by Sam Barone
“I thought that commanding the soldiers would be the most difficult part of being a ruler.”
“No, Escander, it is far harder to lead a kingdom than an army. In that, I was able to help my husband, who also had to master that lesson. But leading soldiers is important, too. Always remember how Eskkar controlled his troops. He divided the power among his commanders, he moved leaders from one position to another, and he kept them loyal by rewarding and honoring them. He counted every member of the Hawk Clan as his brother, and even today, the Hawk Clan guards his family and his memory. Above all, Eskkar cared for the lives of his fighters, and avoided those leaders who sought glory and wealth at the expense of their men. Most of all, he promoted only those best qualified to lead, regardless of their wealth or station.”
“It seems there is much more for me to learn.”
“Escander, in the time that I have left, I can offer you no better gift than this – a chance to master all that I have learned over the course of many years. One of the first and most important lesson for you to grasp is the use of terror. As a kingdom and a city, we are generous and loyal to our friends. But anyone who seeks to disrupt our ways or attack our people must learn the penalty for such activities. Remember what your grandfather did to the city of Larsa. The destruction of that city and the scattering of its people helped keep the peace in the Land Between the Rivers for the next twenty years. Even today, that message is still understood – those who go to war against Akkad will pay a heavy price. Your father also knows these things. Under King Sargon’s rule, the Empire has grown in size, and yet each expansion has required even more effort to govern.”
“Like what Father did to the Carchemishi,” Escander said. “When I heard what he had done, it seemed overly harsh, even brutal.”
“Yes, your father and I spent most of a day discussing that raid, and what Akkad’s response would be. But after our soldiers ravaged their city, the Carchemishi changed their ways. Now all the peoples in those distant lands understand the simple lesson we intended. If they do not bother us, we will not bother them. The careful use of terror may save many thousands of lives and prevent costly wars. Induce sufficient fear in your enemies, and you may not have to fight them in battle. But do not avoid war when it is necessary. The longer it is postponed, the greater advantage it will be to the other side. Remember, too, the application of military force, if sufficiently sudden and violent, often paralyzes political will.”
“When the time comes, I hope you will help me as you do my father,” Escander said. “You know so much about our people, and how to bend them to your will.”
“If I am still here, I will offer you advice. But only if you ask,” Trella said. “It is no shame to ask for help, but the sign of a wise ruler. However, always remember to guard yourself against flattery. Let everyone know that you take no offence in hearing the truth, no matter how unpleasant. Eventually you will come to trust your own instincts. Until then, listen to your Aunt Zakita and Uncle Melkorak. She has much wisdom, and he has mastered the art of planning and fighting.”
Escander smiled. “I’ve heard all of Uncle Melkorak’s sayings.” Escander altered his voice to imitate his uncle’s. “Never attack without concentrating your forces, conduct every pursuit with audacity and lethality, appreciate the importance of an ambush, always plan a strategic deception . . .”
“Stop!” Trella laughed at the imitation. “Melkorak is a great general, as well as a master trainer and teacher. You would do well to follow his advice.” She changed her tone. “Don’t forget to rely on En-hedu, who knows much but speaks little. She took Annok-sur’s place after her death. En-hedu’s spies and agents keep close watch on Akkad and the other cities, and it is through her and from them that we quickly learn what dangers and unrest are among our people. The knowledge she brings you of our friends and enemies is invaluable. In times of prolonged peace, the collection of intelligence about potential enemies is even more important.
Escander took his time considering Trella’s words. “When I leave for the northern lands, there will likely be turmoil within the Palace. My half brothers and sisters will . . .”
“Be even more troublesome than usual,” Trella agreed. “But Sargon and I have already spoken of what has to be done. I think I can promise that the most troublesome of your half-brothers will die in a training accident, and his mother from food poisoning. Others will be banished to distant parts of the Empire, where they will have no authority and little influence. Even so, they will be closely watched. If they appear too eager for power, they will be taken care of. Nonetheless, when your time comes, you must ensure that they submit to your authority or pay the price.”
Trella observed Escander’s grim look. “Does it trouble you to think of your brothers dying by your own hand? Then remember the lesson that Sargon failed to learn. Keep your sons and daughters close to you. No man, not even a king, needs more than two wives. If you want more women, do as I did for Eskkar. Bring in young, empty-headed girls to satisfy your needs. After a few months enjoyment, send them away or even better, marry them off to your soldiers. If they bear children, ignore them, and soon everyone else will do the same. Your father kept far too many of his women in the Palace, and now you have to live under that threat. Do not let your appetites bring the same fear to your own children.”
“That is one lesson I will heed, I swear it.”
“Good. And heed this lesson as well. Sometimes a son or a daughter can be more dangerous to your House than an enemy army. It may happen that in such a case, even banishment may not be enough. Remember, you must place the safety and security of your entire family and the people of your Empire over the love and affection you might have for one who is a potential threat. You must rear children that reflect your own values, if you want our line to endure. That is, after all, the test that Sargon nearly failed.”
