Disclaimer: I own nothing except for mu OC Ianthe and the changes in the storyline plot her presence in the show provides to readers everywhere.
The Heroic Legend Of Ianthe Chapter 7
This is so not what Ianthe had in mind at all.
There is uproar in the streets as word quickly spreads that the Crown Princess has been kidnapped and taken hostage by an escaped Lusitanian prisoner.
Guardsmen are running everywhere trying to control the situation while the Lusitanian always seems to be a few steps ahead, giving them the runaround.
During all the commotion a Marzban is grooming his prized horse in the stables.
Daryun is a loyal and fierce warrior, the youngest Marzban in this day and age. He is Lord Vahirz's nephew and regularly called the Knight in Black. His titles and names are well earned as he proved in the resent war. He's a handsome young man of 24 with long black hair that is kept in a low ponytail. He has narrow eyes and thin eyebrows, very broad and muscular. He's very stern, stoic, and a strictly loyal man, but underneath all that he really is soft and kind hearted especially to her.
Daryun and Princess Ianthe have known each other for a very long time. Lord Vahirz often took his nephew along with him to Ecbatana. The first time the two of them officially met face to face was right after Ianthe's audience with her father appealing to him for lessons in swordplay and other weapons. Since that time the two have grown quite close in both friendship and affection. He is extremely protective of Ianthe and more than willing to risk his life in order to defend his Princess. As he as proven time in time and again in various situations where it required him to act in her best interest, even in flit second decisions.
In the middle of giving his stallion a well deserved rubdown Daryun can hear the chaos from outside, but is unaware what the cause is until the Stable master came barreling into the horses designated stall with great haste.
"Lord Daryun," he said, panting from sheer exertion.
"What is it," asked Daryun.
Breathing heavily, the Stable Master said "It's Princess Ianthe, My Lord."
In an instant Daryun turns on his feet rigid.
"There he goes! Get him!"
The Lusitanian is not letting up.
It seems like each time the Guardsmen are getting close to rescuing Ianthe that the Lusitanian does something else to throw them off the trail. Ianthe is not about to lie. There are a couple of times she actually thought she was gonna die during this wild and uncouth chase. The Lusitanian jumped levels from great heights and from roof to roof.
Then the Lusitanian did something that takes the cake.
The Lusitanian had overstepped. He made a jump without correctly estimating the distance. Thanks to this miscalculation it Ianthe believed they weren't going to make it. Just as they began to plummet downward salvation came their way.
In the penn it's being kept in a giraffe raised it's long neck where it was snacking on some feed. The giraffe caught them by the horns causing them to hang. The Lusitanian slipped after losing his grip. At the last second Ianthe somehow manages to grab his wrist. The giraffe is annoyed with the extra weight hanging on its head. Tossing its neck the giraffe throws them onto a neighboring rooftop.
The yelps from the two of them draws the attention of the animals keepers, but they don't see anything strange so simply ignore it as maybe a brawl going on somewhere nearby.
Ianthe and the Lusitanian take this spare moment as an opportunity to catch their breath.
Scrutinizing the Lusitanian over in concern, Ianthe said "Are you injured?"
A smile tugging at the corners of his lips, exhaling deeply, the Lusitanian said "No, I'm fine. Thanks to you."
Almost realizing how grateful he's sounding the Lusitanian balks and gets back into character shoving Ianthe onto the wooden planked roof.
By some miracle the Lusitanian somehow continued to keep hold of his stolen sword. More's the pity.
Would've made it easier for Ianthe to retaliate. The dagger Ianthe has hidden can be more useful, but she doesn't want to use it if she doesn't have to.
As Ianthe has already proven in the slave market all life is precious to her no matter whose it is.
Curious the giraffe lowers it's head closer to the duo.
Recoiling, the Lusitanian blanched "What on earth is this long necked demon creature?"
Sitting up straight, dusting herself off, Ianthe said "I'm surprised you haven't seen one before. They're often part of traveling shows and caravans."
"And these strange things are native to your land," asked the Lusitanian, wary.
The giraffe stuck out its long tongue to gently lick Ianthe's offered hand, ticking her palm.
Stroking soft nose, Ianthe said "They are, but only in certain parts of the territory. There are only so many places they can go to survive. Otherwise they're part of groups that I just mentioned to you."
"You do live here, right," said the Lusitanian, sweat dropping with a deadpan look.
"Of course I do," retorted Ianthe, raising a condescending brow. "But just because I live here doesn't mean that I've actually been everywhere."
Below them a band of guards ran down the street searching for them.
Sneering, the Lusitanian said "Someone's practically sending an army after us. What are you? Some sort of big shot nobleman's daughter? Looks like taking you hostage instead was the best decision I made today."
