by Sam Barone
Esk kar understood Subutai’s problem. “There’s no dishonor in your course. You must do what’s best for your people. When you cross the river to the north, the land there is yours. None from Orak have ever claimed it, and few have even seen it. It doesn’t grow wheat or vegetables, so it is of little use to us. As long as you do not war across the river, we won’t be enemies.”
“It will be long before we’re strong enough to ride across the river.”
“Even then, there will be no need. When all this fighting ends, we’ll need help to watch our borders and warn us of new attacks and new enemies. We could establish trade for what you need, set up a trading camp.
Your people would benefit.”
“Perhaps it can be as you say,” Subutai said, “trade instead of war. But first I must gather my people and return to the mountains. Still some of my warriors favor the idea of raiding the Alur Meriki, as you and my father discussed. We’ll see what the next few weeks will bring.” He reached out and grasped Esk kar’s shoulder. “We part as friends, as my father would have done.”
Esk kar returned the grip. “As friends we will part. But there may yet be some things I can do for you before you go. I’ll think about it and send word to Trella.”
When the Ur Nammu chief departed, Esk kar sank back down on the grass, thinking about Subutai’s words “the next few weeks.” The new Ur Nammu leader had just said Esk kar and the village would have to withstand the Alur Meriki’s attacks for at least that long, no matter what. Eskkar grimaced as he rolled up in his blanket.
Trella had seen how these people could help Orak now and in the future. More important, she’d looked at them with kindness, seeing past the warrior trappings, even as she’d overlooked the barbarian in the man to whom she’d been given.
Bar’rack crawled to the top of the ridge, ignoring the insects that welcomed his presence as they nibbled on his flesh. Peering through a clump of tall grass, he watched the approach to the valley. He couldn’t see much. The entrance lay more than three hundred paces away, but what he saw kept him hugging the ground.
Two riders sat their horses near the valley’s mouth. Both carried lances tipped with yellow streamers and bows slung across their backs. Their relaxed posture made Bar’rack grit his teeth in anger. His clan brothers had ridden into that valley only hours ago; he could still see the broad trail of hoof prints that stretched from just below him all the way to the passage-way that led into what must be a good — sized valley.
Another rider appeared along the crest of the valley wall. This one waved his bow toward the riders below him. They waved back, but didn’t move. After a long moment studying the land beneath him, the third rider turned away, vanishing from sight.
Bar’rack swore at the flies and fleas biting at him, then cursed his clan brothers for leaving him behind, though now he began to think the gods had saved his life. His horse had stepped into a hole, breaking its leg and throwing its rider to the earth. Too dazed even to cling behind another rider, they’d left him behind in their eagerness to close with the Ur Nammu. He’d slipped into unconsciousness and when he awoke, he found himself alone.
Angry at being left behind, Bar’rack started walking, an activity that normally consisted of moving from his tent to his horse. It had taken him the better part of two hours, following the twisting trail left by his clansmen, to reach this place. Fortunately the riders hadn’t spotted him when he approached.
Another hour passed as he watched, but nothing happened. The crest rider had reappeared twice in that time, his movements telling Bar’rack that the Ur Nammu patrolled the valley’s heights as well as its access.
His Alur Meriki brothers hadn’t returned the way they entered, so either they’d ridden out the far end of the valley, assuming that it had one, or they’d all been killed. How that might be possible he had no idea, but he’d heard the story of the warriors trapped and killed by the Ur Nammu a few weeks ago. In his worst dreams, Bar’rack couldn’t believe such a thing could happen to his clansmen.
A handful of riders appeared at the valley’s mouth, and for a moment Bar’rack thought his clansmen had returned. But these new riders showed no colors, didn’t even carry lances or bows. Dirteaters, he decided, from the way they handled their horses, except for their leader. A tall warrior with the look of a horseman, he spoke as an equal to the two Ur Nammu guarding the exit. The way they answered, showing respect and deference, surprised Bar’rack. He watched as the tall rider acknowledged their response. Then he wheeled his horse and rode back into the valley, his men following behind.
