Clash Of Empires

Chapter 2

3128 BC, eleven months later . .

The midday sun shone down on the grove of trees, awash in a blaze of spring colors. Eskkar, who had not left Akkad’s mud brick walls in the last ten days, couldn’t help but contrast the farm’s cheerful surroundings with the dull and dirty lanes that separated the crowded structures of the city. Nestled against fields of golden wheat and barley, the white sycamores supported a tall and leafy awning. On the other side of the grove, a stretch of pale green and purple alfalfa waved in the afternoon breeze. Further on, Eskkar glimpsed the soft blue flowers of the hardy flax plant.

The farm sounded a melody of life. Brightly feathered chickens clucked as they hunted through the grass. Birds sang overhead, bees hummed as they hovered over yellow and red tulips, and a light wind from the nearby Tigris River rustled the leaves overhead and wafted the soothing scent of living and growing things. The occasional lowing of cattle from the nearby pasture added to the peaceful sounds and smells so familiar to anyone raised on a farm.

Eskkar, however, had not grown up tilling the soil or herding livestock, but rather, so his barbarian ancestors claimed, on the back of a horse. Years later, and with Trella’s help, he had learned the value of planting and harvesting the earth’s gifts, and how these pleasant fields created the wealth that flowed throughout the Land Between the Rivers. But today Eskkar scarcely noticed these signs of serenity as he paced back and forth, striding from one end of the small grove to the other.

From habit, his eyes took in the terrain around him. To the south, well separated from the main farm house, stood crooked fences and pens that enclosed small herds of sheep and pigs. To the north and east, the crops stretched out over the fertile ground for more than a quarter mile, until they merged with those of the neighboring holding. On the west side, a wider than usual irrigation ditch connected this farmstead to the Tigris, which flowed peacefully along about three hundred paces away. The summer breeze waved the grain back and forth, in a soft, undulating motion.

In a few months, the gleaning and harrowing would begin, and this fall every tiller of the soil expected a bountiful crop yield. As usual, Akkad’s farmers kept their eyes and their thoughts on the coming harvest. Most had forgotten the other activity of men that often followed the end of the annual gathering — preparations for war.

Eskkar and Trella had not forgotten. Her agents in Akkad had already promised a generous price for each basket of grain gleaned from the soil, and much of this would be stored in the granaries that Trella had ordered constructed in the past year. Food, Eskkar knew, was as much a weapon of war as the sword. When the Elamite invasion came, the City would be well prepared to feed the influx of people clamoring to take shelter behind its walls.

In the last two and a half years, the King and Queen of Akkad had taken many other small steps to prepare the City for war, most of them in secret. Now the day had arrived to reveal not only what precautions they had put in place, but to set in motion the plans that they hoped would save their City.

Today, that need had brought them to Yavtar’s extensive farm holding a few miles south of Akkad. Important guests were arriving, and their decisions would determine not only Akkad’s future, but the destiny of all the people and all the cities in the Land Between the Rivers.

Eskkar, his hands clasped behind his back, halted at the edge of the sycamores, and stared at the offshoot of the Tigris. One aspect of this homestead made it different from all the others that dotted the countryside south of Akkad — the weathered quay, long enough to dock three good sized boats, that ran alongside the canal.

Many farms possessed a few warped planks or a rocky stone jetty projecting out into the rivers and streams, big enough for one or two of the small and often precarious boats that carried men, crops, and the occasional animal to nearby markets. But this solidly built docking place could handle river craft capable of plying the Tigris from its headwaters to the Great Southern Sea.

The connection to the river had taken months of backbreaking labor to dig out and line with stones to prevent its collapse. That effort had cost the farm’s owner a goodly sum of gold, but that had presented no problem to Yavtar. Over the last ten years, the Boat Master had become one of the richest men in Akkad. His river trading ventures paid handsomely, and his fleet of ships traveled up and down both the Tigris and Euphrates, as well as many of their smaller tributaries that crossed the land from west to east.

