It was around noon. Jalius was having a lunch when the news arrived. Exhausted, dehydrated and almost unconscious man wearing the pushtigban armour arrived. He fell down on the ground as he arrived on horse onto the palace courtyard, sweat dripping from him. Darigan members immediately rushed to him as a fellow soldier, while members of the court and most of the servants watched silently upon the scene unfolding. Medic was called and the man was transported to the darigan barracks, despite his protests. Jalinus was interrupted during his lunch and was called to look at the soldier, since right now he was the palace administrator. As he arrived, he saw a healthy man looking at him anxiously. In the meantime before Jalinus arrived, the soldier was fed, was brought some wine and water and also checked by the medic, who found nothing wrong with him apart from exhaustion and dehydration. Apparently, the soldier wanted to talk to him.
"Hazarbed, I bring news from our Shahanshah, may he be immortal."
Jalinus didn't like this. Messenger arriving exhausted and alone could only mean trouble.
"What happened? Speak!" commanded Jalinus.
"Something went wrong during the visit. Roman Emperor was killed. They also tried to kill our Shahanshah, but we defended him. Many of us died there, but he was able to escape, together with the spahbed, Shahanshahbanu and two other Romans. I pray to Ahura Mazda they are safe."
Jalinus couldn't believe his ears. Because if he heard correctly, then it would mean only one thing. War with the Romans. War with Christians.
"So you are sure they are safe at least?" asked Jalinus, concerned.
The soldier looked anxious. "I believe they are. But I don't know much, I rode here right after it all happened. My only orders were to bring this information here."
Jalinus smiled. He realized he won't get anything more out of this man. But he did well and deserved some rest.
"Good job, soldier. Rest for the day. I will take care of this mess now."
"Thank you, hazarbed."
Jalinus went back to the palace proper. Of course this must've happened right now, when Rostam, Piruz and Farrukhzad are all away. Damn it.
He knew what he must do. Raise an organized army and prepare it for war. After almost three years, Persia was at war again. And even though Persia was now stronger than ever, the enemy this time isn't a small nation in the desert, but an ancient empire, much like Persia itself. It was going to be a long and brutal conflict of giants to see who can endure more. Unless something Jalinus doesn't expect happens.
"Scribes, we have an emergency. We need to send call to arms orders to every satrapy. Also, call for general Bahman Jaduya, general Andarzaghar, general Shapur Gushnap and Vahram Denshapur. They are all veterans from the war with the Byzantines. They will surely be useful. We also need to inform general Piruz Khosrow and Farrukhzad, wuzurg framadar of the situation, but tell them to continue with their duties in the east. Inform Usama ibn Zayd in the Arabia too, and that he should send what help he can. Mesopotamia and Mazandaran will supply grain and other rations for the soldiers and barley for the horses. Persis and Armenia will supply wine. Have all these written and when finished, have the papyruses brought to my office. I will stamp them all. Now get to work. Fast."
Before the scribes could comprehend the situation, they had to finish the orders given to them. During the writing they whispered about what could be happening. Are they going to war again? Against whom? Hazarbed said something about Byzantines, they thought, so maybe against them?
Jalinus, meanwhile, went back to his office. He had much to do. He needed to do a thorough check of the garrison in Ctesiphon, the armoury, how many horses they had and then check the palace itself, in case the war goes wrong and Byzantines meet the walls of Ctesiphon. During that, the only thing on his mind were prayers directed to his Shahanshah and his company.
--
Jabalya, an ancient metropolis spread out in front of Yazdegerd. They were finally safe, at least for now. Here, where the Ghassanids ruled, the usurper Nicetas had no power, his voice held no weight. Here, Jabalah was the king. And he proved it soon enough. As they entered the city, a promenade of carriages, his people immediately recognized him. It seemed he was liked by his subjects, as they smiled and sometimes waved and cheered, celebrating his return. Many churches and cathedrals towered over the city, as if the Christian God saw into every corner of the settlement. Yazdegerd was quite fascinated. But so was Roxane, who has never been to Syria.
As they reached the Kings Residence, Jabalah formally invited them over. He then ordered food and drinks to be prepared, to welcome his guests. It was a satiating meal for the first time in more than a week, so everyone was eating with gusto. The wine only kept coming, with the main consumers being Bonus and Rostam. After they ate, sudden silence enveloped them. Jabalah had the servants to clean the table and go away. He had something to say.
"Your Excellency, now that I have lost my liege, I have no one to follow. No one to serve. My small kingdom has no chance of being independent between the two behemoths that are Persia and Byzantium," he stood up and walked over to Yazdegerd, "and even though I consider myself Byzantine, my ideals and opinions are far stronger than my descent. And since my ideals don't align with the current Basileus, to whom I express open hatred, I have come to an inevitable decision," he knelt.
"My Shahanshah, may he be immortal, allow me to come into your services as your vassal, together with my fiefdom of Syria. Allow us to become part of the Persian Empire, since I have deemed you worthy of being the ruler of Syria. Allow me this one request, my Shahanshah."
Yazdegerd was taken aback, even though he thought this could happen. But only for a moment. He stood up.
"I will not become a ruler of Syria. That is your kingdom. Instead, I will become a ruler of you, my dear subject. You may stand up."