“I hope that the Alur Meriki can help me as much as the Ur Nammu helped my father. It seems he learned much more from them than he expected.”
“Yes, Escander, that is true. He learned love and loyalty and wisdom without realizing it. No ruler is truly wise who cannot discern the faults of men, or the evil that may lurk behind a smiling face or flattering words. Your grandfather had that gift, though it is given to few men.”
“What if I cannot master these lessons?”
“Oh, you can. Of that I am sure. You will make mistakes along the way, we all do. You will lose some friends, and gain new ones. Change is a part of life, one you must embrace. Rule your people honestly and firmly, so that no shift in good or evil fortune obliges you to change your ways. Because if adversity forces you to change, then you will find it is too late to resort to severity. Any leniency you may use will be wasted, for your people will see that you are forced to it, and will give you no thanks.”
“So many decisions, so many things to consider. I’m not sure if I’m strong or wise enough to lead our people.”
“Not today, Escander, not even tomorrow. Such understanding takes time. But when you return from the north, you will be ready. Your father and I will give you all the help and support we can in the beginning. But soon enough you will be able to stand on your own. I once asked Eskkar what he thought was the most important trait for a leader. He said that a leader, or any man for that matter, must be willing to fight for what he truly believes in, even if a hundred men tell him he is wrong.”
“What of your own safety, Grandmother? When I leave for the north, you, too, will be in danger.”
“There are always threats to our House, Escander. But I have survived more than one attempt on my life. En-hedu and the Hawk Clan are most efficient. Remember, your enemies are not the only ones who can use conspiracy as a tool. Do not disdain using it yourself because others frown upon it. Don’t forget that murder can also be a tool, even if simple-minded people deplore it. Use all these as instruments. They are merely devices, however devious, means, however ruthless. A strong ruler must not hesitate to be deceitful if it
is to his advantage. But always be fair in your dealings. Men are either to be kindly treated, or utterly crushed, since they can revenge minor injuries, but not graver ones.”
“At least the army is loyal,” Escander said. “Uncle Melkorak sees to that.”
“You were always his favorite, though he, too, has had to hide his feelings. In him, you are fortunate. Melkorak is a good commander, but knows he would be a poor ruler. He always followed Eskkar’s advice to spend time with the soldiers. Because when you visit with your soldiers and hear their concerns, you will detect problems in their beginnings, when there is still time to apply remedies. But if you take your leisure far from those who support your rule, problems will grow and fester, and you may wake one day and find that the disease is past any cure.”
“It seems that ruling will be much harder than I expected, Grandmother.”
“Oh, yes. You must not only consider your present difficulties, which are often easy to resolve. Learn to think years ahead, if you would be a wise ruler. That way you may escape one mischief without falling into another. As Yavtar used to say, when the sea is calm, think about storms.”
“I remember the old farmer,” Escander said, a wide smile on his face. “He took me fishing on the river.”
“You were seven years old, Escander. I remember how happy you were that day.”
“I didn’t realize that Yavtar played such an important part in all the wars, or even that he spent most of his life on the river. He was a very kind and gentle man.”
Trella smiled. “He advised your father to put to death the soldiers at Nuzi who revolted. He said that it was important to quell any such disorders by a few public examples. Yavtar told your father that ruthlessly killing a handful of rebellious soldiers would, in the long run, be far more merciful than being lenient, which often results only in more rapine and bloodshed.”
Escander sighed. “So at times I must be ruthless, even when I might want to be merciful.”
“Every challenge you will face will be different. Prudence often consists in knowing how to distinguish degrees of disadvantage, and sometimes in accepting a lesser evil as good. Keep your subjects united and loyal, Escander. That way you will be far more merciful than a ruler who, through too much mercy, allows disorders to arise and ends up with many people suffering and dying.”
“Dealing with people, listening to their complaints, trying to convince them what is best, these are not affairs that I will be good at.”
Trella laughed again. “Eskkar hated those things also. But he learned, in time, that politics is the art of the possible. He said it most closely resembled a long, dreary, military campaign that in the end, neither side wins completely.”
Now it was Escander’s turn to laugh. “I think that I am growing more and more like my grandfather. At least he was courageous and daring.”
“He was, indeed. And it is better to be impetuous than cautious. In that, fortune will favor you. She esteems the young because they are bold and fierce. Eskkar always preferred a daring course that promised a quick end to a conflict. Because he was willing to take such chances, to risk his life for what he believed in, he saved many lives and achieved a great many victories.”
“No man will ever achieve such triumphs again,” Escander said. “King Eskkar will be remembered forever for what he accomplished.”
“I think my husband would smile to hear such words. He knew great military deeds are soon forgotten, and already most people scarcely remember his name. When I am gone, his memory will fade away into the mist.”
“Perhaps I can help keep his memory alive.”
“Statues, battle memorials, and feast days?” Trella shook her head. “Eskkar would be embarrassed by such things. If you would give him honor and hold his memory, serve your people well.”
Escander stood and stretched. “So, now it is time for me to go north. I will try to return as soon as I can.”
