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Heronie of the slaves - Song of fire and sand "I See you in another way"

Shapur (Pars Era 310)

Shapur (Pars Era 310)

Marzban of Pars, loyal, sharp, ambitious, hot-headed.

A man who at the age of 24 received from the king the highest rank in the Parsian military.  A man who obeyed the rules and never broke them or shaped them to his will.  A man who cared for his subordinates but also a man who knew that in war he would have to sacrifice them in order to achieve victory. 

Shapur was a man who would never question the authority and the decisions of the king and he would defend this decision with all his might against outsiders.  Even if he disagreed, because Shapur Marzban of Pars was loyal. Loyal to the royal family, loyal to the king of Pars.  His comrades would call him an idealist, even uptight.  If he was saw in a bar or a brothel with them after a battle and rejected any approach of a woman.  After two cups of wine he already excused himself and retreated to his chambers.  Such was Shapur Marzban of Pars, that was what his men, his comrades said of him. 

But for Kayra he was more than that:

Kayra could see the sides of Shapur that his comrades, his men, the royal family, even the sides that his brother Isfan did not know.  But Kayra knew them 

She knew the small wrinkles around his eyes when the first sunlight fell on his still sleeping face, softening his striking features.  His black hair, which fell like fine silk over his shoulders and shimmered in the light.  His gentle smile, which he gave her when he noticed how she watched him sleeping. 

His amused smile when he lowered his eyes and shook his head slightly when Kayra told him about a book she had just finished reading. His caring smile when Isfan played in the garden pretending to be a great warrior. 

Kayra knew that Shapur was loyal, he was loyal to those he loved, to the people he cared about.  Shapur was less loyal to the king of Pars than to his own people.  But she also knew how afraid he was of losing the people he loved.  The fear of incurring the wrath of the royal family by a thoughtless act, a thoughtless word, and losing everything.  Not his title, not his castle, not his money, but the fear of losing the people he loved. 

That is why Shapur kept his opinion to himself, that is why he rarely criticized the king's decisions.  Kayra knew this, Kayra knew his thoughts, knew his concerns. She knew that Shapur often spent nights hanging over the king's orders, she saw the deep wrinkles that stretched across his face and looked like deep gorges in the light of the burning candles.  Gloomy and frightening

She saw the deep circles under his eyes, the tired look when he looked for another strategy for the repeated time.  A strategy that would be less risky and require fewer lives, a strategy to convince the king to deviate from his plans.  Kayra knew he was doing this in secret, without much fuss, and without ever getting credit for it.  He did it so that the king would save face and so that he would know the ones he loved were safe. Yes, Kayra knew this side of him and many more.  She knew that sometimes he was hard on her and Isfan because he wanted to protect them.  Protect them from the cruel world that ruled behind the high walls of the fortress.

He did not want them to see the things he had seen, to be forced to do the things he had done. He would never admit this to anyone, but Kayra knew, she knew because he had told her himself. 

One night when it all came crashing down on him, one night when the deep circles under his eyes took their toll.  On a night when Shapur Marzban of Pars looked not like a young man of just 28 years, but like a man who carried the weight of the world on his own shoulders.  A man who had seen too much and done too many things to ever be forgiven for them.  Kayra knew this side, the fragile side, the side when his eyes didn't shine with drive and determination, the side when he didn't look at her lovingly and tenderly brush a strand of hair behind his ear with his fingers. 

The side when he didn't hold her protectively in his strong arms on the cold winter nights. She knew the side of him that was afraid, the side that knew despair.  Kayra knew that some nights he could not sleep, the nights when he came secretly to her chamber.  On those nights he didn't speak, he just stand at the edge of her bed as if to make sure she wouldn't just disappear. Sometimes when Kayra woke up, she would move a little in her narrow bed and he would lie down with her.  He would hold her tightly, as if she would vanish into thin air at any moment, as if she had never existed. 

Kayra knew all too well how stubborn Shapur could be, but she also knew how much compassion he could feel for someone.  She knew how hot-headed he could be at times and how insightful he was when he had had time to review all the arguments.  Yes Kayra knew that Shapur was like a little insecure boy when he apologized and how relieved he could be when he was forgiven. 

Even if his comrades did not see these sides of him, she saw them. She knew that after a battle he did not party until the early hours of the morning, which did not mean that he slept. No, he would stay at his workplace until the early hours of the morning and write letters to the families of the fallen soldiers.  Over the years these were many letters and many fallen, but she knew how important it was to Shapur that the soldiers he commanded were not just numbers or faces lost in the crowd. 

They too had families, parents, siblings, lovers, children.  They now had to deal with this loss, while for him it simply went on. Kayra did not know if this letter helped those left behind or if they would ever receive it, but she also knew that it was more for Shapur.  It was his way of dealing with the loss of people he himself had sent to their deaths.  Shapur knew how quickly life could be over, how quickly one wrong decision could cost the lives of hundreds, even thousands of people.

He knew it and he knew that Kayra knew it.  Kayra also knew why he rejected the women who wooed him.  She knew the women who threw themselves at him, it was not only the rich and fine ladies who were taken in by his reserved and friendly manner.  No, it was also the prostitutes who waited for the men in the bars and brothels to give them a little pleasure after a battle won or a hard day on the training ground.

Kayra knew that Shapur rejected her, all of them.  Shapur was loyal, not only loyal to the royal family, not only loyal to his men.  No, he was loyal to her  A simple farmer's daughter who had been sold into slavery, he was loyal to her because she knew how precious his time with her and Isfan was, how he soaked up every happy moment, how with every laugh his worries disappeared a little bit more. 

Kayra knew this and she also knew that she was his anchor, even if he had never told her this, but she knew it. She knew so much about Shapur Marzban of Pars and for this reason she could tell him.  For this reason and many more she could tell him  "I see you in a different way than you ever could" and his astonished face, his incredulous smile, the eyes which he cast down and then he laugh out loud only to take her in his arms and steal a secret kiss that was for only for her 

For Kayra this was Shapur, Marzban of Pars.

Heronie of the slaves - Song of fire and sand "For me you will always be a queen"

"For me you will always be a queen"

Kayra was a beautiful women  But for Shapur she was so much more

Kayra (Pars Era 321)

To describe Kayra was not easy: 

She was like the desert wind, which danced around and which you could never get hold of.  Sometimes gentle and quiet, sometimes merciless and loud.  Her voice was like a gentle spring rain, which was refreshing to the skin and made you pause for a moment.  She was gentle and loving, good at listening and giving advice. She was like the sea on a calm day, light, playful and beautiful.  Her red hair was reminiscent of the Parsi roses that bloomed in the royal garden.  Her green eyes shone like the lush forests of eastern Pars.

Narsus described her as perceptive.  Daryun as an equal comrade.  Elam and Alfreed would call her a loving elder sister.  Farangis saw her as a strong friend.  Gieve recognized not only her outer beauty, but also her inner beauty and saw her as a confidante.  For Jaswant she was an ally against the hostilities.  Prince Arslan would call her the sun, warm and full of hope, a patient teacher and confidante.  For Isfan she was like a sister and a mother at the same time.

Shapur knew this to be true of Kayra, but he knew more: 

He knew that her gentle voice, which was like a spring rain, could also be like a summer thunderstorm.  A thunderstorm that could arise so fast and pass away just as quickly. 

He knew that the calm sea that glistened gently in the sun also had its shallows  Shoals that he could never fully fathom, shoals that could capsize a ship.  Like the sea, Kayra could become stormy and cause any ship to crash on the cliffs, only to become calm and gentle again in the next moment.  Shapur knew that just like roses, she had her thorns and could not be plucked easily.  She could be passionate and impetuous, like the desert wind and her green eyes so deep that if you were not careful you could get lost in their deep green, almost like in the dark forests. 

Shapur knew all this and much more. 

He knew of her demons deep in her heart that came out at night and robbed her of sleep.  He also knew that he was guilty of those demons, he knew of the scars she hid on her back.  Scars that were not only on the outside but on the inside as well.  Scars that he was to blame for and scars that she tried to hide from everyone.  Shapur knew that Kayra was no longer a young girl, but a woman. A woman who had fought her way and not backed down, he could see the scars on her hands.  Hands that had fought for their own survival and that of others. The same hands that he had held so often in years past and that so often wandered through his hair in the morning.  Hands that now held a weapon and tended the wounded, hands that gently cupped his own and were stained red with the blood of the wounded.  Shapur knew she did not blame him, but he blamed himself. He blamed himself for the lost time, for his hesitation and for his naive behavior.  Kayra did not, for this was another side of a side that never looked back and looked forward. The side of her that Shapur always admired, the side that always put one step before the next and the side that dreamed of a better tomorrow. 

Shapur knew that he could not protect her, not from the cruel world he saw every day.  But he also saw that she was not broken by it but stronger than before. He knew how stubborn she could be and how much she hated to lose, how much she fought for her ideals and lost sight of many things.  Shapur knew this and he knew much more.  He knew how quickly she could be hurt if her trust was broken and he also knew that it was hard to regain that trust.  Shapur knew this and much more, he knew Kayra's peculiarities. 

He knew that she had never liked her laughter before, because she always grunted a little bit.  He knew how much she hated thunderstorms and how much she loved the smell of freshly baked bread.  He knew that her hair smelled of lavender and lemons and that she loved the time of almond blossoms. 

He knew her countless freckles.  He knew the small scar on her right iliac crest that Isfan had inflicted on her when he had played with a bow and arrow as a young boy.

