Desert Warrior (2025)

[bunniefuu]

Help.

Please.

Help me.

They are looking

for us.

"Us"? All I see is

an old man in trouble.

This is yours.

There's plenty of more gold.

In that cave.

Please.

Wait. Wait.

Hind, stop!

He's helping us.

- My daughter.

- You are blessed.

Wait.

Those are good mounts.

Not the mounts of bandits.

More like soldiers.

Sassanid

by their armor.

So, tell me who you are.

In time.

There's not much of that left.

The dagger is worth

ten pieces of gold.

I guarantee you ten more.

That shroud,

it has pockets?

I have gold.

Lakhmid gold.

Help us reach

the Shaybani settlement,

and it is yours.

The dagger and the gold.

You have my word.

Into the dunes!

No. No!

Come on. Yalla!

Other side

of the dune!

Run!

Run!

- Got them!

- Go. Go!

Go.

Come on. Come on.

Mount up!

Go!

Baba!

I come in peace...

k*ll him!

Wait! Wait.

What is this mischief?

Two vagabonds, brother.

Helped by this bandit.

And they bring mercenaries

to the border.

Let's see these vagabonds.

Commander Jalabzeen.

It's been a long time.

How can the Shaybani help you?

I'm here on the orders

of the Supreme Emperor Kisra,

ruler of your kingdom

and the lands

of the fertile crescent

where the Tigris

and the Euphrates

-flow into the sea.

-Something to drink?

Your emperor

has sent me

to retrieve his subjects,

Al-Numan and Hind Bint Al-Numan.

That girl there.

His Highness, King Al-Numan

and Hind Bint Al-Numan,

Princess of Al Hira

are now guests in my home.

You're also welcome

to our hospitality,

fresh horses if you need them

and safe passage home

as is my sworn

duty to my emperor.

Allow me

to enlighten you, Chief Hani.

That old man

is no longer a king,

as his appearance makes clear.

He is a fugitive. And Al Hira,

liberated from his rule,

is now governed by Ibn Qabisah,

a loyal subject of the emperor.

So, in the name

of Emperor Kisra,

I demand that

you hand over this girl,

who has been

made his concubine.

- It is you

who is the emperor's wh*re!

-Brother.

-Please.

Please.

She's a princess.

Leave her alone!

You won't stop running, huh?

Samir!

An emperor

who rules so many lands

is perhaps unaware

we, kings of the desert,

have never given our daughters

to others as tribute,

not even to pharaohs or caesars.

You may go in peace.

Hyah!

This isn't the first time

you've entered our land

without permission.

I will leave

as soon as I am paid.

Chief Hani, this man helped us.

I owe him.

Payment is his life.

Get lost, thief.

Hyah! Ha!

We could k*ll the father.

The father

is not the problem.

Then we k*ll them all.

That would be a mistake.

We make it clear to them.

Get in the water.

She's Lakhmid.

My daughter is Shaybani, Hani.

We ask Al-Numan

and his daughter to leave.

Two camels, Hani,

and we will leave

at first light.

No.

You are my guest.

That still means something

to the Shaybani.

While you're under my roof,

you and your daughter are safe.

And I won't cast them out.

I need you to deliver

a message for me.

Do you hear me, boy?

Good.

Good boy.

My good, strong boy, huh?

Huh?

Strong, strong man.

This girl has brought

the devil to our home.

She is a curse on us.

Looks like

my horse missed me.

Why are you still here?

Do you want something from me?

Huh?

Then pay me what you owe.

A dagger and gold.

Get out of here.

And leave my horse.

Have you no honor?

Honor is for fools

and princesses.

One slap from you is enough.

I'm tired of fighting.

When trouble follows you,

you have no choice.

Like I said, trouble.

Hind Bint Al-Numan!

How much?

Forty pieces of gold

should do it.

I told my father

not to trust you.

You give her to him...

you go free.

Ugh.

Your life means nothing to you?

A deal with you

means nothing to me.

Make it to the horse

before they reach us.

Argh.

To the horse!

Hind!

Go.

Hyah!

h*! h*! h*!

Let her go!

This is Shaybani land.

Then Shaybani will pay.

Hey! Hey! To Ctesiphon!

Hyah! Hyah!

