by Peter Darman
‘The beginning?’
‘Viper’s marriage will be like a small stone that starts a rockslide. Soon more of the Amazons will wish to marry.’ She suddenly looked sad. ‘I suppose that I wanted things to stand still, that is all. Time moves on relentlessly and I sometimes think … it doesn’t matter.’
I pulled her close. ‘Alas, my love, only the gods have the power to make time stand still. But you must admit that Surena and Viper are happy. And I think he will make a good husband.’
She kissed me on the cheek. ‘You are probably right.’
Another group of individuals who were also happy were the Roman engineers that we had captured the previous year. At first they had been confined to a large house in the west of the city that had belonged to one of Mithridates’ cronies during his brief reign in the city. They had been placed under guard and their siege engines had been placed in a secure warehouse on the other side of the city as a precaution against them being sabotaged by their former owners. At first the Romans were surly and uncooperative, but after a few weeks, when it became clear that they were not going to be abused or sold into slavery, their attitude slowly improved. Domitus and Godarz visited them frequently and gained their trust, and after a while they were permitted to leave their lodgings and venture into the city. During my time away in Gordyene they had frequently dined with Godarz in his house, talking about Rome and Italy no doubt, and gradually they came to accept their situation more readily. As the months passed their guards were reduced and then removed altogether and they were even allowed outside the city. During the recent siege they had worked their engines to destroy the Mesenian siege towers that had assaulted Dura. This had turned them into heroes in the city, and afterwards they had been deluged with invitations to banquets and had been sent many gifts from a grateful populace.
A week after all the kings had departed I went to see them. They now came and went as they chose, and because they were not part of the army their time was largely their own. The first thing I noticed when I walked down to their accommodation with Domitus was how they had all put on a few pounds in weight, more than a few pounds in some cases. Their leader was a man named Marcus Sutonius, the same individual I had spoken to directly after the defeat of Lucius Furius all those months ago. Then he had been lean and surly, today he was stockier and much more agreeable. The rest of his men gathered behind him as I spoke to them in the courtyard that fronted their living quarters. Their home was surrounded by a high wall with a large gate directly opposite the house’s main entrance, with its stables and store rooms along the walls either side of the courtyard. Its security had made it an ideal prison, but now the gate was open and there were no guards. I stood next to the fountain that was in the middle of the courtyard.
‘I wanted to thank you all for your help during the recent siege,’ I said.
‘Just doing our job, sir,’ replied Marcus. ‘Lucky you had that Eastern liquid. We just poured it in some clay pots, sealed them and tied rags doused in pitch round the tops, which we then lit. When they shattered it burned nicely. No wonder you keep it under lock and key.’
‘Indeed. Well, your actions helped to save the city and my daughter, so I have come to tell you that you are all free to leave Dura. I had desired that you aid me in another venture, but in all conscience I cannot hold you here any longer after what you have all done.’
Marcus turned and looked at his men, who all seemed remarkably underwhelmed that they were now free men. One or two looked almost distraught. Marcus cleared his throat.
‘Thank you for your kindness, sir, but the fact is that me and the lads, well, we wouldn’t mind staying around for a while longer if you have a use for us. Like you said.’
There were murmurs of agreement behind him and his men were nodding to each other. Clearly their pleasant confinement at Dura was more agreeable than service in the Roman army.
I looked at Domitus, whose face betrayed no emotion.
‘Well,’ I said, ‘your offer is gladly accepted. Your services will be indispensible for the coming campaign, so I thank you.’
‘Thank you, sir, we won’t let you down,’ replied Marcus.
Afterwards, as we were walking back to the Citadel, Domitus questioned me.
‘The first I’ve heard of any campaign.’
‘That’s because it is the first time that I have mentioned it.’
I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was unhappy. ‘If you are planning a war you should have told me and you should also have persuaded the kings to stay at Dura.’
‘We do not need them, Domitus. What I have in mind will not take long and Dura’s army will be more than sufficient.’
He was still far from happy. ‘May I ask the nature of this new campaign?’
I smiled. ‘All will be revealed at the meeting of the war council.’
Chapter 20
I summoned the council that afternoon and it convened on the palace balcony five hours after midday. It had been nearly two months since we had defeated Chosroes outside the city wall and my leg had now healed fully, though I had a nasty scar where the wound had been, as had my arm. Fortunately I also had no limp, though Alcaeus informed me that I still might develop one in later life — something to look forward to in my old age!
The army had recovered its strength after the battle and once more trade had returned to normal, an endless stream of carts and camels filling the road to and from the East and Egypt. No word had come from Ctesiphon and my father had also heard nothing from the court of the King of Kings.
‘They are replenishing their stocks of malice,’ was Dobbai’s comment on the ominous silence.
I had hoped that Narses himself, now in possession of the command that I had held when I had the favour of Phraates, would lead an army against me so that I could destroy him once and for all.
‘Narses has been burned by you before,’ remarked Godarz. ‘I doubt he will try again in the near future, especially since now you have an alliance of other kings behind you.’
‘Exactly,’ I said, ‘and for that reason the time is ripe to strike while I have an opportunity to do so.’
