# Andalusian AAR Session 4

## Cairo 1516

Lord Qansahaw of the Mamluks was holding a meeting.
"For us to become the true successor of Rome we must deal with these renegade states in Byzantium and this shamble of an Ottoman Empire"
Next to the king was his top advisor; "But my lord, While we can defend the remainder of the Ottoman Empire, the byzantine empire is in Greece, beyond our influence"
Snarky Qansahaw responded "Then give it to those catholic dogs I don't care I just want Byzantium gone"

From the shadows, a man was overhearing this conversation, he moved towards Lord Qansahaw, guards moved to intercept him and the man spoke up "My Lord, if it pleases you I bring word from your Ally in Andalusia" The man looked familiar, a bit older yes, but he looked like the man that led us to that Ethiopian gold many years ago, the king decided to let him speak. "Thank you my Lord, the Catholic dogs you spoke off, they can not consolidate that land I am afraid there is much internal strive, however I bring word from my king, he is willing to share the burden and occupy the island Negroponte" "Rumor has it, and this may not leave this room, his favorite misteress is from that island".

## Qurtuga 1517

Àl-Rashid I waited, but he surely was not patient. Then a messager burst through the doors, "NEWS FROM THE AMBASSADOR MY LORD HE HAS SEND WORD". "Well spit it out then did Lord Qansahaw agree?" "Yes my lord.""Excellent, make arrangements for Hassan, he must go to the island as soon as possible". This message confused the council, who were preparing for their weekly meeting. Fearfull of its wrath, the statesman Khaliq spoke up. "My lord, wouldn't it be wise to integrate the land first, remove all form of dissident before you bring them the word of Allah?". That was the last known record of Khaliq.

## 26 December 1522

The King is dead. LONG LIFE THE KING! With that message Hisham knew what had happened, his father's health was failing for many years and everybody at the court was fearful he would not make it this winter. Silently Hisham cursed the gods, mentally he spit in Allah's face. He swore to take revenge on Allah one way or the other. For now, however, he must act kingly, he must show strength, he must let the enemies of al-Andalus know he was a king not to be messed with.

"Summon the council, we shall liberate the Andalusian minority in Songhai!"

## 27 December 1522

The council had gathered, silently they waited for the King to speak. The council sat there for what felt like hours before the king opened his mouth. "Report, councilor Yusef" shocked by the voice of the king, a voice that was silent but somehow was the only thing Yusef heard he gathered his voice and utter "My King, firstly my condolences-" The King looked annoyed and waved him on. Even more shocked then before Yusef continued "Yes my king, our most pressing state is a report from Hassan, dispatched by your father years ago, he claims about funds, he requests a new koran book for the old one was burned by the heretics and he fears the population will rise up soon to defend their faith". Yusef quickly set down and waited for the King's wrath.
The king, however, responded in a way nobody expected. "Who cares? I want to invade Songhaid when is our army in place?" general Zahir was next to speak "that would take around 18 months my lord". And with that war seemed certain.

### 18 months later.

The well trained Andalusian army marched towards Goa, towards Songhaid. The generals made their plans, Goa must fall first. It's the gate toward inner Songhai. By Allah will they beat these dogs.
While there are plenty of reports from this time, the siege of Goa, the battle of Kano. The chase toward Borno. One report was tucked away, ignored by all in Andalusia, a report that made Hisham smile. "Orthodox rebels have risen up in Negroponto having procured boats they have landed in Libia"

Many in the military Saw these rebels as simple target practice, they wanted to march north, from the battlefields of Songhai to slaughter them all. The King, however, had different plans. He ordered the protectorate of Katsina to manage the newly conquered lands, including the city of Africa's desire Goa. A move that shocked many in Andalusia, when asked the king only said: "Need to finish these economic ideas I have first." When asked permission to kill those rebels, the response shocked some, the king ordered them ignored and ordered the preparation of the invasion of Mali.

## Qurtuga March 1531

Hisam set on his throne, impatiently waiting. A spitting image of his Father, even Hisam his own thought made him remember his father. When he first brought him to the council meetings, when his father asked Him! His 15-year-old song for permission to marry his misteress after his mother died. When Hisam approved his father ordered the council to move heaven and earth to get the island of Negroponte. For that Bitch!
That day was Hisams biggest regret, Adelpha sapped the life out of his father, was cruel to him. It was clear she was only nice before to get a position of power. Adelpha was never seen anymore as soon as Hisam took the throne. His thought interrupted by a messenger. "Report from the generals my lord, the armies are ready they expect a swift victory over Mali, however my lord" the messenger stopped, he didn't want to read the next line, many messengers disappeared when talking to the king about this subject. "My King, the rebels continue to make progress the fortress city of Fez fell within a month, the garrison there was send to Mali and the city guard was no match for the rebels, like before the city citizens were forced to renounce their faith and now have to follow a heretic religion, the rebels control about 20% of our nation now lord, the generals have requested to divert some troops from Mali to deal with this rebellion". Fearful for his life, the messenger awaited the answer of the King. Hisam stared at the messenger, he stood op, walked towards him told him to rise and look him in the eyes. "Go to the generals, tell them the invasion must go on as planned, tell them to report to the palace after the war, tell them to keep the army in the south to deal with the rebels in our... ally.... Katsina"

The war with Mali was bloody, they put up a fight, one general was quoted "They know they can't win why don't they give up? now we have to hire these mercenaries". Eventually, with the fall of Joma, the resistance broke. Another glorious Victory for Hisam.

