Companions (The Parthian Chronicles)

by Peter Darman

  He nodded his head. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Even though you’ve never seen it,’ said Domitus.

  ‘The dimensions of the temple are common knowledge; a hundred and fifty yards in length, seventy-five yards in width and sixty feet in height.’

  ‘That is one large temple,’ I agreed.

  ‘Why such an interest in Ephesus?’ Alcaeus asked me.

  ‘Athineos mentioned it, that’s all,’ I said.

  Alcaeus sat down and finished his water. ‘Strange him turning up after so long.’

  ‘Stranger than you think,’ said Domitus, who looked at me. ‘Tell him.’

  Alcaeus looked extremely interested in what I was about to say and Gallia was nodding. They were right, of course, as Alcaeus himself was a Companion.

  ‘Athineos told me that Burebista lives and is a gladiator at the same school where Spartacus was forced to fight before he escaped.’

  Alcaeus’ eyes opened wide in amazement. ‘The Dacian? And you believed him?’

  I shrugged, which hurt my shoulder. ‘He had nothing to gain by lying. The point is, he told me that Burebista would be taking part in the games at Ephesus this summer.’

  ‘Alas for Burebista,’ was Alcaeus’ only comment.

  ‘Pacorus has a mind to go and rescue him,’ said Gallia casually.

  Domitus spat out the water he was drinking and Alcaeus’ eyes opened wide a second time.

  ‘Tell me that was a joke,’ said Domitus.

  ‘You do realise that Ephesus is under Roman control?’ stated Alcaeus.

  I nodded. ‘I know that.’

  ‘And that such an important city will have a large garrison,’ added Domitus.

  I nodded once more.

  ‘You waste your words,’ Gallia told them. ‘Ever since Athineos left us my husband’s mind has been elsewhere, I suspect mostly on that snow-swept night at Rhegium, the last time he or any of us saw Burebista alive.’

  ‘Gallia is right,’ I told them, ‘I have been distracted, I will not lie.’

  ‘Did Athineos say that he had actually seen Burebista?’ asked Alcaeus.

  I shook my head. ‘He had been told by one of the games’ organisers that the gladiatorial school in Capua was sending its fighters to Ephesus, one of which was named Burebista the Dacian.’

  ‘I am sure it is a common name among Dacians,’ said Alcaeus. ‘And anyway, aside from the fact that he died at Rhegium, Athineos did not actually see him with his own eyes.’

  ‘Even if he had,’ I said, ‘he would not have recognised him as he never knew him.’

  ‘A man tells another man of a man called Burebista who might be the same Burebista that served with you in Italy,’ remarked Domitus. ‘You have to admit, Pacorus, that it is all very vague.’

  ‘And not worth risking your life over,’ said Alcaeus firmly.

  As Alcaeus had advised me not to haul myself into a saddle until my shoulder had healed, I walked back to the Citadel in the company of Gallia. Her Amazons likewise walked behind us, the sun roasting our horses and us as we approached the Palmyrene Gate. I glanced up at the griffin statue, drew my sword and raised it in salute as I neared the open gates. I had done so ever since it had been put in place above the gate and I believed it to be a gesture that would bring me luck on the battlefield. Alcaeus thought me foolish no doubt but I was not alone as Gallia and the Amazons also drew their swords and saluted the statue. I caught site of two black figures standing by the griffin. Gallia saw them too.

  We left Remus and Epona in the care of the Amazons, who mounted their horses and rode to the Citadel as we climbed the steps inside the gatehouse. I was rubbing my now aching shoulder as we walked onto the battements above the gates.

  ‘It looks far bigger up close,’ observed Samahe, staring up at the statue. ‘Most impressive.’

  ‘Have you hurt yourself playing war games, son of Hatra?’ said Dobbai.

  ‘He fell off his horse,’ Gallia told her.

  ‘You have a fine city, King Pacorus,’ remarked Samahe as she turned to me. ‘I now know why I was brought here.’

  ‘I thought you came of your own free will,’ I said.

  She smiled at me and brought her hands together, entwining her fingers.

  ‘All things are connected, young king. Just as our lives are mapped out by the gods, so do the immortals send signs to ensure that we follow the right path.’

  ‘Portents, son of Hatra,’ said Dobbai grimly.

