by Overton, Max
"Well, I'm not walking all the way so you'd better learn. Unless you'd rather just tell...Jezrah...I'm not coming."
Ruchal cursed and amidst much laughter and ribald comment from the guards, climbed up onto his horse. He clung to the reins and mane tightly, and when they moved away, he almost slipped off. The thin man showed him how to grip the horse's flanks with his knees and led the way slowly.
The road climbed into the hills away from the roads leading northwest and east, narrowing and steepening until the horses were scrambling over the loose shale. The thin man called a halt and slid to the ground.
"We lead the horses from here."
They continued into the hills until even the hills around Taanach were lost behind ridges and peaks. The path reached a small flat area where a small stone hut stood, its roof caved in and open to the elements. A man stood by the doorway and lifted an arm--his left one--in greeting as they walked up. His right arm remained hidden by the stone wall of the hut.
"You live then," the thin man said without surprise. "But with a changed name."
Jezrah nodded to Ruchal. "Thank you for bringing him. Leave us now." Ruchal saluted and handed the reins of his horse to the thin man before walking away up the path until it disappeared over a low ridge.
The thin man scanned the ridges and the rocky hillsides around the hut. "Where are your men? You would not come alone to meet me, Jebu."
"Ever the suspicious one, Ashraz. I did not really think you would come. Why did you?"
"Curiosity. You are getting a name for yourself again, though a different one. Why change your name? You could have capitalised on your former fame."
"Jebu died on the battlefield. When I found I had survived, I decided I wanted revenge. Revenge on Aziru for betraying me, revenge on you for trying to kill me after."
"I wasn't trying to kill you, Jebu, just capture you," Ashraz said mildly.
"Same thing. I would not have survived Aziru's presence."
"That's true," Ashraz conceded. "What has changed? Or am I to be killed?"
"Are you still Aziru's spymaster?"
"The title is now Captain of Security, but essentially yes."
"And you're still loyal to that bloodthirsty tyrant?"
Ashraz smiled and spread his hands. "He pays me well and after all, he is a king. I owe him my loyalty--as did you once."
"Loyalty works in two directions. He sent me to my death, but why? I have asked myself that question many times."
Ashraz laughed. "You don't know? You were too successful, too good a general. Aziru grew afraid of you."
"And elevated Ephras to the command in my place."
"That was a mistake. He is no more than competent. The king is already looking for a replacement."
"There's no satisfying him, is there?"
"Of course not, he's a king." Ashraz sighed and found a seat on a boulder. "Why have you brought me here, Jebu? Do you mean to kill me?"
"For a time that occupied my thoughts, but no more. I know you were just carrying out your orders. Aziru is the one at fault."
"You mean to try and kill him? You'll never get close enough."
"I might--with your help."
Ashraz got up and dusted off his clothes. "It seems I have had a wasted trip."
"You will not reconsider?"
"Jebu, have you forgotten what it is like in Taanach, in the court of Aziru? I have no doubt that the king already knows I have come out of the city to meet with a bandit in the hills. He will be suspicious and watch me carefully. If I do not report to him I will find myself on the business end of a hangman's noose."
"You enjoy working for a man like this?"
"No, but he pays well." Ashraz thought for a moment and modified his answer to "Moderately well."
"With your contacts you could make a fortune as a trader--or a bandit."
"Wealth is not everything."
"No, but add in being able to sleep at night and it becomes a more attractive proposition."
Ashraz shrugged. "This is all hypothetical. I work for Aziru and if I try to betray him, he will have me killed."
"Then you will have to tell him who I am."
"How will that help either of us?"
"Tell Aziru you have a plan for capturing me."
"And when I fail, what then? It would be better for me to say I never got to my meeting because your man led me into an ambush."
"Who says you will fail?"
Ashraz stared. "What are you saying?"
"You will capture me and escort me into Aziru's presence. Once there I will kill him."
"Are you mad?"
Jebu grinned. "Possibly. Will you do it?"
"What is to prevent me simply putting you in chains and handing you over helpless? Aziru would reward me."
