Last King of Kings

Chapter 61: To foresee the future

Khalid was marching his army across the river as he got the report from his scouts. Massive Persian army was apparently awaiting them some 30 kilometres east. Were they waiting for him? It wouldn't be surprising if that were the case. After all, Persian scouts proved efficient at the Battle of Walaja and Bridge, even if one of these battles ended in defeat for the Persians. It didn't matter though, really. He was ready to fight and win yet another battle against the Persians – no matter the numbers.

At least that was what he wanted to believe, but deep inside he was a bit unsure. After all, during the Battle of Bridge Persians didn't have any superior numbers, yet they still won overwhelmingly. It is said they won thanks to a trap they set on Ubayd's army. And he knew Ubayd was no idiot – he was a clever man. Circumstance got better of him. And what if Persians wait for Khalid's army with some trap again? Trap so well hidden he won't be able to recognize it in time. Khalid soon realized that worrying about such pointless things will only make him paranoid. Let's just accept the things as they are and march on. And let's worry about things after we meet the Persian army toe to toe.

Arab army marched straight in the direction scouts reported Persians are. Never would they know that most of them won't ever return.

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Yazdegerd was standing atop of a hill overseeing the whole encampment. His army was glorious in size, sure, but he already knew that size mattered little to the Arabs. Behind him, close to his tent stood an empty chariot drawn by white horses. They brought it with them, as it was supposed to be Ahura Mazda's ride. With Ahura Mazda with them, they surely couldn't lose. He then went back into his tent, wanting to rest. Next few days were going to be hard.

Two days passed, and Yazdegerd found himself in a commander's tent with familiar faces. Jalinus, Rostam and Bahman Jaduya. For a moment, Yazdegerd thought about Farrukhzad and how does he fare. Right now, Farrukhzad should be travelling across Yazdegerd's Empire to collect and write down information about properties – taxable ones, that is - and whether or not they're being taxed properly. But that wasn't the only aim of Farrukhzad's mission. It's purpose was to gather information on the most powerful and most influential noblemen in the Empire. After all, should Yazdegerd win this battle, and, subsequently, this war, he'd have a lot of restructuring to do. Even though his reforms based on his predecessor were a short-time solution to the issue, they wouldn't last forever. He had to do proper restructuring of the Empire's taxation systems, as well as conscription system. Current ones were old, and, frankly, ineffective. Should the eagle properly rise from the ashes, he had to have his wings made anew.

Yazdegerd then turned his attention back towards the men in the tent who were there with him, after being called out by one of them.

"My Shahanshah, will you join us for a glass of wine? It's better to drink while you can – you don't know when it'll be your last time."

Yazdegerd smiled and responded. "Of course I'll join you. Even for a whole jug, but please, don't be so ominous as if it were our last time drinking."

"Of course, my Shahanshah – servants, bring us three, no, four jugs of wine!"

"And a glass of honey and water for me." said Yazdegerd frankly and without feeling embarrassed.

The men around him smiled in unison – he was still a child, after all, and so he didn't drink pure wine too often – it was still too strong for him – so he sweetened it with honey and diluted it with water, so it suited his childish tastes better. Of course, if he just wanted to drink himself into oblivion, he'd just gulp pure wine.

"My Shahanshah, what do you plan to do after this battle? How do you want to proceed?" asked Rostam while taking his cup of wine. Jalinus just listened, quietly while drinking his wine and Bahman looked like he is also interested.

Yazdegerd was a bit taken aback by this question. He wasn't sure how to respond.

"Well, I surely want to pursue the Arabs. And I want to recapture Hira as quickly as possible. After all, those poor souls are now scattered across Ctesiphon, doing whatever job they can just to keep themselves fed – even counting in the benefit the Empire is paying them. I want them to return home soon, and to have Hira shine as a desert jewel again."

"So after this battle, you plan to...?"

"Yes. I plan to push the Arabs across the Euphrates."

Rostam and Bahman nodded, satisfied with Shahanshah's answer. But Jalinus didn't have enough.

"And after that?" asked Jalinus, surprising both Rostam and Bahman. Yazdegerd chuckled a bit.

"Then, I plan to give all of you a bit of rest."

All three of them were surprised to hear Yazdegerd's words.

"Of course, soldiers too. Those who were conscripted will be able to return and those who fight for gold will stay and fill out the garrisons. The rest will become a standing army."

"But why, my Shahanshah? Why not push the Arabs more? Why not take the initiative?"

"Don't be fooled. I plan to give you all rest at most for a month. There are several reasons for that. First one is that, simply put, our nation is tired of war. Men are needed to work the fields, not to fight the Arabs. The second one is that Arabs will retreat across a desert – for which they are well equipped. It will take a long time for our army to prepare to cross the desert. And, the third one is that I will go and meet my soon-to-be Shahanshahbanu."

Rostam smirked a bit.

"So does that mean you have taken my advice, my Shahanshah?"

"Come on, Rostam. It wasn't as if I had any choice, was it?"

Rostam and Bahman laughed at that. Jalinus only chuckled.

And, in a moment, all four jugs of wine were gone.

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