The Tale of Princess Fatima, Warrior Woman
Page 9
The next day, Fatima and her father rode with Zalim and Walid to meet Mansur. Together they entered his palace, bowing in front of him. Mansur had dressed in his ceremonial robes in their honor. When they were seated, he ensured that they should receive whatever they requested. He honored everyone in their party, but especially Fatima, for her role in making their appearance possible. When they departed, they were pleased with the meeting and the gifts they had been given, but Walid looked at his cousin darkly.
That evening, Walid and Zalim were alone. Walid sighed deeply, and Zalim responded with an equally deep sigh.
“Son, what can I do to help you?”
“Intercede on my behalf so she will meet with me.”
“I know how we can make that happen.”
“How?”
“Ask the caliph’s agent to help. Now, while we are in the caliph’s good graces.”
Walid went then and there to ʿAbdullah’s pavilion. He was admitted, and entered, bowing. They exchanged greetings and then ʿAbdullah spoke: “You look troubled.”
Walid told his story. The agent had already heard of the sorry affair during his travels with the Bani Kilab.
“Relax, Walid. Let us consult with the caliph’s adviser to see what he thinks we should do.”
Walid followed ʿAbdullah into the palace complex and into the home of the caliph’s adviser. After they had all taken their seats, the adviser asked, “What is it that brings you here?”
ʿAbdullah summarized for him the story of Walid and his cousin, concluding, “We came, Sir, to request your assistance in bringing Walid and Fatima together in marriage. All we want is to restore harmony in this troubled family. It is in the general interest, and in the particular interest of the caliph, should he wish to employ the Bani Kilab on some errand or mission.”
“Very well.” Turning to Walid, he added, “Take heart.”
“Thank you, Sir. I am indebted to you.”
Walid returned to his father and informed him of what had transpired. On hearing the adviser’s words, Zalim replied, “She’s yours! Tomorrow I will go with you to help out.”
The next morning, the adviser went to the caliph and was invited to sit. He addressed Mansur: “Commander of the Faithful, as Imam of the believers, you are in a position to judge among them.” He summarized the story of Walid and his cousin, concluding, “So you see, Walid wants to marry his cousin. As you know, an unwed woman can cause a great deal of strife and unrest in any community. It is in the interest of all, therefore, to see her happily provided for, and the community thereby strengthened in unity and purpose.”
“Indeed, it is my duty to ensure everyone’s happiness in this matter.”
ʿAbdullah soon brought together Mazlum and Fatima, as well as Zalim and Walid and the chief elders of their clans. All officially attired, they were directed into the presence of the caliph. There they were invited to seat themselves, and trays of colorful delicacies were offered to them. Mansur directed the conversation to light topics and was in such good spirits that he threw his head back and roared with laughter. When everyone had finished their meal, the adviser spoke up: “Sire, it is generally accepted that God, possessor of all the most beautiful attributes, when He saw Adam all alone, created Eve for him from his right side. He saw fit for them to marry.” He recited several Quranic texts and bits of wisdom pertaining to marriage before continuing. “And this Walid here, of the noble Kilabi family, hopes to marry his equally well-born cousin here.”
Mansur replied, “And who would stand in his way? He has first rights to her! No one deserves her more!”
“She herself is disinclined, Sire.”
“Oh, surely she does not really mean that, since the Almighty has decreed marriage, after all.” Mansur turned to her: “Fatima?”
“At your service, Your Majesty.” She stood, knowing what he would ask of her.
“Why is it that you put off your cousin’s proposal of marriage, when he is the closest match among your kin?”
“God keep you, Sire, I do not return his feelings. Nor do I have such feelings for any other. You have my word: I am a woman who does not seek intimacy with men. It seems to me that God does not mean for me to be hidden away or confined. As you see, I like to fight. I am accustomed to swords and spears, not women’s quarters. Caliph of the Merciful, my sword is my home.4 The dust provides my cosmetics. My horse is my family. What would I do with Walid or with any man?”