"Your sense of honour."
Ashraz made a rude noise. "You would trust me? I wouldn't."
"Yet you trusted me. Not being able to strike at Aziru, I could have struck at you."
"That is different. You do not have the testicles for betrayal."
"No more than do you. You forget I know you, spymaster. I know what you are capable of and I have watched you tread a delicate path between expediency and righteousness. I ask you as a friend, Ashraz. Will you help me?"
Ashraz sat down on the boulder again and stared at Jebu. "How would you kill him? Nobody can take arms within fifty paces of him. You know that."
"You're considering it." Jebu grinned in the doorway.
"Yes, curse you, though I'm likely to end up dead because of it. How will you kill him?"
"He has guards present? Men he trusts?"
"He trusts no one. Nobody is allowed close to him, but when a prisoner is brought in, there would normally be at least two men-at-arms present. They remain armed, but can come no closer than the doors to the chamber."
"Could you reduce that to one guard?"
"I could do away with them altogether, but you'll still be unarmed--as will I. I am not the one who checks for hidden arms. The Captain of the Guard does that. You've met him, I believe--Benalu."
"He knows what he's doing, that one. I wonder..." Jebu frowned. "No, why take unnecessary chances? I need one guard present, Ashraz. One guard to carry my weapon in for me."
"How do you plan on escaping? Or is this a suicide mission?"
Jebu laughed. "Gods forbid. I have plenty of living yet to do. Forgive me if I don't say anything on that just yet. You'll help me?"
Ashraz nodded slowly. "What do you need?"
"Can you persuade Aziru to see me with only you and a guard present? That's imperative."
"You'll need to be bound securely and in no shape to resist. I'll have my men work you over first." Ashraz saw the unease on Jebu's face and laughed. "Don't worry; it'll look worse than it really is."
Jebu nodded reluctantly. "Do you have men you can trust? Really trust? Both our lives may depend on them."
"A few. My sister's son is young but he won't fail me." Ashraz thought for a few moments. "Two others bound to me by blood. It will be enough."
"Good. Five men will accompany me as part of your force. Once inside the fortress they will attend to their own duties while we are accomplishing ours."
"When?"
"In three days, late afternoon. We must enter the fortress just after dark. The moon will not rise until early morning and the night will help our escape."
Ashraz rose again and this time moved to his horse and mounted. Jebu watched him, not moving from the doorway though behind him bronze clattered on stone, a nervous staccato that did not show in his eyes. As Ashraz wheeled his horse, Jebu called out again, reminding the spymaster.
"Three days, two hours before sunset." Ashraz waved an acknowledgement and clattered off down the trail.
So, it starts. Three days and Aziru will be dead.
Or you will be.
Or both. It does not matter.
Jebu moved out of the doorway and he flexed his right arm with its bronze spi
ke that had been hidden throughout the visit. The metal glinted in the sunlight.
I'm glad I did not have to use it on him .
Do you trust Ashraz?
Of course not.
Then why this way?
Can you think of a better plan ?
Three days later, in the middle of a hot afternoon, Ashraz arrived at the designated meeting place with three men. Jebu was there with a dozen of his. Ashraz dismounted and drew Jebu aside.
"You still want to go through with this? We can call it off."
"What would Aziru say?"
"I can make something up."
"No, we do it." Jebu looked over at the three men who had just arrived. "Which one is your nephew?"
Ashraz beckoned and a youth of about sixteen walked over. "This is my sister's son, Utramu."
Jebu also beckoned and three of his men ran over. "Take this lad into custody. You have your instructions."
"What in Hades are you doing?" Ashraz said fiercely. He tried to interpose himself but the men pushed him aside with blades drawn.
"Just a little insurance," Jebu explained. "If all goes well, he will be released unharmed."
"Curse you. I am already risking my life by helping you. How can taking Utramu help?"
"Think of it as an added incentive. If you feel tempted to doublecross me you can think of your sister's son with his throat cut."
