The duty of a king
The nomadic raiders of eastern borders needed a lesson, and Shah Arslan the Liberator would give it to them. In his own person.
This, in summary, was the sense of the Narsus's communication to citiziens of Ecbatana.
All people of the city were gathered to admire the beloved king leave the royal capital with his five thousand Immortals of personal guard, and marzban Lucian at the head of his ten thousand knights. Among them, the lieutenant Isfan, young and bold, evidently eager for an opportunity to gain the title of Marzban, which has been already of his brother, the brave Shapur.
A show to that no one would want to forgo.
It was the first time the young Shah was leaving the royal capital at the head of his army, and everybody did want to assist.
Preceded by general Daryun few days before, Arslan was going to remember to the marauding of east that Pars kingdom was not a ground for their raids. Freed from the invaders, pacified internal conflicts and more united than ever, Pars had returned to be the prosperous, beautiful reign of the past.
Now it was time for the turbulent eastern neighbors to take note of this and stay quiet in their place.
With the spirit of who acclaims his king, who is going to meet a victory already expected, the people of Ecbatana greeted the Shah Arslan the Liberator, as he went out from the Eastern Gate of the city, riding his white stallion caparisoned in gold, at the head of the army of his knights, sparkling of weapons and armor, made a brilliant save under the flapping of the banners, accompanied by the deafening echo of the battle horns.
Just some people noticed that this departure seemed a bit 'too hasty, and that to refresh the memory to eastern marauding, Kishward and Qbad, both already in Peshawar, should have been more than enough. Not to say of Daryun, the Arslan's legendary Black Knight, who should have been arrived in Peshawar from days with five hundred men under his command.
Some voices ran perplexed among the people, but these were little more than whispers under the enthusiastic shouts of greeting and cheers shouted loudly, in a roar that drowned the thunder of horses' hooves on paved road and the clang of weapons of the knights.
Finally leaving the city behind, Narsus was sure any doubt would was soon forgotten by people, in resuming their daily activities. Well, if it had not been, it would have remained still only a concern of the sharpest among the inhabitants of Ecbatana. Perplexity that he hoped to dispel as soon as possible, first of all, arriving in Peshawar without leaving behind a city gripped by fear of a new war.
" So, is it possible to know what is going on, in reality, Narsus? "
The strategist was not surprised by the question of elder Lucian, who rode now at his side after having approached him in silence.
" I don't know yet, but hope to find out soon " he replied, and noticed the movement of Arslan, who turned slightly toward him, then return to look forward.
" Our Shah is very tense " insisted Lucian , " bad news from General Daryun? "
" No, actually we have not heard from him. Indeed, to be more clear, we have no more news of Daryun and his five hundred horsemen." Narsus looked back at Lucian who was staring at him, the elder warrior evidently uncertain of the meaning of what he had just heard. " It seems all of them disappeared into thin air. "
The white mustache of Lucian rose up like porcupine needles on elder warrior's face. " You're kidding! "
" Not at all, and if I make word of this with you just now is because it was not the case to send round a news like this in Ectabana, don't you think so? "
" I would have been well able to keep reserved the information! " Lucian snapped, his eyes angry.
" Narsus's decision to hide the truth has been approved by me, Lucian " interposed Arslan and held the horse letting Narsus and the marzban approach him. " Forgive me, but I agreed with him that he spoke only once that we were on march, out of Ectabana, and not for lack of confidence in you or other officers. "
Lucian bowed his head at the words of his king, but his expression said that he felt anything but satisfied, although he didn't dare to ask the reason of that decision.
" In truth, there's not much to talk about, since I don't know what's going on " Narsus added, frowning, his eyes staring straight ahead.
" We preferred that no one knew, not even you, because nothing, not a gesture, nor an involuntary expression, could somehow let doubts arise alarming the population. "
" To come to know that the marzban Daryun has disappeared into thin air with five hundred horsemen is something very alarming, I agree. Anyway, It could be helpful for me now to know the details of Kishward's message, given that, to this point, it seems clear I was referring a version that I have to define at least incomplete " said Lucian with a certain coldness in his voice.
His unusual tone caught the attention of Isfan who raised his head to look at the general, and then Narsus and Arslan share together an expression of assent to something.
" The little wolf has sharp ears " remarked Gieve, addressing to Farangis who was riding at his side.
As confirmation to the minstrel's words, Isfan turned toward him with a feral look.
" I don't think it's time for unnecessary quarrels between us, Gieve " said Farangis harshly. " Therefore, please avoid silly jokes, if you can. "
Gieve shrugged and looked away from Isfan. " All nervous, huh. "
" Why, you're not? " retorted Alfreed from behind. " Yet, you too saw those disgusting sorcerers... " she could not finish the sentence, speechless instantly at the darting of Farangis's eyes.
" There are things that you should not talk lightly! " admonished the priestess, more severe than ever.
Alfreed had a contrite face and continued to ride in silence.
" Yes, we are all really nervous " Gieve muttered, peering sideways Farangis, her face closed as always.
