Empire Rising es-2

by Sam Barone

  “Bring it in, Tippu. Give it to your sister.” He watched the younger girl, to see if he could detect any signs of her madness. She seemed calm, even more so than last night.

  Lani took the cup and drank. He watched as she half-emptied the cup, gazing at her naked body, and he felt another stir of passion.

  When Lani lowered the cup, she looked at him guiltily. “My pardon, lord. I should not drink your water.”

  He returned to the bed and sat down, pulling the blanket over his lap, then accepted the cup from her hands and took a few sips. A mouthful remained, so he gave it back to her. “Finish it, Lani.”

  She drained it and handed the empty cup back to her sister. Tippu started for the door.

  “Tippu, stay a moment,” Eskkar said, studying her with care for the first time. Shorter than her sister, Tippu possessed swirling reddish-brown hair that floated around her tiny face, with features as delicate as a child’s. Her dress, the same one she’d worn yesterday, showed the full body of a woman.

  A beautiful woman, he decided, but one without her sister’s sharp wits.

  He knew that, given a choice, every one of his soldiers would have chosen Tippu over Lani, just as he knew that Lani’s strength of will made her more desirable, at least for him. Days and nights with Trella had spoiled him. Weak, empty-headed women, painted and perfumed, or trained only to keep house and hearth, no longer interested him. Eskkar put the annoying thought aside.

  “Last night, Tippu, I sent you to Grond’s bed. I did not realize what you and your sister had been through, though I should have guessed. You need not return to him tonight. I’ll speak to him.”

  For the first time Tippu lifted her eyes to his. “Lord, there is no need to say anything. Grond did no more than hold me through the night. I am no longer afraid of being with him. He’s offered me his protection.”

  Eskkar turned to Lani, who appeared just as surprised as her sister.

  That didn’t sound like Grond at all, a simple soldier who enjoyed taking a woman as much as any man. Someone as beautiful as Tippu… maybe the girl had bewitched him.

  “Tippu, bring food for us both. We’ll eat in here.” He touched Lani’s hand. “We have much to talk about, Lani. I want to hear more about Ninazu, and about you and your sister.”

  Eskkar sat on the bed and ate, while Lani told him everything about Ninazu. In managing Ninazu’s household, she directed his servants and concubines, and served at his table. Lani knew everything. She had overheard or been present during most of Ninazu’s meetings with his men.

  She even knew the secret place where Ninazu had buried his personal store of gold. Ninazu, like most men, had spoken too freely in his conversations around his women, a bad trait Eskkar had once possessed, until Trella showed him just how dangerous such a habit could be.

  After the meal he took Hamati and a few men to retrieve the buried gold. They crossed the square and entered a well-constructed house with two rooms, big enough for a good-sized family. No doubt one of Ninazu’s trusted subcommanders, or perhaps even his brother Shulat, had occupied it. It took only moments to find the hiding place, still untouched, and exactly where Lani had said it would be. A few moments of digging uncovered a good-sized sack containing gold, silver, and gemstones buried in the floor.

  Eskkar hadn’t expected to find such a large cache. Apparently Ninazu had been very successful in his raids even before he came to Bisitun.

  Added to what they had found in Ninazu’s main house, there would be more than enough coins to keep Trella’s wall-building going for several months, even after allocating a good portion to Sisuthros and Bisitun’s elders for use in the village.

  Even under torture, Ninazu might not have revealed this hiding place.

  So Eskkar decided he owed another debt to Lani.

  Most of the morning had passed before Eskkar and Grond left the house for the second time. They took a slow tour of the village, checking on the soldiers, prisoners, and inhabitants. Reassured that his men had Bisitun under control, he decided to return to the house and visit the prisoner.

  Ninazu had scarcely moved, except to soil himself. He looked weaker, and fever burned on his face. Infection had started in the broken leg. Eskkar ignored the hatred in the man’s eyes.

  “Are you ready to talk, Ninazu?” Eskkar began without preamble. “I’ll not ask you again, and I warn you that I already know much of what I want to know. So don’t try to lie to me.”

