Empire Rising es-2

by Sam Barone

  Standing naked in front of this woman, he felt himself begin to stiffen. She ignored his growing erection as she rinsed out the cloth again and again, moving lower until she knelt before him, her face inches away from his now-firm manhood. But she gave it no attention, except to wipe it gently with the cloth, before scrubbing his legs vigorously.

  “Please sit down, Lord Eskkar, so I can clean your feet,” Lani said, rising to rinse out the cloth yet again. She knelt and started cleaning his feet.

  Tippu returned, carrying a tunic. If she thought it strange to see her sister on her knees before a naked man with an erect penis, she said nothing, didn’t even meet Eskkar’s eyes.

  Lani turned to her. “Lord Eskkar will need a fresh undergarment.

  Bring one.” Tippu again left without a word.

  Apparently there was no shortage of undergarments in the house, Eskkar decided.

  When Lani finished his feet, she asked him to stand again, and dried his body with a clean cloth, rubbing gently on his face, then briskly on his chest and shoulders, then gently again around his still-firm manhood.

  Again, she asked him to sit, then she wiped his feet dry.

  “There, my lord, at least you’re clean enough to meet your subjects.”

  Suddenly she reached out and brushed his penis with her fingers. “If my lord would like a woman, I or my sister would be glad to pleasure you.”

  This time she met his eyes, waiting for his answer.

  Eskkar noticed a slight change in her voice, something that made the offer more than just a duty. To his surprise, he wanted her, and not only for the physical need. Something about her aroused him. “You’ve seen me naked, Lani. Now let me see you. Take off your dress.”

  She wiped her hands quickly on the drying cloth, lifted her dress up over her head, and tossed the garment over the foot of the bed. She shook out her hair to straighten it, then just stood there.

  For the first time he saw her as a beautiful woman. His manhood surged as he stared at her lush body, all softness and curves.

  Once again the door opened, and Tippu slipped back into the room, closing the door behind her. She barely raised her eyes to take note of the two of them.

  “Bring the garment here, Tippu,” Eskkar said, without taking his eyes off Lani. “Put your dress back on, Lani.”

  He took the undergarment from Tippu and pulled himself into it, grunting a little as he forced his still-erect penis into the clothing before lacing it tight around his waist. Tippu handed him the clean tunic, and he pulled it over his head. He noticed its quality, a fine garment more suited to a rich merchant than a soldier. Nonetheless, it fit well enough, though a little tighter than he liked, and reaching only to midthigh. By then Lani had put her dress back on, and again she knelt at his feet, this time to fasten his sandals. He helped her with the lacings, and she lifted her eyes to him as their hands touched.

  A loud knock on the door startled both of them. Grond entered without waiting for permission. “Are you well rested, Captain? You slept half the afternoon.”

  Eskkar did feel better, much of the tiredness gone from his body and mind. A quick glance at the window showed about two hours of daylight left, still plenty of time to meet with Sisuthros.

  “Yes, Grond. I think I needed the rest.”

  “Lord, may I speak with you for a moment?” Lani asked, her eyes downcast and her tone respectful.

  He thought for a moment. No doubt Grond had told her Eskkar would speak with her. But she hadn’t reminded him of it, merely asked for permission. Eskkar glanced at his bodyguard, but saw the man staring at Tippu.

  “Grond, wait outside. Take Tippu with you.”

  While Tippu gathered up the pitcher, cloths, and the washing bowl, Eskkar fastened his sword around his waist, then sat on the bed. “Go ahead, Lani. What is it you wish to say?”

  She stood in the same spot she had stood unclothed a few moments ago, but her voice remained calm. “My Lord, my sister and I were captured by Ninazu and his men four months ago. My husband was killed, as was Tippu’s betrothed, along with our servants. Ninazu took both of us for his pleasures. He favored Tippu, and would have turned me over to his men except for Tippu’s pleadings. I made myself useful by cleaning up after him, and keeping track of his women and his affairs. After a while, he came to depend on me, and once we came here, I managed his household.”

  She paused for a moment, as if remembering. “I think I would be dead if Tippu hadn’t saved me.”