Bar’rack had seen enough. He put his face on the ground and tried to think. Dirt- eaters had banded together with the filth Ur Nammu. They’d either wiped out all the Alur Meriki warriors, or driven them to the south.
In either case, Bar’rack would be on his own. His duty to his clan was clear-he had to get back across the Tigris and warn the Alur Meriki clan leaders.
A moment of fear swept through him. If the Ur Nammu rode back this way, they might see his footprints overlaying the horse trail. They’d hunt him down, track him wherever he went, until they caught him. Bar’rack looked up at the sun. Only a few hours of daylight remained. He didn’t dare start moving until dark. He’d have to travel all night, put as much distance as possible between him and the Ur Nammu, who would surely send out patrols at dawn.
Getting away, finding and stealing a horse somewhere, then getting back to Thutmose — sin: that’s what he needed to do. Bar’rack rolled over on his back and covered his eyes with his arm. He still had his water skin and his bow. He’d rest until dusk, then start moving. With luck, he could travel far enough to escape the Ur Nammu patrols.
Beneath his arm, Bar’rack found his eyes watering. His younger brother had ridden into that valley. Now Bar’rack would have to tell their mother of his death. He let the tears come, something he couldn’t do in the presence of warriors. But when the tears dried, he swore vengeance to the gods, in the name of his brother, against both the Ur Nammu and the miserable dirt — eaters. The gods heard his oath, and he knew they would honor it. The dirt — eaters and Ur Nammu would pay for his brother’s death.
21
At first light Esk kar dispatched a rider to Orak to deliver word of the victory. He also wanted Trella aware of Mesilim’s death and its effect on Subutai.
The men spent the morning burying the dead and caring for the wounded. The sun had climbed high before they began their journey back to Orak, but the long summer days promised them extra hours of daylight.
The injured who could cling to a horse had been given mounts, while parties of men took turns carrying the three wounded men unable to ride.
Thirty — two horses had been captured. Esk kar gave thirty of them to the Ur Nammu. The rest of the Alur Meriki mounts had been killed in the fi ghting.
Every man had their fill of horsemeat, while what was left of the farmhouse had provided fuel for the cooking fires.
They camped as soon as darkness fell, and the next morning Esk kar had them on the march almost as soon as the sun rose. By early afternoon they’d covered nearly three — quarters of the distance home and Esk kar expected to reach Orak just after dark. He didn’t push the pace and the men walked lighter now that they didn’t have to carry the awkward and heavy shields.
They carried no food, either. The last of it had gone with this morning’s breakfast. It wouldn’t hurt the men to miss one dinner.
The sun had started to set when a rider appeared over the hilltop and lashed an obviously tired beast toward the column of soldiers.
Subutai rode alongside Esk kar, though only ten of his warriors accompanied him. The others had stayed behind in the valley, guarding the horses and resting. Esk kar watched the rider as he approached, the horse covered with sweat and finished for the day. Halting the column, Esk kar dismounted and sat on the ground, motioning to the rider to join him. The rest of his men, eager to hear the latest news, crowded around them, all discipli
ne lost in a moment.
“Captain, I come from Lady Trella. She says to tell you the barbarians have been sighted.” The man paused to catch his breath. “A large column rode up from the south two days ago. We saw more than a hundred riders.
Now they keep a watch on the village.”
“Did any of them attempt to cross the river?” The water ran a bit lower now, and a strong swimmer might make it across.
“No, Captain. There’s plenty of water at the farms, so they don’t need the river.”
Nor did they want to call anyone’s attention to it just yet, Esk kar thought. “Is there anything else?”
“Yes, Captain. Lady Trella will join you in a few hours. She crossed the river with me along with the barbar… the women and children that the warriors left behind. She said she wanted to get them out of Orak before the enemy prevented them from leaving.”
