“The Sumerians sent over twenty thousand men against us in the war against Sumer,” Eskkar remarked.
“I know, and you defeated them at Isin. The Elamites will field two or three times that number. And these men are well trained and well supplied, not like much of the rabble Sumer sent against you. I know all about that effort. I delivered many of the weapons that King Shulgi used to arm his men against you.”
“The fight at Isin was no hillside brawl,” Eskkar said, annoyed in spite of himself at his friend’s knowledge.
Bracca raised his palms. “I meant no offense, Eskkar. I know how hard you and your men fought to win that victory. But this coming fight will be different. This time the men you will face are battle-tested veterans, conquerors of many cities. Already the first few spies are in Akkad, Sumer, and Isin. They will lie in wait, until the time comes to strike. I know. I helped put them in place. Soon more will come.”
“If you know so much about these spies,” Eskkar said, “perhaps you can tell me their names?”
The moment he finished asking the question, Eskkar regretted it. If Bracca were going to reveal their names, he would already have done so. A quick glance at his wife confirmed it. Trella had not asked the obvious question, because she knew what Bracca’s answer would be.
“Well, that’s something I cannot tell you.” Bracca sent his eyes from husband to wife. “If I did, suspicion would fall on me, and I can’t have that. Besides, the Elamites would only find others to serve them, and you would be no better off.”
Eskkar frowned. His thoughts returned to the idea of the torturers, and their ability to extract information. Trella, meanwhile, began asking questions about the Elamites, their customs, the way they lived, how they were ruled. Soon she’d drawn Bracca into giving more than just brief answers. Eskkar listened, but kept his attention on Bracca. The man had always been devious, capable of anything. Yet the more Eskkar saw and heard, the more he felt the man could be trusted, at least in part. For some reason, Bracca wanted to help.
Bracca’s answers grew shorter, and at last he lapsed into silence.
“Your warning is well delivered, then,” Trella said, “and again you have our thanks. We will be on our guard. Will it be possible for you to provide us with more information when you next visit Akkad?”
“It is unlikely that I will visit your city again anytime soon. I do, however, journey to Sumer at least once a year, sometimes more often.”
“We have friends in Sumer,” Trella said. “If you wish, you could send a message to Eskkar through one of those.”
“Perhaps. Though most of your agents in that city are known to. . the Elamites. Perhaps, if it could be managed safely, I will consider it.”
Trella caught Bracca’s slight pause, and understood its meaning. Bracca knew the names of her spies in Sumer. Which also meant that at least one or two of them were in his pay as well as hers.
“I think it could be arranged.” Trella kept her face as neutral as her voice. “Such a man would have no dealings with any others. He would wait only for you to contact him.”
Bracca considered her words, weighing the risks. He would be placing himself in danger. “How soon can you give me your man’s name?”
“I can tell you his name now.” Trella chose a name from those she and Annok-sur had selected. “It is Steratakis, a trader from the city of Lagash. It will be a few months before he is established and in place. He will make himself known to you.”
“I make no promises, but I will see what can be done.” Bracca drained his ale cup and stood. “I must return to my inn. We depart for Sumer at first light.”
He turned to Eskkar. “I said before that you had done well. Now I see that you’ve done far better than that. Just watch your back.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay and join us?” Eskkar rose as well. “You were always handy in a fight.”
Bracca shook his head with a hint of sadness. “Not this time, friend Eskkar. This time, you’re on your own. But I see you have a better companion to help you.” He faced Trella. “Keep him safe, and watch for your own safety.”
Bracca drew his cloak close, and lifted the hood up over his head. “I’d better leave.” He bowed a farewell to Trella.
Eskkar stepped around the table, and placed his hand on Bracca’s shoulder. “Before you go, I want to thank you for seeing me safe to Orak. Without you delivering me to the healers, I would never have met Trella. And now I have to thank you again for warning us.”
Bracca, half way to the door, halted. “It’s nothing that you wouldn’t have done for me, if you had the chance.”
Eskkar laughed. “Don’t be so sure. But you can consider your debt at Marcala paid.”
“Well, then I’ll sleep better tonight.”
“I’ll see that Annok-sur passes him through the gate.” Trella moved beside their visitor.
Her voice told Eskkar that she wanted a moment alone with Bracca. Eskkar stayed behind as the two of them stepped out onto the landing, and he heard their footsteps on the treads. A murmur of voices floated to him, then silence.
Eskkar went to the table and poured himself another ale. He rarely drank more than a single cup, but tonight was no ordinary night.
He raised the cup to his lips, then hesitated. For a brief moment, Bracca had been alone in the room, while Eskkar went to summon Trella. More than enough time to slip a bit of poison into his cup.
“Damn the gods.” Eskkar poured the contents of the cup back into the pitcher. The ale, the wine, even the water, would all have to be discarded, just to be safe. He didn’t think Bracca had done any such thing, but the man had warned Eskkar of the very possibility. And it was just the sort of devious thing that Bracca would do.
Eskkar muttered an oath at the evil gods who bedeviled him. Once again, events outside his control were trying to take over his fate. Soon new enemies would be coming for him, eager to strike him down and take by force what he and Trella had labored so long to build. And this time they would move in secret.
Poison, a knife in the back, an arrow from a rooftop, any of a handful of ways to kill a man. And starting tomorrow, Eskkar would have to guard against them all.
He blew out three of the candles, returned to the window and stared down into the garden once again. The watch fire in the courtyard provided enough light to see the leaves on the trees, the branches swaying gently in the night breeze. Bracca had spoken the truth. Eskkar had never admitted it to himself, but Bracca should have stayed at Eskkar’s side, either to nurse him back to health or see to his burial.
Eskkar’s only friend had broken the sacred code of the warrior, something Eskkar had never done. No doubt the failure to stand by his friend and brother in arms had gnawed at Bracca over the years.
In a way, that proved the man’s worth. A lesser man would have soon shrugged off any concerns. Add to that whatever guilt Bracca felt over the fight at Marcala, and the result had brought Bracca to Eskkar’s house, to pay his debt to the man he once called his friend.
“What are you thinking, Husband?” Trella closed the door to the Work Room and moved to his side.
“That we’ve enjoyed many years of peace. That all the problems we’ve faced since the war with Sumer now seem insignificant. Now threats of war and invasion will change our lives once again.”
“Yes, but thanks to your friend, at least we are forewarned. With that knowledge, we can do much to prepare.” She laid a hand on his shoulder. “You were glad to see your friend. You tried to mask your feelings, you both tried, but the friendship was there. Bracca felt it, too.”
“Well, I suppose. But one thing hasn’t changed. Wherever Bracca goes, trouble follows.”
“Even so, I’m thankful that he came. Will this change your plans for the Alur Meriki?”
Eskkar considered that for a moment. “No, Bracca’s warning only makes the conflict with them even more important. One enemy will be bad enough. The sooner the barbarians are dealt with, the better.”