Parthian Vengeance (The Parthian Chronicles)

by Darman, Peter

  ‘If the Armenians attack we will defend ourselves. But I will not instigate hostilities.’

  And so, as the rain coursed off my helmet, ran down my face and soaked my arms and legs, we watched as the Armenians, their banners now hanging soaked and limp from their flag staffs, began to slowly retreat from the field. The foot withdrew first, the damp and shivering hordes of spearmen, archers and slingers trudging back to the tree line to retrace their route back to Armenia. Then the heavy swordsmen followed them protected by the mounted spearmen. The royal party must have been the first to depart for I saw no sign of the Armenian cataphracts. Last to leave were the horse archers who formed a rear guard as the soldiers of four Parthian kingdoms stood immobile and watched them go.

  It took two hours of standing before a burning brazier before the feeling returned to my soaking, cold feet and hands. As well as feeling like a drowned rat I also felt cheated. Cheated of the chance to do my father a great service.

  ‘He doesn’t see it like that,’ said Domitus, holding his hands out to the red coals.

  We were standing in front of my tent holding cups of warm wine that had been brought from the field kitchens. The dark and dank night was illuminated by the red glow from dozens of braziers, around which were clustered groups of men trying to warm themselves and dry their sodden clothing. There would be much rust to be removed from mail shirts in the morning.

  ‘You start a war and he has to deal with it.’

  I wasn’t listening to him. ‘We could have broken them easily. Did you see their foot? Most of them would have turned tail and run at the first opportunity.’

  He rubbed his hands together. ‘No point in agonising over what might have been. What will you do now?’

  ‘Go back to Dura. What a complete waste of time this has been.’

  ‘Pity we can’t go via Gordyene,’ said Domitus. ‘At least we could try to destroy some of the bases the Armenians are using to launch raids from.’

  ‘The one born in the land of water must be given his own army,’ I found myself saying.

  ‘What did you say?’

  I smiled at him and slapped him on the arm. ‘Of course, it makes perfect sense.’

  He looked at me as though I was mad. ‘It does?’

  ‘My friend, you would not believe me if I told you.’

  He eyed me warily. ‘You sure you haven’t caught some sort of fever?’

  I went to bed happier than I believed I would and woke to discover that the rain had stopped and the sun was shining down from a sky largely devoid of clouds. It was a beautiful spring day laced with the scent of cyclamen, hyacinth, lavender and narcissus. As the men hung clothing and saddlecloths out to dry and the ground slowly warmed under the sun’s rays, I sent a rider to Nisibus to invite Vata and Atrax to attend me, ostensibly to inspect the camp.

  Atrax appeared at midday escorted by a hundred Median horse archers. Vata rode into camp an hour later accompanying a hundred wagons piled high with wine, fresh meat, bread and fodder for the horses.

  ‘I thought it was the least I could do after your wasted trip, Pacorus.’

  I embraced him. ‘Not wasted, my friend. Come inside and take refreshment.’

  After we had shared a jug of wine between us I escorted Atrax and Vata round the camp. It was the first time either of them had seen Dura’s legionaries at close quarters.

  ‘You have made good use of all those men from Pontus I sent south to you,’ remarked Vata as a column of Exiles marched past to undertake two hours’ drill outside the camp.

  ‘They have made good soldiers,’ I agreed.

  ‘And the rest are all slaves?’ asked Atrax.

  ‘Some are former slaves,’ I replied, ‘some are free men who left their homelands because they were occupied or there was no work for them. In Dura’s army they have good food and are paid regularly.’

  ‘What will you do with them when there is no one left to fight?’ asked Vata mischievously.

  ‘There is always someone to fight, Vata, which brings me to the reason I invited you both here. I am considering a campaign in Gordyene.’

  They both halted and looked at me.

  ‘Gordyene is occupied by the Armenians,’ said Vata dejectedly.

  ‘But its people are Parthian,’ I said. ‘Do they not deserve to be liberated from their oppressors?’

  Atrax let his head drop. ‘My father would never agree to support such a campaign.’