Shapur knew that Kayra also read books late into the night to increase her knowledge to become better at helping people.  He knew a lot about her and he saw many sides of her.

But he did not know all sides of her, not anymore.  Some were still there, visible to all, some were hidden and some where gone a long time ago.  But for Shapur, Kayra would always be special. 

No matter if the simple peasant girl, the slave, the warrior, the healer.  For Shapur Kayra was a queen, his queen for whom he would fight and to whom he was loyal so.

Shapur could say "no matter how you see yourself for me you will always be a queen" and her loving smile that put little dimples in her face and her green eyes sparkling like emeralds showed him that he would never know all her sides, but that was ok for him.

"that's just the way he is and that's why I love him."  

Kubard hated it, he hated it when someone criticized him for something that wasn't wrong. He hated it when people thought he was stupid or that he never thought about his actions. He hated it and especially hated it when the person was Shapur. Ever since they knew each other, Kubard couldn't shake off the feeling that Shapur looked down on him. Maybe because he thought he was better than him or because he was the illegitimate son of a bandit, Kubard didn't know. He would claim that he didn't care, but Kubard was no liar. However, if he was honest, he and Shapur would probably never get along. But sometimes these views can change over a jug of wine or two, and with a little help Kubard might understand Shapur a little better. 

Peshawar Citadel, Pars Era 321

"This was stupid, impulsive and risky" Shapur's sharp words cut across the courtyard of Peshawar. Torches lit up the area in front of the great main gate, where until moments ago the Turanian army had laid siege to the citadel. The night sky was covered with dark clouds, which barely let a ray of moonlight through. In this pitch-black night, the Turanian army had tried to enter the Peshawar fortress. Fortunately, the Parsi army, under the leadership of Crown Prince Arslan and thanks to the foresight of Narsus, had been prepared. 

Nevertheless, it was not easy for the soldiers to keep the enemy army at bay. The Turanian horsemen, had hidden in the darkness of the night and ambushed the soldiers. The young Lord Zaravant had also been caught, and only through the quick intervention of Daryun and Kishward, the lord of the fortress, could he be brought into the protective castle. 

It had been grueling and the men, who fought under the command of Daryun, Kishward and Shapur, at the gates of the citadel had been defenseless against the enemy. Only through a trick and the intervention of Kubard had the Parsians been able to achieve victory. 

But this was not seen by all present. On the contrary, Shapur was furious, not to say pissed off. 

In the glow of his reddish torches he now stood in front of Kubard, who only stared at him tiredly and annoyed from above. Shapur, at six feet tall, was certainly not small in stature. But Kubard towered over him by almost a full foot. Any other human would have avoided any confrontation with the one-eyed giant due to the size difference alone, but not Shapur. 

"What are you all so upset about?" Kubard asked, bored, scratching his three-day beard. "You know exactly what I'm upset about" hissed Shapur, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Kubard eyed his counterpart more closely, Shapur seemed genuinely upset, Kubard could tell by his malingering jaw and deep frown lines. Also by his right index finger, which seemed to twitch nervously. Kubard sighed resignedly and then shrugged his shoulders "I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're getting at" he replied calmly, because if he was honest he really didn't know. But Kubard should have known better. He should have just agreed with Shapur and left it at that. But that's not who he was, and if he was going to be accused of something, Kubard at least wanted to know why. 

"Are you really serious?" Shapur gritted his teeth in frustration and looked sharply at Kubard. In this dark night with only the flickering shadows of the burning fires, Shapur looked like a wild animal already making for the attack. 

"Brother please let it be" whispered Isfan, grabbing his older brother by the arm to calm him down. 

"Don't you tell me what to do" Shapur's voice thundered across the courtyard, making everyone present cringe. The soldiers, who until recently had been watching the scene between the two Marzban, hastily retreated. Even the moans and groans of the wounded seemed to fall silent. Shapur turned to his younger brother and glared angrily at him. Even though Isfan was a little taller than his older brother, under his angry gaze he suddenly felt like a ten-year-old who had been caught trying to steal cookies. 

"As for your behavior, we'll talk about it later," Shapur hissed between clenched teeth, and Isfan looked guiltily to the side. 

"Don't you think you're going a little too far?" Kubard asked, looking thoughtfully at Isfan, who looked aside, concerned, to avoid his brother's gaze. "I'm going too far?" Shapur wheeled around angrily "your behavior almost cost hundreds of lives, this advance was rash and arrogant, if you're already out for glory then" "Wait a minute" Kubard interrupted Shapur's moral lecture and took a step closer to his counterpart. "From my point of view, the offense stalled and that's why I decided to intervene. We would have lost the hundred men sooner if you had continued this stalling, tactic." "You disregarded the existing strategy with your intervention and brought unrest to the troops. We had everything under control out there until you showed up and acted like a wild ox." "You dare insult me?" Growled Kubard and his sword hand twitched menacingly "no I'm not insulting you" replied Shapur "I'm just telling the truth." Kubard gritted his teeth and ground his jaw, he clenched his right hand into a fist and raised his arm. Shapur also shifted his weight and prepared to ward off the coming blow. 

"That's enough!" A voice thundered across the court, cutting through the tense atmosphere like a sword stroke. Kubard lowered his fist in astonishment and Shapur also loosened his stance. 

The men's eyes wandered to the other side of the courtyard, in the direction where the makeshift hospital was being set up. A young woman approached the three men. She had tied her red hair into a loose knot, from which occasional strands came loose and framed her face with its many freckles. The glow of the torches was reflected in her green eyes. She wore linen pants with a short sword attached to her right hip. As she approached, she wiped her hands on a cloth that was already red with the blood of the wounded. 

Kubard had already noticed the young woman at the Battle of St. Emmanuel, when she had tended to the injured soldiers. She was from Prince Arslan's retinue and Kubard had heard a few stories about her, but he had not yet the opportunity to speak with her personally. However, he had already heard her name from the other men. 

Kayra stopped in front of them and looked sharply at Kubard and Shapur before turning to Isfan. "Lord Zaravant has regained consciousness. Apparently the healing herbs are kicking in. I think you should go check on him." Isfan seemed relieved at her words, and with a quick nod of his head, the young man turned and disappeared across the courtyard into the fortress. 

Shapur and Kubard watched him go, each avoiding eye contact with the other.

Kayra sighed "I've treated enough wounded in the last few weeks" she began, looking back and forth between the two men, each still avoiding eye contact with the other. "I think the Turanian army has already given us enough injured soldiers tonight, then we don't need another fight between friends inside the walls." Kubard scratched the back of his head "mmh there is some truth to that" he grumbled and looked at Shapur. The black haired Marzban was still standing in front of him with his arms crossed, but his look seemed less gloomy and upset "as you say" was his curt reply addressed to Kayra and Kubard was almost willing to retort with a biting comment that he should be a bit friendlier with a beautiful woman when he noticed the smile on Kayra's face. 

To Kubard it seemed like an understanding, almost affectionate smile, was there any truth to the rumors that circulated among the soldiers?  

"Lord Daryun and her majesty the crown prince would like to speak to you" Kayra began to address Shapur again "they are waiting for you at the wall by the big main gate" Shapur mumbled something unintelligible, which sounded like a thank you, then he turned around and disappeared across the courtyard in the direction of the main gate. 

Kubard stood a little puzzled and watched Shapur disappear into the darkness of the fortress, he noisily let the air out of his lungs and then shook his head in disbelief "you think he's ungrateful, don't you?" Kayra asked in a soft voice and the Marzban looked at the young woman who was also looking in the direction Lord Shapur had disappeared. "Mmh" Kubard just grumbled and ran the flat of his hand over his face "ungrateful, mmh maybe more like stubborn, intransigent, straightforward but in a bad way" "you mean rule-loving?" she asked. "Yes maybe" he paused "he's a good fighter and besides Daryun probably the only one I consider his equal but" "but you don't understand how he can always live by the rules and never take a risk?" Kayra asked him amused and Kubard looked at her in amazement. 

"You know Lord Kubard I think you and I should have a talk, I think we will get along wonderfully. How about I buy you a mug of wine?" This statement now completely blew Kubard's mind, this woman was really interesting, but in a different way than the women he had known so far. He watched as she untied the knot from her hair, the red curls falling over her shoulders, dancing around her face like little flames. "A jug of wine in the company of a beautiful woman? That's an offer I can hardly refuse." He said, and his laughter thundered across the court of Peshawar. 

The tavern in the cellar vault of the citadel was of low ceiling height, so Kubard had to duck his head at his height. The wine barrels were lined up against a long stone wall, in front of which stood a long wooden counter with wooden stools. A few tables were scattered around the room, with only the occasional soldier still sitting at them, drinking their wine and talking in hushed voices. 

Kayra nodded briefly to the innkeeper as they entered, a short man of slender build and shaggy white hair. He returned the nod before turning, pulling an earthenware jug from under the counter, and filling it with wine from one of the barrels. Kayra sat down on a stool, at the other end of the counter, Kubard taking a seat next to hers. 

The innkeeper joined them with two mugs and the filled jug of wine in his hand. The redhead placed a few coins on the wooden counter and accepted the jug. The innkeeper thanked her with a nod of his head, took the coins and went back to the other end of the counter, where he continued cleaning mugs with a cloth. 

Kayra handed Kubard one of the two mugs and raised her "Here's to putting the Turans to flight!" she said and took a sip. Kubard raised his cup as well and took as well a sip, the wine burning pleasantly in his throat and feeling very invigorating after the long and rather cold night. 

