My father and mother were already on their thrones when Gallia and I were shown to our places along with Surena and Viper who sat down behind Gallia and me. Next to my father sat Gafarn, who nodded to me, and flanking my mother was Diana who smiled and waved at Gallia. Kogan’s guards stood every five paces around the walls while others stood in front of the great doors at its entrance. As Khosrou and his wife took their seats on their dais there was a commotion at the doors and I recognised the voice of Dobbai haranguing the guards. Kogan also heard it and left his place beside my father’s dais to see what was going on.
‘I will have entry,’ I heard Dobbai shout to the four guards who barred her way with spears.
‘Get the old witch out of here,’ ordered Kogan.
‘No,’ I shouted, ‘let her pass.’
Kogan stopped and turned to look at my father. I walked across to where the guards stood before Dobbai.
‘Put down your weapons and let her through,’ I commanded.
They knew that I was the heir to Hatra’s throne and yet they hesitated to move out of the way. They took orders from Kogan and my father, not from me.
‘Do not force me to draw my own sword,’ I threatened them.
I turned to look at Kogan who in turn looked at my father for guidance. A disapproving Assur leaned on his staff as all eyes in the hall fell on me. Orodes was frowning and Khosrou seemed mildly amused. My father nodded to Kogan.
‘Stand down and let her through,’ he ordered.
The guards moved away from Dobbai as she shuffled into the chamber and held up her arm for me to take.
‘I hope the chairs are comfortable,’ she said loudly enough for everyone to hear as I escorted her over to my platform. ‘The conversation of kings can be long and tedious and my back is old and frail.’
I gave her my large wicker chair that was stuffed with cushions as I stood next to her and waited for another to be brought. Assur went over to my father and said something into his ear, pointing at Dobbai as he did so, but my father shook his head and waved him away. Directly opposite us sat Atrax and Aliyeh, my sister curling her lip at the ugly old woman she now had to look at during the meeting, while Aschek and Musa were busy grinning at each other and pointing at Dobbai as she rearranged the cushions and settled herself in her chair. Fortunately there was room on our crowded dais to accommodate another chair and the five of us sat and waited for my father to speak. Normally only kings would have been invited to such gatherings, but he knew that Gallia would not have countenanced being excluded and neither would Praxima, and in any case Orodes would have been loathe to exclude Axsen from the proceedings so besotted was he with her. And in any case she had been the ruler of Babylon before their marriage. Thus all the wives of the kings had been invited though none was expected to contribute.
The doors were closed and my father rose from his throne and stepped from his dais. He stood on the tiled floor and looked at each of the kings in turn before he spoke.
‘My friends, I asked you here because the empire is in great peril. The days of the eighteen kingdoms under the great King of Kings Sinatruces are long gone, and with them the peace, stability and respect for the law that his reign brought and which made the empire strong. Now we have unending war: war with external enemies and war within the empire itself. Last year King of Kings Mithridates launched a war against those of us who sit in this chamber, rulers who had hitherto been loyal and true towards Ctesiphon.’
He held out a hand to me.
‘Others among us have been banished from the empire and their kingdoms traded with our enemies like cheap goods in a market. Only because of the King of Dura’s battlefield skills does his kingdom remain Parthian.’
I smiled at my father.
‘Now Hatra refuses to pay any tribute to Ctesiphon in retaliation for the aggression waged against it by the high king. My fellow kings from Atropaiene, Babylon, Mesene and Media adopt a similar stance.’ He tipped his head at Musa and Khosrou. ‘My brothers the rulers of Margiana and Hyrcania have just returned from a long campaign in the northern wastes against the steppe nomads whom formerly they were at peace with. How bitter must have been the news that gold from Ctesiphon had paid the nomads to attack them.’
I was saddened but not surprised by this revelation; after all, Mithridates had encouraged the Romans to invade Dura. He had now done the same with the northern nomads.
My father continued. ‘The mighty armies of Margiana and Hyrcania have, after more than two years of bloody and constant fighting, cowed the northern barbarians and once more their borders are quiet.