  ‘Neither would your father, Pacorus,’ added Vata.

  ‘I do not need their support,’ I said, ‘merely yours.’

  They both looked at me in confusion as I led them back towards my tent. I explained to them both about the eight thousand men from Elymais who had sought refuge at Dura and who had marched north with the army.

  ‘Gordyene lies on Hatra’s eastern border and to the north of Media,’ I said. ‘You two could easily supply friendly forces from your respective territories. In this way the Armenians in Gordyene would be preoccupied with fighting Parthian troops instead of raiding Hatra and Media, and Atropaiene for that matter.’

  Atrax was warming to the idea. ‘In theory it is a good plan, Pacorus, but you know what happened the last time Parthians rode into Gordyene, they were defeated and nearly destroyed. I know, I was one of them, as were you.’

  ‘I know that,’ I agreed, ‘but then we numbered but a thousand men. Eight thousand is a different matter, especially if they are regularly supplied with provisions and weapons.’ I smiled at him. ‘And reinforcements.’

  ‘Waging war in enemy territory requires sound leadership,’ said Vata, still far from convinced. ‘Whoever commands your men must know what he is doing.’

  We had returned to my tent and I gestured for them both to go into its interior.

  ‘Fortunately I have just the man.’

  I had commanded that Surena and Silaces attend us in my tent and now they both stood as we entered. After an orderly had served us wine I told everyone to sit at the table, after which I revealed my plan to Surena and Silaces.

  ‘I would like you to be the commander of the expedition,’ I told Surena, ‘and you to be his second-in-command, Silaces.’

  Surena clenched his fist in triumph. ‘It would be an honour, lord.’

  ‘This man was your squire, was he not?’ asked Atrax, which earned him a sneer from Surena.

  I laid my hand on Surena’s shoulder. ‘Squire, cataphract, company commander and now the man who leads my horse archers.’

  I looked at Silaces. ‘Before I authorise this expedition, I ask for your opinion on this matter for there is no guarantee that it will succeed or that you and your men will live to see its conclusion.’

  ‘But lord,’ interrupted Surena. I held up a hand to still him.

  Silaces looked at me and then the other faces that were staring at him.

  ‘We are the last remnants of King Gotarzes’ army, majesty, and were it not for you we would no longer be a body of soldiers and he would not be remembered. You have given us back our pride and belief and kept the memory of our king alive. We are honoured to serve you in whatever capacity we can.’

  Two days later Surena led eight thousand horsemen towards Gordyene, the whole army drawn up on parade to watch them depart. I sat on Remus with Orodes beside me as the men from Elymais carried the banner of the four-pointed star into Gordyene. Byrd and Malik had left the day before with their scouts to ensure they did not run straight into any large Armenian forces that had remained this side of the Taurus Mountains following our unsuccessful meeting with Tigranes. I told them they were to report back to me immediately after Surena had established a base in Gordyene.

  He rode up to us as his new army trotted east, each man carrying three full quivers of arrows and leading a mule loaded with food and fodder for the horses. After they had exhausted their supplies they would receive fresh provisions from Atrax and Vata.

  ‘Remember, Surena, resist the temptation to take anything from the local population. You
have to win them over, not alienate them.’

  He nodded. ‘Yes, lord.’

  He bit his lip, the first time that I had seen any nervousness in him. But then, this was a great leap he was taking. The responsibility for the lives of eight thousand men must be weighing heavily upon him.

  I reached over and laid a hand on his forearm.

  ‘Above all, remember all the things you have been taught these past few years. And if you believe that your presence in Gordyene is unsustainable then withdraw. There is no shame in retreat, only in refusing to see the blindingly obvious.’

  He nodded, bowed his head and then moved forward to join his men.

  ‘And Surena,’ I called after him.

  He stopped and turned in the saddle. ‘Yes, lord?’

  ‘Good luck.’

  He smiled and then galloped away to lead his riders. Thus did Surena’s campaign in Gordyene begin.

  As the rear guard of the column disappeared into the distance Domitus ambled over to me.

  ‘That’s the last we’ll see of them,’ he mused.