"So Lord Kubard, what do you want to know?" Asked the young woman suddenly, snapping Marzban out of his thoughts. Somewhat irritated, he looked at her, her green eyes twinkling with amusement and small dimples had formed on her cheeks as another smile played around her mouth. Kubard was caught completely off guard for a brief moment. Kayra laughed out loud at the sight of the baffled man, which only made Kubard more so at that moment. More confused. For one thing, a woman had never, and by that he meant never, laughed at him, and for another, Kayra, quite unlike in his imagination, did not have an angelic laugh. 

No her laugh was rather deep and raspy and was accompanied by small grunting noises in between. If Kubard had not witnessed this laughter himself at that moment, he would not believe that this laughter belonged to the young woman next to him and yet, this laughter was contagious and before he knew it, his own thunderous laughter echoed through the cellar vault. The other soldiers and even the innkeeper looked irritated as their collective laughter echoed through the tavern and filled the entire room. 

Slowly Kayar and Kubard calmed down again and each took another big gulp from their cups. Kayra was the first to speak again "so what do you want to know?" She asked again, looking expectantly at the Marzban. The latter scratched his chin a little sheepishly before he began to speak "well," he began "say, are the rumors I herar about you true?" 

He looked at her expectantly and eyed her more closely. She was young, not too young, her features were too mature for that. Kubard guessed that Kayra and he must be about the same age. She was clearly not twenty years more, but certainly not at the end of her thirties, she lacked the wrinkles for that. 

So she must be in her early thirties, like him. 

"I'll be thirty-one this winter," she said, as if she could tell by Kubard's look that he was trying to classify her age, "so we're not far apart," she added, winking mischievously. She took another sip of the wine before setting the cup down and refilling it for herself and Kubard. 

"Your question is very" she began to address again "very imprecise. From what I gather there are many rumors about me, some were others are a bit," she tilted her head and seemed to be thinking "very fanciful I would think." She set the cup again and took another sip. "If you mean the rumor that I am a mage, then that rumor is true. However, I do not eat children, nor do I bring any offerings there. That falls more into the realm of black magic. If you mean the rumor that I am a former slave, then this is also true and yes I served in the household of Lord Shapur at that time. I can also assure you that I am well versed in the art of healing and medicine, I also speak seven different languages. By the way, the rumor that I turn men to stone is also not true." 

"And the rumor about you and Shapur?" Asked Kubard "which one? That I was his lover or that we were engaged?" Kayra asked back, but before Kubard could say anything back she was already talking. 

"Both rumors are true. We were once lovers, we tried to keep it a secret as best we could but among the other slaves it was an open secret. Many thought I was simply his concubine, but that was not the case. When I turned twenty-one he asked me if I would become his wife. I was naive enough to say yes, but it turned out to be a big mistake. You think Shapur doesn't like you because of your lineage, don't you? Because you are the son of a bandit, but I can assure you that is not the case. Shapur used to believe that everyone could achieve something through hard work and that this should not be the privilege of the nobles only." "But" Kubard continued but fell silent when he noticed Kayra's head shake. 

"Shapur seems to be a supporter of the existing system on the outside, but deep down he detests it. It is a system that almost cost his brother his life. A system that condemned Isfan's mother to death for no reason, just because she was a slave." Sadness settled over her face and she clutched her cup a little tighter. "I heard about the story. Shapur saved his brother then, didn't he?" "Yes he did. He set off alone into the mountains to look for him. His mother Lady Ziba arranged for Ashina to be thrown out then. She abandoned her and Isfan in the mountains. I think Shapur has not forgiven her to this day." Kubard looked silently into his cup, when he became Marzban then he had heard the story about Shapur's brother but had not known that he was the son of a slave. 

"Lord Kubard" Kayra returned her attention to the one-eyed soldier "you said that Shapur was stubborn, undiscerning and straightforward in a bad way and rules in love. I agree with you, but you must know that this is only a facade behind which he hides. Behind this facade he is less uptight, he does a lot with himself alone, which is why he often seems stubborn and perhaps aloof." 

She smiled dreamily "he used to retreat to his study and spend time there working until late at night, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. He always tried to find a solution to everything on his own because he didn't want to burden others with his problems. He can sometimes be strict and exaggerates in some things but only because he wants you to be prepared for the world that is waiting for you out there. Yes, it is true that he likes to follow rules because he believes that this involves less risk. But he also knows that sometimes it is necessary to break or circumvent the rules, but when he does so, he does so in secret without making a fuss." Kubard listened in silence, when the redhead had finished he looked thoughtfully into his cup, which was empty by now. Kayra noticed this and poured them both another drink before ordering another mug from the innkeeper. 

The tavern had emptied in the meantime and only the two of them sat at the wooden bar. It had become quiet and only the crackling of torches on the wall and the clattering of mugs, which the innkeeper collected from the tables, filled the room. Normally Kubard hated silence, especially in a bar. It was too easy to be tempted to indulge in his own dark thoughts. But at that moment, the silence was comfortable, and he wondered if it had something to do with the young woman's presence. 

“Shapur has taken risked in his life, he has spoken out loud, he trusts his instincts and followed his gut feeling. Sadly, he has lost already three important people as a result.” The young woman smiled slightly "you think he always criticizes you because you are the son of a bandit, don't you?" 

The Marzban nodded in agreement "but maybe it's because you are the disciple of Lord Mert?" 

"You knew Lord Mert?" Kubard was surprised to hear the name of his old teacher. Lord Mert was a Marzban of Pars in his time, and it was he who had taken the young Kubard under his wing and trained him. However, he died almost twenty years ago. "How did you know Lord Mert?" He asked in surprise "I knew him because I worked in his household, which became Shapur's household after his death." "Wait a minute Lord Mert was" "he was Lord Shapur's uncle" she answered his question. Kubard was surprised, even caught off guard, but thinking about it he suddenly realized the similarities Shapur had with his former teacher. The facial features, the laugh, the serious look, even his fighting techniques. Kubard suddenly felt foolish that he had not noticed these similarities earlier. "Lord Mert died almost twenty-one years ago I was just ten years old. Shapur had already been in the army for two years, under the command of his uncle. Back in the battle of Gilan, when the troops from Misr marched in there," she paused and it seemed that she was searching for the right words. 

"I don't know all the details, but back then Lord Mert lost his life in that battle. Shapur never really talked about it, but he once told me that he and his youthful recklessness were responsible for his uncle's death. I didn´t think that this is true but Shapur has always been critical of himself. You must know he was always closer to his uncle than to his father or even his mother. By the time Lord Mert died, his younger brother, Shapur's father, was already dead. Since there were no descendants, Shapur inherited all of his uncle's possessions. However, he did not want them. His plan had been to manage everything until Isfan was old enough to take over. He never wanted to live the life of a noble, he always said that this life was like a golden cage. So, he didn´t feel worthy enough to inherit the title of his uncle. He was rebellious against his mother and against the system. Much to his mother's displeasure. So she wanted to get rid of Isfan and his mother and had them taken to the mountains. You already know the end. After that, he swore never to break rules again and to act as he was expected to. Straightforward, loyal and locked to others, so that he lets as few people as possible into his life that he can then lose." 

Kayra drank the last sip of wine from her cup and smiled slightly at Kubard.

Kubard didn't know exactly how to react, he realized how little he knew about the Marzban. All these years, he thought Shapur was just buttoned up or would avoid him because of his origins, but that was not the case. 

He also took one last sip before setting the cup down in front of him. He propped his forearms on the counter. Silence reigned between them for a while, and each pursued his own thoughts. After some time Kubard turned to Kayra "you just said that Shapur had lost three people" "mhm" "but you only mentioned two" "yes the third person" Kayra said, playing with her empty cup in front of her. She looked thoughtful "you know even though Shapur swore never to break rules again there was one person he was ready to break all the rules he knows and leave everything behind. His title as Marzban, his lands, his property as this he wanted to give up but also the person died. She died nine years ago." "Who was this person?" Kubard wanted to know, Kayra just smiled sadly before answering him "Me". 

It was getting late when Kubard and Kayra walked through the deserted corridors of Peshawar. Kubard had offered to escort Kayra to her chambers, to his own surprise without ulterior motives. Perhaps because he knew that Kayra already belonged to another man, or perhaps because he knew that Kayra was one of the few women, he had met so far who seemed to show no interest in him. 

Both had been silent the whole way, the moon was still hidden behind the clouds and so only sporadic torches lit the way to the different quarters. Kubard was the first to speak again, "I'm not sure if Shapur and I will ever get along, but I think I understand him a little better now." "I think you two are more friends than either of you want to admit." Kubard snorted loudly before scratching his head "we'll see" he muttered. 

As they both turned the next corner, they stopped in surprise. In front of them stood Shapur. He looked slightly irritated when he saw Kubard together with Kayra. "there you are" he spoke and came towards them. Despite the dim light, Kayra could see the deep wrinkles in his face "I was looking for you" Shapur stopped in front of Kayra and looked at her. She smiled slightly and grabbed him by the upper arm "you look tired" she noted, Shapur expelled his breath noisily and grabbed the root of his nose "yes" he whispered softly "a little" and looked back at the woman in front of him. A clearing throat made them both move around, Kubard stood a little apart  of them and looked a little embarrassed "I think you're in safe hands now" he said and winked at Kayra "I'm going to hit the hay now too." With an exaggerated yawn Kubard turned around to leave. "Thanks Kubard" Kubard stopped and turned slightly, Shapur stood a little in front of Kayra. His arms were crossed in front of his chest, the one-eyed Marzban smiled briefly "you're welcome" he spoke and made his way to his sleeping chamber. 