Yavtar also fulfilled another role — advisor to the King and Queen of Akkad. His connections to traders throughout the land provided a steady stream of valuable information. In addition, Yavtar’s wide-ranging boats moved supplies needed for Akkad’s army. And when Trella had sought a quiet place away from the city, Yavtar had volunteered both his services and his farm as a place for today’s meeting.

Even that offer fretted on Eskkar’s nerves. He hated relying on others for anything. Now he had to plot and plan in secret, away from his city, lest anyone guess what he and Trella might be doing.

Nevertheless, he had no choice. Akkad, its people still unaware of the looming danger from the east, could not be saved by their rulers’ efforts alone. The efficient military force he had developed, even the city’s thick and high walls, would not be enough. Eskkar required the help of others, and despite his misgivings and reluctance, the time had come to ask for it.

Today’s meeting, carefully arranged and kept secret from all but a handful of the most trustworthy, would soon begin. Not that Eskkar concerned himself with the beginning. He worried more about how the gathering would end.

“Come and sit with me, Eskkar.” Trella’s voice, soft yet persuasive, sounded appropriate in the grove. She had, after all, grown up surrounded by farms.

Eskkar, far too tense to just sit around and wait, ignored his wife’s suggestion. “This seems a strange place to prepare for a war.”

He rapped his fist on the surface of the large table, sheltered from the warm sun by the trees’ canopy, and big enough to accommodate ten or twelve people. Servants had removed the usual benches that flanked the table, and replaced them with seven mismatched chairs, more appropriate to the expected guests. Trella sat there, alone, going over the maps needed for the meeting one last time.

“This war would come to us whether we prepared or not, Husband. Best not to dwell on what brought us here.”

Trella wore a simple brown dress, and her only jewelry was the silver head band that held her hair away from her eyes. Neither she nor Eskkar had wanted to attract any undue attention today by dressing in more formal clothes. As far as the people of Akkad knew, the King and Queen had gone out riding.

Eskkar returned his gaze to the dock. Only one craft lay tied up there — the ship from Sumer that had arrived not long ago. For a moment, he frowned at the gaudy vessel, decorated with a wide stripe of deep red along its hull, and with the yellow sun of Sumer carved and painted on its prow. To his eyes, a boat should be plain and sturdy, whether built for war or trade. Eskkar disliked men who called attention to themselves.

He took one last look around to make sure everything was in place. The four mud brick houses that sheltered the owner and his servants were a hundred and fifty paces from where Eskkar stood. The servants and laborers had all been sent off to another farm for the day.

Only the sixty Hawk Clan soldiers remained, scarcely noticeable as they patrolled the grove in a wide ring that brought them no closer than two hundred paces, well out of earshot. Rousted from their barracks before dawn, not even Eskkar’s most loyal soldiers knew what today’s meeting portended.

He turned his thoughts back to the grove, and glanced toward the table. His wife showed not the least hint of anxiety, though she had planned and worked for almost two years to prepare for this meeting.

A dog barked, a deep sound powerful enough to frighten a wolf. Eskkar swung around to face the main farmhouse. Yavtar had emerged from the house, accompanied by two men. Each man carried a large platter, covered with a cloth to keep away the flies. The dog, black as a night demon, trotted over and rubbed against his master’s thigh for a moment before it settled down to match Yavtar’s pace.

Eskkar eyed the brute as they approached. Yavtar swore the animal was tame, but Eskkar had some bad experiences in his younger days with farm dogs, and he still distrusted anything that could rip the flesh from a man’s leg with a single bite. The two men accompanying Yavtar appeared to have similar doubts about the dog. They gave the creature plenty of space.

“Lord Eskkar,” Yavtar said when he drew near, “this is King Gemama of Sumer, and the leader of his soldiers, Lord Jarud.”

Gemama, bald, stout, and with a straggly white beard, looked exactly what he was, a rich merchant trader. Perspiration gleamed on his forehead, though he’d done little but walk to the grove. His stomach pressed hard against his spotless tunic stitched with a red and black design.

Once merely one of Sumer’s leading merchants, Gemama had been acclaimed ruler of Sumer by its people nine years ago, albeit encouraged in their choice by Trella’s agents. Yavtar had been one of those agents, and he and Gemama had already been trading partners and friends for many years. Without Akkad’s help, Gemama would have died, murdered by the Queen of Sumer. Instead he became Sumer’s ruler.

