Delegation to Mešwet

Mazigh Asra, Amir of House Nader was investigating the Harbour of Nazaš when he noticed a fishing vessel approaching the harbour despite the on-going closure due to the investigation. The owner was waving seemingly panicked. Mazigh ordered that the vessel shall be let through. In fact he himself boarded a transport galley used for river transports and met with the fisher half-way. As soon as the docked the fisher reported:
"A giant ship, blessed one! A ship out of metal, emitting smoke like it's burning with the fires of the temples!" "Calm my friend, are you sure the sea wasn't playing a trick on you?" "It was no trick, no I swear it by the Father of Greatness! I was out fishing like I've been the past years when suddenly I saw smoke and a ship the smoke was coming from. I closed in thinking it may be a ship struck by misfortune and when I neared I saw the beast of a ship. You have to believe me!" "I believe you my good man, I do. Now though take a break and rest these old bones." Once the galley docked Mazigh started giving out orders. "Guardsmen reported these pillars too, this seems to be a serious threat. Inform Wesir Izdyten, order all regional garrisons to be mobilized and order the nearest three garrisons into the city. And post every cannon we have along the harbour! I don't care if it's a centuries old bronze bombard, I want it here! And inform the capital."

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some days later
"My Amir a metal ship was sighted again. And it's holding directly onto the harbour!" "Make every cannon sharp and tell the forces to prepare, blockade the streets and let no one enter the harbour." Mazigh turned to Wesir Izdyten, both nodded and boarded the Agilla Fila, a ship of the line and at the head of a squadron of 3 other ships of the line and 6 galleys. They would attempt to meet the beast of a ship and see if it's owners may be reasoned with. The Amir and Wesir were discussing their approach when the captain of the vessel reported that they were closing in on the metal ship. The squadron fanned out. "It seems all doubts have been buried. May the Father protect us."

The Agilla Fila continued it's approach on the strange ship, with the squadron of other ships shadowing it, when they noticed the metal vessel halting and someone seemingly waving a piece of white cloth. From what the outlooks reported there wasn't any visible weaponry on the ship. Wesir Izdyten ordered the ship to halt. With the others following suit. "Mazigh, it seems these people do not seek conflict. Indeed they seem to be sending a boat with envoys!" "Well Izdyten, I hope they speak a tongue comprehensible to us or we may have to recede to gestures and imagery. Captain we are going to make contact with these people." Understood, my Amir." Slowly the boat was closing in, the men on the deck able to see the foreign travelers. When they were in shouting distance, an old man started shouting at them. To the surprise of Izdyten, the language did not sound foreign to him. No it sounded much like the language used by the first Mamluk Rulers. "Mazigh I believe the man wants to speak to us if my memories serve me right." "This is what I concluded too my friend. I think we shall talk to that man if solely to find out how he learned that language." "Indeed my friend, indeed. It has to be a signal by the great." To the transport he shouted in the old tongue: "We understand you! We too want to talk! Are you willing to come to our ship? You can bring guards if you doubt us."

Once they had heard that the strangers delegation was willing to dock, the Amir passed the news to Captain Yulmes, who ordered the deck to be cleared and let his men bring out carpets and pillows to sit on. Refreshments would come from his personal supplies, like any captain with an ounce of pride would provide. After overseeing the preparations Yulmes joined the Amir and Wesir with a stern face.
All was prepared when the foreign men were lifted up and one of them introduced himself in a strange language. Once the scholar provided translations Wesir Izdyten was the first to answer:
"We too are happy to meet under these circumstances. I'm Wesir Izdyten Abid, the ruler of the city of Nazaš by the grace of Amêzyan Haytham, Agellid of the Land of Mešwet. I invite you to sit with us!"
The Amir and after him the captain followed up: "I'm Amir Mazigh Asra of House Nader currently commander of all military forces around Nazaš and I welcome you as guests. As long as we face no harm by you, you shall face none by us." "I'm Captain Yulmes Morad, the commander of this ship, the Agilla Fila."

The three sudden representatives of Mešwet listened attentively to the Scholar providing explanations. Amir Mazigh was deeply intrigued. The description of the "Ummayads" fit a certain people in their nations history. When the scholar finished and asked them for a description of their people Mazigh hesitated a moment. He shared a short look with the Wesir and the Captain, after both nodded he went into an explanation.
"Your explanations certainly were enlightening, seeker of knowledge. I shall answer your questions to my best ability and my confidants will complement details. As we've already told you, you find yourselves near the harbour of Nazaš and these waters are called the Bay of Sheba. The greater parts of Mešwet are located far further up the Sheherazad which is the great river who opens into this Bay.
Our lands history is long with cities being thousands of years old. What is known of the ancient era is that there was no united Mešwet but several great City-States, which warred constantly with each other.
These times were brought to an end when chariot driving tribes came from the highlands of the east. The united force of these tribes were able to subjugate the divided cities and integrated Mešwet as a province of what would become the Empire of the Sûma. They built the great Zikkurats which stand till today. After some centuries their empire was destroyed by another empire and for years overlord changed and Mešwet was nothing more than a province. That was till the rise of Ahmas. The only thing know is that he was a Mercenary from the south, a man with the spirit and will to unite the Mešweti against their oppressors and he succeeded. He formed the first independant Mešwet and under his bloodline, our land expanded down the river to the Bay of Sheba. The lands seemed to prosper when a great drought hit our lands. Food got to scarce to support the population and Mahmud the Longing realized that these lands would collapse. He ordered a great fleet to be built making much of the northern ranges barren. He died before the fleet was finished but his son Umâ continued what he had begun. The drought lasted and the granaries were emptied, when Umâ took many people and soldiers onto the great fleet and sailed off the coasts, naming his Wesir Abash the ruler of Mešwet." Izdyten interjected: "From what you've told us we assume that your lands are where Uma and his followers were lead by the Exodus."
"Indeed. Our history past that moment saw the rise of the Followers of Mani and the reign of the Abashids. Over time the Abashids adapted a new military form in which slave children were trained into soldiers called Mamluks, an elite warrior force securing their rule. But their dynasty fell into several strives and a charismatic Mamluk called Bahmut overthrew the Abashids and was named true ruler of Mešwet. He formed the first Mamluk State, the ruler not being dynastic but a Mamluk soldier. It was also then when Mamluks became more than soldiers. The first Mamluk State lasted till 500 years ago when they were overthrown by the Kirid Dynasty who were in an alliance with the priest of Mani. The ruled for 300 years, but they did not abolish the system of Mamluks. And deep inside the Amirs remembered a time when they were more then servants. And when the last ruler of the Kirids showed weakness he was overthrown. As a result of their alliance the priesthood of Mani lost almost all political influence and has been dedicated to nothing but worship sinec then. This is when the second Mamluk State was established which lasts till this day. The current Mamluk ruler is Agellid Amêzyan Haytham of House Shahanm chosen by the Amirs as the rulers before him."