Sam Barone - Empire Rising

Eskkar knew the story about Annok-sur, and the gods only knew what other deviltry Ariamus had done under Korthac’s protection.

“And the wounded?” Eskkar glanced around the courtyard. The soldiers’ quarters held most of the wounded, with others put up in nearby houses. Even now, more than a half-dozen bandaged men rested in the courtyard, most of them watching Eskkar.

“Ventor’s with them now,” Gatus said. “Got here a few moments ago.

He’ll do what he can. Some are going to die. Those Egyptians were tough fi ghters.”

“Korthac trained his killers well,” Eskkar said, thinking that if the Egyptians were half as skillful as their master, they would indeed have made formidable fighters.

“Only one thing left to do,” Gatus said, as he fi nished reporting. “And here they come,” he added, the distaste sounding in his voice.

Eskkar looked up to see Corio and Rebba enter the courtyard. Corio’s right arm hung in a sling, and a large bruise covered the left side of his face. Rebba looked old and tired, but had a warm smile for everyone.

“Good morning, Lord Eskkar,” Corio said, speaking first and in a loud voice. “Once again, let me offer praise to the gods for your return. You were sorely missed.”

“The gods favored us, Noble Corio,” he answered, smiling at the architect’s obviously insincere words. Corio believed in the gods about as much as Eskkar did.

“We’ve come for the usurper Korthac,” Rebba said. “We’ve been meeting at Nicar’s house with the other nobles. Nicar is still unable to get about, but he sends his thanks and his greetings, as do the others.”

“And Korthac?…” Eskkar looked at Rebba.

“Unless you want the pleasure of killing him yourself,” Corio said,

“he’s to die under the torture in the marketplace, to pay for his crimes against all of us.”

The nobles and rich merchants had suffered greatly in the last few days, Eskkar knew, and they’d lost most of whatever gold they had hoarded.

Fortunately, Korthac had stored most of the loot right here in the house.

Still, it would take weeks to sort it all out, and this time Eskkar would have to arbitrate the distribution. “Take Korthac whenever you want,” he said, nodding toward the guards watching the Egyptian.

“Also, we need your soldiers to arrest the others,” Corio interrupted, “the men who joined up with Korthac, who willingly took part in his schemes.”

“And what’s to become of them?”

“They’re to die with their leader, curse them all,” Corio answered.

“They deserve to take the torture, but I’ll be satisfied just to see them all dead.”

Eskkar had never seen the master builder in such a bloodthirsty mood.

“And Nicar, and you, Rebba, you all agree to this?”

Rebba nodded. “We spent most of yesterday arguing over their fates.

Five are to die, their property confiscated. Another seven will have their property taken, and then be exiled from Akkad.”

More blood to be shed, Eskkar thought. For this decision, however, there was no urgency. “Gatus, have your men take these… twelve men prisoner.

Send them down to the barracks and tell Bantor to guard them well.”

He turned to Corio. “In a few days, when Trella is well enough, we’ll review the charges against these men.”

Both men started to protest, but Eskkar cut them off. “There’s no need to rush their punishment. Better to let them worry about their fate, while we make sure each one gets exactly what he deserves. Remember, Trella was here, and she heard every word Korthac said. She’ll know who merits what punishment.”

Eskkar stood and faced Gatus, who’d remained expressionless during the discussion. “Round up those twelve. Then take charge of Korthac and make sure he gets to the marketplace. The sooner he begins his journey to the underworld, the better.”

“What about the other one, that Hathor?”

“Him, too,” Eskkar said. “All the Egyptians deserve the torture.”

Gatus stood as well. “Let’s go, Corio. The sooner we catch up with the men on your list, the happier we’ll both be.”

Eskkar left the table and walked over to check on Korthac. The man looked even worse today than he had yesterday. Korthac glared at him, but said nothing. Eskkar glanced in on Hathor, but had nothing to say to the Egyptian subcommander. He didn’t know the man, and hadn’t encountered him during the fight. But he’d fled with Ariamus, and that alone was enough to condemn him.

As he turned away from Hathor, Mitrac and a few others from the Hawk Clan entered the courtyard. They surrounded Eskkar, eager for news and equally eager to tell him what they’d accomplished. Eskkar spoke with them for some time, answering questions, laughing, and listening to the latest rumors from the streets.

They left him, still laughing, proud men who knew they’d won a great victory. Ignoring the other activity around him, Eskkar washed himself at the well, then visited the kitchen to find something more to eat. His appetite had returned, a good sign, he knew. He leaned against the wall, out of the way of the cook, and munched on some bread and sausage, enjoying the idle moment.

“Lord, Lady Trella asks for you.”

He turned to see Drusala bowing to him. “Is everything all right?”

“Oh, yes, lord, but she asked if you could attend her.”

Wiping his fingers on his tunic, he climbed the stairs, Drusala following behind. But she stopped at the landing, and shut the door as soon as he passed through. Surprised, Eskkar crossed the empty workroom and entered the bedroom.

Annok-sur waited there, along with another woman, a young girl, really, her plain face marred by a broken nose. Eskkar had to stare at her for a moment before he recognized her, the girl Trella had rescued and brought to the house a few days before he’d left for Bisitun.

Trella sat up in the bed, the baby asleep beside her. “Eskkar, we have a favor to ask of you, a very great favor.” She kept her voice soft, so as not to waken the child.

Trella’s use of “we” warned him something unusual was coming. He looked closer at the girl, struggling to remember her name.

“This is En-hedu,” Trella went on, “soon to be wife to Tammuz. At least, as soon as we set her free from her servitude.”

En-hedu bowed deeply to him, but said nothing. When she lifted her head, he saw the worry in her face.

“Tammuz… Gatus told me he’d taken a woman.”

“I gave En-hedu to Tammuz more than a month ago. She’s been helping him all that time. They both risked their lives, trying to learn more about Korthac. They helped hide Gatus, and she and Tammuz both fought in the battle against Korthac.”

“Then you have my thanks, En-hedu,” Eskkar said, bowing his head to her.

“I will tell you all about it later, husband,” Trella said, “but for now, En-hedu wishes to ask a favor.”

En-hedu bowed again, her hands clenched together nervously. “Lord, please, can you spare the life of the Egyptian Hathor? He saved my life and the life of Tammuz as well. We would both be dead if he hadn’t spared us.”

“Hathor is to die with Korthac,” Eskkar said, shock and surprise in his voice. “He was one of Korthac’s subcommanders… he escaped with Ariamus.”

“Hathor came from the desert with Korthac, it’s true,” Annok-sur said.

“But I didn’t see him kill or do injury to anyone here in Akkad.”

“Please, lord,” En-hedu rushed the words, “his men would have killed Tammuz and myself. Hathor stayed his hand against us. Can you not spare his life for that?”

“What does Tammuz say?” Eskkar asked. “Does he want this man to live?”

“Yes, Lord Eskkar,” En-hedu said, “but he will not ask for Hathor’s life.