herself, the more they relied on their leaders, the safer her unborn child would be. In time, the people would accept her son as their ruler without hesitation.
Assuming, of course, that she carried a male child. If she delivered a baby girl, then she would have to get pregnant again, as soon as possible.
Eskkar needed an heir to carry on his line, just as Akkad needed that same heir for stability, to know that in the coming years, Eskkar’s son, his inheritor, would be there to protect and defend them and their families.
The child’s safety had become even more important than her own.
Trella remembered all too well how she had changed from a noble’s daughter to a slave-trader’s property in a single night. Such a fate must never happen to Eskkar’s sons and daughters. To protect her firstborn, she would change the customs of Akkad to ensure the people felt safe and secure under Eskkar’s rule. Nothing would stand in her way, not the nobles, not the wealthy merchants, not even the soldiers. All of them must bow to Eskkar’s rule, and to her design for building a mighty city.
Patting her stomach to soothe the babe, she followed Nicar and Corio to the door. At the landing, she caught Annok-sur’s eye, and nodded.
With the issue of drafting new laws resolved, only two more items remained before she could enjoy the feast: her separate meetings with Gatus and then Korthac.
A few moments later, Gatus entered the workroom, closing the door behind him.
“What is it, Trella,” he asked. “Is anything wrong?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing, Gatus,” she said, but her face remained serious as she took her seat across from the soldier. “I know your messengers returned this morning, and I wanted a word with you before the feast gets under way.”
At her urging, Gatus had sent a few riders out to check on the two regular patrols guarding Akkad. The patrols rode a gradual circle around the city, returning every five or six days. He’d instructed the messengers to make contact with each patrol. Afterward, the messengers would then ride a great arc to the east and south, looking for any unrest.
“So, is everything in the countryside as it should be? How far did your riders go?”
“The patrols are about forty miles from here, one to the east and the other to the south. They say there’s little trouble anywhere, especially since Eskkar went north. Even the bandits in the west and south seem to have drifted away. Perhaps they heard what happened at Bisitun, and took the lesson to heart.”
“Perhaps. But I’m still troubled by Korthac. We’ve learned little more than what he told us himself that first day we met. The women have failed to learn anything, and even Tammuz and his customers haven’t found a way to get inside his rooms.”
“Maybe there’s nothing to learn,” Gatus said. “Just because he keeps control of his men doesn’t make him dangerous.”
“His treatment of his men is what concerns me. They stay inside, away from women. They don’t gamble in the marketplace, drink in the alehouses, or visit the prostitutes on the river.”
“So he’s a hard taskmaster, but there have been no fights, no thefts. He said he didn’t want them running about until they’d learned the language and customs. They’ve only been here a month or so.”
“Actually, it’s been nearly two months. But I suppose you’re right.”
Trella wasn’t convinced, but she had no facts to argue with Gatus. “Still, I want to be sure the countryside is secure.”
“It’s quieter than it’s ever been. With Eskkar up north, and Bantor following the Alur Meriki to the southeast, the countryside has been swept clean of bandits. Even the lands west of the river are peaceful, and they were mostly untouched by the barbarians. There’s never been much there except isolated farms. Have you heard anything different along the river?”
Each day, boats arrived and departed Akkad, heading for the villages downriver, some going as far as Sumeria and the great ocean.
“No, the villages on the Tigris seem peaceful enough. The boat captains report no unrest, and fewer bandits and pirates than they’re used to seeing.”
Gatus shrugged. “Well, what does it matter? When Eskkar returns in a few weeks, he’ll bring back at least another thirty soldiers, as well as new recruits eager to join Akkad’s soldiers.”
Trella and Gatus had both spoken to Eskkar’s messenger. He’d arrived from Bisitun this morning, bringing news that Eskkar intended to remain up north at least another two or three weeks.
“He seems pleased with his new woman,” Trella said.
Gatus looked down at the floor, and shrugged. “Nothing for you to concern yourself about, Trella. And it’s important that Bisitun be well secured. I’m sure he’ll be back soon enough.”
Trella had learned of Lani’s activities even before Gatus. One of the first messengers from Bisitun had mentioned Lani to his woman, who immediately relayed the information to Trella. At first she hadn’t been concerned, but as the weeks passed, she felt her concern growing. Still, she gave no indication to anyone that she worried about Eskkar’s dalliance.
“I’m sure you’re right, Gatus. But since he remains away, I’m uneasy about the countryside. Could you move the patrols out farther from the city? Say another twenty or thirty miles in every direction?”
“Well, it would take more men and horses. And I’d need more messengers riding back and forth. Do you really think it’s necessary?
“Humor me, then,” she said, leaning toward him and touching his arm.
“And you can tell your riders there will be extra silver for their labors. A few more sweeps before Eskkar returns. Have them increase their distance at least thirty miles.”
“For extra silver, they’ll ride an even larger circle,” he laughed. “I’ll send them out in a day or so…”
She touched his arm again. “Send them tomorrow, Gatus, as soon as they recover from the feast.”
“You’re that concerned about this Korthac?”
“It’s not just him. Besides, you must bear with a pregnant woman. As you say, Eskkar will be back soon, but until then, I find myself often worrying.” She laughed at her own weakness. “Oh, and there’s one more request.
I want a rider for a special assignment, to journey to the far northwest. Do you have anyone you can trust? He’ll need to be a strong horseman and have his wits about him.”
“Will he have to do any fighting?”
“No, merely gather some information. You can offer a gold coin in addition to his regular pay.”
“For that, I’d almost go myself. I’ll talk to some of the men tomorrow, and find one to your liking.”
“Then once again you have my thanks, old friend.” She stood. “And now it’s time to begin the feast. I’ve kept you away from the food and wine long enough.”
She escorted him to the door, and they descended the stairs together.
Annok-sur waited there, along with the servants. The workroom would also be used to entertain guests, and they needed time to prepare it. Trella planned to meet with Korthac there.
As he’d already become one of the city’s more important traders, Korthac had received and accepted her invitation. The Egyptian remained a mystery, keeping to himself and staying aloof from the usual Akkadian ways. Her informers had learned nothing useful.
She wanted to understand Korthac better, to learn firsthand what drove the man. Only then would her curiosity be satisfied. Trella hoped to draw him out during today’s festival. Perhaps wine and exotic foods would help loosen his tongue.
14
Korthac didn’t bring any of his usual bodyguards to the feast.
Instead he brought Hathor, the only one of his three subcommanders who’d accompanied him into Akkad, and the only one with the wits and self-control to act the part. Aside from Hathor’s trips downriver, his primary responsibility entailed keeping the men under control, away from wine, and apart from the locals. Every day that task grew harder, and the men more difficult to keep under discipline. They’d earned their silver, survived the