‘But I ask all of you this: how long will it be before our kingdoms are once again attacked, by the Armenians, the Romans, the northern barbarians or by King Narses acting on the orders of Mithridates? An empire that is divided encourages external enemies to be bold. But an empire that is united earns respect and deters aggression.’
‘What you say is true, King Varaz. But how do you propose to remedy the dire situation the empire finds itself in?’ asked Khosrou.
‘How, Khosrou? The removal of Mithridates,’ he replied before retaking his throne.
I reached over to grip Gallia’s arm.
‘Finally,’ I whispered.
‘Stay silent, son of Hatra,’ hissed Dobbai, ‘lest you appear too keen on further bloodshed.’
I kept my counsel as the hall fell silent. Orodes shifted nervously in his seat and Atrax appeared thoughtful while Nergal looked solemn. It was Musa who spoke first. Everything about the King of Hyrcania was large – his round face, his frame wrapped in a great white robe edged with red and gold and his bear-like hands. He rose from his chair and spread his paws out wide.
‘When I received your invitation, Varaz, I knew that I was not coming to Hatra just for a wedding feast, agreeable though it was I have to say. Hyrcania has always been a loyal kingdom to the empire but now that loyalty has been repaid by treachery. Therefore Hyrcania will stand with Hatra in this matter. Let us be rid of Mithridates and make the empire strong again.’
Musa sat down and looked at Khosrou. The King of Margiana, dressed in a simple green shirt, black leggings and tan leather boots, was the opposite of Musa in appearance with his slim frame, hawk-like nose and narrow eyes. He had a long white moustache and white pointed beard that matched the colour of his hair. He stroked his beard before slowly rising from his chair like an angry cobra.
‘I agree with Varaz that the empire, much less Margiana, cannot withstand more conflict, though removing Mithridates, agreeable as it that may be, will require more bloodshed. I am prepared to draw my sword to achieve this end, but there is still one question that remains unanswered. Who will replace him? At the Council of Kings, Varaz, you stated before all the other rulers that you had no wish to wear the high crown.’
‘That is still the case,’ said my father.
Khosrou sat back down. ‘Then what? We cannot be rid of one tyrant only for another, Narses most likely, to take his place.’
‘Perhaps that issue can wait,’ replied my father. ‘I would first know where the others here assembled stand on the issue of removing Mithridates.’
I saw Axsen look at Orodes and nod at him. He rose from his chair. ‘Babylon has suffered grievously from the aggression of Mithridates and Narses, and would support Hatra, Margiana and Hyrcania in their plans. But speaking personally I would also desire that the matter of who replaces Mithridates be settled at this assembly.’
I smiled. Orodes – ever the stickler for procedure!
Nergal rose nervously and added his support to my father’s scheme. That was never in doubt as he was formerly an officer in my father’s army and he still had family members living in Hatra. Atrax also pledged Media’s support to my father’s venture. Aschek rose from his chair and announced that he too was willing to support my father, though with the proviso that Atropaiene had suffered grievously the previous year and therefore would not be able to supply any troops to march against Mithridates.
>
There was only my voice yet to be heard.
‘What does the King of Dura have to say for himself?’ asked my father.
I began to rise and noticed that Dobbai had her eyes closed and appeared to be asleep. So much for the great decisions that were being taken in this hall! I nodded towards her, rolled my eyes at Gallia and stepped onto the floor.
‘You all know my opinion of Mithridates and Narses. It is no secret that I have never accepted the former as the empire’s high king. I fully support my father’s plan and would march against Ctesiphon tomorrow if I could.’
Musa burst out laughing and Khosrou smiled. I went to retake my seat but Khosrou called after me.
‘Wait. Why should not Pacorus be king of kings?’
I stopped dead and turned to face him, somewhat taken aback. Khosrou stood up.
‘I propose the King of Dura to be the empire’s new high king.’
Musa clapped his bear’s paws and roared with laughter.
‘I second that proposal,’ he bellowed. ‘The empire could do worse.’
Such a ringing endorsement!
