Peter Darman - The Parthian

‘So, young prince, this is the beauty who has set my empire alight with gossip, speculation and rumour.’ He spoke Latin so Gallia could comprehend, for as yet she had only a basic understanding of our language.

‘Yes, highness,’ I said. ‘This is the Princess Gallia.’

His fingers rapt on the arms of his golden throne. ‘A princess? From what race are you from, child?’

She stood proud in front of him and her voice did not falter when she answered. ‘From a land called Gaul, your majesty, a land far from here that is green and mountainous.’

Sinatruces leaned forward, resting his pointed chin on his right hand. ‘Come and sit beside me child, so that I may hear more of your land.’

Gallia took her place beside him, leaving me standing on my own and feeling somewhat ignored.

‘Ha! The young lion burns with jealousy, Sinatruces. I would have a care if I were you. His sword is sharp and his reflexes quick. I doubt that even your axe men would be able to save you should he decide to water the ground with your blood.’

The Scythians hoisted up their weapons and fixed my with their black eyes after a voice I recognised had uttered these words. Out of the shadow in the corner of the room, behind the dais, shuffled the old crone Dobbai, looking as dishevelled and unwashed as I remembered her, her hair lank with grease and her black robe filthy. She shuffled into the room and walked onto the dais, ignored Sinatruces and stood before Gallia. She took my love’s hand, who for once was lost for words. Dobbai then looked at me.

‘So, you have fulfilled the prophecy young prince. You intend to marry her?’

‘I do.’

‘You hear that, Sinatruces. And you had a design to make her one of your harem. If you imprison her here, this son of Hatra will tear your empire apart.’ She cackled at Gallia. ‘Have no fear, child. The only part of the king’s body that works at all is his tongue.’

Dobbai pointed a finger at Sinatruces. ‘The fantasies of tired old men are pathetic to behold. Do you think that this woman, this beauty whom Prince Pacorus has crossed oceans and vanquished armies to be with, could be traded like a cheap trinket?

‘You may cut down this young man where he stands, but to do so would cause a storm to descend upon you such as the world has never seen. Do you know, Sinatruces, that even as you sit on your throne men flock to Hatra to serve under Prince Pacorus? They have heard of the manner of his return, and from all lands the brave, the fanatics and the pious flock to Hatra to serve him. Some say he is a god, while others say that this young girl is a goddess who has been sent from the heavens to protect him. To touch even one hair on his head would be enough to conjure up a mighty army under King Varaz that would destroy you and reduce your city to dust. To dust, Sinatruces.

‘All this will come to pass if you seek to possess her, for many are saying that he, and she, are beloved of the gods.’

Sinatruces, clearly alarmed, shook his head and professed his innocence.

‘I did not think to imprison her,’ protested the king. ‘I merely wanted to see her. I meant no harm.’

‘Well,’ snapped Dobbai, ‘you’ve seen her.’

Dobie took Gallia’s hand and led her from the dais, then placed her hand in mine. Sinatruces sat and looked crestfallen.

Dobbai then stared at the king. ‘And if you are thinking of retracting your gift, the price that your devious mind had settled upon for her, to Pacorus, then think again.’ She jabbed a bony finger at him. ‘The gods are watching us at this very moment, watching your every move. And for one whose time on this earth is coming to an end, and who will be standing before them soon enough, I would choose your words carefully.’

The king looked at Dobbai then to me, then at Gallia. He sighed and looked down at his feet, and appeared like a man who had let a great prize slip through his fingers.

‘Of course, we are glad to see you. Both of you. It is a miracle that you have returned safely to Parthia. My wedding gift to you, Pacorus, is this.’

He clapped his hands and the eunuch chancellor came from behind us to stand beside the dais. He unrolled a scroll and began to speak in his high-pitched voice.

‘Sinatruces, king of kings, lord of Parthia from the banks….’

‘Get to the meat of it,’ snapped the king.

The eunuch frowned. He was not having a good day. ‘Pacorus, Prince of Hatra, is hereby created King of Dura Europus, said position to be held by him and his offspring for all eternity. This is the word of Sinatruces, and is the law.’

I was stunned. Dura Europus was a city on the left bank of the Euphrates positioned on cliffs high above the river, looking west across the Syrian plain towards the city of Palmyra. It was a large, bustling place protected by a curtain wall and towers. And it was just across the river from my father’s kingdom. It had always been the domain of the king of kings of the empire.

I was lost for words, for this was indeed a great gift.

‘I do not know what to say, majesty,’ I stammered.

‘Then say nothing,’ replied the king, in no mood to indulge me, ‘it is often better to stay silent.’

Dobie sat in the chair next to Sinatruces and looked at us both. ‘They will make a fine couple, Sinatruces, and he will be a great general for Parthia. Better a friend than a terrible foe, I think. You have made a wise decision. And the gods will be pleased with that decision.’

Sinatruces had had enough of our company and waved us away. We bowed and walked from the room.

‘I am a king and you will be my queen,’ I whispered to Gallia as I enclosed her hand in mine.

She suddenly stopped, turned and walked back to the dais. She bent down and kissed Sinatruces in the cheek, then asked one of the Scythians for his dagger. The man suspected foul play but Sinatruces was enraptured and waved his hand to get the fellow to acquiesce. Gallia took the blade and cut a lock of her hair, then placed it in the reptile-like hand of the king. Dobbai was delighted and clapped her hands. Gallia then walked back to me.

Dobbai called after us. ‘Keep your sword blade sharp, young prince, for the eagles will come looking for you.’

‘What does that mean?’ asked Gallia.

‘I have no idea, my love, but the words of that filthy old woman having a nasty habit of coming true.’

But in truth I did not care about the utterances of the old crone, for I had my beloved by my side and my own kingdom to rule. And I would have my own army to lead, and I would make that army the greatest in the whole of the Parthian Empire.

The next day we made preparations to leave Ctesiphon, for I felt that we had out-stayed our welcome. In any case I had no wish to see Sinatruces, who had lured us here on false pretences. Enius had come to see me earlier and had asked if we required an escort from the city, but I dismissed him curtly as I was strapping my saddle onto Remus back in front of the stables. Gallia and the others were likewise preparing for the journey back to Hatra, and she looked at me as the figure of Enius ambled away with hunched shoulders.

‘That was rude.’

Remus was in a fidgety mood and wouldn’t let me buckle up the last strap. ‘Stay still.’

Gallia frowned. ‘There’s no need to take it out on your horse.’

‘Take what out?’

‘You’re in a sulk, though I do not know why?’

‘Do you not?’

‘No. I was the one who he wanted to imprison here and make one of his wives, not you.’

I gave up trying to fasten the strap and walked over to her. ‘I would never have let that happen. Disgusting old man. He’s eighty years old.’

Gallia put her arms round me and kissed my cheek. ‘My gallant knight. Even if he had locked me up here I would have escaped back to you; no walls can keep me from you. But I’m not a prisoner, so there’s no need to rebuke poor Remus for an old man’s lust.’