‘These are our clothes, lord,’ I said.
‘Then we will have to get you some new ones,’ said Malik.
Malik furnished us with long, loose-fitting tunics, sleeveless cloaks and head cloths that were held in place by heavy woollen coils. The head cloth was a most useful item as its ends could be wrapped around the face and neck as protection against the sun and wind and being recognised. Thus did we become Agraci for the duration of the expedition.
Aaron was sent ahead to organise the meeting with the Jewish leader and while we waited for his return I informed Haytham of my intention to supply the Jews with weapons, though only if they had enough gold.
‘If, that is, you do not object, lord.’
Haytham was impassive. ‘Why should I object? I do not know what every caravan carries on its way through my kingdom, only that it has paid its tolls in full. If some carry weapons to kill Romans it is of no concern to me.’
‘It might be if the Romans come looking for retribution,’ I said.
He smiled savagely. ‘If they do we will not be here. We are not like you, Pacorus. We can be like phantoms and disappear into the desert. The Romans would wear themselves out looking for us. But you cannot do the same.’
‘It is a risk I must take, lord.’
The next day we rode through Palmyra; a tent city around the oases that turned the desert green. Women in black robes carrying water jugs on their heads walked past us and small children scampered around, grinning mischievously as they pretended the sticks they carried were swords and spears. A long column of men with real weapons and black shields trotted past. Their commander bowed his head at Haytham as he passed the king, then at Malik who rode beside his father. He did not give me, Surena or Domitus a second glance, dressed as we were in similar attire to him. Tents covered the ground either side of us stretching out into the desert.
‘One day there will be a city of stone here,’ I heard myself saying.
‘Not in my lifetime,’ replied Haytham, ‘though perhaps my son will build one.’
‘Only when I am king, father,’ said Malik. ‘And I pray that day will not come for many years.’
Haytham waved away his son’s loyalty.
‘Why do you need more gold, Pacorus?’ asked the king suddenly. ‘Is not Dura rich enough?’
‘Rich enough to pay for its own army, lord, but not wealthy enough to pay for a second one that has taken sanctuary with us.’
‘You prepare to fight another war against Mithridates?’ he probed.
‘I take measures to strengthen my defences, lord,’ I answered.
‘What do you say, Roman?’ Haytham said turning to Domitus.
Domitus swatted away a fly from his face. ‘You can never have enough soldiers, sir, not enough trained ones, anyhow.’
‘When I rode with your queen to save your foot soldiers, Roman,’ Haytham continued, ‘twenty thousand horsemen raised by Dura’s lords rode beside the Agraci. Are they not great warriors?’
‘They are a fearsome lot, sir, that is true. But they do not have the discipline and training of professional soldiers, men who do nothing other than train and drill from dawn till dusk. The lords lead farmers, I lead soldiers.’
‘And this second army,’ said Haytham, ‘are they soldiers or farmers?’
‘They are soldiers, majesty,’ interrupted Surena, which earned him a scowl from Domitus.
‘It is as my impertinent subordinate says, lord,’ I added. ‘They are the remnants of King Gotarzes’ army that was defeated by Narses. Once re-equipped and fully trained they will be formidable warriors once more.’
‘As well as being desirous to avenge the death of their king,’ said Haytham approvingly.
‘Hatred keeps a man strong, sir,’ added Domitus.
‘Indeed,’ mused Haytham.
At length we came to the end of our journey — the tent of Byrd. When I had last been here there was a small corral behind it holding a few camels. Now there were several large enclosures that held many camels. Malik saw me looking at them.
‘Byrd has become a man of substance among us, Pacorus.’
‘So I see.’
When we had dismounted and one of Byrd’s numerous herders took our horses we entered the tent and were received by Byrd and Noora. My friend, chief scout and merchant was as self-effacing as ever, merely nodding to each of us as Noora fussed and made us welcome. We sat cross-legged on the floor as she oversaw half a dozen young women who served us dates, nuts, raisins, milk, flat bread and bowls of butter. I noticed that Byrd positioned himself between Haytham and Malik when we all sat in a circle on the red carpets that covered the floor. Clearly he had some influence with the king now.
As we enjoyed Byrd’s hospitality he told us about the situation in Judea. He had visited the land a few times and informed us that for nearly seventy years, following the fall of the Seleucid Empire, the Jews had been an independent people before a civil war broke out between the princes Hyrcanus and Aristobulus. Both princes appealed to Pompey who was in Syria at the time. This was the same Pompey that I had encountered at Dura’s border four years ago. Pompey had subsequently entered Judea and captured and sacked the city of Jerusalem and installed Hyrcanus as a puppet ruler of Judea.
‘Many Romani soldiers in Judea, Pacorus,’ said Byrd.
‘There are many Roman soldiers everywhere it appears, my friend,’ I answered. ‘What do you know of this Alexander Maccebeus?’
Byrd raised an eyebrow. ‘What I hear is that he hates Romani and wants to free his homeland.’
‘And become king himself, no doubt?’ queried Haytham.
‘He has much support in the south of Judea,’ continued Byrd.
‘But no weapons with which to arm those supporters,’ said Domitus.
‘The question is,’ I said, ‘does he have the gold to do business with us?’
‘That I do not know,’ replied Byrd.
Haytham dipped his bread into some butter. ‘You trust Aaron, Pacorus?’
‘He has nothing to gain by betraying me, lord.’
‘Except a big Roman reward for your capture,’ said Domitus, grabbing a handful of dates from a platter being held by one of Noora’s servants.
I laughed. ‘There is no price on my head, Domitus.’
He finished eating the dates and licked his fingers. ‘Oh, I think there is. Remember you killed Lucius Furius, one of Crassus’ protégés. I think he would be delighted if the King of Dura was taken prisoner and transported back to Rome.’
‘That was years ago,’ I said.
An evil smile crept over Domitus’ face. ‘The Romans never forgive and certainly never forget. Always remember that.’
‘Malik,’ said Haytham, ‘you will go with Pacorus to Judea.’
Byrd nodded approvingly. ‘I will also travel with Pacorus.’
When we were leaving I embraced Noora and thanked her for her hospitality.
‘I hope you do not object to Byrd accompanying us.’
She smiled. ‘I learned long ago not to question my husband’s comings and goings, lord. He has always made it plain that if you had need of him he would answer your summons. You and he have much history.’
‘Yes we do.’ I laid a hand on her arm. ‘I will bring him back. I promise.’
‘Just make sure you bring yourself back, lord.’
I liked Noora. She was a plain-speaking and unassuming individual, not unlike Byrd in fact. Gallia was always trying to persuade them to come and live with us in Dura, and I promised that if they did a house near the palace would be provided for them. But they preferred the simple life, though it grieved me that my chief scout and friend and his wife were living in a tent in the desert.
Haytham’s hard face cracked a smile as we rode back to his tent. ‘Let me tell you about your scout and his wife. At the last count they possessed over two thousand camels that they hire out to the caravans as they pass through, complete with their own drivers. Byrd and Noora are among Palmyra’s wealthiest subjects.’
I was stunned. ‘I had no idea.’