Parthian tales and other things

[The Rock Doctor]

It was rather crowded in the dark room.

Wiktor was there, of course, since he was the one who'd taken photographs.  Lady Aspas was there, having arranged for the use of the dark room.  Porucznik Jan Blaszczak was there, as was a young lady whose name neither man had caught, because it was 1927 and social mores required chaperones on such occasions.

And, naturally, there was a local man - perhaps the palace photographer, perhaps a local amateur - who knew how to operate the equipment in the dark room, where everything was, and what it was called.  Which was important since neither Parthian lady knew anything about developing film and neither Union gentleman could read or speak Parthian. 

There followed a bit of conversation between Wiktor and the man, with Aspas translating, to establish what was what, at which point the prince experimented with a couple of plates.  "Yeah, that works," he declared, stepping back to look at them as they hung from a line above the work bench.

"It's unfortunate that the prince is blurred," Aspas noted of an image of Prince Sadul riding in the recent hunt. 

"Motion can be a problem," Wiktor said.  "To be fair, I didn't ask him to pose."

"That's necessary to obtain a...what is the word, crisp?  A crisp image?"

"That or a faster shutter speed," Wiktor replied.

The chaperone looked blankly at Blaszczak, who shrugged amiably.  He did, in fact, know a little bit about photography by now, simply from being around Wiktor for a number of years, but he wasn't about to trying explaining anything technical.

"Would you like me to dismiss the gentleman?" Aspas asked as Wiktor started on another image.

"Ah...no.  If he doesn't mind staying, I might have questions as we go."

A brief exchange in Parthian followed, and the local man nodded and leaned against a wall to watch the proceedings. 

"This one of my lady is very well done," Aspas noted as Wiktor hung a portrait of Shirin drawing back her horsebow.

"Thanks.  I'd like it better if she were at full extension but I took the picture just a bit too soon," Wiktor noted.

"The lighting emphasizes her form and fitness."

Wiktor nodded.  "She's got good posture."

"Speaking of which, how does your shoulder feel?"

Wiktor chuckled.  "Oh, it's sore.  But I appreciate the care and maintenance, Lady Aspas."

"It was nothing," Aspas said.  "And please, no need to call me Lady.  Just Aspas."

"Fair enough, Aspas," Wiktor agreed, "And that goes for you as well, of course."

Aspas nodded.  "I would never have referred to you as Lady Wiktor."

Wiktor laughed.  "Excellent.  It's just Wiktor, Aspas, but I'll answer to Wik with the right people."

"Is that so, Wik?" Aspas inquired, looking up at the prince with a quizzical expression on her face.

"It is so," he agreed, gazing down at her.

The local photographer cautiously studied the floor, but the chaperone's eyes met Blaszczak's once more.  Well shit, the adjutant thought, Photographs aren't the only thing developing here...

He winked at the chaperone, who continued to look confused.

[Kaiser Kirk]

The next morning starts with breakfast in a new location, a glazed Conservatory located just outside the a Castle postern gate, on a commanding promontory. From the age of the foundation, there was probably a bastion guarding the postern that has been replaced eons ago. The centerpiece is a lovely fountain, and it is filled with flowering plants from around the Indian Ocean with butterflies flitting about. For some, what is most amazing will be the mechanical birds which 'take flight', rising on brass rods while flapping wings and 'singing'*.  The entire group of guests are gathered for breakfast, with a sectional circular table arranged around the fountain.

The guests then sort themselves out, with Shirin – as announced the prior evening - opting to partake in the morning 'steeplechase' which, as she cheerfully explains starts with a pleasant ride along the course.  The return is along the same course for those coming who wish to participate in the cross country  race, or if not so inclined,  to simply take a new route back. Shirin goes on to explain that the Parthian version includes mounted firing with pistol, carbine, rifle...and some dismounted ranges.

In the afternoon, for those interested, will be the Parthian game of Polo, either watching or playing. Then dinner.

Princess Shirin is joined by Crown Prince Ali, Prince Wiktor, Prince Sadul  and Princess Chandraprava of Rajasthan, and Lady Aspas of the Princely House of Suren**...and titles, as was requested at the beginning, are skipped. This is probably a relief to some of the less exalted joining them, from Wiktor's adjunct Porucznik Jan Blaszczak to a trio of young Parthian - two lads and a lass- belonging to mid-tier Houses.

Shirin for this outing is dressed a durable fine green tunic and pale grey breeches, with black riding boots rising just over the knee. A short dark leather jacket is cut to allow mobility while guarding her arms. The Parthian Cavalry hat, with it's broad brim, upturned on oneside and with a feather pinned to it, gives a jaunty look. The Parthian silver-grey pattern veil is loose around her neck, but it can easily be raised to draped over her nose and screen her face.***

Once again they took the funicular railway down from the castle to the riverside bastion that once served as the southern gateway to the town. There the stables for the palace were located. Mounts and tack were provided, and each encouraged to take a mount they are comfortable with.  A cadre of armsmen and handlers accompanied the group, bringing the veritable armory required. Princess Shirin introduces several of the assistants, but has ask for names of several.

The riders take a prepared route up a lightly wooded hill, then down a creek, through a field, over downed trees, through a thick copse, working across the hill side and then through the second creek, down the hill and through hedges and onwards for several miles. Several times Shirin calls for them to take a small detour and practice a jump here and there, the horses are well trained and once the command is given they respond well.

At stages they pass range assistants who explain the firing at the different portions of the course.  The targets are in most cases visible, with the two semi-automatic dragoon rifle ranges being dismounts where one must charge up a small rise, the engage the targets as fast as possible. Shirin advises 'what they don't tell you is they have those targets rigged so they move, and the distant ones are quite far'.  The lever action**** carbine ranges are similar, except one is expected to fire from the saddle, with a penalty for stopping. In these two, all targets must be hit before one can proceed.  The pistol range is for the paired saddle guns, big bore revolvers with long barrels. The  pistol targets bracket the path through meadow, and as the contestants arrive, a timer will be started and they must make it across in time, so one must charge and fire as one goes across, here the number of times one hits is what matters. Not all the targets will be visible from afar, some are set so one must be nearly abreast before the sightline presents itself. With a dozen bullets between the revolvers it seems improbable that all 12 targets will be hit.

