La Mort d'France

Few nobles at the dawn of the Ansar Conquest felt secure about their long-term safety. The war in Russia had gone beyond what they desired.  Initially, a portion of the Royal Army and a religious order known as the Sons of Zeus were tasked with annexing all Russian lands north of the Volga River. The high priest of the Sons, Uthman the Mighty, would eventually take the royal army under his heel. Ever ambitious, Uthman expanded the war beyond his mandate, issued a call to arms in every city of the empire, and made a forceful suggestion to the impotent king-regent that he support Uthman's aims. Uthman's religious and military status coupled with his own status as Lord of Damascus ensured that few nobles were willing to stand up against him. The king-regent's power rapidly eroded, and vanished completely when he named Uthman Lord-Protector of the Dominion. Uthman effectively ruled the Dominion through "suggestions" to the regent from thereon after.

Uthman subsequently ruled two domains. The Asnar Brotherhood  ruled Russia as a theocracy, and Uthman was successful in comandeering it as well. The Asnars spoke for the overthrow of the monarchy, but following Uthman's takeover he reformed both the Brotherhood and the monarchy. Their interests, previously in opposition, were manipulated by Uthman into being largely the same. Despite not being a member of the royal line that would have enabled him to be king, Uthman was hailed throughout the lands as Sayyid. He would be the second man to earn that title.  Despite his influence in the monarchy, Uthman realized that his position there was tenuous. As soon as the king came of age,  the regent and his laws would be no more. Uthman was thus more devoted to the Asnars and their domain in Russia. He would soon expand that domain.

Partially as a way of satisfying his increasing ambition, and partially to redirect the aggressive zeal of his Ansars away from the monarchy, Uthman engaged both the Dominion and the Ansars in a great attack against France. France was a peaceful land, notable for its beautiful countryside, strong economy, and genial disposition. Unfortunately, that land was a potential rival for Uthman and a ripe opportunity.

Initial forces targeted both Paris and Orleans. Uthman commanded the Parisian detachment, which first had to conquer the city of Tours, while a general known only as "Ali" led more troops to Orleans.The attack on Paris was a success beyond measure, for the Asnars were able to ritually execute the king. His daughter Joan fled the capital for Lyons.

 Ali faced far more challenges. His forces were assaulted numerous times in the course of the march, and afterwards were exposed to the full brunt of the French Army. Although France lacked iron, it did not lack in iron. Her commanding general, Count Petain,  organized a ruthless counteroffensive that led to Ali's death in combat and very nearly cost the Brotherhood the city.

Disaster was only averted by the leadership of Uthman, who used his own troops to help the Orleanists while organizing a seaborne invasion of Rheims. This would distract the French army, as Rheims held religious significance for Frenchmen: kings were crowned there.

Petain's counteroffensive stalled the march of the Asnars. Although Petain's thoughts are unknown to us, historians assume he thought the Asnars had advanced as far as they desired.

 The only city of any economic sigifance remaining was Lyons, and that was unassailable, for it was defended by a mountain range, a river, and a vast lake. No one would dare assault it.  Thus, he departed Lyons with his army in hopes of recovering Rheims.

This decision cost Petain nearly. The Brotherhood was not finished, only resting and resupplying.  Rheims itself held a strong garrison, delivered via ship but unknown to Petain. They would route his forces completely, and while he limped away there the Brotherhood marched on Lyons Although Lyon's site was easily defendable, its commander did not know how to put its terrain to good use. The mountains were left undefended, and the Asnars rode through the passes unmolested.

When the city fell after a mighty fight, Petain was trapped between Arab garrisons. He retreated to a nearby height to rest, hoping to make his way south. Alas for him, that would not occur.

The Asnars were now unstoppable. Uthman's direct command descended the coast, taking Marseilles and Avignon. These coastal cities netted him sugar and furs, while the bulk of the army swept through the southern provinces. They aimed to reduce France to the artic fringes, just as Greece and Russia had been.

They were successful.

France was thus vanquished, and the realms of the Asnars expanded. Uthman the Mighty, now Sayyid,  was in total command of a realm vaster than any that had been seen before.

New horizons would soon dawn.