She didn’t answer. Eskkar left the bedroom, straightened his sword, and brushed the hair back from his eyes. When he stepped outside into the bright sunlight, a shout arose from his men, and the villagers echoed the cheer. “Deliverer… deliverer… deliverer.”
Sisuthros had prepared well for his meeting with the village council. He’d joined four tables end-to-end, and sat in the center of the just-formed council of elders, who faced outward toward the square and the rest of the villagers. At last all of the important farmers arrived. Sisuthros called the council of five to order, and, with a loud voice, began listing the charges against Ninazu and his men.
Every soldier not on watch at the gates or corral gathered as well, and Sisuthros used them to guard the prisoners or keep the villagers back, away from the tables. Grond, carrying the last stool from the house, followed his captain outside. Eskkar took a seat behind and a few paces from the table, his back to the side of the house, determined to take as little part in the proceedings as possible.
The crowd interrupted Sisuthros after every charge, shouting approval, or calling down curses on Ninazu. At the end of the indictment, Sisuthros called for silence, then announced that the rest of Bisitun could add their own complaints to the grievances. After everyone had voiced their accusations, Sisuthros and the council would apportion justice to Ninazu and his men. After dealing with the bandits, the council would supervise the return of the stolen property to the villagers.
Sisuthros gave the order, and two guards dragged Ninazu out into the sunlight. A furious shout arose from the crowd and echoed around the square. They shouted curses at Ninazu, and it took four soldiers with drawn swords to keep the villagers back as two men half-carried the prisoner into the open space before the tables.
Another soldier pushed a low cart into the center of the square. They bound Ninazu to the side of the wagon, finishing up with a gag over his mouth, to make sure he couldn’t call down curses against his accusers during the proceedings. Other guards took positions in front of him, facing the crowd, alert and determined to make sure no one seeking private vengeance attacked the helpless Ninazu with a knife or sword.
The process began, though it moved too slowly for Eskkar’s liking.
Each of the elders wanted to speak, and Sisuthros had to cut two of them short when they rambled on, venting their hatred. When the elders finished, the villagers came forward, pushing and shoving, one by one, to list their charges against Ninazu.
Every man and woman in the square seemed to have a personal grievance against the bandit. The sun had marched nearly to the top of the sky before Sisuthros rose and announced that the council had heard enough, and that Lord Eskkar wished to speak. For the fi rst time the villagers quieted down, not knowing what would come next.
Eskkar stood and walked toward the elders. When he reached the tables, he climbed smoothly atop one and turned to face the people. He hated talking to crowds, but he had prepared his words while the villagers spoke. A breeze pushed his hair against his cheek, and he brushed it back, waiting until everyone stopped talking.
For the first time, the inhabitants of Bisitun got a good look at their new lord. They stared open-mouthed at the tall warrior, one hand resting on the hilt of the great sword, a man clearly born in the northern steppes, and who now ruled their lives. Eskkar’s eyes slowly scanned the square, gazing, it seemed, at every single person who faced him. When he spoke, his deep voice carried even to those farthest away.
“People of Bisitun, I, too, have grievances against Ninazu. I will speak for the people of Dilgarth, who have none here to represent their wishes.
At Ninazu’s order, his brother raided and killed many in Dilgarth, and their spirits cry out for vengeance as much as any here. A peaceful village, they had no fighting men to guard them. Today Dilgarth is under the protection of Akkad, as all here are now under the protection of Akkad. I tell you what I told the people of Dilgarth. The days of bandits raiding this countryside are over. From today on, they will be hunted down and killed.
The few still left will soon learn to leave alone any who live under Akkad’s safekeeping. You will be safe in your homes and on your farms. The prosperity that you enjoyed before the coming of the Alur Meriki will return, and this time it will be even greater because of Akkad’s protection.”
He paused to take a breath. Clearly in awe of him, the crowd remained silent, and he felt glad that he had left all the petty details to Sisuthros. It made it easier to play the role of a distant guardian, handing out decisions from above. “Akkad, Dilgarth, and Bisitun, as well as the other small villages, will all work together, trade together, and defend themselves together.”
Eskkar turned to Grond. “Bring Lani and Tippu out.” He raised his voice again. “There are two more to accuse Ninazu. I want all to hear what he has done.” Lifting his arm, he pointed at Lani and Tippu as they walked into the center of the square. Grond supported Tippu, his arm around her waist, but Lani stood alone, her head high, holding Tippu by the hand.
Some in the square called out their displeasure at the sight of the women, a few shouting that they, too, deserved punishment.
“Silence!” Eskkar bellowed the single word, the force of his voice shocking the crowd into stunned silence. He glanced about the square, but none of the villagers dared to meet his eyes, all of them suddenly fearful of his wrath. “Come forward, Lani.”
Ignoring the crowd, she kept her eyes on Eskkar until she reached the tables. Finally the two sisters stood directly in front of Ninazu.
In a clear voice, Lani listed the crimes the bandit leader had done to her and her family. She told the whole story, what had been done to her, giving the names of those murdered and tortured. When she finished, Lani took her sister’s arm, and held her while Tippu added her own grievances, the murder of her betrothed, her rape, and enslavement. Tippu’s tears flowed as she spoke, and only those close by could make out her halting words, spoken in a barely audible voice.
After Tippu finished, Eskkar spoke, raising his voice to make sure everyone heard. “Lani and Tippu are under my protection. Because of them, much of the gold stolen from you was recovered, so all of you should give them thanks. And although they are not from this village, they are to be treated as honorably as anyone here.”
Eskkar jumped down from the table, and this time the crowd shouted approval. He returned to his spot near the wall, while Grond escorted the two sisters back into the house. Meanwhile, Sisuthros queried each council member and asked for his decision.
“Death!” Each in turn called for Ninazu to be put to the torture until he died.
Sisuthros nodded his assent. “Death, at the hands of those whose kin he murdered,” he pronounced in a loud voice, so that everyone present could hear the council’s just decision, one clearly approved by the gods.
“Let the torture begin.” The crowd’s roar of approval filled the square.
The three villagers selected by the elders to administer the torture came forward, eager to get to their task, and wielding small knives such as used for carving, and the mallets and bronze-tipped chisels used by the tanners to decorate their leather goods; the implements would work equally as well for inflicting pain. The guards moved farther apart as the torturers began their work, so that all could see. The crowd called out their curses on Ninazu, and shouted for the pain-givers to hurry their work.
They removed Ninazu’s gag and the torment began. Soon his screams echoed throughout the square. The broken leg made things easier. The slightest touch there instantly overcame any of Ninazu’s efforts to hold in his pain. He passed out several times, but they always revived him by fling-ing a bucket of water in his face. They forced more water down his throat to refresh him, before they started in again, urged on by the crowd.