by Peter Darman
On the seventh day Dobbai permitted mother and child their first bath, though again a strict ritual was observed. Beforehand Gallia’s belly was massaged with honey, covered with crushed herbs and wrapped in white linen. Diana accompanied my wife as she was washed, oiled and massaged, and more blessed clay was rubbed on her forehead. This was to invoke the protection of Anahita, the goddess of all waters, war, love and fertility. Then the infant was washed and placed over the mother’s head, and as Diana held the baby Dobbai poured water over the baby which then ran down onto Gallia and thus protected her from barrenness.
We named our daughter Claudia in honour of our friend, the wife of Spartacus.
Chapter 13
After the forty days had passed the extra guards were stood down, the charms that had been secreted around our bedroom were taken away by Dobbai and consigned to the fire and everyone finally relaxed and began to feel joyous. The lords came and paid their homage to the kingdom’s new princess. I sat in the throne room with Gallia, her health and strength now fully restored, as they gathered before us, grizzled and ruthless men who all knelt before a helpless infant. Each insisted on kissing Claudia’s tiny hand and embracing me, usually in an iron-hard bear hug followed by a hearty slap on the shoulders. I was black and blue by the time they had all finished. They laid gifts at Gallia’s feet — gold and silver coins, swords, armour, saddles and beautifully crafted horse furniture. Fit indeed for a princess. They all noticed that Claudia had her mother’s blue eyes and fair hair and reckoned that it was a good omen. And all the while Dobbai watched over the child with an eagle eye. In truth Gallia had become immensely fond of Dobbai and I had to admit that even I found her tolerable, for the most part.
Two days after the lords had paid homage, Haytham, Malik, Byrd and Noora arrived at the city with an entourage that must have numbered at least three hundred. They also brought Haytham’s gift for Claudia — five hundred camels. The entry of Haytham into the city was a sombre affair. This was the man who had formerly brought death and terror to Dura and its lands, and many of the city’s residents thought little of his arrival. Most stayed indoors as he and his horsemen passed under the Palmyrene Gate and trotted up the main street to the Citadel. Domitus, sensing the unease of the city, had wanted to line Haytham’s route with guards and double those who stood watch in the Citadel itself. I refused his request.
‘You don’t bat an eyelid when Malik comes and goes, and he is Haytham’s son.’
Domitus screwed up his face. ‘That’s different. He’s a friend of ours and everyone knows him. Besides, he has fought beside us so his heart does not contain treachery.’
‘So, by that logic, if Haytham made a trip to Dura a regular occurrence you would accept him just as you accept his son?’
‘All I am saying is that before we arrived he was killing these people, your people.’
‘What is done is done. He is a friend, Domitus, and we shall treat him as such.’
Haytham was accorded all the courtesies his rank as a king demanded. We met him at the foot of the palace steps and Domitus arranged for a full guard of honour to greet him and his escort. Behind Haytham rode Malik, who smiled at Gallia and me. Behind him were the turban-clad Agraci warriors, their faces adorned with black tattoos and their bodies wrapped in black robes. They all rode black horses with black saddles and carried round black shields. Long spears and curved swords hung at their hips in black scabbards. They resembled demons from hell sent to inflict tortures upon mortals, but Haytham had them under tight control. We all bowed our heads to him in acknowledgement of his royalty and he reciprocated, dismounting and bowing his head to me and then Gallia. He gestured for Rasha to join him and all protocol vanished as she was helped down from her horse, raced over to Gallia and wrapped her arms around my wife. At once all edginess that had existed evaporated and we escorted Haytham and his men into the palace. He insisted on seeing Claudia before he took rest or refreshment, and smiled in approval when he saw her lying in her cot in the nursery next to our bedroom. He was also aware of the eagle-eyed Dobbai sitting nearby, watching his every move. He nodded ever so slightly at her but her visage of concentration did not alter. We retired from the nursery and I showed him to his quarters, a room located just off the banqueting hall. The latter was given over to his warriors, whom I assumed would want to be near their lord, and in any case we did not have anywhere else to accommodate such a large party. Like our bedroom Haytham’s quarters had a balcony with a splendid view of the river.
