Last King of Kings

Chapter 1: The King of kings

"My Shahanshah, the enemy is fleeing! We have won the day!" exclaimed the man kneeling before him. It was Rostam Farrokhzad, the military marshal of Sassanid Empire. He was so overjoyed he forgot basic courtesy. Shahanshah changed his strained expression into that of pure relief. Then he eyed the empty chariot drawn by white horses that he brought with him today. He wanted to cry tears of joy. "Looks like Ahura Mazda didn't abandon us after all." said the Shah, patting Rostam and nodding at him, signaling him to stand up. After Rostam noticed the Shahanshah's gesture, he looked up and stood.

"You have won a great battle here today. I knew that my army will do great in your hands, spahbed Rostam. Thank you."

The Shahanshah's words stabbed right through Rostam's heart, piercing it and bringing a surge of emotions to Rostam.

"Thank you, my Shahanshah, may he be immortal." said Rostam and kneeled down again.

Shahanshah was following a cavalry group of Immortals with his eyes, looking at them how they harass and kill of the remaining fleeing Arab soldiers. The atmosphere around him was that of a joy and relief, soldiers thanking Ahura Mazda and all Amesha Spentas, his entities, for granting them today's victory.

After the battle, the Sahanshah was joined by the former mentioned Rostam Farrokhzad, spahbed or army marshal of the Sassanid army, Bahman Jaduya, renowned general known for defeating Arabs at the Battle of the Bridge and Jalinus, a general of an Armenian descend who commanded the right flank of the army during the battle, proving himself as a capable commander. Shahanshah, surrounded by pushtigban, his bodyguard, started giving a speech.

"Soldiers of the Sassanid Empire, sons of Ahura Mazda! Today, our all-mighty lord has granted us this stunning victory after he saw your brave hearts and courageous souls. The Arabs have been a thorn in our feet for so long. They spilled the blood of our brothers, our fathers and our sons, they desecrated our cities and Holy sites, but first and foremost, they have defied the will of our lord and saviour Ahura Mazda. Today, we punished them for their unholy deeds by spilling their blood on this very ground! The enemies are crushed, they are routed and they are decimated! Brave soldiers! The victory won today will have an unprecedented impact on the course of history and will mark the re-birth of our nation! You can go and celebrate our victory, as you were the ones who wrote history today! Let this battle come into history as grand Nabard-e Qadisiyeh, or Battle of al-Quadisiyyah!"

With the Shahanshah's speech ending, the soldiers roared in agreement and support of their Shah. The army was unified, under three stalwart leaders and their Emperor – Shahanshah. The Empire was looking up to their Shahanshah with utmost respect and gratitude, praying for his well-being daily. He was a leader that brought the shattered empire together, and resurrected the dying empire. But it wasn't always like this.

4 years ago, Anahid fire-temple, Istakhr, Southern Persia

A boy with about 8 years was being crowned. To what? To an Emperor. Emperor of what? Of a dying empire. Of a Sassanid Empire. His name was Yazdegerd III., grandson of the great Khosrow II. He crowned himself, as there was no one else who had the right to crown a Shahanshah. Centuries ago, in this very temple, Ardashir I. crowned himself as King of kings, pledging to bring back the glory of old and ancient Achaemanid Empire. But who was Yazdegerd to this great man? He was but a child, without power to act, without authority to command and without empire to rule. Yazdegerd was crowned after his aunt, Boran, was mercilessly murdered and deposed from throne. As such, Yazdegerd was always fearing for his life, with few loyal to him, but many disloyal.

His empire, devastated after years of civil war and exhausted after the brutal conflict with the Romans, was struck by yet another calamity. The plague, which killed nearly half of the Sassanid population was meant to be the final nail that made the coffin for the Sassanid Empire.

The very same day of the coronation, he had Rostam Farrokhzad, Farrukhzad, and Jalinus brought to him. His trusted subjects, most loyal advisors.

"Gentlemen, from today on, you become my subjects, and as people who also served my grandfather, may he be immortal, and as such I put my unbreakable trust in you. I will bestow upon you offices sufficient your skill and prowess, and ask you to be loyal to me and me only."

"Rostam Farrokhzad, I bestow upon you the title of spahbed, the marshal and chief of my army. I expect nothing more than honourable and loyal approach to your office."

After the Shah said his words to Rostam, he kneeled, kissed the ground and said "Thank you, he who may be immortal." Shah then continued.

"Farrukhzad, brother of Rostam and son of Farrukh, you were loyal servant of my grandfather years ago, and as one who stayed loyal, I trust you and bestow you with the title of wuzurg framadar, or minister of my Empire. I expect you to do honest work, when serving the Empire in one of its highest offices."

Again, same as Rostam, Farrokhzad kneeled, kissed the ground and blessed the emperor with "Thank you, he who may be immortal."

"And last but not least, Jalinus, my loyal servant, even though you are of Armenian descent, you have proven you loyalty to my Empire by serving my predecessors and ancestors. I hereby bestow you with the title of hazarbed, commander of darigan and of The Immortals, he who commands thousands."

After Shah finished granting the titles, Jalinus also kneeled and repeated what the other said, but added "May God bless him."

All three of the men again kneeled and again thanked the Emperor for his mercy and his generosity. Yazdegerd raised his hand and gestured them to stand up.

Suddenly, Shah's expression changed into a serious one.

"Now, my loyal retainers, I will need your help. The Empire is in shambles, beset on all sides by its enemies from outside and inside. I will need you help to keep this Empire of mine together. And I ask you, not as your Emperor, but as a boy, as your friend lets say. Will you help me?"

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