At his side, her braids unleashed into wild curls that tumbled to her waist, rode Gold Dust on the Shah’s favorite stallion, Dor, a dumb but handsome animal, with hazel, blister-like eyes, snow-white mane, and a sweeping tail. Around them were the Shah’s Imperial Guards, holding their leather-encased shields high overhead to protect the sultana.

The silver-haired general thanked Allah that the sultana’s burnished armor, gorget, belt, and her untamed curls were hidden by the raised shields and did not dazzle in the bright light.

The Shah on his midnight horse, two falcons poised on his shoulders, another on his heavily gloved arm, was in supreme command of the columns that filed toward the rocky plains of the Alborz Mountains to cover the embarkation of another portion of the army, which filed from behind the mountain range in a fork-like march. Next to the Shah rode his bow-and-arrow bearer.

Morning advanced and the sun appeared above the mountaintops, casting its rays into the valley and melting the mist.

The Damavand volcano towered behind, a tongue of smoke fuming from its crater.

After the army started its ascent and was well up the mountains, General Darius pointed at the lowest bend of the opposite stretch of mountains. “Our timing was flawless, my lady. See the last tail of the enemy disappear from that turn and appear from the other. They’re pouring into the valley.”

Gold Dust curbed her fear and savored this moment. Soon the enemy would be low in the valley and far enough from the Persians not to suspect their approach from behind the opposite chain of mountains. She covered her lower face against the rough winds and the stench that swept up. Even as she was awed by the soldiers who proceeded at the Mongol’s war march pace of canter and walk and canter and walk, impressive when watched from afar, and even as she dreaded the creatures whose erupting fumes were coupled with monstrous roars, she was furious with the Shah. If he wanted her by his side, that’s where she should be. Not in the rear, a useless ornament concealed by shields. She toyed with the idea of bolting through the protective circle.

General Darius reached out for Dor’s reins. “My lady, settle back. Under the sun you’ll be a sure beacon to the enemy. Let the Shah concentrate on the enormous task ahead.”

The last trace of mist evaporated. The fawn-colored rocks at the bed of the valley took shape and so did the massive downpour of soldiers.

The Shah galloped around, reining his horse to a halt next to General Darius. The general made a mental note to commend the Shah, on a more appropriate occasion, on having trained his birds to keep their balance without restricting his movements.

“Look at the sons of dogs!” the Shah roared.