Chandraprava of Rajasthan, Lady Aspas, the Porucznik and a Parthian lass demure, and choose to ride back a scenic and shorter route, meeting the contestants at the end. The two young noble Parthians are keen to test their skills, and most of the Party gives the course a try.  A small range has been set up at the course beginning, with fixed targets and examples of the weapons, so the contestants can test fire them. Spotters call out adjustments, and each member gets comfortable. The weapons are then scabbard ed on the horses they had chosen. 

The course, with it's mixture of terrain is a challenge, though having just walked through it and the lack of truly high jumps or long obstacles make it very doable, though hard to maintain best speed.
For many the Pistol range presents something of a thrill, charging across the meadow, guns blazing, the metallic tang of hits marking ones success or failure. 

Pistols are a particular skill of Ali, and it shows, though the format of the the course was new.  Wiktor's experience serves him in good stead with the Dragoon rifle, though the moving targets at range – on hidden rotating elliptical frames- were a worthy test. The carbine targets are easier, merely moving back and forth, but provide adequate level of challenge. Unfortunately the repeated firing does not make his sore shoulder better, but a bit worse.  One of the young Parthian lords manages to loose his horse, while Prince Sadul manages much of the course very well. Few were surprised when Shirin, she of the lifetime of riding and years of service in elite light cavalry Rangers, proved extremely adept at this course, starting last, but passing many participants. Overall, those that participated found it exhilarating, and were generally pleased they accounted themselves as well as they had.

Once the two parties had rejoined, they returned to the stables, and then took lunch while discussing the race and the afternoon to come. Prince Grigol and his companion joined the party, having just come from the Hunt.   Shirin had declared her plan to participate in the afternoon Polo tourney, and was joined by Ali and Sadul, Grigol, and a Parthian lad and lady. Wiktor, Aspas, Chandraprava and the unfortunate young man who lost his horse decided to watch the events.

Chovgan, or what the world called Polo, had it's origins lost in time. Parthian records start mentioning in the first century BCE, but the similarity to Buzkashi played in rural areas with a stuffed goat hide (or expired goat) could not be overlooked.  Many Parthians  start playing as children, and their fields are large with up to sixteen riders on four teams.   In the festival setting, the nobles that enter are split among the teams, as most contestants are commoners from various walks of life. Either bourgeois who can afford a horse, or rural folks that have a young quick footed horse. This diminishes the advantage of the Nobles and their mounts, as they are sprinkled among commoner. Teams are remixed, but the individual riders scores kept.  For those watching from the High Box, there is food and drink and a lovely time. Notable commoners of honor mix with local Nobility and wealthy, so various conversations with a wide swath of society can be had, or one chatter about matters of the day with one's fellows. Or even watch the matches.



*concept taken from description of hydraulically operated birds in  'The Ancient Engineers' by L. Sprauge De Camp. 

** Probably going to be inconsistent in describing the Seven Houses. In European equivalents they would be either Princely or Grand Ducal in rank – Bavaria, Saxony, Lichtenstien, Luxembourg etc.

*** Think of something like an English riding outfit with an 'Aussie' style cowboy hat and a bandanna of fine material, good for sun or sandstorms, or obscuring one's face : )

**** The dragoon rifle is a Parthian equivalent to the MSC 1918 Fusil Automatique in 7.5x55, while the Carbine is an older weapon, the equivalent of the Savage 99 in 44-40. 

[The Rock Doctor]

"Did you aggravate your shoulder, Wik?" Aspas asked as they watched the polo game unfolding in the field before them.

"Oh yes," Wiktor confirmed.

"Did I indicate to you that this would be a likely consequence of participating in the steeplechase?"

"Absolutely," Wiktor agreed, gingerly reaching for his camera.  "But it was every bit as fun as I'd expected it would be.  I'll pay the price for it."

Aspas looked unimpressed.  "You're a troublesome patient, you know."

"Now that's not fair.  Jan, would you consider me a troublesome patient?"

Porucznik Blaszczak shrugged.  "You've never been my patient, Sir.  I can only speak to how troublesome you are in other respects."

"But you would agree that he is troublesome?" Aspas inquired, one brow arched.

"Unquestionably," the adjutant replied.  "I'm able to provide a full debrief if necessary."

"I don't think that will be necessary," Wiktor said without looking up from the camera.

Aspas deadpanned, "As your doctor, I disagree."

"I see," Wiktor said.  He sat up and handed the camera to Blaszczak.  "Doctor, would you care to pose for a photograph with me?"

"That would be acceptable.  With the game in the background?"

"Sure."

Blaszczak looked through the camera, then took two steps back.  "Apologies in advance if I mess this up."

"We'll take two to be sure," Wiktor said.  He stood, Aspas rose, and the two of them stood side-by-side with solemn expressions on their faces and hands clasped together.

Blaszczak took the picture.  "That's one.  Perhaps for the second we can remember that this is not a funeral and smile?"

"Show a little teeth!" Princess Chandraprava spoke up.  "Scandalize high society, you two!"

Wiktor grinned, Aspas smirked, and Blaszczak snapped the second picture.

[TacCovert4]

Ali was reasonably pleased with his performance in the steeplechase, well, at least the pistol portions of it.  Though the big cavalry revolvers had taken some getting used to, after all, the Sultanate had been a very early adopter of the autopistol, and outside of frontier rangers and civilian use the revolver was functionally out of service within the Sultanate.  While he had been fast and accurate, he did feel that he would have done somewhat better on the more extensive courses of fire if he had been in possession of his own ivory-handled 'Hi Power'.

