Piruz was riding on a horse alongside Farrukhzad. They were on their way to Zarang, where they would make a stop and then proceed closer to the border. Behind them rode a cohort of Aswaran and few other people, one of who was the interpreter that could speak Hindu. The drylands around them still had the sa charm as when they were riding together from Zarang many years ago.
"It sure brings back mories." Said Piruz, looking around the land. Farrukhzad chuckled a bit.
"That it does. Do you rember how we prayed under that temple because all your soldiers couldn’t fit inside?" asked Farrukhzad, aning to bask in the sweet glow of nostalgia.
"Heh, sure do. I also rember how great it was. So many souls, united in prayer. Beautiful." Answered Piruz. "By the way, what exactly is your plan? You don’t plan to simply walk in there and ask for negotiations, do you?"
Farrukhzad gave him a cheeky look. "Why shouldn’t I?" he said with a smile. "It’s the most effective, after all."
"I an, I am no diplomat, as you are, but that seems a bit foolish to ." Said Piruz, who couldn’t imagine such a plan to work.
"That’s exactly why it’s so effective. Unprecedented and wholly unpredictable. That’s what I want to be. We have to take the upper hand in this matter. And if they refuse us, then we have a casus belli – which, I believe, isn’t sothing they want to give us." Said Farrukhzad, still smiling. Piruz only frowned.
"Casus belli?" he asked, seemingly not understanding.
"A reason for war, basically. They have already violated our borders multiple tis, but that could be attributed to a fog of war. Borders aren’t very well defined, you know. But if they even refuse to negotiate, that would simply an war. A war they cannot win." Explained Farrukhzad, keeping his smile. As Piruz listened to him explain this in detail with such a cheeky smile, he couldn’t help but think Farrukhzad will enjoy having them at his rcy.
They rode through many small towns and villages, where they resupplied if they needed and then continued with their journey. Eventually, they arrived to Zarang, the biggest city in the east, where they were supposed to split up.
As they reached the town gates, Piruz smiled on Farrukhzad. "Well then, it seems we each go our own way from here." Farruhkzad observed the magnificent gates with an interest.
"I will be staying in the city for the night, but I assu you have to take care of so official things, right?" answered Farrukhzad, still observing the large city walls.
"I do, but maybe we’ll be able to get a drink later in the evening." Said Piruz. "Until then, farewell."
Piruz then went in search of the local marzban, who was supposed to be aware of his arrival. Together they were supposed to organize a fighting force that would defend the borderlands and the city itself in an event of an invasion. Although Piruz himself thought that the Indians won’t be capable of a full-scale invasion, he agreed that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Sassanid Empire itself was now experiencing an economic renewal and was in an extrely good shape, and Piruz deed Indians to be clever enough as to not disturb the giant that went to sleep once again.
It was probable that this marzban, who is a regional administrator, would be found in a town hall, and so that is where Piruz went. In front of the door stood two guards, who eyed him suspiciously as he neared towards the entrance. When he ca within a talking distance, one of the guards said with a stern voice.
"Good day, sir. What business might you need in the town hall?" the way he said it was polite yet extrely tough.
"I was sent here by an order from Shahanshah, may he be immortal, himself. I am to et with the local marzban," answered Piruz and showed the guardsman Shahanshah’s seal. He recognized it, apparently.
"I apologize, sir. You may enter," answered the guardsman, thrown off by the bigshot standing in front of him. Piruz smiled and said, "You only did your job," before going for the doors.
When he entered the place of bureaucracy, he was t with an interesting sight. Zarang’s town hall wasn’t big, but also not small, but its interiors were extrely modest. Piruz saw very few people inside – fewer than expected. He thought that administering such a vast region would require more people, but apparently not. As he entered, he was imdiately noticed by a young man, who seed to be a clerk here. He ca up to Piruz, indifferent expression in his face.
"Welco to the town hall, sir. Anything I can help you with?" asked the clerk, still indifferent. He didn’t question Piruz in the slightest, maybe because he knew that the guards wouldn’t let so random people in.
"I am to et with the marzban. Could you guide to his office?" asked Piruz with a small smile.
"Of course. Follow ," answered the clerk while bowing. Then he turned around and led him into a big corridor with big double doors at its end. Piruz thought it was way too extravagant, in contrast with the rest of the town hall. The clerk stopped right in front of the door and knocked two tis.
"Sir, you have a visitor," said the clerk loudly and opened the door. Then he gestured Piruz to enter.
"Thank you," said Piruz with a smile as he went inside, the clerk closing the door behind him. He found himself in a fairly large room, decorated with tapestries, so decorative weapons and flowers. There was a large desk with two comfortably looking chairs in front of it. Behind was another chair, which was occupied by a man who appeared to be around forty years old. He had an ample beard and wore silk gown.
He looked at Piruz with almost lifeless eyes, as if observing him. Then, out of nowhere, his eyes beca colourful and full of life again. Then he smiled softly.
"General Piruz, good to see you. I’m glad you made it here safely. I am Javid, marzban of Sistan region."
"Good day to you," said Rostam, "maybe we can get straight to the matter at heart?"
"Don’t be so hasty, general. Make yourself comfortable and let us discuss this with so nice wine, no?" said Javid. Piruz wanted to finish his business here as quickly as possible, because he wasn’t good with small talk. But alas, his hopes for that have been crushed.
He sat down, facing Javid across the polished wood desk. Javid had so servants bring a jug of wine and two silver goblets. This man didn’t hesitate in showing off his wealth, and this has, for so reason, really annoyed Piruz. He couldn’t sit calmly, constantly bumping his leg up and down in a rhythm. Only after he gulped down so wine did he relax a bit.
"General, how was the journey? I hope you didn’t co across anything troubleso," said Javid, swirling with the wine in his goblet.
"No troubles whatsoever, marzban. I have to say, this office of yours is quite the sight. Do first impressions matter to you so much?"
Javid smiled. "First impressions are everything, general. You form opinion on a person as soon as you et them, and they are hard to change. If you do a bad first impression, it’s extrely hard to get that person to like you again," explained Javid.
"I see. You might be correct. But I believe even a bad first impression can be overridden. With one’s actions," said Piruz and refilled his goblet.
"You are correct, general. Everything can be changed, with enough willpower and effort. But why waste your energy trying to repair sothing when you can prevent it altogether?"
Piruz thought a bit, but quickly realized this conversation is irrelevant to the matter they’re supposed to discuss.
"You are right, marzban. Anyway, maybe we should begin discussing sothing more... relevant?" said Piruz. He didn’t like how the marzban has been toying with him, being clearly in lead in this discussion.
"If you wish so, general. I got only so brief information, so could you tell more details?"
"I’m sure you heard about the skirmishes that have been happening on our borders. The neighbouring Chacha empire. and wuzurg framarad Farrukhzad have been sent by the order of our Shahanshah, may he be immortal, to prepare this region for possible conflict. I am to prepare defenses for possible invasion, while Farrukhzad has been sent to approach this issue in a more diplomatic fashion."
Javid sat back, seemingly in thought. "So you ca to discuss the defences in an event of an invasion, correct?"
"That’s the gist of it, yes," said Piruz. He didn’t like the tone Javid had used. But, after all, Piruz was the superior one here, having co by an order of the Shahanshah himself. And Javid definitely realized that.
"Well then, general, do you have so proposal in mind?"
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Thanks for reading. Life sure can be hectic, huh?
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