  She took a deep breath, as if to put the past behind her. “Here in Bisitun, we are called Ninazu’s whores. The village women he took hated us as much as they hated him. This morning, one of them said we would be dead by nightfall. Ninazu’s other women have returned to their families, but we have nowhere to go. Our village is many miles away, to the northwest, across the Euphrates. Even if we could return, there is no one there who would take us in, dishonored as we are, and with nothing but the clothing on our backs.”

  “So what do you want from me, Lani? No one will harm you here. My men will protect you from the village women.”

  “That is what I want, lord, your protection, that, and… This morning … I… I heard this morning that you will soon return to Akkad. I would ask that you take us with you. This place is hateful to us.”

  She saw the frown that crossed his face at her suggestion, and went on quickly. “We can be your servants, lord, as well as your concubines. I have skill at running a household, and Tippu can weave and sew. We will do anything you ask, any work. Just take us away from this place. Please, lord.”

  Her eyes lifted to his, and he could see her lip trembling. He saw that she held back the tears, the first time she’d shown any emotion. She might be right about the village wives. They would abuse and torment Ninazu’s women, at the very least, especially one who acted in Ninazu’s name. The sisters would be safer in Akkad, and Trella could find good use for someone like Lani, whose wits seemed sharp enough. Thinking of Trella made him feel uncomfortable for a moment. He hadn’t thought about her much in the last few days.

  Lani waited patiently, but he saw the fear in her face. She thought he was going to refuse.

  “Lani, you can return with me to Akkad. And I will place you under my protection there as well. No one will harm either of you. But I warn you that I may not return to Akkad for some time, and I may have to send you on ahead. My wife, Trella, will find a place for you.”

  Speaking Trella’s name aloud helped clear his own head, though it didn’t quite drive away thoughts of Lani’s body. “And you need not be a concubine for me or anyone else, Lani, neither you nor your sister.”

  With a small cry of relief, she went down on one knee and took his hand, then kissed it. “Thank you, lord. Thank you.” Her body shook slightly, the words catching in her throat.

  Eskkar stood up. Women’s tears made him uneasy. He touched her head and left the room, stepping into the main chamber of the house. The common area ran the length of the structure, and the five bedrooms along the wall all faced the center of the house. The room he’d slept in, by far the largest sleeping chamber, occupied a corner of the home. The dining table stood only a few steps away. Sisuthros sat there, along with Grond, Hamati, and Drakis.

  “Did you get some rest, Captain?” Sisuthros asked.

  Eskkar opened his mouth to make some careless rejoinder, before he realized Sisuthros appeared really concerned about him. Eskkar saw the same look on Grond’s face, and even on the other commanders. They knew he had slept little in the last three days, and they worried about him.

  He softened his voice. “Yes, Sisuthros, I slept very well. Now I’m hungry again.”

  Food covered the table, and the smell of horse steaks cooking wafted in from outside and made his mouth water. His stomach rumbled with hunger, even though he’d eaten only a few hours ago. He sat down at an empty place, but before he could reach for anything, Tippu arrived at his side and placed a clean earthen plate and wooden cup before him. Sh
e filled it halfway with water before leaving. Grond took another pitcher, one that held wine, and poured some into Eskkar’s cup.

  As he put the cup down, Lani came in from outside, carrying two steaks that still sizzled on a wooden trencher. She slid them both onto his plate, then turned to him.

  “Is there anything else you need, lord?”

  She stood at his side, and when he turned his head, he found her bosom only a handbreadth away. The picture of her naked body crossed his mind, and he felt the urge to take her back into the bedroom. Somehow she managed to project sexuality into a few words, words directed only at him.

  “Nothing now, Lani. Thank you.” He spoke the words carefully, in a neutral voice. When she stepped away, he remembered his promise and turned to Sisuthros. “I’ve given my protection to Lani and her sister,” he told those at the table. “Make sure all the men know it, and you’d better tell these villagers, too.”

  “I’ll tell the council today, and make sure they spread the word throughout Bisitun,” Sisuthros said.

