Original subtitles

RED RIVER

A LETTER FROM EGYPT

A Letter from Egypt.

Ah, it irks me so!

Kail returns in triumph, and I don't have the Eye of Illuyanka.

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

I give you credit for keeping that urchin here.

But know that I haven't given up on placing my son on the throne.

Hey, Prince Kail.

I have a favor to ask.

Go on.

I want us to sleep in separate bedrooms.

Look, you don't like it when I kick you in my sleep,

and there are plenty of spare rooms.

As you wish.

Choose any room—

No, she cannot.

We're the only ladies-in-waiting in this palace.

We don't have time to clean another room.

Then hire more servants—

Out of the question.

We can ill afford to take in unknown outsiders at this time.

I agree. And Lady Yuri would be less protected in her own room.

Why are you guys butting in?

We wish for you to remain where you are for all your days.

Come. Let's leave these two alone.

Oh, almost forgot.

Brother.

"I love you."

That was a message from Yuri.

No, uh, I was just...

You can pass on the rest of your message.

The rest of what?

S-So, um, Prince?

Can I make Yuri so happy she forgets where she came from?

I can.

I know in my heart I can make her happy.

She's the only woman I will love in this life.

P-Prince? What is it?

Prince Kail!

His Majesty calls for you. You must report to his palace at once.

The Queen of Egypt plans to wed you, Your Highness.

What?

They've even summoned the council of ministers at this hour.

All the other princes have gathered as well.

Brother Kail.

Juda.

Juda?

Brother.

I congratulate you on your exploits against the Mitanni.

Thank you. I'm glad to see you well.

Yuri, let me introduce you.

This is Juda Haspasrupi, my last-born half brother.

You may call me Juda.

You must be Holy Ishtar.

I have been longing to meet you.

It is an honor.

Likewise.

He's handsome.

Wait. If he's the last-born...

Indeed.

He is Queen Nakia's son.

Then he's the one she wants to make king?

But he looks so innocent.

He is innocent.

But he's still her son.

My brother may adore him, but we must still watch him.

Juda, do you still spend time with the astronomers?

Yes. Because when you become king,

the only way I can assist you is by being learned.

That won't matter if Prince Kail leaves for Egypt.

Huh? Have they already decided on Kail?

I thought the queen wanted one of us princes, but didn't say which.

What?

It's obvious Prince Kail is the only acceptable candidate.

Whoever marries Egypt's queen automatically becomes ruler.

She's up to her old tricks again.

How does King Tutankhamun fare?

He has passed.

According to the letter, the queen wishes to marry one of our princes,

so that any child she bears will form a bond between our nations.

What a fortuitous opportunity.

The prince will become pharaoh,

and we will have peace with Egypt without any bloodshed.

We must offer up Prince Kail.

It is unprecedented for an enemy nation to come forward with such a petition.

But this one comes from the Queen of Egypt personally.

Very well. We will send her a prince.

But the crown prince stays and we must choose fairly from the rest.

Your Majesty, I propose a chariot race to decide the matter.

Such races are much lauded as tests of courage.

The Egyptians cannot refuse a champion who has won a chariot race.

I concur.

Do you consent, Your Majesty?

So be it.

We shall hold the race tomorrow afternoon.

They're practically handing victory to Prince Kail.

Prince Kail is the best charioteer in the empire.

Not even Prince Zannanza can compete with his brother's chariot.

Oh, no.

Did I really think I could love Yuri and make her happy?

I was ready to let Kail go so he could marry someone else.

But we'll be too far from each other.

This is too much.

Holy Ishtar.

Over here.

Mix this drug into some wine and have Kail drink it.

He will be fine. It's a mild sleeping powder.

B-But I...

I'll be the one sent to Egypt.

I admit I'm terrified to be leaving for a hostile nation.

But our homeland needs Kail to remain here.

I'm off now. I leave it to you.

Wait!

I have no qualms with it, so you should do as he asks.

He's the one who decided that for himself.

But Prince Juda is just a child.

Here, he's considered a full-grown man.

Or would you rather my elder brother depart for Egypt instead?

W-Well, I...

U-Um, Prince.

Here.

It's wine, but I'm not sure if you should drink before racing.

No, I'll partake.

I needed something to drink.

Are all the participants ready?

Whosoever scoops up this royal standard after one lap is the victor.

Chariots, go!

What's going on?

Brother! I will be the winner!

Juda?

It's mine.

Brother Zannanza?

Juda, you've impressed me.

But you're still too young.

You're free to take over in five years, but for now, I'll have this.

Brother! I shall take the pharaoh's throne!

Zannanza!

They say the late pharaoh was assassinated.

I won't let you walk into a deathtrap.

That's what I would say to you.

I'm not letting you go to Egypt.

Wait. You drugged the wine?

No, I was the one who—

No, it was me. I wanted to go.

Father, I implore you to send me to Egypt.

I may not have the pedigree to be a monarch,

but I'll strive to get the Egyptians to accept me as their ruler.

As you know, I'm the only son of yours who doesn't have a consort.

I feel this outcome is the best for all present.

Zannanza.