Trella on her way here! Well, a small group of men and women crossing the river should arouse no suspicions. It didn’t matter. He wouldn’t take any chances on this side of the river.
“Gatus! Start the men moving and pick up the pace. I’ll not have Trella walking through the countryside with a group of women. We keep moving until we find her.”
“Captain, she has four soldiers with her,” the messenger said hastily.
“Sisuthros wanted to send more, but she said it would attract too much attention.”
Four or forty made no difference. Esk kar wouldn’t rest until he saw her safely back in Orak. Climbing back on his horse, he led the way, moving at a quick trot that drew grumbling from the men as they struggled to get moving and keep up.
Once again Subutai rode beside him. “Perhaps I should ride ahead, Eskkar, to see to Trella’s safety.”
Esk kar appeared to think it over for a moment. “No, it’s better that you stay at my side. The men guarding Trella might be surprised if they saw warriors riding toward them.”
“I would be willing to take such a chance. We could call out to them, tell them who we are. Our women would recognize us.”
“No, I will not risk it. Stay here with me. We’ll meet up with them in another hour or two at most.”
“And if my horse suddenly broke into a run, what would you do?”
For the first time Esk kar turned to look carefully at the man at his side.
He regarded the new chief of the Ur Nammu closely for a few moments and chose his words before replying.
“In the village, Subutai, many men now cast their eyes at Trella, and I’m sure some of them would slit my throat if they thought that would help them get her. But that could never happen in Orak. The entire village would rise up and punish anyone who tried to take her by force.”
His voice hardened. “But out here, any man with a horse can take a captive, and I remember the saying of my clan: ‘Trust no man with your woman, especially your brother or your friend.’ Now the warrior in me sees danger everywhere, and I’ll take no chances with her safety.”
Subutai digested Esk kar’s words. “Put your fears at rest. I’ll ride with you until we meet up with them.” After a moment he added, “Though I think you have learned much wisdom from your woman.”
“She has many sayings, so many that sometimes my head turns. One of them is to always try to put yourself in another man’s place, to understand him from within. Sometimes it’s not an easy thing to do, but often it helps to understand a man.”
He turned toward the Ur Nammu chief again. “You’re now the leader of your people. But whether you’ll be a great ruler, only time will tell. But it might be a wise saying for you as well.”
They rode in silence for a hundred paces before Subutai spoke. “I did think about it, Esk kar. For a moment it was a great temptation. But I knew I would have to kill you first. After all you’ve done for my people, I’m content to seek her wisdom. But remember your instincts. Always keep a close watch on her.”
“That’s one lesson I’ve already learned. Now, let us talk about the future.”
The moon had not yet risen when they crested a small hill and saw two torches twinkling in the distance. A few moments later Trella’s party spotted them and waved their torches.
The men groaned in relief when they saw Trella’s group. They hadn’t stopped moving for the last three hours. Orak was close now, little more than another two or three hours at an easy pace. Trella had not traveled very far, burdened with the Ur Nammu women and children in addition to a great amount of supplies.
Esk kar galloped ahead as soon as he saw the torches. He jumped down from his horse and took her in his arms until she gasped for breath.
“You should not have left Orak. This was dangerous. You could’ve been attacked on the road. You haven’t even recovered from your wound.”
She looked at him in the flickering torchlight. “Orak is only a few miles behind us. But the ford may be blocked at any moment. I didn’t want to be alone on the other side of the river, away from you.”
“We will talk of this later. Now we must deal with Subutai. I hope you’ve more influence with him and his women than I.”
He told her about the battle in the valley, of Mesilim’s death, and Subutai’s plans. While they talked, Gatus and the men arrived. The soldiers built a small fire and a ring of soldiers formed around Esk kar and Trella.
The men drank the last of their water and rested. Esk kar told Trella what he thought about the new situation, then listened carefully to her replies.