His companion, Jarud, had about fifty seasons, and he also looked as expected. A soldier first and last, he’d obviously grown up with a sword in his hand. In the same wave that swept Gemama to the kingship, Jarud rose from a newly assigned Captain of the Guard to commander of Sumer’s soldiers.

To everyone’s surprise, probably including their own, the trader-turned-king and the soldier-turned-leader had grown close over time, and for the last nine years had ruled the city of Sumer together. They had also restored prosperity to the inhabitants, who had suffered long under the harsh rule of their previous despotic and war-hungry leaders.

Eskkar had met neither man before, but numerous messages had passed between the two cities in those nine years. Trella’s agents, of course, had provided many details about Sumer’s leaders.

He forced a smile to his face and bowed to the visitors. “I thank you both for coming. Our other guest should be here soon.” Eskkar reached out and took the platter from King Gemama’s hands. No doubt it had been years since Gemama had lifted anything heavier than a leg of mutton or a slave girl’s breast. “Join us at the table.”

As Eskkar set the platter down, Trella stood. She bowed to the Sumerians, then helped arrange the platters.

“You should not have put our guests to work, Yavtar,” she chided him gently. “I could have carried the platters.”

“My wife just finished preparing them.” Yavtar took a seat at the table, the dog settling at his feet. “And none of us are too proud to carry our own food.”

Trella turned to her husband. “Yavtar has done well with the arrangements. We must find a way to thank him.”

Eskkar gazed at his wife. “I’m sure that asking him to risk his life a few more times will be more than enough thanks.”

She didn’t bother to reply to that. Trella recognized the small signs that indicated Eskkar’s anxiety, though he hid them well. She knew that he would be impassive enough in front of the others.

“It’s good to finally meet you, Lord Eskkar, Lady Trella.” King Gemama eased his bulk onto the largest chair he could find. He tossed the cloth off the nearest platter and inspected its contents — dark dates from the south, a bowl of apples, another of sweet cakes. “Ah, the famous Akkadian sweet cakes. There are none better in the land.”

Trella reached out and removed the other two cloths. The smell of fresh bread rose into the air. There were also bowls of honey for dipping. Two pitchers of water and two of wine completed the preparations.

“It is we who are in your debt, King Gemama.” Trella gave him a warm smile. “Though I am sorry that your visit to our lands comes at this time.”

“Yavtar has told us little, except that grave danger threatens all of us. We decided to accept your invitation, and find out for ourselves.”

“Sumer is peaceful enough.” Jarud broke off a hunk of bread and tested the honey. “No bandits, not even the usual pirate raid or two from the sea.”

A distant horn sounded, a low growl that floated over the water. Everyone glanced toward the canal.

“Naxos must be on his way in.” Yavtar pushed himself to his feet. “I’ll meet him at the jetty. He and Kuara can carry the rest of the food. The two of them will eat most of it anyway.” Yavtar headed back toward his house, to greet and fetch the remainder of their guests. He couldn’t quite manage to keep the smile off his face. The rest of the day promised to be very, very interesting, and he intended to enjoy every moment of it.

On the canal, a boat hove into sight and glided toward the shore, slipping gracefully through the water. The craft flew a pennant from its mast, the emblem of the City of Isin. A second boat appeared in its wake. One of Akkad’s fighting boats escorted the ship from Isin, and the two boats touched the dock at almost the same moment.

Following their orders, the Akkadian crew remained on board. From the other craft, two men jumped to the dock, one tall and powerfully built. He glanced around, left hand on the hilt of his sword, as if expecting trouble. Though Eskkar had not seen him in several years, he recognized King Naxos of Isin, ruler of the second most powerful city in the Land Between the Rivers.

Yavtar greeted the two men at the end of the jetty. But instead of escorting them to the grove, he led them past the house, where Yavtar’s plump wife met them at the door. She handed over two more platters and another pitcher. It took only a moment before the three men were again on their way to the grove.

