Kivutar's Klassics

Back behind stout fortifications, Afrasyab felt very slightly better. He ordered a feast to be served, and some musicians to play cheerful music, and then he got down to the serious order of business: writing a letter. Continue reading Chapter 432. The New Emperor of China.

It was still dark when one of Gostaham’s men knocked on Kay Khosrow’s tent. Since that, naturally, didn’t make much noise, he raised his voice instead.  “Your Majesty! Wake up!” Continue reading Chapter 431. Back To Gang-Behesht.

The next day, the two armies met once more. Soldiers swarmed like ants, our favourite heroes lined up and looked very impressive, and the face of the earth was covered with dust. TL;DR, it was a whole mess, and went on for far too long. Continue reading Chapter 430. Kay Khosrow, Most Oppressed Man Alive.

It was not to last. Soon the news came from the outposts: “Kay Khosrow has crossed the river! He’s getting closer!” Indeed he was – not quickly, but methodically. This was not the terror campaign of earlier wars; Kay Khosrow was handing out largesse to the peasants as he went along, and holding his men back from laying waste. Any local authorities who let him pass without resistance were…

As soon as they deemed themselves out of earshot, Afrasyab’s fleeing soldiers began to weep and wail. “What are you all weeping about?” sniffled Afrasyab, who was also weeping. Continue reading Chapter 428. Gang-Behesht.

“You know what else I need to do?” said Kay Khosrow. “Write to my grandpa.” “Good idea,” said Gudarz. “I have a scribe who’s really good at insults and trash talk. He’ll make absolute hay of Afrasyab running away -” Kay Khosrow shook his head. “No, my other grandpa.” Continue reading Chapter 427. Kay Kavus Still Exists, Apparently.

In the quiet dark of the night, Afrasyab made a decision. “We’re retreating,” he said. “What?” asked Jahn, Garsivaz, and the rest of his council incredulously. Continue reading Chapter 426. Afrasyab Out.

The next morning, according to the astrologers, the sun rose in Taurus. Jahn wasn’t really sure what that was supposed to mean, but he did know that his little brother was dead. As he rode out at the head of ten thousand men, he drowned out Afrasyab’s boring astrological explanations with the martial sound of fifes and kettledrums. Continue reading Chapter 425. Jahn.

Rohham took charge of Black Bezhad, and as Shideh suddenly realized how big Kay Khosrow had grown since he’d last seen him, his heart sank. Being on the ground had done nothing whatsoever to dim the glow, either. Continue reading Chapter 424. Goodbye, Shideh.

As promised, Shideh showed up bright and early the next morning. Sword held aloft in the air, he politely recited the customary threats and boasting. “Here goes nothing,” said Kay Khosrow, attempting to pull a chain-mail shirt over his head. It was clumsier than he’d anticipated, and several warriors began to weep and wail at the sight. “How can a king chafe his sacred loins with iron?” they…

Old Qaren returned to Shideh’s small camp the next morning. “His majesty says that we’ve wasted enough time talking,” announced the old man. “We don’t want your land or treasure: we just want to destroy you.” “All right,” said Shideh calmly. “I expected that. Battle or single combat, then?” Continue reading Chapter 422. Return of the Dream Prince.

“Dear Kay Khosrow,” dictated Afrasyab, “What is the world coming to? Grandfathers and grandsons shouldn’t make war on each other!” I said I was sorry about your father’s death, but honestly, it was his own fault. If he didn’t want to get killed he shouldn’t have betrayed Kay Kavus by joining me, and then betray me. Or at minimum, he should have listened to better advisors, so it wouldn’t look…

Four entire days later, Shideh stormed into his father’s tent. “Dad! What the hell!” Continue reading Chapter 420. Shideh Again.

Of course, Kay Khosrow’s advance scouts soon picked up on Afrasyab’s movements. “We knew that was coming,” the king said calmly. “Let’s head for whatever battlefield they’ve picked and have this out, once and for all.” Continue reading Chapter 419. Two Camps.

As a matter of fact, Afrasyab was paying his respects at a fire temple which had been built by Feraydun himself, before the kingdom had been divided. It was all very symbolic, and soon Afrasyab, as was not unusual for him, grew rather sentimental. “I’m a descendant of Feraydun too, you know,” he explained to several bored Chinese princes who were mainly there for the political optics. “That’s why…