Shapur was most certainly not as simple minded as he always thought. A smile played around the corners of his mouth as he thought of Kayra's words "that's just the way he is and that's why I love him."

Heroine of the slaves - Song of fire and sand "in the meadow of hope many fools graze"

Warning:

Mention of death and blood

Hope does not always have to be an individual's conviction that something will turn out well. Rather, it seems to be the certainty that everything makes some kind of sense. But sometimes people are also afraid to hope and for Kayra, after Atropathene, hope is like a strong pull that holds her tight and does not want to let her go. A grip against which she tries to fight with all her might. But perhaps it is hope that keeps her fighting for a better future, and some dawns can bring surprising insights and visitors. 

The smell of blood and burnt wood was in the air, the screams of the villagers echoed across the small market place in the middle of the village. No one had heard the bandits coming. Silently they had crept up to the village, under the cover of the forest. Women and children screamed, the men tried to defend themselves with what they had against the intruders. But the bandits were more experienced, better equipped and more brutal.

The farmers' shovels, hooks and pitchforks were made for working in the fields, not for defending themselves. One by one, they were cut down by the arrows and sword strokes of the attackers. The crying of the children and the pleading of the women increased. Some of them were taken into the forest, others were slaughtered in their homes or burnt alive. The acrid stench of death hung over the entire village. Why the bandits attacked this remote village, close to the mountain range, no one knew. The villagers were peaceful people and had barely enough to make ends meet. None of them were rich and even the jewellery some of the women wore was not worth attacking this village. 

Kayra did not know why all this was happening and she did not know what to do. She only knew that she was going to die, just like her parents had just died. Her father had sent her and her mother into the house and ordered them to hide in the small cellar under the house floor in the living room. But before he could lock the door, the bandits had already entered their house. Kayra had wondered how the bandits had managed to get to her house so quickly. Although the village was not large, her family's house was at the other end of the village. But before Kayra could finish that thought, a sword blade flashed and severed her father's jugular. Her mother's scream went right to Kayra's bones, and her father stood frozen before he grabbed his neck in horror and fell to the ground with a gasp. The loud thud as he hit the wooden floor was something Kayra would never forget in her life. Her father's form twitched briefly before he lay motionless. 

Kayra felt her body go rigid, her thoughts racing, but she couldn't get hold of any of them. She wanted to run away but her legs would not obey her. 

Her mother's scream made her flinch again. She rushed at the bandits, the knife that had been on the dining table a few moments ago was now pointed at the three bandits at the door. "Murderer!" her mother cried, reaching out with her hand to plunge the knife into the first man's chest. Deep down Kayra knew that this was futile, but for a moment hope flared in her to get out alive and escape this massacre. 

But her hope was shattered, like a mirror falling to the floor and shattering into a thousand tiny shards. 

With a single movement of his hand, the man repelled her mother's attack and pushed her away. Her body crashed against the stone hearth and before she had regained her composure, the man standing next to Kayra's father's body plunged his sword into her abdomen. 

Kayra's mother made a strangled sound, her eyes moving over to where her daughter stood. Her gaze was full of fear and desperation "run" was all that came from her lips before the man pulled the sword from her abdomen. With a loud smacking sound, the sword slid from the wound, her mother's gaze where still on Kayra. With trembling legs and one hand on her wound, she moved towards her "run" she spoke again, but quieter this time. Her voice was barely more than a breath "can we finally end this?" Asked the third man, who until now had only stood by the door and watched the goings-on. With a few steps he had reached Kayra's mother, with a quick movement he rammed his sword into her back. Kayra could only watch as her mother let out a strangled scream. Blood came out of her mouth and her eyes rolled back before her body fell limply to the ground. 

"So little one" the man spoke "you will come with us." Before Kayra knew what was happening to her the man grabbed her hair and pulled her towards the door "set the house on fire" he ordered the other two and pushed Kayra through the door in front of him. 

"Fight back" she whispered "fight back. Take the knife that lies on the floor." But it was to no avail, Kayra could only watch as the men took her nine-year-old self out of the house and to the horses. Here gaze dropped down to her feet where a pool of blood had formed. The blood of her parents. She could still see herself looking back, helpless, frightened, and full of fear. She still saw her mother, with the last of her strength, pronounce her name one last time before her brown eyes became dark and lifeless. 

She could do nothing, not then and not now. Just as then, she was condemned to simply stand by and do nothing. If she had known then what future awaited her, would she have acted differently? If she had known that she was the only survivor and that slavery would be sold, would she have run?

Pars era 320, 100 farsangs east of Ecbatana, near the great continental route and 20 farsangs west of Gurgan.

Startled, Kayra roused from her sleep. She felt her breathing rapid and irregular and her clothes sticking uncomfortably to her body. That dream again, she thought in frustration, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. She felt herself shivering and cold sweat standing on her forehead. She had dreamt again of the day her parents had been murdered and again she had been a silent spectator, unable to do or change anything. 

But could she change anything? Her parents were dead and even if in the dream she had the power to change something, to resist or even to run away, in the end even that would only be a dream and when she woke up her parents would still be dead. 

The cry of an owl made her flinch. Her heart still racing wildly, she took three deep breaths and then let the breath out slowly through her mouth. Slowly her mind and her heart gradually calmed down. 

Kayra looked around, the fire in the centre of the little cave had burnt down a little, yet it would still hold until daybreak. She didn't seem to have woken any of the others. 

Her gaze wandered to the other side of the cave where Prince Arslan slept. His features looked relaxed, and his chest rose and fell evenly. A little away from him, Narsus and Elam slept, Farangis lay a little away from herself, to her left, she too seemed to continue sleeping. Kayra looked towards the entrance of the cave, where on the right side Gieve was leaning against the stone rock, snoring a little. 

Kayra raised her eyebrows sceptically - a womaniser who snored, she would definitely point that out to him, the next time he tried to flirt. 

Kayra exhaled in relief, thankfully she hadn't woken anyone with her nightmare. She looked out of the cave and up at the sky, it wouldn't be long before the sun rose, sleep was out of the question. Slowly and as silently as possible, Kayra pushed her blanket aside and stood up, a little fresh air would do her good now.

Quietly she crept out of the cave, the air was cooler here and there was a light breeze, coming from the east. Kayra brushed her hair back and enjoyed the silence and the pleasant wind on her skin for a brief moment. 

The moon still shone brightly in the sky and the stars shone clearly in the dark night sky. On the distant horizon Kayra could faintly make out the dawn, but it would be some time before the new light of day pushed aside the black of night and life awoke again. 

"It's still a little early, isn't it? We didn't plan another changing of the guard, did we?" Daryun's deep voice brought Kayra back from her thoughts, she turned slowly to face the Marzban. The black knight saws leaning against a tree a little away from the entrance. At his back stretched the high rock wall, to his right lay the entrance to the cave. From this position, Daryun could easily observe the small plateau, the plain in front of him and the path that led past the cave. He himself, however, seemed to merge with the shadows and any attacker would only have noticed him when it was already too late. 

Kayra smiled slightly, though Daryun could not see this, in the darkness of the night and at the distance. "I couldn't sleep anymore and thought a little fresh air would do me good." She replied, stepping closer to him "may I join you?" She asked as she stood in front of him. 

Daryun nodded slightly and slid a little to the side on the boulder he was sitting at. For a while they both just sat in silence next to each other, enjoying the silence of the dark. The crickets chirped softly in this late summer night, now and then an owl could be heard in the thicket of trees. 

It was quiet and peaceful and although summer was already over and autumn had arrived, held, south of the Damavand Mountains the nights were still not too cold and offered a pleasant cooling to the still quite warm days. 

"Did Gieve's snoring wake you?" Daryun asked suddenly and Kayra opened her eyes in surprise, which she had closed for a brief moment. "So you heard it too?" "Yes it couldn't really be overheard," growled the Marzban and Kayra had to stifle a laugh. "If the women knew what they were getting into, they probably wouldn't be so at his feet" "probably that's why he never stays more than one night" Kayra said grinning widely.

Daryun let out a laugh "it would be nice if it was just his snoring but unfortunately that wasn't why I couldn't sleep anymore" she added. "A bad dream?" Kayra just nodded in confirmation and looked up at the starry sky again "do you want to talk about it?" Daryun asked, not looking at the young woman beside him. Kayra continued to look up at the starry sky, for a moment she closed her eyes again before she began to speak. "Do you really want to hear it?" "I wouldn't ask if I didn't" the black-haired man replied. 

Daryun sounded slightly offended, and Kayra could understand it in a way. They had been travelling together for some time now and even though Daryun had distrusted her in the beginning, when they had met on the battlefield of Atropathene. Especially the last fights against Lord Karlan's men and Lusitanian soldiers had built up a trusting, almost friendly basis between them. 

Kayra knew that Daryun was loyal and Daryun saw her as his equal. 

Kayra rubbed her temples to clear away her thoughts and the headache that was coming on "I'm sorry" she spoke "I didn't mean to offend you it's just" she interrupted herself and looked at the man beside her. 

"It's been a long time since anyone wanted to know how I was. I'm not used to travelling in company anymore it seems." She said and a slight smile played around her fine lips, causing a small dimple to appear on her right cheek.

Daryun returned her smile, leaning back against the tree trunk with a sigh. "Don't worry" he then said "you don't have to tell me. But I can assure you that I do care about my comrades. Besides, we're going to be travelling together for a long time now, you'd better get used to the company." He added with a twinkle in his eye and Kayra had to laugh at his comment. 