“The Alur Meriki will know when you are ready to return. Den’rack is a wise leader, and Garal’s grandson will see to your training. Meanwhile, in a few months I will spread the rumor that you are not doing well, and that you will need to stay in the north much longer. That way you can appear in Akkad without warning, and take up the mantle of heir.”
“It may be many years before I come to rule.”
Trella sighed, and shook her head. “No, I do not think so. Your father’s bones already ache more than they should, and there are many days when pain sweeps over him. It is likely that you will be King sooner than you expect, so waste no time. Learn how to fight, and how to lead, and return as quickly as possible. You must prepare yourself to become a strong leader. Time drives all things before it, and may bring with it evil as well as good. The faster you return and help guide our people, the better for all of us.”
“What should I do now?”
“Go to your father, and tell him you are ready to depart. You need say nothing more. He is a proud man, and for him, the less said of these things the better.”
Escander rose and stepped around the table. He wrapped his arms around Trella’s shoulders, and kissed her cheek. “I can never thank you enough, Grandmother.”
“Oh, we’ll see about that when you return, and after you become King of Akkad. Be warned, I may have a bride waiting for you.”
He laughed. “Whoever you choose, I’m sure she will be both loyal and keen-witted. But if you haven’t yet picked her out, try to find one who is beautiful as well.”
“I will make no promises about that. A woman can have courage and honor as well as any man, and those traits are far more important than a pretty face or lush figure. Now go to your father.”
Trella watched the door close behind him. “For you, Escander, the great adventure of life can now begin.” She stared at the door for a long moment, then turned her chair so she could once again look out the window. The sun had set, and already darkness hid the hilltop where Eskkar’s body rested.
She sighed, weary after the long days with Escander. At least she had finally fulfilled Eskkar’s last and most important wish – that the line of Eskkar and Trella never end. Escander would be king one day, and he would father many children. Those yet unborn that will arise from his loins would ensure that Eskkar’s line endured, that their blood would never vanish from the earth. Even Sargon’s numerous offspring, soon to be banished to the ends of the Empire, would help continue their blood.
Her efforts had by now spanned more than forty-five years in Akkad’s service. Now each additional day of life would be a gift from the gods. She would continue to help Escander, of course, but already Trella felt certain he would rule wisely on his own. The heritage of Eskkar would be reborn in his grandson, and would continue on, growing stronger and spreading wider with each passing generation.
Eskkar had finally conquered his last and greatest enemy – time. She rose and went to the window. Leaning against the sill, her eyes returned to the hilltop where Eskkar was buried, the gravesite now almost invisible in the darkness. “Master, soon I will rejoin you. Then we will be together once again, and never more will anyone or anything part us.”
Almost she could hear him reply, as if he still held her in his strong arms, the way he had done that first night long ago. “And girl, who is the master, and who is the slave?”
Trella laughed at the vivid memory, and this time her voice was the sound of young girl once again. When her time came to depart, she would go willingly, for she knew that not even death or the power of the gods could keep them apart in The Land Beyond the Veil.
The End
Author’s Note
Over the years, a few readers challenged my portrayal of Eskkar and his battle skills. They write that such acumen and knowledge of warfare could not have existed five thousand years ago, and that people in those times were less intelligent. My belief is just the opposite – IQ’s were the same then as now, only people had more time to devote to a particular skill, whether sword-making, fighting, or commandin
g armies and winning battles.
Nevertheless Genghis Khan and his Mongol Hordes conquered half the known world with tactics and weapons little changed from those Eskkar employed – tough, well-trained, and expert archers mounted on strong horses, carrying swords and lances.
The Great Khan’s greatest general, of course, was Subotai the Valiant. Before he died at the age of seventy-three, he’d conquered thirty-two nations and won sixty-five major battles. Subotai never suffered a major defeat. His tactics and strategic vision destroyed the Persian Empire, and the vaunted knights of Europe at the Battle of Sajo River, leaving the rest of Europe essentially helpless. Subotai’s army had reached the outskirts of Vienna when news of the Great Khan’s death arrived. Obeying the summons to return home, Subotai turned around his army and went back to Mongolia. It is quite possible that if the Khan had lived a few more years, Subotai would have reached England’s shores.
All these Mongol victories were achieved with simple tactics – ambush, night attacks, surprise assaults, concentration of forces, appearing where least expected, maneuvering over long distances, rapid marches, masterful logistics, and awarding commands based on experience and skill, not birth or wealth.
The strategies employed by the Mongols and Subotai are still studied today in the war colleges of many nations, including the former Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and the United States.
For those interested in learning more about these tactics and the men who employed them, I recommend the non-fiction story of Genghis Khan’s Greatest General – Subotai the Valiant by Richard A. Gabriel.
Sam Barone
Prescott AZ
Acknowledgement
My thanks, as always, go to my wife, Linda, for all her help in the editing and proofing of this book. Her keen eye caught every mistake, and her determined quest for clarity ensured that the text is as readable as I could make it. Linda also worked with artist Trevor Smith – www.trevorsmithart.com – while he designed and polished the covers and maps. It is no exaggeration to say that this book would not have been possible without her help.