I raised my hand to protest but then Nergal jumped up. ‘Mesene also wishes King Pacorus to sit in Ctesiphon.’
I frowned at Nergal but Praxima cheered with delight, as did Viper and Gallia. Aschek then stood.
‘Pacorus has proven himself to be a brave and honourable king. If Varaz does not want the high crown then I say his son should wear it.’
‘I agree,’ added Atrax. ‘I have fought beside Pacorus and know him to be worthy of the high crown.’
I could see that Aliyeh was horrified by the idea that I should become king of kings.
But Orodes added Babylon’s support to my becoming king of kings. My father looked at each of the kings in turn and then at me and smiled. My mother clasped her hands to her face, tears of joy in her eyes.
‘It would appear that nearly half the empire’s kings desire you to be the man to lead Parthia, my son. Very well. Hatra will support this wish.’
‘It is settled, then,’ said Khosrou.
‘It shall not be!’
Dobbai’s voice filled the chamber to still all others. She opened her eyes and stared at me.
‘Sit down, son of Hatra, and stop preening yourself like a peacock.’
Assur and Kogan glowered at her interruption while Gafarn laughed at her rudeness. My mother looked at my father who merely shook his head despairingly. Dobbai pointed at my empty chair to indicate that I should sit in it as she lifted herself up and stepped from the dais. Assur pointed at her with his staff.
‘This harridan has no authority to speak in this hallowed place. Her presence violates this august hall.’
Kogan made to pull his sword but I drew myself up and placed my hand on the hilt of my sword and glared at him. He stopped and looked at my father who waved him back. I regained my seat.
‘I may be a harridan but I know the will of the gods,’ Dobbai said to Assur. ‘Can you say the same, old man?’
Assur’s cheeks coloured with anger and his nostrils flared but my father stood and held up a hand to him.
‘We all know who you are,’ he said, ‘so if you have come to this meeting to reveal what the gods desire then speak the words and have done with it.’
Dobbai bowed mockingly to him. ‘Short and to the point, King of Hatra. If only you had displayed such forcefulness years ago when Sinatruces died you would have prevented the shedding of an ocean of blood.’
‘We should have thrown you on his pyre,’ shouted Musa.
Aliyeh laughed and Khosrou smirked.
‘But you did not,’ Dobbai shot back, ‘and now I say to you that the son of Hatra, the king who has no crown, shall wear no crown. It is not his destiny to rule the empire.’
‘If we desire him to be king of kings,’ growled Khosrou, ‘it shall be so.’
Dobbai bared her teeth at him. ‘If you go against the will of the gods they will send the numberless hordes of the northern steppes against your kingdom to sweep you away, Khosrou, so great will be their wrath. You think you have defeated them? I tell you that your kingdom will be eradicated from the earth if you defy the immortal ones.’
He waved his hand dismissively at her.
Aschek leaned forward. ‘Then, woman, can you tell us whom the gods desire to be high king?’
‘The heir of Sinatruces, of course,’ she replied before walking back to her chair.
Musa roared with laughter once more. ‘The old crone’s brains are addled. Phraates is long dead.’
Dobbai caught my eye as she eased herself onto the cushions and nodded. I understood and rose from my chair once more.
‘My lords, what Dobbai has said is true. Sinatruces ruled the empire before the crown passed to his son Phraates, who was basely murdered by Mithridates. But Phraates had another son, a man who has endured exile from his own lands and who has fought by my side for many years. He wears the crown of Babylon now but I propose that we should today elect King Orodes to wear the high crown.’
Musa looked at Khosrou with a perplexed expression. My father rubbed his nose with a finger and Orodes was rendered speechless. And yet it made perfect sense. Orodes was known to all those present as a brave and honourable man who had always conducted himself with the utmost propriety.
‘Can any among you think of a man with more self-restraint, honour and sense of justice than Orodes?’ I said. ‘I cannot. Nor can I think of anyone better to unite the empire in the aftermath of Mithridates’ removal.’
‘And what does Orodes think of my son’s proposal?’ asked my father.