When she calmed down again, she also leaned back against the tree trunk. In the east, the rising sun could already be seen, and the black night sky slowly changed to a dark blue and purple. The stars began to fade, and the first birds could be heard chirping. Soon the others would awaken, and they would continue their journey to Peshawar Citadel.

"My parents" Kayra whispered softly and Daryun looked at her. When he said nothing, she continued "sometimes, ...I dream of them. About the day the bandits came to our village and burned everything down. I dream about them murdering my parents and taking me away. I stand there and can do nothing. I watch as my mother lies on the ground and bleeds to death. She tells me to run away, but I can't even do that. Instead, I stand there petrified."

She wiped her face briefly with her sleeve, not wanting to cry. She had never really had the chance to mourn her parents, as a young girl, but now was not the time. 

Maybe when this was all over, she would be able to return and finally mourn her parents properly after all these years. Maybe she would even ask Farangis to say a prayer for the village so that their souls could finally find peace. But now was not the time to look back, right now she had to help Prince Arslan free Pars from the Lusitanians and help him make this land a better one than it was before.  

"You could have done nothing then," Daryun's voice broke the rising silence between them. "You were a child, nothing you could have done could have prevented the death of your parents or the villagers." He looked at her seriously and Kayra returned his gaze.

He was serious yet full of compassion, she knew he meant what he said and even though deep down she knew he was right she felt helpless. 

"It feels wrong" she sighed and turned her gaze away from the Marzban and onto the narrow path in front of her which wound its way past the rocks and to the cave. 

"It feels wrong to be the only survivor and believe me when I tell you I have asked myself more than once why me." She ran a hand through her hair, playing with one of her red strands. Daryun hummed in agreement. "I can understand why you feel that way but look at it from this side, you are the one who remembers these people. Their names, their history. You are the one who keeps these people alive by talking about them, by remembering them. Nothing happens for no reason, does it? I believe there is always a greater whole, perhaps you should not die on this day yet, perhaps we should meet to fight together for Prince Arslan to make Pars a better place."

"Perhaps you are right" sighed Kayra "perhaps there is a greater purpose to all of this, even if I haven´t see it yet." "You have already suffered much in your life Kayra. So much that it would probably be enough for most people to live two lives, but you are strong. You've come so far; it seems you just have to keep fighting a little longer." 

Daryun smiled at Kayra, and she returned it "yes" she said "probably I just need to fight a little bit more." She was silent for a moment before continuing "I'm sorry to have bothered you with this. I don't know why I'm getting so sentimental all of a sudden" "We are very close to Gurgan and the Damavand mountains, you have lived here for a long time, haven't you? You know the area, probably this brings back old memories." 

The young woman bit her lips, yes old memories that was probably the right expression.

How many years had she lived here near Gurgan, in the fortress of Bash Kulla? So many beautiful memories and so many painful ones connected her to this place. 

Her gaze fell to the inside of the cave, to her sleeping place. There, next to her blanket and her travel bag, close to her spear, lay the packed bundle. A helmet, a helmet she had found covered in blood on the battlefield of Atropathene. Where the army of Pars had lost to Lusitania. Where she had been betrayed by one of her own and where Kayra had felt that strong and dark magic. A helmet she knew only too well. But she had only found this one. 

Guilt welled up in her again. Shapur was dead, there was no doubt about it, no one had been able to escape this massacre. Involuntarily she asked herself if he had thought of her.

How long had it been now, nine years? Had he perhaps hoped in his last moments to meet her again in the afterlife? And if so, was he disappointed not to find her there or was he relieved that she was still here on the other side? Or had he perhaps not thought of her at all? She could not even have blamed him. Maybe he had already married, and his last thoughts were of his family. His wife, his children? 

Kayra's stomach tightened painfully at the thought. She still carried the ring Shapur had given her. A ring as a sign that he would take her as his wife. Kayra had never forgotten this promise, but what was about Shapur? 

After all, he had to assume that she was dead. Had he mourned her? Did he still miss her sometimes? And what about Isfan? He had been just thirteen years old and now? Now he was a grown man, would he ever be able to forgive her for abandoning him? 

Daryun followed Kayra's gaze, which was fixed on the small pouch. He knew that Lord Shapur's helmet was in it. Kayra had told her story to him, Narsus, Prince Arslan and Elam and even if the young woman next to him did not show it openly. 

He had heard rumors then as a young soldier and Marzban. 

Rumors that Lord Shapur had had a relationship with a slave girl. He himself had never spoken to him about it, but Karlan and Sam had confirmed these rumors to him. 

Kayra was grieving for a loved one, Daryun knew how she felt. He too had lost his uncle in the last battle. Grief could be an overpowering emotion.

"We do not know if Lord Shapur fell in Atropathene" he began to speak softly. Kayra did not move, yet he continued to speak. "We know from Gieve that he was not among the Marzban lined up at the gates of Ecbatana. Lord Kubard was not among them either, perhaps they both escaped." 

Kayra took her eyes off the helmet and looked skeptically at Daryun "Shapur trained me" he continued unperturbed "when I joined the army I rose very quickly. Most people thought it was because of my uncle's influence, but Lord Shapur was the only one who thought otherwise. He trained me and taught me how to use the lance. Through him I also learnt that it is not always strength that counts, you also must know your opponent and study him. So, until I receive word that Lord Shapur has fallen, I believe he is still alive and so should you." 

Kayra smiled slightly at his words, but then shook her head "Hope is the meadow where many fools graze" she then spoke and looked at him seriously. 

“I learned long ago that hope is something that slows us down and only holds us back." "Then what has kept you going all these years?" Daryun asked, his smile widening as he noticed Kayra's astonished expression. 

In the meantime, the sun had appeared on the eastern horizon, bathing Kayra's hair in a sea of red flames. Her eyes were brightly lit by the sun and shimmered as darkly as the forest, with its many conifers, before them. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again, Daryun enjoying her stunned look. He was about to speak again when a rustling sound caught their attention. 

Kayra and Daryun jumped up directly from their position and looked towards the path. Both had drawn their swords. 

They had never expected the sight that lay before them. A young girl, hardly older than ten, stepped out of the bushes onto the path. She stood frozen when she saw the two adults in front of her. Her clothes were only rags, and her face was scratched by the branches and twigs. She was missing a shoe and her small hands were full of dried blood. Her brown curly hair was matted, her brown eyes darting back and forth between Kayra and Daryun. 

Kayra slid her short sword back into the sword sheath and nodded to Daryun, there seemed to be no danger from the girl. But Daryun would remain vigilant for now. 

Slowly they approached the girl who was swaying towards them.

Her right knee was scraped, and her foot was bleeding, apparently, she had cut herself somewhere on a sharp stone. 

The girl turned her eyes on Kayra, "It's you," she croaked and stopped. Tears came to her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. 

Puzzled Kayra stopped and looked at Daryun, she continued to walk towards the girl until she stood in front of her and knelt down. 

"What do you mean?" She asked gently "you are,…aren't you? You're Kayra" "how do you know my name?" Kayra was confused, she had never seen this girl before. Or had she? There was such a vague feeling spreading through her body.

"Mummy" was all that came from the girl, "you're the one from Mummy's stories". 

Mummy´s stories? Kayra was now finally confused; she was looking up at Daryun for help. But the former Marzban didn't seem to know who or what the girl was talking about either. 

"The heroine" the girl now seemed to be completely distraught "Kayra, the heroine of the slaves. I've been looking for you" she sobbed, wiping her face with her dirty sleeve. "You have to save us all, just like mum always tells us, you have to come back. You have to marry him after all" "who do I have to save?" Kayra asked, grabbing the girl by the arm "who do I have to marry?" "You do have to save us from the Lusitanians" a hiccup ran through the little girl's body, but she could not be dissuaded from continuing to speak.

"You must save us. You have to save Mum and Dad and Lord Isfan and Lord Shapur, or they will hurt them all. You must come back to Bash Kulla. You have to save Lord Shapur or you two won't be able to get married like Mum told me." 

Kayra looked at the little girl in shock, had she just heard it right? The Lusitanians were in Bash Kulla and Shapur was still alive? Was this girl perhaps Amala's daughter? The daughter of her former friend, who had also been a slave in Shapur's household? Is that why she looked so familiar to her? But before Kayra could ask the girl any more questions, she fainted and fell straight into her arms. 

Kayra was startled for a moment and involuntarily felt for the girl's pulse. 

She breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at Daryun "she seems very exhausted" "no wonder" he nodded in agreement and now put his sword back in its sheath as well. "Bash Kulla is at least a two day march away, who knows how long she has been travelling." He bent down to Kayra and grabbed the child from her, gently he took her in his arms and lifted her up "she seems a brave little thing if she escaped the Lusitanians and made it this far on her own." He walked towards the cave from where the first voices of the others were already coming to them "heroine of the slaves?" He asked in surprise and turned to Kayra, but she just shrugged her shoulders in perplexity.

"Nevertheless," replied the Marzban, "I have a feeling that Peshawar will have to wait a little longer for us." 

Kayra sighed and followed Daryun back to the others without comment. Hope. How much she had suppressed this feeling all these years and now it was fighting its way back to the surface with all its might. 

Should she really dare to hope? Maybe that was the reason Daryun had spoken of earlier, maybe she just had to keep fighting a little longer. Maybe everything would turn out all right somehow.

Smiling, she shook her head. Heroine of the slaves, what a stupid title that was.

