The doors were closed and my father rose from his throne and stepped from his dais. He stood on the tiled floor and looked at each of the kings in turn before he spoke.
‘My friends, I asked you here because the empire is in great peril. The days of the eighteen kingdoms under the great King of Kings Sinatruces are long gone, and with them the peace, stability and respect for the law that his reign brought and which made the empire strong. Now we have unending war: war with external enemies and war within the empire itself. Last year King of Kings Mithridates launched a war against those of us who sit in this chamber, rulers who had hitherto been loyal and true towards Ctesiphon.’
He held out a hand to me.
‘Others among us have been banished from the empire and their kingdoms traded with our enemies like cheap goods in a market. Only because of the King of Dura’s battlefield skills does his kingdom remain Parthian.’
I smiled at my father.
‘Now Hatra refuses to pay any tribute to Ctesiphon in retaliation for the aggression waged against it by the high king. My fellow kings from Atropaiene, Babylon, Mesene and Media adopt a similar stance.’ He tipped his head at Musa and Khosrou. ‘My brothers the rulers of Margiana and Hyrcania have just returned from a long campaign in the northern wastes against the steppe nomads whom formerly they were at peace with. How bitter must have been the news that gold from Ctesiphon had paid the nomads to attack them.’
I was saddened but not surprised by this revelation; after all, Mithridates had encouraged the Romans to invade Dura. He had now done the same with the northern nomads.
My father continued. ‘The mighty armies of Margiana and Hyrcania have, after more than two years of bloody and constant fighting, cowed the northern barbarians and once more their borders are quiet.
‘But I ask all of you this: how long will it be before our kingdoms are once again attacked, by the Armenians, the Romans, the northern barbarians or by King Narses acting on the orders of Mithridates? An empire that is divided encourages external enemies to be bold. But an empire that is united earns respect and deters aggression.’
‘What you say is true, King Varaz. But how do you propose to remedy the dire situation the empire finds itself in?’ asked Khosrou.
‘How, Khosrou? The removal of Mithridates,’ he replied before retaking his throne.
I reached over to grip Gallia’s arm.
‘Finally,’ I whispered.
‘Stay silent, son of Hatra,’ hissed Dobbai, ‘lest you appear too keen on further bloodshed.’
I kept my counsel as the hall fell silent. Orodes shifted nervously in his seat and Atrax appeared thoughtful while Nergal looked solemn. It was Musa who spoke first. Everything about the King of Hyrcania was large — his round face, his frame wrapped in a great white robe edged with red and gold and his bear-like hands. He rose from his chair and spread his paws out wide.
‘When I received your invitation, Varaz, I knew that I was not coming to Hatra just for a wedding feast, agreeable though it was I have to say. Hyrcania has always been a loyal kingdom to the empire but now that loyalty has been repaid by treachery. Therefore Hyrcania will stand with Hatra in this matter. Let us be rid of Mithridates and make the empire strong again.’
Musa sat down and looked at Khosrou. The King of Margiana, dressed in a simple green shirt, black leggings and tan leather boots, was the opposite of Musa in appearance with his slim frame, hawk-like nose and narrow eyes. He had a long white moustache and white pointed beard that matched the colour of his hair. He stroked his beard before slowly rising from his chair like an angry cobra.
‘I agree with Varaz that the empire, much less Margiana, cannot withstand more conflict, though removing Mithridates, agreeable as it that may be, will require more bloodshed. I am prepared to draw my sword to achieve this end, but there is still one question that remains unanswered. Who will replace him? At the Council of Kings, Varaz, you stated before all the other rulers that you had no wish to wear the high crown.’
‘That is still the case,’ said my father.
Khosrou sat back down. ‘Then what? We cannot be rid of one tyrant only for another, Narses most likely, to take his place.’
‘Perhaps that issue can wait,’ replied my father. ‘I would first know where the others here assembled stand on the issue of removing Mithridates.’
I saw Axsen look at Orodes and nod at him. He rose from his chair. ‘Babylon has suffered grievously from the aggression of Mithridates and Narses, and would support Hatra, Margiana and Hyrcania in their plans. But speaking personally I would also desire that the matter of who replaces Mithridates be settled at this assembly.’
I smiled. Orodes — ever the stickler for procedure!
Nergal rose nervously and added his support to my father’s scheme. That was never in doubt as he was formerly an officer in my father’s army and he still had family members living in Hatra. Atrax also pledged Media’s support to my father’s venture. Aschek rose from his chair and announced that he too was willing to support my father, though with the proviso that Atropaiene had suffered grievously the previous year and therefore would not be able to supply any troops to march against Mithridates.
There was only my voice yet to be heard.
‘What does the King of Dura have to say for himself?’ asked my father.
I began to rise and noticed that Dobbai had her eyes closed and appeared to be asleep. So much for the great decisions that were being taken in this hall! I nodded towards her, rolled my eyes at Gallia and stepped onto the floor.
‘You all know my opinion of Mithridates and Narses. It is no secret that I have never accepted the former as the empire’s high king. I fully support my father’s plan and would march against Ctesiphon tomorrow if I could.’
Musa burst out laughing and Khosrou smiled. I went to retake my seat but Khosrou called after me.
‘Wait. Why should not Pacorus be king of kings?’
I stopped dead and turned to face him, somewhat taken aback. Khosrou stood up.
‘I propose the King of Dura to be the empire’s new high king.’
Musa clapped his bear’s paws and roared with laughter.
‘I second that proposal,’ he bellowed. ‘The empire could do worse.’
Such a ringing endorsement!
I raised my hand to protest but then Nergal jumped up. ‘Mesene also wishes King Pacorus to sit in Ctesiphon.’
I frowned at Nergal but Praxima cheered with delight, as did Viper and Gallia. Aschek then stood.
‘Pacorus has proven himself to be a brave and honourable king. If Varaz does not want the high crown then I say his son should wear it.’
‘I agree,’ added Atrax. ‘I have fought beside Pacorus and know him to be worthy of the high crown.’
I could see that Aliyeh was horrified by the idea that I should become king of kings.
But Orodes added Babylon’s support to my becoming king of kings. My father looked at each of the kings in turn and then at me and smiled. My mother clasped her hands to her face, tears of joy in her eyes.
‘It would appear that nearly half the empire’s kings desire you to be the man to lead Parthia, my son. Very well. Hatra will support this wish.’
‘It is settled, then,’ said Khosrou.
‘It shall not be!’
Dobbai’s voice filled the chamber to still all others. She opened her eyes and stared at me.
‘Sit down, son of Hatra, and stop preening yourself like a peacock.’
Assur and Kogan glowered at her interruption while Gafarn laughed at her rudeness. My mother looked at my father who merely shook his head despairingly. Dobbai pointed at my empty chair to indicate that I should sit in it as she lifted herself up and stepped from the dais. Assur pointed at her with his staff.