Peter Darman - The Parthian

‘Your father tells me that you had a private audience with the king’s sorceress.’

I shuddered. ‘She was a disgusting old hag. It was humiliating.’

My mother laughed. ‘I’m sure she was, but the fact that she picked you out is of note. Some would consider it a great honour to hear her words. The prophecies of Dobbai are famous throughout the empire.’

‘Meaningless drivel, mother. She is clearly insane and no one should pay any attention to her.’

‘You speak with the certainty of youth.’ Her big round brown eyes hinted at gentle mockery. I shrugged. ‘But do not dismiss her words too lightly. I for one believe that she can see the future.’

She could tell by my expression that I had no interest in discussing the old crone any further, so she moved on to another subject.

‘Your father and I think it is time to think of a bride for you.’

‘What?’ my heart sank.

‘You are now a famous warrior, and in any case a prince of Hatra cannot remain single for ever.’

‘I’m too young,’ I protested.

‘Nonsense, you are twenty-two, which is old enough to be betrothed. I hear that Princess Axsen of Babylon is available.’ I suddenly lost my appetite. ‘Perhaps we will arrange for you to see her. The daughter of the Kingdom of Babylon would strengthen the position of Hatra.’

‘I would prefer to marry someone whom I loved.’

‘You are not a farmer, Pacorus. Princes must marry to cement alliances and ensure the safety of their kingdoms,’ she rebuked me. ‘Besides, is there someone who has stolen your heart?’

‘Of course not.’

She smiled. ‘Then surely you have no objection to meeting Princess Axsen, at thevery least? I hear that she is a great beauty. I’m sure love could grow from such a match.’

I was about to protest but thought better of it. My mother had the appearance of a softly spoken, acquiescent woman, but she had a will of iron and was not to be crossed lightly. I therefore just nodded my agreement and began thinking of how I could avoid meeting Princess Water Buffalo.

She clapped her hands for the servants to take the food away. ‘Excellent.’

I rose and kissed her on the cheek. ‘Thank you, mother.’

I left her feeling somewhat aggrieved and made my way to the council chamber. The day was hot and airless, but the marble-tiled palace was cool and quiet. I took my place next to my father, who looked refreshed and in a good mood as he chatted with Assur. In fact, everyone was in attendance — Assur, Addu, Kogan, Bozan, Kogan and Vistaspa.

The doors were closed and my father spoke, his tone stern. ‘We have now been attacked twice by Rome and it is time for us to retaliate. There can be no peace until Rome has understood that Parthia, and especially Hatra, is not a lamb but a lion. To this end I intend to launch an assault across the desert against Syria. I will lead this expedition. Our strength lies in speed and stealth, therefore I will take no heavy cavalry, light horsemen only. To aid us in our little adventure, we will hire some Agraci to accompany us.’

‘But, my lord,’ protested Bozan, ‘the Agraci are scum who would slit your throat in the same breath that they would offer their hand in greetings.’

‘I know that, Bozan, and I have no doubt that they helped the Romans attack Sirhi, but they can be bought easily enough. Offer enough gold and they will sell their own mothers and daughters.’

‘I would rather have their camels,’ said Bozan.

The Agraci were a tribe of nomads who inhabited the Arabian Peninsula. Like all of the tribes in that region, they consisted mostly of thieves and beggars who preyed on the unwary. We spent considerable resources on keeping them away from the trade routes, frequently having to launch punitive raids into the desert. Being wanderers, they were often difficult to find. Occasionally we got lucky and were able to slaughter a lot of them, leaving their bones to bleach in the sun. But, like flies, they seemed to be eternal, and just as irritable. Their only redeeming feature was that their services could easily be hired if you had enough gold.

‘Just make sure you keep upwind of them on the journey,’ added Vistaspa.

‘This raid is only one part of our response,’ added my father. He got up and stood beside the large map of the Parthian Empire that hung on the wall. He pulled the dagger from the scabbard that hung from his belt and used it as a pointer.

‘We will launch a second, smaller raid here, against Cappadocia. Five hundred men mounted on swift horses should be enough to give the Romans a taste of their own medicine. Bozan, you will lead this expedition.’

Bozan grinned and ran his hands across his shaved head. ‘A pleasure, my lord.’

‘Remember,’ continued my father, ‘it’s only a raid. Go in fast, hit them hard and then get out. And to continue his military education, Pacorus will ride along with you.’

I looked at Bozan and grinned, who nodded his approval. This was an excellent development. The chance of fighting again filed me with joy, the more so since it would get me out of the city and away from my mother’s schemes to get me married. Addu cleared his throated rather noisily.

‘You have something to say, Lord Addu?’ asked my father.

‘Er, merely this, majesty,’ Addu replied, gingerly rising from his seat. My father indicated for him to remain seated. ‘Though I am sure that these expeditions will add more glory to your name, they may damage trade. May I remind you that Palmyra, Petra and Baalbeck, all towns in the area you intend to assault, are of importance to Hatra. If they are destroyed then our revenues will suffer.’

‘I am aware of the importance of trade to the city,’ said my father. ‘Rest assured that we will not be attacking caravans or trading centres. We will be striking military outposts. There are a number of forts along the desert frontier. It is my hope to surprise one or two and put them to the torch.’

‘But what if the Romans retaliate by halting their trade?’ asked Addu.

My father, who I could tell was losing patience with his treasurer, sat down and stared at him. ‘I can assure you, Lord Addu, that the last thing the Romans want is to stop trading with the east.’

‘That’s true,’ added Bozan, ‘the bastards have an insatiable demand for lions and tigers to slaughter in their arenas, and they can’t get enough silk.’

Assur winced at Bozan’s course language, but nodded in agreement. ‘Lord Bozan is correct in what he says, even if the words he uses to express his opinion are somewhat vulgar. We cannot allow Roman outrages to go unpunished.’

‘But, your majesty,’ said Addu.

‘Enough,’ snapped my father. ‘The decision has been made, we will leave in seven days.’

A crestfallen Addu starred at the table in silence.

‘There are Romans in the city, majesty.’ It was first time that Kogan had spoken. ‘If they hear of any expeditions they will surely send word back to their masters.’

There were nods around the table.

‘You are right, Lord Kogan,’ said my father. ‘No one is to speak of this matter outside of this room. As far as the city is concerned, we are merely carrying out training manoeuvres. When we have left the city I will send riders to the Agraci to see if they want to earn some gold. Hopefully, I will be able to get a lot of them killed in battle before I have to pay them anything. That is all.’

Everyone stood, bowed and then left the room. My father called me over.

‘Pacorus, say nothing of what you have heard to Gafarn or Vata. Is that understood.’

‘Yes, father.’

‘The Romans have spies everywhere. We cannot be too careful.’

‘Will there be war between us and the Romans?’ I asked.