  “I’ll tell you nothing, barbarian.” Ninazu tried to spit at Eskkar, but his parched lips produced only air. He turned his face away.

  The man’s words satisfied Eskkar. He’d made the offer yesterday and still felt bound by it. But the situation had changed. With the bandit’s gold in hand, Ninazu now meant little to Eskkar.

  “Then you’ll suffer for nothing, Ninazu. Lani told us everything,” Eskkar said. “We’ve already found the rest of your loot buried across the square.”

  Ignoring the man’s curses, Eskkar turned to the guard. “Only water, as much as he wants.”

  There would be no wine to ease Ninazu’s pain. With him dead and his marauders broken or enslaved, any freebooters still in the countryside would soon take heed and leave the area. If not, Eskkar would drive them away in the next few weeks, as his patrols began combing the countryside.

  “When he’s finished drinking,” Eskkar said to the Hawk Clan soldier guarding the prisoner, “take him outside. Have the men keep a close watch on him. I don’t want him killing himself to avoid the villagers’ revenge.

  And don’t let any villager, man or woman, near him. Remember what happened in Dilgarth.”

  Eskkar turned away and moved to the next bedroom, the chamber used by Lani and Tippu as their sleeping quarters. He found Tippu curled up on the bed and Lani sitting on a stool, waiting. She had changed back into the simple dress she’d worn yesterday. Her eyes still looked red and puffy.

  “It’s time for Ninazu to face the village, Lani. They’ll list their charges against him.”

  “I will stay in my room, lord. I do not want to see his face again.”

  Eskkar thought about that, then shook his head. “Lani, I want you to accuse Ninazu for the deeds he committed against you, your husband, and Tippu’s family. I have given you my protection, but everyone in the village and all my soldiers must know what Ninazu did to you and your kin.

  Otherwise some might think that you came with Ninazu willingly. Even my men might not understand.”

  She cast her eyes downward, and said nothing.

  “It will be hard, Lani, but you need to do it. Both of you. Otherwise the spirits of your family will not rest in peace. It may even help Tippu with her memories.”

  “I… we will do it, lord,” Lani said, still looking down. “When will we be needed?”

  “Not for some time. Farmers are still arriving from the countryside, and there is much to discuss. Tell your sister what to say. I’ll fetch you when you are needed.” He started to go, then turned back. “After Ninazu is dead, the healing can start. Once you’ve reached Akkad, you’ll both be safe.”

  She didn’t answer. Eskkar left the bedroom, straightened his sword, and brushed the hair back from his eyes. When he stepped outside into the bright sunlight, a shout arose from his men, and the villagers echoed the cheer. “Deliverer… deliverer… deliverer.”

  Sisuthros had prepared well for his meeting with the village council. He’d joined four tables end-to-end, and sat in the center of the just-formed council of elders, who faced outward toward the square and the rest of the villagers. At last all of the important farmers arrived. Sisuthros called the council of five to order, and, with a loud voice, began listing the charges against Ninazu and his men.

  Every soldier not on watch at the gates or corral gathered as well, and Sisuthros used them to guard the prisoners or keep the villagers back, away from the tables. Grond, carrying the last stool from the house, followed his captain outside. Eskkar took a seat behind and a few paces from
the table, his back to the side of the house, determined to take as little part in the proceedings as possible.

  The crowd interrupted Sisuthros after every charge, shouting approval, or calling down curses on Ninazu. At the end of the indictment, Sisuthros called for silence, then announced that the rest of Bisitun could add their own complaints to the grievances. After everyone had voiced their accusations, Sisuthros and the council would apportion justice to Ninazu and his men. After dealing with the bandits, the council would supervise the return of the stolen property to the villagers.

  Sisuthros gave the order, and two guards dragged Ninazu out into the sunlight. A furious shout arose from the crowd and echoed around the square. They shouted curses at Ninazu, and it took four soldiers with drawn swords to keep the villagers back as two men half-carried the prisoner into the open space before the tables.