  ‘The gods have brought me here to help you in your quest, King Pacorus,’ continued Samahe, ‘to which end I have sent a letter to another of our sisters who will provide you with advice and aid. She will be expecting you.’

  I was confused. ‘Quest? What quest?’

  ‘To rescue your friend,’ answered Dobbai. ‘That is why you have been moping around like a love-sick shepherd following the pirate’s departure.’

  I opened my mouth to speak but Dobbai held up a hand to me. ‘You are above all loyal, son of Hatra. Loyal to your friends and loyal to your ridiculous sense of honour, and an even more ridiculous notion of right and wrong.’

  ‘They are the cornerstones of civilisation,’ I said tersely.

  Dobbai looked at Samahe and rolled her eyes.

  ‘That is debateable, son of Hatra, but what I believe is not important. It is what you hold dear that will decide your actions.’

  ‘You are intent on travelling to Ephesus?’ asked Samahe.

  I looked at her and then Dobbai and Gallia. Their expressions told me they already knew the answer. I could have denied it, told them not to be absurd. But the truth was that I felt nothing but relief.

  ‘You think I am mad?’ I said to Gallia.

  She kissed me gently on the cheek. ‘I think that loyalty is perhaps the greatest virtue, behind love of course.’

  ‘It might get me killed,’ I told her.

  Gallia looked at Dobbai and Samahe. ‘Not with their help, I think. Besides, I am coming with you.’

  I walked back to the Citadel in the company of all three, a score of legionaries ringing us to provide security. A crowd quickly gathered around us as we slowly ambled up the main thoroughfare, the two old women with us finding the walk taxing in the afternoon heat.

  ‘Are you mad?’ I said through gritted teeth to Gallia.

  ‘No,’ she replied calmly. ‘Are you?’

  ‘You heard what Samahe and Dobbai said, Gallia. The coming to Dura of the former and Athineos were portents. I’m convinced that Burebista is still alive and that I should be the one to rescue him.’

  ‘And did you not hear Alcaeus?’ said Gallia. ‘Ephesus was founded by the Amazons. I think that is a sign that I should accompany you in your adventure.’

  I stopped and faced her. ‘Adventure! To travel to a Roman stronghold alone is hardly an adventure.’

  My voice had been raised and not only had the legionaries heard my outburst but so had the citizens nearest to them. There was a murmur among the crowd and many anxious faces peered at us.

  ‘It is unseemly for the king and queen to argue in public,’ said Dobbai. ‘If you want to shout at each other you should do so behind closed doors.’

  I looked around and saw the quizzical and confused expressions. I smiled and raised my hand to the crowd and began walking.

  ‘This is not over,’ I whispered to Gallia.

  But when we reached the palace, and following a full-blooded argument behind closed doors in the throne room, Gallia’s position remained the same. She was determined to accompany me to Ephesus where we would rescue Burebista and bring him back to Dura.

  ‘And how precisely will you do this?’ asked Dobbai as we sat in the banqueting hall eating our evening meal.

  As usual Samahe was consuming great quantities of rice, roast chicken, fish, bread, fruit and beer. I had little appetite.

  ‘I was hoping that you, or your “sister”, might be able to assist me.’

  ‘Assist us,’ added Gallia.

  Samahe sto
pped eating and looked at Dobbai.

  ‘To the north of the great Caspian inland sea,’ said the sorceress from Syria, ‘is a herd of winged horses that I have the power to summon. They will be able to transport you to Ephesus. I can also weave a cloak of invisibility so the Romans will be unaware of your presence.’

  ‘Really?’ I said.

  ‘No, not really,’ replied Samahe, who dipped a biscuit in honey and pushed it into her mouth.

  ‘Do you really think we can summon up armies of demons from the underworld to assist you, son of Hatra?’ said Dobbai. ‘The gods may send signs but it is you alone who must rescue your friend.’

  ‘We could pack a ship with soldiers, wait until dark and then assault the place where Burebista is kept,’ I said, thinking out loud.

  Dobbai shook her head. ‘No, no, no.’

  ‘You are thinking like a warrior king, majesty,’ said Samahe with a mouth full of pork.

  ‘That is because that is what I am,’ I replied.

  ‘Then you must learn to think like the Romans so your entry into Ephesus goes unrecognised,’ she continued.