But, he could safely tell himself, at least he had matched the best of the other competitors with the handguns.  With rifles, he had been decidedly middle of the pack.  And his riding was definitely not of the highest caliber, especially with the Parthian style saddle. 

Fortunately, moving into the afternoon, he was in a large team for Polo.  While it was quite enjoyable once he got the hang of it, Polo was not a sport practiced in Azteca, and some of his teammates were undoubtedly nursing some sore feelings if they had been in possession of great expectations of his skill at the sport. 

Finally, the athletic events of the day were complete, and Ali looked around, finding Shirin speaking to a number of the other nobles who had participated in the games.  He caught up to her and rode beside her back to the stable. 

"You were quite impressive on the field" he says "I'll need you to teach me this polo when you come to Arizona, it is a sport we are not accustomed to."

"How will the more traditional Moslems in Azteca react to the Crown Prince learning polo from a woman and a cavalry trooper?" she asks him, giggling just a little.

"I'm sure some hide bound traditionalists will object." Ali says with a chuckle.  "But Mother is thrilled that I am courting anyone.  And any objections to your choice of profession would die in seconds in the face of Queen Fatima's Light Cavalry.  They're officially a Corps now, with six Brigades.  They will be a large part of the demonstration forces for some of our exchange of ideas in fact, the QFLC has embraced motor cavalry completely."

"I am looking forward to seeing what your people have done with this idea of 'motor cavalry'" she replies, before smiling.  "So, your mother knows you are courting?"

Ali reddens slightly.  "It would seem that the Queen of Aztecs has an intelligence apparatus all her own and heard there might be the possibility.  Father, however, has told her to make nothing of it."  Seeing Shirin's quizzical look, he continues.  "I do not want you to feel pressured on your visit to my home, so I can show you the same hospitality you've shown me.  That is why I invited you to Arizona, and not to Tenochtitlan.  I would very much like to introduce you to Father and Mother, however" he smiles.

"I would just like to know who it is you're courting?" Shirin asks, innocently.

Ali's face continues to turn a shade of red.  "If she would consent to being courted, I would wish to court one particular Princess of Parthia"

"I think she might be amenable to considering it"

[Kaiser Kirk]

...and now for the travelogue...

The final day of the gathering dawned over Gilan province and the guests were once again summoned to breakfast. The guidance had been the guests would rotate through the proffered activities, but when asked the Hostess did accede to Lord Girgol returning to the hunt to try his luck again. The others were free to choose their own agenda, and broke in disparate ways. For Princess Shirin and Princes Ali and Wiktor, the 'scenic tour' yet beckoned. Joined by their compatriots, they took an auto ride to the local aerodrome. Between the runways for the land based planes, the bay for the flying boats, and the mast and giant hangers for the Zeppelins, there were a variety of possibilities, but the one set forth- the Zeppelin, was available as the weather promised to be quite fine.

The airship had already been prepared, and the passengers had only to board.

Cruising above the coastal plain that was Gilan and Mazandaran provices, wedged between the south shore and the Alboroz mountains, the great airship climbed over Anzali Port (of Resht) and continued to the Northwest.

The tour guide pointed out the features below, The military aerodrome and the twin lagoons forming both the civilian and naval harbors. The extensive docks received tankers from Baku, indeed the Caspian was where oil tankers had been invented. As a result of this bounty the countryside hosted several chemical plants turning the feedstock into plastics and fertilizers, to be shipped by rail through the Alboraz pass dominated by Radkhan Castle, south to Qazvin, Tehran and beyond.

The airship followed the Pass to the South. The guide pointed out features below, explaining that in 650, these passes had allowed the Arascid dynasty under Queen Boran...at which point the young man broke off his prepared speech and flushed crimson, looking at Princess Shirin "um, as you know your Highness", which was met by a 'You are doing nicely, keep explaining to the others who may not know'. So the young man, stammering a little, continued 'Queen Boran rallied the peoples of Gilan and Mazandaran, and managed to repel the Muslim conquerors time and time again. From here, and the Afghani mountains and Transoxus, we persevered. When the Tang arrived in the East, Parthia finally started the long path to liberating her conquered people.'...

The crest of the pass marked also the change in climate regimes, with the far more arid lands of the Parthian plateau beyond. The forests change in type, becoming sparser and changing in color, which is explained as the trees below are now a juniper forest. As the airship passed to the valley beyond the pass, it turned to the East. Below, orderly towns and wide swathes of green extended from near the river to up the hillslopes. Fall burning to clear the harvested fields, or to summon a new freshet of grass for grazing gave the entire valley below a bluish tinge of haze.


The guide explained that while fertile, the area nearest the river was left nearly untouched to allow flooding and the river to cleanse itself, the dikes being further back. Fresh silt could be taken for the fields after the floods. The greenery on the hills came from irrigation, as the Parthians dug sloped tunnels called quanats back to the mountains to bring water underground, where it would be cold and not turn to mist. Wells brought the water up and which gave water for people, crops and grazing animals. Dams in the valley heads contributed both power and water below. The city of Qazvin, and then of Tehran, came up quickly below. Qazim was both near the base of the pass to Gilan, and at the head of navigation of a valley, and so prospered from being at a crossroads, but limited in size as it was fed by creeks and quanats, with some wells. An arena, much like the one in Resht, surrounded by tents and small buildings all indicated a harvest fair was occurring there too.

Tehran lay on a plain south of the Alborz mountains, were e three large rivers came together, making it by far the larger city.  The spreading plains were filled with crops being harvested and flickers of flame gave rise to smoke in areas. The guide explained that the city West of the rivers was Tehran, the portion east was the 'old city' of Rhages or Rey, which was abandoned for centuries after being razed by the Mongols, and it's people killed or enslaved, much like "much of the North", the guide continues that only about 200 years ago did they start to reclaim the ruins.

