Arslan Senki – 09

“I’m telling you, it was THIS big!”

Our team splits up this week as two of our fellowship members go to infiltrate the royal capital, while everyone else stays behind in hiding and replenishes what supplies they can. I’m incredibly glad that Arslan isn’t one of those impulsive, idiot heroes who would have demanded to go with Daryun and Narsus because he felt it was his “duty” or that he “needed” to see the devastation for himself. Going into the den of the enemy and you happen to be the only royal left that is free, and are basically a symbol that can give what remains of Pars hope, would not be a smart move, no matter how brave you may be.

So, in a smart move, they sent the group’s most capable and intelligent fighters into the realm of the enemy to do recon, while Arslan stays behind, guarded by Elam, Farangis, and Gieve. So, we have your average A plot/B plot this week following our two separate groups, and I guess we should look at each part, one at a time.

In plot A, Daryun and Narsus have found their way into Ecbatana to get a sense of the state of what was their country. They also hope to find out more information in regards to the location and status of the king and queen after having heard from Kharlan that Andragoras was being kept alive and from Gieve that the queen was still alive from last report. You do have to wonder why exactly the two Pars royalty ARE being kept alive? Usually in the conquering of another nation, the previous leaders of that nation don’t usually last long. They’ve been actively hunting for Arslan’s head, so why are his parents, the actual king and queen, being spared?

Believe me, it’s going to take more than that to get that weight down.

Well, the reason for Queen Tahamenay’s survival is rather obvious, as her accursed beauty has once again captured the heart of another high ranking man in King Tubby Innocentis. By this point, Tahamenay has to be used to this reaction by now, and it really doesn’t seem to phase her anymore. Everybody is aware of how potent and deadly her beauty is, as Narsus and even the soldiers of Lusitania comment on how her ethereal looks have the same amount of power as a siren’s song: beautiful and entrancing, but quite deadly once it has you in its snare.

The cold never bothered her anyway…

But does the noble lady try to hide her beauty? Heck no! Tahamenay even while captured and threatened with possible death, utilizes her greatest weapon without even trying. She continues to carry herself with the poise and stature of a queen, (now dressed in black to mourn both her country and the unknown status of Andragoras) not flaunting her body, but doing nothing to cover it either. She is the Queen of Pars and she will not lower herself for anyone, be it the king of Lusitania or her own husband. But of course, that idiot of a king doesn’t get the message and continues to try to “woo” Tahamenay, despite her giving him the coldest of cold shoulders. He honestly might as well be talking to an icicle for all the warmth that she gives him. The silent treatment can be a very formidable weapon in the right hands, and the Parsian queen seems to be quite an expert. You go, Tahamenay. Never give up, never give in. Show King Rollie-Pollie Innocentis, that it will take more than that to earn your attention, much less, your affections.

As for the purpose for Andragoras’ survival, the reason is a little less clear. The Lusitanians seem to be a rather kill-happy bunch of savages and Innocentis definitely isn’t in love with him, so what’s going on? Narsus and Daryun question whether it is to keep the queen in line, though I doubt that. The most I can guess is that the deposed prince, Hermes is keeping Andragoras alive simply for his own whims. He probably gave the Lusitanians some kind of crap excuse as to why the man should be kept alive, or maybe he even made it a stipulation when offering the use of his services. But whatever he said, I’m pretty sure that the only reason that the 18th monarch of Pars is still alive is because Lord Silvermask wants his uncle to see him destroy everything that the man had built, to strip everything away from him as had once happened to him, like an even more warped Count of Monte Cristo.

Yet, from the words we hear from Hermes’ head sorcerer (Yes, there seems to be magic and sorcery in this world if you haven’t noticed by now.), the future is far from being set in stone. He tells the masked man of Kharlan’s death that he observed using his crystal ball (yes, his an actual crystal ball), but warns the man that he’s not the only “son of Pars” that the sun shines on. I think we all know who the other one is.

Yeah, I think I trust him even less than Hermes.