Jarud chuckled. “That’s a sight I’ll never see again. King Naxos carrying a pitcher of wine.”

Eskkar had to smile as well. “I’m glad I didn’t go to the dock. Yavtar would have me carrying a platter, too.”

Everyone rose to greet the new arrivals. King Naxos, as tall and well-muscled as Eskkar and about the same age, thumped his pitcher down on the table, as if daring anyone to say something. His companion, however, had a broad smile on his face. For many years, Kuara acted as Chief Advisor to Naxos and the City of Isin.

Kuara had about the same number of seasons as Gemama and Yavtar, all in their late fifties. Unlike them, however, he also had fought in several battles. His right hand possessed only a thumb and forefinger, the other fingers sliced off by an enemy sword. As the story went, Kuara had still managed to kill his attacker. A long shock of gray hair reached to his shoulders, and a thick mustache half-covered his mouth.

“We thank you both for coming, King Naxos, Noble Kuara,” Lady Trella said. “Please, sit down. There is water and wine to refresh you.”

Naxos remembered his manners enough to bow. “It is good to see you again, Lady Trella. And you, Eskkar.” His gruff voice sounded out of place in the pleasant glade.

Eskkar bowed as well. Both were rulers of a city, and supposedly of equal rank. But Naxos also knew who held the real power. Akkad, with its ability to call on all the other cities, far outnumbered Isin in numbers and industry. And so Isin had journeyed to Akkad, and not Akkad to Isin.

“Yes, Lord Naxos. Our thanks to you for coming to see us in secret.” Trella’s words would have soothed an angry lion.

She, like Eskkar, understood how touchy Naxos was. Even after nine years, he still resented the fact that Eskkar had once threatened to destroy his city.

As Naxos tried to sit, his sword caught on the seat. Glancing around, he noticed that Eskkar’s sword rested a few paces away, leaning against the white trunk of a nearby sycamore tree. Naxos realized that he was the only one armed. For a moment he struggled with the urge to keep his sword, but he yielded to his better instincts. Unbuckling the scabbard, he shoved the weapon under the table and took his seat, facing Eskkar across the table.

Kuara took the chair to the left of his King. Gemama faced Trella, with Jarud to his right. Yavtar sat at the end of the table, separating himself from the rulers of the three cities.

None of the men questioned Trella’s presence at a gathering of leaders. However valuable her husband’s fighting skills and leadership might be, the rulers of Isin and Sumer knew Trella’s keen wits had guided the City of Akkad for the last fifteen years. Only a fool would reject such a talent, and these men were no fools.

Eskkar waited until everyone had a cup of water or wine at hand. “I asked both Sumer and Isin here to warn you of a danger that threatens us all. An invasion is coming from the east, from the land of the Elamites.” A glance around the table showed that he had their attention. “I’ll let Trella tell you the story. She has gathered most of the information, and knows more about the Elamite threat than anyone.” He smiled. “Besides, that way I won’t forget anything.”

They had agreed before the meeting that Trella should bring the others up to date. Her reputation for reasonableness and honesty would make them more likely to swallow the bitter news. And the leaders of Isin and Sumer were well aware of the role she played in ruling the city of Akkad.

Eskkar would lead the discussion later, which would give Trella a better opportunity to study their guests’ faces and reactions.

“You all know of the land of the Elamites to the east,” Trella began. “Almost two years ago, we learned they were planning to invade the Land Between the Rivers, conquer our cities, and reduce us all to slaves.”

She told them everything, except how they had first learned of the approaching threat from Eskkar’s old companion, Bracca. Step by step Trella explained what her agents had learned, and told them of the preparations that Akkad had already begun. No one spoke, and the only other sound besides her voice was the sighing of the leaves in the trees.

The sun moved a hand’s breadth across the sky before Trella finished. While she delivered the news, Eskkar eyed his visitors. Neither Naxos nor Kuara let anything show on their faces. Jarud looked grave, and Gemama paled as the story unfolded. He broke the silence that followed the last of Trella’s words.

“Are you certain that they are coming against Sumer?”