Gieve *badly hurt*: "If I died, how much would you miss me?

Isfan *only shrugs his shoulders*: "It's cute how you think death can get you out of this relationship"

別冊少年マガジン【公式】 on Twitter

“盛り上がってるけどやったの君らじゃない、、笑 兵士一人一人にも人間味あるから つい見ちゃうし突っ込んじゃう...(´˘`๑)ゝ #アルスラーン戦記 #別マガ 8月号発売中”

@BETSUMAGAnews on Twitter teasing me with an Isfan preview picture…

Oh my god

I like it

And the panels with Kubard are so funny 😆

Arslan Senki Reread

In moments like these, it's not hard to see why Kubard is a marzban. He may be quite the loose and untraditional, but here he lightened the mood and raised the morale— relieving some tension where before the soldiers were very high-strung and panicking. It's not just his strength and physical/combative prowess, though that certainly plays a part too.

Before this too, he led a group of ordinary villagers against Lusitanian soldiers and won. His leading skills are nothing to scoff at.

Which makes his “let's just fucking ditch this too” thing at Atropatene all the more glaring— Andragoras fleeing clearly pissed him off a lot, he's a good leader when he has a reason to stick by and fight.

I admit I didn't pay that much attention to Kubard when I first read the manga (a mistake, imo) but I like him a lot. He's a good character, and very fun 🤣

Not shown but Kubard yeeted an entire Turanian. Rest in splat, buddy. And the one he knocked down with him.

I will never not love these panels. They're so pissed!! And they're right to be— they finally have something they can call their own, something that solidified their freedom, and they just started working on it and damn Turanian soldiers just come trampling on it?? Damn I'd get pissed too! Do you realize how angry I get when someone messes with my art?? Do you realize how miserable and murderous I get when I'm kept from finishing my art?? Do you????

GET THOSE BITCHES, BOYS!

Also Kubard's fucking face 😂

Hello there, Barhai! Or is it Balhai?

LMAO, language barrier problems. I'll never not find this funny.

Get in line, Ilterish. You've got people ahead of you who've booked an appointment with Daryun.

Love the banter, though.

The sheet delight on Daryun's face!! It's just literally the “>:D” face, isn't it?

Arakawa never disappoints with the crowd/soldier art. I can just feel their elation, I could almost feel myself whooping and jumping and cheering among them.

Them beans. I love.

🤗 My boys!!! I always appreciate a good Isfan panel.

And hello, is that you Parazada?!

Farangis and Narsus: a brotp I never knew I needed.

I dig it, though.

Because I finally have to clear my head so I can continue working on my story.

So now I'm going to bombard you with thoughts about my The heroic legend of Arslan modern AU.

Shapur

Oh my god where do I start? I have so many thoughts about him

- In his time in middle and high school, Shapur was a good judoka and was quite successful due to a shoulder injury, but he had to give up the competition

- He owns a motorbike and in his free time he likes to do some laps especially towards the mountains and forests. Sometimes he also visits Isfan when he is on duty at the ranger station at the weekend

-when he was 18 he took custody of Isfan (the backstory here is about the same as in the manga)

- Shapur is a passionate mountain biker even if he doesn't get to do it often because of his job

- He doesn't like spicy food but likes something sweet (at work he has a drawer with a stash of sweets)

- He doesn't drink much because he can't tolerate too much alcohol

- He was in the military until he was injured on a mission and retired. Kahrlan then took him to the M.o.P

- Kubard is his colleague

-Shapur is often annoyed by him, but their clearance rate and cooperation is the best in the entire team

- Shapur wakes up quickly and due to his military background he gets up early and goes jogging

- Kayra (my OC) can't understand that

"Honey why are you awake?" "stay down I'm just going jogging" "it's 5:30 on a Sunday morning" "I'll also bring fresh bread rolls" "and a croissant"

- he is a romantic

- He hates casesin which children are involved

Kubard (my brother in spirit or rather Kayra's 😂)

- Kubard wasn't in the military

- He comes from a poor area of ​​Ecbatana where there is a lot of crime

- he made it to the rank of police officer and was brought into the M.o.P through his merits

- He loves to mock Shapur and his reaction

- He played basketball when he was in school and still does today. once a week he goes to his old neighborhood to play a few rounds of basketball with the kids there and make sure they don't go down the wrong path

- he buys old houses, renovates them himself and rents them out cheaply. It's more about renovating. just let off steam and tear down a wall

- he loves vintage cars, he has three of them and tinkers around with them

- he lives in an old airplane hanger and has set up a bachelor den there, no woman has stayed more than one night so far

- he has a diving license

Ok so far until now

Might write some thoughts about Isfan, Gieve, Daryun, Saam, Narsus and Kayra (Oc) aswell

Maybe Arslan, Farangies and Elam to

Let’s go

Wow! Chapter 109 is here!!

https://weloma.art/1105/95081/

...I'm so scared to look. Okay. It's okay. I'm going to do it now. Thanks so much for sending me the link.

I can't argue with that😂

Ever since @marchdancer pointed this out I can't unsee it—

He looks like a light-haired Shapur here, doesn't he??????

Maybe the manga get another twist? Maybe an alternative after book 7?

Maybe 😅

Let me dream

Yes Isfan without his cloak his 1+

GOOD ArSen Chapter 109 changes: Isfan’s beloved horse is okay

BAD ArSen Chapter 109 changes: Gurgin… 😭😭😭😭

(Surely this confirms the manga will only adapt up to the end of Book 7… I don’t want that to be true, but there’s so other reason to cut/change scenes and kill Gurgin off so early.)

I would died to see the screaming contest between Hilmes and Shapur

Sitting in the background and eating some popcorn cheering for Shapur

Also Shapur and Daryun dragging Narsus with them would be so funny.

Two Marzbans, determined to to fight and get rid of the enemy and. Narsus complaints all the way to Peshawar that he is not able to draw his masterpieces.

Some more random AU thoughts:

After Arslan first wakes back up and recovers, Isfan can't stop fretting over him. He'd give Arslan a checkup every few minutes, to the point Farangis was like, “Bro, you're hovering.” “I am not.” “You are.”

Since Shapur and Kazai's relationship has a little leeway to be less secretive (albeit they'd pass off as lovers not husbands), I wonder if Kazai would sometimes accompany Shapur to Ecbatana. Or if the marzbans would know of him, even if just in passing.

Ecbatana shenanigans: Kharlan and Shapur unexpectedly bonding? Over being fathers? Especially after the jealous Crown Prince debacle? Maybe?

Also Shapur's loyalty in Andragoras is... dwindling. Or rather, his faith in the entire system, but since Andragoras stands at the top of it... Y'know, living with a clan that has a cultural history and identity of being wronged and persecuted by the system and those in power, it's gotta radicalize you at least a little bit. I wonder if Kharlan would notice that.

A lord, his half-brother born from a slave and is his heir, and an orphan boy he picked up from who-knows-where, one would think that's a perfect recipe for disaster but then in terms of conflict our wolf family is just... *crickets*. It'd be fun to see the shock of certain characters, haha 🤣

Eihon telling a young Isfan to recite a long list of medicinal plants and their properties in his mind whenever he feels his anger rising and doesn't want to lose control.

Shapur getting angry at something while far from home but being in a situation that doesn't allow him to express it, so he tries to distract himself by thinking about home but some stupid song baby Gieve made up is now stuck in his head. He can't get it out of his mind anymore. Poor sod.

Shapur and Hilmes having a screaming match. I have no clue what they're arguing about and at this point I'm too afraid to ask.

Isfan having to be held back from straight up murdering someone. Probably Gurgin. I don't have the context for this either.

Going back to Ecbatana (excuse my scattered brain), I wonder if Kharlan would notice the reason why Arslan noped out of the palace. Surely he must, right? And Shapur looked so... tired, the morning Arslan went to work outside the palace instead. What would he think of it? Would he even consider approaching Shapur with... information about Hilmes? I guess not, not very likely, but the seeds might already be planted.

Slings as weapons. Apparently they were widely utilized historically, and work great so long as the target has no armor or is lightly armored. Leaning towards Kashi being a slinger. Wouldn't that be cool?

Wondering how I should make Alfarīd and Ranna meet. Also Merlaine and Arslan. Hmmmm...

An argument between an exhausted Shapur and a very determined Narsus. Probably about putting forth Arslan as the hidden heir.

Isfan leaving his wolves to watch Arslan when the boy was comatose, but also after he wakes up but shouldn't exert himself, when he's not available to be by Arslan's bedside.

Farangis probably had to sedate Isfan at least once to get him to leave a comatose Arslan's bedside.

I haven't thought much about Gieve, huh... I should think about him more.

Gieve and Ranna put together would probably be called something like “Demon Duo”. Pranksters extraordinaire. Unhinged. All the good stuff, according to Kazai.

The Sindhuran debacle is still probably gonna happen. Except there's no Arslan to lead a campaign to Sindhura. Shapur and Daryun going to Peshawar to aid their fellow marzbans, probably dragging Narsus along for strategy purposes too? Haven't checked the timeline so not sure Arslan would be in a good enough shape to leave Gorgan. Most likely not. But what if Narsus remains behind, to observe Arslan? Questions, questions, so many questions...

Speaking of questions, what the everloving fuck is gonna happen to the political sphere after Tahamenay fucking offs Andragoras?! There's gonna be Team Hilmes, which Bahman would become part of, and then there's Team Gorgan, which would ally with Team Hilmes— What would Kishward do?! Actually I haven't been keeping track of where Kubard is either HELP T_T Daryun and Narsus are probably with Team Gorgan. What's gonna happen next?! Hilmes is probably finally in a position to reveal his lineage and identity, though. That's a good thing.

