Last King of Kings

Chapter 22: The price for peace

"Please, general. I want to get this over with quickly." said Yazdegerd after Piruz entered his chamber and started giving him the report about the battle. To be fair, Piruz also didn't want it to take long, so he nodded a bit and started talking.

"My Shahanshah, may he be immortal, what do you want to hear first?"

"I don't care. Just hurry."

Piruz cleared his throat and began.

"Our complete losses, meaning dead, wounded and missing in action are 6302 soldiers, from which dead are 4214, wounded 2043, rest missing in action. From those 2043 wounded, 531 will be crippled for the rest of their lives."

Yazdegerd watched Piruz as those painful news flew from his mouth. He was barely able to bear these horrifying consequences of his actions and decisions. But soldiers died, die and will continue to die. It's part of their job, to die for their Shahanshah. He wanted to cover his ears, but didn't do so. To face the consequences you created is how to become a good ruler. One cannot run from the consequence of his decisions. And so he listened, thinking about the numerical values only.

"Enemy army of fifteen thousand was completely annihilated, with three thousand of them taken as hostages and later sold into slavery. Rest is considered to be either dead, deserted or missing in action. Enemy wounded soldiers were executed on spot, as the military law commands."

Although both reports were similarly grim, the difference of nationality of the soldiers was the key point that distinguished these reports from "the good one" and "the bad one." Yazdegerd considered both reports necessary. Nothing more.

"Thank you, general. You may leave now."

Piruz didn't know what to expect when he went to meet Shahanshah. He expected all sorts of things. Irresponsible and incompetent child, somewhat talkative boy and even, for a while, he believed Farrukhzad and expected the Shahanshah to be the competent and mature boy he claimed to be. But he still expected him to have at least one advisor, but when he entered the chambers and found the Shahanshah alone, waiting for him, he was stunned. And another thing he was stunned with was his way of speaking. Calm. Composed. Without a slightest bit of emotion. A bit terrifying for a nine-year-old, he thought. But he had to admit Farrukhzad wasn't lying. He really doesn't look or feel like a child.

---

"Brother, are you awake?" Rostam opened the door to Farrukhzad's chamber quietly, knowing well his brother is tired from the journey. He listened and waited for Farrukhzad's response. After a while, he looked into the room only to see his brother sluggishly getting out of his bed, still in formal clothes.

"Rostam, welcome. What do you need?" said Farrukhzad, his sleepiness making him to go straight to the point.

"I wanted to talk with you. A bit happened when you were gone, so I thought I'd fill you in. But perhaps you are too tired?"

After Farrukhzad heard what his brother wants, he brightened up a bit. It certainly did interest him about what happened, as he didn't want to be left out. And this interest eventually overcame his tiredness, and he invited his brother in. They sat on a couch, leaning against it and relaxing.

"So, tell me? What happened? Anything interesting? What about our Shahanshah, may he be immortal."

"Where should I start...? Oh, yes. Envoys from the Romans came. Bringing a message from their Emperor."

"Romans? What did they want? What was the message?"

Farrukhzad, who is usually a bit laidback and doesn't care much was in his element when it came to information like this.

"An offer of alliance. And his daughter's hand."

Farrukhzad at first imagined girl's hand wrapped inside a bag and carried here, and was righteously horrified about the idea. But he knew what his brother meant.

"And? What then?"

"Well, to say the least, out Shahanshah will have a Shahanshahbanu."

"So we can look out to a period of peace with Romans? And what about the princess? Do you have anything?"

"Not too much. Youngest daughter of the Roman Emperor. Six years old, I think. But, I have to say that our Shahanshah didn't look so keen on making such decision. Initially, I though that he'll refuse."

"What do you think made him change his mind?"

"What I think? I think it was duty. Duty to his people and empire. I think that he sensed the opportunity, and sacrificed something of his to ensure the opportunity is snatched and used. He ensured lasting peace at the cost of important part of his life. His romantic life."

Farrukhzad seemed to be lost in thought, thinking about what his brother said. He meant it, because he suddenly changed from relaxing tone to a serious one as he was speaking. The question was – did their Shahanshah fully understand what he did, and did he do it with this intention? Because, although this decision was crucial and mostly a good one, one could argue that he did this just because of lack of experience to fully comprehend the situation, understand it properly and then deal with it. Then it could be said it was pure coincidence. But if this all was intentional and that child-emperor knew what he was doing, that would only prove their theory of a much more developed mind.

"Do you think he did it on purpose? I mean I know him for a long time and I knew he isn't an ordinary child, but..."

"I cannot say, brother. But I can say that he ensured us a peace we so desperately need. And he even ensured it at his own cost. And if that isn't a deed of someone worthy of the title Shahanshah, then I do not know what is."

It's true. Although children of rulers are basically destined to have their spouse chosen by their parents, it was different for rulers, who, if spouseless, most often chose their spouse themselves by visiting the courts or having candidates visit ruler's court. And even if, they at least had the chance to meet their spouse before the marriage was accepted by either side. But this was different. Yazdegerd didn't accept the marriage out of free will. It can be said he was forced to due to the circumstances, because angering the Roman Emperor could be grave mistake for Persia. And so, he threw away all other options he had, and they were plenty, to settle for a Roman princess he never met and ensuring the alliance with Rome. And this was also very profitable for Roman Emperor, as he basically sacrificed nothing yet gained a powerful ally and less foes to pay attention to. Yazdegerd, on the other hand, sacrificed something he hadn't yet experienced, thus having no chance to experience it ever. Most likely. This was the price he paid for peace. The price of highest value. An emotional one.