Peter Darman - The Parthian

He sighed loudly. ‘It doesn’t matter now. We are set upon a new road. To be masters of Rome.’

‘You think Spartacus’ plan is ill-advised?’ asked Godarz.

‘I think,’ replied Castus, ‘that Spartacus is a greater general than any that Rome possesses, but he loves this army too much and that will be his downfall.’

‘And you, Castus?’ I asked.

‘I love Spartacus like a brother, as do you, and so our fate is sealed my friend.’ He refilled his cup and drained it. ‘So let us drink and not torment ourselves with what might have been.’

‘Everyone loves this army,’ remarked Diana, staring into the flames, ‘and I love all of you, and that is why no one will leave as long as Spartacus lives. For of all the thousands who stand beside us, it is him that we love above all. That is why we are here. And despite the dangers we face, we are all happy.’

I had never heard Diana talk so much.

‘Because we are free?’ I asked.

She smiled at me. ‘Yes, Pacorus, because we are free. I was but a kitchen slave, destined to live my life no better than an animal.’ She looked at Gallia. ‘But then the gods sent a guardian angel to watch over me and I became free. And I realised that freedom was the greatest gift that a man or woman could receive, greater than any wealth or titles or fame. And I think that it is better to die free than live a lifetime in chains. That is why we are here, and that is why we have no fear.’

The next morning Nergal left an hour after dawn. I watched the horsemen file out of camp and ride north into the forest that blanketed the hills all around us. Led by Byrd and two of his scouts, they would travel on horseback for around an hour, then dismount for the long, slow trek through the mountains. Each rider carried two weeks’ supply of horse fodder, plus two weeks’ rations, though they would supplement their food with whatever they could catch on the way. Nergal said he had never tasted bear and was determined to shoot one. As ever he was in high spirits, especially with Praxima riding with him, but as I watched them diminish in size and then disappear altogether, I suddenly felt a great loss. I did not know why.

In the subsequent days the valley was, as usual, filled with the sounds of workshops and forges mending weapons, fixing mail armour and shoeing horses. Hammers shaped metal on anvils, forges cast new arrowheads and farriers attended to the hooves of our horses. Swords were sharpened, drill filled the lengthening days and patrols ranged far and wide into Campania. I knew that it was only a matter of time before Crassus’ army would be upon us, and so it was, six days after Nergal had taken his men into the west, that a patrol galloped into camp in the late afternoon with news that a large number of Roman troops were leaving Lucania heading towards us. Like so many times before, a council of war was summoned, and then abruptly cancelled. I asked the messenger who brought the news why. He told me that Claudia had gone into labour. As I rode with Gallia, Gafarn and Diana to Spartacus’ tent, the sun disappeared behind grey clouds and the low rumble of thunder came from high up in the valley. The sky continued to darken as black clouds began to gather above us, and then our faces were being assailed by rain, a hard, pelting deluge that appeared as if by magic. The air was rent with loud, violent claps of thunder that startled the horses and caused Remus to rear up in fright. It took all of my skill to regain control of him. As we trotted through the shallow Silarus the rain increased in intensity, striking us like hundreds of tiny darts and soaking us to the skin. A mighty clap of thunder roared overhead and I was thrown from the saddle as Remus reared in terror. He bolted away.

‘Let him go,’ I shouted at the others.

‘Are you hurt?’ asked Gallia.

I shook my head. ‘Only my pride.’

Epona was less frightened, and so Gallia galloped after him, grabbed his reins, and then led him back to me. He was still alarmed, his eyes wide with terror, so I took his reins and walked beside him towards the camp, talking to him in a futile attempt to sooth his fears. The others did the same, four rain-lashed figures pulling frightened horses as overhead thunder and now lightning filled the sky. We arrived at Spartacus’ tent looking like drowned rats. We put the horses in the stable block nearby and I ordered the attendants to stay with them. The rain was still lashing the earth as we entered, and after Gallia and Diana had dried themselves and changed into some of Claudia’s clothes, they went into the bedchamber to see their friend. Already attending Claudia was the Greek doctor Alcaeus in the bedchamber, who ushered Gallia and Diana out after a few minutes. Akmon arrived dripping wet and complaining, while overhead the cracks of thunder grew louder. Guards brought hot porridge and wine from the kitchens positioned just behind the tent. I could hear low groans coming from the bedchamber, and I caught the worried look in Spartacus’ eyes.

‘She will be fine, lord. I shall pray for her.’

‘Is your god strong in this land, Pacorus?’

‘He is lord of the sun. He rules everywhere.’

At that moment a loud crack of thunder filled our ears, while driving rain battered the side of the tent and rattled the centre poles. Alcaeus appeared and beckoned me.

‘She wants to speak to you.’

‘Me?’

‘Yes. And hurry, we are not here for your benefit.’

I looked at Spartacus in confusion. ‘Go, Pacorus, go.’

I walked briskly into the bedchamber where Claudia lay on a cot, covered in a blanket and with beads of sweat on her forehead. She smiled weakly when she saw me, offering me her hand. I knelt by the side of the bed, bowed my head and kissed her hand. She laughed weakly.

‘Oh, Pacorus, I meant for you to hold my hand.’ I did so.

‘We are all praying for you, lady.’

‘Thank you, I…’ a spasm of pain wracked her body. She looked at me.

‘You remember your promise?’

‘I remember.’

‘You still hold to it?’

‘On my life, lady.’

She smiled again. ‘Good. And Pacorus.’

‘Lady?’

‘Take care of my girls for me.’

She looked very pale, her eyes no longer full of fire but pools of hurt and fatigue. Her grip was weak and her breathing fast. I felt tears welling in my eyes and so I averted my gaze lest she saw my weakness. I was ashamed of myself. I forced myself to be strong.

‘Every person in this army is praying for your safe deliverance, lady, and the gods will surely hear their voices.’

The doctor laid a hand on my shoulder.

‘It is time to leave now.’

I lent over the bed and kissed Claudia on the cheek.

‘I will stay with Spartacus, lady.’

‘Thank you, Pacorus.’ Another wave of pain shot through her body and she grimaced as she fought it. I left the bedchamber as Diana passed me with a bowl of water.

The hours passed and I sat staring at the floor, as in the next chamber the strength drained from Claudia as the baby refused to come. Spartacus paced up and down incessantly, occasionally stopping to peer at the curtain that was drawn across the entrance to the bedchamber. Claudia never screamed during her ordeal, but her moans of pain grew fainter and fainter as the evening ebbed. Eventually Spartacus could stand it no more and strode into the bedchamber. I looked at Gallia, whose face had drained of colour, who just stared at me with a blank expression. Akmon, sat in the corner of the tent and drinking from a large jug of wine, looked at me and shook his head. He suddenly looked old and tired. Then I suddenly became afraid, the emotion coursing through me like a tidal surge. And still we waited, and still the groans of Claudia grew fainter and fainter. I don’t know how long we sat there as the rain battered the outside of the tent with unremitting fury, but it suddenly became very cold, signalling that dawn was about to break. And from within the bedchamber came a loud wailing shout from Claudia. Then there was silence. I stared at Gallia in bewilderment. My throat was bone dry and it felt as though a massive weight was bearing down on my shoulders. Then we heard the cries of a baby and for a moment I was elated. Then the pale, drawn figure of the doctor came out of the bedchamber and looked at me. He didn’t have to say anything; the pained look in his eyes told me that Claudia was dead.