(A/N: This work aims to be a historical piece, however, a degree of artistic license may be taken)
Sypnosis: There is a saying: Heroes are made by the times. When discussing the topic about Ivan of Zandar, many may know that he was a knight in 13th century Europe who embodied the values of loyalty, duty, and chivalry. In this chapter, we tell of Ivan who was under the tutelage of Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, who was in the service of Richard the Lionheart until his untimely death. Following shortly after the death of Richard the Lionheart, the 13th century started with a disastrous Fourth Crusade which resulted in Christians slaying other Christians in the siege of Zara and the sack of Constantinople which weakened the Byzantine Empire to the point of no return. It is also the start of the crusades to the northern part of Europe. It is against this historical backdrop that we tell of Ivan's journey into knighthood.
In Power Rangers Dino Charge Episode 12: Knight after Knights
After Riley opened his mouth, Ivan knew what the Power Rangers wanted. He was a little disappointed on the inside. They had given him a tour of their secret base and the interesting weapons that they were working on in order to dazzle him into joining them. All because they wanted him to join their team of Power Rangers. All just because he had the power of the Gold Ranger and the Gold Energem.
So Ivan said to them, "I am a knight of Zandar, when I pledge my loyalty, it is for life. I'm sorry I cannot make such a decision so hastily."
Thereafter he departed from their base. As soon as he left them, Ivan could not help but remember the past.
800 years ago. The Kingdom of Zandar. Spring.
One day, Ivan was hunting deer in the forests near the north of Zandar. At that time, he was a squire to Sir Wilfred the Gentle who tutored him on the ways of a knight. From Sir Wilfred, Ivan learned to fight, to ride and to have courtly manners.
Now the two of them had been hunting for two hours without stopping to rest. They were tracking this elusive stag for seven leagues without success. Sir Wilfred the Gentle halted their hunting party so that the horses could rest. In frustration, Ivan brandished his sword and swung mightily, slicing apart a tree branch. Ivan exclaimed, "I simply cannot wait to be a knight, Sir Wilfred! To advance the banners of Zandar over the battlefield where swords will be drawn and glory to be won."
Sir Wilfred teased him, "My young squire, first you have to learn patience and catch the deer first. Tell me, how fares your skill with the bow?"
Ivan did not answer that. Sir Wilfred knew that Ivan was terrible with the bow. In fact, he said that if Ivan were to use a bow, his allies, not his enemies would be in danger. Hence, that was the whole reason they were on this hunting trip so that he could learn to shoot better. However, as fate would have it, they would not hunt for game that day.
It was around noon when three knights in white habits rode towards them. A large cross was embossed on their habits and each man carried a sword by his side. They looked to be seasoned warriors and men driven by a grand purpose.
Sir Wilfred the Gentle called out to them, "Do you come to us in peace, stranger? If your intentions are fair to the Kingdom of Zandar, you have our welcome. But if you should bear ill-will, I must warn you that you will find that our steel is sharp and our hearts resolute."
The knights came up to them and said, "Hail good sir, we come seeking Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe. However. we come not with news of peace, but we do not bear any ill-will to thee. We have ridden far and long to ask him to take up arms in a crusade once again."
Sir Wilfred the Gentle said, "I am that Sir Wilfred you seek. But I am not that man anymore. These days they call me Sir Wilfred the Gentle. Good sirs, I see the insignia you wear, are you the Sword Brethren?"
Now in those days, The Sword Brethren was another name for the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. They were a fearsome military order founded by Bishop Albert of Livonia to sweeping through the north.
Then the first knight spoke, "We are indeed of the Sword Brethren. My name is Hermann Balk and with me are my two companions, George the Englishman and Dandolo the Venetian. We had ridden straight from Livonia when we heard that the Knight after knights lived in Zandar."
The Sword Brethren had sent Hermann Balk and his companions to find Sir Wilfred and recruit him for their wars in the north. They opened their bags and presented him with a thousand marks, a bag of rubies and a bar of gold.
Sir Wilfred the Gentle bowed deeply, "Noble strangers, you have come a long way, bearing great gifts and a most flattering offer. I invite you to rest at our humble lodgings and gladly speed you on your journey home. But I have no interest in fighting in your crusade. Or any crusade. I will not go with you as I am paid by the Kingdom of Zandar to teach young Ivan here. I am now a knight of Zandar."
The knights studied Ivan intently. They saw that he was lanky and young of no great importance.
Then the first knight, Balk let out a mirthful laugh. "Tis a jest, Sir Wilfred, are you content to be a mere tutor of young squires? There is a great cause to be fought, great spoils to be plundered and greater glory to be won," said Balk. With a sweet tongue, he talked of castles filled with gold and of pagan kings wearing armour made from pure gold. He spoke of the great mounds of gold, hoarded by the pagan Kings, waiting to be carried off by the brave men who would take it.
The talk of gold lit a fire in Ivan's imagination. He imagined himself as a knight decked in gold, wandering around the verdant forests of the north, slaying evil everywhere. Ivan thought to himself, who would be foolish enough to teach young squires? There was so much riches to be won, heaps of gold.