Mansur guffawed, and Walid stood to press his suit. “Commander of the Faithful, I swear that I will marry her in full agreement with the condition that she shall be as the heaven I look upon, not the earth I tread upon.”
Mansur spoke to Fatima, “God, may He be praised, made women for men in all His wisdom. A woman has none but her husband to protect her from others’ gazes. This is your cousin, and he promises you protection. Heed your imam’s command, and be reconciled to your cousin. For the caliph judges as God’s agent for the believers. As the scriptures say, To those who believe, Obey God, the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you.5 And I will endorse the marriage contract myself!”
Fatima was silent, and Zalim said, “Her silence is her consent.”
Then Mansur turned to one of the elders, who had legal training, and said to him, “I hereby witness the marriage of Walid and his cousin Fatima.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Tears ran down Fatima’s cheeks. Mansur completed the arrangements, distributed gifts, and designated that day for celebration. At the end of the day, Fatima sat alone in her pavilion, and Walid sat in his.
ARAB-BYZANTINE ENCOUNTERS1
Several days later, the caliph Mansur received news that the Rum were gathering at the border of the Islamic empire.2 More than seven hundred thousand soldiers had departed Constantinople. The cause of this activity was Emperor Leo’s daughter Malatya, who had become a brave and capable warrior.3 Like Fatima, no one among her own people could rival her on the battlefield. She attended her father’s council room every day, sitting behind a screen and wearing a white cotton headdress, according to the custom of women in Byzantium. One day when the council was in session, someone mentioned Muslim expansion. Some Muslims had built a mosque in Constantinople, and one could hear the call to prayer from its minaret. When the council was ended, and the room empty, Malatya requested permission from her father to lead his forces in the border region, saying, “I will perform deeds that will go down in history. I shall bring you new lands that you can rule as you please.”
Leo smiled. “By the Messiah, you’re certainly capable. We should be able to take their lands now, because they are all divided over internal struggles. If you are determined, then I will provide the funds and turn the armies over to you.”
The next morning, Malatya’s announcement spread through Constantinople: those who wanted to raid the lands of the Muslims were to join the ranks of Princess Malatya. Then she called for tents and was brought a pavilion of Rumi silk for herself. The storehouses were opened for all manner of supplies: weapons, cloth, drums, banners, and silk flags. People began arranging their affairs to support the war effort. Leaders came to visit the palace, offering their services for the impending departure. Leo explained that this was his daughter’s project and that she was empowered with authority equal to his own: “Those who obey her, obey me. And those who counter her, it is as though they have countered me.” Then he distributed among them coins, weapons, and equipment. “Repair yourselves to the lands of the Muslims. It should take you approximately three days.”
Princess Malatya kneeled before the head bishop for his blessing. The bishop recited a chapter from the Greek Bible, and then several priests gathered around, praying and making the sign of the cross over Malatya. Following this ceremony, Malatya joined her camp outside the city walls. The camp remained there for four days, as forces from throughout the empire came to join Malatya
.
When the troops numbered seven hundred thousand, Leo was pleased. He added the commander Armawil, who was notable in combat, saying, “Stay with my daughter and protect her from the events of fate. Plans can go awry. Should something happen to her, such as illness, the troops will be in your hands.”
