The Reign of Khosrow Parviz (Part 4)

When Khosrow spotted a thicket ahead, he led his army onto the green. His men were hungry, exhausted, unfed. He strung his bow and went looking for game, but found nothing moving anywhere -- just trees, grass, and running water.

Then a caravan appeared on the horizon, camels led by a cameleer. When the cameleer saw Khosrow's face, he poured blessings upon the famous man. Khosrow asked: "What is your name? Where are you headed, and what do you seek?"

The man answered: "I am Qays ibn Harith, of the noble Arabs. I have come from Egypt with this caravan, and I am its master. My base is on the Euphrates; from there my road brought me to this thicket."

Khosrow said: "What food do you carry? What provisions for spreading a camp? We are stranded and starving -- no supplies, no baggage, nothing."

The Arab replied: "Stay right here. My goods and my very life are one with yours." He opened his heart to the king and brought out a fat she-camel. They slaughtered it, lit a fire, and burned green and dry wood together. Kebabs were scattered over the flames, and the companions fell upon the food. The devout among them recited prayers; the rest rushed straight to eating. They ate heaps of kebab without bread, and each lord prepared a place to sleep.

They rested a while, then rose and offered a fresh blessing to the just Creator who made the world, who made the strong and the weak alike.

Afterward, the king said to his companions: "Whoever bears the greatest guilt -- that man is dearest to me, and the most renowned among the lesser men. Whoever has done the most wrong and turned away from me and from the path of wisdom -- he is the one who should place the most hope in us. Give him assurance of nothing but goodness."

His companions blessed him: "O pure-hearted Khosrow, king of pure faith!"

He asked the Arab which road to take with his army. The man said: "More than seventy farsangs, and desert and mountains lie before you. If you will let me lead, I can supply meat and water on the road, provided you do not press too fast." Khosrow answered: "There is no other plan. We need both provisions and a guide." The Arab put a swift camel on the road to lead the army, and they rode hard through desert and mountain, weary and troubled.

Another caravan appeared in the distance. A wealthy merchant came at once before the king. Khosrow asked: "Tell me where you are from, and where you are going in such haste."

The man replied: "I am from the district of Khorreh-ye Ardashir, a merchant-scribe by trade." Khosrow asked his name. "Mehran-Setad," he answered. The king asked him for provisions. The merchant said: "O lord, I have food beyond measure, even if a merchant's face shows no freshness."

Khosrow said: "A guest on the road is a gain; your wealth will only increase." The merchant opened his bales -- the silver coins proved better than gold dinars. He laid out the food for two settings and sat on the ground himself, calling blessings upon the king. When the meal was done, the hospitable man came forward with a basin for hand-washing. But Khorrad-Borzin, spotting him from afar, ran to Khosrow's side and snatched the warm water from the merchant's hands, so the lord of the world would not be shamed. Then the merchant hurried to bring wine as clear as rosewater, and again Khorrad-Borzin intercepted the cup and carried it to the king. Service brought the servant advantage, and his high rank grew higher still.

Then the king asked the merchant which road the army should take, and where his home in Khorreh-ye Ardashir lay. The merchant, calling Khosrow a just and wise king, described the route in detail and revealed every secret. Khosrow ordered his scribe Ruzbeh to record the young man's name and village. He said farewell to the merchant: "Go in peace, and weave wisdom into the warp and weft of your heart."

The army crossed that green country and drove hard toward the Roman frontier, until they reached a walled town that Caesar called Karestan. When the Christians saw the army from afar, they ran in every direction, hauled their goods behind the walls, and barred the city gates.

The king was baffled. His army waited outside for three days. On the fourth day he sent a message: "Our force is small. Send food and give us aid -- why do you lord it over us?" But the townspeople treated his words with contempt, and his army remained weak and unfed.

Then a dark cloud rolled in, roaring like a war-lion, and a gale rose from the cloud over the town. Shrieks and cries erupted on every side. By midnight, a section of the wall had simply vanished. The whole town was struck with awe. They begged forgiveness before God. On every side they prepared fodder, and three elder bishops rushed out, bringing whatever that green land produced -- including garments of Roman make -- and carried it all up to the king, saying: "O king, our guilt stands plain before you."

