Start of the Byzantine–Sasanian War (572)
The fortified city of Dara braces for an imminent Sasanian attack at dawn. The garrison commander issues final orders, scouts report enemy movements, and young soldiers steel themselves for battle as
Setting
The fortified city of Dara at dawn, with its massive stone walls and towers silhouetted against the morning sky. The city gates are heavily guarded, and soldiers are preparing for battle on the ramparts.
Characters
Garrison Commander
primary
A grizzled Byzantine officer in his late 40s, with a weathered face marked by a prominent scar across his left cheekbone. His muscular frame shows the rigors of decades of military service, and his piercing dark eyes project authority. His short-cropped hair and neatly trimmed beard are streaked with gray.
Gate Captain
secondary
A rugged, middle-aged man with a square jaw and deep-set eyes that have seen many battles. His sun-weathered skin is marked by a scar running from his left temple to his cheekbone. Broad-shouldered and muscular, he carries himself with the confidence of a veteran soldier.
Scout
secondary
A wiry man in his late twenties with sun-browned skin and sharp features. His dark hair is matted with sweat and dust from hard riding, and his keen eyes are bloodshot from lack of sleep. A thin scar runs diagonally across his left cheekbone.
Armorer
background
A burly, middle-aged man with sinewy arms forged by years at the anvil. His face is smudged with soot, and his short-cropped dark hair is streaked with gray. His hands are calloused and bear small burn scars from his trade.
Young Soldier
background
A lean youth in his late teens, with sunburnt skin and a patchy beard struggling to grow. His dark brown eyes dart nervously, and his shoulders hunch slightly under the weight of unfamiliar armor. His hands are calloused from recent training but lack the scars of battle.
Dialog
Scout
Commander! The Persian host advances—three hundred paces beyond the dry riverbed! Their dust clouds darken the sky like locusts!
Garrison Commander
By the Virgin's tears—their elephants will be at our gates before the third hour. Gate Captain! Double the oil cauldrons on the southern barbican.
Gate Captain
At once, Strategos. Fire crews to the murder holes!
Garrison Commander
Scout—did you mark their siege engines? The accursed Persians always bring their cursed onagers wrapped in wet hides.
Scout
Aye, Commander! Six great beasts of timber and iron—the lead one bears Khosrow's own falcon banner!
Garrison Commander
Then today we stand as the iron wall of Christendom. Sound the alarm—let every man remember Dara's walls have broken Persian pride before.
Gate Captain
Archers to the merlons! Testudo formation at the postern gate!