent.

I assure you she's far from innocent.
Especially under the covers.

What's that? You wish to sleep?

Lord Governor, His Highness
wishes to retire with his consort.

Oh, forgive me for lingering.

I bid you a pleasant evening,
Your Highness.

My thanks, governor. I bid you good night.

It seems the crown prince
needn't worry about that man.

Yes, but we should inform him
all the same.

Look.

They've removed half the guards.

My acting skills aren't bad at all.

Was he really acting?

I'm bushed.

So when are you going to tell us
how we're supposed to take Malatya?

We're already halfway finished
conquering Malatya.

There's no need to take up arms.

Malatya will be a bloodless conquest.

Wait, bloodless?

We'll take this city without drawing
our weapons or drawing blood.

Indeed.

First, we find out where the guards are
deployed, then we set fire to the armories.

After that, our troops will flood in
through the gates and take the city.

That way, we can minimize the time
and soldiers needed.

Will that even work?

I know we can make it work.

But only if the Prince of Darkness
is out of the picture.

That's why I had Zannanza
lure him away from here.

The plan is doomed to fail
if he's around to defend the city.

Come. There is no time.

First, we need the city's deployment map.

Yes, Highness.

I-I'll come help look for it, too.

You should rest, Lady Yuri.

Yes, you should.

Oh, come on. You're shorthanded
and could use the help.

So let's go.

It would've been best for you
to stay with Prince Kail.

He's right. This is a dangerous task.

Yeah.

But me being with him
is my real problem.

I actually like Prince Kail a lot,

but sleeping in the same room as him
is getting suffocating.

I faked being asleep last night,
but that won't work for long.

What'll I do?

Lady Yuri.

Hide.

Was that a messenger?

Most likely.

He'll be on his way to inform
the Prince of Darkness about us.

But all will be well.

Our troops waiting outside
will stop him.

Let's make sure we aren't seen ourselves.

What's this place?

This must be where the Mitanni
keep all of their plunder.

The Eye of Illuyanka might be here.

Uh, but what does the
Eye of Illuyanka even look like?

It's said to be either the eye of an
ancient dragon, or a crimson gemstone.

But no one we know has ever seen it.

It's supposedly sealed in a gilded ivory box
small enough to hold in both hands.

A gold-plated ivory box?

We can't search for it now.

We'll wait until Malatya falls.

There it is. The deployment map.

We must copy it quickly.

There he is. The messenger from Malatya.

Good. Then as planned, we—

Wait.

Do you have business with us?

We're occupied with a task.

This will be quick.

Just so we're clear,

we must take the armories and the gates.

We'll set fire to the armories.

And we will ensure our troops
are let in through the gates.

Yuri and I will keep
the governor distracted.

We strike tomorrow at dawn.

Make sure to coordinate fully
with the soldiers outside.

Highness.

We wish to entertain you, Your Highness.

We invite you to a formal banquet
we are holding tonight.

We hope you will attend.

A formal banquet?

Meaning the attendees
will only be men of high rank.

Ilbani would be the only one in my retinue
who could accompany me.

Forgive the discourtesy
of not inviting your consort.

But that is the rule of the court.

What fun is a dinner without women?

Alas, I cannot refuse a formal invitation.

Thank you for understanding.

We shall come again later this evening.

Until then.

That rascal.

It seems he wants to keep you in sight
until the Prince of Darkness returns.

Yes, but he doesn't know
we intercepted the messenger.

Well, I'll enjoy the
reception nonetheless.

The rest of you get some sleep.

Where are the men sent
to ambush the messenger?

They should've returned by now.

C-Commander! Over here!

What is it?

By the gods. Who could've done this?

The blades provide no clues.

No, we'll hunt for the culprit later.

This means the messenger
wasn't intercepted.

The Prince of Darkness now knows
that Prince Kail is in Malatya.

We've received a report from Malatya.

What did you say?

Kail Mursili is staying inside the city?

Absurd! Why did they let him in?

He seeks to capture the city from within.

Now I see the Hittites
I've been pursuing are decoys.

That's why they have purposely
been running in circles.

All cohorts! We return to Malatya!

Prince Zannanza! The Prince of Darkness
and his men are retreating!

What?

But why?

I thought we'd captured the messenger.

If he goes back,
then my brother's in danger.

I win.

L-Let's play again.

But I've won ten times in a row.
You have no skill for senet.

Then I'll clean the room.

You've done that twice already.

And a maid cleaned it before that.

But...

But if I don't do stuff to distract us,
he'll just get in the mood again.

And if I keep pushing him away,
he'll get really...

Prince?

In my nation,
we bed the women we adore.

It is the only way to express
what's in our hearts.

Y-You may do it that way,
but I'm not ready for that yet.

Ow.

Prince?

You do not want to.

Then I won't force you.

However, it frustrates me
how you're blatantly avoid me.

It made me want to get my own back.

If you don't wish to conjugate,
then what should I do?

I will do as you instruct.

How do men show their affection
in your homeland?

L-Let me think...

Their affection?

Is that a charm?

It's a symbol meaning, "I love you."

Everyone in my nation knows it.

Is he going to laugh and call it childish?

But he's never said
how he really feels about me.

I think I like my nation's ways better.

Sheesh. I should've known.

Prince?

I won't allow you to refuse my lips.

Because your lips are mine.

Prince Kail.

Forgive us for disturbing you,

but the governor is here
to escort you to the banquet.

I apologize sincerely.

Oh, it's that time already?

All right. I'll come now.

Things seem to be going well.

But we need to avoid
arousing suspicion until daybreak.

Yeah.

Why must I be sent on this petty errand?

