will be defended, and the walls of Orak will be higher and stronger than they are now, with many more trained defenders. I’ve seen what can be done to prepare for the onslaught, and we’ve learned much. The future is always shrouded in mystery, but I believe Orak will survive, and it will be the Alur Meriki who are again driven off.”
“How would we get across the river?” Subutai’s subtle question left no doubt as to where the younger man stood. His words would send the same message to his father.
“When you’re ready,” Esk kar went on, “in a few weeks, cross the lines again and come to Orak. We have a ferry to move your men and horses across the river. We’ll watch for your coming and escort you in, lest anyone attack you by mistake.”
“Why do you do all this, Esk kar?” Mesilim countered. “And why are you so concerned about warriors across the great river?”
“If I cannot destroy all the barb… Alur Meriki on the west bank, those who escape will warn the main camp. If even a few survive, it could be disastrous for Orak. A dozen men could set the land ablaze. We’ve no provision for war parties on that side of the Tigris, and we don’t have enough men to guard our livestock. The villagers would lose heart to find their herds destroyed or scattered. We need that livestock to rebuild the herds once the Alur Meriki have gone.”
Esk kar stared into the eyes of the chief. “I need to tell my people I can destroy those Alur Meriki on the west bank and get back to Orak in time to man the walls. I must destroy them completely, and I cannot do so on open ground. I don’t have enough horses or men who know how to ride them. So I need your help to make sure they’re driven into some trap where I can kill them with my archers, and use your warriors to make sure none escape.”
“I will speak of this with Subutai and the other leaders,” Mesilim said.
“We’ll give you an answer by nightfall.” He stood up, then extended his hand to help Esk kar to his feet. “You are… you were born on the steppes.
Now you’ve cast your lot with farmers and herders of goats and sheep, and they will never accept you fully. Do you not wish sometimes to return to the life of a warrior?”
It was not a casual question. Mesilim offered him a choice-Esk kar could ride with them, if he chose.
The offer tempted him, but the thought of Trella banished the idea.
“Many times, Mesilim. Many times I’ve wished to return to the warrior’s life on the plains and steppes. But I’ve lived too long with the villagers, and I’m more used to their ways than those of our fathers. And I have a woman, a gifted one, who calls me back to her side. But if fate is not kind to me, then I will remember your words.”
“Even if you win, can you be sure of how you’ll be treated afterward?”
Mesilim’s concern showed he understood much about villager ways.
“It’s true there is much treachery among the village leaders. But I’ve learned much in the last few months, and my power grows each day. Also my woman gives me good advice in these matters.”
Barbarians thought one woman much like another. They also believed any warrior who listened too carefully to his woman showed weakness.
Nevertheless, Esk kar had referred to Trella as a “gifted one” and perhaps Mesilim understood the power and strength of a woman who occasionally showed such wisdom and strength of character as to be accepted at the council fires.
Mesilim nodded in understanding. “We’ve fought together and we can never break the bond of thanks the Ur Nammu owe you. Now we must decide our own future.” He turned, and his son followed.
Esk kar’s men waited, curiosity whetted by watching the four men speak for almost two hours. He stopped in front of them. “Mesilim has told us everything he knows about the barbarians. I’ve asked him to join us in our fight. If he accepts, I think he can help us. If he chooses another path, then ours will be much harder.”
Esk kar turned toward the sudden activity that had broken out in the camp. In a moment Esk kar understood the commotion. “Enough for now.
It’s time to divide the spoils.”
That task took the rest of the morning and lasted into the afternoon at a maddeningly slow pace. Esk kar forced himself to smile and remain patient. The spoils were divided equitably, with Esk kar’s men getting a little more than what he would have considered their due, so no one complained. Esk kar’s share filled a sack. Trella would find good use for the gold and jewels.
The kills had to be counted as well, another involved task that required much sifting of evidence as to who killed whom, how it was done, and who witnessed it. Esk kar received credit for eight kills, though he doubted the number was that high. He certainly hadn’t killed the last warrior himself, though both he and Subutai received equal credit for that body. The highest number of kills went to Mitrac, whose arrows were found in fourteen bodies, plus more than a half dozen horses. Esk kar thanked whatever gods protected archers that no arrow had struck any Ur Nammu. Mesilim personally presented Mitrac with a gold and copper ring of great value, in addition to the double handful of jewels and gold nuggets the boy had earned as his share.
Afterward many Ur Nammu touched Mitrac and his bow for luck, and all wanted to know whether the rest of the villagers had weapons such as his.
Everyone spent the rest of the day eating and resting. Esk kar agreed that his men could use the time to heal their wounds. Subutai persuaded Mitrac to demonstrate his archery skills and some warriors matched him shot for shot until the distance grew too great for their smaller bows. The force of his weapon impressed all the warriors. Even a hit that might not be fatal would send a man to the ground, unable to fight any further.
The feasting extended into the evening with still no decision from Mesilim. Esk kar found himself a little withdrawn from the circle of his men.
Finally he got up and walked over to the stream to relieve himself. Sisuthros came over to join him.
When they finished Esk kar started back, but Sisuthros held his arm, keeping him out of earshot of the men sitting around the fire. “Captain, I would speak with you. There’s something I have to say.”
Turning to face his commander, Esk kar heard the strain in his voice.
“What is it, Sisuthros? Unhappy with the spoils?” Even in the moonlight, Esk kar saw confusion on the man’s face.
“Captain, I… there is…” He stopped and fumbled for a moment with his belt, then brought out a small pouch he handed to Esk kar. “This is gold, twenty pieces, that I was given before we left Orak. It was understood that another ten would be mine if you didn’t return.”
Esk kar felt his face flush with anger. For a moment he wanted to strike Sisuthros down, kill him for what he’d been planning. But the rage passed.
If it hadn’t been Sisuthros, it would have been someone else. A man always had enemies, and as Esk kar grew more powerful, the number of enemies would increase. Besides, he needed a fighter like Sisuthros, both now and probably even more in the future.
Esk kar hefted the pouch in his hand. “Thirty gold pieces. That’s a great amount of gold.” He handed the pouch back. There wasn’t much light, but he detected surprise on the man’s face.
“Don’t you want to know who gave this gold to me? Or why?”
“I already know, Sisuthros, even before we left Orak. That’s why I selected you to come with me. Caldor isn’t very careful with his words.
Nicar’s whelp should keep his mouth shut.”
Sisuthros’s eyes widened in astonishment. Esk kar remembered Trella’s words-always act as if you know more than you’re saying. “Who else of the nobles approached you?”
“Nestor. I was in the tavern one night, and they bought wine, then we went for a walk. They said you were no longer needed, that others could take over now that the preparation was well begun. They worry you will have too much power and will turn on them once the barbarians are gone.
That is, Nestor fears that. Caldor hates you for some other reason. His anger is strong, Esk kar.”
“It’s because of Trella. He’s insulted that she’s quicker in her wits than he, and that she’s listened to by the Families. He wanted her when she was in Nicar’s house. Now he wants me dead to have her for himself. He cares nothing about the future of Orak, and he’s too stupid to see he might be destroying someone who could save his life.”
“Trella befriended my wife and watched over my child.” Sisuthros’s voice hardened as he caught the drift of Esk kar’s words. “I didn’t know he lusted after her. You’re right, he is a fool.”
