Sam Barone: Clash Of Empires

“And if I do not tell you these things?”

She smiled, a warm gesture that nearly made Sabatu smile in return.

“Then when you are well, you may leave Akkad, go wherever you wish. You’ll be given a horse, some coins, enough to establish yourself.”

“And why would you give me anything, in exchange for nothing?” Sabatu couldn’t keep the anger from his voice. His life, his world, had ended, and now a servant offered to bribe him to betray his country.

The servant laughed, a melodious sound that filled the chamber. “You have already helped us more than you know. Now we understand how ruthless Elam’s rulers are, to torture for no reason one of their most important military commanders, just as we understand how efficient their soldiers are. So we are in your debt.”

She stood. “Stay with him, Daro. I think he needs your company more than mine. I’ll have food sent in for our patient.”

With another smile, she left the room.

For a moment, Sabatu stared at the empty doorway. “For a servant, she speaks boldly. In Elam, she would be whipped.”

Daro laughed. “Well, if you think you’ll be more comfortable back in Elam, you can return there. Perhaps Grand Commander Chaiyanar will restore your rank.”

The name struck Sabatu like another blow from the lash. He remembered being dragged, hands bound behind him, into Chaiyanar’s presence. The always affable Grand Commander had informed Sabatu that King Shirudukh had condemned Sabatu and his family to death.

Sabatu had tried to protest, but one of the guards had punched him in the stomach so hard that his breath fled his body. By the time he recovered, Chaiyanar had dismissed the guards with a wave of his hand, and they dragged Sabatu out of the Palace. When they reached the barracks, the beatings began.

As the horrific memories overwhelmed Sabatu, he felt hot tears on his cheeks. His wife, his children, tortured and murdered before his eyes, his life destroyed at the whim of the brutal King, who let nothing stand in the way of his desires.

“In Akkad,” Daro kept his voice soft, but a hard edge crept into his words, “we do not torture the women and children of those sentenced to death. Such a punishment as you’ve suffered has never been witnessed in Akkad.”

He reached down and gently clasped Sabatu’s shoulder. “I risked my life to rescue you, but if you are unwilling to help us resist the armies of those who tortured you, then so be it. As Lady Trella said, you will be free to go as soon as you are able.”

Sabatu frowned. “Who’s Lady Trella?”

Daro’s voice resumed its usual cheerful tone. “The woman who gave you the water with her own hand. Lady Trella. She’s the only reason you’re alive. The Queen of Akkad.”

Fifteen days later. .

When Eskkar entered the Workroom, he found Trella and Daro already there. The King of Akkad took his seat behind the long table with an unusual sigh of satisfaction. The oversized and comfortable chair, made especially for him, provided a welcome relief from the back of his horse. A tall man with a frame still covered in hard muscle, Eskkar seldom enjoyed a comfortable place to sit and take his ease.

The Workroom, on the upper level of Eskkar’s house, had provided a secure and quiet place for many an important conversation. The chamber held two tables and eight chairs, as well as a large chest. On its top rested all the cups, candles, platters for fruits and cakes, and several red clay pitchers that contained two varieties of wine and fresh water from the Compound’s private well.

The wall behind the table where Eskkar had taken his seat displayed various weapons. Three swords, two knives, a well-polished copper helmet, and a slim throwing lance hung from various hooks. A long Akkadian bow also rested on pegs, with a quiver of arrows beneath. In the center of the display, a leather sling dangled in the place of honor. Over the years, Eskkar had mastered all of them, and he maintained his proficiency by training part of each day.

For almost a month, Eskkar had ridden the foothills and passes through the Zagros Mountains, studying the land and searching for favorable terrain. He’d also met with his allies, the Ur Nammu, as well as the Alur Meriki. A weary Eskkar had come back to Akkad well after sunset last night, and for once he freely admitted to his wife that it felt good to be home.

He’d slept soundly, and an early morning bout of lovemaking improved his good mood. But now Eskkar had duties to resume. And the first order of the day involved his wife Trella and Daro.

“It’s good to have you back, Captain.” Daro used the title Eskkar preferred, at least from his friends and closest companions. More than fifteen years ago, as Captain of Akkad’s Guard, Eskkar had saved the city from annihilation by invading barbarians. “Did you find what you sought?”

Eskkar laughed. “That’s the first question Trella asked me last night. I may have, though we’ll need more work before we can be sure. But I understand that you and Trella have managed to find a well-placed commander in Elam’s army.”

“Daro is the one who rescued Sabatu and brought him to Akkad,” Trella said. She sat at her usual place, at the end of the table, while her husband faced Daro across the long side. “He risked his life, so he should tell you how it all came about. He observed many details that you may find important.”

With the occasional prompting from Eskkar and Trella, Daro related the entire story of his expedition with Yavtar to the land of Elam. The scene in the marketplace in Sushan, the stealthy midnight swim up the river, the search and rescue of Sabatu, the sea chase, and the difficult passage along the edge of the Great Sea until ship and crew reached the Tigris and Sumer.

Eskkar asked many questions about the journey. Daro added more details about the voyage, and explained how Yavtar had raced the boat back to Sumer, and then up river to Akkad. Doubts about whether their passenger would live or die had worried both men.

When Eskkar had heard the whole tale, he turned to Trella. “And how helpful has Sabatu been? Has he told you anything we can use?”

“No, Husband, not yet. He was close to death when he arrived here, and I thought it best to let him recover as much as he could. It’s only been in the last few days that he and Daro have ventured out of the Compound and into the City.”

“But he will help us?” Eskkar glanced at Daro. “You’ve been with him for all these days. He must have said something.”

Daro hesitated. “He has not yet decided to assist us. Naturally he wants revenge against Grand Commander Chaiyanar, but his heart seems to think it would be traitorous to aid us. I thought it best not to push him.”

Eskkar frowned, and he looked toward Trella. “You couldn’t convince him to give us information?”

Trella’s sincerity and power of persuasion had opened many hearts and minds to gain their support. Eskkar had complete faith in her uncanny ability to win people to her side, and if she couldn’t convince this Sabatu, then a problem existed.

“I’ve spoken to Sabatu nearly every day,” Trella said, “but I don’t think he’s dealt with many women before. He’s polite to me, and nothing more. And even though Daro saved his life, Sabatu will not open up to him.”

“I’ve also talked with him several times each day,” Daro said, “and he’s learned our language well enough to converse, but something holds him back.”

“I told him he could leave Akkad whenever he wished,” Trella said. “He’s nearly able to travel now.”

“And you want me to speak to him.” Over the years, Eskkar had learned that whenever Trella didn’t propose some course of action, she wanted him to deal with the situation.