Continued from Chapter 2 - Part III
| Dramatis Personae |
Nabati:
Mun'at Ha'Qadri: General of the Nabati army, tasked with uniting the tribes of Arabia and subduing the Saba' confederations that control Arabia Felix.
Shullai Ha'Maleki: Prince of the Nabati, riding south under Mun'at's command.
Ravîv'êl Bikrum: Crown Prince of the Nabati. Currently on a mission to distract the Lihyanites by capturing Tayma.
Malka Qênu: King of the Nabati, and leader of the united tribes.
Rana'in: Elder warrior and long-time friend of Mun'at.
Khalil: Raider under Mun'at's command, usually tasked with leading the cavalry and light skirmishers.
Haza'el: Captain of the Nabati.
Wayyuq: A spy and pathfinder in the service of the Nabati, but not of their tribes.
Sabeans (Saba'):
Mubsamat: Queen of the Saba' with ambitions to end the tribal rivalries that plague her people.
Tharin: Captain of Mubsamat's guard, tasked with contacting the approaching Nabati on Mubsamat's behalf and bringing them over to her cause.
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Chapter 2
First Moves
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(Part IV)
As they left Al-Hijr Mun'at had sent Khalil and a dozen riders to the windward side of the settlement to start the blaze. The rest of the army had begun marching toward Dedan, desperate to be away from the haunted walks of the dead town. They were already spent from the day's exertions but they moved for another two hours, halting when finally they reached the narrow cleft where Wadi al-Jizl plunged between sandstone cliffs to run down to their enemy's home. The camp they set was close and quiet, the tents huddled together, leaning north to avoid the looming danger of Lihyanite soldiers and south for fear of the sprites that would surely be carried on the wind that night, and as darkness fell and the watchmen's fires were lit the flames they had left behind finally took hold, creating an inferno that cast the sky in sullen red and vengeful scarlet, an omen perhaps of what was to come.
Mun'at slept poorly that night, drifting across dreams of pain, blood, and oblivion, and when he woke the next morning he could not fully shake the chill in his heart or rage in his hands. The demons would pay for their actions. He would see to it.
He stepped forth from his tent into the hubbub of men breaking camp all around him, and uncharacteristically unsure of what he might to do help, he simply stood and watched, seeming transfixed. After a short span he shook his head, took his water-skin from his belt, and poured it over his arms and face, washing the blood and earth from his skin. To use their scant supplies in such a way was a luxury, to be sure, and something unfit in a commander of fighting men on the move, but he could not turn his mind to the day's work so long as his body bore the stains of Al-Hijr.
With clean hands and clear head Mun'at finally began to gather his own supplies and make ready to move, his efforts sped along by the assistance of those of his companions who had finished packing their own gear, and within an hour all assembled were prepared to march, to make the final push to Dedan and strike the heart of Lihyanite power. However, before commencing such a bold undertaking Mun'at called his captains to council, to determine their plans of attack and what should be done if the garrison sallied forth to meet them.
As they gathered round Mun'at he began to scratch in the dirt, sketching the locations of his men, their target, and the course of Wadi al-Jizl which would take them there. He pointed out where the cavalry should ride, how far back the baggage train should wait, and where their rearguard might be best protected, taking suggestions and critiques all the while. As the fighting men thus spoke Wayyuq moved closer, examining the rough map traced over the dusty ground. He was only a scout, but Mun'at had treated him as a captain of the recruits from Dizad and so he had joined the council as was his right. Seeing the proposed route he slowly raised a hand and began to speak, somewhat tentatively at first but more forcefully with each word.
"Commander," he began, "you have spoken of marching down the course of Wadi al-Jizl, but there is another way as well." He knelt down beside the crude drawing and traced his finger in a wide arc going from their position to the east and then south towards Dedan. "Among these hills are many dry valleys wide and firm," he said, "and if we were to send a portion of our strength that way we could encircle the enemy before ever they see us, preventing their resupplying or escaping. I know the way and could guide the men."
After finishing Wayyuq fell silent and put on a slightly timid expression. Mun'at had not yet spoken and as he considered the proposal a captain of the Harra tribesmen interjected. "It is fine to speak of encircling the enemy," he said gruffly, "but to take that course would add days to our march, leaving us exposed in the meantime. We should stay together and march south in force."
"The raiders might follow Wayyuq's route. They would surely arrive behind Dedan just as the footmen came upon it from above." responded Khalil in even tones, ever in defense of subtlety and trickery in war or any other endeavor.
"But with the settlement between, both forces would be isolated from one another." the man retorted, seeming unwilling to give way. The air became tense and Mun'at prepared to weigh in and break the stalemate when a third man intervened.
"Even supposing he knows of such a route," he said with one finger pointing accusingly at Wayyuq, "why should we trust some half-Lihyanite dog?!" With that the council erupted, the warriors quickly aligning themselves by clan and tribe, hurling familiar trusted insults at one another, their voices growing steadily louder. As the verbal assault continued and to such little effect weapons were slowly taken to hand, to be ready should the others lash out. After all, no man there would strike at a comrade-in-arms, even one of another tribe, but if a blade were drawn much might be justified in self-defense. Mun'at, who was already prepared to end the discussion before the sudden turn of events, stood tall and shouted them all down.
