Shabrang - Tumblr Posts

👀👀👀

Didn’t know I need this until now

Like a boxer after a warm up……let’s get ready to rumble!!!!!!

Daryun fulfilling the wet man quota this chapter 👌

I am eating my phone the website won't show me the images as if it knows my eyes won't be able to handle it.

(I'm currently sewing on a project, so I'm not on my laptop much hfhjdjdjdjd)

Conversation by the fire

A guest from another world…

A cold wind, smelling of dust, howled softly in the twilight. The rocky plain, gradually sloping down, slowly disappeared behind this curtain. The world, which until recently had been filled with the warmth of the sun's rays, was becoming completely different. Only rare wolf voices from time to time joined the long and quiet howl of the wind. There was no one here except the lonely shadow of the horseman, who continued on his way despite the quickly approaching night. Hearing animal voices in the distance again, the horse snored. The huge stallion, black as a raven's wing, went through a single battle, carrying his master on his back, and the wolf's howl caused him more irritation than horror.

The rider only patted his powerful neck.

-Calm down, my friend. We'll stop soon.

Well, we were delayed…

A trade caravan that Daryun came across on the way was attacked today by a detachment of robbers. With war cries, the bandits jumped out from around the bend of the shallow gorge, anticipating rich booty.

Cases when opponents rushed to attack without knowing who the Black Knight was were not uncommon and the bandits usually retreated, having previously lost several fighters. The sooner the attackers realized what was happening, the more of them remained alive. Seeing a rider in a flowing cloak on a huge black horse with a drawn sword, they were confused. It wasn't one of the guards they had just dealt with. Those who were especially brave rushed into the attack, only to soon slip off their horses in lifeless sacks, warming the ground with their blood. The rest, realizing that life was more valuable than prey, rushed away, disappearing into a dusty curtain. The caravan reached the nearest city, to which it was heading. Despite the persuasion of the merchants who tirelessly thanked him, Daryun continued on his way. It’s been too long since he saw the azure domes of Ecbatana… Very soon it became clear that this was not the end. The next morning, as soon as it was dawn, Daryun heard a shrill horse squeal. From the slope of the gentle hill it became clear what was happening. The distant figures of the horsemen seemed no more than insects. Daryun recognized them immediately. They decided to make up for yesterday's failure. Like wild animals surrounding their prey, they slowly approached the cloaked traveler. Even if he was on a horse, he wouldn’t get far. What was this poor man thinking as he tried to cross the wasteland alone? The leader slowly pulled out a saber that flashed in the sun, the same one with which he dealt with the guards of yesterday's caravan and which he did not dare to cross with the blade of the Black Knight. The hand holding Shabrang's reins clenched into a fist. My heart began to beat faster. Such jackals, who had the courage to attack only those who were weaker, often came across Dariun’s path. He was disgusted by them, but now he felt real anger. Anger that they would get what they wanted before Dariun taught them a deadly lesson. The bandit rushed forward. The victim suddenly jumped from the horse's back onto his opponent. Under the heavy cloak was a strong body, like that of a warrior. With one precise movement, he finished off the bandit. A bloody trail shot up into the air, and an almost severed head fell to the bottom, dangling from uncut muscles. The body, not yet realizing death, jerked stupidly on the horse’s back, not letting go of the reins. The horse, which clearly had blood in its eyes, immediately ran away, following the rest of the gang, disappearing behind a curtain of dust that hid everything that was happening. When she settled down, neither the mysterious warrior nor the bandits were any longer there. What happened in the morning gradually began to be forgotten, but it never completely left Daryun’s thoughts. The warrior's experienced gaze could not help but appreciate the skill of the stranger's blow. What people did he belong to? Dariun could not remember that somewhere he had seen such a fighting style and a short blade that looked more like a dagger - akinak*. It was getting colder. Transparent, like light dark silk, the twilight gradually thickened, changing the world beyond recognition. The animal voices fell silent in the distance. Not a single sound was heard in this impenetrable darkness, which had neither end nor edge. Now Daryun realized more clearly than ever that he had to stay in the city with the merchants until the morning. What will this rush lead to? What's the use of it? My uncle said what happens to those who always think they are right…

Dry, chapped lips stretched into a sad smile at himself.

