Chief Suijan, second in command, spoke next. “Young warriors always want to ride to war, to fight for honor and glory. But this is foolish, and even if you succeed in capturing a few horses, by the time you return here, you may well have five thousand mounted dirt eaters close behind you.”
Fashod offered a different, more compelling, objection. “If Eskkar’s Engineer blocked the Jkarian Pass, then we will soon be facing General Jedidia. Even if he decides to return to Sushan, he must come through this place. We may need every warrior to ride against Jedidia.”
Chief Unegen, Chief Chinua, and the other leaders said much the same thing. Too much risk for too little reward.
When the chiefs finished, Garal spoke. “It is true that a raid such as this is dangerous, and with great risk. But I would still like to strike at Modran’s army. If a hundred men cannot be spared, perhaps a handful can yet accomplish much. There may be enough warriors who would be willing to ride beside me.”
Den’rack, who had said nothing, now lifted his hand to draw Bekka’s attention. “Garal is my friend, but I do not believe a few riders can inflict enough damage. Nor can the Ur Nammu risk one hundred horsemen. But perhaps fifty warriors each from the Alur Meriki and the Ur Nammu could ride together. I am certain that at least that many of our warriors would offer to join with me. We would be willing to ride with Garal and Sargon.”
The mention of Sargon’s name reminded Bekka that he had forgotten to ask Eskkar’s son for his reasons for wanting to go. “What does Sargon say?”
“Chief Bekka, I believe we should take one hundred men into the Pass. We have plenty of horses now, enough for two mounts for every rider that goes. But my main reason to want to go is that it may help my father. If the Akkadian line is broken, and the battle lost, Akkad will fall. But perhaps even our sting might turn Lord Modran aside, or just give King Eskkar more time to defend his position. If I fail to do everything in my power to help Akkad’s soldiers, how can I ever face them with honor? And we will not ride merely to capture horses. Remember what your stampede did to the Carchemishi. It broke their ranks and destroyed their will to fight. We might accomplish as much.”
More than two years ago, Bekka had led his Alur Meriki warriors against the Carchemishi invaders who were about to destroy the Ur Nammu.
“I stand with Sargon,” Den’rack said. “If you approve, Sarum, I will find fifty warriors willing to ride with me.”
“Perhaps I was hasty,” Chinua said. “It may be that such a raid is important enough to venture, even weighed against the risk. If Subutai permits, I, too, will ask for fifty volunteers from the Ur Nammu, to ride beside Den’rack and the Alur Meriki.”
Bekka furrowed his brow. He did not want to lose even fifty men. But Sargon had spoken the truth. A small effort might be enough to halt or delay Modran’s advance, and perhaps save the army of Akkad. That meant Bekka and the clans might yet be responsible for Eskkar’s success.
While Bekka had grown friendly enough with the King of Akkad over the last few years, Eskkar’s defeat of the Alur Meriki at the Battle of the Stream still rankled many of Bekka’s warriors.
As Sarum of the Alur Meriki, Bekka had more than fulfilled Eskkar’s demand for men, and he had already broken the Elamite supply line. If he did nothing more, honor would still be satisfied. Still, while a small part of Bekka’s deepest and darkest thoughts wanted Eskkar to be destroyed, Akkad’s King was, after all, an Alur Meriki warrior, one who had offered the hand of friendship to his old clan.
However Eskkar’s defeat would see the Land Between the Rivers turned into another Elamite province. Sooner or later that would deny the northern regions to both the Alur Meriki and the Ur Nammu. With Eskkar and Akkad conquered, the Elamites would turn their vast army against the Alur Meriki, especially after this raid into their own territory. Even the possible loss of fifty warriors meant nothing compared against that.
Bekka lifted his gaze. The long silence had remained unbroken, and every clan chief could guess the conflict that had just taken place within Bekka’s heart. Now every man waited for his decision.
“Den’rack, I will allow you to take fifty warriors with you. All must be volunteers, but I’m sure there are enough young warriors eager to make a name for themselves. If Chief Subutai is willing to risk another fifty men, then the raid against Modran can proceed.”
“Once long ago,” Subutai said, “Eskkar risked his life to help the Ur Nammu. Now I must make the same choice, to help him at his time of great need. Garal may ask for fifty volunteers.”
“Fifty warriors requires a chief to lead them,” Chinua said. “I volunteer to go as well.”
“No. You are needed here.” Subutai’s voice conveyed the force of his decision. “Garal can lead our men. This is his idea, and I see he burns for the chance to fight.”
“I will place our men under Chief Den’rack’s command,” Garal said. “He will lead us with honor.”
“No, that will not be allowed,” Chief Bekka said. “If anything goes wrong, if many Ur Nammu warriors are killed, I want no blame to fall upon Den’rack and the Alur Meriki.”
“I agree with Chief Bekka,” Subutai said. “On so small a raid, the Ur Nammu and Alur Meriki must have a single leader. Sargon should lead the raid, with Den’rack and Garal as his war chieftains. That way, Sargon will bear the responsibility for leading the warriors.”
“That is wise,” Den’rack said. “I accept Sargon to lead the raid. He will command us honorably.”
“I, too, agree,” Chinua said. “His father fights for his life. Sargon will do what must be done.”
“Sargon,” Bekka said, “do you accept command of these warriors? The odds you will face will be daunting.”
Every eye went to Sargon. Surprise still showed on his face at being asked to lead the warriors, a possibility he had never dreamed of. The situation had spun out of control with a few words. Even so, Sargon didn’t hesitate. He’d never considered such a role, but he recovered fast enough.
“I accept command of these brave warriors. I will pray to the gods that I lead them with honor and to victory.”
Bekka and Subutai exchanged glances. The decision was made. If the King’s son died on a foolhardy raid, his blood would not be on their hands.
Sargon had just received his first command.
Chapter 37
The eastern mouth of the Dellen Pass. .
Sargon and his new commanders wasted not a moment. Modran might be sending men back into Elam at any time. Den’rack and Garal quickly chose their men, who then assembled the required weapons, food, and water. At the same time, warriors took their pick of the captured horses. Once again, Sargon would undertake a long and dangerous ride leading a spare mount.
Fifteen additional horses would carry extra supplies, mostly food and water. Some of the supplies would be hidden along the trail, to provide sustenance on the return to Zanbil. The pack horses would provide still more additional mounts should they be needed. The extra horses could be abandoned at the first sign of trouble.
Though the sun had already started its descent, the war party left Zanbil at a fast canter, one hundred men, two hundred and fifteen horses. Two scouts ranged about a mile ahead of the troop, to bring word of any Elamite cavalry or more messengers for Zanbil.
Changing horses twice, they rode until it grew too dark for safe travel. As soon as Sargon swung down from his horse, he asked Garal and Den’rack to join him. To Sargon’s surprise, both Garal and Den’rack brought another warrior with them. Jennat accompanied Garal, and Yassur, the warrior who had spied on the Carchemishi camp two years ago, followed Den’rack.
Garal smiled at Sargon’s look of surprise. “When the leader of a war party speaks with his commanders, it is the custom for each to bring one of his clan brothers with him.”
“Yes, it is as Garal says,” Den’rack agreed. “This way, no commander can claim to have forgotten or misunderstood orders.”