He saved her life.

Nine Sassanid k*lled

on our land.

Kisra will punish us

for this.

The bandit is responsible.

Who can't see that

we are at their mercy?

We are at their mercy.

What about honor, my brother?

Yes, and look what it got us.

There's bloodshed.

There's bloodshed!

Enough.

- Listen to me.

- Enough!

The bandit dies tomorrow.

Shh!

Things always get worse

when you show up.

-I brought you water.

-Do you care to pour?

Why didn't you give me over

to the Sassanid?

He is my enemy

just as much as he is yours.

You are cutting

my skin.

I'm saving your life.

So, where will you go?

The empty quarter.

With the other unwanted.

I owe you.

That's right.

A dagger and gold.

Your life isn't enough?

I won't keep it long

without payment.

Then you better hope

to see me again.

May I never be so blessed.

Go!

Go back.

Your insistence brought us here.

We can't go back, Aasif.

What matters now is we stand by

Al-Numan and his daughter.

Guard and protect them.

Until when, Hani?

Until when?

We're all dead?

You let in outsiders, Lakhmids,

and pitted us, your tribe,

against an empire.

Your tribe, brother.

-For what?

-Aasif!

You expect us

to lay down our lives

for others not of our clan.

You act like an enemy

to your people.

What are you doing?

Dare you dishonor me?

Challenge me again, brother,

and it's you

who will be banished.

Al-Numan and his daughter

will remain with us

as long as I am your leader.

Is that understood?

Is that understood?

They are protecting their queen.

Those ants will die.

-Apricots.

-Mhm.

Tastes like home.

Mhm.

I would like to sit in the grove

one more time.

We will never see Al Hira again.

When I'm gone,

you'll become

the rightful queen

of our people.

Until then,

Hani will protect you.

You protect me.

We protect each other.

Always.

Open the door!

- You were seen.

- Let us through.

- Let us through!

- Move.

Move!

Up. Look for him.

Over here. Over there.

Look. Look.

Get out.

You were seen.

By who?

She was inside

all evening.

I was watching her.

You see?

Now get these men

out of my room.

- Keep looking.

- Over there.

It is for your own protection.

Why? My father protects me.

Your father is gone, Hind.

Gone?

Where has he gone?

Where has he gone?

Yeah!

Field Commander

Jalabzeen.

A mercenary who failed you

in his mission

to bring back

the desert concubine.

You fight with ferocity,

Commander Jalabzeen.

Yet you have been outmatched

by a desert girl.

Who are these Shaybani

that refuse me?

Why do they shelter the girl?

Honor.

Look up.

You may meet our eye.

And how might I honor you?

That I may go home.

And where is home?

On the shore

of the Black Sea, my lord.

I honor you

with one last opportunity

to bring me this man's daughter.

Then you may go home.

You have traveled far,

Al-Numan Bin Al-Mundhir.

Though you came alone.

I offer you

something more valuable.

A king.

You're no longer a king.

We replaced you

with Ibn Qabisah.

In prison,

you'll soon be forgotten.

Only one of us

will be forgotten.

Sparing my life

shows weakness.

You bait me.

k*ll him!

k*ll him! k*ll him! k*ll him!

There is no greater tragedy

than a man who gives up on life.

You have failed your people.

You have failed me.

k*ll him!

k*ll him! k*ll him! k*ll him!

You will feel

your daughter's pain

throughout eternity.

You cannot k*ll a king.

We will replace you.

Death comes for us all!

Let the lions

tear down your house!

Hind.

All I want now

is her Lakhmid head.

Bring me that.

Ibn Qabisah of Al Hira.

You will exterminate

every man, woman and child

in the Shaybani tribe

for the defiance.

Fail, Ibn Qabisah, and it is you

who will be called

onto the carpet.

There is only one thing

for a traitor.

Drag his body

through the streets of Ctesiphon

with a camel's cowl.

You should eat.

I don't need your advice.

Just more

of your sleeping draught.

Why did you lie for me?

I am an outsider, like you.

You're not Shaybani?

I am Ganim.

You're Ganim?

Shaybani are my family now.

My family was my father.

The desert is home

with many rooms.

It's time you become

who you might be.

Help me dress.