"You give friendship a whole new meaning," Ashraz said bitterly. "Be calm, Utramu. No harm will come to you. We will be back by this time tomorrow." He turned back to Jebu with a mirthless smile. "Now, if you remember, we must prepare you for your meeting with Aziru." Without further warning, he lashed out with his fist, driving it into Jebu's face.
Jebu's men leaped forward to help but he waved them back. He felt his cut lip and spat blood out onto the ground. "I might try for a bit of satisfaction myself." He swung his left fist but Ashraz evaded it easily and slammed a series of blows into Jebu's midriff. Jebu dropped to one knee, and as the spymaster stepped forward, rose quickly and caught the man in the ribcage with the stump of his right arm.
Ashraz grunted but countered immediately, stepping close and hammering at his opponent's stomach with both fists. As Jebu doubled over, a knee cracked him underneath the jaw and he went down. Ashraz kicked him viciously in the kidneys before stepping back and allowing his men to help the fallen man.
Jebu groaned and felt his wounds gingerly. "Did you have to be so efficient?"
"Anything less would be suspicious."
When it came to the binding, Jebu was adamant. He produced a carved wooden fist that fitted over the stump of his right hand. A leather glove covered that and the rope bound the artificial hand to the real one. "That way I can free myself in a moment."
Because the meeting place was close to Taanach, Jebu allowed himself to be bound and lifted onto a horse right from the start, thus having to endure a long, uncomfortable ride to the city. The heat and his sweat made his wounds sting and the flies pestered him but he bore it stoically, keeping his mind firmly on the task ahead. Five of his men accompanied him and Ashraz's two brought up the rear.
They reached the gates as dusk was falling and the guards stopped them. Ashraz pointed to his prisoner and boasted that he had caught a great robber, wanted by the king. The guards congratulated him and skins of sour wine were passed around, though the prisoner was left thirsty. Inside the city, Ashraz told his two men, Shimon and Perez to accompany him, while Jebu murmured a few words to Natan and the other men, bidding them hurry about their business.
The four men passed into the fortress of Taanach and were once more accosted by guards. This time there were no congratulations and certainly no wine skins passed around. They were escorted to the inner fortress where the king lodged. One man ran for the Captain of the Guard and presently Benalu drifted out of the shadows.
"Ashraz," Benalu nodded and walked around the small party, examining the bound and beaten man carefully. "This is the man?"
"Yes. He goes by the name of Jezrah."
"He looks damaged."
"My men were a little enthusiastic but where's the harm in that?"
Benalu nodded but still regarded Ashraz thoughtfully. "The king is waiting. You'd better go in to him."
Ashraz and his two men handed over their weapons, and stood waiting as the guards searched them. Benalu ran his hands over Jebu himself. He nodded and detailed two guards to accompany Ashraz and Jebu into the king's chamber.
"One will be enough," Ashraz said casually. "The fewer people who hear what the prisoner says, the better. I'll just take Eltah."
Benalu hesitated for half a minute before agreeing. "As you will." He opened the doors to the chamber and Eltah marched in, followed by the Chief of Security and his prisoner. The doors swung shut.
Two men sat at a table at the far end of the chamber, drinking and talking. They looked up as the guard entered, and fell silent.
Ashraz bowed. "Your majesty, ambassador Mutaril. May I present my prisoner, ex-General Jebu, once commander of the Amorite army, now known as Jezrah, a bandit."
"By the gods," Mutaril breathed. "It really is him. I thought he was dead."
Aziru smirked. "I wondered when the Kemetu king did not parade his head on a spear. Then my spymaster told me he still lived. Bring him closer, so I can see him properly."
"Your majesty, I would feel better if he stayed at a distance. I am unarmed and if he tried anything I would be unable to protect you."
"What can he do? He has been searched, hasn't he? He is bound? Bring him closer but bring the guard too if it makes you feel better." The king smiled at Mutaril. "My people have love and concern for me."
"Up to you now," Ashraz murmured, nudging Jebu forward. As the prisoner shuffled forward, the guard came with him.