Arslan and Hermes are both crown princes of Pars, They share the same bloodline, with Hermes technically having the stronger claim to the throne. Because of the actions of two brothers fighting for the throne, their progeny will now be engaged in their inherited battle. Hopefully one of them will be able to end it here, as I don’t know if Pars can take anymore.

The once-rich kingdom isn’t doing so well, and Lusitania decides to continue to beat the injured horse. This time Archpriest Bodin (You remember? The watch-me-twirl-my-evil-mustache-and-lick-my-lips-in-evil-glee sadistic piece of crap that was getting his jollies by torturing Shapur?), angry at not getting more “heathens” to kill, decides to take out his anger on millions of priceless Parsian texts from the royal library. Being a bit of a bookworm myself, and the fact that my home could probably easily double as a library, I was a little pissed at the treatment of literature in what was basically an ancient rendition of Fahrenheit 451 here. And these were all first editions too, parts of their history and culture that Pars can’t ever get back. And all simply because an ignorant, malicious old geezer, was having a temper tantrum.

Narsus and Daryun silently watch the bonfire, and I can’t help but agree with Narus in what is going on here. I like that he’ll leave all the rest to Daryun, but this one guy, he wants to take out personally. We saw before that power, prestige, and financial gain mean little to the strategist other than as a means to an end. But culture–the arts, the written word, the strung melody, the decorated canvas, those are what he truly prizes. To see them laid to waste so easily in front of the enemy’s feet, stings as much as a knife’s blade.

Their questions lead them to their first one-on-one confrontation with General Silvermask who immediately engages them in battle. Hermes attempts to incite Daryun’s anger by gleefully informing him of that it was indeed he, who killed his uncle, Vahriz. In the words of the great Col. Roy Mustang: “You were stupid enough to confess, and even more stupid to boast. Everything you’ve said is fuel on your funeral pyre.”

You ever dance with the Devil in the pale moonlight?

Instead of making the dark knight so emotional and angry that he would make a costly mistake, the news only makes Daryun more fierce, driven, and a whole lot more deadly. You can only feel that Hermes has in some way, sealed his fate. For if not now, at some point, these two will face their final showdown, and even though amazingly evenly matched on their first meeting, that will just make it all the more interesting when they must face each other for the last time and there can be only one…but enough on that.

The fluidity of the swordplay is quite beautiful to behold as we finally see two experts going at it. Swashbuckling can be delightful to watch if done right, and Hermes, Daryun, and later Narsus, dance like performers on a stage.  We can see that Narsus and Daryun have fought side by side before, and even though they haven’t seen each other for years previous, like their relationship, their reaction to each other’s movements are once again seamless.

In the end, Daryun strikes the first significant blow to Silvermask that we’ve seen yet, cutting his very namesake from him. The mask falls to the ground, and reveals…..?! Prince Zuko?

If he starts going on a tirade about honor…

Nooo, I kid. (Zuko is much cooler.) Though not by much if you think about it. A prince deprived of his birthright by a male blood relative, who is the cause for severe burns on one side of his face, as well as indirectly the loss of his position in society and his honor as a warrior? If Hermes ends up having a creepy younger sister coming on the scene, I’m seriously going to start a meme.

But despite resemblances to other demoted royalty, Hermes is obviously shaken by his first meeting of Arslan’s top men, and they him. The two opposing forces are forced to retreat from each other’s presence, but there is a tension in the air that has yet to be released. These three will meet again…if only so Narsus can correct the general in regards to his painting expertise. ^_^

While all this was going on, back at B plot, Gieve and Farangis continue as they have been since they met, with him trying all of his corny tricks to get her notice, and Farangis, as confident as the Queen of Pars herself, completely unmoved. They watch for Lusitanian movement on the road, but don’t engage. They don’t want any unnecessary attention, especially with the young prince among them.

Speaking of Arslan, despite all the other worries on his plate, he’s also been feeling pretty useless as of now. He’s being constantly protected by others and while skilled enough in combat to protect himself, he knows that he is no match for the enemy considering their numbers. I’m sure he also is aware of his importance as the heir to Pars’ throne and the only royal that is currently free to make a difference. As Narsus put it, he’s a “walking, talking just cause” and the people of Pars will need someone they can put hope in. Lusitania is beginning to remind me of Robin Hood villains, with the Parsians being the poor people of Nottingham. And like those legends, the Parsians will need their own “Robin Hood” to give them some prospect that they are not completely defeated and that there is someone out there that can and will fight for them.

