Sam Barone: Empire Rising

Tippu watched her for a moment, then took a small sip from her own glass.

“Drink up, Tippu,” Lani said. “The wine is very good.”

“You do not fear poison, then?” Trella asked drily.

“No, Lady Trella. If you wish to kill me, then I am in your power and at your mercy. But I would remind you that my sister has done nothing to offend you.”

“You are both safe, Lani, though I must admit there were nights when I was jealous of my husband in your arms. Would you like to know what I did about it?”

“Did about it? I don’t understand?”

“No, you could not. As soon as I learned you were more than a casual bed partner and that Eskkar was growing attached to you, I sent a rider to your birthplace. I wanted to learn about you. The rider returned only three days ago. Do you know what he told me?”

“I… My land is very far away. How could you send… I don’t know what to say, Lady Trella.”

“He reported to me that your husband was an honorable man of a respected family, and that you were reputed to be a good and decent wife, who prayed each day at Ishtar’s feet for a child. Your whole village mourned when they heard of Namtar’s death and your capture. They thought you dead as well.”

The mention of her husband’s name sent a tremor through Lani’s body. Then she understood the full import of Trella’s words. This girl had dispatched a rider on a long and dangerous journey of nearly three hundred miles, simply to gather information. All this at the merest hint of a rival for her husband’s affections.

For the first time Lani realized that all she had heard about Trella must be true, that the ruler of Akkad had sharp wits and would be dangerous to offend. More important, she had the power to do whatever she wished, even to send forth a man on such a difficult errand. Lani recalled how easily Alexar had turned her and her sister over to Trella’s woman.

He had done it without question, so certain of her authority.

“And I’ve spoken to many from Bisitun about you, Lani,” Trella went on when Lani didn’t answer. “You are important to my husband, so I needed to learn as much about you as I could.” Trella paused for a moment, giving Lani time to comprehend. “Now I have some questions for you, Lani. And let me say that Eskkar and I have spoken much about you, and he asked me to make whatever arrangements for you that I saw fit.”

Lani nodded her head in understanding. As soon as Alexar turned her over to Trella’s woman, she knew her fate rested in Trella’s hands, not Eskkar’s. He had risked his life to rescue his wife and his newborn son. He wasn’t likely to offend her now, not over some captive, ill used by Ninazu for his amusement.

“So, what is it you wish to do now that you are in Akkad? Would you have me find you a new husband? There are many good men in Akkad who would look with favor on you, and you could have your pick of several.

Or do you want to live by yourself for a time? That, too, can be arranged.

Eskkar has set aside enough gold for you to do whatever you choose.”

Gold meant freedom, protection, even for two women alone. Lani could get a house, servants… she could choose her own life. It sounded too good to be true, and yet…

Trella waited a moment, but Lani said nothing. “Or do you wish to remain as Eskkar’s concubine?”

Lani didn’t hesitate. “Lady Trella, if I could be permitted to remain as Lord Eskkar’s concubine, I would pay anything, do anything..”

“There is nothing to pay, Lani, and the gold is yours already. However, there are rules if you are to be his concubine. So you must think hard about this.”

Trella leaned forward, and her voice took on a harder edge. “There must be no issue from your womb, Lani. If you become with child, you must take the herbs to force the child from your body. If that fails, and a boy is born, you must give it up. Sargon is to be the only heir to his father.”

She waited for Lani to speak.

“That is very hard, Lady Trella.” Lani felt the tears start and bit her lip to stop them. She would not cry in front of this girl. “But I do not think I will conceive…”

“No, Lani, that is not what you must say,” Trella cut in, her voice firm.

“You will not be a wife, and there will not be a son. You must agree to that.

If you hope for a child of your own, then you must give up Eskkar and seek another man to father it.”

The tears started, and this time Lani couldn’t stop them. To never have a child was a terrible curse for a woman. The only thing worse than such an evil would be to give a child away.

She looked up at Trella, surprised to see sadness and sympathy in her eyes. Trella had just delivered her own baby, and knew what she asked. But Lani hesitated only a moment.

“I will take the herbs, Lady Trella. If I bear a son, I will give him up.”

“I am sorry to do this to you, Lani, but I must. Sargon needs protection, as do Eskkar and I. As will you, if you are to be his companion. We still have many enemies. You must swear to do all that you can to protect and serve all three of us.”

“What can I do to protect you and Eskkar?” Lani heard the confusion in her voice. How could she do anything to protect anyone?

“More than you realize, Lani. Much is at stake here, too much to tell you about now. But you know we barely survived a siege by the barbarians, and then this attempt by Korthac to kill us all and seize control of Akkad.

There will be more such strife in the future, and I… we will need all the help we can find.”

“I will do whatever you ask, whatever I can to protect all of you. What else must I do?”

“As Eskkar’s concubine, you will see no other man, only him. And you will only see him once or twice a week, or when the moon does not permit me to be with him. Your role will be to share pleasure with him, to soothe and comfort his body, and ease his mind. I love him too much to give up more of his spirit.”

So Lani would become a consort, a pleasure girl, little better than a hired prostitute or slave, whose only business would be to please and satisfy her lover. It would be a bittersweet role to play. Trella would be his wife, his lover, his companion, the mother of his children. Lani would be almost nothing, have nothing.

Trella saw the struggle in Lani’s eyes and leaned forward across the table. “You do not need to accept this, Lani. I know this is very hard to bear. All I can say is that, if you do accept, you will be helping Eskkar and myself. If this role becomes too difficult, you can stop being his concubine, and we will find another place for you, another task, or a husband of your own.”

Lani heard the words. More important, she realized that, for some unknown reason, Trella wanted Lani to agree to this, wanted her to continue as Eskkar’s concubine. It must mean a great deal to Trella, though Lani didn’t understand why. She could turn down this role, but that thought was too awful to bear. Lani remembered the pain in her breast as Eskkar sailed away from Bisitun, likely going to his death. She’d been willing to kill herself at that moment, rather than face life without him. At least this would be better than that fate. And if it helped Eskkar…

“I will do whatever you ask. I will be his concubine, if he so chooses.”

The words came out almost without volition. Lani’s love for Eskkar gave her no choice. She watched Trella lean back in her seat, a hint of fatigue in her face. Lani remembered that in the last few days, this girl had delivered a baby practically in the midst of a battle, been wounded, and then had to fight to save her own life and the life of her child.

“Then I’m glad you’re here, Lani. I welcome you to Eskkar’s household. There will be much for you to do, and much to learn. We will speak often in the coming days. Go now and rest. Tonight, when Eskkar returns from the countryside, I will send him to you. Now, dry your eyes.”