Last King of Kings

Chapter 48: In preparation for war

Khalid was in Hira, trying to come up with a plan for the upcoming campaign against Persians. He received little to no support from the Caliph, Umar, who was still cleaning up the aftermath of his overtake and the disappearance of young Usama ibn Zayd.

The only thing he was sent were some supplies, but the amount was really pitiful. Also, few commanders. Abu Ubayd and his two sons, Al-Hakam and Jabr. Abu Ubayd brought with him about a thousand of tribal warriors from his tribe in Arabia. Khalid now, although having more mouths to feed, had an opportunity to get a different insights on certain things he had to decide on alone before. More people meant more heads to think. And Khalid could certainly use that.

"Gentlemen, we have to come up with some sort of plan against the Persians. We are in a very disadvantageous position for attack, since we'll have to cross the Euphrates. Any ideas from you?"

It was surely a difficult task, to come up with a tactic that good. The only reasonable solution would be to find a bridge, large and strong enough to withstand the weight and size of the Arab army. After that, they'll have to cross the bridge quickly and then quickly prepare for the battle, should one be approaching. This would require intense planning and flawless execution, both of which were practically impossible. Another solution would be to find a spot where the river is narrow and cross there. Or find a spot where the river is shallow. And this was the idea proposed by Abu Ubayd.

"General, I think I might have just the plan. I think, instead of crossing the river on some unstable and easily destructible bridge, we're ought to search for a place that would allow our army to cross in large numbers. I am talking about searching for either narrow spots, or shallow ones."

"That sounds like our best bet." agreed Khalid after a while of thinking. "But we should have some Plan B, in case things go downhill."

"I might have just the spot, general." said Abu Ubayd and pointed on a part on the map where Euphrates flowed. "Here, in this spot. This exact spot is so wide but shallow that crossing it with our army should be easy enough. Bu, as you said, if things go downhill, here, downstream, in the vicinity, is a bridge, which should be large enough for our army to cross. But I suggest using this purely as a desperate measure."

Khalid was impressed by the amount of research Abu Ubayd seemed to have done for the purpose of the campaign. But looks can deceive and achievements can overrate. And so Khalid was hesitant in giving him any major role in the army. But he gave up, since the man himself was recommended by Umar himself. And so, Abu Ubayd was tasked with leading the initial attack on Persians, since he seemed to be knowledgeable about the surrounding land. Khalid would, in the meantime, rally more support from Umar and try to get reinforcements and supplies as soon as possible.

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It was hot. Very hot. A lone man crossed the Arabian desert into the Mesopotamian farmlands. He wore a turban and was obviously a muslim. Looking up on the sky, he guessed it was around three hours after noon. It was Usama ibn Zayd, the man who fled from Arabia, his homeland in order to ally with a foreign power. No one was aware of his whereabouts, but he knew they were searching for him on every step. Posters were put up in bigger cities and town criers were alerting the population. He was a wanted man. Not wanted for any crimes though. At least not officially.

Because he didn't align with the common sentiment in the ruling class of the Caliphate, he fled to join the Persians. He knew that, in order to make his religion not be known as the warmongering, bloodthirsty and cruel one, but instead kind, peaceful and forgiving one, as their God wanted it, he had to stand against the warmongering of his friends and elders in the Caliphate. He thought about it numerous times. Perhaps he was too selfish, for wanting Islam to be according to his beliefs. But if trying to prove your ideals was selfishness, then be it so!

He meant to do what he believed was right. In this case, denying Arabia her foreseen greatness. But was it really so? Was trying to stop needless bloodshed really denying greatness? Zoroastrians also didn't spread their religion by force and by war, yet still millions worship fire daily. If Islam had only chance of spreading by force, what did it say about the religion itself? What was religion, if it's only believers were following it only out of fear? They said Islam and Allah is greater than worshipping fire, but were they to spread Islam by force, they would only prove how superficial and shallow their religion is.

"No, that can't be right." shouted Usama, as if in denial of what he was just thinking. "I will prove that Islam has it's own charms, and that it can spread by other means that just war."

With that goal in mind, he set off into the desert, seemingly without a plan. But what he had in his mind was the biggest scheme he'd ever construct. He went through the desert into Mesopotamia, immediately joining the trade route that went from Basra through Hira and then far off into the western lands. He knew little of what lies in the west, he only knew of the vast Empire of Romans, that spread along the Mediterranean sea, from Egypt to Greece. He wanted to visit the "City of the world's desire" at least once.

He headed towards Hira, with some kind of plan in mind. He didn't construct it fully, not yet. But he had the rough idea. Since Umar kept Usama's disappearance hidden from the rest of the country, very few knew of it. And it was highly unlikely that he would sent letter to Khalid only to inform him of it. Usama wanted to gain any sort of information about the Arab plans of attack, so the Persian Shahanshah would accept him more likely. With that goal in mind, he continued his road under the scorching sun of Mesopotamia.