Peter Darman - Parthian Dawn

‘I wanted to thank you all for your help during the recent siege,’ I said.

‘Just doing our job, sir,’ replied Marcus. ‘Lucky you had that Eastern liquid. We just poured it in some clay pots, sealed them and tied rags doused in pitch round the tops, which we then lit. When they shattered it burned nicely. No wonder you keep it under lock and key.’

‘Indeed. Well, your actions helped to save the city and my daughter, so I have come to tell you that you are all free to leave Dura. I had desired that you aid me in another venture, but in all conscience I cannot hold you here any longer after what you have all done.’

Marcus turned and looked at his men, who all seemed remarkably underwhelmed that they were now free men. One or two looked almost distraught. Marcus cleared his throat.

‘Thank you for your kindness, sir, but the fact is that me and the lads, well, we wouldn’t mind staying around for a while longer if you have a use for us. Like you said.’

There were murmurs of agreement behind him and his men were nodding to each other. Clearly their pleasant confinement at Dura was more agreeable than service in the Roman army.

I looked at Domitus, whose face betrayed no emotion.

‘Well,’ I said, ‘your offer is gladly accepted. Your services will be indispensible for the coming campaign, so I thank you.’

‘Thank you, sir, we won’t let you down,’ replied Marcus.

Afterwards, as we were walking back to the Citadel, Domitus questioned me.

‘The first I’ve heard of any campaign.’

‘That’s because it is the first time that I have mentioned it.’

I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was unhappy. ‘If you are planning a war you should have told me and you should also have persuaded the kings to stay at Dura.’

‘We do not need them, Domitus. What I have in mind will not take long and Dura’s army will be more than sufficient.’

He was still far from happy. ‘May I ask the nature of this new campaign?’

I smiled. ‘All will be revealed at the meeting of the war council.’

I summoned the council that afternoon and it convened on the palace balcony five hours after midday. It had been nearly two months since we had defeated Chosroes outside the city wall and my leg had now healed fully, though I had a nasty scar where the wound had been, as had my arm. Fortunately I also had no limp, though Alcaeus informed me that I still might develop one in later life — something to look forward to in my old age!

The army had recovered its strength after the battle and once more trade had returned to normal, an endless stream of carts and camels filling the road to and from the East and Egypt. No word had come from Ctesiphon and my father had also heard nothing from the court of the King of Kings.

‘They are replenishing their stocks of malice,’ was Dobbai’s comment on the ominous silence.

I had hoped that Narses himself, now in possession of the command that I had held when I had the favour of Phraates, would lead an army against me so that I could destroy him once and for all.

‘Narses has been burned by you before,’ remarked Godarz. ‘I doubt he will try again in the near future, especially since now you have an alliance of other kings behind you.’

‘Exactly,’ I said, ‘and for that reason the time is ripe to strike while I have an opportunity to do so.’

Domitus, as was his wont, often fiddled with his dagger during these meetings. Now he stopped and looked at me. ‘Strike where?’

‘Uruk, of course.’

‘Is that wise, majesty?’ asked Rsan, no doubt already alarmed at the expense of yet another campaign.

‘Very wise, Rsan, and long overdue,’ I replied.

‘I see the reason why you were so keen to retain the engineers now,’ said Domitus.

I told them of my plan to strike southeast and assault the city of Uruk, the capital of Mesene and the stronghold of Chosroes.

‘He thinks he is safe behind his walls,’ I said, ‘but he has reckoned without my siege engines that our Roman allies have agreed to operate.’

‘You would storm the city?’ Nergal looked alarmed.

‘Of course,’ I replied. ‘I do not intend to just sit in front of his walls.’

‘To what end, son of Hatra?’ Even Dobbai was intrigued.

‘To the end of removing Chosroes and sending a message to his allies that Dura is not to be underestimated or insulted.’

‘I think they know that already,’ commented Godarz.

‘I would have a friend sitting on Mesene’s throne,’ I said.

I gave no further details but ordered Domitus to prepare his legions for the march south, which would commence in two weeks, and for Nergal to ready his horse archers. Orodes had been made commander of all the cataphracts, leaving me free to command the whole army, and I asked him to ensure that the heavy cavalry was fully armed and equipped after its exertions in the last battle. I told Godarz that we would be away from Dura for no longer than three months. I also sent word to Palmyra that I would like to see Byrd and Malik and they duly arrived three days later. They were informed of my plan and I asked Malik if he would like to accompany us; he agreed, of course, as did Byrd. Malik, because he liked being a warlord, and Byrd because he liked the company of his friend Malik. I was very pleased to have my old companions with me once more. I also asked Gallia and her Amazons to march with us.

‘What are you up to?’ she said suspiciously.

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

‘Usually you try to keep the Amazons and me for that matter, as far away from your army as possible, but now you wish us to march alongside you.’

‘Of course,’ I replied, ‘is it not natural for a husband to want his beloved wife by his side?’

She was far from convinced. ‘I know that something is afoot, Pacorus, so you might as well tell me.’

I placed two fingers on her lips.

‘All will be revealed, my love, all will be revealed.’

I decided to leave five hundred horse archers behind to stiffen the garrison of five hundred legionaries. I doubted that Dura would be attacked a third time but it was better to be safe than sorry. Nergal was far from happy but his mood lightened when I told him that he would be commanding the lords and their retinues once more.

‘We do not need all their men,’ I told him, ‘if each lord brings a hundred men that will suffice. Kuban will also be coming with us.’

‘Gallia commands his men,’ said Nergal.

‘Not in battle. When it comes to a fight you will lead our friends from Margiana. And get a new shirt and leggings, Nergal. You are, after all, the commander of all my horse.’

‘Yes, lord.’

Nergal had never been one for gaudy uniforms, but it was time he dressed according to his rank. To that end I had the armourers make him a new helmet, a beautiful piece with steel neck guard, cheekguards and silver strips inlaid in its crown. I also ordered him a white cloak edged with silver. He was delighted with these gifts when I presented them to him, though also confused.

‘You are too generous, lord.’

‘Nonsense,’ I replied, ‘you are a great warlord of Parthia now, Nergal, and people need to be reminded of that.’

Praxima was also delighted and said it was about time that her husband was attired according to his rank. After we had finished entertaining them both in the palace, Gallia, still suspicious, questioned me further.

‘Nergal does not need fancy clothes to win the respect of his men,’ she said, ‘he has that already.’

‘I know that,’ I replied, avoiding her eyes.

‘And since we have been here you have cared little how Nergal dresses. So why now?’