“They are coming against all of us,” Eskkar said. “It would make no sense for them to invade these lands to attack and capture a single city. The Elamites want all the Land Between the Rivers. Sumer and Akkad will be their first targets, Sumer because of its position on the coast. The Elamites will use it to supply their forces. Then Isin and the others.”

“How sure are you of their numbers?” Kuara’s good hand had tightened on his cup, and he set it down carefully. “Forty to fifty thousand soldiers?”

“The Elamites have more than that number spread out across their empire, possibly another four or five thousand. But they dare not leave their lands unguarded. Most of their cities and villages have been brutally subjugated by King Shirudukh, and their people are ripe for a revolt against their masters.”

“How can they march such a large number of men from Elam to here?” Naxos shook his head. “There’s not enough food to feed them on the way.”

“That’s true. Trella and I have studied their forces as best we can. We believe that they will come at us in three separate armies. One army, probably ten to fifteen thousand, will journey along the coast, supplied by boats along the route, until it reaches Sumer. Once Sumer is taken, their ships will continue bringing supplies and men in, and start taking gold and important prisoners back to Elam.”

As Eskkar spoke, Trella unfolded one of the maps, and spread it out before her. Every head leaned forward. “A second force, and likely the bulk of their army, will come through the Zagros Mountains, through the Dellen pass, straight toward Akkad. Probably about twenty-five thousand men.”

Eskkar traced the path on the map with his finger. “The third force will also come through the mountains, but farther north, through the Jkarian pass. That army will be used to collect supplies along the way, and help resupply the main force, which will be attacking Akkad. The northern force will also prevent any of our own forces escaping in that direction. Probably they will continue west and cross the Tigris and come down the Euphrates, to seal off and capture the cities of Uruk, Lagash, and Nippur. Assuming, of course, that Akkad and Isin have fallen by then.”

“How do you know all this?” Naxos voice held a trace of anger. “When is this all happening?”

Eskkar shrugged. “I can’t be certain of these facts. But during the last two years, we have sent many spies into the Elamite lands. Also, our agents brought back an Elamite commander a year ago, a leader of five hundred accused of treason and sentenced to death. He was forced to watch the torture and murder of his wife and children. In return for a chance to strike a blow against those who killed his kin, he’s told us much about their tactics. With his help, and the latest reports from our spies, we think we’ve worked out Elam’s plan of attack. As for the rest,” Eskkar tapped the map, “it’s what I’d do if I had that many men, and wanted to invade and conquer this land in a single campaign.”

“If I may speak,” Trella said, “this effort is by far the largest the Elamites have undertaken. If it fails, their entire empire may collapse. They know this, which is why they have prepared for so many years. They need to ensure that the invasion succeeds. To accomplish that, they will bring as many soldiers as they can spare. Once they conquer our land, the gold and resources here will support their rule in Elam for many years.”

“And what else did your traitor tell you?” Naxos refilled his cup with wine, and only added a splash of water to it.

If Trella were offended by Naxos’s surly tone, she didn’t show it. “He advised us that his former masters are skilled in the capturing of walled cities. They will bring or construct ramps, ladders, and scaling tools. They also know how to dig beneath a city’s walls, until they collapse. He claimed they had taken over fifteen well defended cities in the Indus alone.”

“But there is no way to defeat such a vast army.” Gemama couldn’t keep the fear out of his voice. “Even if we collected every fighter from all our cities, we could only gather less than half their number.”

“That’s true, Lord Gemama,” Trella said. “And the forces we could raise would not be as well trained as these invaders. I fear that only Akkad and Isin can put soldiers as disciplined into the field.”

“When are they coming?” Kuara’s resigned voice did not reflect the anger of Naxos, his king.

“In the fall, after the harvest. They want the crops from our fields to live on while they conquer our cities.” Trella kept her voice calm. “And their three armies will march at the same time, so that we will have to face them all at once. In less than five months from now, they will be on their way through the Zagros Mountains.”

“Why have you waited so long to tell us?” Gemama’s voice quavered in anger. “You should have warned us as soon as you learned of the danger!”