Jebu counted his paces, measuring the distance between himself and Aziru. He stumbled and the guard put out a hand to steady him. As he did so, Jebu pulled his wooden hand off and the rope around his real wrist slackened. He grabbed the hilt of the guard's sword and yanked the blade free, throwing off the guard's hand in the same movement. Mutaril leapt to his feet in alarm, but Aziru just smiled.
Smile while you have the chance , thought Jebu. He threw himself forward, the sword raised. He heard a noise behind him and knew that Ashraz was disabling the guard. Another five paces and ...Aziru's eyes flicked past his shoulder. What? Pain and darkness overwhelmed him.
Jebu stirred, aware of waves of agony washing over his head and neck, his vision blurred and jumpy. He tried to raise his hands to his head and found he could not. For a terrible minute, he thought he was back in the pile of dead on the battlefield and his hands were missing which was why he could not...No, that is in the past. I am...where ? He tried to concentrate and almost vomited with the effort.
"You hit him too hard," said a voice, accusingly.
"He'll be alright. He has a head like a ram's."
"Are you sure?" asked another voice. "He does not look well."
Jebu tried to look at this new speaker but his muscles would not obey, so he closed his eyes again.
"See, he is moving. He will be alright."
That's Ash...Ashraz , Jebu thought.
"Give him some wine," said the accusing voice--Aziru .
Jebu felt moisture on his lips and sourness as a rough finger pushed into his mouth, liquid trickling in after it. He gagged and coughed, groaning loudly with the pain his actions caused. "Enough," he slurred.
"Come on Jebu, a little more."
Definitely Ashraz--the double-crossing bastard .
Wine trickled down his throat and despite the feeling of nausea, it stayed down. Jebu opened his eyes again and saw the spymaster standing over him, a wine cup in his hand. Behind him stood King Aziru, a look of curiosity and anticipation on his face. He rolled his eyes to the side and saw a man in ornate robes and carefully coiffed hair and beard staring back. "Mu'ril. I kno' 'oo."
The Hittite ambassador smiled. "Greeting
s Jebu, though I fear the circumstances are not propitious."
Jebu's eyes rolled back to Aziru. "Fu' 'oo," he muttered.
More wine trickled into his throat and Jebu gagged again. He forced it down and moved his head away from the cup. "You bast'd...knoo I coul'n' trus' you." He struggled but found his arms bound tightly behind him.
"Sorry Jebu, but some things are more important than friendship."
"You sis' son is dead. Is worth it?"
Ashraz chuckled. "Utramu wasn't my nephew. No relation in fact. I paid him well, but he did not have the imagination to see what must happen when I betrayed you." He shrugged. "Unfortunately, he won't even learn by his mistake."
"So wha' now? You couldn' a killed me an' spared me this?"
"I was under strict orders not to. I thought I'd hit you too hard anyway, for a few minutes."
"Get on with it," Aziru growled.
"Yes, your majesty. Jebu, look at me." Ashraz waited until Jebu focused on his face. "How would you like your old job back?"
"What?"
"Your job as General of the Amorite army."
"What are you talkin' abou'?"
"There's never been anyone quite like you, Jebu. Ephras was no more than competent and the King's nephew was hopeless. Even the heir, Abi-Amurru, was...well, let's say his talents lie elsewhere." Ashraz glanced at the king and saw the look of impatience on his face. "The army is falling apart, Jebu. We need you back."
Jebu told him what he could do with certain parts of his anatomy and that of a donkey. "You too," he said to Aziru.
The king smiled, though his eyes reflected a completely different emotion. "Make him see sense, Ashraz. You said he would, so show me."
"Jebu, do you know why you were replaced? I told you it was because you were too good at your job, but I did not tell you that the younger brother of the heir, one Abi-Hadad, accused you of being in league with the Kemetu and plotting to overthrow King Aziru."
Jebu groaned and leaned his head back, closing his eyes. "And you believed him?"
"It does not matter whether I believe or not. What is important is whether the king believes."
"See it from my perspective," Aziru said. "One of my sons accuses my best general of treason. Who am I to believe?"
"You could have asked me."
"And you would have said what?"