Court of the Caliph of Islam

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"Because those of us that fought, fought alone for so long, with the charity of the Khan aiding us mightily, the destruction of the army of Castille, if the reports are true, has cost us greatly.

Odchigin Sacha, if we could continue the fight, I believe it would be worth the cost to free our brothers.

However, there is a new risk, that the dangers warned of by the Alim for Egypt and the Alim from the Ottomans, though once preventable, might now come to pass. Do we risk (Ack, argh) losing the Maghrib? Do we risk losing all of Africa?

Caliph, for that reason alone it would seem that we would should consider what options exist for peace.....(cough, cough)"

The elderly Alim continued coughing for an extended time, but held one finger aloft to indicate that he had not finished his point. When his breath returned to him, he finished:

"Except....except that there is no guarantee that our enemies will now accept peace. Other nations may join Castile, seeing Dar Islam as weak, and easy prey. We may offer what peace we can, but it may fall upon deaf ears.

Thus, even if we abandon our brothers in Al-Andalus, their overlords may continue to make war against us (hack).

Caliph, I submit to you that the only way to make peace is to show that we still have the determination and resources to continue the war.

I would ask that all of people contribute what they can. Even the simplest of gestures by the Osmanli, sending their war ships to keep the infidels confined to their shores, would be a tremendous boon. With the Catholic armies bottled up in Iberia and Italia, and the long and wearisome road of war extending into the unforseeable future, I believe we could negotiate the peace we all seek.

To do less, and I feel it would fall upon deaf ears. We cannot let those who sacrificed themselves for their brothers in Granada die in vain. (cough, cough) We must protect our homelands and keep the invaders at bay.

Then, and only then I believe (hack) can we secure a lasting peace."

Exhausted from emotion and exertion, the old Alim had to be helped to his seat, but his one final response to the Mongol was:

"If you ask should we try to end the war, I answer that we should. But in order to end it, I know that our brothers must answer the call to jihad, so that we can negotiate our peace from stength.

To do any less dishonors the dead, and threatens the free people of Egypt, Morrocco, Algiers, and Fez."

 

[Prince Eugene]

Tuna Artun was outraged:

"The words of Omar al-Andalus are sarcastic and not worthy of the being spoken in the presence of any of us!

I shall not further speak in the name of the sultan, but I believe I can now say that any requests for aid truly will be turned upon deaf ears. Apparently Omar al-Andalus does not know the difference between the late Caliph and the Sultan. The foreign policy of the Osmanli Empire is very different from that of the Islamic Caliphate.

What have we seen in the so-called Almohad Empire? We have seen trickery and deception, and at the same time we have seen poor management of the war and poor handling of diplomacy. The Almohads turned the once friendly Osmanlis into an isolated nation which despises their little "empire."

All through history we have seen cowards who deny the truth and this is not going to change in the future. I will not speak further on this matter unless provoked."

 

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"Apparently both the late Caliph and your Sultan felt the same way, as our attempts to confer on this issue were deemed, as you said, ' not worthy of the being spoken in the presence of any of us'. Attempts were made to speak to both not simply one or the other, so how is that I could mistake them?.

I would never so dishonor a brother in Allah the way in which this Alim speaks to me, I can only speak that which I saw and can truthfully bear witness to.

When I spoke of foreign (hack, hack) policy I spoke of the policies of the Caliph not of the Sultan, as my memory recalls clearly. Our recent history is clear evidence that the Sultan did not consider that which the Caliph declared important, or if he did, that we were unworthy to discuss it with him.

I do not know why the Osmanlis profess to despise Fez and the Almohads and how my nation has caused some great offense. We have only, the Emirs tell me, sought trade, the exchange of knowledge, and to elicit their support, militarily, financially, and their counsel on this war. Nothing else. This is justification for 'despise'? I do not see how.

Now this Tuna Artun says that the Sultan will turn a deaf ear? I suppose this means he will turn his other ear, which will also be deaf to our pleas. And why would he do this, unless this Alim himself were to advise him so?

Fellow Alims, I do not understand this charge of cowardice, when our people marched and sailed to die to uphold our pledge to Al-Andalus? How is it that we are the cowards, taking on superior numbers and weaponry with nothing to our advantage other than our (cough, couch, HACK HACK HAAAACK) righteous cause?

