The Haras
The Haras, or caliphal guard, was established with the first Umayyad Caliph in the 7th century. Syres knows very well what these personal bodyguards are used for. He has been exposed to them multiple times over the span of his long life. He originated in Egypt and was first exposed to a caliphal guard when he took the trek from the newly found city of Cairo to Damascus, the old capital in Syria. His master, a war chief of sorts, planned on forcing Syres to be a slave soldier. Since then, Syres has been exposed to them multiple times when traveling back to Cairo, Umayyad Al-Andalus, and Baghdad. He believes they are pretentious, lazy, uncultured, and deceptive cowards who want the title more than protecting their Caliph.
The Haras is characterized by members who were armed with lances or short spears called hirab (plural of harba) and iron clubs or maces called 'umud. Other accounts also said that the members used whips and this also fuel Syres hatred for them. They use weapons slave traders and masters would sue to beat their slaves. He also dislikes the bright, gold-trimmed silken belt they are gifted as part of their service. Their is always a "head" or chief guard that is close to Caliph, usually his tax collector and or a capable administrator. What was ironic to Syres is that the least qualified warrior got an actual weapon. The chiefs commonly used swords, and their appointments occasionally were accompanied by ceremonially receiving a sword. The chiefs were also reported to use chains as instruments for torture.
The main role of the haras was to act as the personal bodyguards of the caliphs. Haras members were known to guard the caliph even during private meetings, at night and during prayers at the mosque. Syres was offered a place in the Al-Andalus guard but turned it down, becoming a companion to the young Prince or heir and the great scholars of the time.
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