That one time the boys went to see Your name.

Isfan: Seriously, Zaravant, how old are you? I couldn’t hear the dialogue over your bawling.

Zaravant: It’s not my fault! It was just so moving!

Gieve: Your eyes are red, Isfan.

Isfan: T-that’s because…

Gieve: Jimsa didn’t cry, did you?

Zaravant: Do you ever cry?

Jimsa: Doesn’t everyone?

Isfan: When was the last time you cried?

Jimsa: …

Isfan: Zaravant cries all the time.

Gieve: When we watched Titanic the other day.

Isfan: When we won the championship.

Gieve: At Mr. Kishward’s wedding.

Isfan: When his turtle died.

Gieve: When your dog died.

Isfan: Hey, that was really sad.

Gieve: Yeah, but it was your dog.

Zaravant: Stop it you guys!

Jimsa: Sorry, I can’t remember.

Isfan: May I kill him?

Kubard you badass! Not only in a fight but he didn’t hold back to criticize his own King

Kubard you are rockkng the house !

And Isfan pushing forward and destroying their flanks

Scanlation of Chapter 110: The Holy Voice of God is out now on Mangadex!

Amazing

Wish we had Shapur on the side of Andragoras as well. I would die for his expression.

Can’t wait for the next cover

Here are the bonus sketches from Arslan Senki manga vol. 18! These are both nice (maybe we’ll get something similar for Team Hilmes and Team Arslan in the next vol?). I can sense the internal conflict on Andragoras’s side. Kubard doesn’t really care but for the others the expressions and slightly lowered heads convey their sentiments very well.

Yeah I ordered two comics from the artist a few months ago.

Since then I try to translate some papers but…..yeah like you said it is not easy and Google translation is not always correct or a bit confusing and often changing.

I try to look up some other apps but didn’t find a good one actually. So yeah….but the pictures are so good and the story is easy enough to follower even when I can’t read the text.

I like it that I get some content with Shapur and Isfan interacting and some training scenes between the two brothers. So I am happy that I could order these two comics. @tired-reader-writer we both have discussed the „slender“ thing and that we both have the idea that Shapur looks like his father or has the eyes from his mother and after what both parents did to Isfan and his mother that he disliked his features and often see his parents when he looks at his own face.

I am also wuite curiose why Shapur has two braids. I rember in the manga he had only one braid when he rescued Isfan from the mountains. So yeah I like the idea that there is a deeper meaning behind it why he changed it.

Just remembered that in the artbook @marchdancer bought from the artist that took down their ArSen stuff from pixiv, one of the pages described Isfan as, and I shit you not, SLENDERMAN, and I suddenly can't stop cackling and so I am sharing the fact with you. Hope you enjoyed this tidbit!

ArSen artbook 👀

lmao though, WHY? How are they alike? I wouldn't even describe Isfan as slender, and I'm pretty sure the novels state he is of medium build too.

Can’t wait to see my baby wolf with your Design ideas.

Getting started on Isfan's sheet!

Take your time

I send you my best wishes

Isfan's third design is officially stumping me.

Send some well wishes to my brain or something, I've been shaking it like a bottle of cola in hopes that something will pop out

I have no words for this

I am absolutely in love with him and how he turned out ❤️

And here we have Isfan's design sheet! His designs came surprisingly quicker and easier than the other ones, though I kept forgetting stuff and having to hastily add them before I forget again.

You'll be going on uh... either a Wolf Trip™ or an Alder Journey™, I have no clue which section is longer.

Without further ado, let's jump right in!

The first outfit is definitely the fanciest, something that doesn't let you doubt that he is indeed Shapur's heir. Maybe he'd wear it for celebrations? It's a riff on my interpretation of his manga design, with the patterned trim. I saw the manga version of his attire being black with a burnt orange sort of trim— as opposed to the blues of the anime design. We'll get to that latter one in a bit but first, we'll tackle this one.

I mentioned the concept of family colours and wearing them as the outermost layer of one's attire in Shapur's sheet and Arslan's— and here is no exception. I headcanon this shade of purple as Shapur's family's colour, and so Isfan wears it when he is to be seen by outsiders— people not part of his family or close circle.

You'll have to zoom in pretty damn far to see it, but maple leaves are included in the pattern on his clothing. It's because for some reason my brain went “ah yes autumn is suited for Isfan for sure” and it's a subtle way of linking him to Kazai; who has maple leaves on his right arm's tattoos. He learned a lot from Kazai, and regards him as family.

And of course, because it's me, there is symbolism involved (this made me realize I never explained Kazai's tattoos, oops):

“Maple is a symbol of strength and endurance.”

×

“Maple symbolizes balance, love, longevity and abundance. It also speaks of success, generosity and practicality.”

×

“Maple trees symbolize balance, offering, practical magic, promise, longevity, generosity, and intelligence.”

×

“Some of the symbols of this tree include balance, promise, strength, practicality, and endurance.”

×

“The maple tree is believed to have the strength to withstand different environmental conditions, enabling it to grow all around the world.”

Strength, endurance and practicality are traits that I associate with Isfan— especially endurance, as he survived a nigh impossible scenario as a child. He is strong and hardy, and most definitely one that would not go down easily. Under the clan's tutelage he would learn practical skills like medicine and craftsmanship as well.

“The maple tree is believed to have magical properties, and wands produced from the branches of these trees is believed to have the ability to ward off evil spirits and danger away from us.”

×

“The maple tree is believed to have magical properties that protects those who have it around them— its wide and tall growth casting shadows under which living beings may take their shelter.”

This protective magical properties tidbit is a reference to his role as heir to his brother who is responsible for protecting their people, and Shapur is also a marzban responsible for protecting the border region from foreign threats, but it is also a reference to the chain and armor of Isfandiyar; Isfan's namesake and a hero from the Persian epic Shahnameh:

“According to the epic Shahnameh, Esfandiyār was the Crown Prince and a Divine Warrior of ancient Iran who supported the prophet Zartosht (Zarathustra), enabling him to spread the religion of Zoroastrianism. He also fought against many apostates and enemies of Zartosht to do so. In return, Zartosht gave Esfandiyār a chain and armor from Heaven. The armor made him invincible and the chain had the power to bind anyone, even a demon or evil magician, making them unable to escape. Zartosht also gave a Divine blessing to the prince and declared that anyone who would spill the blood of Esfandiyār (killed him) shall suffer a cursed life of bad omens until the day he dies and even after death would be condemned to hell.”

And I headcanon that Isfan has a sensitivity to the supernatural, spirits and mages and magic, from the incidence where he got abandoned in the mountains and saved by wolves.

And don't you worry, we'll get to the wolves.

There's a wolf pendant hanging from his coat's clasp, and wolves... are quite the vital aspect of his character.

“According to Zoroastrian legends, Zoroaster as a child was carried by the devs (the gods) to the lair of the she-wolf, in expectation that the savage beast would kill it; but she accepted it among her own cubs, and Vahman brought an ewe to the den which suckled it. (It was impossible in the Zoroastrian legend for the wolf herself to give milk to the infant, since wolves are regarded as daevic creatures.) According to the Avesta, the sacred text of the Zoroastrians, wolves are a creation from the 'darkness' of the evil spirit Ahriman, and are ranked among the most cruel of animals, and belong to the daevas. The Bundahishn, which is a Middle Persian text on the Zoroastrian creation myth, has a chapter dedicated to the 'nature of wolves' as seen in Zoroastrian mythology and belief.”

×

“Wusuns, an Indo-European semi-nomadic steppe people of Iranian origin, had a legend that after their king Nandoumi was killed by Yuezhi, another Indo-European people, Nandoumi's infant son Liejiaomi was left in the wild and He was miraculously saved from hunger being suckled by a she-wolf, and fed meat by ravens.”

These stories of Zoroaster (also known as Zartosht and Zarathustra: a prominent figure and prophet in the religion Zoroastrianism, the main religion of ancient Persia before the Islamic Conquest) and Liejiaomi bear echoes of Isfan's own, being abandoned in the mountains in hopes that he (and his mother) would die, but instead being saved by wolves.

Zoroaster's story mentions an ewe and Liejiaomi's ravens— Kashi's familiar animals were wolves, and Ayunnen's, though under reconsideration for change right now, were ravens. Rams/sheep were part of the candidates I was considering, too. And... a doe? Either way, his circumstances and backstory bear resemblance to these myths.

“In the Secret History of the Mongols, the Mongol peoples are said to have descended from the mating of a doe (gua maral) and a wolf (boerte chino). In modern Mongolia, the wolf is still seen as a good luck symbol, especially for males. In Mongolian folk medicine, eating the intestines of a wolf is said to alleviate chronic indigestion, while sprinkling food with powdered wolf rectum is said to cure hemorrhoids. Mongol mythology explains the wolf's occasional habit of surplus killing by pointing to their traditional creation story. It states that when God explained to the wolf what it should and should not eat, he told it that it may eat one sheep out of 1,000. The wolf however misunderstood and thought God said kill 1,000 sheep and eat one.”

Gorgan, his homeland, is geographically quite close to Turan, who were inspired by the Mongols, so I couldn't not include this, plus the medicinal stuff were a bonus since Isfan is a trained healer.