It's time for me

to return home, Hani.

I must help my people.

Your city is

under Kisra's occupation.

Better to die facing your enemy

than running from him.

So, you will support me?

Your father was

as my father, Hind.

But my tribe is my family.

It's time I serve my tribe.

This is yours.

Then this burden

I will bear alone.

Sassanid!

Move out.

Stand-by formation.

Forward.

Hyah! Hyah!

Hurry.

The Sassanid are coming.

This way.

We'll head north

to the oasis at Ze Qar.

There, with the mountain

at our back,

we stand a chance.

Kisra calls

for Hind's head.

Let him have it.

Perhaps then our actions

will be forgotten.

What is it, my brother?

My father's dagger.

It's yours.

Then

that leaves the gold.

Does your father know

you're here?

My father is dead.

I'm going home.

To Al Hira?

Are you in a rush

to meet your father's fate?

My father sacrificed himself

for me.

Now I'm ready

to sacrifice myself

for my people.

Home is not always the way

you left it.

We need you to guide us.

Against an empire.

And I am the most wanted woman

in all of Arabia.

And no one,

except the shepherd boy,

will help me.

My brothers and I

made the journey

to Al Hira many times.

Then the Sassanid came.

That's how you got the scar?

From the one

they call Jalabzeen.

It's the same as the boy's.

You will ride faster alone.

We will ride further together.

I will take you.

But...

When we get there,

it is 60 pieces of gold.

Stop!

So, the prodigal one returns.

Those fire worshipers,

finally they tired

of your riddles?

Taif Bin Ganim.

Mother.

-I'm pleased to see my--

-Why are you here?

I bring news.

Hani of the Shaybani

has moved his people

to the oasis of Ze Qar.

Like you abandoned

your own tribe.

You threw me out.

You have no shame.

You dishonor the tribe.

By speaking my mind?

Ganim sentence for dishonor

without shame is death!

Then k*ll me!

k*ll me

if that satisfies you.

But first, let me tell you

about true honor.

It isn't a weapon.

It's a journey.

Come on.

Al Hira.

Are you sure

you want to do this?

Hey!

Is that Lakhmid gold you wear?

I am Hind Bint Al-Numan.

Queen of Al Hira.

I'm here to reclaim

my father's throne.

I see no throne.

Nor any loyal

to you.

Any last words

before I deliver your head?

b*stard. Leave us alone.

Freedom!

Yeah!

That is honor.

Now you can rest

in the grove, Papa.

You've taken Al Hira?

They've destroyed everything.

I move my people to Ze Qar

where there is water.

It doesn't matter.

Kisra's army

will be unstoppable.

We'll fight together.

No.

You have your people,

Chief Hani.

I have mine.

Then I'll fight by your side,

as my queen.

You are not alone.

You, too, have an army.

You came.

I'm not alone.

Is what Safiya

tells true?

Did Kisra k*ll the Lakhmid king

and defile his body?

He dragged him through

the streets of Ctesiphon

with a camel's cowl.

Then he's no emperor.

For once, my niece,

she speaks the truth.

You have shown

yourself a queen.

The Ganim will side with you.

For now.

- Kanifa!

- Look, up there!

- How many?

- Someone is coming!

Where are they

coming from?

- Kanifa!

- Kanifa!

Let them pass.

Chief Hani.

Eben Wael.

Taif Bin Ganim,

standing together? What next?

Will the sky drop snow?

To the empire,

we are all the same.

Yes, those Sassanid snakes

could never tell the difference

between us camels.

Eben Wael.

I believe the last time

I saw you,

the Kanifa refused me

and my father a roof.

Hind Bint Al-Numan.

Queen of Al Hira.

Ah, the emperor's prize.

I can accept her being with us.

I... will lead us all

into battle.

We welcome you

and the Kanifa,

but not your leadership.

My ears must be dirty.

Do you understand

what you're saying, child?

Yes. Advice

and counsel, naturally.

This girl, Chief Hani?

I have refused an emperor.

Must I also refuse you?

You cast us out,

Eben Wael.

Or did you forget?

You have the desert

in front of you,

and the ocean behind.

You're trapped.

There is no escape

from what you will face.

To win the battle,

you need an army.

I don't see an army here.

