Chapter 57: The exchange
Abu Ubayd was looking across the river to see Persian army hugging its shores tightly, seemingly camping here for days, waiting for them, being prepared to fight. Sweat ran down his neck. Cold, nauseating sweat. How did they know? Did he mess up somehow? Why is it that the Persian army is waiting for them, right here, in a place that should've been secret from them, a place that should've been Arabian triumph card?
He looked around and behind himself, only to see his commanders, including his two sons, acting as confused and perplexed as he was. He had to pull through somehow. It wasn't as if the battle was lost, or as if they didn't stand a chance. But crossing the river while the enemy is looking would be suicide. If it had come to this, his only option was to negotiate a fair circumstance for the battle, or to retreat. And the latter was an option he didn't want to think of.
"Commander, the Persian army number few tens of thousands. They have a camp set up along the small hill and beyond. It looks like they've been waiting here for a few days at least. Concerning their army composition, it seems they don't have much cavalry and are highly relying on light infantry and their defensive positions."
The scout that has just returned made his report to Abu Ubayd and promptly left after being dismissed. Abu Ubayd had to think carefully about his next move. If he were to believe his scout's report, and he didn't really had a choice, then convincing Persians to let them cross the river and fight fair and square seemed much more unreal. But you don't know until you try, right?
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Jalinus also turned to where the sound of the horn was coming from. Across the river, from the small watchtower, an army marching could be seen. The army then stopped, after sighting the Persian encampment. He observed the army closely, and noticed something. It looked like the Persians across the river weren't taken into account by the Arabs, which means the trap has worked and Usama's information was correct. It was a good thing they trusted him. Not like they had much of a choice though.
Then, suddenly, a group of riders embarked from the Arab army and rode straight to the Persians, only stopping on the shore of the river, one of them waving his hand. Jalinus looked on Bahman, full of confusion.
"What are they doing? Do they want to negotiate?" Jalinus voiced his thought out loud. Bahman only nodded. "It would seem so. Let's get ourselves down and see what they have to say."
It looked like Bahman has finished talking, but he continued and said one last thing.
"I hope you and your men have it prepared, because it looks like we'll fight today."
Jalinus gulped.
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The group of riders stood on the other side of the river, which was still fairly wide for any meaningful conversation to be held. Bahman Jaduya took the initiative and rode on his horse roughly to the center of the river, where the water was still shallow and the stream no very strong. His men, together with Jalinus followed him, but stood a bit aside. The Arabs did the same, with only one man coming to face Bahman, his retinue standing behind him.
"I am Abu Ubayd, today, on the field of battle, I represent our Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab. I have come to negotiate."
"I am Bahman Jaduya, I represent my Shahanshah Yazdegerd III., may he be immortal. What offer do you bring, honourable Abu Ubayd?"
"I have come with a proposal. Since this river divides our armies and whoever tries to cross it will dig his own grave, I fear we would remain here stuck until the Armaggedon befalls us. So let us decide who will cross the river unscathed, so we can fight fairly and with honour."
Bahman was a bit taken aback by the proposal, but not much. At least he didn't look like it, since he kept his iron expression. He considered the proposal, and agreed that no one would attack if things would continue how they are.
"Honourable Abu Ubayd, I agree with you. With that in mind, I offer you the right of passage. Your army may march across the river onto the other side with my assurance that you won't be attacked. You have my word."
"Lord Jaduya, let us hope your words carry a weight."
With those words, Abu Ubayd turned around and rode back to his army, together with his retinue. Bahman chose to let Abu Ubayd cross the river due to the fact that their plan wouldn't work if it was the other way around. By basically saying that they don't need the fortified positions though, Bahman exposed the fact that they have some other plan to the enemy. But Abu Ubayd didn't notice, and that made the final nail in his coffin.
Bahman watched Abu Ubayd and his company as they were leaving and returning to their army. Jalinus stood beside him, fully in awe from the exchange. Bahman then turned around and commanded the company to also take their leave.
"What do we do now, general? Now that we've given up our defensive advantage to the enemy?"
"We scrap and destroy anything they use or deem valuable. Every defence, every barricade, every wall. Then we prepare ourselves for the battle." He then looked Jalinus straight in the eyes. "You and your men will play crucial role that may determine the outcome of this war as a whole. I don't want to put pressure on you, just to make you understand the responsibility you have. I know, that as a hazarbed you surely know what responsibility is, but this is different. Forgive me for my bluntness, but rulers come and go. Empires do not. Remember that."
Jalinus knew this, but couldn't help but feel as if suddenly the whole world was relying on him. And in a sense, it was.