Because Khosrow was young and generous of spirit, he did not reproach them for their malice.

In that town there stood a palace whose height rivaled the clouds, filled with treasure and built as a residence for the Caesar himself. Khosrow came in from the open country and toured the city. The Romans called down blessings and scattered jewels at his feet.

Having found a settled place, he rested and lingered awhile. He wrote a letter to the Caesar about the storm, the rain, and the black cloud. Then he moved on toward Manuyi, a town the locals called by that name. The alert citizens of Manuyi, wise and generous, came out to meet the king. Bishops and monks approached with gifts and tribute, speaking at length with the king about the storm and the old walled town. Everyone declared: "We are your servants; we bow our heads to Khosrow's word." He stayed three days.

On the fourth, when the world-illuminating sun raised its cutting blade into the sky, the king rode toward the road to Oureeg, a town that held a church and a hospital. Off the main road he spotted an isolated monastery. He heard the voice of a monk.

Khosrow approached and called out: "May your life be nothing but worship! If you will come down from your ancient monastery, blessings of the Creator upon you."

The monk heard his voice, descended, and looked at him. He said: "You are Khosrow, without a doubt -- cast from your father's throne, unhappy, fleeing from a wicked, base-born slave, an arrogant pretender."

The monk's words were so far beyond what anyone could have known that Khosrow's heart was moved. Astonished, he invoked the Creator's blessing upon the man, reached out from behind a cross, and clasped the hand of this man of God. The monk bowed, and they spoke together for a long time.

As a test, Khosrow said: "I am a minor officer in the Persian army, carrying a message to the Caesar. Tell me how my journey will end."

The monk replied: "Do not speak so. You are a king -- do not pretend to be a king-seeker. When I first saw you I spoke the whole truth. Do not keep testing me. There must be no lies in your religion, no crookedness on your path. You have suffered greatly and fought hard. In the end you fled from that slave."

Khosrow was struck with wonder, and shame came over him; he began to apologize. The monk said: "No apologies. Ask me about the things that are to come. Be glad and confident in this journey. Be a fruitful branch for the world. God will grant you self-sufficiency; your high star will give you glory. From the Caesar you will receive arms and an army, and a daughter fit for crown and throne. When you do battle with the rebels, the all-seeing God will be your ally. In the end that base-born villain will flee. He will long remember his days of good fortune. From that war he will fall into a distant land and make his home there. When he abandons obedience to you, they will spill his blood by your covenant."

Khosrow said: "May it be as you say, wise old man. But tell me -- how long before the kingship comes to me?"

The monk answered: "Twelve months. After that passes, you will have your crown. If fifteen extra days are added, you will be king of the world."

Khosrow asked: "From among my company, who will cause trouble and bodily harm?"

The monk answered: "A man named Bestam -- a warrior of noble temper, well pleased with himself. And another whom you call your uncle, through whom you count your months and years as fresh. Beware of that restless man, for from him will come pain, hardship, and injury."

Khosrow flared up and said to Gostaham: "Speak plainly with me. Your mother named you Gostaham, but you say your battle-name is Bestam?" Then he turned to the monk: "This is my uncle. He was an accomplice in the bloodshed against my mother."

The monk said: "Yes -- exactly. From Gostaham you will see much suffering and enmity."

Khosrow asked: "And after that, wise counselor? What comes next?"

The monk said: "Do not worry about this. After that you will see nothing but blessings. No further evil will touch you -- unless it be some hard decree of God. This headstrong man will disturb your peace; after that, nothing but your heart's desire. However evil this schemer becomes, his end will still be in your hands."

Gostaham spoke up: "O king, do not trouble your heart over this. By the pure God who made the moon, who made a king like you for the world -- by Adur Gushnasp, by the sun and moon, by your life and your royal head -- do not believe this Christian's words! Do not listen to such unworthy speech. Give me assurance against what he says. I have sworn my oath -- do not seek pretexts against me. I will never work evil in secret. Think on the Creator of the world."

Khosrow replied: "From a man of God, no wicked speech can come. And from you I have never seen evil, nor any leaning toward crookedness or folly. But from the workings of the high heavens, do not be surprised if you are filled with harm. When something is fated by God, wisdom and good sense are pushed aside."