Fool.

Sensing the mood of the owner, the faithful Shabrang snorted, covering his ears. Small stones rustled under the mighty hooves. The gentle hills that were so clearly visible in the distance have now disappeared. There was nothing around but darkness.

For the first time in a long time, Daryun felt almost lost. Even the dusty wind stopped hitting him back. Open eyes saw nothing, and my heart began to clench in unpleasant foreboding. Yet, no matter how invincible a warrior the Black Knight was, he was only a man, and a man always feels vulnerable in the midst of the dark unknown, far from everything that is familiar to him. Something sparkled in the distance, but did not disappear. A tiny dot twinkling like a star. Daryun pulled the reins, stopping Shabrang. The feeling of being lost loosened its grip a little, giving way to something light and giving strength. More than anything, it felt like hope. It turns out that he was not the only traveler here who was taken by surprise at night. A solution arose quickly and Daryun directed Shabrang towards the small flickering light. At the very edge of the warm light, which prevents the impenetrable darkness from approaching, sat a figure wrapped in a cloak. In fact, Daryun had a guess who it was.

-Was it you who dispersed the bandits?

-Yes I. – An unknown voice answered.

The hand reached to the edge of the hood, revealing a tanned face, framed by blonde hair, like a lion's mane, falling over broad shoulders. The stranger was the same age as Daryun, maybe a little older. Golden highlights of the flame slid into the attentive blue eyes looking at the Black Knight. Without attention and tension, but studying. This is how warriors look at each other before battle.

On such a night the traveler could not be left alone. They both knew this, and now two people were sitting by the fire, which protected them and their horses from the impenetrable darkness, which now seemed to be the whole world.

The stranger seemed to have forgotten about Daryun's presence, continuing to gaze thoughtfully at the crackling flames. The first wrinkles appeared in the corners of the eyes, when a barely noticeable bitter grin touched the plump lips.

The traveler was clearly not from these places and not from those countries that Daryun managed to visit. That attack immediately appeared in my memory, instantly sending the leader of the robbers to his forefathers. The stranger was a warrior, experienced, strong and dangerous. Just like Daryun himself.

-Is this Hades?

-This is Pars. – Daryun answered simply. The warm light of the fire narrowed his pupils, turning his golden eyes into those of a tiger.

-I saw how you fought with those bandits who attacked the caravan. – The unknown person spoke again. -Are you the strongest warrior in your country?

It turns out that neither Daryun was the first to notice him. To the trained eye of a warrior, one attack can say a lot about his opponent. A premonition of something unknown began to squeeze his heart. No, it wasn't fear. Besides, who, if not a person possessing such skill, could be an opponent to the Warrior-of-Warriors?

-Yes.

After answering, Daryun always proved it with a sword. The body itself prepared itself for a lunge or defense, the legs were ready to make a jump, and the heart beat faster. But not even an eyebrow twitched on his face. Golden eyes did not lower under the blue gaze. There was no tension, no anger, no thirst for murder in either one or the other.

-Why are you're fighting ? – The stranger asked unexpectedly. He, like Daryun, knew who was in front of him and that he would be understood. After all, only a warrior can understand a warrior. But who can understand a warrior who is destined to be the greatest? They were silent for some time. Daryun never thought about it. He didn't even remember when he first picked up a sword and began learning to fight. He was raised by his uncle, the one to whom the Shah of Andragoras trusted his cavalry. Daryun only did what he had to do, what was destined for him and it soon became clear that he was the best. There was not a single opponent who would not lay down his head in battle with him. This became his pride. Pars has a warrior like him and that he turned out to be such a warrior. His name was known even outside the country. Emperor Seliki offered him horses, concubines and titles, but… he is loyal only to his country. The image of Arslan, the young son of Andragoras, appeared in my memory. The prince did not show much zeal for military science, but he knew how to treat his subjects well and understand them. Quality worthy of a lord. His uncle said that he was destined to be the master of Daryun . Someday His Highness will have to take up the sword and the Warrior-of-Warriors will do everything so that he knows what he is fighting for, while maintaining his kind and fair heart.

-I serve my master.