The zeppelin proceeded past Tehran & Rhages, with a full course meal being served for lunch, helping offset the beverages hereto provided. The passengers find themselves taken over the Alborz, as the airship begins to loop to the North and climbs to 2700m, with the crests of the ridges not far below and the surrounding mountain peaks not far above. Looming ahead is the majestic peak of Mount Damavad is clearly visible, a massive stratovolcano soaring   nearly 4000m from the valleys around it, snow clad slopes peirce the sky above, soaring to over 5500m, capped with a massive disk of cloud. The airship makes a sweeping turn with the massive peak as it's distant center point, allowing the passengers a long look at the slopes climbing nearly 3000m higher into the sky.

Eventually the mountain is left behind, and the pretty peaks of the Alborz pass beneath..not far beneath, until the guide announces Alamut Castle off the port bow...which seems an odd way to put it. A fertile valley with terraced fields is dominated by an abrupt peak and a relatively intact mountain top castle is a couple hundred meters below, and the Guide launches into a tale of how this is where the Hashashins came to power.  Alamut castle was believed founded during struggles with the Muslims, but had been abandoned with a Muslim splinter sect, the Ismailis, found it and took hold. They became the Hashashins and these religious warriors took a new mission to assassinate rulers throughout not just Parthia, but Byzantine, and anywhere there were rulers who followed a scriptural path they disagreed with, slaying these rulers became the Assassin's Creed. The guide allows that the Hashashins were quite a nuisance for nearly two hundred years, but shortly after the sacking of Rhagd, they slew the new Mongol overlord, leading to the Mongols to sack this remote castle and hunt down the Hashashins.

From there, the airship turns North again, poking out over the plain on the south shore of the Caspian, before soaring back to Resht. That evening, a final feast and dance are held at the Castle.

[The Rock Doctor]

"Do you enjoy flying, Wik?" Aspas inquired as they sat facing each other, a rectangular window between them looking out on the river below.

"Honestly?"

"Of course."

Wiktor said, "No.  Not yet, anyway.  You?"

"I'm growing accustomed to it but there remains a wrongness to it that I haven't overcome," she admitted.

"The travel to and from Wilno was by airship as well?"

She nodded.  "There have been a few others as well.  I certainly prefer it to an aeroplane."

"I think I'd agree with that sentiment...having spent several days in one to get here," Wiktor noted. 

"And back, soon enough," Aspas said.

"Yes."

"Do you think you'll come back?" she inquired, tilting her head and blinking at him.

"Yes," Wiktor smiled.  "Yes I do."

[TacCovert4]

Ali had flown on a number of airships.  The act of flying in one for him was purely transactional, just a soulless gas-bag with which to get from point A to point B.  Requiring, at least in his eyes, no more skill than sailing a barge down a river.  But at least the company was congenial this time.  He sits with Shirin as she points out the history and the sights.  They sit at what would be called the 'edge' of an appropriate distance as they speak in hushed tones.

"Your country is beautiful, so much history.  It is amazing how the religion that brought my people together and tempered the warlike excesses we once had is the same religion that brought so much war to your lands"  he says

"The very fundamental version of Islam that drove the Arabs to war is somewhat different from your own I think.  From what I have seen, yours is more moderated, almost closer to Zorastrianism than fundamental Islam." she replies.

They talk about the sights as they fly over, and he remarks at how the cavalry battles she describes would be far different in the age where aircraft can flit over the battlefield strafing and bombing, and what changes modernity has heralded. 

After landing, it's time for the party to break up and go their separate ways.  Ali takes Shirin's hand and kisses it properly, and says "I cannot wait to show you my home.  I believe you will find it very agreeable.  Until then"

[Kaiser Kirk]

The Persians under the Achaemenid dynasty are credited with the first mail system, crafting a Royal Road extending from Susa, near the Gulf, to Sardis, on the Anatolian coastline, 2600 km away. Mounted couriers could cover the distance in relays in just 9 days. It was said of these riders "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"* . Other routes, such as the Great Khorosan Road and Grand Trunk Road crossed the Empire, helping bind it together and connect to the Silk Road and Indian states. 

The Parthians had continued and refreshed this system, and in the 1800s bound their empire together with railroads and telegraph lines. Now, telephones and automobiles were reliable means of communications, while small mail steamers carried fast cargo across the seas to the sprawling territories. Forward thinkers were even promulgating a flying boat service**, with trials in the territories, while developments in that area continued.

So, with this variety of options for communication, it was by humble telephone that Emperor Iskandar spoke to his younger sister Shirin, discussing the invitation from Azteca for her visit.

Having had a week to find mutual interests and discuss matters with Prince Ali, Shirin was quite smitten. When asked about Prince Wiktor, she acknowledged that while she really like him, it wasn't the same. They enjoyed each others company, and his quite reserve and thoughtfulness was appealing, it was a match that could work, but the Wiktor and Aspas had seemed to form a closer bond, so Shirin and Wiktor seemed destined to friendship and respect.  So Shirin very much wished to go to Azteca and see if another meeting confirmed what she thought. 

The matter resolved, Iskandar hung up*** and turned to his wife Zenobia for her thoughts.

Zenobia : "I think she has her mind set.

Iskandar : "I confess to some concern regarding expectations, I suspect the Aztec have some different viewpoints than we do.  I've been briefed, but what is the reality of the expected role of a wife in Azteca ?  How would their people react to a foreigner, how isolated would she be?"

Zenobia : "Hormazd****, or as the Muslims call him, Allah, encourages us to seek and embrace Knowledge, is that not what the Sacred Flame represents – the light of Knowledge ?  Fearing what you do not know, or the different, just because of your lack of knowledge, that is the path of Angra Mainyu.  If you have doubts, enlighten yourself. "

Iskandar : "...you are correct. While I have been briefed, I think it is time to learn. I will direct the Education and Commerce ministry to prepare tutorial cadres for myself and Shirin....I will have to direct her Commander that she has Crown Business to attend to a couple extra days a week, hmm, probably should assign her an understudy as a supernumerary to cover her absences. "

Zenobia : "Why the Commerce ministry ?"