Malatya’s sister Bagha also joined the expedition, and their father left them with the parting words, “I leave you in the care of the Messiah.” Malatya set out, followed by multitudes of fighters. The horses pranced, and people along the way noticed their enthusiasm. Many Christians joined the ranks, whereas Muslims watched the growing army with concern. After crossing the Badnun River, the army came upon a great meadow with fresh water and wild flowers. It was early spring, and Malatya was so taken with the beautiful place that she announced to her advisers: “I have decided to build a city here in my name for ages to come, just as my grandfather built Constantinople in his own name.”4
The city was built in five months, the city gates studded with iron. Then Malatya had a fortified citadel built on the highest hill in the city. Within this complex was her palace, containing her treasury. Her sister Bagha called for three citadels to be built around Malatya, the first of which she named for herself. Malatya then instructed Armawil, who was also her cousin, to take up residence in the citadel called Bagha. “The whole city is under your protection. Take good care of it in my absence. I am setting out to raid the Muslim lands. When I send back the spoils, you are to place them in the treasury.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
Malatya set out to take a city called Amida, leaving Armawil with four thousand soldiers and Bagha with three thousand.5 When the ruler of Amida received word of Malatya and her army approaching, he wrote to inform Mansur of the situation:
Commander of the Faithful,
The circumstances defy description. Malatya has thousands of troops with her. Do not forget your duty to protect all Muslim lands. Amida is under siege, and the enemy is too numerous to count.
When Mansur received the message, he was distraught. He turned to his adviser, saying, “This is horrendous. If I fail to protect Amida, then I will lose the unity and stability we have so recently achieved.”
“Your Majesty, on your very doorstep today, there are one hundred sixty thousand trained troops with Bani Kilab. Why don’t you call for war against the enemy?”
“Yes!”
Zalim, Mazlum, and Fatima came at Mansur’s summons, and Mansur addressed them: “Gentlemen, your ancestor Sahsah was—in the days of the Umayyads—the one who kept our enemies in check. Now it seems that Malatya, daughter of the Byzantine emperor, has united a large number of fighters from throughout the Christian lands and brought them down upon the Muslim lands. They are near Amida now. I beseech you to take action. What say you?”
No sooner had everyone heard his words than they began exclaiming loudly in sympathy with the people of Amida. Fatima stood and addressed the room: “When the Commander of the Faithful calls for someone to march against an enemy, we are obliged to do so. It is our duty to protect our leader and our people. Your Majesty, we will set out first thing tomorrow. May you hear glad tidings of Amida soon.”
Mansur beamed at her, saying, “You are a wonder! May God protect you all. This mission is of the utmost urgency.” At these words, everyone departed to make arrangements for travel and for battle.
* * *
—
When she left her city in the care of her cousin Armawil, Princess Malatya had instructed him, “Do not open the gates for anyone unless you see this cross of mine—it is one of a kind.” Then she and her troops had traveled to Amida. Her people had worked carefully together, setting up catapults around the city walls. The people of Amida hurriedly clambered up the walls within the fortifications. There they met the first Rum soldiers from Byzantium, who routed several detachments and began destroying the houses and claiming captives.
As the ruler of Amida looked on, he advised his fighters to be patient and do their best to resist and hold out as long as possible because he had written to the caliph for assistance: “Protect your families and make us proud!”
Malatya approached the walls and looked up to see the people of Amida fiercely determined to keep their city. They held quality weapons, including Hindi curved blades from India, and the walls were dotted with leather shields. They called out as one the shahada, a chant that united them: La īlaha īll Allah Muhammad rasul Allah / No God but God, and Muhammad, Prophet of God!
Malatya’s rage rose at this defiance. She commanded her soldiers to demolish the entire city, but when they neared the walls, stones fell upon them from mini catapults and they retreated, unable to enter. Malatya commanded her soldiers to march around the city, and so they surrounded it like the white of an eye surrounds the iris. From the walls rained spears and stones, flung from mini catapults, until the sun set like a great eye closing. Malatya called together her commanders and advised them, “I say that we leave them under siege for a few days.” Amida remained under siege for thirty days, but it felt like a single, endless day under Malatya’s relentless onslaught.
The Bani Kilab and their united forces departed in formation from Baghdad, and when they arrived at Nusaybin, they saw that the people were terrified.6 They asked them about the situation, and the inhabitants told them of their experiences with the Rum. There were incursions every day: “They have wiped out the men and captured women, children, and our prize fighters. Yesterday spies from the Rum army arrived and informed us that Amida will soon fall because it is running out of people to defend it. They said that Malatya has gathered captives from all around here, and she and her sister Bagha are having them transported to Emperor Leo of the Rum. There’s an army of ten thousand soldiers guarding the prisoners. Malatya sent them all away when she heard of your approach from Iraq. She reckons that if she beats you, this whole region will be hers. We have been waiting for you to save us from this misery. Otherwise we would have left by now.”