Then the king said to the monk: "Keep a glad heart, and may your days be good."

From the monastery Khosrow flashed like lightning through clouds, heading toward the town of Oureeg. The city's notables came out to meet him -- everyone who had a share of decency.

When the king entered the town, a horseman arrived from the great Caesar with a message: "Ask for whatever you need from these lands. Do not hold back your desires out of deference to kings. Although this realm is mine, we hold you as dear as our own body. Be safe and glad in this town. Be free of every fear. All of Rome is at your service, proud and mighty as they are. Until I have prepared arms and an army for you, I will seek neither food nor sleep nor rest."

When Khosrow heard this, joy filled him and his mind was freed of worry. He summoned Gostaham, Baluy, the world-seeking Andian, Khorrad-Borzin, and Shapur-e Shir. The bold king told them: "At first light, saddle the horses. Put golden saddles on them. Wear robes of gold-woven Chinese brocade. Be united in heart and clear in purpose. Go from this town to the Caesar. Speak, and listen to what he says. Be wise and clear-minded, attentive, smooth and sweet of tongue."

"If the Caesar goes to the polo field, or takes up the bow, compete with his best men -- do not let yourselves be outmatched. Let him know that horsemen from Iran take their courage and strength from lions."

To Khorrad-Borzin in particular the king said: "Bring Chinese silk and black musk. You must write a letter to the Caesar -- radiant as the sun over a fair paradise. Keep the words brief but the meaning abundant, so that every heart remembers it. Philosophers surround him at court; make sure they hear nothing foolish. When you read the letter aloud, open your tongue -- in argument, they will not keep pace with you."

To Baluy he said: "Whatever the Caesar says to me before his assembly -- about commands, oaths, covenants, and treaties -- you are to weave it into speech as sweet as honey. In that assembly you are my tongue. In good and bad alike, you are my interpreter. On any matter where we suffer no loss, work hard and shake hands on it. Accept the covenant of my words. Remember everything I have said."

The seasoned warriors heard the young prince's voice. All of them called down blessings: "May no one but you ever wear the crown."

The envoys set their faces toward the Caesar -- clear-hearted lords and straight-speakers. When the Caesar heard that the great men of Iran, envoys of the king of the world, had reached the approaches of his palace, he sent a detachment of soldiers to receive them. He had a hall decorated with Roman brocade, its every surface set with gems and gilded patterns. He sat upon his famous ivory throne and placed the heart-stirring crown on his head, then ordered the curtains raised and the envoys ushered swiftly through the corridor.

Noble Gostaham led the way, followed by Baluy and Shapur the warrior, then Khorrad-Borzin and the gallant Andian -- all wearing crowns, belts buckled at their waists. They approached the Caesar and bowed before him. In one voice they called down blessings, and they scattered jewels upon the golden throne.

The Caesar first asked about the king -- about Iran, the army, and the hardships of the road. When he had heard them out, Khorrad-Borzin stepped forward with the king's letter. By royal command, four golden chairs were set out. Three of the senior envoys sat down, but Khorrad-Borzin remained standing.

The Caesar ordered: "Let the man who has traveled the road sit on the lower seat." Khorrad-Borzin answered: "The king has not granted me sufficient rank to sit in the Caesar's presence while holding the letter of the King of Iran. Perhaps my service will please you, and his message will prove useful."

The Caesar said: "Open the secret. What did that wise and proud lord say?"

Khorrad-Borzin began with a blessing upon the Lord of the world, before which the whole world shrank to nothing: "He is higher than every height, all-powerful, all-knowing in every domain. By His command this sky revolves -- He who is beyond place and time. The spheres and stars are all His making, raised upon this turning wheel. When He made from clay His coral-bodied servants, He first gave life to Gayomart. So it continued down to King Feridun, whom He chose from among the exalted. That royal seed appeared in the world; what had been hidden became manifest. And so onward to Kay Qobad, who set the crown of greatness on his head. No evil ever touched this dynasty; they kept the path of God.

"Now an unworthy, loathsome slave has come and seated himself upon the throne of kings. I seek justice against the oppressor -- not his crown, not his throne, not his helm or belt. Whoever sits upon the throne must possess wisdom, renown, and fortune. Let him recognize to whom this throne and this glory belong, and the royal diadem. Aid me in this cause. Prevail over this faithless man. For I have wandered the world, and I am ashamed before low and high alike."