True, but that would only be the case if the fool doesn't get caught. Kidnapping and threatening a member of the royal family is immediate grounds for execution. Then again the boy isn't aware of that given his lack of knowledge of her identity. This may work on Ianthe's favor. Considering how the other citizens of Lusitania loathe her people this boy might very well kill her to become a hero. Best Ianthe doesn't elaborate on that.
The Lusitanian got them moving again more subtle and discreet so as to avoid detection.
Marveling at the grand markets and bustling atmosphere everywhere around him, the Lusitanian said "Such wealth! Everywhere you look people are buying and selling things!"
"Well we are at the heart of the Continental Highway. In Pars, we lead lives of culture and prosperity with people from all over gathering to share what they have to offer to the world. No man goes hungry here," said Ianthe, proud of her kingdoms achievements despite its faults.
The Lusitanian tugs Ianthe away from the opening in an alley to hide more in the shadows.
"Where are you taking me," demanded Ianthe.
"Wherever I tell you," spat the Lusitanian, pressing the sword tip lightly into her back as proper incentive to keep moving.
The pair stops to observe the work in an active yard where many slaves are working hard in construction.
Eyes narrowed contemptuously at the sight, the Lusitanian said "You sure have a lot of slaves here."
"Of course we do. That's further evidence of our kingdom's prosperity. Why would you want to run away? At least that's the premises that's been going on here for years," sighed Ianthe, ashamed.
Slavery is one of the biggest traditions Ianthe wishes would be abolished in Pars.
Catching it, the Lusitanian gasped "What?"
"True, it isn't much work and you'd never want for food or shelter, but that's not any justification to make it right. Being enslaved is still a bad life that no one should except," said Ianthe, softly.
Genuinely taken aback, the Lusitanian stammered "I-I thought that as part of the nobility in Pars you'd be all for stuff like this."
"Not everyone in Pars agrees with the stance on slavery. Although if Lusitania has resorted to sending children into war to fight their battles for them then it can't be all that better," surmised Ianthe.
That stokes the Lusitanian's ire.
Infuriated on behalf of his countrymen, indignant, the Lusitanian said "Who are you calling 'child'? I'm eleven years old!"
"Really," said Ianthe, blinking in surprise. "Only 11? That's only two years my junior. You truly are a child then."
"Well not in my kingdom! I'm a Lusitanian soldier! A warrior," proclaims the Lusitanian, brandishing the sword as a soldier would. "Devoted to the god of Yaldabaoth, and pledged to rid this world of heathens!"
Frowning, Ianthe said "Why is it you despise those who don't believe? Just because someone follows a different culture than you, it fails to label them as savages."
"Our god is just. He treats all people as equals. But the same cannot be said for your kind. Just look at your system of slavery. It's cruel and barbaric. Our god won't tolerate something so inhumane. Hear me, heathen. All men are equal," said the Lusitanian, passionately.
Honestly the Lusitanian probably would've had her all except for what he says next.
"Except for people like you who do not follow our god's teachings. You can be treated differently and killed as we see fit," shouts the Lusitanian.
Rolling her eyes, sarcastically, Ianthe said "Sure, that's logical."
Seething, the Lusitanian said "What was that?"
"You talk a lot of talk about how all human being are equal and yet you're all too ready to slaughter those who refuse to follow the same beliefs. I fight that quite contradictive," said Ianthe, coldly.
The Lusitanian turns so red with fury his head might explode with how much is pent up building inside. The Lusitanian has no time to act on it for some soldiers spot them on the wall and the chase throughout the city is on again once more.
Declining to let the main topic of their heated argument drop, persisting, the Lusitanian said "All people should just accept the will of the God of Yaldabaoth! Then there'd be no fighting to begin with! It's simple! I bet you don't even know anything about the other kingdoms. I bet you don't even give a damn. Too rich for that kind of learning."
"Hey, for the record, I've been educated about other kingdoms since the first day I learned how to read. And for your information I do care. I've already told you what I think about slavery. If I had the power to change it I would, but I don't," said Ianthe.
But in spite of the words she's speaking Ianthe feels a twinge of guilt inside layered with partial truth to the accusations the Lusitanian is throwing so vehemently at her.
Reading and hearing about facts are two different things, acting on behalf of them is another.
Authors Note:
Hope you guys all liked this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
I recently put up a new story called Fish Out Of Water. It's a crossover between the movie Shape of Water and the show Siren. So far I have everything figured out except one little thing. A name for my OC. Basically, since my OC character is in fact a mermaid I want the name to be in reference to the oceans or any other body of water similar to lakes or rivers. I'm more than open to suggestions so like I usually do in situations like this I'm turning it into a contest. The reader who gives me the winning name gets a question answered about the plot of the changed storyline in question. So think long and hard guys on the name and the type of question you'd like me to answer. Because you only get the one until the next opportunity arises for the taking. ;D