‘Time for what?’ he said disconsolately.
‘Time to organise,’ I replied.
Two days later we were back in Hatra, whose inhabitants appeared relieved when news spread that the Armenians were pulling back north. On the second morning following our arrival back in the city we gathered in the throne room to say our farewells. Diana was as warm-hearted and generous as ever and I was glad that we had saved her city, at least for the moment. My sisters ignored me but I did not care. What were their opinions to me?
‘We will recover those lands that have been lost,’ promised Orodes, standing next to the dais, ‘that I promise. But first we must assist Surena in Gordyene. To this end I have asked King Atrax to send him reinforcements, which he has agreed to do.’
Atrax smiled at Orodes while Aliyeh shook her head.
I saw Gafarn look up and beckon over a dust-covered courier who had entered the room. Gafarn stood as the man walked to the dais, bowed his head and handed him a letter. We watched as my brother returned to his throne, broke the letter’s seal and read the contents. He seemed to visibly wilt as he handed it to Diana and held his head in his hands.
‘What is it, brother? I asked.
A pale Diana handed the latter to Orodes.
‘We have been duped,’ he said softly. ‘This is from Herneus at Assur. While we were engaged in polite conversation with Tigranes it appears that a great host of horse and foot advanced south past Assur towards Seleucia.’
‘Armenians?’ I asked with concern.
‘It appears not,’ replied Orodes. ‘Herneus’ scouts reported that they saw a great banner depicting an eagle clutching a snake in its talons.’
‘It cannot be,’ I said, dumbfounded.
‘It would appear,’ remarked Orodes bitterly, ‘that Mithridates has returned to Parthia.’
Chapter 4
The office was empty and I was alone with my thoughts staring at the map of the empire. They were not good company. I glanced to my right, at the chair that my father had always occupied at the meetings of Hatra’s council. How we needed him now. I looked back at the map. The Armenians controlled the whole of northern Hatra; there was a Roman legion at Zeugma poised to join with their Armenian allies. There were Armenian troops in Gordyene. Roman cavalry and another legion at Emesa still threatened Palmyra, and now Mithridates was marching with an army towards Seleucia. Orodes had sent a courier to the city to warn its governor, the aged General Mardonius, of the approaching threat. His small garrison of a thousand men would not be able to withstand a determined assault, especially as the city’s defences were in a state of disrepair.
I looked at the empty chair. What would you do, father?
‘I’m glad he is not here to witness our misfortune.’
I turned to see Gafarn standing behind me, his slim frame silhouetted in the doorway.
‘Hatra was the strongest kingdom in the empire once, a bulwark against external foes and a stabilising factor in Parthia’s internal affairs, and now it lies prostrate and helpless like a new-born lamb.’
I walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. ‘We are not beaten yet, brother. Remember Rhegium.’
He looked perplexed. ‘Rhegium?’
‘Yes, when Crassus had Spartacus and his army penned in like cattle ready for slaughter with their backs against the sea. Well, we turned the tables on Crassus and can do the same again.’
He smiled. ‘Same old Pacorus — defiant in the face of impending doom. You should rule Hatra; it is your birthright.’
He looked directly at me. ‘I would gladly relinquish the throne if it meant that this city and its kingdom were saved.’
I grabbed his shoulders with both hands. ‘You are Hatra’s king, Gafarn, no one else. It is your destiny, just as it is mine never to wear its crown. You have suffered a setback, that is all, but if I have learned anything from the Romans it is not to sit and wait for an enemy but to take the fight to them.’
‘What are you thinking?’
I smiled slyly. ‘That the time for talking is over.’
An hour later everyone was assembled in the office as I stood before them in front of the map. Couriers had arrived from Babylon, Seleucia and Assur with news of the army of Mithridates and its progress. It was marching down the west bank of the River Tigris towards Seleucia, which it would reach in around nine days.
I began pacing up and down. ‘The immediate threat is Mithridates, he obviously intends to capture Seleucia and use it both as a base and a rallying point to mount a challenge against Orodes.’
I nodded at my friend.
‘He seeks to take advantage of our current predicament to become high king once more.’
‘He has no support,’ said Atrax. ‘How then does he intend to capture the high crown?’
‘With the help of his Roman and Armenian allies,’ replied Orodes, his face a mask of anger.
‘That is correct, lord king,’ I continued. ‘We now know that the meeting with Tigranes was a decoy so Mithridates could sneak past us. But we may yet prevail if we act quickly.’
‘What do you have in mind?’ asked Orodes.
I suddenly became aware that I was no longer speaking to my friend, Prince Orodes, but the king of kings of the empire, and that it was not my place to lecture him.
‘It is only an idea, lord king,’ I started to say.
His brow furrowed with annoyance. ‘This is not the time to be standing on ceremony, Pacorus. What use is protocol if there is no Parthian Empire left? Please speak your mind.’
Atrax, Gafarn, Nergal and Praxima nodded in agreement while Gallia looked at me in exasperation.
‘Very well. My plan is to bring the legions from Dura to link up with my horsemen west of this city and then march to Seleucia to fight Mithridates. Hopefully Mardonius will be able to hold the city, but if it falls then I will use Marcus’ engines to batter my way in. Either way, I intend to hunt down and kill Mithridates once and for all.’
‘If you withdraw the legions from Dura,’ said Gallia, ‘you will leave the city undefended. There are still Roman troops at Emesa.’
I looked at Nergal. ‘Not if the King of Mesene takes his army to the city.’
Nergal looked surprised.
‘You were my second-in-command, Nergal,’ I continued. ‘You have also fought beside Malik and Spandarat. They know you and trust you. Who better to be in charge of Dura in my absence? And who better to be the guardian of my family?’
Praxima smiled and Nergal nodded. ‘I accept this responsibility, Pacorus. But what of Hatra? You will be stripping it of the troops we have brought here.’
I tilted my head at Kogan. ‘The garrison can be reinforced by Hatra’s own horse archers, but there is no point in other horsemen being cooped up inside a city. Therefore I propose that Atrax and Orodes concentrate at Assur, which is only two day’s ride from Hatra, but which has ample grazing for horses and camels. Orodes should also assume command of Hatra’s heavy horsemen. They are wasted here. If the Armenians assault the city a relief force can be hastily assembled at Assur, and once I have dealt with Mithridates I will bring Dura’s army back north.’
‘I wish to accompany you south, Pacorus,’ declared Atrax. ‘I have no interest in idling away at Assur while you fight Mithridates.’
I smiled at him as Gallia rolled her eyes.
‘We need you here, my friend,’ I said to him. ‘The Armenians pose the greatest threat to the empire, notwithstanding Mithridates’ inconvenient appearance.’
‘What about the Romans?’ asked Nergal.
‘At the moment there is only one legion at Zeugma and another at Emesa,’ I said. ‘They have already been frustrated in their attempts to capture Palmyra. I see no reason why we cannot do the same with their desire to seize the lands between the Tigris and Euphrates.’
‘So,’ said Orodes, ‘are we all agreed on Pacorus’ plan?’
Atrax nodded, as did Nergal and Gafarn.
‘It is settled then,’ he said. ‘One more thing, Pacorus. You are henceforth lord high general of the empire.’