The stranger's lips twitched into a grin again. He doesn't seem to serve anyone. He vividly reminded Kubard, for whom only the ability to fight retained the status of marzban.

-Is he worthy of this?

-I make him the greatest ruler of Pars. – Daryun did not take his gaze off the stranger. This is how animals look, creeping in circles opposite each other, before rushing into battle.

He felt the same.

-Why are you fighting? - Daryun unexpectedly returned his question. “I’m fighting for something that will survive thousands of years.” Each of them would achieve what they wanted and that would be the last thing they did. Daryun did not know where his opponent was coming from or his goal. He only felt that his powers were comparable only to his own. However, what directed these forces, made them raise the sword and strike the enemy, was completely different. Only glory can survive millennia. This stranger forged it for years and shed blood for it, and now in front of him was someone who would demand a battle at full strength, no more and no less. But Daryun had his own reasons for fighting and he did not care what the stranger thought about it. The power of Daryun protected and guided the one who was responsible for the whole people. He was ready to fight for someone who himself faithfully served his subjects. Shah Andragoras inspired fear in those who raised the sword against Pars, but His Highness Arslan will become a ruler whom this region has never known…

The tiger's eyes narrowed. Living, translucent tongues of flame half hid his dark face, slightly distorted by the warm air haze. He now also had an evil grin on him.

If you draw your sword, this battle will be your last.

The dead night became cold and even the crackling of the flame seemed to cease.

Yes, the stranger understood that he would have to pay a lot for a fight with such an opponent. However, who will know about this accomplishment here, where his own name is unknown, and all around is a wasteland infested with robbers?

Everyone would get what they wanted. And that would be the last thing they did. Warmth began to return to this world again, filling it with sounds and the crackling of flames.

Both warriors remained sitting in their places, separated from each other by a fluttering bright curtain.

-Do you want to tell him everything you know? - The warrior broke the silence. Daryun knew who he meant. -Yes.

-And I want the one to whom I pass on everything I know to never become like me…

The enemy's eyes dropped and again began to peer thoughtfully into the crackling flames. It turns out that fame is not all that occupies his thoughts.

For the first time, Daryun felt something akin to doubt in the stranger. That man was born a warrior, but did he find a reason to fight?

They didn't speak anymore.

The morning greeted Daryun with silence and coolness. The pre-dawn fog hid the distant hills in a transparent twilight. Not far away, the faithful Shabrang was waiting for him, twitching his smooth black skin, already covered with droplets of morning dew.

The fact that yesterday's meeting was not a dream was only reminded by the blackened extinguished fire. There was no sign that Daryun was not alone.

What was it? Dream?

The image of yesterday’s warrior immediately appeared in my memory. So similar and not like himself.

I hope you find a reason to fight.

The events of the dead moonless night quickly faded and melted away, like dawn fog under the rays of the sun. Daryun , the youngest among the marzbans of Pars, the Warrior-of-Warriors, returned home. He was met by his uncle, who was training the young prince.

Both were incredibly happy to see him.

It’s okay, Your Highness, you will still learn to fight, Daryun thought with a smile, looking into the shining blue eyes of the boy who was to be his master.

There, very far away, in a windswept mountain hut, the warrior came to his senses. Despite the wine he had drunk, his mind was clear. The obsession had seen at night was still fresh in him memory.

This time, they were not the ones he had sent to the underworld in his countless battles. Not ethereal shadows crowding on the banks of an underground river, waiting for the crossing and saying that they are waiting for him.

Who was that warrior? Black-haired, dark-skinned, with strange yellow eyes. And his horse, a black giant, was clearly a fighting horse. He himself would not have refused this… What land did he belong to? One thing was clear: that man knew himself and knew what he was fighting for. And it would be a fight to the death.

For him, the main thing was immortality in the hearts of people. Vegetating here, far from the rest of the world, you cannot achieve it. Still, how different they are, warriors…

Isn't it time to go back?

The cold mountains gave way to a bright sea, along the small waves of which the glare of the dazzling sun glided merrily. The bow of his big-eyed ship buried itself in the sand. During the long time that he was absent, the younger brother himself began to resemble a young warrior. A moment later, his clear gray eyes shone with joy.

I'm back home, my little brother…