“In the Persian Bazaar: The Roar of an Empire”

Episode Eleven: Chiliarch Cyrus — The Banner Rises in the Sandstorm

1. The Desert “Council of War”

The victory at the Oasis of Samarka lit a spark of hope across the desert.

Rumors that Macedonian elites had been driven back rode the winds, reaching defeated soldiers and tribes driven from their homes.

“Cyrus, more than three hundred men showed up just last night, all saying they want to serve under you,”

Azad laughed, pointing at bundles of spears planted upright in the sand.

Once, Cyrus had been a man who led camels through the market.

Now, the light in his eyes had changed—the gaze of a commander entrusted with thousands of lives.

“Did soldiers gather… or just hungry mouths?”

“Half are remnants of former regular troops. The rest are hot-blooded youths who fell for your legend,” Azad replied.

“So—what’s your call, boss of the caravan?”

2. Ledgers and Blades: The Oath of a Thousand

Cyrus unrolled the final sheet of parchment Danesh had salvaged from the market.

It listed not troop numbers—but the names of the people they were sworn to protect.

“Listen well. We’re not a ‘king’s army.’ We’re an extension of the market’s own watch—men who defend their own bread and the lives beside them.

But today, that changes.”

Before the thousand men gathered, Cyrus raised high a broken Macedonian sarissa.

“I won’t treat you as expendable pawns. You are partners—shareholders in this fight!

Your dividends are Macedonian throats… and the right to survive and build a new market with your own hands!”

“OOOOOOH!!”

The roar of a thousand voices shook the desert heat itself.

Thus was born the strangest force in Persian history—

the Market Legion, led by Chiliarch Cyrus.

3. Shahab’s “Dark Preparations”

Away from the fervor, in the shadow of a rocky outcrop, Shahab worked in grim silence.

“Inaz—are the sleeping draughts ready?” he asked quietly.

She frowned as she handed him several small vials.

“Yes. But this isn’t a merchant’s tool anymore… it’s an assassin’s.”

“Cyrus isn’t foolish enough to meet Alexander’s vast army head-on with a thousand men,” Shahab murmured.

“We’ll prick the lion while it sleeps.”

In his fingers lay a secret map—marked with the locations of Macedonian supply bases.

4. Nilfar’s Symbol

Nilfar took into her hands a newly sewn banner, crafted by Inaz.

Its colors mirrored the desert sands, stitched with deep crimson—the passion of the market.

“Hosein… I am no longer a flower meant only to be protected.

This banner will become their place of return.”

She cut her own hair and stitched a lock into the knot of the flag.

The dignity of a queen flowed from her—quietly, yet unmistakably.

5. Destiny Sets in Motion

As the legion took shape, ominous clouds of sand rose beyond the horizon.

Alexander’s most feared cavalry—

the Hetairoi (Companions)—were closing in, seeking revenge for their defeated vanguard and narrowing in on the oasis.

“So… they’ve come,” Cyrus said softly.

“Looks like it’s time to pay the first dividends to my thousand ‘stakeholders.’”

He drew his newly forged longsword, the blade catching the desert light.