Carpex pointed out a shallow depression that snaked from the hills and across the plain towards the city. In the few days each year that rain fell this was one of the streams that fed off the hills and into the oasis. But now it was quite dry and provided ample cover for their approach.
'Stay behind me, master. If we encounter anyone, not a word, eh?'
'I know. Let's go.'
They trotted towards the lip of the narrow water channel and slid down on to the bed. The ground was smooth and hard and they made barely a sound as they padded quickly along, following the course of the channel. Once Cato thought he heard voices, and stopped Carpex until he was sure there was nothing, and then they cautiously continued forward again. After they had gone perhaps three miles, as Cato calculated it, the narrowing course of the dried-up bed of the stream petered out and they emerged on to the plain no more than half a mile from the city. Just ahead, a grove of palms marked the spot where the flow of water ended its journey from the hills and Carpex beckoned to Cato to follow him to the tall, thin trunks curving up towards the spiky fronds above. There was a faint evening breeze which ruffled the long leaves so that they rustled as the two men crept into the shadows beneath and cautiously made their way through the husked trunks to the far side of the grove.
Carpex suddenly crouched down and bade Cato to do the same. As Cato shuffled to his side Carpex turned to him with a fierce glare and touched a finger to his lips. No more than thirty paces away, where the palm trees were more stunted and dispersed, the unmistakable silhouettes of several camels knelt on the ground. A short distance beyond there was a dark huddle of men sitting under the stars speaking Aramaic in muted voices.
'Rebels?' Cato whispered.
Carpex shook his head.'Merchants.' He tilted his head to one side for a moment to listen before he continued, 'They're complaining about the way the uprising is interfering with their trade.'
Cato grunted lightly. 'I wish I had their problems. What do we do? We have to get round them.'
'Yes. This way.' Carpex lowered himself to the ground and crept along the fringe of the trees on all fours, careful not to disturb the dried fronds that had fallen from the palms. He paused and glanced back at Cato, whispering, 'Go carefully, Roman.There may be scorpions, or snakes hunting in the darkness.'
'Snakes?'
'Yes, vipers. Now come!'
Cato followed him, trying not to flinch at the thought of any lethal reptiles or insects that might lie in his path. He cast wary glances towards the camels and the men slightly further off. Once he froze as a camel turned to him, jaws working casually, and grunted. It soon lost interest, and turned back and chewed contentedly. As soon as they were a safe distance from the traders they stood up again and continued towards the city.To their left was the track leading east towards Parthia and Carpex angled towards it. Cato grasped his arm.
'Why this route? We're bound to be seen.'
'Of course. This way we could be anybody travelling to Palmyra. If we're seen coming from the hills to the north, we might cause suspicion. Trust me, master.'
Cato took a deep breath and nodded.'Looks like I'll have to.'
'Yes. Now please – no more talking.'
As soon as they reached the track they followed it towards the city. A short distance along it they passed a caravan heading in the opposite direction, making the most of the comfort of the cool night air to begin its journey. Carpex exchanged a few comments with some of the drivers as they passed by and once the tail of the caravan was behind them he turned to Cato.
'It seems that the merchants are sending their most valuable stock out of the city. Many of the wealthiest families have already left. They're fearful that there will be a big battle, master. Perhaps they have already heard that your governor Longinus is coming with his legions?'
Cato nodded. If it came to battle, or a siege, then it would be the people of Palmyra who suffered most. He could understand their desire to get away until the fighting was over. As ever the poor, who had no other home, nor the means to support themselves, were condemned to remain behind and weather the bloody tempest that was about to break over their city.
As they approached the eastern gate, Cato could see that there was still a handful of people sitting or sleeping on the ground either side of the route. Even with the revolt, some of the locals still dared to go in and out of the city, tending to their smallholdings or making sure their goats remained safe.The gate itself was open, but heavily guarded by armed men who prevented access during the hours of the night. By the light of the torches burning in brackets above the gate, and the braziers on either side, Cato could see that they wore scale armour over loose robes and baggy leggings. Each wore a conical helmet and was equipped with a round shield and a spear. They barred the way into the city.
'What now?' Cato muttered.
'You do as I say, master. Remember?'
Cato nodded.
'Follow my lead and do not speak. When we reach the gate I will say who I am. It is likely that I will be recognised in any case. I will tell them that you are another slave who escaped from Prince Balthus' retinue with me. I will tell them that the camp of my master is a short distance away to the east. I will say that I will tell them precisely where it is only when I am given a reward for the information I have for Prince Artaxes.They will admit us, and escort us through the gate to find the prince. Once inside we will be in the slum quarter of the city.The streets are narrow and winding. When I tell you, we run and you follow me. We will easily outstrip them and lose them in the streets, but you must not lose sight of me, master, or you'll get lost, and be sure to fall into their hands.'
'That's your plan?' Cato whispered furiously. 'What if it doesn't work?'
'Have you got a better idea, master?' Carpex responded testily.
Cato nodded vigorously. 'We should get the fuck out of here and think of a proper plan.' But it was already too late. There was no time to do anything else. 'What if they send for someone instead of escorting us into the city? What then?'
'Then?' Carpex looked surprised. 'Then we are sure to be discovered for what we are, master, and we'll be executed.'
Cato shook his head in wonder at the desperate nature of his companion's ruse, and despair that there was no way out of it now.They were close enough to the men guarding the gates to be seen in the loom of their torches, and to turn round would provoke their instant suspicion. Cato swallowed nervously and hoped that his headpiece would hide his Roman features in the darkness.
Carpex quickened his pace and, with a nervous glance over his shoulder, hurried up to the east gate, with Cato close behind him.
They were instantly seen by some of the guards, who lowered their spears and pointed the tips at the two figures coming towards them. A harsh shout split the darkness and the remaining guards scrambled to their feet, weapons at the ready as Carpex and Cato stopped a short distance away. One of the rebels came forward, shouting at them. Carpex raised his hands and dropped to his knees and began speaking in a frightened rush. Cato knelt down behind him, head lowered, adopting what he hoped was an obeisant slave posture. The exchange between Carpex and the guard continued for a little longer, and the tone of the other man's voice changed from hostile to surprised and then excited as he beckoned to Carpex to stand up and follow him. Cato scrambled to his feet and stayed as close to the slave as possible as they were led past the other men and through the gateway.
Inside, by the light of more torches, he could see an ancient street, edged with refuse, leading away between grimy buildings. After several days in the desert the close, fetid smell of the city hit his nostrils like a blow and he instinctively wrinkled his nose. The officer in charge of the gate lit a small torch and led them up the street at a fast pace. Carpex and Cato followed, and then came two more men, carrying spears, and wearing scale armour and helmets. The trick of it, Cato knew, was to make their break fast enough to get out of range of a spear thrust, or even a throw, if the guards were sufficiently alert to chance such a thing after their fleeing prisoners. The street bent round a public well, and then began to climb gently at an angle to where Cato assumed the citadel must be. All the time he watched Carpex closely, muscles tensed and ready to flee. Twenty paces on a narrow alley opened up to their left and Carpex edged slightly towards that side of the street as they approached. As they drew level, Carpex stumbled on to his hands and knees with a cry of pain. The leader turned, frowned, and called back to his men as he continued up the street. One of the guards strode past the slave and halted a few paces further on to watch Cato. The other guard reached down and roughly pulled Carpex to his feet.