The faces of ʿAbdullah and the newcomers grew troubled. One of the older men of the Bani Sulaym, Husayn bin Thaʿlab, was known for his wisdom and timely words. He said, “Here is what I think: I suggest that we split into two forces. The first goes to Amida. The second, which I could lead, will go to the nearest road to overtake the prisoners and rescue them from that despicable Bagha before she takes them abroad. If God helps and we manage to accomplish this, we will then approach Amida from behind, catching them by surprise. This way we will have control of their roads and their wealth. May God give victory to whom he will. We seek God’s help in all things.”
When the people heard his idea, they cried, “You’re right!”
ʿAbdullah said, “These are not actions to delay. Who do you want to go with you?”
Fatima spoke up: “Captain, we will go with him and do all you ask.”
“Thank you, Delhimma. In return, I will send with you whomever you want.”
“I don’t want you to send anyone with us except my father, Mazlum, my uncle Zalim, his son Walid, and the other men of Bani Kilab. Together we will take on Bagha’s ten thousand. Even if they were lions, we could route them all. There is just one thing. . . .”
“Tell me.”
“We shall travel by night to avoid detection. Armies are not free of spies, and we don’t want anyone informing them of our actions and ruining the surprise.”
ʿAbdullah replied, “Good thinking. Take your troops and go with my cousin Husayn when night falls. I will travel with the rest of the Arabs to Amida to seek victory.”
The people of Bani Kilab returned to their tents. There they made their plans in secret, packing their gear and making preparations until it grew dark. Together with Husayn, they rode in search of the captives and the despicable Bagha. As for ʿAbdullah, he set out in the morning with all the remaining tribes of Arabia and armies of Iraq, their intentions clear and their heart
s hopeful.
* * *
—
Princess Bagha rode alongside the captives toward the land of the Rum. She accompanied the chained prisoners to ensure the security of the loot and of the women and children. She spotted a cloud of dust in the distance. It grew to become an army spanning the horizon and nearly blocking out the sun. They wore Davidian armor, straight swords, curved blades from India, and Qatif spears and rode horses of pure Arabian stock.7 The sight of their approach was like a burning ember. Bagha was delighted and said to herself, By our Lady and the Church, these soldiers have been sent to help us take the Muslim lands and convert the Muslims!
No sooner had she completed this thought than the dust shifted, revealing the warriors of Bani Kilab. Riding at their head like a lioness was Delhimma, while Walid and his father rode steeds like great lions. The wild prairie rang with their exclamations in Arabic. The Rum were stunned. Bagha screamed, “You idiots! They’re Muslims! How did they get around us to come at us from the front like devils?”
* * *
—
The Muslim army had traveled tirelessly through the wilderness day and night in an effort to reach the captives before it was too late. As the prisoners saw their approach, they noticed the Abbasid flags and heard the Arabic exclamations with renewed hope.
The Bani Kilab attacked the Rum, the steel of their swords ringing and their horses meeting like a rush of thunder. Bagha screamed and rushed forward, felling a Kilabi warrior in a matter of moments. When Princess Fatima saw this, she was overcome by nakhwat al-ʿArab, the “pride of the Arabs.” She confronted Bagha like fire upon wood, driving her back until she finally struck her near her shoulder. As she removed her shining sword, the tide turned. The Bani Kilab warriors took heart, and the Rum soldiers blanched and fled. The Kilabis freed the prisoners from their ropes and cords and stowed away the wealth. There wasn’t a man who wasn’t impressed by Princess Fatima’s quick and fierce action, like a dangerous lioness, and Walid’s infatuation grew.