Chapter 62: The brewing storm
"My Shahanshah, an urgent message needs to be discussed with you."
Yazdegerd, still a bit sleepy from last night, as they drank wine all night long. He also had a slight hangover. Maybe drinking so much at such a young age wasn't something he should be doing. He turned around towards the entrance to his tent only to see Rostam standing behind the entrance, peeking into the tent. Although Yazdegerd considered that to be an invasion of privacy, he let it slide due to the circumstances.
"I'm going. What is happening?"
Yazdegerd walked out of his tent and followed Rostam.
"It's those Arabs, my Shahanshah. They're here, just as Bahman predicted."
Yazdegerd's eyes widened with fear. His voice shook a bit.
"Do you think they'll attack soon?"
One thing Yazdegerd feared is the possibility of Arab attack while all of the members of high command have hangover.
"Well, we don't think so. After all, the scouts have just reported their arrival. I don't think they have the energy to attack us. Maybe tomorrow. Or tonight. But not right now."
Yazdegerd was relieved. It meant that he could rest easy and not think about the possible attack. At least for now. Probably.
"What about Bahman and Jalinus? How are they?"
"They are alright. After all, both of those handle their wine quite well. Even I was surprised." said Rostam with a slight chuckle, maybe trying to ease the situation. But Yazdegerd wasn't in the mood for jokes. And Rostam understood that.
"One more thing my Shahanshah."
Rostam suddenly stopped in his tracks as they neared the commander's tent. Yazdegerd also stopped and looked Rostam straight in the eyes.
"They arrived, as you requested."
Yazdegerd just smiled.
--
"Rostam, how glad I am to see you. It seems you handled the rebellion quite well. Tell me about it sometime, will you?"
"Piruz, last time I wanted something from you you were as uncooperative as a Khazar and now you're acting like my best friend? Stop it. And also, behave yourself in front of our Shahanshah, may he be immortal."
As soon as they entered the tent, Rostam first, they were met with a cheerful voice. It belonged to Piruz Khosrow, one of the more important Sassanid generals, who was recalled from Merv after he defeated the G?kturks there. Yazdegerd himself wanted him as one of the commanders, and so he sent him the call of duty.
As soon as Piruz realized Rostam didn't enter the tent alone, his behaviour changed rapidly.
"I apologize for being rude, my Shahanshah."
"Do not worry, general Piruz. It doesn't matter. By the way, although I already sent you a letter about this, congratulations on your victory. And thank you for protecting our Empire."
The young Shahanshah was a bit humble for Piruz' expectations, but he just decided to go along with it.
"Thank you, my Shahanshah, may he be immortal."
Rostam shot Piruz a mischievous glance, fast enough that no one noticed.
"Did the other two I sent message to arrive as well?"
Rostam pointed towards a corner in the tent where an old man with a child were seated.
"Bashir, I am glad to see you here. Has the journey been hard on the boy?"
Yazdegerd felt like a hypocrite by calling the reincarnate, a child only few years younger, a boy.
"Thank you, my Shahanshah." said Bashir as he and the boy bowed. "I don't think so. I feel like he's enjoying himself. He has never seen so many soldiers you know – they have quite the effect on him."
Yazdegerd looked on the boy, who was tugging Bashir's robe and telling him something by his hands – Bashir apparently understood him well.
"Let's just hope he'll have the same effect on the soldiers as they have on him." answered Yazdegerd and smiled.
Bashir didn't even answer.
--
Rostam was observing the Arab encampment early in the morning. It may have been 5 in the morning. Some soldiers were already getting up, making breakfast or using their precious time in other means. After all, for some of them it would be last morning of their life. As Rostam was focused on the Arabs, Yazdegerd came from behind him without him noticing.
"Seen anything unusual, my spahbed?"
"My Shahanshah!" yelped Rostam in surprise. "I am sorry, I didn't."
Yazdegerd just nodded and stood next to him. The two of them stood there for a while, until Yazdegerd broke the silence.
"You know, my spahbed, I was thinking. This whole war, and not only that, but also the whole future of our countries is being decided today. And there's not a thing I can do to help. "Today you are the most prominent man among the Iranians. You see that the people of Iran have not faced a situation like this since my family assumed power."
Rostam frowned as he heard Yadzegerds words. Those were his true feelings. He was scared. He was scared of losing all he held dear. And, truth be told, Rostam was scared too. He wasn't sure whether he could win this battle. After all, the pressure was real and even veteran like him or Bahman couldn't get rid of it.
"Those Arabs, they are like a pack of wolves, falling upon unsuspecting shepherds and annihilating them." replied Rostam. Yazdegerd frowned.
"It is not like that. They are like an eagle who looked upon a mountain where birds take shelter at night and stay in their nests at the foot of it. In the morning the birds recognized that the eagle is preying upon them. Whenever a bird became separated from the rest, the eagle snatched him. When the birds saw him doing this, they did not take off out of fear. But if they had taken off all at once, they would have repelled him. The worst thing that could happen to them would be that all would escape save one. But if each group acted in turn and took off separately, they all perished. This was the similarity between them and the Iranians."
Rostam looked shocked upon hearing Yazdegerd's retort. What was this child even saying, he thought. But bit by bit, he started to understand what Yazdegerd meant. He meant that should the Persians fight united and together, they'll repel even the biggest threat. But should they try to fight each alone, they'll all die. And if they all fought together except one, the one would die and that would be the worst scenario.
"Maybe you're right, my Shahanshah. I hope you are, because the Arabs seem to prepare to move." said Rostam as he was analyzing what Yazdegerd said and he noticed some strange movement within the Arab army. The storm has been brewed.
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