Peter Darman - Parthian Dawn

‘Well,’ grunted Gotarzes, ‘what now?’

The Agraci had halted at right angles to our own left wing and faced the right flank of the Roman army, which was now vastly outnumbered. Once again a silence descended over the plain.

‘Now, my lords,’ I said, ‘I think it is time to see if the tongue can achieve more than the sword.’

I nudged Remus forward and began to walk him into no-man’s land between the two armies.

‘Is this wise, Pacorus?’ I detected concern in my father’s voice behind me.

‘Have no fear, father, we have the Romans’ attention. I’m sure they will be most interested in what I have to say.’

As I moved closer to the enemy I raised my right arm and then halted some two hundred paces from their front ranks.

‘Romans,’ I shouted, ‘my name is King Pacorus and I would speak to your commander, General Pompey.’

I received no answer in reply, just the steely gaze of hundreds of helmeted legionaries who stood in their ranks holding their pilum in their right hands and their shields on their left sides. I sat there for what seemed like an eternity but was probably only a couple of minutes, and then a burly centurion shoved his way through the ranks and strode up to me. He could have been the twin brother of Domitus, with his lean face and stern countenance, his transverse crest on his helmet and his mail shirt adorned with round discs.

‘You must dismount, sir.’

‘What?’

‘You must get off your horse, sir, and then the Great Pompey will speak with you.’

‘Does he not own a horse?’

The centurion frowned. ‘He does, sir, but you might try to kidnap him and ride away with him.’

I burst out laughing, which increased his frown. This was absurd.

‘Very well, centurion, I will do as you ask.’ Then I added mischievously. ‘I hope you are not thinking of kidnapping me .’

For a split-second I thought I saw a hurt look on his face. ‘Of course not, sir.’

I dismounted and stood a few paces from him.

‘There you are.’

‘Thank you, sir.’ He cleared his throat. ‘I will also need to hold your horse, just for security reasons, you understand.’

I shook my head and handed him Remus’ reins. ‘There he is. Don’t frighten him, say something nice to him, stroke his head. He likes that.’

As soon as he took Remus’ reins he raised his right arm and then stood to one side, standing statue like. A few seconds later the ranks opened again and a tall, stocky individual appeared and walked towards me. He was bare headed and had a round face with small lidded eyes. His nose was slightly bulbous and he had a thick mane of hair on his head. His clothing marked him out as a man of some importance. He wore a large red cloak that was fastened at the right shoulder by means of a large silver broach. On his feet he wore red leather enclosed boots tied with black leather laces. Over his white tunic he wore a black cuirass not dissimilar to the one I wore. I estimated his age to be around forty.

I took off my helmet and bowed my head to him. He bowed his head in reply and smiled.

‘So, at long last I meet King Pacorus, the Parthian who dresses like a Roman and,’ he looked past me to where my legions were lined up, ‘fights in the Roman fashion.’ His tone was serious though not mocking.

‘I like to think that I have combined the best of Parthia and Rome, lord.’

He looked at the army arrayed against his own. ‘I had been informed that Dura’s army was small and insignificant, but it seems that I have been deceived.’

‘There are other kings of the empire present, lord, and they will fight to preserve Dura’s territorial integrity.’

‘I do not doubt it.’ He then looked to the south where they Agraci were gathered. ‘And those?’

‘More friends of Dura, lord.’

He turned to look at his own men and then once again fixed his eyes on the Parthian host standing opposite.

‘Do you think you can win, Pacorus?’

I looked directly at him. ‘Of course.’

He looked thoughtful. ‘I have claimed Syria for Rome, and vowed in the temple of my forefathers that I would make the Euphrates the eastern border of Rome’s domains.’

‘Tabaqah is on the Euphrates, lord, so you have fulfilled your oath. But I have to tell you that you will have to destroy the army behind me if you wish to advance any further.’

‘But where is Dura’s border?’ he asked.

I stepped away from him and raised my hand at the cataphracts opposite, specifically Surena. I pointed at him and beckoned for him to ride over to me. The centurion looked alarmed and drew his sword.

‘I attempt no ruse, centurion. You can easily strike me down before he arrives.’

Pompey indicated that his subordinate should put away his sword. Surena trotted over and I ordered him to give me his kontus . I took the long lance and then dismissed him. I turned it upside down and then drove the point into the ground with all my strength.

‘This is where the kingdom of Dura ends.’

Pompey nodded and then held out his right hand. ‘Your sword, centurion.’

The centurion saluted and placed the handle of his gladius in Pompey’s palm, who then rammed the blade into the earth next to the upright kontus .

‘And this is where Roman Syria ends.’

I looked at him suspiciously.

‘You do not trust me?’

‘I meant no offence, lord, it’s just that my experience with Romans has not been a happy one.’

His lips creased into a smile. ‘I believe that you were once a guest in the house of Marcus Licinius Crassus.’

I thought back to that opulent home on one of Rome’s hills. ‘That is correct, lord. His hospitality was beyond reproach, and then he led an army against me.’

‘I think my great rival bears you a grudge.’

His rival? That was a positive sign, at least.

‘He has taken your escape from Italy as a personal affront and is determined to rectify it. Your killing his protégé will not have helped, I might add.’

‘And you?’ I asked.

‘I, Pacorus, serve the interests of Rome. Looking at the army arrayed against me, I think that Rome’s best interests will be best served by a diplomatic solution to this situation.’

‘I will never yield Dura to anyone while I live.’

‘I can see that,’ he said. ‘Tell me, out of curiosity, is your queen here?’

I smiled. Gallia’s fame had certainly spread far and wide. ‘She is here, lord.’

He nodded. ‘You may be interested to know that in Rome Queen Gallia has become something of a celebrity among the fine ladies of the city.’

‘I find that difficult to believe.’

‘You are wrong,’ he reproached me. ‘They say that she was the real reason Spartacus managed to survive for so long, that she led his horsemen and that she even told him what to do. They like the idea of a determined woman, and one of royalty too. I believe she was a princess of Gaul?’

I laughed. ‘I thought I was the commander of his horsemen. But yes, she was a princess of Gaul, now a queen of Parthia.’

‘Myths spread quicker than the truth, Pacorus, and I have to admit I have encouraged and indulged these stories.’

I was confused. ‘Why?’

‘To annoy Crassus, of course. His triumph against Spartacus diminishes somewhat if people believe the slaves were led by a woman.’

It comforted me to learn that Rome was riven with rivalries just as Parthia was.

‘This all very interesting,’ in truth it was not, ‘but what about Rome’s intentions here, today?’

‘I decide Rome’s intention, and today I have settled the eastern border of Roman Syria.’ He held out his hand. ‘Do you trust the word of a Roman?’