Editing Kavad II (section)

===Preparations===
[[Image:Ctesiphon map-en.svg|thumb|Map of the metropolis of [[Ctesiphon]]]]
It was essential for the conspirators to move quickly to catch Khosrow II and his men off guard.{{sfn|Howard-Johnston|2020|pp=316–317}} To maintain contact between Ctesiphon and [[Veh-Ardashir]], it was necessary to occupy the [[pontoon bridge]] over the [[Tigris|Tigris River]]. The core of individuals involved in the conspiracy had to grow as quickly as feasible. To gather more support, they had to make the political equivalent of a [[Shock tactics|shock attack]]. The conspirators agreed to stage the coup on the night of 23/24 February.{{sfn|Howard-Johnston|2020|p=317}} They made the decision to inform Heraclius of the situation by sending a group of deputies to him. They required assurance that the Byzantines would be prepared to talk peace terms with a newly established Iranian government. They must have felt encouraged by Heraclius' recent proposition to Khosrow II, but they required a clear promise from him. Much justification for the coup attempt would be gone if there was no assurance that the Byzantines would also favor making peace, as the Sasanian state would get weakened by the coup.{{sfn|Howard-Johnston|2020|p=317}}

Four army commanders and two high-ranking civilians made up the deputation that departed. The ''[[hazarbed]]'' Gousdanaspa Razei was in charge of it. Once Heraclius had given the desired assurance, Gousdanaspa Razei was permitted to tell him about the details of the scheme, the upcoming coup, and its date. The deputation needed about a week's worth of time because the Byzantine army was about 200 kilometers from Ctesiphon. They thus must have departed by 17 February to be in time for the coup on 23/24 February.{{sfn|Howard-Johnston|2020|p=317}} They met with Heraclius in [[Shahrizor|Shahrazur]], most likely around 19 February. There they received his assurance, and in return informed him of the details of the coup.{{sfn|Howard-Johnston|2020|p=318}}