  ‘I think you underestimate Surena,’ I replied. ‘A friend told me that he would be very successful.’

  He looked up at me quizzically.

  ‘It’s a long story, Domitus.’

  I had kept any knowledge of Surena’s expedition into Gordyene from my father, as I knew he would have disapproved. He took his own army back to Hatra the day after, visiting me in camp as his cataphracts and horse archers wound their way south with their accompanying squires, mules and camels. Domitus took Vistaspa on an inspection of the camp as I entertained him in my tent.

  ‘When do you leave for Dura?’

  ‘In a week or two,’ I replied.

  ‘Why so long?’

  ‘I will spend some time with Vata. I have hardly seen him these past few years.

  ‘No, he has been fully occupied.’

  ‘You think the Armenians will continue with their raids.’

  He looked at me with black-ringed eyes. ‘Undoubtedly.’

  ‘Then why did you not fight them when you had the chance?’

  ‘I do not wish to go over that again, Pacorus. I do not seek war with the Armenians. If we had defeated them and perhaps killed Tigranes, what then?’

  ‘Then you would have had a peaceful northern frontier.’

  He shook his head. ‘Then I would have had a Roman army on Hatra’s northern border.’

  ‘The Romans are preoccupied with their internal squabbles,’ I reassured him.

  ‘For the moment, yes, but once they have settled their differences they will turn their gaze towards Parthia once more.’

  I smiled at him as I thought of the weapons I was supplying to Alexander in Judea. ‘They might have other things to occupy themselves with other than Parthia, father.’

  ‘You are spending too much time with that sorceress of yours, son, for you speak in riddles. How is the old witch?’

  ‘Er, old,’ I replied. ‘Gallia likes her company and Claudia adores her, too much I think. How is young Spartacus?’

  ‘He is growing big and strong and will make a fine warrior. You should come to Hatra and visit him. Your mother, Gafarn and Diana are always complaining that they do not see enough of you.’

  ‘They are right. I will try not to be so remiss.’

  It was an amicable parting between father and son as he left me to rejoin his men on their trek south back to Hatra. Later that day I rode with Orodes to Nisibus to bid farewell to Farhad and Aschek as they too took their armies home. When we arrived at the palace the courtyard was filled with hundreds of horsemen, each one armed with a spear and round, leather-faced wooden shield carrying the emblem of the white horse’s head – Hatra’s symbol. Each man was also armed with a bow and quiver.

  A servant took our horses from us at the foot of the palace steps and we went inside the building. In the main hall we encountered Farhad, Atrax, Vata, Aschek and his sons. Vata was bidding them farewell while behind him a large knot of his officers stood in a group waiting for orders. The atmosphere was dripping with anxiety. I gripped Vata’s arm.

  ‘Problems?’

  He ran a hand through his hair.

  ‘As soon as the kings depart I have a caravan to protect. Four hundred camels loaded with spices, silk and ivory bound for Edessa and then Zeugma. You saw their escort in the courtyard.’

  ‘Does not the caravan have its own guards?’

  He smiled wryly. ‘To keep away a few bandits and thieves, yes, but not enough to fend off an Armenian raiding party.’

  He walked over to where Farhad and Aschek stood and bowed his head to them. I followed him and embraced them, then Atrax and Aschek’s sons. Orodes, ever the diplomat, walked with them from the chamber. Atrax told his father he would catch him up as he pulled Vata and me aside.

  ‘As soon as I get back to Media I will alert the outposts on our northern border to keep watch for Surena’s men.’

  ‘I will do likewise,’ said Vata. ‘I can send supplies and arrows but no men. I have my hands full as it is.’

  I could see that he was agitated by the way his fingers fidgeted by his sides.

  ‘Are you expecting the caravan to be attacked?’ I asked him.

  ‘Caravan?’ enquired Atrax.

  ‘Vata has a large caravan leaving Nisibus and fears it may be attacked.’

  ‘I have no doubt the Armenians will try something,’ he said, ‘especially after the inconclusive meeting between the king and Tigranes.’