Iskandar : "Academics know the theory of something, Merchants and Sailors deal with the day to day realities of commerce and bureaucracy. Further, our ports of Funafuti and Nuka Hiva host Aztec sailors, so reports from there will tell us much of how the common Aztec people act among others."

Zenobia : "A reasonable approach.  I will observe that Parthia is used to adapting to others, to the East we have dealt with the Chinese for two and a half thousand years, to the West, the Greeks for the same time. To the South, the varied Empires of India. All powerful and sophisticated but very different, we have long adopted their clothing, engineering, music, art, we even teach Greek, Chinese and Hindi in our schools.  From what you have said of her, your sister has always been interested in new ideas and adventures, you prohibited her from serving overseas while Vache was, or taking flying lessons all in the name of avoiding danger, and so she worked her way into the Rangers and went gallivanting up to the Urals.  I think of any of your siblings she'd be most suited to recreate her life overseas, so long as she is allowed. "

Iskandar : "True.  In my defense, I only limited here as I really only wanted one sibling at risk of being shot at a time.  Of course that did not work out, both of them were shot, Shirin was fortunate and Vache had a breastplate.  It's all well and good that the Prime heir learns the mechanisms of competent administration while others learn how to lead soldiers in case Parthia is broken again and someone has to lead the reconquest...but I really did not want to risk either of them, much less both.

Zenobia : "You'd always have your other brother..."

Iskandar : <chuckle> "Given a choice between Honor, Wealth, Respect and Work.... and Honor, Wealth and Play, he chose to exit the succession and enjoy luxury and indulgence.  The Eyes of the Crown report he is happily ensconced in his estate. I confess as I work, I do envy him some. I understand he uses his stipend to be the patron of the arts world in Tehran. While he drinks to much, thankfully he has not taken to the opium pipe, merely ladies of convenience. I suppose I am overdue to call him.

Zenobia : "Of course you are.  You should probably also call the Foreign ministry about this upcoming visit."

Iskandar : "My predecessors admonish that summoning ministers to a meeting too often can annoy and chafe them, but the pomp and gravitas of the setting yields returns in expectations. A simple phone call has less urgency and, well, command. So I will summon the various ministers jointly. I should add the Navy as well. I want to ensure we send Shirin on some appropriate vessel, or vessels. I am loath to send an Heir where they would be a target of opportunity.

Zenobia : "You keep talking of replicating Wilno's world tour, is this the time, send Shirin off to visit foreign ports, stopping in Azteca?"

Iskandar : "Of the Heirs she is most suitable. The others for various reasons are not free at this time. However, I do not think with this timeline it would work to arrange. I am concerned about how to transport her there safely and back"

Zenobia : "Why would that be a concern ?"

Iskandar : "Mayans. They do not seem wholly rationale. We have tolerated an arms trade supporting an insurgency in their South Erica holdings, and offered material support to the Japanese Navy in transiting the Pacific. I understand they have a deep hostility towards Azteca, and they may object to steps that would create more ties between Parthia and Azteca.

Zenobia :  "Unless I dramatically misunderstand something, it would be foolish of the Mayans to provoke Parthia. Is that not so?"

Iskandar : "Oh that still stands, we believe ourselves comfortably superior. Certainly we can evict them from South Erika if we choose. However it would spill a great deal of Parthian blood over jungle of dubious value. There would have to be some greater long term reason to justify asking our soldiers to take that risk there.  My concern is that the Mayans seem to be agents of Angra Mainyu and may simply wish to distress their foes.

Zenobia : "Then send a force they can not defeat."

Iskandar : "Ah my lovely, that's the question of finesse, we are not trying to overawe our Aztec hosts, simply transport a Princess. I think some powerful and fast ships would be best, able to destroy any small force that attacks, or run from a large."

Zenobia : "What are you thinking of my dear ?"

Iskandar : "Ahh, remember it is my task to challenge my subordinates to come up with the suitable answer for that. I will simply review and reject those answers that are not satisfactory. That is why I will be requiring the Naval Minister's presence."

Zenobia : "Sounds satisfactory. Now, since you have finished delegating, I believe you have some time open for us to walk the grounds?"

Iskandar : "Technically, I have to tell give the orders for the meeting, but afterwards, I do indeed"


Thus started the wheels in motion for Princess Shirin and Lady Aspas's visit to Azteca.

Eventually the Homefleet would detail a the Zemaka and Avio Aristabara with 2 Royal Nissean cruisers, 2 Ranger sentry cruisers, 8 Vakharz destroyers.  The flight deck cruiser Avio Aristabara carried fewer pilots and support crew to make room for the Royal party. At Dumai, the Vakharz turned back while 6 Babr took over escort duties.

In the event, the Mayans offered no objection.


* Wiki says Herodotus stated it.
** Looking at the flying boats available 1926-1929, a range of ~600nm / 1000km seems about right, but would only get halfway from Parthia to territories in Africa or Ceylon.
*** Protocol – the Emperor hangs up on you, not the other way around.
**** Parthian name for Ahura Mazda. When the Muslims conquered the Sassanian Empire in the 650s-700s they decided Zorastorians were 'People of the Book' along with Jews and Christians. Which somewhat meant they worshiped the right god, but were not fully enlightened and so did it wrong... and paid a penalty tax as a result.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Time, as it is wont to do, wound on.  Preparations were made, tutoring was provided, briefings presented.  Finally,  Princess Shirin of House Arascid and Lady Aspas of House Suren found themselves headed for Tis on Chabahar Bay.  Known to history as Tiz, it had once fallen to Alexander the Great, but sometime along the millennia, the name had changed. Tall white cliffs guard the entrance to the great bay.  These formed promontories which narrowed the mouth of the bay to 10km wide, but beyond the great body of water stretched 16 km North, and over 20 km East to West.  To the west, the shallows gave way to mangrove swamps backed by plains which led to another bay. The Parthian Naval Gunnery School had it's home here.  To the North, the Coastal plain stretched 20km further to a rugged mountainous ridgeline, from which quanats took water to the plain. To the East, the villages of Tis and Chabahar sat south of a broad plateau, topped by an old but heavily modernized fortress. Indeed, The harbor and it's approaches was aggressively patrolled, Guns bore seaward and the reverse  slopes, fortifications dotted the hills, remote minefields were laid, and other defenses provided, for North of the old fortress, at the base of the plateau, lay the Home Fleet's base. A great turning basin and harbor had been dug from the coastal plain in the delta of a seasonal river. Several airstrips provided basing for the fighters and scouts of the fleet.

