The Heroic Legend Of Arslan Episode 9

Beneath the Mask

Silver Mask, Hermes, goes to his fortune teller, he tells him that Karlan has been killed. He also tells Hermes that "the sun of pars does not only shine on him."
Narsus and Daryun are go to the capital under cover to get in formation. They note that every thing now is run down and broken.
Innocentis VII hurries, with difficulty, to see Tahamenay. He tells her that he needs a queen and that they should get married. Guiscord and Hermes are not happy about this. There is some one who is even more unhappy thought.
It is Bodin, the Arch priest of the Faith of Yaldahuoth. He says that they should burn the queen at the stake. Bodin takes 12 million historic texts that are in Pars and burns them, about 12 million of them. He makes a speech says all people need is to believe in god and they will not get sick. If you don't believe that is when you get sick. he throws a solider into the flames when he questions him. He then talks about how queen is evil and should not be married directing that at Innocentis.
Narsus and Daryun watch in horror. Narsus says he will be the one to kill Bodin the rest he will leave for Daryun.
Else were, Farangis brings Gieve food. He has been keeping watch of the roads near their camp. Gieve tries to flirt with Farangis, but completely ignored yet again. While they are talking they notice a group of soldiers marching by.
Arslan tells Elam that he is worried about Narsus and Daryun. Elam tell him not to worry. They go to get water together, against Elam's wishes of Arslan to stay at the camp. But, unknown to them there are soldiers near by. While getting water, the rope brakes and Elam goes off to find an other bucket. Meanwhile, Arslan waits in an abandoned house. He sees a father and daughter being threatened by soldiers.
He runs down to help, instead of attacking with his sword he attacks with a hoe, to hide who he is. The soldier are stopped by their commander, who says this is not the way of god. The commander is none other then, Etoile.
Arslan and Etoile talk in the abandoned house. Arslan says he would never make any one slaves. Etoile laughs and says well you're not the evil Arslan. Etoile says that every one must convert to Yaldahuoth. Arslan wants to know if every one is equal then why are the Lusitanians attacking Pars. Etoile simply states that people in Pars are heretics, so they should not exist. We learn from Narsus that Yaldahaoth originally means "sacred ignorance" and that their holy book states that every thing should belong to the believers of Yaldahaoth. Daraun says that is just a self serving idea that allows and justifies aggregation.
Elam comes back and draws his sword on Etoile. Arslan steps in to stop them. Etoile leaves asking about the other prisoners that were there with him 4 years ago. Arslan tell they they died. Saddened Etoile leaves, but gives Arslan his holy book and tells him to convert.
Daryun and Narsus come up with a statagy to take back the capital. While walking a soldier recognizes Daryun and runs away. Narsus draws soldier and a few others and attacks them, along with Daryun. One of the soldiers tells them there are rumors about the kind being held in the capital and that the queen is to marry the new king.
Hermes then finds them, he reveals that he was the one who killed Daraun's uncle. Which makes Daryun attack him, he holds his own against Daryun. But, his mask is broken and falls off to reveal a burn scar that covers half his face. Narsus joins the fight. When more soldiers show up, Daryun and Narsus run away. While the ride back to the others they wonder why Hermes was wearing they mask.

This episode wasn't as exciting as the others since there wasn't as many fight scenes. But, it did deal with a different type of fighting, all the inner workings of how people get power and hold on to their beliefs. The fact that Etoile and Arslan are still rooted in their beliefs does show their age and their upbrings. Arslan was always sheltered in the palace, ever knowing war till the beginning of the series. He doesn't want violence and doesn't see why people should fight. He never wants to see any one be killed and he never wants to kill any one. Etoile  only knows his religion he has been taught his whole life that this is right and every thing else is wrong. He whole heartily believes that if every one converted there would be no fighting in the world.

These ideas are both very childish and simple. Neither of these would work in the real world, but they do not understand that. It is also very sad, because with out Etoile's religion and Arslan's need for peace they would be friends.
I do really like that no matter how charming and sweet Gieve is to Farangis, she just keep brushing him off. Even saying that he would poison the poor forest.

~^.^