The network of agents also extended far beyond Akkad’s walls. Every village in the Land Between the Rivers had at least one of Trella’s agents, watching and listening for threats against Eskkar’s House. Spies also reported on activity in Sumeria. The southern cities of Sumer, Isin, Uruk, Lagash, and Nippur all contained elements hostile to Akkad and remained a constant peril to its dominance.
Anyone who might threaten that authority was noted, observed, and in some cases, eliminated. Women, it turned out, had proved especially adept at adding a drop or two of poison to a man’s ale.
Trella understood well the uses of power and terror, and she used both of them to keep agitators and troublemakers under control. Thieves, pickpockets, even murderers had little to fear from Trella’s informants. But threats to her husband, her family, or her city would never be tolerated.
“I asked you here, Uvela” Trella began, “because a new enemy has arisen that threatens not only Akkad, but all of us and our children. Eskkar has learned that a mighty empire exists to the east, and this enemy plans to invade our Land Between the Rivers. Based on the little that Annok-sur and I could discover in the last few days, the Elamites, that is their name, intend to conquer or destroy Akkad, and subject her and all the other cities in these lands to their rule. The Elamites will demand tribute, gold, and slaves in large quantities to feed their growing empire.”
Trella paused a moment to let her words sink in. The pleasant expression on Uvela’s face vanished, replaced by shock and surprise.
“When these Elamites capture a new city, many of its leading families are killed outright,” Trella continued, “especially those that resisted or might threaten their rule. For those families permitted to live, hostages are taken back to the land of the Indus. In this way, the Elamites intend to ensure that Akkad and the other cities they capture will remain docile under their rule. Of course many of their soldiers are stationed in each city to enforce the Elamites’ rule. They kill or torture any who fail to obey, often along with their families.”
Uvela took only a moment to comprehend the danger. “When will this happen?”
“As far as we know, not this year, and probably not the next,” Trella said. “But within two years, the Elamite army will be on the march to our lands. Akkad will likely be their first destination. If they can capture this place, the other cities will either be destroyed in turn, or forced to submit to their rule.”
“How did Eskkar learn of this?” Uvela’s calm expression had returned. “How certain is he that they will come?”
“I cannot tell you how we learned of this. That is a secret that must be kept. In fact, it must even be kept secret that we know of this at all. But Eskkar and I believe that this warning is true.”
“Well, if we have a year or two to prepare,” Uvela said, “then there is much you and Eskkar can do to ready Akkad’s forces.”
“Our soldiers may not be enough,” Trella said. “The Elamites have many thousands of trained soldiers, far more than can be raised in this land. Akkad’s walls and defenders may not be enough to withstand their greater numbers.”
She told Uvela about the Elamites’ habit of striking early, and of their practice of infiltrating the cities of their victims.
“It is likely. . no, it is almost certain, that there are already one or two Elamite spies living within Akkad, and probably Sumer and Isin as well. These are the closest cities to the eastern borders. And it is also likely that Eskkar and I are first on their list for assassination. Annok-sur’s role in the city is well known, and she would likely be another target for assassins. The Elamites prefer to strike down those who they think will be most dangerous to them long before their armies appear outside the city’s walls.”
“Then these spies will have to be found,” Uvela said. “We can start by looking at anyone who recently arrived in Akkad.”
“Yes, we must do that,” Trella agreed. “But many of their spies may have been living here for years. They might not even be from the land of Elam. Any Akkadian might now be in their pay. Not to mention that every merchant, trader, boat captain, anyone who travels to the east and south, may be willing to sell information. Even loose talk may help the Elamites learn of our strengths and weaknesses. And once an Akkadian takes their gold, he may be unable to stop spying for them.”
“There are many Akkadian traders doing business with the eastern lands, perhaps fifty or sixty,” Uvela said. “If we add in their caravan masters, ship captains, guides, overseers. . we may be talking about hundreds of people, perhaps more. For a handful of gold, any one of them might become a paid informer.”
Trella and Annok-sur had come to the same conclusion. The problem seemed insurmountable.
“What does it matter what information these spies pass to their masters.” Uvela shifted in her chair. “Even I can estimate the number of soldiers in Akkad’s army, how they are organized, where they are stationed. I suppose that information could be just as easily obtained about Isin and Sumer and the other cities. During the Sumer War, we had a good grasp of our enemies’ forces, as they did of ours.”
“That’s true enough.” Trella brushed a few strands of hair away from her face. “But I think there are several problems that need to be addressed. First, we need to gather as much information about our enemy as we can. That must be done as quietly as possible. Annok-sur and I are meeting with Yavtar tomorrow. He knows some traders who may assist us.
Yavtar, once a river trader and now one of the wealthiest men in Akkad, had twice fought at Eskkar’s side. Yavtar had also developed the fighting boats used during the Sumerian war, and knew much about the trading routes that extended to the far eastern lands.
“Meanwhile,” Trella went on, “we don’t want to let the Elamites know that we are aware of their intentions. In this conflict, they already have the advantage of knowing more about us than we do about them. That must change.”
“And then,” Annok-sur said, speaking for the first time, “we will need to expand the protection around our most important leaders. Trella and Eskkar, of course. Also Bantor and the other commanders. That will include the Noble Families and a few others.”
Nine families now comprised the Council that advised Eskkar and Trella. Their advice and influence were important parts of the strength of the City.
“Can we trust the Noble Families?” Uvela’s oldest daughter had suffered under one of the ruling families before Eskkar came to power. “Some of them may be willing to take gold from these Elamites.”
“We must trust them, to a certain extent,” Trella said. “We have to in any case, since they will learn sooner or later about the threat.”
“Most are loyal to Eskkar.” Uvela paused for a moment, as if considering each of the Families. “But what if the Elamites offered to make the head of any Noble Family the next ruler of Akkad, in return for his support and help? That kind of offer can tempt almost anyone, including any of the younger and wilder sons of the Nobles.”
And Sargon could be counted among that number. Trella put the painful thought aside.
“That will have to discussed.” Trella smiled at Uvela’s quick grasp of the situation. “But right now I am more concerned with finding a way to turn our enemy’s strength into a weakness. Eskkar and Bantor will prepare our soldiers for battle, of course. As we gather knowledge of the Elamites, we will also prepare for the invasion. When it comes, we must try to guide the war so that our soldiers are victorious.”
“How will we do that?” Uvela’s voice sounded dubious.
“Eskkar gave me the idea years ago,” Trella said, “when we fought the Alur Meriki at the walls. We will make our strengths seem like our weakest points, and at the same time we will ensure that our weaknesses appear much worse than they are.”
“After all,” Annok-sur said, “it will still take months for information, or perhaps I should say misinformation, to make its way back to the Elamites. This war will not be like the war against Sumer. In that conflict, news could travel from Akkad to Sumer in a matter of days. By the time the Elamites discover they have been misled, it will be too late.”