  Another soldier pushed a low cart into the center of the square. They bound Ninazu to the side of the wagon, finishing up with a gag over his mouth, to make sure he couldn’t call down curses against his accusers during the proceedings. Other guards took positions in front of him, facing the crowd, alert and determined to make sure no one seeking private vengeance attacked the helpless Ninazu with a knife or sword.

  The process began, though it moved too slowly for Eskkar’s liking.

  Each of the elders wanted to speak, and Sisuthros had to cut two of them short when they rambled on, venting their hatred. When the elders finished, the villagers came forward, pushing and shoving, one by one, to list their charges against Ninazu.

  Every man and woman in the square seemed to have a personal grievance against the bandit. The sun had marched nearly to the top of the sky before Sisuthros rose and announced that the council had heard enough, and that Lord Eskkar wished to speak. For the fi rst time the villagers quieted down, not knowing what would come next.

  Eskkar stood and walked toward the elders. When he reached the tables, he climbed smoothly atop one and turned to face the people. He hated talking to crowds, but he had prepared his words while the villagers spoke. A breeze pushed his hair against his cheek, and he brushed it back, waiting until everyone stopped talking.

  For the first time, the inhabitants of Bisitun got a good look at their new lord. They stared open-mouthed at the tall warrior, one hand resting on the hilt of the great sword, a man clearly born in the northern steppes, and who now ruled their lives. Eskkar’s eyes slowly scanned the square, gazing, it seemed, at every single person who faced him. When he spoke, his deep voice carried even to those farthest away.

  “People of Bisitun, I, too, have grievances against Ninazu. I will speak for the people of Dilgarth, who have none here to represent their wishes.

  At Ninazu’s order, his brother raided and killed many in Dilgarth, and their spirits cry out for vengeance as much as any here. A peaceful village, they had no fighting men to guard them. Today Dilgarth is under the protection of Akkad, as all here are now under the protection of Akkad. I tell you what I told the people of Dilgarth. The days of bandits raiding this countryside are over. From today on, they will be hunted down and killed.

  The few still left will soon learn to leave alone any who live under Akkad’s safekeeping. You will be safe in your homes and on your farms. The prosperity that you enjoyed before the coming of the Alur Meriki will return, and this time it will be even greater because of Akkad’s protection.”

  He paused to take a breath. Clearly in awe of him, the crowd remained silent, and he felt glad that he had left all the petty details to Sisuthros. It made it easier to play the role of a distant guardian, handing out decisions from above. “Akkad, Dilgarth, and Bisitun, as well as the other small villages, will all work together, trade together, and defend themselves together.”

  Eskkar turned to Grond. “Bring Lani and Tippu out.” He raised his voice again. “There are two more to accuse Ninazu. I want all to hear what he has done.” Lifting his arm, he pointed at Lani and Tippu as they walked into the center of the square. Grond supported Tippu, his arm around her waist, but Lani stood alone, her head high, holding Tippu by the hand.

  Some in the square called out their displeasure at the sight of the women, a few shouting that they, too, deserved punishment.

  “Silence!” Eskkar bellowed the single word, the force of his voice shocking the crowd into stunned silence. He glanced about the square, but none of the villagers dared to meet his eyes, all of them suddenly fearful of his wrath. “Come forward, Lani.”

  Ignoring the crowd, she kept her eyes on Eskkar until she reached the tables. Finally the two sisters stood directly in front of Ninazu.

  In a clear voice, Lani listed the crimes the bandit leader had done to her and her family. She told the whole story, what had been done to her, giving the names of those murdered and tortured. When she finished, Lani took her sister’s arm, and held her while Tippu added her own grievances, the murder of her betrothed, her rape, and enslavement. Tippu’s tears flowed as she spoke, and only those close by could make out her halting words, spoken in a barely audible voice.

  After Tippu finished, Eskkar spoke, raising his voice to make sure everyone heard. “Lani and Tippu are under my protection. Because of them, much of the gold stolen from you was recovered, so all of you should give them thanks. And although they are not from this village, they are to be treated as honorably as anyone here.”

