Prince Malik bin Abdullah inspected the soldiers standing at attention. These men were the first of his father's New Model Army. Formerly men like this would have served as the fodder for the enemies artillery and cavalry, but no more. Now these peasant city boys and criminals would be turned into proper warriors. Malik had his British and Savoyard friends to thank for that. Even better than having well trained troops was having free troops. Many of these new Model units were paid for by foreign masters, although the troops would never know that. The troops were young and from the poorest of the poor but their new training, discipline, and code gave them pride in their roles. It gave them a means to better themselves. The troops stood tall, proud, and fiercely. They were resplendent in their crisp blue coats, white trousers, and red caps.
The new troops were organized into two Regiments, each commanded by the officer that trained them. The first was the Lions of the East (Formally the 1st Riyadh Infantry Regiment), commanded by the Savoyard Captain Alain Favre, the second was the Lions of the West (2nd Riyadh Infantry Regiment), commanded by Lieutenant Henry Thomas Horton, Seventh Baronet of Westmeath.
Malik had studied the European arts, read their war manuals and witnessed fine drill. He learned proper training techniques from European officers. He had an idea of what these soldiers should look and act like.
It was the beginning of the transformation of these units. The Savoyard, Captain Alain Favre, smiled as the Prince inspected the troops he had trained. He felt his troops to be far superior to those trained by the Englishman. The two had a healthy rivalry that Malik encouraged. He wanted them to be at their best. "Excellent Captain Favre. Your men are truly a sight to see. Perhaps though, the 2nd has more finely polished uniforms?" Malik said in French. He was fluent in several languages, and spoke to the officers in their native tongues, however he insisted that they should learn Arabic and be able to give their commands in Arabic (at least for the most part). They were learning well enough though and Malik enjoyed flexing his command of language.
Lieutenant Horton was filled with satisfaction at having beaten the Savoyard. Malik did not actually think the British soldiers looked better, he just wanted Favre to think so to promote the rivalry and ensure he got the best out of his Europeans. Malik would also not allow for him to seem dependent on them and so subtly asserted his knowledge of warfare to remind these Europeans that he was not Desert fool.
The primary purpose for these European style troops - the defensive square and to fight cavalry. A technique perfected by Europeans who imposed the discipline necessary for infantry not to break and run at the sight of cavalry. These boys from the dregs of society would usually have been conscripted by the Prince and thrown out to die and absorb the enemy so that the Prince's real troops could get in close and do the real fighting. But now, if these men could be used to fight against the famed Arab cavalry, then his father would have a definite advantage over his enemies.
He concluded his inspection and walked into the palace, beckoning for the Europeans to follow. "Gentlemen, are they ready? I have been instructed by my father to employ these men in battle immediately. It seems one of my cousins has forgotten himself and needs to be dealt with. This gives us a chance to test your men in battle. Your men will form our center. I will command our Cavalry and traditional infantry, but our actions will only be necessitated on how well your men perform. If it seems they are breaking, I will ride in with my men to save them, but I hope that your combined troops should be able to crush my upstart Cousin Ahmed." Malik asked them quietly in Arabic, so as not to give preference to either one through language.
Both officers assured Malik that their men could easily handle Ahmed's desert horsemen. It was decided then, Malik would ride to battle once again, this time with the new troops at his disposal.
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After two days of tracking, Ahmed had been forced to battle. The two regiments formed up for battle. Malik sat in reserve with the bulk of his armies. He prayed that this gamble would work, that it would be possible to turn the worst of his men into an actual fighting force.
Lieutenant Horton spoke with his Arab commander counterpart. Although the Arab counterpart was a colonel, and thus technically a higher rank that Horton, Malik had brevetted both Europeans with the position equivalent to Brigadier Generals. It was important for Malik that local officers be trained to the system as well. The counterpart officers also acted as translators when the Europeans command of Arabic failed them.
Over the crest of a dune came the horsemen of Prince Ahmed. These men were little better than bandits, preying on British colonies. It was the duty of Malik's family to stop this practice and so marched to war once again. The horsemen were fiercely independent and proud. They were hardened from years of battle and hardship. As they approached they were offended by the force that came out to meet them. These beggars and thieves? These were the men to challenge them today. The insult drove them into a fervor and Ahmed immediately spurred them into a charge. It was a headlong charge on open ground. This usual death warrant elsewhere was not a concern for skilled horsemen such as Ahmed's. They were used to charging through and destroying these peasant units in these conditions. But as they charged they noticed their enemies doing something strange. The infantry packed closely together and formed two squares. What folly! They will meet their doom no matter what shape they decide to meet it in. So Ahmed's men raced for the enemy, each man vying for the honor of first blood.
Ahmed noticed that the usual ineffective shots of nervous musketeers were not going off, this did not slow him however and he pushed his men onwards when suddenly, as he drew closer, the sides of the square facing his men erupted in white smoke, coughing a volley of blasts at his men. As if lightning had struck it, the front ranks of his cavalry was decimated in seconds. He himself took two wounds, but he kept charging, this would be his victory. As he drew closer still he noticed that the peasant infantry was not fleeing as usual but was holding firm. One of the units was haphazardly firing in a chain of continuous fire that raked his men down group by group. Still he pushed on, the heat of battle and thought of glory spurring him. Many of the horses refused to go further into that chaos but his loyal steed pushed on.
He drew his last breath before he could push down his sword. He found a wall of blades at the tip of the peasant's guns. It pierced his heart. His band met a similar fate.
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Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz sat on his throne, the ancient seat of his forefathers in the city of Riyadh. He had assembled an audience to reveal his plans for the future. He was not an old man, but he wasn't young either. He was a vital 52 year old with visions for the future. He had harbored and cultivated these dreams for his entire life and now it seemed that they might come to fruition before he died. Praise be to Allah! His plans were unfolding. Much of it was due to the brilliance, charisma, and zeal of his young son Malik. He owed much of his current success to the loyal devotion of Malik and his efforts across the globe. Malik had toured Europe, winning allies, money, and respect for his father. He had brought back European officers who worked free for his father and would help build the army that would conquer the peninsula. The Prince looked at the assembled in the room. These were men of unquestioned loyalty. Too many times had betrayals and spies brought down Princes in this land.
The Prince rose up, his long elegant robe shifting slightly as the breeze blew across the room. "For too long the title of my forefathers has gone unclaimed. There has not been an Imam of the Saud house for many generations for fear of war between our various factions. I assert to you all present that it is my intention to claim that title once again. I have the capital, I have the troops, I have the officers, and I have the grace of Allah. Soon I shall unify these lands once again and bring strength and glory back to the House of Saud!"
Cheers rang out from across the room. The Reunification had begun.