Ignored by the priestess, the minstrel sighed and looked up at the horizon of rocks that loomed ahead of them, where the fertile and irrigated land surrounding Ecbatana gave way to the arid eastern desert. In the distance the cloud dust, raised by Elam and Jasvant with the squad of soldiers sent them on ahead, already indicated the next change of the land.
In the sky, the winged figure of Azrael was drawing bold geometries in flying.
" I go " suddendly announced Farangis. She put spurs to her white horse and in a bound she was at Arslan's side. The young Shah and Narsus had just finished to inform the complete Kishward's message to a shocked Lucian.
" Hey! Wait for me! " cried Gieve and, without delay, the minstrel spurred his horse behind the priestess.
Alarmed by the sudden decision of Farangis, Alfreed quickened to achieve them.
" I'm going " Farangis repeated.
The senior marzban looked puzzled at her. " Where ? " he asked.
" The Djinn are showing me a way that you and your army can not follow " Farangis asserted, without answering the question.
Arslan understood immediately the priestess's intentions. No need for other words, he pulled sharply on the reins and his horse shied, puffing nuisance in stopping.
Lucian automatically raised his hand to stop the army behind them. Soldiers obeyed as one man to the repeat of the gesture by the other officers through ranks.
" I'm with you! " Snapped Arslan. " Lucian, I leave you the command and ... "
" No, my Lord! " interrupted Narsus firmly. " You can not. You must reach Peshawar, and you must do so by leading your men. "
Arslan pursed his lips and frowned.
"What are you talking about? " Lucian asked, confused. " The venerable Farangis is not thus coming with us to Peshawar? "
" I'm going to seek general Daryun " Farangis replied, with the tone of someone who does not wait
any approval to her decision. " The Djinn will lead me to him, and the way that they are indicating, does not pass from Peshawar. "
" Oh, well ... then I'm coming with you, my enchanting Farangis " joined Gieve , " I have no desire to come back already to Peshawar. And then, of course, the path indicated by your Djinn will be more interesting than the comfortable, pleasant Great Way Continental. "
Farangis glared at him, but said nothing. Alfrida shocked her head.
" Farangis, you believe ...? " Arslan paused, lowered his gaze for a moment and then lifted again his eyes on Narsus, but he found on his face always the same firm expression. Knowing he cannot do otherwise, the young Shah surrendered. " So be it. Take Gieve with you, and any other you consider appropriate, I don't want you to go alone. "
Farangis nodded. " I don't need Gieve, but, if he wants, he can come with me. In any case, I know, he would follow me " she said with indifference. The minstrel bent his head, ironic. " Give me Isfan, my Lord, he can be useful. I don't need anyone else. "
Arslan did a nod to Lucian ordering him to call Isfan. The marzban executed promptly, although with the expression on his face of someone who does not understand.
" You are ordered to go with the venerable Farangis " said Lucian to the young man, approached quickly.
"Where? " Isfan asked, surprised. " We're not going to Peshawar? "
" Maybe later, now we make a little detour, chasing rumors of the wind " replied Gieve, with a sly smile.
" What the hell are you saying? " growled Isfan.
" Are you sure to want these two with you? " asked Narsus approaching Farangis.
" Isfan would be enough for me, the other, however will not be a hindrance to me" replied the priestess, with a faint tinge resignation in her voice.
" We will reach you from Peshawar " promised Narsus. " Please, be careful and... " he stopped in the effort to keep calm his tone of voice, hiding his ansiety. " Be kind Lady Farangis, find Daryun for his Majesty and me, and tell him that it is a bit 'too early to retire: we still need him.
Farangis's lips curled into a slight smile. " I'll tell him, lord Narsus "
" I'll find him, don't be afraid " assured the priestess turning to Arslan, then she urged her white mare, and leapt forward, beyond the ranks, immediately followed by Gieve, who just shouted a greeting to Alfreed and moved a gesture of farewell to Narsus and Arslan.
Isfan not stayed behind.
The dark gaze and frowning face, Arslan looked at them go and deviate from Great Road Continental, in the direction of the first desert hills, north-east, dry humps ocher against the blue sky.
" You could not go with them, your Majesty. Your duty as the king is to lead your men. You can not abandon them to seeking just one. Whoever he is " said Narsus, at low voice, to be heard only by him.
Arslan straightened on his saddle and raised his hand. The army shuddered behind him.
" To Peshawar, so! he said harshly. " Warn men: we will go on in forced march. I want to reach the eastern fortress within two days. "
" Your Majesty! " Protested Lucian with a jolt
" You heard the order, Lucian. Send it! " Imposed Arslan, and lowered his hand pointing fingers outstretched, as if to pierce an invisible enemy.
The marzban swallowed unladen and repeated the gesture, transmitting to the men the command of their Shah.
In silence, Narsus nodded to himself. He felt a sense of regret thinking that Daryun was not there, to see the new step their little prince of a time had just done on the road to became the great King that both of them already knew one day he would become.