The army had recovered its strength after the battle and once more trade had returned to normal, an endless stream of carts and camels filling the road to and from the East and Egypt. No word had come from Ctesiphon and my father had also heard nothing from the court of the King of Kings.
‘They are replenishing their stocks of malice,’ was Dobbai’s comment on the ominous silence.
I had hoped that Narses himself, now in possession of the command that I had held when I had the favour of Phraates, would lead an army against me so that I could destroy him once and for all.
‘Narses has been burned by you before,’ remarked Godarz. ‘I doubt he will try again in the near future, especially since now you have an alliance of other kings behind you.’
‘Exactly,’ I said, ‘and for that reason the time is ripe to strike while I have an opportunity to do so.’
Domitus, as was his wont, often fiddled with his dagger during these meetings. Now he stopped and looked at me. ‘Strike where?’
‘Uruk, of course.’
‘Is that wise, majesty?’ asked Rsan, no doubt already alarmed at the expense of yet another campaign.
‘Very wise, Rsan, and long overdue,’ I replied.
‘I see the reason why you were so keen to retain the engineers now,’ said Domitus.
I told them of my plan to strike southeast and assault the city of Uruk, the capital of Mesene and the stronghold of Chosroes.
‘He thinks he is safe behind his walls,’ I said, ‘but he has reckoned without my siege engines that our Roman allies have agreed to operate.’
‘You would storm the city?’ Nergal looked alarmed.
‘Of course,’ I replied. ‘I do not intend to just sit in front of his walls.’
‘To what end, son of Hatra?’ Even Dobbai was intrigued.
‘To the end of removing Chosroes and sending a message to his allies that Dura is not to be underestimated or insulted.’
‘I think they know that already,’ commented Godarz.
‘I would have a friend sitting on Mesene’s throne,’ I said.
I gave no further details but ordered Domitus to prepare his legions for the march south, which would commence in two weeks, and for Nergal to ready his horse archers. Orodes had been made commander of all the cataphracts, leaving me free to command the whole army, and I asked him to ensure that the heavy cavalry was fully armed and equipped after its exertions in the last battle. I told Godarz that we would be away from Dura for no longer than three months. I also sent word to Palmyra that I would like to see Byrd and Malik and they duly arrived three days later. They were informed of my plan and I asked Malik if he would like to accompany us; he agreed, of course, as did Byrd. Malik, because he liked being a warlord, and Byrd because he liked the company of his friend Malik. I was very pleased to have my old companions with me once more. I also asked Gallia and her Amazons to march with us.
‘What are you up to?’ she said suspiciously.
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Usually you try to keep the Amazons and me for that matter, as far away from your army as possible, but now you wish us to march alongside you.’
‘Of course,’ I replied, ‘is it not natural for a husband to want his beloved wife by his side?’
She was far from convinced. ‘I know that something is afoot, Pacorus, so you might as well tell me.’
I placed two fingers on her lips.
‘All will be revealed, my love, all will be revealed.’
I decided to leave five hundred horse archers behind to stiffen the garrison of five hundred legionaries. I doubted that Dura would be attacked a third time but it was better to be safe than sorry. Nergal was far from happy but his mood lightened when I told him that he would be commanding the lords and their retinues once more.
‘We do not need all their men,’ I told him, ‘if each lord brings a hundred men that will suffice. Kuban will also be coming with us.’
‘Gallia commands his men,’ said Nergal.
‘Not in battle. When it comes to a fight you will lead our friends from Margiana. And get a new shirt and leggings, Nergal. You are, after all, the commander of all my horse.’
‘Yes, lord.’
Nergal had never been one for gaudy uniforms, but it was time he dressed according to his rank. To that end I had the armourers make him a new helmet, a beautiful piece with steel neck guard, cheekguards and silver strips inlaid in its crown. I also ordered him a white cloak edged with silver. He was delighted with these gifts when I presented them to him, though also confused.
‘You are too generous, lord.’
‘Nonsense,’ I replied, ‘you are a great warlord of Parthia now, Nergal, and people need to be reminded of that.’
Praxima was also delighted and said it was about time that her husband was attired according to his rank. After we had finished entertaining them both in the palace, Gallia, still suspicious, questioned me further.
‘Nergal does not need fancy clothes to win the respect of his men,’ she said, ‘he has that already.’
‘I know that,’ I replied, avoiding her eyes.
‘And since we have been here you have cared little how Nergal dresses. So why now?’
‘I just feel that he should look the part, that is all.’
She shook her head. ‘I don’t trust you; I can tell that something is brewing.’
But I would say no more on the matter and that was that. The next day I had an invitation to attend Dobbai in her private chambers. Her room was down the corridor from our own bedroom, though no one ventured past its doors, mostly through fear that they would not come out alive. But I never heard any strange noises that indicated that sorcery was being practised and we never broached the subject of what was in her room out of respect for her. The palace staff had grown quite fond of Dobbai despite her uncouth ways and fierce tongue, and Claudia of course loved her. It was a source of comfort to me that she lived with us, though I knew that at any time she might leave and never be seen again. That said, I liked to think that she was happy here.
I swallowed and then knocked on the doors.
‘Enter.’
I opened one of the doors and walked in. I had expected to be met by a room covered in cobwebs, filthy and with a foul odour. Instead I found a neat and tidy space with a single bed along one wall, two rows of shelves opposite holding neatly arranged scrolls and jars of what I assumed were herbs of some sort, and a table and chair next to the twin doors that opened onto her own balcony. Light and airy, a slight smell of incense entered my nostrils.
‘Why did you summon me?’ I asked.
She smiled. ‘I know what you desire, but I have to tell you that if you march to Mesene the empire will be engulfed in flames.’
‘Chosroes must be punished for his attack against me.’
She shrugged. ‘Is not his defeat and the destruction of his army not punishment enough?’
‘No.’
‘I would advise against it.’
I was in no mood for her games. ‘Why, have the gods spoken to you, threatening divine retribution against me for daring to fight for my kingdom’s freedom?’
She said nothing for a few seconds. ‘Why do you speak of the gods with such disrespect? Has your thirst for revenge dimmed your wits? The gods have been kind to you thus far; it is unwise to insult them.’
‘There is no honour left in the empire,’ I said with disgust.
She doubled up with laughter, placing her hands on her knees.
‘Since when has there been any honour in Parthia, or anywhere else for that matter? What a foolish man you are at times.’
‘Narses and Mithridates must be removed. They will destroy the empire if they are allowed to go unchecked.’
‘Ah, now we come to it. You wish to see Ctesiphon purged of the family of Phraates and its supporters.’