Chapter 8 - The Costly War Against MinariNow King Azhim achieved fame in Cimora as a builder of the kingdom's defenses. He established fortified towers all along the wall of Ancient Arapa, and he built defense towers out in the countryside along the borders on the north, west and south. On the eastern border with Azaz, he built a very high defense tower at the mountain gap beside the Royal Highway. His army constructed great war machines that could shoot arrows and catapult boulders. King Azhim set up these mighty machines of war near the defense towers around Ancient Arapa's wall. The king's army was always ready for battle. His soldiers were trained for warfare and they were equipped with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and stones used for slinging.Now it happened, during the reign of King Azhim, the king of Ararat had a dispute with the king of Minari. The two kingdoms broke their treaty of alliance, and each nation sought the aide of Azaz in an ensuing war. But the king of Azaz chose to remain neutral in this war between his neighbors. So then, King Sidath of Ararat sent a messenger to King Azhim of Cimora with an offer of friendship. And the message read: "My brother, what quarrel is there between my people and your people? Too long, I have listened to the words of those who are envious of the great kingdom of Cimora! I have broken my treaty with the kingdom of Minari. Come now, let us make a treaty of peace between our two nations."King Azhim was elated. At long last, he thought, there was hope for reconciliation with one of the kingdoms of the east. Yet Jeshaiah advised King Azhim, "May there be peace between the kingdoms of Cimora and Ararat. And yet, my king, beware of this sudden change of heart. What motive lies behind this transformation in the king of Ararat?"But King Azhim was not pleased with Jeshaiah's advice. The king sent this message back to King Sidath, "Please come and be my guest at my palace in Ancient Arapa. King of Ararat, you are my brother. Let us make a treaty." So King Sidath traveled from the land of Ararat, through the land of Azaz, to the city of Ancient Arapa in Cimora. And the two kings made a treaty of friendship - and pledged to be eternal allies in all matters.Then the king of Ararat said, "Unfortunately, in breaking my treaty with Minari and in making this treaty with Cimora, the king of Minari is preparing to wage a war against me!"King Azhim answered, "My army stands beside you!" And so the two kings planned a strategy to go to war with the kingdom of Minari. The king of Cimora soundly rejected the counsel of Jeshaiah, who advised King Azhim not to go to war with King Sidath of Ararat against the people of Minari. King Sidath returned home to his palace in his capital city of Elrabil. There he gathered his troops to join forces with King Azhim.The army of Cimora was called together from among all the clans of the Cimirik, with their chieftains. With several thousand armed men by his side, King Azhim rode northeastward through the land of the Kokizites. Lying on the southeastern coast of the Euxine Sea, the kingdom of Kokiz was a friendly nation, the northern neighbor of Cimora. The king of Kokiz granted King Azhim permission to pass through his country and march eastward. This enabled the Cimirik army to avoid passing through the territory of Azaz.Meanwhile, King Sidath marched his army westward, crossing the shallows of the upper Araxes River. There the two armies of Ararat and Cimora joined together in the wide valley along the north bank of the river. They followed the Araxes, marching eastward toward Ardizig, the capital city of Minari sitting north of Mount Ararat.And so, the two united armies were ready to assault the city.But the king of Minari had prepared for the invasion. As the two invading armies launched their attack, his army fought fiercely to defend Ardizig from the city walls. King Sidath of Ararat said to King Azhim, "My friend, your powerful army is so mighty! My troops will follow your leadership!" He said this because he thought to himself, 'I will let the Cimirik give their lives to break through the wall, then my army will finish the battle inside the city.'Greatly outnumbered, the Minarite troops on the wall could not hold back the invaders. King Azhim and his army broke through their western gate and overran the city. But a high price was paid with the lives of many stalwart men who fought for the king of Cimora. King Azhim himself led the charge into the city of Ardizig. With his stallion leaping over shattered fragments of the demolished western gate, the king was struck down as he encountered a barrage of streaming arrows.The king's body was carried back to Ancient Arapa by his troops. He was laid to rest in his tomb - among the tombs of his forefathers, the noble kings of Cimora. In the years to come, the Cimirik women would sing The Mourning Song of Kishtia, and this lament would long be heard throughout the land of Cimora: I lift up my song to the Lord God on High.
Of brave men from Cimora I sing!
From Arapa they marched to Minari.
Strong warriors behind their king!
Of brave men from Cimora I sing!
From Arapa they marched to Minari.
Strong warriors behind their king!
As they advanced ‘cross the Araxes River,
Bleak storm clouds the rain did bring.
Bleak storm clouds the rain did bring.
Why did rain fall on the army that marched,
Causing the drenched men to shiver?
Did ashen rain clouds weep from heaven,
As the king crossed that eastern river?
Causing the drenched men to shiver?
Did ashen rain clouds weep from heaven,
As the king crossed that eastern river?
Ride on, my beloved, with courage!
The Cimirik do not hesitate!
Behold them, city of Ardizig!
They enter through your broken gate!
The Cimirik do not hesitate!
Behold them, city of Ardizig!
They enter through your broken gate!
Alas, Ararat is forever disgraced!
Their king rides to the battle too late!
Their king rides to the battle too late!
Why did rain fall on the army that marched,
Causing the drenched men to shiver?
Did ashen rain clouds weep from heaven,
As our king crossed that eastern river?
Causing the drenched men to shiver?
Did ashen rain clouds weep from heaven,
As our king crossed that eastern river?
The king of Ararat sat on his horse.
So few of his soldiers bled!
While the king of Cimora gave his life,
And the blood of the Cimirik flowed red!
Beloved King Azhim, you perished there.
At the gate of Ardizig, you lay dead.
At the gate of Ardizig, you lay dead.
Why did rain fall on the army that marched,
Causing the drenched men to shiver?
Did ashen rain clouds weep from heaven,
As my king crossed that eastern river?"
Causing the drenched men to shiver?
Did ashen rain clouds weep from heaven,
As my king crossed that eastern river?"
The king was mourned deeply, and many songs were sung by the men and women of Arapa, and throughout the kingdom, remembering his courage and all the work he had done for the kingdom throughout his reign.
A fiction novel
The Legend of Prince Jaras of Cimora
by
Jim Key