Everyone turned their attention to Orodes, who to his credit retained his composure as Axsen grinned at him and he rose from his chair. He held out a hand to me as Dobbai closed her eyes once more.
‘My friend, King Pacorus, is most gracious and magnanimous in proposing me for the high crown. May I first state that I have never coveted the throne at Ctesiphon, being content to fulfil my duties as a prince of Susiana. Furthermore…’
‘Do you want the crown or not?’ queried Musa, clearly becoming bored by the whole business.
Orodes smiled at him and continued, unruffled. ‘If the kings gathered in this hall unanimously desire me to be king of kings then I will accept their nomination.’
I stood. ‘Dura supports Orodes.’
In turn Nergal, Khosrou, Musa, Aschek and Atrax all stood and pledged their support to Orodes, which left only my father to voice his opinion. He looked at Gafarn who nodded, then stood and smiled at Orodes.
‘Hail Orodes, King of Kings!’
We all gave a cheer, though I suspect Musa’s cry was relief that proceedings were coming to a close. My father held up his hands.
‘We shall have Orodes proclaimed king of kings in the Great Temple tomorrow before Shamash so that all the empire may know our determination in this matter.’
Everyone clapped at these words, me the loudest. Orodes held up a hand to still the noise.
‘My lords, it seems we have forgotten one matter that needs redress.’
‘And what would that be?’ asked my father.
‘Gordyene,’ he answered.
I sat down as Dobbai continued to listen with her eyes closed.
Musa was most confused. ‘Gordyene. What about it? Pacorus holds it.’
Orodes smiled at him. ‘Quite so, King Musa, but Gordyene has always been a separate kingdom within the empire, ruled by its own king. But it is now ruled by Dura.’
Orodes turned to me.
‘Do you intend to make Gordyene your own, Pacorus?’
‘I do not,’ I replied.
‘Then it needs its own king, as in the time of the eighteen kingdoms.’ Orodes nodded at my father.
‘Balas left no heirs, Orodes,’ said my father. ‘You know this.’
‘Then as soon-to-be king of kings I have the power to select a new ruler for the kingdom if my memory regarding the powers of the high king serves me right.’
>
Strictly speaking Orodes was not yet king of kings, but he had obviously been giving the matter of Gordyene’s throne some thought and now had the opportunity to turn it into reality. The other kings, myself included, did not see the point of discussing Gordyene here but Orodes appeared insistent and so we all sat down again.
‘Can we have some refreshments, Varaz?’ asked Musa. ‘My belly thinks my throat has been slit.’
My mother and the other queens winced at his coarse language but Khosrou and Atrax laughed. My father ordered wine and food to be brought from the kitchens and in the interlude before refreshments arrived Orodes continued to speak about the throne of Gordyene.
‘Have you another brother we do not know about?’ asked Khosrou.
‘No, my lord.’
‘Then who do you have in mind to rule Gordyene?’ queried Atrax, whose own kingdom shared a border with Gordyene and who thus had a keen interest in knowing the identity of its ruler.
Orodes turned and smiled at Surena who was whispering into the ear of a giggling Viper.
‘The man who conquered Gordyene and in so doing has returned it to the Parthian Empire. I propose Surena, the resent governor of Gordyene.’
‘Who?’ asked Musa as he gratefully took a large cup of wine offered to him by a slave.
Dobbai opened her eyes and smiled mischievously at me. ‘You never saw that coming, did you?’
Indeed I did not and nor did Surena, who appeared shocked as I turned to look at him. Gallia rolled her eyes and my father seemed most surprised, but Viper grasped the significance of Orodes’ words and jumped up to hug her husband and kiss him with delight. No wonder, for she had also just been made a queen!
‘Surena is a man who had proved himself to be a resourceful and intelligent commander who single-handedly expelled the Armenians from Gordyene, and in so doing made the kingdoms of Hatra and Media,’ Orodes held out his hand to my father and Atrax in turn as he stepped onto the floor, ‘more secure. Step forward, Surena.’
Parthian Vengeance (The Parthian Chronicles) Page 55