Domitus, as was his wont, often fiddled with his dagger during these meetings. Now he stopped and looked at me. ‘Strike where?’
‘Uruk, of course.’
‘Is that wise, majesty?’ asked Rsan, no doubt already alarmed at the expense of yet another campaign.
‘Very wise, Rsan, and long overdue,’ I replied.
‘I see the reason why you were so keen to retain the engineers now,’ said Domitus.
I told them of my plan to strike southeast and assault the city of Uruk, the capital of Mesene and the stronghold of Chosroes.
‘He thinks he is safe behind his walls,’ I said, ‘but he has reckoned without my siege engines that our Roman allies have agreed to operate.’
‘You would storm the city?’ Nergal looked alarmed.
‘Of course,’ I replied. ‘I do not intend to just sit in front of his walls.’
‘To what end, son of Hatra?’ Even Dobbai was intrigued.
‘To the end of removing Chosroes and sending a message to his allies that Dura is not to be underestimated or insulted.’
‘I think they know that already,’ commented Godarz.
‘I would have a friend sitting on Mesene’s throne,’ I said.
I gave no further details but ordered Domitus to prepare his legions for the march south, which would commence in two weeks, and for Nergal to ready his horse archers. Orodes had been made commander of all the cataphracts, leaving me free to command the whole army, and I asked him to ensure that the heavy cavalry was fully armed and equipped after its exertions in the last battle. I told Godarz that we would be away from Dura for no longer than three months. I also sent word to Palmyra that I would like to see Byrd and Malik and they duly arrived three days later. They were informed of my plan and I asked Malik if he would like to accompany us; he agreed, of course, as did Byrd. Malik,
because he liked being a warlord, and Byrd because he liked the company of his friend Malik. I was very pleased to have my old companions with me once more. I also asked Gallia and her Amazons to march with us.
‘What are you up to?’ she said suspiciously.
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Usually you try to keep the Amazons and me for that matter, as far away from your army as possible, but now you wish us to march alongside you.’
‘Of course,’ I replied, ‘is it not natural for a husband to want his beloved wife by his side?’
She was far from convinced. ‘I know that something is afoot, Pacorus, so you might as well tell me.’
I placed two fingers on her lips.
‘All will be revealed, my love, all will be revealed.’
I decided to leave five hundred horse archers behind to stiffen the garrison of five hundred legionaries. I doubted that Dura would be attacked a third time but it was better to be safe than sorry. Nergal was far from happy but his mood lightened when I told him that he would be commanding the lords and their retinues once more.
‘We do not need all their men,’ I told him, ‘if each lord brings a hundred men that will suffice. Kuban will also be coming with us.’
‘Gallia commands his men,’ said Nergal.
‘Not in battle. When it comes to a fight you will lead our friends from Margiana. And get a new shirt and leggings, Nergal. You are, after all, the commander of all my horse.’
‘Yes, lord.’
Nergal had never been one for gaudy uniforms, but it was time he dressed according to his rank. To that end I had the armourers make him a new helmet, a beautiful piece with steel neck guard, cheekguards and silver strips inlaid in its crown. I also ordered him a white cloak edged with silver. He was delighted with these gifts when I presented them to him, though also confused.
‘You are too generous, lord.’
‘Nonsense,’ I replied, ‘you are a great warlord of Parthia now, Nergal, and people need to be reminded of that.’
Praxima was also delighted and said it was about time that her husband was attired according to his rank. After we had finished entertaining them both in the palace, Gallia, still suspicious, questioned me further.
‘Nergal does not need fancy clothes to win the respect of his men,’ she said, ‘he has that already.’
‘I know that,’ I replied, avoiding her eyes.
‘And since we have been here you have cared little how Nergal dresses. So why now?’
‘I just feel that he should look the part, that is all.’
She shook her head. ‘I don’t trust you; I can tell that something is brewing.’
But I would say no more on the matter and that was that. The next day I had an invitation to attend Dobbai in her private chambers. Her room was down the corridor from our own bedroom, though no one ventured past its doors, mostly through fear that they would not come out alive. But I never heard any strange noises that indicated that sorcery was being practised and we never broached the subject of what was in her room out of respect for her. The palace staff had grown quite fond of Dobbai despite her uncouth ways and fierce tongue, and Claudia of course loved her. It was a source of comfort to me that she lived with us, though I knew that at any time she might leave and never be seen again. That said, I liked to think that she was happy here.
I swallowed and then knocked on the doors.
‘Enter.’
I opened one of the doors and walked in. I had expected to be met by a room covered in cobwebs, filthy and with a foul odour. Instead I found a neat and tidy space with a single bed along one wall, two rows of shelves opposite holding neatly arranged scrolls and jars of what I assumed were herbs of some sort, and a table and chair next to the twin doors that opened onto her own balcony. Light and airy, a slight smell of incense entered my nostrils.
‘Why did you summon me?’ I asked.
She smiled. ‘I know what you desire, but I have to tell you that if you march to Mesene the empire will be engulfed in flames.’
‘Chosroes must be punished for his attack against me.’
She shrugged. ‘Is not his defeat and the destruction of his army not punishment enough?’