“In the mythology of the Turkic peoples, the wolf is a revered animal. In the Turkic mythology, wolves were believed to be the ancestors of their people. The legend of Ashina is an old Turkic myth that tells of how the Turkic people were created. In Northern China a small Turkic village was raided by Chinese soldiers, but one small baby was left behind. An old she-wolf with a sky-blue mane named Ashina found the baby and nursed him, then the she-wolf gave birth to half-wolf, half-human cubs, from whom the Turkic people were born. Also in Turkic mythology it is believed that a gray wolf showed the Turks the way out of their legendary homeland Ergenekon, which allowed them to spread and conquer their neighbours.”

This as well, since Gorgan is close to Turk too. Ashina was a candidate for his mother's name among many that us from the fandom have come up with, this one was by @marchdancer I believe? This story also features a young child being saved by a wolf. And though Kashi wasn't his mother (she would have become an adoptive mother to him had Shapur not found the two-year-old boy and his mother), her association with wolf and the colour blue (though not quite sky blue, more of a midnight blue), and the superficial similarity of the names Kashi and Ashina, this links him to this woman he has never met and never will.

“In another Japanese myth, grain farmers once worshiped wolves at shrines and left food offerings near their dens, beseeching them to protect their crops from wild boars and deer. Talismans and charms adorned with images off wolves were thought to protect against fire, disease, and other calamities and brought fertility to agrarian communities and to couples hoping to have children. The Ainu people believed that they were born from the union of a wolf like creature and a goddess.”

The Marda clan comes to play a helper role of sorts in the locals' agriculture as mentioned briefly here: fertility and harvest and grain storage and even bringing rain. And though he's not part of the people who directly help with those, he is considered part of the clan, and takes an active role in protecting the livelihoods of the local folk of the lands.

The tassel hanging from the pendant, it was just a little reference to the other two-thirds of the 22-trio as I like to call them (Isfan, Farangis, Gieve) who have a close relationship in this AU— the plum purple for Gieve, a brother figure, and the light green for Farangis, a sister and a rival in the arts of healing.

Also fun fact, this outfit was a way for me to play with some uh, illusion tricks so to speak— how clothing can give off an illusion of a bodily silhouette that isn't necessarily true.

I once saw a fanart that wrote “SLENDERMAN/スレンダーマン” next to a sketch of Isfan, basically implying that he's really slender? And we in the fandom have this headcanon that Isfan is taller than his brother. And he does give the impression that he is thinner than his brother, even if he's not slenderman™ thin. In the novels it was mentioned that he has a “medium build” but then in the same sentence compared to reeds— and aren't reeds... super thin??

“Isfan had a medium build, like reeds growing next to a swamp, and amber eyes.”

To reckon with this confusion I drew his base body... not that thin, not that far off from his brother's even if it's juuust a tad slimmer, and tried to design this first outfit to build the illusion that he's really slim. Just as a fun project and challenge for myself. And I like to think I succeeded even if partially! I'm quite proud of this design.

Moving onto the second design, damn how long is this post now? It's more of a design that leans both into his brother's style (the way the coat is cut/styled) and the clan style (the short wide sleeves). He wears this kind of style often, but especially when he participates in the whole... patrolling healers group project... thing... tradition... whatever that is (referenced here). The outermost layer is a shade of green to signal that he is a healer of the clan, and though the coat doesn't have the chestnut-leaved oak leaves on it, he does wear the leaf pin/brooch to signify his status as a healer trained by the clan. The brooch was first introduced in Arslan's design sheet and I go in-depth about why I chose that tree's leaves in particular. The teal and the red and green echo his older brother, though they are more of darker or less saturated shades, because I headcanon that Isfan favors darker colours. And so while there's no purple in this design, it still draws on the colours associated with his older brother (as well as the clan healers).

Also, @innerchorus mentioned sage green in the colours they associate with Isfan and hey, he does look good in it!

Embroidered on the neckline of the coat are alder leaves and cones— and here's why:

“The common alder provides food and shelter for wildlife, with a number of insects, lichens and fungi being completely dependent on the tree. It is a pioneer species, colonising vacant land and forming mixed forests as other trees appear in its wake.”

The shelter for wildlife bit echoes the hornbeam tree Ayunnen was found under— the man who found him before Shapur did, the man who would've raised Isfan as his son; utilized here before.

“The alder tree has been used for several purposes (such as construction and medicine) due to its unique nature and strength.”

Don't worry, we'll get to both.

“The timber has been used in underwater foundations and for manufacture of paper and fibreboard, for smoking foods, for joinery, turnery and carving. Products of the tree have been used in ethnobotany, providing folk remedies for various ailments, and research has shown that extracts of the seeds are active against pathogenic bacteria.”

Alder has many uses as shown above, and of course I put emphasis on the folk medicine part, though we'll get to the underwater foundations part later :)

“The common alder is used as a pioneer species and to stabilise river banks, to assist in flood control, to purify water in waterlogged soils and to moderate the temperature and nutrient status of water bodies. On marshy ground it is important as coppice-wood, being cut near the base to encourage the production of straight poles. It is capable of enduring clipping as well as marine climatic conditions and may be cultivated as a fast-growing windbreak.”

Stabilizing riverbanks, flood control, purifying water, they all sound like they'd be useful for agriculture (see what I said about the clan's role in the locals' lives) as well as a protection of nature, a reciprocal providence and protection that the clan and nature exchange on a principle's basis. The windbreak part plays into his role as protector. And I can't help but be a little amused at the straight poles part, lol. It's the reed thing all over again. Anyways!

“The alder tree has the ability to develop well and prevent rot when in water for a long time— becoming strong as stone when done so. This makes it of great importance in the construction of bridges over bodies of water.”

Told you we'd get to the construction part! And here we have our favourite part: alders become strong as stone when in water for a long stretch of time. The strong as stone part echoes the ironwood in Shapur's design sheet, and the water part... well, Arslan is closely associated with water in this AU, and it could allude that Isfan is stronger when he is with Arslan, with his family.

Like Shapur.

Because the lone wolf dies but the pack survives.

And the bridge... well, it could be said that he (along with Arslan) was the bridge that brought Shapur and the clan together.

“The wood becomes strong as stone when dipped in water for a long time, making it an excellent source of timber for heavy use such as construction, production of long-lasting shields, and so on.”

Not much to say about the shield part except that it could play into his role as protector.

“The alder tree is believed to have the ability to protect and serve as a hiding place for people who are in need of shelter.”

The clan takes in castoffs and runaways, those vulnerable folk in need of protection, and he was one of them. When the clan settled on Shapur's family lands, they continued on with their thing and both Shapur and Isfan allowed it, sheltered the new additions to the clan without a word to anyone else.

“The alder tree's ability to grow and thrive in swampy or wet environments can be said to be due to its determination— therefore it can symbolize determination or a desire to achieve what one strives for no matter the challenges they may face in life.”

I see Isfan as a very determined young man, determined to prove himself, to make his brother proud, to protect his family and their people. I see him as a very diligent and hardworking person because of his desire and determination. And so this... yeah. And so this added to the reasons the alder trees were chosen, out of the many plants and trees that are found in the Alborz mountain range.

Also he's wearing a wolf fang as an earring.

Now at last we arrive at his third and final outfit.

Are y'all still alive?

Essentially, this outfit is what I imagine would be worn under his armor— a reference and riff off of his anime (and Senshi no Shikaku?) design, the long-sleeved dark blue shirt. It's quite simple in design, not meant to be fancy, but of course, I just couldn't help myself, lol. I had to add pomegranate seeds and flowers on the collar that I was... just planning to leave plain.

The pomegranate flower is a reference to the name I have chosen for his mother in this AU being Golnar, which means “pomegranate flower”.

I have explained in length why I have chosen that name in this post, and I highly encourage to read it if you haven't. I'm really proud of the symbolism I have managed to collect.

Here's an extra tidbit, just for fun:

“The flower of the pomegranate tree is called Gulnar. The popularity of the flower is mostly due to its medical uses (in traditional medicine). Persian Gulnar decoction is used to treat syphilis. The juice is used to treat jaundice, diarrhea, and to treat frequent nosebleeds. Dried and creamy flower buds of this flower are used as a treatment for bronchitis.”

Eyyy, more tallies on the healer!Isfan stuff! :D And he still wears the oak leaf brooch here as well. The lacing thing was just to add a little bit of interest— I didn't want to just rehash the original design from which I took the inspiration. The shoulder part was partly inspired by Kashi's design (echoed also by her son Arslan, and Ranna as well). The dark blue to reference his canon outfit, but also form a sort of... unity with his younger brother Arslan and the entire... Ashina... Kashi... thing.

Things like medicine and supply pouches and his sword would hang from the belt— which reminds me I have once again forgotten to add the belt on his second outfit! This is why I can't be trusted.

And just for fun, here's a... thing I added though I don't consider it a proper design:

Just... Just put his normal cloak on, it's fine, I don't know what I was thinking with this one.

And so... here's the design sheet! I hope y'all like it. I haven't decided yet who'll be next, though I have a feeling it's gonna be either Farangis or Gieve.

So I actually have created a small and simple timeline for my Arslan AU. ( I am actually writing a new chapter for the story and yes I am really, really slow). The Timeline is not fully complete, for example the year where Narsus became Lord of Daylam missed and I am not really sure with every canon data. So they will mixed up a bit with my AU and the canon data. A big thanks @tired-reader-writerfor the help to collect some year numbers and canon events.

In the timeline are some events from my AU that are a bit of a spoiler and I hope I can dissolve them with the new chapter I actually write. Hopefully I can posted it in a few days xD.