Sam Barone: Empire Rising

Uvela nodded. “I’ll tell the guard. But it might be better to keep it in the cage for a few more days, until it gets used to its new surroundings and learns its new home.” She told the guard what was needed, and they left the garden.

As the three women walked back toward the river gate, Lani looked about at the crowded lanes, fi lled with people and animals, all busy about their own business. She’d never seen a city so large. “How many people live here, elder?”

“They say almost five thousand now,” Uvela answered, moving steadily through the throngs.

Lani wanted to know more about Akkad, but that could wait until later. “How long have you served Lady Trella?”

“Since she first came to live here, Lani. It was called Orak then. My husband died, my only granddaughter fell ill, and we had nothing to pay a healer. We couldn’t even feed ourselves. Lady Trella sent a healer to us and paid the bill herself. Thanks to her, my granddaughter recovered.”

“Lady Trella must be a great lady. Does she help many in the city?”

Uvela slowed and turned to meet Lani’s eyes. “She looks after those who are her friends. Those she dislikes find it better to leave.”

Plain enough, Lani decided, but she had one more question. “And where is Lord Eskkar today?”

“Lord Eskkar rode out with some soldiers this morning.” Uvela saw the disappointment on Lani’s face, and softened her next words. “I don’t know where he is, but I think he’s expected back tonight or tomorrow.”

Lani felt her sister’s hand tighten. It took only a glance at Tippu to know what she wanted. “Uvela, do you know anything about Grond, Lord Eskkar’s guard? My sister… We heard he was wounded in the fighting.”

Alexar had known of Grond’s wounds, but could only tell Tippu that Grond was still alive when he left for Bisitun.

Uvela saw the look of worry on Tippu’s face. “Grond lost much blood, but he is recovering from his wounds. The healer said Grond would heal faster away from the city, so Lord Eskkar had him carried to Noble Rebba’s farm to recover. It’s just a short distance from the city,” Uvela added, “and I’m sure you can visit him tomorrow, if you like.”

“Thank you,” Tippu said, the relief plain in her voice, but her hand still clutched Lani’s.

By then they had returned to the river gate. Once past it, Uvela turned to the left, away from the crowded docks, and guided the women about two hundred paces downriver. The Tigris turned in here, out of sight of the docks, and an eddy pool, bounded with hedges that marked the women’s area, provided a somewhat private place to bathe. A half-dozen women stood in the water, washing themselves, their children, and even some clothes. No one took any particular notice of Uvela or her companions.

Leaving Uvela on the bank, Lani and Tippu disrobed and entered the water. Both girls could swim, but heeding Uvela’s warning, they stayed close to the riverbank and within the eddy pool. When they finished cleaning themselves, Uvela helped rub them dry with the blankets.

After the sisters dressed, Uvela guided them back to the house. Lani realized she could never have found the place by herself. Her mind couldn’t comprehend Akkad’s size in such a short time.

“You both should remain inside, until you are summoned,” Uvela said.

“I will return shortly.” The old woman left, stopping at the gate to speak to the guard.

So they would be summoned. Lani expected it. Wherever Eskkar might be, Lani realized that she and her sister were in Lady Trella’s power.

For weeks she had asked everyone she met about Akkad, Eskkar, and, of course, Trella. All accounted Trella as being a fair and decent woman, and more than a few depicted her as the city’s real ruler.

And soon Lani, Eskkar’s new concubine, would be presented to the second most powerful person in the city. Lani did not think she would be welcomed with open arms by her lover’s wife.

Nevertheless, she and Tippu made good use of their time. Vigorous toweling with another set of blankets Lani found within the house dried their hair, and Tippu used the big wooden comb to arrange her sister’s soft brown tresses. Lani clothed herself in her best gown, the one she had worn the first night for Eskkar.

From her bag Lani extracted her pot of ochre, and she and Tippu took turns applying the stain to their eyes. Another vial provided perfume for each, and a small sachet held a store of mint leaves that they both chewed to sweeten their breath. Lani added a simple ring to each hand, and a single gold pin in her hair.

Tippu examined her sister and proclaimed her ready. As for Tippu, she needed little artifice to enhance her own beauty.

They fi nished their preparations just as they heard Uvela’s voice outside, speaking to the guard. Lani saw the look of fear in Tippu’s eyes.

“Don’t worry, Tippu,” Lani said. “Whatever happens, Eskkar will see you safely to Grond.”

“And you? What will happen to you?”

“Whatever is meant to happen,” Lani answered, trying to sound more confident than she felt. “Remember, Eskkar sent for us.”

By then Uvela had entered their room. “Lady Trella wishes to see you both,” Uvela said. “I’ll take you there.”

Lani didn’t know what to say, so she forced a smile to her lips.

As they stepped into the lane, every man’s eyes turned toward them, admiring their beauty and wondering who these unfamiliar women might be. It took only a few steps before they reached the courtyard of Trella’s home. Lani could not help but be impressed at the size of the house, almost hidden behind a wall taller than her own height. Two soldiers guarded the big wooden gate. Freshly painted and decorated, it swung open for them, and they passed into an expansive courtyard that seemed large enough to hold half a hundred people.

Uvela gestured them toward the main house. They entered into a large communal room, empty now, except for two servants who stared curiously at them. Lani looked in wonder at the stairs that led to the upper chambers. She’d never entered a house with a second story.

Single file, Lani and Tippu followed Uvela up those stairs and into a spacious and well-ventilated room that held two beautifully carved tables and a half-dozen chairs. Three walls showed fresh plaster, a soft white color that soothed the eyes, while the fourth wall, with its door leading to another room, had been colored a pale blue. Two women sat behind the larger table, their backs to the second doorway, waiting.

For a brief moment, Lani could not trust her eyes. The dark-haired girl looked so young that Lani found it hard to believe this was Lady Trella.

She didn’t even look as old as Tippu.

Lady Trella wore only a silver fillet to hold back her hair, but her dress boasted a soft weave as fine as the one Lani wore, a deep crimson that complimented Trella’s hair and skin. She wore no makeup of any kind, no rings or bracelets. But her tresses had been combed and brushed into a lustrous wave that cascaded about her shoulders and onto her full breasts.

Trella stood as the three women approached the table.

“My thanks to you, Uvela. You have done well. Please wait downstairs.”

Trella sat back down, but did not offer chairs to her guests. Lani realized the gesture of respect had been intended for Uvela, not as a greeting to her visitors. Trella’s voice surprised Lani. Not the voice of a girl but of a woman full grown, one with the force and habit of command.

Uvela left the room, closing the door behind her.

Lani felt Trella’s gaze upon her. Akkad’s ruler took her time, examin-ing Lani at length before she turned to study Tippu, an inspection that lasted only a few moments. Trella returned her eyes to Lani. “You are Lani, from Bisitun?”