A maybe Pahlavian ARR(GHHH)!

[SoFarSoGood]

Part 1: Notes of the Parni Tribe

Introduction

Our people are nomads and wander the endless steppes yet our tribe is strong and united. Two centres where we meet are Khiva and Nisa.

In 275 while raiding a small village for horses the Prince Arshak, son of the Shah Phrapates, captured a Greek slave. Thinking this would man, who knew nothing of horses, would amuse the Shah the Prince gifted the Greek slave to his father. The Shah was at first minded to put him to death as he was old and had bad teeth but one of his wives, Pandora, who had been sent as a gift from the south, spoke a little Greek and proclaimed this man to be wise in numbers and words. "Very well" proclaimed the Shah "let him count our horses, our beasts and the leagues of our lands!" Thus the learned Greek was sent forth and with the patronage of Pandora passed through all our lands.

In the winter of 274 the Greek slave reported with alot of numbers. One phrase in the report, which he showed to his sons worried him though; "Thy people Lord have too many soldiers and cannot afford them". Therefore in the spring of 273 a Great Council was held. Many horses were gathered for this and traders came from afar. Upon a high seat sat the Shah while his sons and the other nobles sat on the floor of his great tent.



A Report of the Council

"Do we have too many soldiers?" asked the Shah.
"No, never!" cried the Nobles "How can we have?" At this the Shah read the Greek slaves report in full which had so troubled him, "This then Lords and Princes is why I have called you here to advise me".
"Kill him!" screamed some while others looked dumbfounded. The Shah continued "I have lived many seasons and since I was a child our wealth and the number of our horses have indeed declined, this slave does not lie."
"Let us raid for horses" said Lord Harsape, married to the Shahs daughter.
"More horses require more land" replied the Prince Arshak.
Many different views were aired: "Let us send a messenger to the Satraps of the Basileus and request aid" was disregarded and after much debate the Greek slave was brought into the presence of tribal council.
"Speak slave" said the Shah "speak true and reward and freedom shall be yours, speak false and death. How lies our land and those others around us?"
The Greek replied thus; "Dread Lord, thy lands are poor, lacking even roads. Yet thine warriors are numerous. Great and fertile lands exist to the south with many roads. Countless could be your horses should they be yours. West of south is the inner sea and great cities where wealth is counted in gold. North and East I know not."
"That is no matter slave" said the Prince "from thence we came."
Much debate ensued and several fights broke out until the Shah declared "When I was young the Parni were the wealthiest and happiest of the people north of the Mountains. Am I to leave them a diminishing and small people? Our Gods will not permit it. If we need more wealth we need more horses and for more horses we need more land. Roads are a thing new to me and our people but if they truly the speed of a horse then let them be made. From my own money will I do this. Let us send spies to these fertile lands south and gather our horses while we send a messenger to Baseleus demanding more land for our horses" and the message was sent thus "Brother, my people starve and my horses too numerous for this enclosed land. Let your Servant in Asaak, who serves you ill, be relieved of his task and be judged by you. My people will inhabit the region and growing stronger prove greater allies in thy wars". Other messengers were sent with gifts to neighbours.

Spies went forth and slaves were bought from the Shahs purse to commence roads while horses and men gathered. Lord Harsape was sent immeadiatly south while the Shah and his men moved south also. New forces were raised and we awaited the reply of the Baseleus. It was late summer before a reply came and Lord Harsape, though not daring question the messenger, provided guards and fresh mounts that he could proceed north to the Shah.

The Messanger of the Baseleus

In the winter of 273 the Shah Phrapates of the Parni was encamped with his troops north west of Nisi. In the middle of the night he was awoken by cries. The court scribe (a greek) recounts:

"The Shah was disturbed by the herald of the Lord Harsape who entered the camp. All the camp arrose but Lord Harsape himself was not among the party. Upon learning this the Shah requested that the party be brought before in the morning and that they be requited meanwhile. It then transpired that the party carried an important message from the Lord Harsape. The Shah therefore bid him enter his presence. The Shah asked what the message was and the Captain replied that he had escorted a messenger from the Baseleus to the Royal Tent on fear of his life. The Ambassador was delayed some time as various gold plates, goblets and the best carpets were assembled. The Ambassador was offered wine and a woman (which he declined) meanwhile. When he entered the Shahs tent he was nervous but the Shah embraced him and called him servant of his brother. The Ambassador asked if accepted rules of messengers were enforced in my Lords land and was told that they do and that no harm should come to should he speak true. He then asked if he could present the Baseleus's gift which was carried by his slave. When this slave was summoned the Ambassador put before the Shah a great chest in which were found eight horses hooves and sixteen spearheads. The Ambassador was rewarded and escorted south back to Lord Harsape with orders. I understand he lives".

In Lord Harsapes camp the orders were delivered by mouth "Our Lord Shah bids you move toward the town of Asaak and, should it be possible, claim this town as our own. Discard of the southern Ambassador as you will but he must never again reach his lands or those of the Satraps. I send more horses to you that will arrive as they can. Send messengers often." Thus war gathered and in 272 a formal Council established within a frenzy of activity. New troops were being trained in Khavi while those who had gathered there went south. The Shah and his army were now gathered near Nisa when a sole courier demanded access. Having entered the Royal Tent he gave the following message from the Lord Harsape:

"Great Shah and father I greet you. Your arms and dignity exceed the heros of old my Shah for Asaak is now Parni. We had a man open the gates and took the town after a fearsome charge. I have sold the slaves and expect the gold to arrive under armed escort one day after you read this. I have taken some for myself to provide for the Princess and your grandchildren. My scouts report that the horses you have sent to me are far to the west so I leave once Asaak is repaired to meet them. Your dutiful son and servant etc..."

As the Shah sat outside Nisa he dreamed of a glorious death. He was old ever carrying the cares of the tribe. The conquest of Asaak may be a new start for the tribe or produce a devastating response. He sent a messanger north to Khiva to proclaim the victory and gave orders to move closer to Nisa. Messengers came in that the allies in Bactria and Hayaistan and even far away Pontus were with him and his tribe. Perhaps they would would aid his tribe? Ambassadors must be sent but he was weary; perhaps his eldest son was ready? Certainly the dice had been cast and Harsape had won the first hand but he knew this would be no easy war. However the eagles flew above him.


The Lord Harsape.


The Prince.

The Shah.