  Eskkar took a sip of his watered wine. “Now, tell me what has happened while I slept.”

  In a moment, all thoughts of Lani vanished. Sisuthros had met again with the newly appointed village elders. By tomorrow morning the most influential farmers would arrive, and they could select the fifth and last of the council members. The elders could then start governing the village’s affairs.

  They would begin with the execution of Ninazu and the disposition of his men. With Ninazu’s head on a lance above the gate and the worst of his followers dead, Eskkar’s men would be freed up for other duties, instead of wasting time guarding prisoners night and day. As for the rest of Ninazu’s men, they’d be branded and put to work.

  Then the newly formed council would address the matter of the stolen property, what Ninazu had taken, and how what remained would be allocated back to its original owners. Akkad would take two-tenths of each allocation, as a restoration fee. Sisuthros guessed that it would take another day to divide the loot, including what he’d taken from the prisoners and added to Ninazu’s storeroom.

  With Ninazu and his stolen gold out of the way, the soldiers, villagers, and slaves would be put to work rebuilding Bisitun and the surrounding farms, clearing the land outside the palisade, repairing the damaged irrigation ditches, and any other tasks necessary to get the community back on a road to prosperity. Once that effort had commenced, the council could begin to take up all the smaller issues that would fill its days in the coming weeks, settling disputes and hearing appeals for justice.

  Eskkar listened to Sisuthros’s orders for the men, before speaking to Hamati and Drakis about their roles. By the time the meal ended, he announced himself satisfied with Sisuthros’s plans and dispositions.

  “As soon as Ninazu and his men are dead, I’ll take Grond and some men and begin riding out into the farmlands. I want to see for myself how the farmers and their crops are faring, and how well the herds of sheep and goats are doing.”

  If any at the table thought it unusual to have the leader of Akkad visiting farmers, they kept the thought to themselves. But Eskkar knew that Trella and the nobles back in Akkad needed that vital information.

  They couldn’t complete their own plans until they knew what could be expected from the north country, and when. Without the steady supply of flax, grain, and livestock, trade at Akkad would slow, and that must not happen, not with so much rebuilding underway. The real goal of Eskkar’s efforts remained back in Akkad, not here.

  Eskkar stood and stretched. He felt relaxed now, his stomach full and with enough sleep to get him through the evening. “Has Ninazu said anything useful?”

  Sisuthros shook his head. “We haven’t even had time to put him to the torture.” Sisuthros sighed as he contemplated yet another task. “I’ll talk to him.”

  “No, Grond and I will deal with him. You keep your thoughts on the villagers.”

  Grond led the way to the other end of the common room, to the bedroom farthest away from where Eskkar had slept. This windowless room had only a tiny aperture near the ceiling for light and ventilation.

  It possessed the only other solid door inside the dwelling, the still-fresh wood indicating a recent improvement. A soldier guarded there, sitting on a stool, but he rose up as the two men approached.

  Grond pushed the door open. Inside, another guard, this one from the Hawk Clan, sat on a chest, his short sword unsheathed across his lap, facing Ninazu. The prisoner had a large bruise on his forehead, where Eskkar’s sword hilt had struck, and the side of his swollen face showed cuts and bruises from Grond’s fist. They’d trussed Ninazu up like a chicken, his hands tied behind his back and his arms tied to his sides. The silver bracelets he’d worn were gone, given to Grond and Sisuthros as gifts. Another rope looped around his neck, the other end knotted around a second wooden chest.

  Ninazu’s legs remained free, but his captors had smashed his right shinbone. The swelling on the leg had bruised to a deep blue, with blood crusted along its length. Whoever had done the work knew his job. No one bothered to set the bone straight. Ninazu would be dead long before he could walk or die from infection. For a moment, Eskkar almost felt sorry for the man, a daring bandit who had gambled for a rich village and lost.

  Ninazu turned toward the door, his eyes alert, as Eskkar entered. The expensive tunic told him all he needed to know about his visitor.

  “Greetings, Ninazu,” Eskkar began. When the man didn’t answer, Eskkar reached out with his sandal and touched Ninazu’s right leg. That sent a jolt of pain through the prisoner, and he couldn’t control a sharp intake of breath. Eskkar turned to the guard. “Has he been given anything?”

