King Gotarzes, a friend and ally of my father who had been killed by Narses and Mithridates during the civil war, had formerly ruled Elymais. Mithridates had subsequently taken over the kingdom but since his overthrow Orodes had ruled it. I heard footsteps and saw Silaces enter the room.
‘Welcome Silaces,’ said Orodes, ‘please take a seat.’
He pointed at an empty chair beside me that Silaces walked to after bowing his head to Orodes.
‘The office of king of kings is an onerous one,’ said Orodes, who remained standing, ‘though one of the more agreeable privileges that comes with it is the ability to reward loyalty and courage. Silaces, you have never faltered in your loyalty to your dead king or your homeland. During the terrible years of civil strife when you and your men were exiles from Elymais you continued to serve the allies of your kingdom, first with Pacorus and then assisting Surena in liberating Gordyene.’
Everyone began rapping their knuckles in the table in agreement, much to the embarrassment of Silaces. Orodes raised his hands to request silence.
He continued. ‘And so as a reward for your unfaltering loyalty I have decided to appoint you King of Elymais. May your reign be long and prosperous.’
Silaces’ mouth opened and closed but no words came out so shocked was he. I slapped him on the shoulder and once again the other kings rapped their knuckles on the table.
Orodes sat down. ‘But I am afraid you and your men are still needed here for the time being so you will not yet be able to sit on your throne. And well done.’
I rose and offered my hand to Silaces who also stood. The others likewise offered him their congratulations and such was the commotion that no one noticed the figure of Surena framed in the doorway.
Dressed in an iron scale armour cuirass, black shirt, black leggings and black boots, he looked like an avenging demon. Gone was the carefree, impious youth I had brought back with me from the great marshlands many years ago. His long black hair was unkempt and his eyes were cold and menacing. In truth I scarcely recognised him.
‘The wanderer returns,’ said Orodes with a trace of mockery. He pointed at an empty chair. ‘We have left a place for you but thought you would not be attending, such is the paucity of communications with Gordyene of late.’
Surena sauntered over to the chair and flopped down in it. ‘I have had important matters to attend to.’
He nodded at Silaces and managed a half-smile in my direction.
‘Is not the summons of the high king important?’ asked an exasperated Gafarn.
Surena snapped his fingers at a slave to indicate he wished to be served wine.
‘Not more important that defending my kingdom, no,’ Surena replied insolently. The company of Sarmatians had clearly not improved his manners.
It was fortunate that Orodes was a master at diplomacy as he let the insult pass and everyone retook their seats. The high king acquainted Surena with what had happened in his absence who was genuinely pleased that Silaces, whom he had fought beside in the liberation of Gordyene, was now the king of Elymais, and thought the plan to send Phriapatius north a sensible one.
‘And so the only matter that is left to be resolved is Crassus and the Armenians,’ announced Orodes. ‘We cannot fight one war in the east and another in the west at the same time; the risks are too great. As we are already at war in the east I see no option but to try to postpone conflict in the west until matters in the east have been resolved to our advantage. This being the case I have decided to request a one-year truce with the Romans.’
Atrax, Nergal and Silaces said nothing though Gafarn looked disappointed, which was noticed by Orodes.
‘I realise that the Armenians still have control of the north of your kingdom and Roman troops occupy your western towns, Gafarn, but when the nomads and Yuezhis have been dealt with the full might of the empire can be turned west to eject the Armenians and Romans from Parthian lands.’
Orodes smiled at me. ‘I would like Pacorus to go to Syria to treat with Crassus, a man whom he has had previous dealings with, and persuade him that peace is preferable to war.’
‘How will I do that?’ I enquired.
‘Simple, my friend. Your fame as a great warlord, combined with your position as Parthia’s lord high general and the offer of gold, will be difficult for the Romans to resist.’
I was confused. ‘Gold?’
Orodes leaned back in his chair. ‘This Crassus is a greedy man, that much I know. He covets wealth above all and so I will offer him riches. Ten thousand talents of gold to be precise, if he agrees to twelve months of peace.’
Ten thousand talents was a colossal amount of gold. ‘I did not realise that the treasury at Ctesiphon was so full,’ I said.
Orodes placed his hands behind his head. ‘It isn’t. I will have to request donations from every kingdom in the empire to amass such an amount, but the point is that you dangle it in front of Crassus so he will take the bait.’
‘It will not deter him from wanting to conquer Parthia,’ I said. ‘It will more likely make him more desirous to take possession of a land that has seemingly limitless riches.’
‘But it will buy us time, Pacorus,’ replied Orodes, ‘and at the moment that is a more precious commodity than gold.’
‘You are wrong.’
Surena had contented himself with drinking his wine and seemed not to be taking much notice of proceedings, until now.
‘You have something to say, Surena?’ asked Orodes.
Surena drained his cup and pointed at a slave holding a jug of wine and then at his empty vessel. ‘You waste your time talking to the Romans. I agree that Pacorus, that is King Pacorus, should go to Syria, but he should have an army at his back with which to destroy the legions there and burn Antioch to the ground. That is the only language the Romans understand.’
For a moment everyone thought he was joking but we quickly realised that he was deadly serious.
‘Have you forgotten about the Armenians?’ asked a somewhat discomforted Orodes.
‘The armies of Hatra, Gordyene and Media can take care of the Armenians,’ Surena replied confidently, ‘while Dura’s army, supported by Babylon and Mesene, can lay waste to Syria.’
‘My sources have informed me that Crassus has nine legions in total,’ I said to him, ‘in addition to troops he has raised locally. He can put fifty thousand men into the field.’
‘And you can match those numbers, lord. With your army and your lords you can march with over thirty thousand men, plus the armies of King Nergal and King Orodes, another fifteen thousand men. And there are Haytham’s warriors.’
Gafarn was appalled. ‘Haytham?’
Surena cast him a disparaging glance. ‘It is well known that Dura and Haytham are allies and have assisted each other in their wars. Haytham would gladly provide warriors to plunder Syria.’
‘Just as your men have plundered Armenia?’ said Orodes.
Surena smiled. ‘Of course. Gordyene is no longer troubled by Armenian incursions now that my soldiers have taken the fight to the lands of Artavasdes. The soldiers of this Crassus already sit in some Parthian towns. It is an insult to the empire.’
‘Perhaps we should make you lord high general, Surena,’ said Orodes mockingly.
‘Perhaps you should,’ Surena replied.
‘Careful boy,’ snarled Herneus, ‘just because you’ve butchered a few Armenians does not give you the right to speak to the high king disrespectfully.’
Surena sneered at him. ‘Take care, old man, you might talk your head off its shoulders.’
Herneus jumped up and grasped the hilt of his sword. Surena laughed.
‘Sit down, Herneus!’ commanded Gafarn.
Surena grinned triumphantly at him as the governor of Assur, his cheeks flushed with anger, slowly retook his seat. Nergal looked at me and shook his head.
‘You should have a care who you insult, Surena,’ I said, ‘one day you might need those whom you now mock.’
‘Your behaviour is unacceptable, Surena,’ said Orodes sternly.