I am too old to tolerate such. I speak plainly and ask that you all due is well. I speak the truth in front of you and Allah. I can go to my grave satisfied of this.

I do not seek to provoke, but I will defend the truth.

If there is no more? Then I (Ack, Hew) I again present you my opinion on the matter, Caliph as you have requested."

 

[Blade!]

Aaminah Jamila al Umm-Hakim spoke with confidence from her seat.

"On one hand, there is little matter of carrying on without ships, and we have already achieved much; the liberation of many provinces to Islam. There is little the crusaders could do, as the Almohads' garrisons are strong and our armies still available for their defense. On the other hand, the Moors would have to fall under Castelleon rule again. I wonder if any will know what will occur, with no Emperor to lead the Almohads. We of the Holy Lands will pray."

She looked towards the Alim sent by the last Almohad Emperor, Qazi-i-Tariq, who had recovered some time ago, and now sat listening to a scribe, who was quietly reading him a notice.

He stood quietly and was led before the Caliph by his scribe.

"Caliph, I have recieved word and signature from the majority of the Almohad Council, including Musa Al-Tariq, who you appointed Amir l Muminin. They wrote this upon the commencment of the burial of the Second Almohad Emperor, Akbe Mohammed.

The Emir-Electors have not chosen a succesor yet. They have decided that since the Second Emperor was also the head of the Zayyanid Caliphate, which existed to serve the Caliph's will... and because the Caliph weilds a vote on the Almohad Council, that the Caliph is interim Almohad Emperor until the Council decides on who the succesor is. Until they they resolve the issue and select the Fourth Almohad Emperor, you Caliph Odchigin Sacha, are the Third Almohad Emperor; I have personal letters of submiting to your leadership until they ave resolved their issues of succesion, and they beg you to come guide their actions in these times.

I hail thee, Caliph Odchigin, Almohad Emperor, Bearer of Wisdom to all Emir-Electors of the Empire, Leader of the Almohad Council."

 

[Voshkod]

And sometimes the wheel turns too quickly. There is great disorder under heaven . . . . The Caliph of all Islam and now, to his utter shock, Emperor of the Almohads, sat silently for a long moment. I have never even seen the lands that I rule.

He stood. "A wise man of the East once said, 'If thy strength will serve, go forward in the ranks; if not, stand still.' The armies of the Almohads are dead on the fields of al Andalus. The men of the Mameluks stand injured. Our navies are weak. The only army that could join is that of the Osmanlis, and they will not. The might of the Timurids cannot reach the battle. Our strength will not serve. We must stand still. We must end this war."

He turned to leave the room. "I will send word to the Christian Pope that we wish to treat with him. I order my . . . my subjects to determine that they may be willing to sacrifice for peace." He reached the doorway out. "The wheel turns, but it has not turned far enough to favor us this day. It keeps turning. Our swords will return to al Andalus."

 

[Blade!]

The ever strong Aaminah Jamila al Umm-Hakim wavered.

While it was known that she had been the Alim of Algeria in a time past, appointed by Akbe Mohammed, and perhaps by some that she had taken a younger Sharif of Oran Akbe Mohammed on the Hajj; it was lessor known that in a prior period they were close compatriots. She had regarded him as a friend and more.

She knew that at this time, she had to return to the land that had given her refuge, and give comfort to its people, and to pay her last respects.

"Forgive my weakness, my Caliph. I must travel to the west with all due haste; will you sail with me, I will guide you if you wish to meet with the council and see the Maghrib."

She bowed deeply, and held back the tears that wished to birth, as she listened to the Caliph answer.

As she left the chamber she made immediate arrangments to depart.

 

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Yazid bin Murad rose up "There is much animosity between the Abbasids and the Almohads, but this invasion, upon African soil, will not be acceptable to Egypt!We shall fight with our ....brothers, regardless of different theology.*sigh*"

 

[Voshkod]

Notes arrived for the Alims of Fez, Algeria, and Egypt, to meet privately with the Caliph-Emperor. (PMs to follow)

 

[Voshkod]

Later, an invitiation is sent to the Osmanli alim for a private meeting with the Caliph-Emperor. (PM)

 

[Voshkod]

She bowed deeply, and held back the tears that wished to birth, as she listened to the Caliph answer.