‘No.’
‘I would advise against it.’
I was in no mood for her games. ‘Why, have the gods spoken to you, threatening divine retribution against me for daring to fight for my kingdom’s freedom?’
She said nothing for a few seconds. ‘Why do you speak of the gods with such disrespect? Has your thirst for revenge dimmed your wits? The gods have been kind to you thus far; it is unwise to insult them.’
‘There is no honour left in the empire,’ I said with disgust.
She doubled up with laughter, placing her hands on her knees.
‘Since when has there been any honour in Parthia, or anywhere else for that matter? What a foolish man you are at times.’
‘Narses and Mithridates must be removed. They will destroy the empire if they are allowed to go unchecked.’
‘Ah, now we come to it. You wish to see Ctesiphon purged of the family of Phraates and its supporters.’
‘I wish to see order and honour restored to the empire,’ I said grandly.
‘And you think marching on Mesene will achieve that?’
‘It is a start,’ I replied.
She looked directly into my eyes.
‘Perhaps Dura is too small for King Pacorus, perhaps he wishes to sit on the throne at Ctesiphon.’
‘Don’t be absurd.’
She still fixed me with her stare. ‘Absurd is it? No more absurd than returning from Italy like a dead man returning from the underworld, or making peace with the Agraci, or defeating your enemies before Dura.’
‘I do not wish to be King of Kings,’ I said firmly.
‘Then I say this to you again, son of Hatra,’ her voice had an ominous tone, ‘if you embark upon the path of retribution you will plunge the empire into chaos, the outcome of which may not be to your advantage or liking.’
‘No,’ I shouted, ‘Chosroes will be held accountable for his actions, even if it means all the demons of the underworld are unleashed upon the world.’
‘You go to kill Chosroes.’
‘Yes.’
She shrugged. ‘It is of no concern to me. Do what you will.’
‘I will.’
She pointed a bony figure at me. ‘The gods love chaos and they love you, son of Hatra, for you give them what they desire most.’
‘And what is that?’
‘An endless river of blood.’
‘Well, then,’ I said smugly, ‘if the gods love me then I cannot lose.’
She nodded and smiled. ‘You cannot outwit the gods, son of Hatra.’
‘As long as they are not against me, then I will settle for that.’
I was little troubled by Dobbai’s warning, and in any case I had no desire to take control of the empire. Just a short, sharp campaign in Mesene and then things would return to normal. My father wrote to me saying that still no word had come from Ctesiphon but that he had heard from Babylon, Media, Elymais and Atropaiene and even from Khosrou and Musa. They all pledged their allegiance to him and Dura, which further stiffened my resolve to punish Mesene. I was careful not to mention my plan to him, as I knew that he would try to dissuade me. I was not to be denied on this matter.
Practical matters pushed Dobbai’s musings aside as the final preparations were made for the campaign. Haytham sent a thousand horsemen to accompany Malik and Gallia told Kuban that he was to obey Nergal for the duration of the expedition. Kuban was delighted to be marching once again. No doubt the prospect of more slaughter filled him and his men with glee. The area around the legionary camp began to fill with tents, horses and camels as the lords and their followers rode into Dura. Kuban’s men had established their own camp south of the city, a sprawling collection of tents, each one domed, circular and made from a wooden frame covered with felt. The felt its
elf was made from the hair of camels, sheep, goats and horses and was remarkably resistant to the wind. The whole structure was tied down with straps that crisscrossed over the tent. They varied in size from those accommodating five men to Kuban’s command tent, which could billet up to fifteen people. Each tent took around an hour to set up or take down, though on campaign he and his men usually slept in the open beside their horses, though Kuban told me that they also slept in the saddle when the need arose. They numbered just under a thousand men now, having suffered some casualties during the battle with the Mesenians. Domitus grumbled that they were ill disciplined, which meant that they would not take his orders, but they were fierce warriors and a welcome addition to the army. Besides, technically they were under Gallia’s command.
The cataphracts had suffered greatly during our venture in Gordyene, but with the promotion of squires and the induction of new ones from the sons of the kingdom’s farmers their strength was brought up to eight hundred men. Of the five hundred heavy cavalry that Orodes had brought with him from Susiana, only two hundred and fifty were still alive, but they still rode under the banner of their prince and were accorded equal status with the Durans. Before we marched Domitus added another disc to the staff of victory, bearing the image of a burning camp.
‘I thought your decision to choke everyone with smoke should be immortalised,’ he said as I stood beside him in the tent that also held the gold griffin standard.
‘That is most considerate of you,’ I said. ‘Are the legions ready?’
‘They are ready, and they know that they are going to wreak vengeance on the Mesenians.’
‘How is their mood?’ I asked.
‘Excellent, the boys like the idea of visiting death and destruction on the bastards who threatened their families.’
I looked at him. ‘And how do you feel?’
‘I obey orders.’
‘I know that, Domitus, but as one friend to another, what is your opinion?’
‘Men respect strength,’ he replied gruffly, ‘so if we give those Mesenians a good hiding then that will send a message to anyone who’s thinking of tangling with us again.’