"Enough!" he boomed. "We come at our king's command to unite the desert peoples and you pitiful lot cannot even be united in yourselves." With eyes fixed on the last man who had spoken, whose acid words had nearly drawn blood, Mun'at continued. "Shullai, send one of your companions to the units of this... captain." he said, spitting out the last word with open disgust. "He is no longer fit for command. As for the rest of you, mark these words; if there is dissension within these ranks, so much as a whisper of mutiny, I will find those responsible and treat them not as enemies or even traitors. I will treat them as criminals, beyond the protections of law or custom, and I assure you that my ingenuity in punishment is not to be idly tested." With flushed cheeks and spittle at the corners of his mouth Mun'at stared menacingly around him until each of the assembled commanders had meekly turned his eyes to the dirt, embarrassment and shame washing over them just as quickly as their so recent desire for blood. When silence again reigned supreme Mun'at turned to Wayyuq, who through the whole affair had hardly moved.
"And you, new friend," he began in suddenly soft tones, "please do not let this display of foolishness taint your estimation of the sons of Edum. We are a better lot than this, so long as we set aside our petty rivalries." With the last words he shot another barbed glance at his captains. "As for your suggestion Wayyuq, it is a bold one and such shrewdness in planning is certainly noted, but I would not have us split the army so close to our enemy and with the whereabouts of Al-Hijr's demons still unknown. We march down Wadi al-Jizl to Dedan." he said. "Gather your units, for we begin at once."
The captains filed out sullenly, a few muttering bitter words as they left, but they went about their duties well enough and the army had begun moving in good time. However, it seemed the discord of the council had seeped into the units as well, for throughout the morning there was a tendency toward short tempers and underhanded comments.
As they crept into the depths of Wadi al-Jizl Mun'at busied himself with the study of the land, hoping the task might drive the lingering strands of anger from his mind. The valley was wide, between two and three bowshots from edge to edge, and it was lined with a hard-packed layer of rather fine sand the color of summer wheat. Its walls were sheer faces of sandstone, columns and curtains rising into the sky and channeling the winds, creating unpredictable gusts and eddies. Thankfully, the steepness of the surrounding country also ensured that no Lihyanite scouts or bowmen might be lying in wait along the precipices, for the rocks' upper reaches were accessible to none but the eagles.
For two and a half hours they walked through this landscape, taking the vistas and myriad sights in stride, and Mun'at was glad to notice that little by little the mood began to lighten. The captains slowly forgot their recent quarrel and began to speak more freely with one another, their men quickly following suit, and soon enough their feet were treading lightly and with ease. No voices were raised in song or laughter, for they would not needlessly announce their presence to the enemy who was now so close, but the proximity of their long-awaited goal set a buzz in the air that affected all. And so, with such feelings spreading through the army, it was all the more troubling when a pair of forward scouts came pounding pell-mell from the south, wide-eyed and shaken.
They rode hard through the vanguard units, heading straight to Mun'at, and began speaking before they had even dismounted. "Commander, there is a force between us and the city." one said, and the other added, "They have laid siege to Dedan!"
His brows pinched in disbelief and confusion, Mun'at turned to his companions in the hopes that one might make some sense of the news. Each looked as perplexed as he, until his gaze fell on Shullai whose eyes were darting back and forth in frantic thought, his mouth forming words under his breath. After only a moment he stopped, fixed Mun'at with a penetrating stare, and said two words: "Commander... Al-Hijr."
Comprehension dawning, Mun'at's eyes narrowed and jaw tightened and he nodded curtly to Shullai before speaking. "Find Khalil," he said, "for we ride immediately. Rana'in," he continued, turning to his old friend, "you and Haza'el are now in command of the infantry. Follow us with all haste but hold secure your lines."
Rana'in, ever faithful, obeyed immediately, but Haza'el would not be so easily ordered about, especially when he considered such orders to be a mistake. "Commander," he said, "if it is, as Shullai believes, the men who devastated Al-Hijr, then why should we hasten to battle? For now the enemy of our enemy can be let free, and we can simply watch as their forces waste each other away. Their siege of Dedan can do us no harm."
"No, Haza'el, you are wrong." Mun'at responded. "To let such fiends strike at what they will does harm to us all, for we through inaction allow evil to be done and the fragile protections of law and goodwill to be thus undermined. Even if their violence is aimed only at our enemies, it does harm to us all. Besides, we come not to sack or enslave the Lihyanites, but to add their tribes to our number. How will they ever trust us if we leave them to such a fate? No, we ride at once to liberate Dedan and then to take it."
There lay a trace of defiance still in Haza'el's eyes but he acquiesced, following in Rana'in's footsteps. At the same time Shullai returned with Khalil in tow, and behind them rode all the riders under their command. With the memories of Al-Hijr fresh in his mind Mun'at spurred his mount forward immediately, unwilling to wait for such horrors to be repeated, and every horse of the Nabati followed.
They were already close to the capital of Lihyan, the northern length of Wadi al-Jizl all but behind them, and their sturdy beasts covered the final distance in little time. After perhaps ten minutes pounding across the valley's floor they noticed the walls becoming more distant as the vale widened and Mun'at rode up a nearby sandy rise to gain a vantage over the land that lay ahead. As he crested the hill he saw spread before him a somewhat ragged but nonetheless significant force busy constructing rams and ladders, and beyond them the hazy outlines of city walls. His cavalry was outnumbered, he could see that, and he knew not what enemies awaited them, but for now surprise was on his side. He could only hope that the Lihyanites would be as well, and that they would sally forth to aid his men. The trumpets remained silent and Mun'at did not shout any encouragement or glory to his men. He simply drew his blade and began riding hard toward the encamped enemy, his soldiers close behind, prepared to with shining iron bring justice to Lihyan.
Continue to Chapter 2 - Part V
Re: Written in Sand (Nabataean AAR for EBII)[updated: September 2]
Originally Posted by Turkafinwë
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