Prince Zannanza.

I will dispatch the fourth prince, Zannanza Hattusili.

This means Prince Zannanza and Prince Kail

will form an ironclad link between two major powers,

and there will be no opportunity to install Juda as king here.

How do we proceed?

Slay him.

Pardon?

You must slay Zannanza.

That's an order.

You should not be so sullen.

Being the ruler of an enemy nation is a thorny task.

You may secure peace,

but one misstep can lead to your assassination and war.

This outcome is for the greater good.

I've only been thinking about myself.

All I cared about was Prince Kail going away and leaving me...

far behind.

Prince, can I ask another favor?

Oh, what is it?

I want to go to Egypt with Prince Zannanza.

He journeys there to wed. He cannot take a woman with him.

What if I go as Ishtar?

She's the goddess of love and fertility, right?

You can send me to see him off and bless their union.

Please. I really want to do this for him.

Salutations.

Zannanza.

Yes?

Ishtar says she'll accompany you on your journey.

You mean Yuri?

That will be the best farewell gift I could ask for. Thank you.

Lady Yuri, please take care of yourself.

I will.

Farewell, brother. I shall away.

Forgive me for not fulfilling my promise to stay here as your right-hand man.

However, I will never forget your dream.

We will realize a world without war.

Even if distance prevents us from seeing each other,

I'll be more useful to you in my new home.

Once you become pharaoh, our nations will be friendly enough for us to meet.

Of course.

Our destination is the city of Emesa on the Egyptian border!

Your Majesty, our men have left, too.

Very good.

Brother Kail!

What is amiss?

It's about my mother.

Mother doesn't think well of you or Zannanza. This much I know.

But well...

Don't worry about me.

Return to your palace.

Highness!

I've learned that the queen has dispatched her guards.

What?

We will slaughter the prince's caravan near the border.

We must remain unnoticed until then.

P-Prince Kail!

What are you doing here?

I wished to do some hunting to celebrate my brother's betrothal.

But now I risk shooting some kept dogs that are running around without leashes.

So to prevent that...

Return to the owner that sent you.

Y-Yes, Highness.

Prince, you're still awake?

Oh, I was just thinking I won't be sleeping in a bed for a while,

since our long trek across the sweltering desert starts tomorrow.

You're so brave, Prince.

You're marrying someone you don't know for the good of your country.

If I can't be with the one woman I desire, it doesn't matter who I marry.

Perhaps...

I should take you and flee again.

Prince?

I jest.

If I were to vanish, it would foment war between the Hittites and the Egyptians.

Furthermore...

If I fail to return you to my brother, he will despise me.

That's what I fear most.

Come. We have an early start.

Prince!

Please try to love the queen.

Not as a duty to your country, but because it's from the heart.

That way, everyone can be happy.

Yuri.

S-Sorry. I know that sounded bossy, but...

No, I'll follow your advice.

I'll love my new wife and make her happy.

And I'll strive to make the queen and her people love me so everyone's happy.

Prince.

Thanks. I'll pray for your happiness.

Zannanza's caravan should be embarking on their trek across the desert by now.

Most likely.

Is something wrong?

No. I just have a sense of unease I can't shake.

Queen Nakia hasn't made a move since their departure,

and I find that unsettling.

It should be about that time.

Man, it's so hot.

This really is a desert.

Holy Ishtar, do you wish to rest?

Huh? Yeah, maybe.

What do you say, Prince?

Very well, but not for too long.

My humble thanks.

Please partake of this wine, Your Highness.

Thanks.

You too, Ishtar.

Sure.

But only a little. I don't like booze that much.

There's something in the wine?

Hey! What's this about?

We have no quarrel with you two, but we must take your lives!

Prince!

The queen's poison is indeed potent.

What? Queen Nakia put you up to this?

Indeed.

We'll slay you both, report back that Egyptian troops killed you in an attack,

and receive a pile of gold as our reward.

You can't.

If you do, you'll start a war.

Silence!

Now die!

Yuri! You must go inform my brother!

But I can't just leave you!

Forget about me! Run fast and prevent a needless war!

Damn you.

My brother desires peace. As do I.

That's why I left my homeland.

We can't let the queen have her way!

Go!

Nobody flees alive.

Aslan!

Die, Ishtar!

Yuri!

My dear Yuri Ishtar.

Leave here, Yuri.

Go back home.

You must remain in our homeland for the rest of time.

I must send you back to my brother.

I'll always care for you, Yuri.

No matter what riverbank you call home, nor what sky you live under.

No way.

Be with my brother always.

Become his Tawananna.

Prince Zannanza!

Got her.

We'll have enough money to live like kings.

There's no "we."

The sand...

Stop. Don't bury the prince.

He must get to Egypt.

There, he'll rule a great nation, be beloved by the queen and her people,

and become a renowned pharaoh.

TRANSLATION: GAD ONYENEHO

TIMING: KRZYSZTOF KUNC EDITING: SMR

QUALITY CONTROL: ALICIA ASHBY TRANSLATION CHECK: DAVID SAYLOR

THE ARROW WOUND OF GRIEF