  I was at a loss as to the meaning of her words. ‘I do not understand.’

  Samahe gulped down a cup of beer. ‘Consider this, King Pacorus. If I wished to pass through your kingdom unnoticed, what would be the best method, considering that your soldiers have eyes on all directions and places as they look out for would-be assassins?’

  ‘Be a member of a trade caravan,’ said Gallia before I could answer.

  Dobbai pointed at her. ‘Exactly, child, the secret is to blend in, become one of the crowd.’

  ‘You are suggesting that we masquerade as followers of Artemis?’ I suggested.

  ‘How will that get you close to your friend?’ said Samahe. ‘No, King Pacorus. If you go to Ephesus only your brains and your sword will save you, not the worship of a foreign goddess. Just as you have embraced Roman ways at Dura so you must do the same at Ephesus.’

  There followed another sleepless night as I lay beside Gallia staring at the ceiling, trying to fathom the meaning of Samahe’s words. Was she suggesting I impersonate a Roman officer? But how would that help my plan? What was my plan, aside from taking ship to Ephesus? My head was aching so I rose and drank a cup of tepid water. It was warm. The net curtain at the open balcony doors was absolutely still with no wind to disturb it. I lay back down and closed my eyes as thoughts swirled in my mind. Eventually I slipped into an uneasy sleep and dreamt of a great battle between Parthians and Romans. I saw a figure on a horse, cloak billowing behind him as he charged into the dense Roman ranks, spear in his right hand. The enemy fled before him and I followed. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at me. He had a helmet on that covered most of his face so I could not identify him. But at the same time I knew of him. I remembered a friend telling me of him, a friend now dead. He was the Thracian horseman and I had my answer.

  The next morning I told Gallia of the vision and she wrapped her arms around me. There were tears in her eyes as I told her my plan to free Burebista from slavery.

  ‘Please tell me that this is some kind of joke, though I fail to see the humour in any of it.’ Godarz was not amused.

  Rsan squirmed uncomfortably in his chair and Domitus stopped toying with his dagger and let it fall to the floor as I finished talking. I had convened a special meeting of the council but had ordered that there be no scribes present to record proceedings and kept the door shut. Fortunately it was still early morning so the temperature in the room was still bearable, though there were beads of sweat on Rsan’s forehead.

  ‘It is a sensible plan,’ said Dobbai.

  Godarz slammed a fist on the table, causing Rsan to jump.

  ‘Sensible? Then my ears must have deceived me as I thought I just heard that Pacorus was intending to travel to Ephesus. In addition, his wife intends to go with him and all to rescue a person that she had little time for, if my memory serves me right.’

  ‘He is a Companion, Godarz,’ stated Gallia firmly.

  Godarz held his shaven head in his hands. ‘In case you had not noticed, majesties, you have a kingdom to rule, a kingdom that is currently under threat of invasion.’

  ‘Mithridates will not march against Dura, governor,’ Dobbai assured him.

  ‘It is folly, Pacorus,’ said Orodes, ‘sheer folly.’

  ‘No, lord prince,’ fumed Godarz, ‘it is idiocy.’

  ‘It is no different from every time I have led the army from Dura,’ I said. ‘In every campaign there is the possibility that I will not come back. That is the nature of war.’

  ‘Except that you are not going to war,’ stated Domitus. ‘You are embarking on a fool’s errand that will probably get you killed.’

  He picked up his dagger and looked at Gallia. ‘Why would you risk your life and perhaps make your daughter an orphan for a man you detested?’

  ‘It is the will of the gods,’ was Gallia’s reply.

  Godarz pointed at Dobbai. ‘I blame you for this. Ever since your arrival at Dura you have filled the king’s head with nonsense and now we see the result. If you really cared for Pacorus you would tell him that he should forget this ridiculous idea.’

  Dobbai sneered at him. ‘It is not my place to issue orders to the king.’

  Domitus guffawed. ‘Really? You are usually very eager to voice your opinions in these meetings.’

  ‘It is my decision and mine alone,’ I said. ‘I will not stand by while Burebista is enslaved by the Romans, forced to fight for his life in the arena.’

  ‘If you fail, Pacorus,’ said Domitus, ‘there is no way that we will be able to assist you. You will be on your own.’