As she left the chamber she made immediate arrangments to depart.

"I shall travel to the council with you, Aaminah Jamila al Umm-Hakim. We leave with the turning of the tide. The Alim Council shall stay in Jerusalem, under Omar al-Andalus. Several ships shall ply the waters between here and there, so messages may move between us.

"Allah watches over our actions, and judges us. Let us be worthy of Him!"

 

[I Killed Kenny]

To his grace Odchigin Sacha, Caliph of All Islam and Almohad Emperor

I would like to warn you excelency that dooing such a thing may, at my will, be considered an act of war. And that I do not like be treaten, even for your grace is the Caliph of Islam. So I will be generous and I shall in all my magnitude and pioness believe that warn was friendly and nothing more.

Signed, João Duarte the second King of Portugal and the Algarves, Far and Near sea in Africa

 

[Voshkod]

Odchigin Sacha had learned one thing - the dragon was an uneasy friend. He always tore off the top of your head, but sometimes he poured fire into your brain, sometimes ice and darkness. The Caliph of All Islam took another puff, held it a moment, and blew a blue smokering across his tent. The darkness deepened. The dragon had decided to be a bastard today.

For the past hour he had been reading the reports. The slaughters of the army, the weakness of the navy, the simple fact that the Almohad empire was as vulernable as a crippled camel, belly up to the sun and vultures. And they will come ripping and burning soon, opening our guts and pulling out the good meat.

The only hope he saw was in the letter from Samarkand. But it was a long way from the East to the battle.

 

[Voshkod]

Abu-Mohammed Abd el-Maliki was brought into the Caliph's tent. There was an odd, lingering odor he couldn't quite identify.

Odchigin Sacha, Caliph of All Islam, Almohad Emperor, sat upon a mountain of cushions, surrounded by reports and scrolls, like a stone statue among fallen autumn leaves. He stared coldly at the Fezian, the darkness of ice at night lurking in his eyes.

"Why are you here, Emir of Fez? Why aren't you with your men, preparing for the landing of the infidels. The Khan of the Timurids rides to your defense, and you have left your country?"

 

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In the Tent of the Grand Caliph, near the Kechiova Mosque in Algeria

​

Abu-Mohammed Abd el-Maliki, Emir-Elector of Fez bowed low and respectfully in the presence of the Regent Emperor of the Almohad Empire, Odchigin Sacha.

He presented a golden box, which bore the royal seal and signet ring given over to him by the former Emperor, the now departed Akbe Mohammed.

He replied to the Caliph:


"Salam Alekum Calipah Odchigin Sacha.

The defense of Fez rests firmly in the hands of my competent generals. I shall provide no benefit to them through neither my presence or my absence. My viziers carry on correspondence with the enemies surrounding Fez under my name. I have traveled here to do what I must do in person, to you whom have been chosen to succeed Akbe Mohammed as Regent Emperor of the Almohad Empire. I have spoken already with the Amira-Elector and Sultana of the Zayyanid Caliphate. But it to you whom I must present this burden."


He opened the box revealing its contents, and brought forth a silken bag with other regalia of his office. He kneeled as he handed it over, bowed and kissed the ground as it passed from him to the Caliph-Regent.


"Akbe Mohammed entrusted me with the wise stewardship of Fez, and I attempted to make it a center of commerce and academia. Yet in following the hearts of many of our people, and in trying to be a faithful servant of Allah, I led us into a war to aid the Zayyanids in the restoration of Al-Andalus.

My motives were righteous and I believe motivated by justice. But I failed as a leader to govern with my head as well as my heart. In replacing the missing Sultan Abu-Mohammed Abdul-Haqq II, I swore a duty above all else to protect Fez. My leadership was born our of the Almohad Emperor's personal courage and strength, in leading his armies against Morocco to save Fez. He risked his personal welfare in battle for a righteous cause, the preservation of Fez, and entrusted me to keep her safe.

The Sultan remains missing, I fear lost. The Emirs are young and impetuous. One has no desire to lead, one's legitimacy is questionable, and while the last, and most direct heir shows immense promise, he is still but a boy.