When the Caesar heard these words, his face turned yellow as a marigold. That marigold filled with dewdrops -- his tongue and soul overflowed with grief. When the letter was read aloud, his sorrow deepened. His throne turned dark blue before his eyes.

The Caesar said to Khorrad-Borzin: "This is no secret to a wise man. To me, Khosrow is dearer than kin and kindred. I hold him before my very soul. There are arms, treasury, and armies -- look and see what is fitting. If you want my eyes, I will not begrudge them, for my eyes are worth more than hoards of gold and swords."

He summoned his experienced secretary, seated him in the place of honor, and ordered a reply written -- adorned like a meadow of paradise.

The reply was full of fine bonds and gracious words, from the present day back to ancient times. When the scribe had finished writing, the Caesar selected a bold horseman -- eloquent, sharp-minded, with a good memory, wise and well-spoken, a warrior and secretary in one. He told him: "Go to Khosrow and say: 'O king of seeing heart and seeking path, I have both arms and gold in my treasury. No one needs to be put to hardship. Even if we lacked resources, I would demand silver from every lord in every country, so that you could pass from Rome to Iran at your ease. Do not be dark of spirit in this land. Such is the working of the turning wheel -- sometimes shelter, sometimes harm; sometimes loss, sometimes gain. While I gather arms, army, and silver, do not be grim.'"

The envoy came to Khosrow and recounted every word. The Caesar then cleared the hall of outsiders and sat deep in thought with his chief counselor. He told the Mobad: "The world has given us shelter as a petitioner for justice. Let us prepare until Khosrow grows strong and is free of that base usurper."

But then the counselor said to the Caesar: "We need several clear-minded philosophers to advise on this matter." The Caesar summoned four philosophers -- young and old, of Roman stock. They spoke of ancient precedents:

"Ever since Alexander departed this world, we Romans have suffered silently at Iranian hands -- raids, wars, clashes, and the wanton spilling of innocent blood. Now God, through their own evil works, has brought evil upon them. Choose silence, since Sasanian fortune has rotted. If Khosrow regains the royal crown and raises his head to the sky, he will immediately demand tribute from Rome and trample every border of ours. If this accords with wisdom, remember it. Treat Iranian promises as wind."

When the Caesar heard their counsel, a different calculation took root in his mind. He sent a horseman to Khosrow with a letter reflecting the philosophers' misgivings.

When the rider reached Khosrow and delivered the Caesar's message, the king's heart tightened and his face drained of color. He answered: "If this talk drawn from ancient history must weigh upon the heart, then let all our hardships count as wind. We will leave your borders and turn back. May you never need Iran.

"Look now at our ancestors -- chosen lords, pure rulers of the world. Whether they waged war justly or unjustly, ask your elders who remembers. It would be fitting to ask Rome's sages whether this evil came from the crow or the owl. Everyone who rose proud in battle grew independent of the Creator. Our ancestors were renowned. They were masters of the world. They never tolerated arrogance, hauteur, or ignorance from anyone.

"But these old arguments are worthless when one's head is in the dragon's jaws. Send my greetings to the Caesar and tell him: speeches without warp and weft, great men do not bring before reason. In the end, both good and bad will pass. From now on I seek neither rest nor sleep, until I pull my hem free of these dark waters. If I find no deliverer among the Romans, I will send word to the Khaqan of the Turks."

Then he told his Iranians: "Obey and do not break your hearts over this. The victorious God is our ally. Chivalry and humanity are our business." He treated the insult lightly and sent a letter by the hand of Takhovar, writing both fair and harsh words in it.

The rider went from Khosrow's camp to the Caesar's gate. When the Caesar read the letter, a storm of thought crossed his mind. He said to his valued counselor: "Dig into this secret. Consider whether Khosrow, in this desperate fight, will find joy or be broken by fate. If you say he will not prevail, then he will never see his Nowruz again. We can wait and let him go to the Khaqan -- when you are sick, you seek the cure. But if he is to be victorious, he will rule like his father. Better then that he leave here with our army, so long as he does not nurse a grudge."