They sent for Subutai. He’d been with his wife and daughter, listening to what the clan’s women had to say, examining the supplies and gifts Trella had given them. The supplies would make a great difference in how the Ur Nammu lived in the months ahead.
Esk kar moved back his guards so his men formed a wide circle, leaving himself and Trella in the center. Now Subutai and his men entered the circlet, bringing with them their women, though Esk kar knew this was not their custom. But these were highly unusual circumstances. With only five women for thirty men, these wives would command a greater say in their fates.
Esk kar watched Subutai as he regarded Trella, who sat on part of a fallen tree one of the soldiers had dragged up for her. How she managed it, Esk kar didn’t know, but she appeared both regal and desirable even in her rough travel dress. Maybe it was the combination of the firelight on her face, while two torches burned behind her. She had an indisputable presence, one she’d become well aware of and worked hard to enhance.
When the Ur Nammu were seated, the women behind the men, Esk kar began. “Our two peoples have fought together against their common enemy not once, but twice, and we’ve defeated them both times. Now Subutai will take his people back to their homelands, north of the river Enratus.
When the Alur Meriki are defeated and driven from Orak, our people will stay to the south. In that way, our two peoples can live in peace.”
Esk kar gestured toward Trella. “Trella and I have offered to help Chief Subutai in any way we can.” He turned to Subutai, who had to speak next.
“Lady Trella,” Subutai began, adopting the phrase Esk kar used, “We thank you for your help with our women and children. You’ve given us many gifts of food and clothing, as well as tools and healing medicines.
We’re embarrassed we have nothing to give you in return. Now we are too few to fight against the Alur Meriki. Yet we know you are wise, and so my people ask you for your wisdom.”
Esk kar guessed that Subutai doubted she had any wisdom for him. But Trella had planted the seeds with the womenfolk even before they left the village, and no doubt that had been part of the quiet discussions between Subutai and his people moments ago.
“It is we who are in your debt, Chief Subutai.” Trella’s soft voice floated on the night air like music from a lute, and not a sound was heard around the circle except for the crackling of the fires and the whispers of the translators as everyone strained to catch her words.
“Without your help, there would have been no victory two days ago, and the
Alur Meriki would now have a strong force behind Orak. But a great challenge stands before you-the need to return to your homelands and rebuild your people. It is something that you must do quickly, else you fall victim to some larger clan. You’ll need more wives for your men to give you many children, and you’ll need tools and food before you can stand on your own again. It may be that Esk kar and I can help you with these things.”
Esk kar smiled inwardly at the box Trella had placed Subutai in. She offered him a way to rebuild his people, but he’d have to ask for it, and that would place him in her debt. If he turned it down, some of his men would begin to doubt his leadership, especially if her ideas had merit.
Subutai worked it out quickly enough. He had to ask, then examine her suggestions seriously. “Lady Trella, if you have any thoughts that can help my people, we ask for them.”
“Nothing is certain, Chief Subutai,” Trella answered. “We face a great battle against your own enemy, and it may be that we will not survive. But if we do, and if the Alur Meriki are driven off, then the lands that they have passed through will be filled with chaos and confusion. There will be many masterless and landless men who’ll kill and destroy whatever little has survived the Alur Meriki. Even among your kind, there will be many steppes clans wandering these lands. They’ll fight each other as well as the soldiers Orak will send out into the countryside to protect our farmers and herders. Even now, several small bands of steppes people are on the west bank of the Tigris, moving north, avoiding the Alur Meriki while they take whatever they can.”
Esk kar watched Subutai as he listened to Trella’s words. So far she’d said nothing unexpected.
“If you wish,” Trella continued, “we can speak to these small bands, or you can ride south and seek them yourself. Gather them together into a new clan within your own land, with a truce between your people and the men of the villages and farms. With supplies and trade goods from Orak, life in the northern lands could be easier. Orak would give you gold, and you would need only to watch the mountains and send us word of any dangers. You could trade for anything else you needed. All we would ask is that you raid no lands south of the Enratus.”
