advise him.”
“There are many people in Orak, Nicar,” Esk kar said, “and more will come in the years ahead. You told me once that you built Orak and you wanted it to last. Because of your will, I stayed to fight. But many hands will be needed in the future to make your dream come true, and the customs and laws of the village must be more than the whims of the Five Families.”
Esk kar took a breath. “I ask for your help, Nicar, help to make Orak into a great city for all the people who will dwell here, including your own family.”
“I give my help gladly and that of my son, Lesu. He’s a good man and grows in wisdom each day. There will be no blood feud between our families, I swear it.” Nicar paused for a moment. “What is my future?”
Trella had prepared Esk kar for this question. “Tomorrow the three of us will walk the streets of Orak together. That way all can see that there is no anger between us, and that you remain an important voice in Orak’s defense. Once the barbarians are upon us, the people will have other things to think about.”
“And afterward,” Trella added, “they’ll remember only your good works in their behalf.”
Nicar seemed much moved by their words. He stood up and bowed.
“You’re right, Esk kar. I’d forgotten about Orak and its future. That is more important than anything else. And now, Captain… Lady Trella… I thank all the gods that you’re both here in Orak.”
After Nicar had gone, Esk kar left word that they were not to be disturbed, then bolted the door to the outer room.
“So I am to be the strong ruler of Orak. When did you decide that, wife?” As he said the words, he picked her up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
“I did not want your head to swell too greatly,” she answered with a smile as he helped her remove her dress. “Nicar had to be told what his place will be. He’ll be grateful now and give you his support.” She breathed a sigh of pleasure as Esk kar began to run his hands over her body, carefully avoiding the bandaged areas. “And with Nestor terrified of his own plots, he, too, will support you. Along with Corio, who rises in importance every day and owes everything he has to you, there should be no problems from the Families. For a while, at least.”
“Then be quiet, girl, and let’s begin working on the Sixth Family.”
19
Under the noonday sun, sweat covered Esk kar’s half — naked body.
Calluses had formed on his hand to match the grip of his new sword, and in five days he’d shattered half a dozen posts. The fine blade kept a sharp edge, and its weight now felt natural to him. His muscles rippled under his tanned skin. Nothing remained of the soft village life. He’d never been as strong and fit in his life.
Jalen stood breathing hard on the other side of the training post. Each man countered the other’s moves. But instead of striking at each other, the thick wooden beam took the brunt of the parries, thrusts and hacks. Any barbarian who made the mistake of thinking them easy victims would not live long enough to regret his error.
A horse galloping toward them made them look up. No one ran a horse in the crowded streets, unless on urgent matters. As the rider dismounted in a swirl of dust, Esk kar saw the Hawk Clan emblem on his chest.
“Captain, I’ve word from Sisuthros. He’s met the Ur Nammu and asks that you come at once.”
Esk kar muttered thanks to the gods. Time was running out and he had to take a force across the river in a few days, with or without the Ur Nammu. But if they could help…
“Well done, Ugarde. Find yourself another horse. We’ll leave at once.”
He turned to Jalen. “Get ten men ready to ride.” They needed the extra men. Barbarian patrols might be encountered anywhere.
Esk kar checked his new sword, making sure the edge was still keen, then wiped it down with a rag. So far no tarnish spots had developed. Eventually tarnish would cover the blade completely, though Asmar claimed the metal would only become stronger as a result.
At the well Esk kar washed himself down before drinking deeply. He dressed in his leather vest and cap despite the heat. Then he dispatched a messenger to inform Gatus and Trella where he was going.
They rode out of Orak at a gallop, riding the last horses remaining in the village. Four hours of steady riding across the countryside found them many miles from Orak. Riding slower now to conserve the horses, their eyes constantly searched hilltops and horizons looking for dust clouds that might indicate either a friendly patrol or a hostile war party.
Instead they found another Hawk Clan rider coming toward them at an easy canter. He told them that Sisuthros followed only a dozen miles behind. They kept riding, and soon saw four riders approaching them.
They met near a stand of rock that rose above the tall grass. One rider proved to be an Ur Nammu warrior. The man appeared near exhaustion and every rib showed on his chest. He rode a thin pony that looked more spent than its master.
Esk kar dismounted and extended his hand in greeting. He remembered the tribesman from the camp, but hadn’t spoken with him and didn’t recall his name.
“Greetings, Esk kar, war leader of Orak,” the man began formally. “I’m Fashod, sent by Mesilim, to learn if you still seek our aid.”
“I welcome a warrior brother, as I welcome the Ur Nammu. We’ve food and drink for you, but first, tell me of Mesilim. He’s well?”
“Yes, but all are weary and the horses grow weaker each day. As soon as it grows dark, the Ur Nammu will slip past the last of the Alur Meriki patrols,” he paused to spit on the ground at the mention of the name, “to join you in your fight. I’ve shown war leader Sisuthros where they will cross. Now I must inform Mesilim that you await his arrival.”
“Your news is good, Fashod, but first you must rest. We’ve food and water.”
Sisuthros, Esk kar, and Fashod sat together on the sand, apart from the rest of the men, most of whom had never seen a barbarian this close. Jalen stayed with the soldiers and kept reminding them not to stare. Fashod drank thirstily from one of the water skins, then devoured two days’ worth of the bread Esk kar’s men carried.
“That horse doesn’t look strong enough to make it back,” Sisuthros commented. “It’s been pushed for a long time.”
Esk kar nodded. A few weeks of hard riding could finish most horses.
He’d noticed the animal, too, and it started him thinking. “Fashod, take one of our horses in exchange. You may need a strong beast tonight.”
Fashod looked at each man in turn. Until now he’d been polite but aloof, doing his duty as his clan leader ordered it and nothing more. The offer of a horse, even for a temporary exchange, was a signifi cant gesture.
He put down his food and wiped his mouth with the back of his arm.
“Chief Esk kar, I thank you. My mount is a good one and needs only a few days’ rest and grass to recover.”
“Finish your food and drink,” Esk kar said, as he climbed to his feet, thinking the animal would need at least a week to recover. “I’ll go and see to the horse.”
Returning to where Jalen waited, he told him about the horse swap.
“Pick someone small who can walk and ride Fashod’s horse back to Orak.
Get him started at once. Otherwise he’ll get left behind if we have to run.”
Esk kar glanced back at Fashod. “Jalen, I want you to return at once to Orak. If all the Ur Nammu are as bad off as this man, they’re going to need weapons, food, and fresh horses if they’re to fight at all. Tell Trella and Gatus what they need.”
Jalen nodded, and went off to choose a horse for the exchange.
Esk kar returned to Fashod. “A horse will be ready soon, along with extra food. Tell Mesilim we await him here, to escort him to Orak.”
“Mesilim will be pleased,” Fashod said.
Jalen came over, leading a horse stripped down to the halter. Fashod gathered his weapons and the food, and galloped off to the east. A few moments later, Jalen cantered in the opposite direction, quickly passing one of his men who’d started walking Fashod’s horse on the same path.