The pair were to be embarked on the Avio Aristabara, one of the newest vessels in the fleet.  Two heavy gun turrets forward were overlooked by the flight deck covering the rest of the vessel. Several planes, their crews and maintenance staff were offloaded, and some cabin renovation attempted to make quarters more suitable for Royal travel. With the Lady Aspas now elevated to the part of Principal, and so no longer could serve as an official chaperon.  For such an expedition, the somewhat austere choices of the two principals was deemed insufficiently prepared. As such two new young ladies were provided, and a trio of servants each, and an extensive wardrobe. However, the foreign ministry absolutely did not view bringing their own horses as appropriate. Further, against Shirin's wishes, the Emperor had directed that she choose four Rangers from her unit to pull off the frontier and serve as Guardians on the trip, so she chose four blooded veterans. Strong and lean like most Rangers, none of them had been on board ship before, and at least one would desperately wish for the next week they had never gone to sea. However, it was not until that sad occasion when they disembarked in San Diego that they realized they would all to soon have to reembark and steam back to Parthia.

The were accompanied by the armored cruiser Zemaka, a pair of Royal Nissean cruisers, a pair of  Ranger sentry cruisers, and eight  Vakharz destroyers. 

Setting forth from the Bay, the fleet made it's way South, keeping well clear of Rajasthani or Deccan waters, rounded Kandy (Ceylon) and made for the Island of Sumatra. The Pacific fleet base of Dumai was not nearly as impressive as that of the Home Fleet. Located on the Straits of Malacca, a narrow 7km wide and 70km long strait separated the island of Rapat from Sumatra at this point, and Dumai was near the midpoint. The long confined waters had been viewed as defensible, and the 250km distance from the Eastern mouth of the Straits meant surprise was viewed as unlikely. While Tarakan and then Brunei, with their oil, had been the original fleet bases, the developments on Sumatra meant that the fleet could easily be kept in supply here. Topping off their fuel bunkers the fleet then set out to pass Brunei and then South past the Philippines, heading through the island chains. The view from the top decks of the twin command towers of a Parthian Carrier became a favored place to watch sunrises and sunsets, while the broad hanger and flight deck expanses meant there was plenty of time for fitness and martial arts. Lady Aspas found the the vessel had a darkroom for developing reconnaissance images, but this also meant she could practice what might be her new hobby. Overall, the ship's facilities for more genteel pursuits was very limited, but the various sedentary entertainments brought along did help pass the time. 

When the Parthians had evicted the pirates who had captured it and restored the Kingdom of Hawaii, they had not been interested in rule so much as the Harbor. As such the protectorate treaty with the Kingdom of Hawaii had limited Parthian expansion, but they had developed the treaty regions granted them extensively. The disparity between the two had led to some mild friction and envy. The Kingdom of Hawaii was prosperous thanks to a viable mercantile trade. Still, the Kingdom had been making inquiries of what a treaty providing for Parthian investment in developing the remainder of the islands would entail, but apparently the answers were yet to be satisfactory to both sides.  The arrival of the Royal party was occasion to make a official visit to the King, and partake in their celebrations.

Their time at Pearl concluded, the vessels sliced through the ocean to the Northeast, steaming a further 2200nm, then, several hundred miles off San Diego, the Parthian scoutplanes were encountered by the Aztec scoutplanes, as the 2nd Carrier Scout Group consisting of HMS Martinique, HMS Zoraster, HMS Chapala, HMS Montibello, the Flag (HMS Dragoon), and the J Flotilla (The 4 J-class Long-Range Fleet DDs. The Commander Air Group, Acting, Prince Ali, had been hoping to find the Parthians and escort them in. This proved a delightful surprise as intended. The combined task force sailed into San Diego Harbor less than a day later.

[Kaiser Kirk]

The Royal Expeditionary Squadron, for lack of any official designation, included the interim "Royal Yacht"* otherwise known as the Aviation Cruiser Avio Aristabara , the armored cruiser Zemaka,  a pair of Royal Nissean cruisers, a pair of Ranger sentry cruisers, and eight  Vakharz destroyers. The intervention, direct or indirect, of the Mayans into the equation was disconcerting. The closest Parthian forces were a squadron 1800nm away in Peris Bay (San Francisco), a merchant free port in Nuka Hiva, and Cruisers in Pearl Harbor...in addition to patrol frigates somewhere in the Pacific.  However, the squadron composition had meant to ensure that it could run or fight.   The  squadron could comfortably make 29 knots in sprints, and had fuel for long distances. 


*Parthian royalty does not normally take ship for affairs of state, so there had previously been no need for such a vessel. Not wanting to dedicate elements of the battleline with flag accommodations, the Aviation Cruiser  had stood in. While lacking part of the airgroup, the fighters and scouts remaining provided some surety for the fleet.

[Kaiser Kirk]

The Azteca portion of their sojourn completed, the Royal Expeditionary Squadron having transited the Wilno Merica Canal, refueling was in order offset the burn from the high speed steam offshore of the Central Merica coast. 

The Trinadad squadron, led by the old Sparabara class Armored cruisers and including a pair of small tankers, had arranged to wait for the Squadron at the Eastern side of the Canal Zone. The oil wells at Trinadad were matched by a refinery, which supported the airbase and burgeoning fleet base, and facilitated sending oilers to top off tanks.  Suitably topped off, the Parthian squadron proceeded to Trinadad, and thence to Ria.

