Last King of Kings

Chapter 52: Unexpected ally

A few days after Usama left Hira to "return to his responsibilities", Khalid and Abu Ubayd were left alone again, finishing the preparations for the invasion. Nobody noticed anything, even when they never heard from Umar of Usama's return. But Usama, he surely didn't go back to his responsibilities. He chose the path of the traitor. At least that's how his decision would be seen by Umar, Khalid and other Arab leader. But history can sometimes take such a turn, where honourable and noble actions would be later seen as evil and cruel, and where betraying one's nation would be rewarded with praise. Sometimes, history simply isn't just.

Door suddenly burst open as servant quickly ran inside the room. Yazdegerd was surprised by this situation as he slowly turned around to face the servant, waiting until he tells him what he wants. The servant was clearly out of breath, but he tried to keep it cool and started talking immediately.

"My Shahanshah, your spahbed and hazarbed are calling for you. They say it's urgent! Very urgent! They're waiting for you in the meeting hall."

Yazdegerd's expression gained all seriousness. He knew them very well – and because of that, he also knew that it is urgent. He stood up, as he was sitting in his chair all the time, and went out from the room, passing around the servant.

"Go to the kitchen and ask them for some wine or something. Just say I sent you." said Yazdegerd to the servant that was still catching his breath. He slightly bowed as to say thanks, but Yazdegerd didn't notice and didn't really care. He walked swiftly, not running, but also not simply walking. He didn't really know what was he supposed to expect. Some new revelation? Did someone he trusted betray him, perhaps? Or is it about the war? Did the Arabs cross borders once again or what? He didn't know.

When he arrived into the room, Rostam and Jalinus were waiting for him. The two were silent, clearly no manner of conversation was held between those two. It just showed the disdain they held for each other. But there was also another someone. It was a man, with the typical Arab turban on his head. He wore simple white robe and had slightly darker skin than typical Persian. It was already clear where he came from. His hands were tied with rope, it didn't look like he resisted. Yazdegerd knew something isn't right. He looked on Rostam and Jalinus, looking on one for a while before turning his head and looking on the other one. Then they both kneeled.

"My Shahanshah, may he be immortal." said Rostam and Jalinus basically simultaneously before standing up again. The tied man was observing Yazdegerd with awe and even surprise. And Yazdegerd noticed it.

"Who is this? Is this man the reason this matter is so urgent?"

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Rostam hesitated at first, while Jalinus simply stayed silent and let Rostam handle it.

"Partially, yes. You see, this man is from Arabia."

"I noticed, yes. And?"

Yazdegerd was eagerly awaiting the explanation Rostam and Jalinus owed him.

"His name is Usama ibn Zayd."

"That's great to know," he turned towards the tied up man "my honour," then he looked back on Rostam. "but how is this relevant to the urgent matter? I thought I came here to solve something urgent, not that you'll introduce your friends to me."

"My Shahanshah, forgive me for asking, but do you not know who Usama ibn Zayd is?"

Yazdegerd looked suddenly perplexed. Of course he doesn't know the names of every Arab.

"No. Should I? Is he someone important?"

"He's the grandson of their prophet Muhammad."

Yazdegerd looked like he was still processing what Rostam said before realizing what he meant by that and widening his eyes in surprise. And he stayed like that for a while, looking and observing Usama. But then it struck him. How did he get here, why was he here and why was he tied up? And, mainly, why or how was his identity revealed? There were numerous Arab Muslim traders in Persia, so if he wanted to stay incognito he wouldn't have any issues. So it was clear he didn't want to. He wanted them to know who he was. Yazdegerd looked away from Usama to Jalinus.

"Alright. I understand who he is. But now, tell me, how did he get here and what does he want?"

Jalinus looked like he didn't know what or how to say it.

"Did he sneak inside, perhaps?" asked Yazdegerd curiously.

"No, my Shahanshah. He entered through the main entrance and told the first guard he saw to call me before he said who he is and that he wants to meet with you."

If it wasn't Jalinus who was talking, Yazdegerd wouldn't believe him. He walked through the main entrance and basically turned himself in, all as a means to talk with Yazdegerd. What could he want to talk about with him?

"And did you perhaps... ask him? What he wants?"

"We did. And this is where it gets even more unbelievable, my Shahanshah."

"Go on." said Yazdegerd, leaning closely so he can hear better.

"Apparently, he ran away from Arabia because he doesn't like the warmongering way his rulers hold and he directly opposes any kind of religious expansion through conquest. But being without any sort of real power in Arabia, he decided to go here, to Ctesiphon to try and form sort of an alliance with you, my Shahanshah. And as a proof he means it and he's not bluffing, he told us he know that Arabs will strike in a matter of weeks, perhaps few months, and he also said he knows where. But he'll give us this information only after you come to an agreement with him."

Yazdegerd was, to say it simply, shocked. He wouldn't dream of something like that in his wildest dreams! It was unbelievable! He simply couldn't believe it.

"And is he the real deal? Isn't this perhaps just some impostor?"

"We brought here few Arab traders that recognized him immediately. He is the real deal."

Yazdegerd sighed. This whole situation was becoming more and more absurd.

"Well then, what can we do except to try and talk with him? We could use the information he offers us. Does he even speak Persian though?"

And so, the discussion between Usama and Yazdegerd began.