‘That was your sorceress?’ he asked me, unfastening his scabbard and leaning it against the wall.
‘Some say she is so, lord.’
‘And you?’
‘Gallia finds comfort in her presence, and in truth she was a great help during the birth of our daughter.’
Haytham gazed at the blue Euphrates. ‘She regards me with the same contempt as many in this city.’
‘Old hatreds die hard, lord.’
‘It matters not, but I thank you for your invitation. I am pleased to be here. Perhaps we can go hunting together.’
The next day we did and he presented me with a beautiful female saker falcon named Najya, meaning ‘victorious’. Haytham had brought his chief falconer, and I was in awe of his skill as he directed Najya to bring down a brace of partridges and three bustards. She was a magnificent bird, almost two feet tall with large eyes and a short, hooked beak. Her plumage was a light grey, almost white.
‘Your gift is most generous, lord.’
He raised a hand in acknowledgment as we sat down to partake of a midday meal of pancakes and roasted lamb his men were cooking over a fire. Najya sat on a perch nearby with her head covered by a leather hood.
Malik sat beside his father, who stared into the fire then looked directly at me.
‘My people have no great love for the Parthians, Pacorus. This you know. And yet you have shown nobility in your heart and have built a bridge between our two peoples.’ He placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. ‘My son has even fought beside you and my daughter thinks of your wife as a surrogate mother.’
‘You are too generous, lord.’
He waved away my protest.
‘It is thus as a friend, Pacorus, that I have to tell you that I have received ambassadors from the Romans requesting passage through my lands.’
My blood ran cold. ‘They mean to attack Dura?’
‘They did not say so, but why else would they seek a treaty with me?’
I looked at him. His black eyes betrayed no emotion, though Malik was frowning with displeasure.
‘What was your answer, lord?’
‘I told them that the King of Dura was a friend of mine and that I do not betray my friends.’
Relief swept through me, these words were indeed heartening to hear. Haytham continued. ‘They offered much gold to facilitate my support. Their master must be a very wealthy man.’
‘Their master?’
‘Yes,’ said Haytham, trying to remember the name. ‘I think he was called Crassus.’
Haytham went back to his people three days later, assuring me that he would not give the Romans free passage through his land.
‘You have my word on that, Pacorus. What kind of king would permit such a thing in any case?’
He offered his hand and I took it. ‘I thank you, lord.’
He mounted his horse and looked down at me. ‘But they may come anyway. I know they are a greedy people, greedy for land, greedy for slaves. If they invade my lands I will fight them.’
‘And Dura will stand by your side, lord,’ I said.
He nodded and then bowed his head at Gallia standing behind me holding Claudia in her arms. Domitus gave the signal, the colour party’s trumpets blasted out, the guard century snapped to attention and Claudia began wailing. King Haytham wheeled his horse around and trotted from the Citadel followed by his warriors. I had instructed that the route he took out of the city was to be lined with legionaries standing at attention, a
s a salute to his friendship. Byrd and Malik stayed behind as there was much work to be done, though Rasha and Noora went with Haytham back to Palmyra. I did not want them in the city if it was attacked.
As soon as Haytham had left I convened a war council in the palace, and asked Byrd and Malik to join us. Gallia, Dobbai, Diana and Gafarn also sat with us, and Claudia was placed in her cot next to Gallia, to the discomfort of Rsan and the amusement of Godarz. Domitus said nothing but sat with his eyes down as he toyed with his dagger.
‘It appears that our old adversary, Marcus Licinius Crassus, has decided to come to the East.’
‘He is a fool,’ sneered Nergal.
‘A rich fool,’ added Godarz. ‘One whose wealth and influence has reached these parts it would seem.’
