1261: Semitic pirates, based out of the Sinai, begin to prey upon Egyptian trade. Despite her misgivings about expeditions outside of Egypt proper, Nefertari cannot let the wood trade – already weak after Egypt’s withdrawal from dhejy – to continue to whither. A force under the general Iyibkhentre is dispatched to take care of the pirates, which they do with admirable aplomb. The pro-imperial faction at the Egyptian court has been granted another member.
1260: The Hittite Empire begins its long awaited invasion of Canaan. However, the easy conquest Hattusili had expected fails to materialize. Only so many men can be spared from fighting the Assyrians: the Hittite army numbers a scant 5,000 troops. The plan is to intimidate Canaanite cities into surrender. Reality fails to live up to expectations: the Canaanite cities bar their gates and make the Hittites bleed for every advance. Progress is slow, if steady. At the end of campaign season only a few cities have fallen, and Hattusili calls for a temporary halt.
A group of Canaanite princes meet in Joppa to plan to resist Hattusili. A defensive league is formed, but not much comes of it. While many city-states are willing to assist the common defense, none will meet the Hittites in pitched battle and few will allow soldiers from other city-states behind their own walls. The meeting produces only a region-wide cease fire and more unanswered pleas to Shalmaneser.
1258: The Hittites return, in larger numbers and with siege equipment. In order to spare men for the invasion, Hattusili had to severely weaken the Empire’s defenses against the Assyrians. Nevertheless, the Hittites make large gains, pushing to the walls of Jericho before campaign season closed. Aklak, speaking for all the princes of Canaan, sent a messenger to Shalmaneser requesting aid.
Nefertari’s health begins a precipitous decline. Though still able to perform the ceremonial duties of a Pharaoh, many fear she will not see the next year.
Shalmaneser I, son of Adad-nirari, Lord of Time and Space, Great King of Assyria, was on the verge of sleep. His eyelids became heavy, his breathing slowed, and his head began to droop as he gradually tuned out the monotone echoing throughout his throne room. Then snap his eyes flew open and his head slammed back into attention.
“Enough!” he barked. The envoy from King Aklak of Joppa paled slightly as his eyes widened.
“Y-your highness?” he managed to stammer out.
“I have listened to your kings request and my answer has not changed. Tell Aklak that we are already fighting the Hittites. If he cannot stand against a fraction of their army then he deserves death.” said Shalmaneser, without blinking.
“Yes, your highness” gulped the envoy, turning and making to leave.
“And one more thing”
“Y-yes?”
“My patience with these messages runs thin”
The envoy jumped, bowed, and ran from the room in one motion.
“As entertaining as that was, your highness, perhaps we should intervene?” asked Shalmaneser’s general, Assur-alik-pana, “The Hittites are overextended now as they may ever be. It is a golden opportunity which may never come again. And if they do succeed we shall have to deal with a Hittite army stronger and more powerful than ever before.”
“Yes… I want you to begin making preparations to attack the Hittites. But not now. In the future. Years in the future.”
“Yes, your highness”
Shalmaneser’s attendants, sycophants, and servants left him. Alone, he sunk into his throne, put his fingers to his temples, and stared at the wall. Yes… He would have what he wanted. He would wait until the fruit had ripened to its fullest extent – and then he would pluck it in one swift motion. Yes… He was the Great King of Assyria. He would have what he wanted.
1260: The Hittite Empire begins its long awaited invasion of Canaan. However, the easy conquest Hattusili had expected fails to materialize. Only so many men can be spared from fighting the Assyrians: the Hittite army numbers a scant 5,000 troops. The plan is to intimidate Canaanite cities into surrender. Reality fails to live up to expectations: the Canaanite cities bar their gates and make the Hittites bleed for every advance. Progress is slow, if steady. At the end of campaign season only a few cities have fallen, and Hattusili calls for a temporary halt.
A group of Canaanite princes meet in Joppa to plan to resist Hattusili. A defensive league is formed, but not much comes of it. While many city-states are willing to assist the common defense, none will meet the Hittites in pitched battle and few will allow soldiers from other city-states behind their own walls. The meeting produces only a region-wide cease fire and more unanswered pleas to Shalmaneser.
1258: The Hittites return, in larger numbers and with siege equipment. In order to spare men for the invasion, Hattusili had to severely weaken the Empire’s defenses against the Assyrians. Nevertheless, the Hittites make large gains, pushing to the walls of Jericho before campaign season closed. Aklak, speaking for all the princes of Canaan, sent a messenger to Shalmaneser requesting aid.
Nefertari’s health begins a precipitous decline. Though still able to perform the ceremonial duties of a Pharaoh, many fear she will not see the next year.
--------------------
Shalmaneser I, son of Adad-nirari, Lord of Time and Space, Great King of Assyria, was on the verge of sleep. His eyelids became heavy, his breathing slowed, and his head began to droop as he gradually tuned out the monotone echoing throughout his throne room. Then snap his eyes flew open and his head slammed back into attention.
“Enough!” he barked. The envoy from King Aklak of Joppa paled slightly as his eyes widened.
“Y-your highness?” he managed to stammer out.
“I have listened to your kings request and my answer has not changed. Tell Aklak that we are already fighting the Hittites. If he cannot stand against a fraction of their army then he deserves death.” said Shalmaneser, without blinking.
“Yes, your highness” gulped the envoy, turning and making to leave.
“And one more thing”
“Y-yes?”
“My patience with these messages runs thin”
The envoy jumped, bowed, and ran from the room in one motion.
“As entertaining as that was, your highness, perhaps we should intervene?” asked Shalmaneser’s general, Assur-alik-pana, “The Hittites are overextended now as they may ever be. It is a golden opportunity which may never come again. And if they do succeed we shall have to deal with a Hittite army stronger and more powerful than ever before.”
“Yes… I want you to begin making preparations to attack the Hittites. But not now. In the future. Years in the future.”
“Yes, your highness”
Shalmaneser’s attendants, sycophants, and servants left him. Alone, he sunk into his throne, put his fingers to his temples, and stared at the wall. Yes… He would have what he wanted. He would wait until the fruit had ripened to its fullest extent – and then he would pluck it in one swift motion. Yes… He was the Great King of Assyria. He would have what he wanted.