To win this battle,

you need tactics.

Good position.

Well supplied. With water.

The oasis.

The oasis at Ze Qar

is where we will face them.

- An oasis.

- Ze Qar.

- Ze Qar.

- Ze Qar!

-Ze Qar.

-Ze Qar.

Ze Qar.

Ze Qar.

Ze Qar. Ze Qar.

Ze Qar! Ze Qar!

Ze Qar! Ze Qar!

Ze Qar! Ze Qar!

Well played, Queen of Al Hira.

Thank you, Eben Wael...

for your counsel.

Ganim!

Ganim!

Lakhmid!

Lakhmid!

Shaybani!

- Shaybani!

- Shaybani!

Kanifa!

Kanifa!

My father would have wanted you

to have that.

You earned it.

I've more than earned it.

You told me

we shared a common enemy.

I told you, honor is for fools.

Kisra is coming.

So, where do you go

with your money?

Home?

No.

Nowhere is home.

Take care of yourself, bandit.

Shh! Shh!

Sassanid are coming!

Are they dead?

Look at me.

To be a man,

you must be brave and strong.

Can you be this man?

Brand this one.

Ze Qar!

Weapons!

Weapons!

Aasif, we have to wait

for Hani's command.

Aasif, we must wait.

Don't follow Aasif, please.

You have no right

to drink this water.

This is Shaybani land.

Stop! Hani!

Go back. Back. Back!

Stop!

Aasif!

You have no right

to drink this water.

This oasis

belongs to Shaybani.

I take it, you explain

who these outsiders are,

brother.

They're our allies, brother.

Kanifa, Lakhmid, Ganim.

They're here to fight with us.

Then they come to die.

Drink the water of Ze Qar.

Here.

-No. Stop them.

-Now.

Together.

You've abandoned our people.

And our family.

Save your strength, Aasif.

You will need it.

May God protect us from you.

Brother.

I need you beside me

when we fight.

Not against me.

Come on.

Samir?

Someone tried to poison me.

Watch out!

Aasif!

Aasif is leaving.

You traitors!

Let's go!

- Wake up!

- Let's go!

Move out quickly!

With him

goes our right flank.

Let's go! Hyah!

He will tell them

how much water we are defending.

There are many ways

to fight this battle.

Ride fast!

We surrender to the Sassanid!

They will spare our lives!

Commander Jalabzeen!

You have no idea

what it is like back there.

I can barely breathe.

There's no water.

No water here.

Water!

What is that desert rat doing?

Bandit!

Bandit!

I come in peace.

You brought the Tazmuri?

Yeah. Yeah.

I know they are not

your favorite neighbors,

but they are good fighters.

- They've agreed to fight with us?

- -Mm.

I told them

the army that is coming

is a caravan they could plunder.

Seemed like the best way

to get them here.

- It is quite the caravan.

- Where is he?

Where is that lying, cheating,

brigand, bandit, sour face?

Where is my caravan, Hani?

Greetings, Yazid.

He said it was

the largest caravan

he'd ever seen.

I said "colossal."

Colossal.

It's an army. Kisra's army.

I've joined a w*r on Kisra.

You used me.

How about I go

and see what Kisra will pay

for your heads?

Hind Bint Al-Numan.

Queen of the Lakhmid.

-The queen?

-Yazid of the Tazmuri.

We are grateful

for your allegiance,

and your men.

For...

It was nothing.

It's an honor to meet you,

Hind Bint Al-Numan.

Why always yelling,

filthy thief?

That fig picker

is in on this too?

Get back. Go back.

Having fun?

Since when does the Tazmuri

do anything

unless there's gold involved?

-Who else is in on this?

-We are many.

I have seen the army up close.

On the other side

of those hills.

My advice...

run while you can.

And where should we go?

I'll tell you where you've gone.

Wrong in the head.

How do you beat an empire?

-We let the desert beat it.

-Huh?

We've buried all the wells

beyond this oasis.

This is now the only water,

so we defend it.

You see? Instead of barking,

you should listen. Tactics.

This is how you beat Kisra.

If the Tazmuri

will accept the honor,

you and your men could face off

on the right flank

against Ibn Qabisah

and his cavalry.

Ibn Qabisah?