Eskkar kept his voice calm. “First, we could not be certain they were really coming. We only recently confirmed that the invasion preparations had begun. Second, we needed to learn as much as possible. Otherwise you might not have believed us. And last, we needed to find a way to defeat them.”

“So you do have a plan to stop them?” Jarud spoke for the first time. Like Kuara, he kept whatever he might be feeling out of his voice.

Eskkar glanced from face to face. “I do not plan to defeat them. One city alone cannot resist such numbers. But there may be a way, if the three of us work together, to drive them back across the mountains.”

“And what is this way?” King Naxos’s voice still sounded harsh.

“With my most trusted commanders,” Eskkar began, “I’ve ridden and studied the lands between here and the Zagros Mountains for almost two years, from the far north all the way to the Great Sea. We’ve prepared maps to identify watering places, supply routes, and even likely camp grounds. We have also considered many ways to stop or defeat them.”

Eskkar leaned forward. “But the key to defeating these Elamites is Sumer. If we can drive them away from Sumer’s walls and keep control of the Tigris, we can destroy their main supply route. Without that, they cannot sustain themselves for long in these lands”

“How do you propose to do that,” Naxos repeated his question, his hand a tight fist rapping on the table.

“I don’t propose to do that.” Eskkar leaned back with a smile. “I propose that you do it, King Naxos.”

Naxos’s mouth fell open. For a moment, he remained speechless.

“A daring plan indeed.” Jarud laughed. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“Akkad always has a plan to protect itself.” Naxos regained his composure. “They care nothing about the rest of us.”

“If I may?” Trella gazed at Naxos for a moment. “I was born and raised in Sumeria. Do you think I wish my people to live as slaves under the Elamites?”

“Let me finish,” Eskkar went on. “The enemy will capture and occupy Sumer. They must do that to establish and protect their supply line. It is far easier for them to move men and supplies along the coast. They will offer treaties and guarantees to all the other cities that do not resist them. Once their armies are in place, they will ignore their promises. Remember, they do not come here to live in peace with us. They intend to rule over us as masters. They also want gold, food, horses, everything that a conquering army demands, and in vast quantities. All our people will be reduced to slaves, working for their new masters.”

He turned from Naxos to Gemama. “So even if you surrender, if you offer peace to the Elamites, they will remove you from power. At best, you may be permitted to live, or even to rule as their figurehead for a time, until they no longer need you. But the power of Sumer will be forever crushed and its people enslaved. Thousands of Elamites and their followers will soon occupy the city and its surrounding farms. Alone, your choice is simple — to fight, or surrender.”

Eskkar shifted his gaze back to Naxos. “So it is up to you, King Naxos. If you do not choose to fight the Elamites, the Land Between the Rivers is lost. Akkad will fight to the end, but there can be no victory unless the three of us work together.”

“And if I chose to make peace with them, instead of fighting your battles?”

Even Eskkar understood Naxos’s clenched jaw. The man could scarcely keep his anger in check.

“You must do what is best for yourself and your city, King Naxos.” Trella spoke quickly, before Eskkar could reply to the taunt. “But if you submit to them, consider what role you would play in their plans. For a time, you and Isin’s soldiers would be used to attack the other cities, your men always in the forefront. When your numbers were reduced, they would simply absorb your remaining soldiers into their armies, scattering them among many units and places. That is the way the Elamite army continues to grow. At that time, you would no longer be needed. At best, you might find a place in their army, commanding other soldiers recruited from places they have conquered. But you would never command men from Isin again, and there would be no future for you in their rule, except as a simple soldier. If that is acceptable to you, then you should consider making contact with the Elamites.”

“I believe we already have.” Kuara’s words turned every head, including Naxos’s. “I did not tell you before this, Naxos, but I met with a trader claiming to speak for the Elamites only two days ago. He declared that he wished to increase Isin’s trade with the cities of the Indus. The terms he mentioned were most favorable, exceedingly so. Even as we spoke, two hundred gold coins were delivered to my steward.”

A huge sum, Eskkar knew, and far more than necessary for any mutual trading venture.

“And you did not see fit to tell me of this?” Naxos’s face reddened at this unexpected news from his chief advisor.