I was to be steward over the land, serving the Almohad Emperor and Zayyanid Caliphate until the Emirs were ready to rule on their own. Again, I would make it clear so that you understand why I kneel before you: I was installed by the Emperor to protect Fez. Fez exists only due to the grace and strength of the Almohads. Without the Almohads, there is no Fez. And I have failed the Almohads in this role.

Without recourse, I have left my affairs in written order, tasks to be so executed by my Viziers when I do not return. It is a great sadness and sense of personal failure, not simply in how I have led the nation astray, but in how I have personally violated the great personal trust put in me by Akbe Mohammed."


He again bowed to the ground, kissing it three times and making a holy sign.


"Though I cannot redeem myself from this great dishonor, I can accept my failings as my responsibility and present myself to you. It is clear what must be done. I have presented to you, the Regent-Emperor, all the regalia of the office that had been entrusted to me. All save this last item.

I cry my sincere admission of failure to Allah and present my most humble apology. Justice must be done. I present myself to you for justice."


And with that, he removed his last item, from a jewel-encrusted scabbard came the fine scimitar that had been wielded at Cordoba centuries before, a gift presented to the past Sultan of Fez by the refugees from Al-Andalus, and passed down through the generations.

It passed from the Emir Elector to the Caliph.​

"Allah's will be done."​

...

 

[Voshkod]

The Caliph of all Islam drew the scimitar from its scabbard slowly. It was both lighter and longer then the weapons he was familiar with, and he whipped in around in the air for a moment, feeling its balance.

"'Those who when they commit an indecency or do injustice to their souls remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their faults . . . their reward is forgiveness from their Lord . . . .' So says the Prophet." The Caliph placed a hand on the Emir Elect's head. "You come before me in repentence, and as Caliph I forgive you." He could see mingled relief and regret wash over Abu-Mohammed Abd el-Maliki.

The Almohad Emperor stepped back. He could feel the dragon speaking through him, a voice of cold fire. "As Almohad Emperor, though, I will claim my justice for your failure."

The scimitar swung.

 

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In the Tent of the Grand Caliph, near the Kechiova Mosque in Algeria

​

Abu al-Quazazate messenger of the Sultana Yasmine Mohammed entered the tent quaking with terror. The site of the Regent Emperor of the Almohad Empire, Odchigin Sacha did nothing to ease his fears.

He knelt and presented the Caliph with the signet marked letter of Yasmine, announcing Abu as her servant, and, when the strange (to Abu) looking man looked upon him with fierce eyes, he was barely able to stammer out:

"I b-b-b-b-bring a message of great urgency from the S-s-s-s-ultana, the glorious Yasmine Moham-eh-eh-eh-hammed. She wished to inform the Caliph that the Imperial Court of the Almhoads has been reorganized, and that she has claimed the mantle of the Empire.

Likewise she has s-s-s-s-ent a treaty of passage to Samarkand, confirming the rights of the Tim-tim-timurids to ride through the Maghrib in defense of Islam, and pledges the support of her navy, as well, for their transport."

He fell bowing before the Caliph, with a great tension in his neck, as he, unconciously, willed it to remain attached to his shoulders.

 

[Prince Eugene]

An Official Proclamation from the Osmanli Empire can be found in the courts of the Caliph, of the Pope, of the Portuguese & Castilian kings, of the Egyptian sultan & Timurid khan, and in various important courts in Algiers, Fez, and Morocco.​

Unto the Participants of the Western Mediterranean War

In the year 832 of the Prophet Muhammad, PBUH​

Your Majesties,

For too long has a great war plagued humanity that has threatened the already weak balance of peace between Christianity and Islam. Unless we wish for this balance to finally break and for a massive religious war to ensue, certain steps must be taken to end the great war in the western Mediterranean sea. Many Turkish volunteers have risen to the banner of the Almohad emperor to fight for his cause, and many have been slain at the hands of Christians. I see the effects of this war in the form of those dead men who will never return to my nation and who will never see their families again.