## Qurtuga 1534

The council had gathered, well what was left of it anyway. Hassan, while able to flee Greece was hanged when his home of Fez fell. Nobody has heard from Mohammed since the fall of Tangier. Still, there was general Zahir. Conquer of Songhai, Slayer of Mali and a faithful man. A Muslim man. The two men set on the table meant to seat 7. Zahir spoke first, out of protocol and as talking to a little child he scorned the king, belittled the king, told them the nation was burning the Orthodox rebels were at the gate but still he was ordered to declare war on Oyo, an African kingdom barely worth anything. The King did not interrupt him when Zahir was done he sat down in his chair and sighed "My King, I would have followed you into the debts of hell but I am losing my faith in you, my faith in God, why are you both punishing me like this my nation burns". Hisam, stood up. Zahir thought this was his death, and he was fine with it. He fought with honor, he served many years, hell his children even have children. Hasim set next to him looked him in the eye and comforted him. "I know of your pain, I to bleed when our nation burns, I should have listened to your council a long time ago my friend, my father should have listened to your council a long time ago." "However I see only one way to reunite this nation, to prevent us from slipping into complete anarchy" Zahir looked at the King, there was something there, he could see it, something in his eyes before he could speak the doors opened, in walked a man. Zahir tried to recognize the man, he couldn't at first but when he realized who it was he jumped up, drew his sword and yelled "GUARDS! GUARDS!, my King stand behind my this man here is the leader of the rebellion against you" Nobody spoke, no guards came and the man took a seat, a seat meant for Hassan. Confused Zahir looked to his King for guidance. Hasim spoke "Zahir, I invited this man here, I want an end to the killing, Achilios here wants to go home, but he wants guarantees from us" "Actually lord, that was why I came here initially, I wanted to request you to leave us alone, but I rode here from Sirt, were we first set foot on land long time ago, you know what I saw on the ride here? Churches, the majority of this nation accept Jezus Christ as their savior, I can not let you oppress our new friends I dema-" "Achilios, you are right many of my subjects have looked to your god for help, and many have found it. I have no desire to oppress them, however, while riding trough my country you must have seen it, I am loved. The people love me, The people love Zahir over here. That is why I want to make you a proposal" The king turned to Zahir, "A proposal for which I need your support Zahir, you are a loyal man, a good man, a loved man, a man who the soldiers look up to, a man who together with Achilios and myself can reunite this nation". "What I'm about to propose will earn me the wrath of Allah himself, but I do not fear his wrath, I fear your wrath Zahir". Zahir sat there in silence, confused about what was going on, very very confused. "Zahir, Achilios, I propose the following, I will be baptized, I will renounce Allah and I will accept Jezus Christ, truth be told Allah did not protect my Father, your friend Zahir, Allah did not prevent Adelpha to torment me for years, Allah did not prevent Adelpha to poison my fathers mind, I hope Jezus Christ and your god can, that they can protect Al Andalus"
Zahir stood up in the middle of his king's speech, he looked at both man in disbelief, betray Allah? He could end this foolish notion right here, right now! The King even said so himself. He could fight, he could liberate Al Andalus for the glory of Allah piece by piece, city by city. He thought he would, he really did, then the memories of the slaughter of Goa crept into his mind, the massacer of Joma. "I see wisdom in your proposal" said Zahir, he sounded defeated, "I see the wisdom in not fighting our countryman, I do not want to fight to take the fortress city of Fez, many of our friends will die, I will defer to your judgment my lord" silence took over the hall, a small smile appeared on Achilios and Hasims faces when Zahir continued speaking "However I can not abandon my Faith, I will not fight the Heathens, but I am still a Muslim, I will still serve you but I am still a Muslim!" Yasim nodded to his general, his friend. Achilles went back to his army and was excited to go home to Greece.

## 17 Oktober 1540
The nation was still in turmoil, while not in open conflict Muslims and Christians were competing for influence, and the Christians were winning. While disbanded their armies were only a messenger away. There are elements of the army that wanted to fight but Zahir would not allow them. Still, a splinter group of Hashishin made their way into the capital, into the palace. They fought the royal guards, people were dying in the throne room, Yasim himself was fighting, Zahir was fighting, he personally killed the last Hashishin and declared victory. He looked for his friend, and saw him, lying on the ground in blood. He rushed over to Yasim and tearfully said "No, no no you can't do this to me, we made a deal you heathen dog! We both did everything we could to keep this nation together you can't leave me" Yasim smiled "My friend, I have failed you, but fear not I have told my son Sa'id about our deal, he needs you by his side" "My King, I... I... I will try, what I fear most my friend, is that this is our final goodbye only one of us will go to heaven."

Sa'id was brought to the throne room soon after, he was informed that his father had died and that he now was the king. The Hashishin had hoped he would reverse course, that he would be the sword of Islam. Zahir, who kneeled before the young king, "Sa'id you know I loved your father, you have to take my word for it that I loved your grandfather, this nation needs you right now. If you decide to break the truce I will fight beside you but I urge you, I am old, I do not expect to live many more years give this old soldier some peace, give Andalusia peace"