Only Egyptians May Rule Egypt: Victory Was Almost Ours: Part One

Victory was almost ours: Part One

30 January 794
Road to Quena

Suhail rode alongside his army as they marched. He took great pride watching his house's banner and standard as they headed toward Quena. The emirate of Aswan was ripe for the taking. The death of previous emir had left his hunchback eight year old son in power. As the boy was far too young to rule on his own, the council of Aswan appointed his uncle as regent. To Suhail this was a blessing in disguise. A chance to remove one of the Sultan's potential claws and take the control of Aswan was just to good to pass up.

Beside him rode his wife and marshal Sholah. There levies only numbered two thousand strong. To make up the difference in power, Suhail hired mercenaries. The Berber Company, who once did business with his father, had been willing to work with them. The combined numbers gave them four thousand attack force.

The initial assaults had been promising. Yuza led his mercenaries against the opposition. There were only three real population centers in Quena and the capital. The first to fall was the capital. Muhammad ibn Abdullah and Amulet, Suhail's half sister, had taken it without much losses. Many had fled because a consumption outbreak.

The City of Kossier had valiant defenders. Yet they fell to Suhail's mother, Suhaila, relentless siege of their walls. The Mosque of Quf was to be Suhail and Sholah turn. The Mosque held significance to Suhaila. So she asked that her son to not destroy it.

Suhail, Sholah and Amulet stood around a table inside the commander's tent. A map showed them the surrounding area. Sholah walked around as she elaborated her plan.

"Once get Walid to come out we can..." she explained gesturing to various points on the map.

"Message for his highness the Emir!" the messenger cried as he burst into the tent. He released labored and heavy breaths. Sholah motioned for a nearby servant to hand him a cup of water. He drunk it down before taking a knee before Suhail.

"My lord a message has come," he said looking down at the dirt.

"What message do you bring?" Suhail inquired as he helped the messager to his feet.

"He brings word of that the deformed child and his hideous uncle surrender perhaps?" Sholah answered getting a chuckle from everyone in the tent save the messenger.

"No your highnesses. His majesty the Sultan has called his council to session. He orders you to ride for Cairo at once," he said. Suhail grimaced but Sholah placed his hand over heart.

"Do not fret my love. Go as the sultan commanded and I will bring Quf and Qift under our control." Suhail kissed Sholah.

"I will return as soon as I am able," he turned to the guards, "Assembly my guardsmen at once." He walked out the command tent and back to his personal tent. He took only a few items. He found his guardsmen and his charger waiting for him as he left the tent.

The trip was took several days of travel. It was uneventful. Suhail entered the city with haste. Like many cities the consumption rampaged throughout it. He went to his home in Cairo. He rested for two days as the other council members still coming. He met with Sultan Dawud and his spymaster Sultana Nahal. As Dawud sat on the throne Suhail approached and kneel.

"My Sultan. My Sultana," he said looking at the beautiful floor.

"Rise, Suhail. You are grand vizier of my sultanate as your father was before you," Dawud said, "I don't need you to kneel." Suhail rose. Nahal let out a coughing fit and waved for water.

"I am amazed my lord. Most of us have closed ourselves in their homes." Suhail said, "Mine own vizier he has locked himself inside of his home of fear of the consumption." Nahal shock him a withering glance.

"Some of us Suhail. Just like some of us use this opportunity to make war with deformed children." Nahal commented looking at Suhail, "We are not afraid of the consumption. Allah protects his most faithful." Suhail's lips curled into a sneer.

"Yes. The consumption does ravage my lands but I want my people to know that I will not abandon them in their time of need. As for the other matter...why do you attack the hunchbacked boy?" Dawud asked as he adjusted himself in his chair.

"I found the most interesting thing. After a bit of research I discovered my connection to the Emirate of Aswan."

"Pray tell what was this connection and what does it have to do with this boy?"

"According to several texts I am descended from the original Emir of Aswan. As the child is too young to rule such a large territory. I was planning to take of administrative duties such as taxing and levy control."

"So you were just on a peaceful jaunt with a good part of your soldiers and a mercenary company," Nahal said. But before Suhail could respond an intense look from Dawud silenced her. She began to cough but it didn't last as long as the fit before.

"And what of the boy's uncle...his name escapes me at the moment. Did you not try to reason with him?"

"I did my lord but the problem is the hideous uncle. I would be content to allow the boy to grow into his role but..."

"What?"

"I dare not speak of it my lord," Suhail replied.

"Please speak your mind."

"The boy is unequipped to deal with the heathens of the south. If they were to seduce his uncle to following their foul religion. Does not behoove to defend one of our own. Even if that means usurping his title."

Nahal laughed again, "Such a devout man. If it were in my power I would name you pious."

"Yes. If it were in your power." Suhail replied. Dawud shook his head.

"Enough! The others will be here within a few days. We will meet up then," Dawud stated. Suhail bowed, "By your leave, my sultan. My sultana." Suhail returned to his home and awaited the arrival of other. Suhail dared not doing anything. He was pretty sure that Nahal's spy among the household servants. For three days, he only ate, prayed and slept. When the other councilors arrived he received a summons to the palace once again.

In a private room, Dawud sat down with Nahal. To the left was Jawdat, the court imam, and Shaiban of Yeha, an advisor. To the right was Talib of Hawzen, his steward, and Da'oud of Tabghach, the Marshall. Beside Da'oud sat Suhail. The meeting began with stately matters.

Then Dawud stated, "I called you here to announce this. Immediately all military actions within the Sultanate is to halt. Anyone one in active campaign against a neighbor after the next holiday will find my army knocking down their door." Suhail whipped his head toward Dawud and Nahal. Nahal started laughing. After-while she broke out into a coughing fit but continued laughing afterwards.