After completing the arduous journey across the mountains, Sargon rejoiced to find a smiling Garal, thought to be dead in the Dellen Pass. After resting for a single day at the camp of the Alur Meriki, Sargon rode south and joined his wife.
Staying with her family and the Ur Nammu, Tashanella waited for her husband’s return. Sargon rested at the main Ur Nammu camp for several days before husband and wife set out for Akkad.
Sargon and Tashanella had arrived in the city only yesterday. Wanting to travel as fast as possible, they left their young daughter in the care of Tashanella’s mother.
Today Sargon and Tashanella, escorted by Hawk Clan guards, had walked the streets and lanes of the city. Everywhere they went, large crowds appeared, cheering the King’s son. Everyone in Akkad knew the daring role Sargon had played during the conflict.
The inhabitants had always considered him to be one of their own since he was a child, the city’s first born Akkadian. His past indiscretions had long since been forgotten. The serious young man who nodded and smiled at the crowd had replaced the callow youth.
Holding his wife’s hand, Sargon had guided her through the tumultuous crowds. Her eyes wide with excitement, Tashanella, arrayed in the finest garments Trella could buy, had received almost as many cheers as her husband.
Much of that, of course, resulted from the careful preparations of Annok-sur and the women in her employ, but few in the cheering crowds noticed that. By her marriage to Sargon, Tashanella had become an Akkadian, and the city’s inhabitants accepted her as one of their own. The Ur Nammu and Alur Meriki had also shared in the glory, and so Tashanella accepted the cheers in their name.
The resulting praise for the heir to the City of Akkad had been almost as great as that given to Eskkar, exactly as Trella desired. The day before Eskkar’s return, when Yavtar’s messengers brought the first news of victory at Sumer, the people of Akkad had held one day of festivity. Though that outpouring paled in comparison to the one honoring Eskkar when he returned to the city with the news of the defeat of Elam’s main army of invasion.
Today’s jubilant celebration portended something else besides another victory over Akkad’s enemies. In a way, it sealed the unwritten contract between Eskkar and Trella, and the people of Akkad. His parents had anointed Sargon as their heir for all to see, and the entire city had also acclaimed and accepted their future ruler. Eskkar and Trella’s line would endure, and Sargon was the living proof.
Sargon and Tashanella, still flushed with the day’s excitement, had returned to the Compound only moments before. Now they could relax and enjoy the intimate family dinner.
Taking up the wine pitcher, Eskkar poured some into everyone’s cup, letting each of them add as much or as little water as they preferred. Then he lifted his own cup high. “Tonight our family holds its own celebration. Tonight I want to give thanks to Sargon for the role he played in our victory. If he had not broken Lord Modran’s supply line, none of us might be here.”
Everyone else raised their cups and offered their own words of praise to Sargon.
“But there is much that still remains to be done,” Eskkar went on, “and the most important work of all lies ahead. Starting tomorrow, we must plan for the future of our family, and our children yet to be born. Each of us here tonight, and our friends, must create the future that we desire — or else others will do it for us. That is why we must all work together, to ensure that everyone here, and your children and their children’s children, all have a part in the Empire of Akkad that is to come.”
He turned to Trella, who smiled approval, then lifted her cup and offered her own toast. “Eskkar and Sargon have enabled us to win a great victory, a victory so complete that it will be many, many years before Elam or any other land dares offer a challenge to Akkad. Father and son risked their lives not for glory or power, but to protect all of us here at this table. Nor should we ever let ourselves forget what debt we owe to so many of our friends. Yavtar, Alexar, Muta, Drakis, Hathor, Daro, Draelin, Shappa, and all the others who labored and risked their own lives to protect ours. Even King Naxos of Isin and King Gemama of Sumer have contributed to our victory and our salvation, as did Chief Bekka and Chief Subutai. Without all these leaders working together, Akkad might have fallen. That is a lesson all of us must remember. I expect that we will see even greater cooperation between our cities in the future.”
“That is why everyone in this family needs to work together,” Eskkar placed his hand over his wife’s, “to protect and care for each other. If we do not care for each other, who will? One thing Trella and I have learned, is that a single man cannot lead or rule so many by himself. He needs his family, friends, and loyal supporters. They are the ones who will help us hold what we have against the many enemies who would take it from us.”
“And there will be others,” Trella said, “enemies from within and from without. If we as a family do not stand together against them, then sooner or later, we will be destroyed or replaced, and our rule will have ended. If we do not care for one another, then whatever we may accomplish will count for nothing.”
She turned to Melkorak and Zakita. “You are both old enough now to play a role in the governing of the city. Sargon will rule in Akkad one day, after Eskkar and I are gone, and he will need your help, even as you will need his. The ties between brothers and sister are strong, and you must lean on each other’s strength. Remember that, when others try to step between you, or attempt to manipulate you to their own ends.”
“When I was a boy growing up in the Alur Meriki,” Eskkar said, “every man and woman knew the most important loyalty was to their family. The family first, then kin, then clan. Sometimes the family needs more than we want to give. Sometimes the way will be hard, but honor demands much from each of us. In the north, Sargon risked his life many times to safeguard his wife, Tashanella, and his friends and companions. Then he risked it again by riding to Elam to help protect his mother and father, and his sister and brother. Honor, family honor, should always be your guide in the days and years ahead.”
Eskkar let his gaze rest for a moment on each person at the table. They were, after all, the only people that he truly loved.
“Now I think it is time to enjoy not only our food,” Eskkar said, “but the company each of us gives to the others. May all of you live long lives and achieve great tasks, and keep our family’s honor high.”
“Yes, now we can eat,” Trella said. She summoned the servants, waiting nearby. Soon food covered the table, and the meal began.
“Father, what news comes from Elam?” Tashanella, her hand still resting on Sargon’s arm, asked the question. She knew a messenger had arrived at the Compound just before the repast began.
“Ah, we have just learned that the Elamites have a new ruler,” Eskkar said. “It seems that King Shirudukh was betrayed and murdered in his own palace by General Jedidia, who then seized the throne. Before that, he also managed to slay Lord Modran. With so many deaths in their leaders’ ranks, there will likely be revolts in many of their cities, and long years of fighting amongst themselves. Trella believes the Elamite Empire may not even survive. Meanwhile, your mother and I are working on a suitable gift for the new ruler, one that we think will keep Elam occupied for the future.”
“Yes, we are nearly ready to send a very special message to General Jedidia,” Trella said, “but one that I think the new king will not be happy to receive.”
The talk turned to lighter subjects, as everyone relaxed and enjoyed the first family reunion since the war began.
“Father, I’m curious about one thing,” Sargon said. “Who was the man who first brought the warning of the coming war with Elam? Shouldn’t he receive some praise as well?”