The arrival of a Heir was a momentous one, demanding banquets at each location, and a royal tour of the countryside. The transit to Cape Town was easy, spared of storms. With arrival was also a ceremony. The previous trip from Wilno to Parthia had called along the African Coast, and had also put in at Cape Town. As such, the arrival at Cape Town meant Princess Shirin had been the first member of the Royal Family to circumnavigate the world.  For Aspas, while possibly the first member of House Suren, the first Great House to circumnavigate was the nautically inclined House Mihrin.  A mildly embarrassing ceremony was held on board for a the new holders of this honor – , but the Satrap of Ibayha had seen to a commemorative medallion for Shirin, and Aspas.  and arranged for a medals to be struck for those in the squadron who merited them, to be placed on their sash as a personal mark.

The journey from there departed the shores of Afrika to swing East of Byzantine Madagascar and steam to the Parthian Gulf and Bushere.

[Kaiser Kirk]

In the early 1800s, Parthian trade had been primarily overland, or subject to the trade winds, but sufficed to link them to the nations of India, and all those states touching the seas nearby, from the Empire of China to the Sultate of Kilwa, from the Great States of Europe to the Javanese states, with occasional travel beyond.   With the days of steam, trade expanded, but simple transit of cargo was the primary concern.  Four key things changed this, the invention of the oil tanker on the Caspian, and the associated overland pipeline, both of which meant that the oil – concentrated energy- of Baku could reach states across oceans, the contingent expansion of trade, and the scholarly works suggesting that that dramatic returns in trade could be made by overseas investment.  The Parthian expansion, seeking to emulate the long ago cities of Alexander by injecting oil capital and spurring trade and industry, was matched by other nations. Demand for overseas trade had soared. Small freighters had been joined by large freighters, tankers, and particularly cargo-liners. The cargo-liners served the typical needs of transport for mercantile or bureaucratic needs. The Government, realizing it had need for a fast cargo-liner on demand, that could steam unescorted in potentially hostile waters, built the two Royal Mail courier cruisers.

As wealth and vested interests bloomed, and travel to 'tour' the great states of the world became a matter of interest, a more opulent means of travel became desired, and some shipping firms started proffering 'ocean liners', which could transport VIPs, a variety of workers, and of course still held priority cargo, but steamed at a higher rate with more luxuries such as climate control, stewards, and cooks that did not turn vegetables grey and sodden. Powered by oil-fired turbines and displacing as much as some armored cruisers, fuel economy kept most to 18-22 knots, seeking to quickly reach such far off ports as Shanghai or Tokio, Rotterdam or Londinium, all requiring a range of about 6600nm. Longer journeys would require a reduction in speed to more economical rates, or refueling.

House Suren, Second House of Parthia, lords of the Southeast, custodians of the rich trade routes to Rajasthan, owned no liners. It was, however, a trivial matter for the family purse to charter a medium liner.  For the Head of House Suren, Pacores Suren, to ensure his family and honored guests – including the Princess Royal and a member of each of the other Six Great Houses, this was exactly what he did. Aspas Suren was his fourth child, and like many of her predecessors was marrying into a Royal House, a matter of no small pride.  Additionally, she had proven herself a fine example of House Suren, having finished her national service, she had excelled in the medical fields, securing a position as Doctor conducting research at the prestigious Academy of Gondishapur. Aspas was a favored daughter, having been a conscientious child and now an adult who brought honor to herself and her house, while serving the greater good. Honoring her union was of importance.

It was in this background that the liner Gedrosia departed the port of Shahid Bahonar, serving the city of Abbas, and headed for Wilno. The waters ahead were safe, but with Princess Royal and the House Head on board, a naval escort was provided, with the two newest of the Royal Nissean  cruisers detailed to proceed and trail the liner as the formation proceeded at 18 knots. The formation would have to slow to pass smaller vessels, and for the Byzantine canal*. With Malta 3800nm and 9 days away, it formed a suitable midpoint and arrangements had been made to make a port call. Refreshed it would be a mere 1000nm to the fabled Gates of Gibraltar, and a total of 3400nm to Wilno.  The heavy commerce of the Channel and Baltic would lead to another speed reduction, but the Wilno navy had promised to send a guide vessel.

*First built of course by Darius the Great 522-486BCE...or at least so he claimed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suez_inscriptions_of_Darius_the_Great

[Jefgte]

Reported on the approach to Aden, the Royal Parthian Squadron is escorted by 2 Byzantine divisions of flagged TGB550 until the entrance to the Red Sea.
Shortly after Mayun Island, the 4 TGBs were relieved by 3 divisions of T500M class torpedo boats (12 ships).
2 torpedo boats at the front and 2 others bringing up the rear and a division on each side. T500M are also flagged because of the Royal Princess.
The changeover is spectacular and noisy as the 12 torpedo boats move at full speed, all sirens blaring.
As night falls, all ships light up brilliantly.
Byzantine torpedo boats escort the Royal Parthian Squadron to the entrance to the Suez Canal.
At the exit of the Suez Canal, the cruisers Jama and Jaskoy escort the Parthian ships to Malta.

[The Rock Doctor]

Those wacky Byzantines.

[Kaiser Kirk]

This somewhat falls in the 'no I don't expect folks to read it' to long and boring. But it displays in part my head-cannon for how Parthia works- benevolent autocrat, functional bureaucracy, and a democratic system designed to be conservative.  I've meant to post similar ages ago. Shirin's dowry just gives occasion to highlight the economic successes of Parthia as part of the Emperor's argument to trust his chosen path.   


The shortest day of the year marked many things. Feasts, ceremonies, religious festivals among them.
For the Parthian government, it marked the change in the fiscal calendar, and changes in the High and Low Houses which formed the joint committees from which ministers were drawn.

