Annales of Emperor Armas the Young Pt. I
Just outside of Verona – 4 june, 1074
To the faithful and the unfaithful, to those who are and to those who will be,
Armas the Young, they call me. They call me that because I’ve ascended the throne at a very young age. My beloved father, the great Emperor Lemetti, he who brought our people to their new homeland, died when I was only at the age of three. They called him insane for the words he spoke and the deeds he did. But nothing is less true. It is clear that he was sent by the Almighty to make the Finns recognize the true god, Allah, and lead our people to Carpathia. When his job was done, Allah took him from this world and called him to paradise for his well-deserved rest. But not after Allah sent a successor, me, who is assigned to complete the next step in His godly plan.
How do I know all this, you may ask. It is Allah himself who told me this truth. Ever since the day I was born, Allah has been with me. Ever since the day I was born, His words are spoken to me. Ever since the day I was born, He tells me what to do and how to live. I am just a mere servant of His divine will. And I am sworn to serve him rightfully.
As I already stated, my father brought our people to Carpathia and brought Islam to our hearts. He conquered a little empire in the center of Europe, which was expanded by my regents during my years of youngness. It is this empire which I came to rule once I became of age.
Europe, anno 1066.
Let me start this story in the 24th year of my presence in the world, the year 1066. It was in this year, on the 27th of april, that my fourth son, Aatso, was born. He too was undeniably sent by Allah to one day serve him in the path of divine conquest of the world. He too will be a servant of His will.
In September my Lord gave word of my mission. He had spoken to me before and gifted me with his guidance. But this was a divine message. I know it because he would normally speak directly to my ears, but this time he chose to be careful and sent a special messenger to deliver me the words. After all, it was known that I could speak to Him directly and He would speak to me as well. It would not surprise me that dark forces knew this as well and listened into our conversations. That is why this important message was delivered by one of His angels in disguise.
It was clear: Allah wanted me to bring Islam to the rest of the world. And there was only one way to do it: conquest, just as His early followers did in the East. But before I could begin my mission, a minor issue asked for my attention. Luckily, I could solve it quickly.
By the end of 1067 my armies were gathered and I began His divine conquest. First I decided to bring back to province of Lower Silesia. It had been a part of the empire before, but its ruler, a Polish noble who had converted to Islam, had broken free from his shackles. He was quickly subdued and punished rightfully.
Meanwhile, by January 1068, I had already begun the invasion of the heathen kingdom of Pomerania. But during the campaign, after a minor battle, when I was about to execute the ninetieth or so prisoner, I wondered if maybe all this killing is not the right way. Why could I not send missionaries to this kingdom so the words of Allah could also be spoken to its inhabitants. Could they not peacefully convert? As I stood there, with my blade held up high, and the farmer’s head on the chopping block, I hesitated and looked up to the skies. But seeing my doubt, Allah spoke courage to me and ensured that what I was doing was His will. His words were wise. I never thought of it that way. I looked back down and saw the farmer’s eyes staring at mine. I then chopped off his head.
As the campaign continued, Allah rewarded my work with a fifth son, Asko.
In February 1070, word reached me that the queen of Pomerania had been murdered by her own son, who then succeeded the throne. He deemed her unwise for resisting the will of Allah. The son was clearly more gifted in his mind and quickly accepted peace and the will of Allah. Yes, his kingdom would cease to exist, but his lands would now be rightfully ruled by Allah and his servants. As token of my appreciation I gave every local nobleman the choice: convert to Islam and keep your territories, or be stripped of all lands.
I then invaded the last realm in Pommerania. Though, his ruler followed another god, the false catholic god who has many followers in the West. It was not to my surprise that one of the kings of the West, the king of Navarra, came to the dukes aid. But it was in vain. No army could stop my mighty, divine legions.
Meanwhile I was gifted with Toivo, my sixth son.
After this last war, the conquest of Northern Germany – apart from some minor provinces which would be subdued later – the empire had grown quite a bit. It wa impossible for me to manage the daily ruling of this new area, so I decided to grant the lands to a faithful Islamic Finn. Who would be better than my son Lalli?
By 1072 I was at war with the catholic duchy of Holstein. Once again, the other catholic rulers sent his help. But this time it was not only the king of Navarra, also the king of Lotharingia sent soldiers to assist the juvenile duke of Holstein. And so did the hochmeister of the Teutonic Order. The hochmeister himself assumed command of the catholic armies and marched against mine. A major battle of 10000 men at each side was fought near Altona. But I had no fear, I knew Allah was with me and thus the battle was won decisively. We pursued his army to Schlutup and massacred all the heathens.
By February 1073, the catholics were defeated and new territories were brought to Allah’s judgement. My son Aatso was assigned to rule the area in His name.
Word of my conquests also reached the ears of the high ruler of the catholics, Sabian II. From his far hideout in Rome he called to all followers of his god with three personalities to reclaim lands formerly worshipping these Son, Father and Holy Spirit.
Expecting that staying in the defensive would lead to an endless war, as horde after horde of heathens would keep streaming into the empire, I deemed it wisest to march unto Rome. And while I was at it, I could make profit and subdue all of Italy in His name.
Messages were sent to all corners of the realm ordering all levies to be raised, as my personal army (retinue) marched into Northern Italy. The first city to be sieged was Verona. But it was not long until an army of the Italian king, lead by the duke of Modena showed up. The battle lasted a day, but the result was beyond my grasp. A defeat?! How could this possible happen? Was He not with me? Was this campaign not His divine will?!
As my army retreated South, I suddenly saw what my Lord intended. South!... SOUTH!! Of course, this defeat was just a subtle message from Him to me. I had to go South! TO ROME!!!
[More coming up later today or tomorrow!]