Book 4: Chapter 3 (1) |
May 10th. As the season began to change from spring to early summer, Prince Arslan of Pars led his army out of the fortress of Peshawar. Their destination was the royal capital of Ecbatana, located in the west, about two hundred farsang (~a thousand kilometers) away.
The total number of troops was 95,000. There were 38,000 cavalry, 50,000 infantry, and 7,000 soldiers carrying grain. Before leaving Peshawar, Arslan gave the infantry the status of azat, or freemen, and paid them in silver coins.
The first formation had 10,000 cavalrymen. It was commanded by Tus, Zaravant, and Isfan. The second formation had 10,000 cavalrymen under Daryun. The third formation, which Arslan was a part of, had 5,000 cavalry and 15,000 infantry. It included Narsus and Jaswant, as well as Elam and Alfreed. The fourth group was Kishward's cavalry of 10,000. The fifth group had only 15,000 infantry under the command of a general named Shaghad, and the final rearguard, the sixth group, had only 20,000 infantry, led by General Ruham. In addition to this, there were 3,000 cavalry under the command of Farangis.
(TN: I know what you’re thinking, and no, this is a DIFFERENT character that is ALSO named Shaghad. Fortunately, you don’t really have to remember this one as I don’t think he is ever mentioned again. Also, I hope you’re keeping track of all these numbers because there’s a test at the end.)
Lucian, the satryup, who was to stay at the fortress of Peshawar with 15,000 soldiers, respectfully saluted as he saw the crown prince out of the city.
"May the gods of Pars bless Your Highness day and night, in battle or in peace."
"The fortress is counting on you. Because of you, I can go to war without fear."
Narsus, Jaswant, Elam and Alfreed moved back half a horse length to follow the Crown Prince. Daryun’s 10,000 troops had already set out, and for the first time since the defeat at Atropatene, the continental road of Pars was full of Parsian soldiers.
The sun-beaten armor and weapons shone golden, and the sound of horses' hooves echoed in the air. A traveler looked down on the scene from the top of a hill overlooking the road.
As is death.
The wings of a bird as it crosses the river of time.
Each flap of its wings makes a man older.
This was a quatrain poem, the essence of Parsian literature. However, this one was not very good. The man humming the poem was young and quite beautiful, with red and purple hair and an oud strapped to his saddle. Looking down at the line of Parsian troops heading west on the continental highway, Gieve looked around and checked his preparations for the journey. His swords were sharpened and his bow had thirty arrows prepared. On top of that, the sack of gold and silver coins was heavy enough to bring him back to reality.
"Well, I suppose I have my own obligations now."
Muttering to himself, Gieve pulled at the reins of his horse and smiled bitterly.
"What a shame that there isn’t even anyone here to appreciate my good looks!"
After carefully turning his horse's head down the treacherous rocky mountains, the future court musician began to gallop lightly.
There were several things that had occurred before this. At the beginning of May, Narsus reported to Arslan that the preparations for the march had been completed.
"As of now, our army is fully prepared to march. Please order the army out as soon as possible."
There were many things to take into account. Their food was not enough for more than 100,000 soldiers, and Arslan understood this matter. He nodded after listening to Narsus's report and decided to order the army to march on the 10th day.
"There is something I need to speak with you about, Your Highness. Do you have a moment?"
Narsus made this request on the night two days before the departure of the army, and Arslan agreed.
"Will it be just you and I?"
"No, I would like some others to be present."
There were five people that Narsus chose to attend the meeting. Those were Daryun, Kishward, Farangis, Gieve, and Lucian. As the seven men sat around the table in the crown prince's room, Jaswant stood guard outside the door like a faithful sheepdog, sword at the ready.
Once all seven were seated, Narsus immediately brought the topic to the forefront, not needing to mention that the subject matter of this meeting was top secret. This was already concluded when Narsus selected the participants for the meeting.
"Last year, when His Highness Arslan came to Peshawar, a man wearing a strange silver mask attacked His Highness. Everyone certainly still recalls this?"
Narsus was speaking specifically to Lucian, as neither Arslan nor the others would have forgotten. The sword that cut through the winter night and the torch flame that reflected the silver mask appeared in Arslan's mind again. The crown prince nodded, and a distant look appeared on his face.
Before the meeting, Narsus had repeated the name Hilmes to himself several times in preparation. After Narsus explained his thoughts to the group, Arslan gathered his own thoughts, and asked,
"So, if the situation were different, he would be the one in my position as the crown prince?"
"Yes, of course, if His Majesty Osroes V were still alive."
"Narsus…”
Daryun spoke out to stop his friend from continuing because he couldn't bear to see Arslan's expression dim, but still, Narsus continued.
"A country doesn’t need two rulers. No matter how cruel, how indifferent, this is the unchanging rule of the ages. Not even the gods can overturn this rule. If His Highness the Crown Prince becomes the King, of course there will be no crown for Prince Hilmes."
Lucian, the oldest of those present, opened his mouth for the first time, stroking his thick gray beard with one hand.
"Is the man who claims to be Prince Hilmes really him? Could it be someone who was aware of the circumstances and assumed his title out of ambition and selfishness?"
"What circumstances do you mean?"
Arslan asked. That is, the sudden death of the late King Osroes V and the accession of his younger brother Andragoras. There were many rumors around Osroes' death, and some people suspected that Andragoras had killed his brother to claim the throne. Of course, this matter was treated as a secret, but anyone who was connected with the royal court should have known.
Narsus told Arslan of the rumors of what had happened before King Andragoras' reign. Arslan's eyes, which were the color of a clear night sky, were instantly covered with a dark cloud, and it was only after a long time that he asked,
"Is it true? The rumor that my father killed his brother for the throne…?"
The young tactician shook his head gently.
"No one can say for sure. It’s likely that the only one who knows the truth is His Majesty Andragoras. What I can be sure of is that Prince Hilmes believes this rumor to be true and thus hates Your Highness and Your Highness's father. In his hatred, he has joined hands with the Lusitanians to bring the army of another country into our own."
Narsus' voice was extremely grim, and Arslan and the other five men remained silent.
"That is to say, he valued the throne more than the well-being of the country. There are many ways to take revenge, yet he chose such a destructive method."
"I understand, Narsus."
Arslan paled and gently lifted a hand.
"For now, I must put an end to the Lusitanian army before my cousin does, and I hope you all will help me. When things have settled, then I will deal with my cousin."