Yes.

I'd like to stick a lance

up that fat slob's--

Come on, come on, come on.

Join us for some food

and date wine.

- Date wine?

- Yes. Three days old.

Three days?

This belongs to you.

Together...

we drink for tomorrow.

For Al-Numan's honor.

Honor.

Honor.

Take them down!

For Kanifa!

h*! h*! h*!

Keep digging!

Weapons.

Weapons.

Weapons.

Hey.

Weapons.

Shaybani will take the left!

Kanifa, the center!

Lakhmid with Hind!

Ganim will hold in reserve!

Use your own judgment

where and when to move!

Settle!

Stay low.

How many tribes

have joined?

Kanifa.

Kanifa.

And Lakhmid.

Where is our Lakhmid heel?

Perhaps we should give the men

more water.

We are running low.

There are five thousand men

when 500 would suffice.

I have my orders.

Mhm.

Time for your half-measures

is over,

Commander Jalabzeen.

We will water at Ze Qar

before the sun

is at its highest.

After I have destroyed

the Shaybani

and all the traitors

of my own tribe,

that have chosen

to die with them.

Ganim? Kanifa?

What allegiance

do they have with each other?

Perhaps you should ask them.

Hm?

Ibn Qabisah!

You are no king!

I am your queen.

I will forgive you

and all other Lakhmids

if you ride to us

and fight

alongside your true people.

Look around you.

You are outnumbered four to one!

You have raided,

robbed and cursed each other

for generations.

And yet, today,

you ride together as one?

Do not be fooled.

There's nothing that unites you.

You have placed yourself

and those who stand with you

in direct defiance

of His Majesty,

the Supreme Emperor...

Send Qabisah's Lakhmids

in first.

This will be swift.

And when they counter,

return them.

Is that a cow?

Tribes of Arabia.

Are you with me?

For the fight!

Let the lions

tear down their house.

Fight!

Outflank. Outflank.

Keep them

from getting wide of us.

Signal both flanks.

Cavalry attacks on both wings.

Bracers center advance.

Wait. Wait.

Take the shield

to protect the line.

Take the shields

to protect the line.

Hold the line.

They're going to break through.

They're breaking the line.

There's a lot of them.

Keep them

behind that line!

Call the Ganim.

Let's go!

Let's show Kisra

what is it like to face a Ganim

who carries no sword

on his back.

Let's go.

Let's go!

Hold them.

Archers.

Loose.

Bracers turn.

Go.

Go. Go.

Go.

- Go!

- Retreat.

- Go.

- Retreat.

Retreat!

No, no.

Cut them off.

Cut them off!

Retreat!

Retreat!

Retreat!

Get back!

Get back.

Onward. Onward.

Ah.

- Make a line!

- Make a line!

Make a line!

Make a line!

- Make a line.

- Hold your fire.

Hold the line!

- Give us the girl.

- No.

No.

Hind.

It's my sacrifice.

Give me the girl!

No! Hani!

- Withdraw.

- Bracers!

Withdraw!

Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!

Turn!

Let me go.

Hani.

Hani.

Crush them

into dust.

We face them with camels.

Camels!

The camels! The camels!

Go! Let's go! Let's move!

Let's move.

Hold the lines!

Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!

Thirty!

Cover the camels' eyes!

Blindfold them!

Twenty!

Ten!

Five!

Brace!

Release!

Pull back!

There are too many!

Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!

Go. To the oasis!

Finish this!

Full advance!

We need some water!

Seize the oasis!

- Run! Move!

- Out quickly, go!

Run!

- We have to leave!

- Hide! Hide!

- Go!

- Go, go, go!

Stop!

Stop drinking!

The water is poisoned!

Home.

He chose you.

He is free to do so.

And you?

I hope to see you again,

Hind Bint Al-Numan of Al Hira.

You should be so blessed.

Hyah!

Hyah!

Seeds are falling

Like heavy gold

Keeps us human

From getting old

Treasure nature

With every turn

You go

Always here

Seeds are falling

Like heavy gold

Keeps us human

From getting old

Treasure nature

With every turn

You go

Always here

Seeds are falling

Like heavy gold

Keeps us human

From getting old

Treasure nature

With every turn

You go

Always here