  “Some water this afternoon, Captain. Nothing else.”

  Eskkar nodded in satisfaction. Give him just enough water to keep him conscious, so he could feel his pain and worry about the future.

  “We’ll give you more water later, maybe even some wine, if you tell us what we want to know,” Eskkar went on. The man said nothing, just looked up at Eskkar with hatred in his eyes. “Your brother looked at me that way before he died, Ninazu. He took the torture for a long time, before we gave him over to the women of Dilgarth, who took hours killing him. He told me all about you and your men.”

  Ninazu flashed a look of hatred at his captor, but said nothing.

  Eskkar leaned against the wall and looked about the room. Two chests were crammed with dozens of golden statues, bowls, and other valuable items, most of the wealth of the village. Four good-sized sacks contained gold, silver, and copper coins, as well as jewelry, gemstones, and even some fi ne leather goods. Ninazu remained surrounded by his loot, at least until tomorrow.

  “In the morning the village elders and I will sentence you to death, Ninazu. It’s up to you how much you suffer between now and then. There isn’t much we need to hear from you. If you tell us what we want to know, you will be given as much wine as you can handle, and you’ll feel less pain.”

  Eskkar paused a moment. He didn’t hate the man, nor even condemn what Ninazu had attempted to do. Many others would have done the same, including Eskkar in his younger days. Now those days seemed from the distant past, the days before Trella had explained the ways of power and the mysteries of farm and village. “Or, we can just give you plenty of water, to make sure you enjoy every sensation. The choice is yours, Ninazu.

  Your brother chose the wine, but too late, and he suffered much.”

  “Who are you?” Ninazu had a deep voice, one filled with anger and hatred. “Why did you come to Bisitun?”

  It would be a waste of time to explain Akkad’s plans to Ninazu. “I came to claim the land for Akkad, and I have done so.” Eskkar turned to the guard. “Give him as much water as he wants.” He glanced about the room, filled with the bandit’s booty. Such things meant little to Eskkar, now that he’d learned the ways of power. Gold had its uses, but it didn’t put strength into a man’s sword arm, or even crops in the earth. He nodded to th
e guard, and stepped back into the common room, closing the door behind him. Eskkar and Grond passed out of the house, into the

  village square. The afternoon sun had dipped below the horizon, and soon another night would begin.

  “Grond, there must be more loot somewhere, and Ninazu’s subcommanders might have hidden their own valuables. Make sure he tells us what we want to know. Start on him in the morning, right after the morning meal. Remember he has to last into the afternoon, so not too much wine.”

  “This one will talk, Captain. He’s finished, and he knows it. Shulat could at least hope for his brother’s revenge, but Ninazu has nothing to live for. By tomorrow the fever will weaken his will.”

  “The sooner he’s out of the way, the sooner the villagers can get on with their lives.”

  Eskkar spent the rest of the evening with Sisuthros. Eskkar encountered three of the new elders, but they only wanted to talk about how much they had suffered under Ninazu, and Eskkar could only stand so many hours of that kind of talk. Leaving them with Sisuthros, Eskkar and Grond, accompanied by two soldiers, toured the village, checking on the guards, the horses, and the men.

  That task finished, they found a small tavern, well lit and filled with the sounds of singing and laughter. Packed to overflowing, happy villagers celebrated their deliverance from Ninazu. Eskkar and his men entered, received a drunken cheer that went on as the happy patrons made room for them. Eskkar spent an hour there, squeezed behind a table, buying drinks for everyone and talking with the common people. But he drank only one cup of ale. Grond had two, and, after the second one, mentioned that he thought Tippu the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

  By the time they returned to the marketplace, most of Bisitun had prepared itself for bed. Even from Ninazu’s house, only a single oil lamp burned. Few people had the wealth or reason to burn oil or candles long into the night, not when the moon and stars shone brightly overhead. The big well in the market square’s center stood deserted for the first time all day, and Eskkar stopped to drink some fresh water and wash his face and hands.