‘If he attacks your father’s lands,’ I said to Malik, ‘then I will take Dura’s army west and together we will destroy the Romans.’
Malik beamed. ‘We will fight together once more.’
I smiled at him. ‘Yes, Malik, we will fight together once more.’
‘Brave words, son of Hatra. But you will not have time for such nonsense,’ Dobbai could always be relied upon to cast a pall of gloom over proceedings.
‘You are wrong,’ I told her. ‘Byrd and Malik can ride west and give us accurate information as to the Romans’ whereabouts. Two scouts can move faster than an army on foot.’
Dobbai walked over to the map of the empire on the wall and ran a claw-like fingernail across its hide surface.
‘Last night a cold wind came from the north and in a dream I saw an eagle flying among flames and dead bodies.’ She turned and pointed at me.
‘You look west when you should be giving your attention to the north.’
Domitus stopped fiddling with his dagger and looked up at her. Rsan seemed decidedly nervous, Gafarn bemused.
‘You speak in riddles,’ I said.
‘Then let me make it plain, son of Hatra. War is upon Parthia and you must act quickly if all is not to be lost.’
‘The gods speak to you?’ asked Nergal.
Dobbai threw her head back and gave a feral laugh. ‘Don’t be absurd. Why should they speak to me, much less an idiot whose only talent is to ride upon a horse and shoot a bow? They reveal glimpses of things, that is all.’
Nergal looked confused as to whether she was referring to him or me. Perhaps she was talking of both of us.
‘I have heard no word from the northern frontier,’ I said, trying to restore some semblance of normality to the proceedings.
‘Have it your own way,’ she said, and with that she said no more.
It was impossible to continue with her staring blankly at the wall, so I dismissed everyone and left her sitting alone. But her words had fomented an air of foreboding in me that crept through my body like a chill. My mind told me to ignore such outbursts but my instincts told me that she was right. Diana and Gafarn travelled back to Hatra the day after, Diana pleading with Gallia for her and Claudia to go with them. My wife embraced them both but told them that she would be staying, and so we watched our dearest friends and their escort ride from the Citadel. I prayed that we would live to see them again.
Byrd and Malik rode into the desert to keep watch for the Romans, and Malik informed me that he would form a screen of Agraci watchmen to be my eyes. I liked Malik. He was honest, brave and loyal. He would have made a good Parthian king, but one day he would rule his own kingdom and I hoped that he would continue the alliance between our two peoples. After a week he and Byrd returned with news, and it was not good.
‘Romani army has marched from Antioch, striking for the Euphrates. They will then march down the western bank to attack Dura.’
‘They have decided not to march through my father’s lands, Pacorus,’ said Malik.
‘They are clever,’ I said. ‘They think to settle affairs with me first. But Antioch is three hundred miles from Dura and it will take nearly three weeks for them to get here; plenty of time to organise a proper reception for them.’
Or at least it would have been had it not have been for the arrival of a courier three days later with news that the combined forces of Media and Atropaiene had been defeated near the shores of Lake Urmia, and that a Roman army was now approaching Irbil. I sat in my chair on the palace terrace and read the latter from Farhad to Gallia sitting beside me. Dobbai was next to the balustrade listening attentively.
‘So,’ I remarked with a heavy heart, ‘the Romans are attacking us from the north as well.’
Dobbai rose and faced me. ‘Farhad’s words do not say that. He states that he has been defeated and now squeals like a little girl for you to come to his aid.’
‘And aid him I shall,’ I said.
Claudia was fast asleep in Gallia’s arms and her serene manner comforted me.
‘Farhad is a fool,’ said Dobbai.
‘What are you going to do?’ asked Gallia.
‘Reassure Farhad that help is on its way. I am, after all, lord high general and have a responsibility to assist the kings of the empire.’
Dobbai scoffed at this. ‘Farhad is beyond hope.’