Our officers are real sl*ve drivers.

Kash?

Ah, Mr. Kikkuri.
He has a message for Prince Kail.

Can you believe it, Kikkuri?

Those bureaucrats want the prince's seal
for bean rations of all things.

What? Beans?

The Prince of Darkness
will be here tonight.

I'll explain later. You must tell
Prince Kail as soon as possible.

I would, but I'm unable
to get near him right now.

There's no time to quibble.

If you don't hurry, the
Prince of Darkness will slaughter us.

Even the prince won't avoid
losing his head.

But if we do anything
to arouse suspicion,

they'll know we're aware
of the Prince of Darkness.

And there's too few of us
to protect Prince Kail.

Then, what are we to do?

We're in a bind.

None of us are allowed
inside the banquet.

We'll all be k*lled
if we just stand around.

The prince will be beheaded.

I'll go.

But women are forbidden
from the banquet hall.

If you break the palace's edicts,
they'll slay you on the spot.

But I have to tell the prince.

Lady Yuri!

Lady Yuri.

No! They'll cut her to ribbons.

What's this?
This area is off-limits to females.

The gall of it.

A consort you may be,
but this outrage will not be tolerated.

It is our custom to execute anyone
who defies the ban.

Yuri!

Prince!

I missed you!

Don't leave me again!

I want to be alone with you.

Let's go back to our room.

Can we? Please?

We got word that the Prince of Darkness
will be back way sooner than expected.

E-Excuse me. Your Highness?

Oh, is that all?

You missed me? You poor thing.

There, there. We'll go to our room.

Let us be carnal until dawn.

Please excuse us, governor.
I did enjoy myself.

It was great meeting you all.

I bid you all good night.

Bye-bye.

No matter.

The Prince of Darkness will stain the bed
with their blood anyway.

I'm now up to speed. You did well, Yuri.

Prince Kail, what do we do?

We alone can't stop
the Prince of Darkness.

Calm yourself.

We'll just invade the city
earlier than expected.

We stick to the plan.

Kikkuri, set fire to the armories.

Highness.

Il, open the gates.

Right.

Kash, take command of the army outside.

At once.

Open the gates and
bring in the Hittite legion.

Yoo-hoo!

Hey there, misters.

Can we ask you handsome soldiers
for a favor?

Open these gates now.

Pretty please?

F-Fire!

- The armory is ablaze!

- Run!

It's starting. I hope they get here
before the Prince of Darkness.

Move.

Any laggards will find their heads
decorating Malatya's walls.

Help!

Stay put! Don't panic!

You must be General Dana.

You will stay quiet
if you value your life.

Our men are through the western gate!

We've captured all the top officials,

and we will shortly be in control
of the east gate.

We have captured city hall.

Wow, Prince Kail's plan
is actually working.

I have to help, too.

Highness! Mitanni foot soldiers
are looting the treasury!

We can leave the stragglers to it.

No, we can't!

The Eye of Illuyanka
is still in the treasury.

If they find it, we're done for.

I'll go look for it.

Stop, Yuri! You don't need to go!

Prince Kail! The Prince
of Darkness is here!

What?

I have to run.

We can't let anyone have something
that controls people's minds.

The Prince of Darkness has returned
through the east gate!

But I was told the east gate
would be under our control by now.

It was, but someone cut the bowstrings
of the archers assigned to the gate.

They say the Prince of Darkness
knows we're here

because the troops sent to stop
the messenger were k*lled.

That means someone in our legion
must be sabotaging me.

Will Yuri be all right?

Make haste!

Take anything that looks valuable!

Aw, jeez. How do I find
such a small box in these huge piles?

Who's there?

Aren't you the priest?

Why are you here?

Oh, yeah.

If you don't mind, can you help me?
I'm looking for something.

Wait, could this be it?

Where's the Prince of Darkness?

It is in hand. We won't let him get
beyond the east gate courtyard.

We control nearly the entire city now.

Then bring Yuri to me.

Now that we know there is a saboteur
among us, where could she have gone?

Begging your pardon.

Have you seen Lord Shalma?

We seem to have gotten separated.

Shalma?

Yes. His name is Urhi Shalma.

He was here all along?

Oh, Prince Kail!

Yes. He was ordered by the queen
to join the campaign as a priest.

The queen did what?

This must be it! I looked everywhere!

Yes, me too.

I also joined the military campaign
to recover that item.

Queen Nakia wants me
to bring the talisman to her.

Hey, this room still has valuables in it.

Yes, this one.

Hey, it's a girl.

She'll sell for a bundle.

Run!

Those damned soldiers.
They took the maiden from me.

But at least I have the talisman.

Make way! Make way!

What are you doing?

Oh? Are you a Hittite priest?

The Mitanni's Prince of Darkness?

I'm not here to slay priests.

But tell Kail Mursili this:

"You're free to have Malatya,
but your head will one day adorn a pike."

Understood?

It appears you highly prize this thing.
Allow me to take it.

We go.

All troops, retreat!

We're leaving Malatya!

I had the Eye of Illuyanka
in the palm of my hand.

The Prince of Darkness is ordering
the retreat. Are we set?

Yes. We have all the booty we need.

With this little pile,
we won't want for money for a while.

We also have a girl
who will fetch a high price.

Let's go!

Prince Kail! We've conquered Malatya!
The city is ours!

Why hasn't Yuri been found yet?
Search for her now!

The Mitanni have fled like dogs!

Malatya is ours!

Amazing. We really conquered Malatya
in a matter of days.

Yes. It went exactly according
to Prince Kail's plan.

Sister, look down there.

It's Lady Yuri!

Yuri...