  ‘I know that,’ I replied.

  Godarz threw up his arms. ‘I have never heard such lunacy. Let us suppose for a moment, just suppose, that you do embark on this absurd mission. When Mithridates and Narses learn that the King of Dura is no longer in his kingdom; indeed, has gone overseas, they will invade your realm.’

  I nodded. ‘Which is why our leaving must remain a secret. I estimate that we will be away no longer than two or three months, during which time we will officially be visiting my parents at Hatra.’

  ‘And what if your parents desire to visit you here, at Dura?’ asked Orodes.

  ‘Then you will inform them that we have travelled to Uruk to visit Nergal and Praxima,’ I answered. ‘In addition, I do not want any knowledge of the visit to Ephesus to leave this room. Servants and guards may appear to be statues but they are notorious gossips.’

  ‘Very wise, son of Hatra,’ agreed Dobbai. ‘Though you two will not be the only ones going to Ephesus.’

  ‘You intend to take a bodyguard?’ queries Orodes. ‘In which case I insist that I accompany you both.’

  Dobbai shook her head. ‘It is not your destiny to accompany the son of Hatra, valiant prince, on this occasion.’

  ‘I should go,’ said Domitus.

  ‘An excellent idea, Roman,’ agreed Dobbai. ‘It is, after all, a nest of your people that the son of Hatra is visiting.’

  She looked at me. ‘Take the Greek physician, too.’

  ‘Alcaeus?’

  ‘Yes. He is a Greek and will prove useful if you suffer injuries in the arena.’

  Godarz looked most alarmed. ‘Arena?’

  Dobbai cackled. ‘Of course you will not know. The son of Hatra has decided to become what the slave general was before he incited the lowborn to rise up. A gladiator.’

  Godarz stormed out of the meeting as Domitus fell about laughing and Orodes looked mortified. I said nothing about the vision of Spartacus I had had in a dream but remained convinced that I was supposed to enter the arena.

  ‘Why else would the revelation that Burebista still lives be disclosed to me at this time?’ I asked Dobbai and Samahe that evening as we relaxed on the palace terrace. ‘I followed Spartacus once. Why not a second time, and in the arena where he made his reputation?’

  ‘It is ambitious, I agree,
’ said Dobbai.

  ‘And would please the gods, I have no doubt,’ added Samahe.

  ‘Spartacus revealed himself to Pacorus in a dream,’ said Gallia. ‘It cannot be a coincidence.’

  ‘As you stated, Samahe,’ I said, ‘all things are linked. In a city filled with gladiators who will notice one more? And masquerading as one will give me access to Burebista.’

  ‘And then, son of Hatra?’

  ‘And then we will formulate a plan to get him and us out of Ephesus,’ I said.

  Godarz purposely avoided me over the succeeding days, Rsan explaining that his friend was upset and angry that I would not change my mind. I told him that his temper would subside before I left. I knew that Godarz considered Gallia to be like a daughter and she viewed him as a father figure, and as such the thought of her being placed in danger caused him substantial grief. But she visited him in his mansion and told him that she was in danger every time she rode to war with the Amazons. She left him on good terms but Godarz’s stubbornness resulted in him keeping his distance from me. I prayed his anger would dissipate before we left.

  ‘You waste your time on such frivolities,’ Dobbai told me the next day as she and Samahe stood before me in the throne room. ‘You are a king and he is your governor. It is not his place to dispute your decisions, only obey.’

  ‘He is a Companion,’ I told her, ‘and is entitled to speak his mind.’

  On her advice I dismissed all the guards and had the doors to the chamber closed so that only four of us remained, Gallia sitting beside me on her throne. I had suggested that we could speak in private on the terrace but Dobbai told me that the servants had a habit of listening at the door, either that or decided to clean the bedroom closest to the terrace, the balcony of which was next to the latter, separated by a thin wall.

  ‘Servants are notorious gossips, I learnt that at Ctesiphon,’ she told me.

  ‘The servants at Ctesiphon are all slaves,’ said Gallia, ‘not free men and women as they are in this palace.’

  Dobbai looked at her kindly. ‘Just because you pay them instead of flogging them does not mean they refrain from indulging in idle chatter. If you wish to mask your journey to Ephesus you must be more careful.’