The members of the High House changed little as they were scions of Noble Houses and luminaries of the populace that had earned recognition – such as former ministers. The Lower House changed more as some members retired, or the effects of rarely lost elections emptied seats, and they were replaced. The senior members of each council of the Satrapy (Principality/Region) moved up, to be replaced by the senior members of the Provincial councils who were in turn replaced by the senior members of the City and Shire council – the level at which they ultimately stood for election, and in some ways had the most say.

Tradition dictated that Ministers be chosen from the joint standing committees by the King of Kings, leaving a void to be filled. Experience had long shown that even the best Minister should be limited in length of service. The incompetent could be replaced, the adequate allowed to serve out their term, and the extraordinary given glory and honor, enobled (if not) and entrusted with other tasks. All of  these retirements and replacements slowly resulted in changes to the standing committees.  Who chose to contend for these committees was a matter for the Houses, not the King of Kings.

These changes in committee membership necessitated inaugural meetings between the King of Kings, the pertinent Minister for that branch, and always the Ministers of the Treasury and that of of Engineering. The latter two helped define the realistic options available, what could be paid for and what could be done and in what time frame.  This helped inform the new committee members as to what had been done, what was planned, and why.

Today's meeting was with the Budget Committee, where the Empire's spending plans were being discussed. The ever escalating military budget was a source of consternation for several of the new Committee members, recently risen from Satrapy level, as was Iskandar's proposal for a sizable dowry for Princess Shirin. The newer members of the committee questioned the ever increasing rise in military expenditures in the absence of a war, and like many thought Iskandar's Dowry proposal excessive.   The seniority driven mechanism of advancement meant the new members viewpoints been known, but in this setting they could be given voice and addressed.

Iskandar chose to address some of the concerns directly:
"Honored representatives, for members both new and old -  objections and questions are welcomed. Challenges to established thought may illuminate flaws, or missed paths.  The strong and honorable can accept criticism and adopt the ideas of others, only the weak and craven hide from truth. Papering over flaws in a foundation merely allows it to fail when tested.  The vision for the Empire is the same as it should always be – bequeath to those that come after us a prosperous and secure land celebrating the light of knowledge and the flame of truth.

When I took the Throne in 1908, I commenced a program of expansion. The theoretical basis was the tome 'Economics of Thassalacratic States, Mercantilism and trade ' and the associated works regarding it. I had studied these, but I formed a commision to study how to implement it.  The state's share of mineral wealth had blossomed under my father as pipelines and tankers allowed us to supplant whale oil globally. Our census revealed the benefits of improved medical care and artificial fertilizers was a better fed and healthier populace that survived childhood at a greater rate and lived somewhat longer, a trajectory which threatened to swell our population- as it has- and provide more demand on housing, employment, and critically food and water than we eventually could provide.  Curiously we also faced the problem of how to expend the fund from the exports without distorting our economy greatly, raising incomes competing for the same goods theoretically may just make those goods rise in cost, eliminating the advantage for those that had rising incomes, but making those that did not benefit actually able to buy less. Creating make work jobs is the obvious answer, but consumes budgetary resources without any long term benefit for the people and state.

So, we have bolstered the Army and Navy, and expanded globally to lands lightly populated where we could follow the ways of  Iskandar the Great (Alexander), founding communities which relieve our population problems before they become critical.  As we have two thousand years of managing to prosper where water is scare, we can leave the best sites to the locals, we can take areas better fit to transport and rely on our hydraulic engineering to provide water and so crops. These cities, much like the ancient Hellenes, can serve as hubs for trade, learning, and improvements for the existing peoples.  The access to the expanded local resources, transported easily by rail and ship, and protected by our Navy, provides what used to be scarce.  Things hard to craft, now are easy, and goods move freely across our internal borders, bringing prosperity."

Fielding questions for some minutes, Iskandar pauses and asks his Treasury minister the questions he had foreseen-
Iskandar : "Twenty years ago, when we embarked on my vision, what proportion of the discretionary budget did the military take?...and what proportion does it now?"

Treasurer : "Twenty years ago, in 1910, upkeep for the Military, combined with new expenditures, took up nearly 70% of the discretionary budget.  For this budget year, the projection is 38% of the discretionary budget.
Iskandar : "Over the next two years, the dowry I have proposed for Shirin is considerable. That has led to some questions from this committee. First I wish to remind all, the point is not only to honor and support my sister, which it does, but also to make a multi-part foreign policy statement. I wish to provide a clear example that Prince Ali and Princess Shirin's match bring benefits to the people of Azteca, by helping their territories bloom under their Sultan's guidance, while demonstrating to the globe that Parthia is not just a respectable military presence, but also has economic heft....so Minister
what proportion of our discretionary budget am I proposing to divert? 

Treasurer : "A shade over 5% for two years Sire.  If  compared to the discretionary revenues over the course of your reign, roughly 0.3%, which is considerably less than the Royal share."
Iskandar : "Since I began Parthia's expansion, over the the past twenty years, how has the discretionary budget fared?"
Treasurer : "Economic growth has meant that discretionary revenues have increased a bit over 540% since the beginning of your range, and 535% in the past twenty."
Iskandar turns to the Engineering minister : "The metrics on heavy industry, the foundation of the economy, how have they fared, again twenty years ?"

Engineering : " Sire, differing categories have different answers, particularly in smelting where new techniques and demand have led to some ores becoming viable and thus utilization dramatically increasing.  As a rough single answer, weighted by tax value, is 250%. Light industry in the Old  :-[ has only increased by 15%, but across the Empire, light industry is 320% of what it was. This employs tremendous amount of people both in the Old and the New."

Iskandar turned back to the committee : "That is the truth of the choices made. Perhaps we could have done better, there have certainly been challenges, and an unending demand for more funding for favored causes. But we must focus on the truth that is, and the best knowledge of the future to move forward. Let us discuss remaining concerns, and then you may make documentation requests to illuminate what is still dark.

...discussion continued.