But Sir Wilfred the Gentle was unmoved.
The second knight, an Englishman who called himself George, after seeing the failure of Balk to persuade Sir Wilfred, his talk dwelt on walls and weapons and the mustering of men. He spoke of great alliances and glorious victories to be and the benevolent freedom that the Sword Brethren will bestow upon all. All that was needed was for a mighty knight like Sir Wilfred to join their noble cause and they could bring peace on earth.
Yet Sir Wilfred the Gentle was unmoved.
The third knight, a Venetian by the name of Dandolo, saw that ministrations of the two fell upon deaf ears. He thought to himself, if a man is not swayed by gold or glory, then he will pay heed to God. Then he pointed to the sky, saying: "Deus Vult."
Sir Wilfred the Gentle had a steely stare and he uttered in wrathful response, "Non Serviam"
The Venetian cried out and made the sign of the cross, "Inconceivable! The devil's words! Coming out from the warrior who fought beside the Lionheart. Where is your honour? You may call yourself Sir Wilfred the Gentle, but I dub thee, Sir Wilfred the Coward."
Sir Wilfred gave the Venetian a glowering look, "The devil you say? How dare you lecture me on honour, you imp, when in your blood runs the fratricidal Venetian greed that led brother to slay brother at Zara!"
The Venetian knight reddened in anger and unsheathed his sword. Sir Wilfred drew his blade that was strapped to his back. It was an enormous broadsword, six feet long. Immediately, the rest of the Sword Brethren drew their blades and surrounded Sir Wilfred.
With a shout, Ivan rushed to Sir Wilfred's side with his bow drawn and an arrow aimed for the Venetian. There was a twang and a loud snap. The arrow flew far from the right, completely missing the Venetian and buried itself deeply in the tree. Ivan's bowstring had snapped in two and now his bow was useless.
"Impudent cur!" The Venetian raised his blade and brought it down upon Ivan's head. Ivan rolled away and sprang from the ground and over the heads of the Sword Brethren. His cape billowed from his back like the wings of a bat. From that day on, it would be a leap most renowned among the Greeks when they sieged Zandar. They dubbed him the Ptero Ippótis. The Winged Knight.
Sir Wilfred fended off Balk and George while Ivan wrestled with the Venetian. Luck and youthful vigour were on the side of the Zandarian. Ivan tossed the Venetian to the ground and then throttled him. Nearing death, the Venetian sued for mercy, but Ivan would not relent. Then, Sir Wilfred forbade the slaying of the Venetian; but Ivan despoiled him of a single bar of gold.
Now Balk was unwilling to suffer the death of a companion as they could not win Sir Wilfred to their cause. So he called for a truce, to stay any further violence. Then the Venetian cursed Ivan and Sir Wilfred by the throne of God, saying: "Go henceforth into sorrow, into betrayal, into a bitter long imprisonment and finally unto death." And so the Sword Brethren left in shame and went on their way while Ivan and Sir Wilfred went home. From that day on, they plotted not to let the insult to their honour go unanswered. However, Balk busied himself with affairs in the north while George busied himself with England's affairs. Only the Venetian would plague Ivan for years to come for besting him in combat.
It would be a few months later on a different hunting trip when Ivan asked Sir Wilfred why he would not join the Sword Brethren. Now one should understand that to a young squire in those times, there is nothing better than the glory of combat, the promise of great wealth and joining the great cause of liberation.
Sir Wilfred had a wistful look in his eyes, "Actually, I still think about the offer that was made to this very day." Ivan was surprised, but Sir Wilfred was quick to explain, "Fighting for Gold, Glory, and God makes for a tempting offer to a good knight. However, I pledged to the king of Zandar that I will train up knights that can protect Zandar. Hence I cannot make a decision to join the Sword Brethren's crusade so hastily."
Ivan protested, "But Sir Wilfred, you could be winning glory and fame if you went with the Sword Brethren."
Sir Wilfred murmured, "That is true. But I am a knight. When I pledge my loyalty, it is for life. You will find in your life that there will be many banners to fight under, but there will be only a few good leaders to fight for. Choose your band wisely and you will consider yourself deeply blessed."
Ivan had to ask, "Sir Wilfred, did you fight with such a band?"
It was then when a messenger rode up to them, saying: "A band of three hundred Spartans is advancing upon us. They are clamouring for the head of Sir Wilfred for heresy or they will put Zandar to the sword."
Sir Wilfred mulled it over carefully, "Among our foes are the Greeks who count among their ancestors, the most famous Leonidas. It is unusual for them to come this far. Who is at the head of their party?"
The messenger replied, "A Venetian."
Shelby ran up to him, then implored him to join the Power Rangers. She had even vouched for them.
However, Ivan was reluctant. He had not seen for himself how worthy were these Rangers.
She got exasperated and walked away from him. It gave Ivan some pause. Shelby made a valid point. He prejudged them even before they showed their mettle. At the very least, he should see for himself what kind of men they were. Then he shouted after her "Milady!"
(A/N: Do leave a comment if you liked it or hated it or thought that something was wrong with the story in whatever way possible, I will be happy to entertain them)