“A soldier always wants to fight one last time, Captain.”
“If we can’t hold back the Elamites, you’ll have your chance to fight. But until then, Nuzi’s silver and gold production is far more important than any fighting man, even one as brave as yourself.”
Tooraj grunted in disappointment. “I suppose I am getting too old.”
“As am I,” Eskkar said. “As am I.”
“Tonight we’ll dine at my house,” Tooraj said. “But tomorrow, we’ll have to hold a feast in your honor. They always complain that they seldom see the King.”
Eskkar shrugged. That meant another night of too much food and drink, followed by a long ride the next morning. Tooraj spoke the truth. Both men were getting old when the thought of a long night of drinking and eating held only dread.
The next day, Eskkar, Mitrac, and Tooraj inspected the mine, the smelting pits, the sluices where the impurities were washed away, forges, furnaces, and all the other processes that turned rough ores into silver and bronze. Slaves and criminals worked in the mine itself, and operated most of the fire pits.
Except for serious crimes that called for execution, Akkad sentenced all its criminals to work in the mine at Nuzi. The threat of being forced to labor there helped keep many of the petty criminals and thieves out of the city.
Slaves didn’t last long working in the mine. Few survived more than a year. Most would die at their labor, either by injury or from breathing the fumes. Even so, some of the criminals would serve their sentences and be given their freedom. Soldiers guarded the mine, its output, and the laborers. Fresh soldiers had to be rotated into Nuzi every few months, as the boring task of guarding slaves and protecting the silver tended to wear down even hardened soldiers.
After touring the mine, Eskkar visited the adjacent training camps. He met with commanders and subcommanders, talked to soldiers and men in training, and visited the main archery range. As the day drew to a close, he spoke with the village leaders and farmers, sympathizing with their problems and listening to any complaints. But those were few enough. Everyone who lived near Nuzi shared in its wealth.
The night’s feast took place behind Tooraj’s residence, and several hundred soldiers and their women, as well as villagers attended. Eskkar let himself relax, as he always did, around fighting men. As the evening’s festivities ended, Eskkar said his goodbyes, and entered Tooraj’s house to spend the night. Inside, Eskkar found Mitrac and Sabatu waiting for him.
The two men had sat side by side during the meal, good friends sharing pleasant conversation and an enjoyable dinner. Now Mitrac looked serious, and he excused himself, leaving Eskkar alone with Sabatu.
“My Lord,” Sabatu bowed again, “As you must know, I’ve done everything that you and Daro have asked of me, and I have never asked for payment. But now I wish you to grant me a special favor.”
“No need for that, Sabatu,” Eskkar said. “Whatever it is you want, if it’s in my power, I’ll try to give it to you. It is we, after all, who are in your debt.”
“When the war comes, My Lord, I want to join the fighting. I want to face Chaiyanar in battle, and kill him myself, if I can. Most of all, I want him to know who it is he faces. Give me that, and I will forever be in your debt.”
A simple request, but Eskkar considered his reply with care. He’d seen such situations before. Fanatical men fixed only on revenge tended to make poor decisions in a fight, sometimes risking the lives of those around them. Eskkar stared into Sabatu’s eyes, searching for the hatred that would lead to fatal mistakes. But the man, now fully recovered, met the King’s gaze without flinching.
Eskkar saw the determination in Sabatu’s eyes. “You can have your chance at revenge, Sabatu. But you must place yourself under the orders of one of my other commanders who will face Chaiyanar. You must swear to obey his orders, even if it means postponing your chance for vengeance. For your own good, and for ours, you must not take any foolish chances, at least not until the battle is decided one way or the other. If Chaiyanar catches you alive. .”
Sabatu nodded. “I will obey the commands of the one who faces Chaiyanar, and I will take care, My Lord. No matter what happens in the battle, you have earned my thanks.”
“You are a good soldier, Sabatu. But remember, the first duty of every soldier is to help his side achieve victory and to survive. That is, after all, the best revenge.”
“Yes, I suppose it is, My Lord. If I may, there is one more request I would make. If I do survive, and you achieve your goal of driving back Elam’s armies, then I would like to join you and your family, be part of Akkad.”
“That is one request I gladly grant. No one will be more pleased than Daro to hear of your decision. He already thinks of you as his brother.”
“I am sorry that you did not bring Daro with you. Will he be joining the battle at Sumer?”
“Daro has left Akkad on another, possibly more important task, Sabatu. But I am sure he would wish you good hunting.”
“My Lord, you know it is likely that neither of us will survive the coming battle. I know the numbers of your soldiers. How can you hope for victory against such odds?”
“Well, Sabatu, we’re not dead yet. I have fought in so many battles I’ve lost count of them. And in every one, I was outnumbered. Yet I am still here, and my enemies are vanquished. There is a chance for victory, I promise you that. Don’t throw your life away needlessly.”
“If you say we can win, then I will believe you and heed your words.”
“We can win, Sabatu. It won’t be easy, and we’ll need some luck. But luck favors those who are most prepared for battle, and when the time comes, Akkad will be more than ready. And I for one, would not like to face you and your bow in battle. Until the day arrives, keep practicing your archery.”
Sabatu bowed. When he lifted his head to meet Eskkar’s gaze, all the strength of the soldier within had returned. “That I will, My Lord, that I will.”
Chapter 13
Sargon swung down from his horse and tossed the halter to one of the swarm of young boys who rushed to greet him. He needed only a few steps before he joined the circle of warriors who’d gathered in front of Subutai’s tent. Sargon’s arrival at the Ur Nammu camp was two days late, but he didn’t bother to explain. They would have endured the same rains that slowed his ride north.
His escort of fifty Akkadians hadn’t even settled into their campground. Sargon had ridden straight in, pausing only long enough to rid himself of most of the grime and mud of the journey. Despite the invasion already on the move toward Akkad, Sargon wanted to deliver his words in person. Nor was now the time to allow any possible insult to a free and proud people like the Alur Meriki and Ur Nammu. He would not send an underling to order them to give battle.
He knew all the chiefs waiting for him. Subutai, Fashod, and Chinua of the Ur Nammu. Bekka and Suijan and Unegen from the Alur Meriki. The chiefs, and all their warriors, had gathered at a campsite agreed upon months ago. Far to the north, and at the base of the mountains, its location would save many days of riding when the ride east began.
Sargon bowed to those present, but ignored the usual pleasantries. “The Elamites are on the move. Our spies inform us that they are massing their soldiers and making their final preparations before marching west. Their plan is cross the mountains in two fronts at nearly the same time, to sow confusion in our lands. By now the eastern mouths of both the Jkarian and Dellen Passes have been sealed off to our scouts, and no more word of their actions will be coming through. I expect they’ll start moving toward these lands soon, if they haven’t already started.”
“Then it is time for us to ride east.” Subutai turned to Bekka. “I am ready to join Chief Bekka’s forces.”