stood a few paces away, hand on his sword and watching everyone that passed to and fro.
Meanwhile, Korthac took his seat on the stool, sharing his morning meal of bread and hard cheese with his subcommander. Gem buyers and sellers seldom did business so early, and by now Korthac and his table attracted no more attention than any other dockside trader. He let Hathor take his time retelling his observations and conversations at Ariamus’s camp, speaking between bites, as he related everything he had seen and heard. Both men spoke in Egyptian, and kept their voices low.
“So, Ariamus will be ready,” Korthac said, when Hathor finished up.
“Yes, lord. He may have to sweep the land for the last ten or twenty horses, but by then it won’t matter.”
“And the men you brought back with you? Will they do?”
“I was with Ariamus when he chose them, lord. I tested their skills with the sword myself. They’re all experienced fighters, quick and more than competent. For that much gold, they’ll kill anyone.”
Korthac wanted to speak to them himself, but that would be too dangerous. The four men had spent the night at a small inn only a few paces down the lane from Korthac’s house, with Nebibi keeping an eye on them, to make sure they saw no one and kept their mouths shut.
“Good. Give them their gold, and get them out of the city before noon. And tell them there will be an extra ten gold coins each when they succeed.”
Surprise showed on Hathor’s face. “That much gold… they’ve already agreed to the price.”
“I want to make sure they finish the job. I don’t want them getting up to Bisitun and deciding it’s too dangerous. Besides, there will be plenty of gold to pay them with by the time they get back.” Korthac smiled at the thought. “And tell them if they fail, I’ll offer the same gold to others to hunt them down and bring me their heads. That should help stiffen their nerve.”
“I’ll send them out of the city one by one,” Hathor suggested. “They’ll be less likely to attract attention that way. They need to buy one new horse, to replace the one that went lame.”
“Make sure they know the schedule. They’re to ride hard to Bisitun, and strike as soon as they can. If they delay, they’re of no use to me.”
“I’ve told them, lord. They understand the urgency. They’ll strike as soon as they can.”
“Good. That will mean one less thing to worry about.”
Korthac glanced around, always checking to see who might be watching them. Trella’s spies were everywhere, and not always easy to spot. He put thoughts of the assassins aside.
“Make sure Nebibi has time to study the land across the river this morning. Takany may need a place to hide if he arrives early, or if we need to delay. Get Nebibi on his way back to Takany as soon as the others leave. Will he have any problems traveling alone?”
“No, the land on the west bank is peaceful enough. A few farmers live there, but mostly herders. Nebibi’s got a good horse, and he’ll carry enough food so he won’t have to stop. Less than three days ride, if he avoids the villages.”
“Let’s hope he isn’t murdered by bandits on the way.”
Hathor laughed politely at his lord’s joke. “Is everything ready here, lord?”
“Yes, I’ve nearly finished my list”-Korthac tapped his head with his forefinger-“of those we can use. Rasui, of course. He hates both Trella and Eskkar, thinks they’re upstarts who should both be driven out of Akkad. And five or six of the city’s leading traders, mostly ones who’ve been penalized by Eskkar or the council. I’m sure they’ll all be glad to become part of the new Council of Nobles. They’ll influence their friends to join us. More than enough to build upon.”
“Have you spoken to them yet? I mean, did you tell them what you plan?”
“No, nothing so soon,” Korthac didn’t mind discussing this with Hathor, the only one of his subcommanders with the wits to see the need for subtlety. “But I’ve listened politely to their petty complaints, and offered my sympathy. So they consider me one of their worthy companions. The moment we’ve seized the city, they’ll all thank the gods for the chance to become my followers and take my gold. They’ll gain power and wealth, as well as a chance to pay back their enemies. The rest of the city will hate them, but that’s a small price to pay.”
“Is there anything that can go wrong, lord?”
“Of course,” Korthac said with a laugh. “Eskkar may return, or that Bantor could arrive early. If Gatus’s scouts get wind of Ariamus’s force, that could change everything. But so far, everything seems to…”
“Lord!” The bodyguard called out to Korthac. “Lady Trella is approaching.”
Korthac turned toward the gate, surprised to see Trella on her way toward the docks. Despite her pregnancy, she moved gracefully enough, head held high, surrounded by four Hawk Clan guards and walking beside a man Korthac recognized as a river trader from the south. Nicar accompanied her, and the group walked to the very edge of the river, where Trella and Nicar spoke at some length to the trader.
“Well, our mighty ruler visits even the docks,” Korthac said.
“Her guards look alert enough,” Hathor commented.
“She’s been attacked once before. Pity she survived. Still, I suppose that worked out the best for us.” Korthac studied her guards, and had to admit they knew their business. They faced outward, eyes moving all the time, watching everyone who passed by, especially those who tried to approach Lady Trella.
At last, Trella’s good-byes ended. The trader bowed first to Trella, than Nicar, and trod carefully down the gangway to his boat, where his two-man crew waited, no doubt eager to depart. Trella and Nicar turned away and started wending their way back to the gate. Then Trella caught sight of Korthac, and changed her direction, heading toward him. Nicar, however, continued into the city. In a moment she and her entourage arrived.
“Good morning, Korthac,” she said, bowing slightly.
“Good morning, Lady Trella,” Korthac said, bowing as well. “I haven’t seen you on the docks before.”
“And you are Hathor,” Trella said, giving him a smile. “I remember you from the feast.”
“I am honored, Lady Trella,” Hathor said, bowing low.
“Please, Lady Trella,” Korthac said, “take my stool. And come under the awning. You should not stand in the sun.”
“I’ll take your shade,” she said, “but I’d rather stand. You don’t seem to be doing much trading this morning,” she added, touching the bare table in front of them.
Korthac laughed. “I usually don’t display my wares unless someone shows interest,” he said. He reached inside his pouch and brought out a dozen or so gemstones, which he spread across the table. The stones sparkled in the light: a bright green emerald, three good-sized citrines, a blue sapphire, and two dark red garnets, standing out even among the others.
“The women of Akkad would love to wear any of these, I’m sure,”
Trella said, fingering the darker of the garnets.
“A special price for you, Lady Trella,” Korthac said, smiling.
She shook her head. “No, not until after the birth. Then there will be a reason to celebrate.”
“I look forward to the happy day,” Korthac said. He turned to Hathor.
“You should be about your duties. The sun is rising ever higher.”
“Yes, lord,” Hathor said, and turned to Trella. “You will excuse me, Lady Trella?”
“Of course,” she said, giving him another smile. “I’m sure you still have much to do in your master’s new house.”
Hathor bowed to both of them, and strode off, stepping between the guards as he headed back to the gate.
“I am glad you decided to stay in Akkad,” Trella said. “Your trading will bring benefit to many in the city.”
“I did think about moving farther south,” Korthac said, “but in truth, your city seems to be growing so fast that my business cannot help but grow with it. And your wise administration keeps the people content. I have never seen so large a city with so few thieves and beggars.”
“Many people left the city before the siege began,” Trella said. “Those who remained were willing to risk their lives for a new start. Still, I suppose there will always be some too lazy to work and too ready to steal.
Unfortunately, they prefer to prey on the poor and weak.”
“Why wouldn’t they steal from the rich?”
“Look at yourself, Korthac,” Trella said. “Unlike the poor, you have guards to protect you. And where could a