  Eskkar jumped down from the table, and this time the crowd shouted approval. He returned to his spot near the wall, while Grond escorted the two sisters back into the house. Meanwhile, Sisuthros queried each council member and asked for his decision.

  “Death!” Each in turn called for Ninazu to be put to the torture until he died.

  Sisuthros nodded his assent. “Death, at the hands of those whose kin he murdered,” he pronounced in a loud voice, so that everyone present could hear the council’s just decision, one clearly approved by the gods.

  “Let the torture begin.” The crowd’s roar of approval filled the square.

  The three villagers selected by the elders to administer the torture came forward, eager to get to their task, and wielding small knives such as used for carving, and the mallets and bronze-tipped chisels used by the tanners to decorate their leather goods; the implements would work equally as well for inflicting pain. The guards moved farther apart as the torturers began their work, so that all could see. The crowd called out their curses on Ninazu, and shouted for the pain-givers to hurry their work.

  They removed Ninazu’s gag and the torment began. Soon his screams echoed throughout the square. The broken leg made things easier. The slightest touch there instantly overcame any of Ninazu’s efforts to hold in his pain. He passed out several times, but they always revived him by fling-ing a bucket of water in his face. They forced more water down his throat to refresh him, before they started in again, urged on by the crowd.

  By then, Eskkar had had enough. Unnoticed, he returned into the house, followed by his bodyguard. He and Grond sat down at the big table.

  “You don’t feel like watching, Captain?” Grond filled two cups with water.

  “I’ve seen enough of death and torture in the last few months.” Eskkar felt glad to be away from Ninazu’s ordeal. “Besides, it always makes me wonder how long I’d last under the knife.”

  “I was put to the torture once,” Grond said. “Just because my master caught me looking at him. Said I wasn’t respectful.”

  Eskkar didn’t bother to ask if Grond had screamed. Everyone did.

  Again Eskkar wondered what he would do if he were the one being tortured, how well he would stand the pain, or how long it would take before he began to plead for mercy or death. Some men resisted to the last, but most begged for the pain to stop long before the end.

  The thought sent a shiver through his frame. In all his days of fighting, he’d only been captured once, and that day death had come close. The memory of being helpless before his enemies still troubled him. Eskkar swore to himself that he wo
uld never be taken alive. Better to fall on your own sword than go through that horror.

  “If the assault on Bisitun had gone badly, Grond, I might have ended up dead on the cart, and Ninazu might be standing over me.”

  “Well, Captain, I would’ve avenged your death. Or at least buried your remains.”

  He looked at Grond and had to smile.

  They were alone in the house, except for the two sisters huddled in their room, trying to block out the noise from the crowd. Everyone else was outside enjoying the spectacle. The screams from the square seemed almost as loud inside.

  Eskkar finished a handful of grapes from the platter.

  “Would you like some wine, lord, or something to eat?” Lani had come out of the bedroom.

  “You don’t care to watch Ninazu take the torture, Lani?”

  “No, lord. I have seen enough of people being tortured. Now that it’s his turn on the wheel, I know what will happen.”

  Eskkar looked around the room. “Where is your sister?”

  “In our room, her head under the blanket. Tippu cannot watch such things. It sickens her even to hear it.”

  Grond stood up. “Perhaps I should go to her, Lani. Do you think it would help?”

  Eskkar wondered about Grond and Tippu, and what had happened last night, or not happened, as it seemed. He would ask his bodyguard about it later, when they were alone.

  But Lani mentioned it herself. “I think it would be good for her to be with someone besides myself for a little while, at least until this horrible day is over.” She looked at Grond. “Can you restrain yourself as you did last night, for a while longer?”

  “When you’ve been a slave, Lani,” Grond answered, “you know what is needed. I’ll just hold her for a while.” He looked at Eskkar. “If I may, Captain?”

  Eskkar nodded, surprised at the serious tone of Grond’s voice. The bodyguard left the table and went to the woman’s room. Eskkar looked at Lani for an explanation.

  “That’s what he did last night, lord. He held her, and told her she was safe. She cried in his arms for a long time, until she fell asleep. Your bodyguard didn’t take her. Was he a slave in Akkad?”