  ‘How many men are you assigning to its protection?’ I asked.

  ‘A thousand.’

  Atrax was stunned. ‘That many?’

  ‘I have no choice,’ Vata replied. ‘Any less and it will be too tempting a target.’ He looked at me.

  ‘I could ask my father to provide you with horsemen,’ offered Atrax.

  ‘Or perhaps we could entice the Armenians into a trap?’ I suggested.

  Vata was perplexed. ‘Trap?’

  ‘What would happen,’ I continued, ‘if the caravan had few guards?’

  Vata laughed. ‘We might as well take the goods it is carrying and leave them on the road for the Armenians to collect at their leisure.’

  ‘What are you thinking?’ Atrax asked me.

  ‘Let the Armenians attack the caravan, except that it will not be a caravan, it will be a trap. Time to give the Armenians a bloody nose.’

  Atrax grinned mischievously. ‘Count me in.’

  The headman in charge of the caravan was informed that his camels would not be able to commence their journey on account of a landslide on the road fifty miles from the city. Vata told him that he would have to remain in Nisibus for another seven days while the debris was cleared from the route.

  The road to Edessa heads north from Nisibus and then west along the base of the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, running parallel to the forests that blanket their slopes. The Armenians usually established their camps deep in these forests, from which they launched attacks against the caravans. Vata often sent large parties of troops into the trees to track down and destroy these camps but it was a time-consuming business and he did not have the resources to establish outposts all along the road. I hoped that such a large caravan would attract a substantial number of Armenians.

  For our trap we used four hundred of Dura’s camels and strapped empty wooden chests from Nisibus on their backs. Each camel would have two attendants who would actually be a pair of Duran horse archers, their bows and quivers secured to the camels and hidden by canvas covers.

  The fifty covered wagons would not be transporting highly prized items from the east but rather hand-picked legionaries, each wagon carrying eight men and their weapons and equipment. It would be a tedious journey for these men, cooped up under oilskin covers made to resemble a wagon piled high with goods. But at least they could take it in turns to be drivers. Only when the Armenians took the bait would they be able to spring into action. But then war is mostly long st
retches of tedium and routine interrupted by brief periods of terror.

  We left Nisibus three days later, four hundred legionaries hidden in the wagons and eight hundred horse archers disguised as camel attendants. I walked at the head of the column with my second-in-command camel herder – Orodes – while Atrax and a hundred of his Median horse archers provided the illusion of an escort. The weather was warm and mild and Mount Masius in the distance looked tall and imposing. The day after we left Vata and his thousand riders would follow us at a distance. This was to deceive the Armenian spies whom he knew operated in Nisibus and who provided Tigranes with exact details of the movements of caravans. He and his horsemen would be able to close the distance between them and our caravan easily enough.

  The first two days were uneventful, a pleasant enough stroll through a country seemingly at peace. We saw hares observing us warily from the long grass and antelopes peering at us from the safety of the trees that began around a quarter of mile to our right. The forest was a blanket of green, a vast covering of oak, sycamore, wild olive trees, pine, juniper, fir and cedar.

  On the third day, having covered around fifty miles in total, my leg was beginning to ache from the walking and I began to develop a slight limp. Atrax, who was riding beside us, saw my discomfort.

  ‘Ride for a while on my horse, Pacorus.’

  ‘No, thank you,’ I replied. ‘For one thing your own limp will make a prolonged period of walking most uncomfortable for you, and for another it will look highly suspicious if the commander of the escort gives up his horse to a camel herder.’

  ‘You think we are being watched?’ asked Orodes, looking like a vagabond in his long beige robe and head cloth.

  ‘Undoubtedly,’ I answered.

  Atrax turned and peered at the trees.

  ‘Perhaps we could move off the road and onto the plain, to increase the distance between us and the trees.’

  ‘I think not, my eager friend,’ I said. ‘We want them to take the bait. Just you make sure that you and your men desert us when they attack.’

  He was most unhappy. ‘I should not leave my friends to fight alone, it is dishonourable.’

  Orodes said nothing but I knew he was thinking the same.