No one cannot forever fight on without cause, but as it is now everyone is forever fighting a war fueled by bitter hatred and malice. Akbe Mohammed was slain at the hands of the forces of Christianity. The man who started all of this lives no more, and there is no reason to continue this conflict which constantly provokes me to intervene on behalf of my people - the Islamic people. Let us set aside our differences and seek to once again live in a balance of peace between the two great religions, even if that balance be shaky.

I propose that the following measures be taken to rid to eliminate the aminosities that came into being when the Almohad Empire struck the Kingdom of Aragon:

-that the Balearic islands be turned over to the Holy See, to govern them or distribute them to another nation as his Christian Holiness sees fit.

-that the sultanate of Morocco, which was illegally invaded and conquered by the Almohads be restored as a sovereign nation and that the authority of its rightful ruling house of al-Muwahhid be reinstated.

-that in exchange for the Almohads ending the illegal occupation of Morocco, the house of Osman recognize the Almohad Emperor and all of his successors as determined by the Emir-Electors as the sole and legitimate heirs to Idris IV (d. 1269), the last legitimate Almohad emperor.

-that in order to provide appropriate compensation for warring the nations of Iberia, the Almohad Empire turn over the port of Tangiers to the Kingdom of Portugal

-that the Kingdom of Portugal renounces all claims on the African continent other than Tangiers and promises not to seek further aggression against the Almohad Empire.

Dictated in Bursa,

Sultan II. Mehmed Han bin-Murad, Padishah, Hünkar, Ruler of Both Lands and Both Seas, Sovereign of The Osman Family, Sultan es Selatin, Khakhan, Khan of the Ak Koyunlu, Padishas of The Three Cities of Istanbul, Adrianople, and Bursa, of the Marmara Sea, the Black Sea, Anatolia, Rumelia, Kurdistan, Armenia, Daghestan, Trebizond, Karaman, & the Crimea

 

[Voshkod]

Odchigin Sacha sat in a haze of blue smoke, reading the missive of the Osmanli Sultan. Weakling, coward. Unwilling to fight for Islam. Well, Islam would remember this next time the Sultan needed something.

He looked up from his pile of cushions at the stuttering young fool who stood before him, listened to his stammering. When the boy had finished, the lanky Mongol took a puff from the waterpipe, emitted a stream of blue smoke, and unfolded from his cushions. The waterpipe burbled.

As if he was having some trouble seeing the messenger, the Caliph closed one eye and squinted with the other. "Tell me, b-b-b-boy," he started cruelly in his oddly accented Arabic, "if I am still the Almohad Emperor - and I am - why isn't she coming before me herself? She - she! She can't claim the Empire if I hold the regalia of the office, and I have not officially relinquished it yet." The Caliph smiled thinly.

He offered the waterpipe to the boy. "Here, take a puff of this, then go tell her that I will see her in my tent."

 

[unmerged(31994)]

*A letter arrives from the Caliphate*

Unto The Calipah of Islam and Almohad Emperor

My lord, have you read the letter and missive sent my the Ottoman Sultan?Disgusting.I share no love with the Almohad Empire, but to allow christians control over muslim land in North Africa will never be acceptable to Egypt.Many of my people wish peace, and I too wish it, but not at this steep and agonizing price.So all that blood, all that slaughter, all those who perished, were for nothing?Tangeirs will remain Muslim, and I will fight until the last man standing, and so will Bealres, where once a proud Sultanate stood.I will fight!Egypt is with you all the way my dear Calipah, we stand with our brothers to defend Africa, and I hope you will punish the Turks for this corwardness.

Signed Calipah Hakim bin kamal (X)

 

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In the Tent of the Grand Caliph, near the Kechiova Mosque in Algeria

​

Abu al-Quazazate was struck with horror and feared for his life. He did not know if he should obey or flee or attempt to defend the Sultan. Life was much easier training the horses of his father.

Each decision rose to near-action, then fell away undone, in rapid succession until he finally blurted out:

"B-b-b-but she is with her men, preparing for the landing of the infidels. The Khan of the Timurids rides to our defense, and she must prepare the country?

I was to bring you the news so that you would have it imm-me-me-me- imm-me-me-me...as soon as possible!"

He then quickly took the pipe stem and inhaled in a near panic, filling his lungs with the cool smoke the Caliph inhaled, and fell back, reeling and coughing as he stumbled out of the tent to fetch the Sultan.