‘I would like you to be the commander of the expedition,’ I told Surena, ‘and you to be his second-in-command, Silaces.’
Surena clenched his fist in triumph. ‘It would be an honour, lord.’
‘This man was your squire, was he not?’ asked Atrax, which earned him a sneer from Surena.
I laid my hand on Surena’s shoulder. ‘Squire, cataphract, company commander and now the man who leads my horse archers.’
I looked at Silaces. ‘Before I authorise this expedition, I ask for your opinion on this matter for there is no guarantee that it will succeed or that you and your men will live to see its conclusion.’
‘But lord,’ interrupted Surena. I held up a hand to still him.
Silaces looked at me and then the other faces that were staring at him.
‘We are the last remnants of King Gotarzes’ army, majesty, and were it not for you we would no longer be a body of soldiers and he would not be remembered. You have given us back our pride and belief and kept the memory of our king alive. We are honoured to serve you in whatever capacity we can.’
Two days later Surena led eight thousand horsemen towards Gordyene, the whole army drawn up on parade to watch them depart. I sat on Remus with Orodes beside me as the men from Elymais carried the banner of the four-pointed star into Gordyene. Byrd and Malik had left the day before with their scouts to ensure they did not run straight into any large Armenian forces that had remained this side of the Taurus Mountains following our unsuccessful meeting with Tigranes. I told them they were to report back to me immediately after Surena had established a base in Gordyene.
He rode up to us as his new army trotted east, each man carrying three full quivers of arrows and leading a mule loaded with food and fodder for the horses. After they had exhausted their supplies they would receive fresh provisions from Atrax and Vata.
‘Remember, Surena, resist the temptation to take anything from the local population. You have to win them over, not alienate them.’
He nodded. ‘Yes, lord.’
He bit his lip, the first time that I had seen any nervousness in him. But then, this was a great leap he was taking. The responsibility for the lives of eight thousand men must be weighing heavily upon him.
I reached over and laid a hand on his forearm.
‘Above all, remember all the things you have been taught these past few years. And if you believe that your presence in Gordyene is unsustainable then withdraw. There is no shame in retreat, only in refusing to see the blindingly obvious.’
He nodded, bowed his head and then moved forward to join his men.
‘And Surena,’ I called after him.
He stopped and turned in the saddle. ‘Yes, lord?’
‘Good luck.’
He smiled and then galloped away to lead his riders. Thus did Surena’s campaign in Gordyene begin.
As the rear guard of the column disappeared into the distance Domitus ambled over to me.
‘That’s the last we’ll see of them,’ he mused.
‘I think you underestimate Surena,’ I replied. ‘A friend told me that he would be very successful.’
He looked up at me quizzically.
‘It’s a long story, Domitus.’
I had kept any knowledge of Surena’s expedition into Gordyene from my father, as I knew he would have disapproved. He took his own army back to Hatra the day after, visiting me in camp as his cataphracts and horse archers wound their way south with their accompanying squires, mules and camels. Domitus took Vistaspa on an inspection of the camp as I entertained him in my tent.
‘When do you leave for Dura?’
‘In a week or two,’ I replied.
‘Why so long?’
‘I will spend some time with Vata. I have hardly seen him these past few years.
‘No, he has been fully occupied.’
‘You think the Armenians will continue with their raids.’
He looked at me with black-ringed eyes. ‘Undoubtedly.’
‘Then why did you not fight them when you had the chance?’
‘I do not wish to go over that again, Pacorus. I do not seek war with the Armenians. If we had defeated them and perhaps killed Tigranes, what then?’
‘Then you would have had a peaceful northern frontier.’
He shook his head. ‘Then I would have had a Roman army on Hatra’s northern border.’
‘The Romans are preoccupied with their internal squabbles,’ I reassured him.
‘For the moment, yes, but once they have settled their differences they will turn their gaze towards Parthia once more.’
I smiled at him as I thought of the weapons I was supplying to Alexander in Judea. ‘They might have other things to occupy themselves with other than Parthia, father.’
‘You are spending too much time with that sorceress of yours, son, for you speak in riddles. How is the old witch?’
‘Er, old,’ I replied. ‘Gallia likes her company and Claudia adores her, too much I think. How is young Spartacus?’
‘He is growing big and strong and will make a fine warrior. You should come to Hatra and visit him. Your mother, Gafarn and Diana are always complaining that they do not see enough of you.’
‘They are right. I will try not to be so remiss.’
It was an amicable parting between father and son as he left me to rejoin his men on their trek south back to Hatra. Later that day I rode with Orodes to Nisibus to bid farewell to Farhad and Aschek as they too took their armies home. When we arrived at the palace the courtyard was filled with hundreds of horsemen, each one armed with a spear and round, leather-faced wooden shield carrying the emblem of the white horse’s head — Hatra’s symbol. Each man was also armed with a bow and quiver.
A servant took our horses from us at the foot of the palace steps and we went inside the building. In the main hall we encountered Farhad, Atrax, Vata, Aschek and his sons. Vata was bidding them farewell while behind him a large knot of his officers stood in a group waiting for orders. The atmosphere was dripping with anxiety. I gripped Vata’s arm.
‘Problems?’
He ran a hand through his hair.
‘As soon as the kings depart I have a caravan to protect. Four hundred camels loaded with spices, silk and ivory bound for Edessa and then Zeugma. You saw their escort in the courtyard.’
‘Does not the caravan have its own guards?’
He smiled wryly. ‘To keep away a few bandits and thieves, yes, but not enough to fend off an Armenian raiding party.’
He walked over to where Farhad and Aschek stood and bowed his head to them. I followed him and embraced them, then Atrax and Aschek’s sons. Orodes, ever the diplomat, walked with them from the chamber. Atrax told his father he would catch him up as he pulled Vata and me aside.
‘As soon as I get back to Media I will alert the outposts on our northern border to keep watch for Surena’s men.’
‘I will do likewise,’ said Vata. ‘I can send supplies and arrows but no men. I have my hands full as it is.’
I could see that he was agitated by the way his fingers fidgeted by his sides.
‘Are you expecting the caravan to be attacked?’ I asked him.
‘Caravan?’ enquired Atrax.
‘Vata has a large caravan leaving Nisibus and fears it may be attacked.’
‘I have no doubt the Armenians will try something,’ he said, ‘especially after the inconclusive meeting between the king and Tigranes.’
‘How many men are you assigning to its protection?’ I asked.
‘A thousand.’
Atrax was stunned. ‘That many?’
‘I have no choice,’ Vata replied. ‘Any less and it will be too tempting a target.’ He looked at me.
‘I could ask my father to provide you with horsemen,’ offered Atrax.
‘Or perhaps we could entice the Armenians into a trap?’ I suggested.
Vata was perplexed. ‘Trap?’
‘What would happen,’ I continued, ‘if the caravan had few guards?’
Vata laughed. ‘We might as well take the goods it is carrying and leave them on the road for the Armenians to collect at their leisure.’