The Heroic Legend of Ianthe Chapter 1

Inside the Royal Capital of Pars, Ectbatana, an intense sword practice was being undergone inside the palace walls. The sound of steel clashing against wood could be heard from all corners of the palace. All who heard it had long come to know that Crown Princess Ianthe was at one of her sword lessons with her mentor and instructor Vahirz, a Supreme General to the Kingdom of Pars.

At present Ianthe was attacking Vahirz with her blade while he was blocking her with even strokes of his own. A particularly forceful parry from Vahirz had her stumble back, but she regained her footing rather quickly not falling disengaging from her battle stance and neither did he.

"Now come at me again," said Vahirz.

"Very well," said Ianthe, lunging at the senior warrior.

Same as before Vahirz blocked her attack, but this time he instantly went on the offensive. Now the Princess was on the receiving end from him. Already knowing what he wanted from her Ianthe immediately switched her body to defenses. As she did so Vahirz called out the sequences he wanted from her to demonstrate as he moved expecting her to do them flawlessly.

"Upper block! Center block! Upper block! Lower block! Upper block!"

Upon the final one Vahirz had the Princess at a standstill. Taking advantage of this Vahirz shifted his body so her sword was in a spot exactly where he wanted it to be. Next thing Ianthe knew is he knocked the blade out of her hand. It was sent flying into the air. Ianthe gasped crashing onto her back as Vahirz had shouldered into her hard. The blade landed with a clang nearby two handmaidens of Ianthe's that were present in case she was of need of anything.

Moving into a seated position, cheekily, Ianthe said "You beat me quite handily, Vahirz. You must show me that maneuver."

"Swinging a sword to and fro is hardly a 'maneuver'. Those were simply fundamental sword strokes," said Vahirz, laughing good-naturedly. He then dropped to one knee in respect to her royal position and show of skill to how she was advancing. "Although, without a sound knowledge of the basics, you cannot hope to master the more complicated techniques. Fundamental strokes are important. At the age of thirteen you've honed them quite nicely, Princess Ianthe, but you must continue doing so otherwise it may cost you dearly on the battlefield one day."

Bowing to her teacher, Ianthe said "I will, Vahirz."

Ianthe was then taken to the palace baths by the handmaidens where she could be cleaned and clothed in a different set of attire. Normally during her lessons, like today, Ianthe would be wearing a sturdy pair of boots, breeches, and a tunic in order to practice freely. Other than that, much to her displeasure, Ianthe was told to where a dress in accordance to her station whenever she was without. To be perfectly honest Ianthe much preferred the clothes she wore during practice than dresses of any kind. To her they were far more practical and the carrying of a weapon for defense is a necessity. Which definitely showed when her sword was taken away as she entered the baths to be returned promptly to her chambers.

At the baths Vahirz sat a respectful distance with his back turned to give the Crown Princess privacy as her handmaidens tended to her.

The ever present guardian Vahirz has been her instructor ever since Ianthe presented her case to her father King Andragoras when she was twelve.

For as long as Ianthe could remember she's been constantly told that one day she would be Queen of Pars and she must always be ready for when that day came to both defend and rule of its people.

It never made any sense to her as to why she'd be taught all of useful and useless things about being a princess while all the things a son would learn were kept from her like war, diplomacy, history, etc. and especially the ways of combat.

So one day when King Andragoras was holding Court, Ianthe bravely approached and faced him. She argued profusely that as the future Queen of Pars she must be well versed in all things in order to be a good ruler for those in their borders. Also, she reminded him and all in attendance that though Pars has always been well revered and feared by its neighbors, there might always be those who may believe Pars can be easily conquered just because there is a woman sitting on the throne as a man. If that ever happens she wants to give them a surprise that they'll never forget. She'll eliminate and drive them out, showing all just how fierce and noble a kingdom as Pars truly is.

For a girl so young Ianthe submitted facts that could not be ignored. Not only that, Ianthe held herself in a way that demonstrate a noble and selfless air that one of royal blood would exhibit from an heir. King Andragoras could not dismiss her without losing face so he begrudgingly granted her to have weapons training from that day forth and that the honorable Supreme General Vahirz would be her guide. Under his tutelage she's advanced quite well in such a short time, but she's not a warrior like the legendary Marzban just yet.

Funny thing about Vahirz is that in the beginning he tried to get Ianthe to use a wooden practice sword like he does, but she always insisted on live steel. She declared that the enemy won't use wooden swords, so why should she?

There was great wisdom there so Vahirz allowed it, but he always made a show using a wooden practice sword when training her. As she is of royal blood he didn't want to cause a mistake and damage her too drastically. Other than that he never held back. Even though she knew he was ordered not to show any leniency towards her it's something Ianthe always admired greatly about him.

"You're a harsh teacher. Why did you not accompany My Lord Father on his campaign against the Lusitanian's," asked Ianthe.

"Because my duty is here at this moment, my Princess," answered Vahirz. "Safeguarding this, the Royal Capital of Ectbatana. Lusitania is not the only threat. Kingdoms to the east have set their eyes upon our beloved city, as well. We mustn't let our guard down."

"And with such a heavy force of our own military might away on the campaign a suitable force must remain to defend Ectbatana and seasoned warriors behind to defend," said Ianthe, speaking from what she knew from past lessons.

Nodding, Vahirz said "Exactly, Princess."

Letting the handmaidens do the finishing touches on her hair and dress, Ianthe said "It sounds as if you're quite busy as of late, General. Perhaps foregoing my daily sword lessons would free you up a bit. As much as I would dislike that I would hate to put the Royal Capital in a disadvantageous should anything unforeseen arise."

"Come now, you know better than that. How can you hope to become a proper queen with such little ambition," admonished Vahirz. "As always you must taken your training seriously. Even simply mastering the fundamentals of the sword will show in your bearing and presentation. You have yet to fight your maiden battle, my Princess. If you hope to survive it you must train often with the sword in preparation."

Sighing as one of the handmaidens placed a lightly bejeweled circlet on her head along with a matching necklace, she said "Everything you say is true. I know that, but even so."

"If you know, then try to carry yourself as a swordsman would. The soldiers expect it," said Vahirz, emphasizing the point to be made there.

One of the handmaidens came about telling him it was okay for him to stand and look now.

The Crown Princess was wearing white dress of sheer golden material with a bit of floral embroidery at the bodice. Ianthe's hair was left flowing down her back and she wore circlet with a matching gem at the center. By all accounts she was appropriate when brought before her mother Queen Tahamenay.

While her sword had been taken away from her Vahirz knew her far too well by now to figure out she had a dagger hidden on her person somewhere should she need it.

"Come, best not to be late for the review of the Royal Guard," said Vahirz, leading her out.

Authors Note:

So what do you guys think so far?

The dress Ianthe wears here is the one Myrcella wears in Dorne in Game of Thrones. In this episode and the Pars theme, I thought this style of dress would suit her in this case. Do you approve?

Also, the anniversary for the terrible tragedy of day of 9/11 year's ago just occurred.

I was a very young child when that happened. All I can remember that day was my mother picking me and my little sister up from grade school. At home my sister and I learned what happened in New York City. My father came home soon after fearful that we were all going to be attacked. That was one of the scariest days of my life. I know for a fact I'll never forget it. I doubt anyone will.

For those reading this right now I know we can't all be together, but I ask that you share a moment of silence and prayer, no matter your religion, out of respect for the people who died that day and those alive who are still suffering from being there that day. And those of you who may be either going to a restaurant or a bar please raise a glass in a toast for those survivors and fallen.