Last King of Kings

Someone stepped up on the battlements, some figure different from the others. He sure wasn't soldier, that much was clear. He had formal clothes on him, with some kind of cap on his head. Next to him, someone who looked like a herald stood. He blowed on the horn he carried with him and the formal clothed person talked, as Rostam and his army was preparing their siege towers and battering ram.

"I am Hromozd, governor of Herat, appointed by my lord Endarghar. I come here to discuss the terms of surrender!"

Rostam was pleased by this, but didn't show it. His soldiers, though, were cheering from pure happiness. No one wanted to die a horrendous death somewhere on these walls. Sieges were costly, and siege assaults even more. Mainly in lives. Everyone knew that – even the freshest of recruits. Sieges were costly, and so both Rostam's army and Herat's garrison wanted to avoid one. Rostam called for his commanders and discussed the matter with them. Should they make them surrender unconditionally? Or should they make some guarantees for them?

"General Rostam, I don't they'll surrender if we'd offer them unconditional surrender. I feel like they'll want some guarantees – like ensuring the garrison won't be killed and the city looted."

One commander voiced his opinion. Another followed, agreeing with him.

"I think so too, general. They won't surrender unless we guarantee them and the city safety."

Rostam listened to all sorts of opinions from his commanders. Everyone wanted basically the same -to capture the city without needless bloodshed. Rostam wasn't an exception. He wanted this from the start. After all, these men and the city wasn't responsible for the actions of their marzban. He was only worried whether his soldiers would accept losing their right of pillage – even if the city fell without the fight. There was only one way to find out.

"I am Rostam Farrokhzad, spahbed of the Empire of Iranians and general of this army. Hromozd, governor of Herat, I bring you the conditions of your surrender. Should you surrender, I personally will guarantee you and your soldiers safety. I shall also ensure the city isn't looted or pillaged in any way. But I will need you to give me full control of the city and its administration. And, also, I want you to ensure wine will flow all night long tonight. What say you?"

Rostam thought Hromozd will at least think for a while about it. But he didn't. His answer came right away.

"General Rostam Farrokhzad, I accept your offer. We shall surrender under these conditions. Open the gate."

The large, majestic gate started to open before Rostam's eyes. Soldiers on the walls still looked a bit nervous, as if they weren't sure if they should trust Rostam and his words. Rostam with his bodyguard rode in front of the gate as it opened, riding through it into the city. The army followed him. He ordered his trusted ones to bring Hromozd to him and to take control of the city as a whole. The city was theirs and he had lot to do.

---

Palace in Constantinople was in turmoil. Reports of brutal Persian defeats reached them as detailed as reports could be, if not a bit overrated. Basileus immediately summoned his council to discuss further arrangements. Although Persian Shahanshah asked him to not send any help, he was certain the young Shah only wanted to show off his power in front of Basileus. He brought the man that brought the reports with him. Soon, most of his council was gathered, with only few, such as Jabalah not being present. Jabalah was currently in Syria taking care of his kingdoms affairs. Those present, namely Bonus, Nicetas, Phillippicus and Heraclius himself. Heraclius looked around nervously before initiating the discussion. He wanted to help the Persians, but still had his mind on the words written in the letter from the Persian Shah. "Don't send your armies until I personally ask." he said. The question was whether such a request was fulfillable or not. Whether he could shove it aside as a ridiculous request from a young Shah, or whether he should take it as a more of an advice than a request. He didn't know.

"Your Majesty, shall we begin?"

Heraclius' trail of thoughts was interrupted by Bonus, who reluctantly reminded him of the gathering and that he should begin the discussion.

"Yes, of course. Gentlemen, I have called you here due to the reports of Persian defeats in the Mesopotamia region. Reports say that every army Persians sent against the Arabs was utterly defeated and that few of the Perisans best generals lay dead in the sand. It seems whole southern Mesopotamia is in Arab hands and even the city of Hira has fallen. I should tell you that the Persian Shahanshah himself asked me to not intervene until he himself asks, but I have second thoughts about that."

The men murmured. Philippicus and Nicetas shook their heads in disagreement while Bonus and few others were thinking seriously about the matter.

"Your Majesty, I think we shouldn't help these Persians. If their Shah asked for it himself, let them have it. Let them drink what they spilled."

Philippicus voiced his opinion with Nicetas nodding in agreement. Heraclius didn't expect anything less. It seems that Philippicus and Nicetas still didn't get over how the Persians defeated them. It scarred their pride and image, and what was Roman general without pride and Roman noble without image?

"Magister militum, I feel like I must remind you about the fact that Persian Shahanshah is our precious ally, and what you are suggesting sounds like simple treachery. Are you suggesting we should betray our ally?"

Philippicus frowned, but before he could answer, Nicetas started talking.

"Your Majesty, with all respect, if the Persians asked us not to help, I don't think we should meddle into their affairs. I think we should respect their request."

Although he said it very nicely, he basically meant that they should let Persians lose.

"But-"

Before Heraclius could answer, someone dared to interrupted him. It was Bonus.

"Your Majesty, it is very uncommon of me, but I agree with magister militum. If we can't even respect the requests of our allies, how can we expect them to trust us? I think we should at least wait for their plea, should it arrive."

Heraclius was surprised by Bonus' opinion on the matter, but reluctantly gave up. Was his opinion really that wrong, or was his authority as an Emperor fading away?