The completed trenches ensured that his men had only a short distance to cover to reach the base of the city’s walls. During the assault, his bowmen would sweep most of the defenders from their position. This time Chaiyanar expected to overcome any resistance.
Once in control of the city, he would kill every soldier, every able bodied man left alive. No matter how many of his men died in the attempt, he intended to capture Sumer today, before night fell. His commanders had already learned the price they would pay for any failure — they would be executed.
He sipped from his wine cup, as he watched his men’s progress. Yes, today would be the day.
From Sumer’s wall, Jarud and King Gemama observed the same progress. They kept their expressions under control, not wanting to send any discouraging signals to their men. But both knew another attack appeared imminent.
Yesterday’s onslaught had nearly taken the city. Almost five hundred irreplaceable defenders, archers and fighting men, had died holding off the Elamites. Many leaders of ten and twenty had died as well. Neither the King nor his Captain of the Guard felt certain they could hold off another assault.
“When will they come?” King Gemama’s voice held more than a trace of resignation.
“No later than midafternoon.” Jarud’s flat voice showed no emotion, even though his favorite nephew, Jaruman, had taken an arrow in the eye during yesterday’s fighting. Having no son of his own, Jarud had raised the boy when his brother died, treating Jaruman as if he were his own son. “The Elamites will try to get as close as they can before they rush us. But they’ll want enough daylight remaining to finish off any resistance.”
“We can move all of our men to this section,” Gemama said. “We should be able to drive them back.”
“Today they’ll attack in at least two key places, perhaps three,” Jarud said. “We’ll move men around, but we may not have enough soldiers to stop two or three attacks at the same time. Chaiyanar’s commanders will be probing other spots as well. If they see any sections unguarded, they’ll attack those points, too.”
“What can we do?” The King sounded resigned.
“We fight. Better to die fighting than be slaughtered like cattle, or turned into slaves. Besides we’re. .”
“Gemama! Aren’t you going to welcome me to your city?”
Jarud and Gemama turned to see Yavtar on the rampart, striding toward them, a big grin on his face.
Astonished at Yavtar’s presence, Gemama forgot his dignity and threw his arms around his old friend. “Yavtar! How did you get here? Did you. .”
“My boat just docked. Your men were kind enough to open the river gate for me. I was nearby, and thought I’d pay you a visit.” Yavtar nodded to Jarud. “I’m glad to see you’re both alive.”
“Perhaps not for long, Master Trader,” Jarud said, though he, too, had a smile on his face. Stories about Yavtar appearing here and vanishing there abounded. Many thought the wily boat master had sold his spirit to the river demons, who transported him wherever he wished in the dead of night. All the same, Eskkar’s Master of Boats, never went anywhere by chance. “The Elamites are readying another assault.”
“Well, you’ll have to hold them off a little longer,” Yavtar said. “I didn’t risk coming here in daylight just so I could pick up a sword. And I don’t intend to be taken prisoner.”
“You should leave as soon as you can, Yavtar,” Gemama said. “You may not get another chance.”
Yavtar chuckled. “Too late, my friend. By now my boat has already unloaded its supplies and departed for the north.”
“Then you’re trapped here with us,” Gemama said, a sigh of sadness escaping his lips.
The Akkadian trader glanced out over the wall. “I see that Chaiyanar is readying his men for another attack. That’s good.”
“Good? Are you mad? We barely drove them back yesterday.” Gemama’s high pitched voice broke at the end.
“So what news do you bring, Master Trader?” Unlike Sumer’s King, Jarud’s voice held no emotion.
“Well, it seems Chaiyanar hasn’t yet learned that his cavalry has suffered a great defeat two days ago. Those of Simaski’s forces who survived are scattered to the northwest. Meanwhile, Hathor and Naxos are on their way here.”
“What’s happened?” Jarud grasped Yavtar’s shoulder. “Is the Elamite cavalry destroyed?”
Yavtar shrugged. “Hard to say for sure, but definitely dispersed and defeated, according to Hathor. Apparently he and Naxos surprised the Elamites, caught them still asleep at sunrise the day before yesterday. Naxos claims they slaughtered more than half the enemy, captured most of their horses, and broke the rest.”
“Are you certain they’re coming here?” Gemama couldn’t keep the excitement from his voice. “Can they get here in time?”
“Well, that’s what the bloodthirsty Naxos said last night. He said they would be riding at dawn, and should be here sometime after midday. He and Hathor wanted you to be well prepared. So I took ship just before midnight. We sailed throughout the night, and now I’m here to watch the battle. Hopefully Hathor’s cavalry will arrive in time.”
Near Sumer, the wide span of the Tigris meant that boats could move without interference from troops on shore. A fast-moving boat driven by ten or twelve strong rowers could navigate the river by day or night with equal ease.
During daylight hours the vessels stayed in the center of the channel, safely away from the reach of the Elamites. That ability let them far outrange cavalry, which needed to stop and rest the horses.
Jarud gripped the grinning Yavtar by his arms. “By the gods, that’s what we needed to hear!” He turned to Gemama. “I’ll spread the word to our men. Knowing that help is on the way will make them fight harder. We’ll hold out until Hathor arrives. Meanwhile, I think we’ll prepare a few surprises for the Elamites.”
“Before you rush off, I’ve brought you some reinforcements.” Yavtar turned and gestured to a man standing a few paces away. He wore a bow slung across his back and a fat quiver of arrows hung from his hip. “This is Sabatu. He’s been trying to get here for the last few days, but his boat ran aground and he had to turn back. He’s here to fight against Chaiyanar.”
“King Gemama, Lord Jarud.” Sabatu stepped forward and bowed low at the introduction.
“Sabatu knows how to command men,” Yavtar offered, putting his hand on Sabatu’s shoulder. “I promise you, he knows how to use that bow. If you need someone to help lead the fight, you can rely on him.”
“Every man is doubly welcome.” King Gemama’s voice carried his appreciation.
“My nephew was killed yesterday,” Jarud said. “He commanded twenty archers at the main point of attack. More than half his men died or took wounds. They could use someone to lead them who can use a bow.”
“Then I place myself in your service, Lord Jarud.” Sabatu nodded to Yavtar. “Again, my thanks to you for getting me here.”
“Come with me, Sabatu. We’ve got work to do.” Jarud dashed off, racing down the steps and calling for his subcommanders, Sabatu trailing behind.
“Yavtar, you’ve saved us all.” Gemama took a deep breath. “I thought I’d be dead by nightfall. But what of Eskkar and Akkad? Do you have any news?”
“Not much. Two days ago I learned Engineer Alcinor managed to close the Jkarian Pass, so that should keep the Elamites out of the northern territories for a while longer. Other than that — by now Eskkar and Lord Modran are probably locked in battle in the Dellen Pass.”
Both men knew that if Akkad fell, sooner or later, Sumer and Isin would be taken as well.
Yavtar again glanced over the wall, taking his time to study the enemy’s positions. “Not many guards to the north, and less than a thousand cavalry riding patrol, I’d guess. Most of those well south of Sumer and the rest dispersed.” He shook his head. “You think Chaiyanar would have learned his lesson. It’s his Elamites who are about to be caught between your walls and Hathor’s cavalry.”