However, despite knowing all this, Arslan still feels a bit down. He’s only 14 years old and there’s not that much he can do as of this moment, and raised as a royal all his life, he’s just getting used to this kind of life. He’s not snobbish or spoiled in any way, and his companions (most of them) hold it as an honor and privilege to serve and protect him, and yet, he wants to be able to physically contribute more.

While I can understand his feelings, I have feeling that what Arslan can and will eventually contribute to the team is what he was probably trained for, in his ability to read a situation and people, and his desire and will to comprehend. I think Arslan already has the beginnings of being a wise and knowledgeable politician and an even better leader, and he carries an authority that even Narsus doesn’t have. Like his mother, while he does anything but flaunt his status to others, neither does he shy away from it either. He is the heir apparent of Pars, and it is as a part of his identity as his name.

A king in the making

Arslan may not be as capable as others, but the boy doesn’t lack in courage. Smart enough not to reveal his royal sword to his enemies, and yet still dumb enough to risk his life to try to save a couple of Parsians in a very tight situation, the boy definitely has guts. However, before they can be spilled out onto the ground, the prince finds himself face to face with the last person that he ever thought he would see again.

A fated meeting

Étoile and Arslan in these meetings cease to be individuals and become metaphors for their particular cultures and how the two clash. And yet, as we see them interact, we can also see how these two cultures can get along as well. Étoile has gone up in the world while Arslan has come down, but the net status quo is still the same. The Lusitanian boy is still completely emerged in rhetoric of his nation, and Arslan is still trying to understand the ways of his enemies compared to his own culture. Arslan is quick to call the other his friend, and yet Étoile is not. However, they can both agree that they are not “enemies”. In the end, the only redeemable Lusitanian I have seen thus far, who actually believes and practices wholeheartedly what his religion asks of him, leaves Arslan with the sacred text of his people.

There are many ways that I can see this act being taken, but the way that I choose to see it, is as a sort-of olive branch. Étoile wants to be friends with Arslan, he wants to get to know him and like him. For all his talk of killing the infidels and that heathens shouldn’t even exist, he does not once raise his sword against Arslan, who has made it quite plain that he hasn’t “converted”. He instead gives him what he believes is the key to the two being able to be real friends, not realizing that it’s never that easy. And honestly it is he who should be looking at his own sacred text again. Because I have a feeling that what ridiculous zealots like Bodin want you to believe, may not be as “accurate” as they want you to think it is. And having a faith and a god that happens have a name that means “sacred ignorance” is rather telling of the situation here.

When is the next time that Arslan and Étoile will meet? How shall they be changed when they do meet again? How long will it take before Étoile realizes Arslan’s true identity? Will he be disappointed that the young prince doesn’t have dark horns and a tail? I don’t know, but I don’t think that Arslan will get rid of the other boy’s gift as some expect him to. Arslan is trying to open his eyes to the world, while Étoile is willingly traveling with blinders on, though I have a feeling that the Arslan has affected him just as much as the Lusitanian has the boy prince. He just doesn’t realize it yet. Arslan will most likely use the text to get a better understanding as to how his enemies think, for knowing your enemy is as important a part of war as knowing your own forces.

I think this book might be 2,000 years overdue.

We seem to be at the end of an arc here. We’ve finally gotten all of Arslan’s motley crew together here. We’ve seen Pars during its glory days and we’ve seen its fall. Our heroes now know the basics of the situation their country is in and that the monarchs are alive but out of their reach. So, what shall Arslan do now? Despite the valiantness of his six-man team, he’s going to need more men if he’s hoping to take his country back. We know that there are some Pars captains and their cavalry and soldiers out there at the citadels at the edges of the kingdom that are biding their time in wait. It’s going to be a tricky road from here on out, but with the support that he’s got now, I think that Arslan is more than ready to continue the journey.