The counselor ordered the astrologers to bring out the ancient astronomical tables. The star-readers debated until three watches of the night had passed. At last the chief astrologer told the Caesar: "O crowned one, I have studied these ancient tables, whose foundations were laid by Plato's star-craft. Before long, kingship will come to Khosrow. A new turn of royal fortune approaches. And this will hold for thirty-eight years -- no dark cloud will pass over him."

When the Caesar heard this, he said to his counselor: "The secret wish has come out into the open. What shall we say? What answer shall we give? Come, let us settle on the wisest course."

The counselor said: "The stars have laid the foundation in the heavens. Through courage and knowledge, who could have held against this? May the Judge of the world be your refuge. If Khosrow goes to the Khaqan's territory, he will only need to remember you and he will be at ease. But if he raises an army from some other quarter, he will never stop resenting you. Consider well -- you are the wiser, and you are the one able to act on these desires."

The Caesar said: "Then we have no choice. We will send the army, with elephants and a throne. Why keep talking? Better to count the treasury cheap and stay far from trouble."

The Caesar wrote a letter at once, heaping blessings upon blessings:

"Together with my single-hearted and pure-minded Mobad, fearless in counsel for good or ill, we debated every angle and returned to our original resolve. Now the deliberation is finished. I have opened the doors of the ancient treasuries.

"In Constantinople I do not keep a large standing army, since they must guard the provinces. We sent orders in every direction and summoned forces from every country. As soon as they arrive, I will send them to you without delay.

"All this hesitation and debate, this probing the lion's jaws with a lancet -- it came from learned men who remember the old deeds. In the time of Shapur son of Ardashir, the hearts of young men were never free of suffering -- so much raiding, killing, and attacking, forging vengeance through injustice. After him, Hormozd and Kay Qobad, who gave no thought to God's justice. Your grandfather, that king Anushirvan of the Immortal Soul, whose justice made old men young again -- he devastated all of Rome, just as Afrasiab once devastated Iran. Thirty-nine of our cities were turned to wastelands by the Iranians. The plains became lakes of the blood of lords. Women and children were carried off as captives.

"If a Roman took grudges to heart, you should not find that surprising. Yet to harm others is not in our religion. May cruelty never be our custom. We have seen nothing better than truthfulness, nothing better than distance from crookedness and deficiency. I summoned all those who had suffered, and spoke with them at length on this matter. Through persuasion, people's hearts were purified; every grasping poison became medicine.

"I have settled it: from this day forward, no one shall speak of ancient times. Whatever you say, I will obey. I pledge my soul as hostage to the covenant. You must also give your word that no one will harbor suspicion against us.

"Say this: 'As long as I am king, I will not treat these hardships lightly. I will demand no tribute from the Romans. I will not sell these sufferings for a price. And whatever territories you hold of those borderlands -- no one from Iran shall tread on Roman soil.'

"Beyond this desire, do more: make alliance with us and make kinship between us. Whenever you face a crisis, or even an unjust war, we shall be friends and brothers -- and there will be times when we become the lesser partner.

"Once you no longer need this city of ours, all the old enmity will rush back into your hearts. Talk of Tur and Salm will surface -- that senseless ancient age. We need a firm pact now, sealed with a worthy sign, so that no one speaks of the blood-feud of Iraj or of ancient times again. Henceforth Iran and Rome shall be one. We shall seek no separation from each other's lands.

"Behind my curtain I have a daughter who surpasses all the great in wisdom. Ask for her according to the purity of our faith, as is our custom and law. So that when a child of Caesar's line is born, he will not remember the feud of Iraj. The earth shall rest from turmoil and war, and seek the path of faith.

"Now, if you look with the eye of reason, you will judge this as nothing but justice. What remains from our alliance will be our covenant. This is God's command to us.

"From the time of Piruz to Khushnawaz, long years have passed -- both lost their heads to folly. May the lord of the world never break a covenant. Christ the prophet said this: 'Wisdom suffers when you twist away from justice.' Khushnawaz tried every stratagem so that Piruz would not come to harm. But when Piruz treated him harshly, he saw dark smoke in that place. His army and his royal throne were blown away. He twisted, and the king lost his head to injustice."