Chapter 2

Summer 15 UOP (272 BC)


Today, I received a very troubling report. My messengers just came back from informing the second army that they are to disband, and they brought ill-news. Apparently we have made enemies in this world that wish to kill us. We are now at war with Seleukia. They have ordered their men to “Give no quarter to Parthian scum!!” I think we should do the same. We shall lose many men, but we will be victorious in the end, It appears my hopes have been dashed and my fears realized. But war has come and we must fight, we are not cowards.

This is, unfortunately, the least of my worries for it appears that my son-in-law, Harasp e Dahaen, was the instigator in this war. He attacked the Arche city of Zadrakata, and took it victoriously. I will provide you with the letter that contains the “official” report of the battle. That is if Harasp’s word can be trusted. I don’t of course. He shall be punished very harshly when I get a hold of him. I just hope he isn’t doing this out of his own filthy greed…but I doubt it is anything but.
I am not sure though that I will be able to stop him at Zadrakata though. For all I know he has left Zadrakata and is currently marching for Asaak or Hekatompylos. He informed me in his message that he will be headed for one of these two cities, but he did not specify. He stated that he will choose what is the most strategically sound, and if I know my son, he will be heading for Asaak.

1 Week Later

In response to this new threat of war, I ordered my first army, lead by myself, to march east. I intend to attack either one of the Seleukid’s border satrapies of Marakanda or Antiocheia-Margiane. I have mad a choice to attack Marakanda as it should be weakly defended. I am still awaiting reports from my spies. If Antiocheia-Margiane is weaker I shall attack it first. But for now the course is Marakanda. By the time this war is over, the Arche will regret not having crushed us when they had the chance. I will make them suffer…They will all feel the pain of their skulls being crushed under my mace




Harasp's Message


Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
Good King.

It is your son Harasp-e-Dahaen. I give you news of our first great victory against the Demon that is the Arche. I had my artist provide you with some drawings to help with your imagining of such and unbelievable victory. I of course was present within this heroic battle and I was the whole and only cause of our victory.



I set up our forces in the traditional matter in which we all attack a city. I stood at the far right of the line and lead our soldiers from that illustrious position. As I realized that our spies had managed to sneak the northern gates open, I marched our army into the undefended gates and began to rain death on the defenseless armies. I was a sad thing really, to see such good men die all because the refused to negotiate.





Oh, did I forget to mention that? I had sent my personal emissary, Orodes, to discuss their surrender, but when they tried to poison my man, I was obligated to attack. There was no way they would get away with insulting me and the whole Pahlav kingdom.




Forgive me, I rant. As we rained arrows on them, the levy spearman charged down the main boulevard and attacked my weaker cavalry. I pulled my bodyguard down the left outer street while I ordered my other Dahae Riders to move down the eastern outer road. The levies were butchered in the cross-fire. As they retreated back to the town square, man after man fell under the maelstrom of arrows. Then their sole unit capable of hurting my men, Slingers, pfft, let loose their bullets. Not for long. They too met the fate of the levies.





Well Father, I hope you enjoyed this epic tale of our first great victory against our nemesis. I would tell you to reply, but I shall probably not be here in Zadrakata, by the time it would get here. I plan on marching on the next cities in the region. I will either attack Asaak or Hekatompylos, whichever choice is most sound. I will send you a message as soon as possible. Farewell Great King



Your son,
Harasp-e-Dahaen