Yet another “premodern female combatant disguised as a male” legend comes from the islamic lore. Her name is Khawla.
So the story starts with a character named Derar.
Derar is a high ranked warrior of the rashidun caliphate. He has a sister called Khawla. Derar grew up with Khawla and unlike most brothers with a sister, Derar would teach her combat skills, archery, horse riding and martial art and would train with her. Khawla despite her skills is ofc not a combatant as women were discouraged from front line combat (The usual stuff, as per every one of these stories. Gotta make yer heroine unique, right?)
But she’s always active in the field, mostly as supply runner and medic. So she’s not unfamiliar with the battlefied.
One day during a skirmish Derar was defeated and captured. Upon hearing the news she got hysterical and decided to steal some armor, covered her face and wrap a green shawl around her waist. Then grabbed a horse, a spear and took off. When she arrived in battle she would just tear through baddies. There were some reports of her in action.
A historian wrote: “In a battle that took place in Beit Lahia, Khalid saw a rider dressed in black with a large shawl wrapped around his bust to his waist. That rider crossed enemy ranks like an arrow. Khalid and the others followed him and joined the battle, Khalid himself wondering the identity of this mysterious rider.”
A report says: “He fights like Khalid but I’m sure that’s not him”
Another eyewitness report by Rafe’ described it as such: “The rider would disperse the enemies and then disappear into their midst, then showed up with blood on his spear, swerve back into the crowd and come back out again, repeating the action without fear, several times.”
The army was worried for her safety. Rafe also thought this person might have been Khalid, but when Khalid pulled up bringing several men with him, Rafe asked Khalid “Anybody know who’s down there? By GOD that man fights with zero regards to his safety!”
So Khalid led his boys to help this suicidal solo menace and thanks to Khalid’s back up, Khawla managed to not die. Khawla wanted to immediately leave but Khalid stopped her and asked “who are you”. Khawla didn’t answer. “Khalid just asked you a question. You better answer.” says Rafe’. They were not letting her go.
Seeing there’s not way out without answering, she finally spoke and said “I couldn’t answer because I’m shy. I’m just a woman with a broken heart and you’re a great warrior”
Errbody shook. Dude’s a lady. Part 1