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David was horrified to
hear these instructions, as they appeared to be against the orders
of Heraclius to fight the Muslims and throw them back into the desert.
He therefore refused to carry out this mission. Wardan then told
him the entire plan of the plot in order to convince him that he
intended no disobedience of the instructions of the Emperor. And
this, as we shall see, was a mistake.
The sun had not yet set when David walked
up to the Muslim army, which was still arrayed in battle order,
and asked to see Khalid on a matter of peace proposed by Wardan.
As soon as Khalid was informed, he came out to David and stood glaring
at him.
The sight of Khalid with his 6 feet and
more of bone and muscle could have an unnerving effect on any man
at whom Khalid glared. His hard, weather-beaten, battle-scarred
face and his piercing eyes gave the impression of pitilessness to
those whom Khalid regarded as enemies. The effect on poor David
was devastating. Wilting under the gaze of the Sword of Allah, he
blurted out: "I am not a man of war! I am only an emissary!"
Khalid drew closer. "Speak!"
he ordered. "If you are truthful you will survive. If you
lie you shall perish."
The Christian Arab spoke: "Wardan
is pained by all this unnecessary bloodshed and wishes to avoid
it. He is prepared to sign a pact with you and spare those who still
live. There should be no more fighting until the talks are completed.
He proposes that you and he meet alone between the two armies in
the morning and discuss terms of peace."
"If what your master intends is
deceit," replied Khalid, "then by Allah, we ourselves
are the root of trickery and there is none like us in stratagem,
and guile. If he has a secret plot, it will only hasten his own
end and the annihilation of the rest of you. If on the other hand
he is truthful, then we shall not make peace except on the payment
of the Jizya. As for any offer of wealth, we shall soon take it
from you anyway." 1
Khalid's words, uttered with unshakeable
conviction, had a profound effect on David. Saying that he would
go and convey Khalid's message to Wardan, he turned and began to
walk away while Khalid stood staring after him and sensing that
all was not as it seemed. David had not gone far before it suddenly
struck him that Khalid was right; that victory would go to the Muslims
and the Romans would perish no matter what tricks they tried. He
decided to save himself and his family by confessing the truth.
Consequently he retraced his steps and once again stood before Khalid,
to whom he revealed the entire Roman plot, including the place at
which the 10 Romans would lie concealed - below a hillock a little
to the right of the Roman centre. Khalid promised to spare David
and his family on condition that he did not tell Wardan that the
Muslims now knew of his plot. To this, David agreed.
On his return to the Roman Army, David informed
Wardan of the initial talks he had had with Khalid and Khalid's
agreement to the rendezvous as planned; but said nothing of the
second conversation he had with the Muslim. Wardan was delighted.
At first Khalid thought of going to the
hillock alone and killing all 10 Romans himself. His adventurous
soul thrilled at the prospect of a glorious fight. But when he discussed
the matter with Abu Ubaidah, the latter dissuaded him and suggested
that he should detail 10 valiant fighters instead. To this Khalid
agreed. The 10 men he chose included Dhiraar, who was appointed
leader of the party. He instructed Dhiraar to be prepared to next
morning to dash out from the front rank of the Muslims and intercept
and kill the 10 Romans when they appeared. But Dhiraar was no less
adventurous in spirit that Khalid and insisted that he and his men
be allowed to use the hours of darkness to find the Romans in their
place of concealment and kill then in their lair. Knowing Dhiraar
as he did, Khalid acceded to his request. Shortly before midnight
Dhiraar and his nine comrades set off from the camp.
1. Waqidi:
p. 39.
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