I sent urgent messages to Dura’s lords informing them of the Romans’ approach and requesting their presence. When they arrived I assembled everyone in the council chamber, which was barely big enough to accommodate everyone who clustered around the table. Domitus, Nergal, Rsan, Byrd, Malik and Godarz were also present. Gallia left Claudia with Dobbai and also joined us. The room was warm, made worse by the press of bodies, and so sweating servants brought water and fruit juice. Godarz, who had been a slave in Italy for many years and had great knowledge of Roman affairs, addressed everyone first.
‘We know that the Roman army approaching Dura’s lands is sponsored, perhaps led in person, by a man named Marcus Licinius Crassus.’
A wall of blank faces indicated that the name meant nothing to the lords, though Gallia, Domitus, Byrd and Nergal knew it well enough. Godarz continued.
‘Crassus is a very wealthy man who has an eye for a business opportunity. There are two reasons why he would send an army to Dura. The first is to exact revenge on King Pacorus, who inflicted many defeats on the Romans in their own country.’
The lords stepped forward and banged their fists on the table in acknowledgement of my achievements. When they had finished Godarz again continued.
‘The second reason is our trade route with the Egyptians. If Crassus takes Dura, then he will control the flow of goods that runs through this city to Egypt.’
‘So he’s a cheap merchant, then,’ said one of the lords, which prompted laughter among the others.
Godarz regained his seat as I stood and raised my hands.
‘He may be a cheap merchant but he is no fool. He will have calculated that he stands a good chance of achieving his aims. He does not spend his own money without great consideration.’
‘You know this man, majesty?’ asked another lord.
‘I stayed in his house as a guest once.’ They looked in confusion at me. ‘It is a long story and one I do not have time to tell now. Suffice to say he is a dangerous opponent. Byrd, what news have you heard of the Roman army?’
‘I hear of three Romani eagles, plus some horse and auxiliaries. Many wagons.’
‘Three legions, plus horse and support troops; so slingers, archers and skirmishers. Around twenty thousand men, maybe more,’ I surmised.
One of the lords slapped his companion on the arm. ‘We can raise more than that among ourselves. We can beat this rabble before they get near Dura.’
The others roared their approval. And he was right. Each of them could raise a thousand or more men from their estates, lightly armed horse archers that could muster and attack the Romans before they bore down on the city. Wave after wave of horsemen crashing against the locked shields of the Romans, just like the horsemen of Farhad and Aschek had attempted to do, no doubt, and just like them they would be slaughtered.
‘No,’ I said. ‘We wi
ll not attack the Romans.’
I saw the confusion and disappointment in their eyes as they looked at each other and fell silent, and I smiled.
‘That is exactly what the Romans want us to do, and that is exactly what we shall not do.’
‘If the Romans engage us in battle, their slingers, archers and javelins will cut us down, and we will be unable to penetrate their wall of shields. You have all seen the damage the weapons of a legion can inflict on the enemy, and I will not permit the same to happen to you. Instead, we will weaken the enemy before we have even raised a sword against him.’
I knew I had them interested now. The kingdom of Dura was a frontier region of warlords. Each of them had as his base a stronghold surrounded by high walls, battlements, towers and thick gates. These great residences were built to withstand attack and were places of refuge, so I told each of them that they must now be prepared to withstand a Roman assault.
‘The Romans will march along the river, therefore those of you with lands near the Euphrates must stock up with supplies and send the women, children and those too old or young to fight across the river into Hatra. Those of you whose lands are away from the river must also evacuate the women and the young and old, as the Romans will undoubtedly send out foraging parties far and wide, and will lay waste anything they cannot use. This being the case, those being evacuated must also take their livestock with them to deny the Romans supplies.’
One of the lords was most unhappy. It was Spandarat, the grizzled old warrior who had escorted Gallia back to Dura after we had defeated Porus. ‘You wish us to hide behind our walls like old women?’
