Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Futu!lushiim
behalf against this wretch. Will you give me your daughter's hand in marriage if! kill
or capture him?"
Warden : Most certainly, and I make the chiefs of Syria and Imperial officials my
witnesses to this. Most probably, you do not need any more reliable witnesses?
Steven went out like a blazing fire to attack .Qirar ,*" saying, "0 wretch! Take that
which you cannot resist."
.Qirar,*, did not understand a word of his Greek language but prepared to attack back.
Steven was wearing a gold cross tied to a silver chain. When .Qirar '*' saw him
kissing it, he realised that he was seeking help from it, so he said, "If you seek help
from that cross against me, then I seek help from that Being who answers du'a and
comes close to he who calls out unto Him," and then attacked. The two exhibited
such fighting skills which astounded everyone until Khalid '*' shouted out, "0 Ibn al-
Azwar! What is this sluggishness and negligence? Why are you delaying when Hell
is waiting for your opponent and Allah is watching you? Avoid cowardice and attack
like a man."
.Qirar '*' began shaking with enthusiasm in his saddle and renewed his attack.
The Romans were cheering Steven on while the two combatants were engrossed in
the duel until the sun reached its peak and showered its fiery rays. The men began
sweating and even their horses began sweating to their tails. Steven then made signs
that they should dismount and fight on foot. .Qirar '*' was about to comply when he
saw Steven's slave bringing his master an unmounted fresh horse, so he said to his
horse, "Remain strong under me for a little while longer or else I will go and
complain about you in front of the grave of Rasulullah ~."
These words made the horse neigh and stamp the ground with its foreleg .
.Qirar,*, headed towards the slave and killed him with his spear. He mounted the new
horse, sending his own back to the Muslims and returned to Steven. This scene
convinced the Roman that his death was imminent. .Qirar '*' perceived these thoughts
from his expression and was about to attack when he saw a squadron of horsemen
approaching. When Warden had seen Steven's predicament he said to his men, "This
devil is really irritating me. If I do not kill him today, I will be presenting myself for
destruction. Now I will go and fight him even if the other leaders consider it a
disgrace, but I do not care."
Ten armoured men followed him wearing leg-armour and side covers and carrying
steel-maces. Steven was fighting hopelessly, but when he saw Warden coming
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