“The trader suggested that it might be best for me to keep this between the two of us, for now. Of course, once I had taken his gold, he would assume I was in his debt. Not long after, the demands would have begun. Since I already knew we were to visit Akkad, and I suspected we would hear something like this, I decided to wait. Until now.”

“Do not let your anger cloud your thoughts, King Naxos.” Trella’s soothing voice reduced the tension at the table. “This is indeed how the Elamites work, sowing confusion and distrust among their enemies long before they arrive with their armies.”

The table grew silent. Eskkar followed Trella’s lead, and resisted the urge to speak. These men needed time to digest what they’d heard. To try and rush them into a decision would only fail.

Jarud broke the silence. “I have wives and children in Sumer, as well as many kin. I would not see them live as slaves, nor would I take them and flee to safety without a fight.”

Trella nodded agreement. “There is, after all, no place in the Land Between the Rivers to go. To escape, at least for a time, would mean trusting your lives to strangers and in distant lands. Meanwhile, the Elamites will believe you have fled with all your fortune, so they will offer a bounty to track you down.”

“If there is a way to resist,” Jarud thumped his fist on the table, “then I say fight.”

Eskkar caught the slight movement of Trella’s finger that meant she wanted him to answer. “There is a way to defeat them. The risk will be great. But we will need King Naxos to help us.”

Everyone’s eyes went to the King of Isin. But before Naxos could speak, Kuara cleared his throat. “Like Jarud, I would not flee my home, nor leave my family and friends behind to face a conquering army. And I have fought too many fights against Isin’s enemies to hand her over to a strange overlord.” He glanced at Naxos. “But I too, must see a way to victory.”

This time no one looked toward Naxos. His Chief Advisor had said his piece. Now the final decision belonged to Naxos.

“I will not yield my city to anyone. But I will not fight the battles of others, not unless I see a way to win.”

“You would not be alone,” Trella said. “The men of Akkad and Sumer, and all the other cities, will stand beside you. That is Akkad’s promise.” She glanced at Eskkar.

“I give you my word, Naxos” Eskkar said, “as one warrior to another. I give it to all of you, to fight to defend your cities as fiercely as my own. I cannot promise that we will be victorious, but I believe we have a chance to win. Remember, we do not need to destroy the armies of Elam, just drive them off with such fierceness that they never dare invade our lands again.”

Before Naxos could reply, Jarud spoke. “Akkad has kept its promises to Sumer for more than nine years. Not only that, but they have helped us when we needed it. So if Eskkar and Lady Trella now say it is time to fight, then that is good enough for me.” Jarud turned to his friend. “Are we agreed, Gemama?”

The King of Sumer also glanced around the table, but his gaze came to rest on Yavtar, still sitting away from the others, almost by himself. “You are in favor of this, old friend? That we put our trust in Akkad?”

Yavtar picked up his empty cup and twirled it between his fingers. “Much of the information on the Elamites has come through my agents and traders. We have sent many boats and caravans into the eastern lands. Eskkar speaks the truth about the Elamites’ plans. They come to conquer and enslave.” He set the cup down. “So I make the same promise as King Eskkar. I will stand by you, old friend, to the end.”

Gemama turned toward Naxos for the first time. “Then Jarud and I will fight with Akkad.”

Eskkar understood how hard that decision must have been for the soft merchant turned king. Soldiers, even after they became kings or advisors, understood that there always came a time when you had to fight to keep what you had built. Those who did not grow up with a sword in their hand had to be even braver to go to war.

“Then we will be at your side, King Gemama.” Trella’s voice held an intensity that turned every eye back to her. “Now it is up to you, King Naxos.”

Naxos met her gaze. “I will not bend my knee to any foreign ruler, not as long as I can fight. If there is a way to drive them off, if Sumer and Akkad are united, then Isin will stand with you.”

Eskkar realized that Naxos had at last grasped the full situation. The last nine years of peace had changed the power structure in the Land Between the Rivers. Prosperity, at least for a time, had dimmed the glory of war and conquest. If Naxos did not join them, sooner or later, Akkad and Sumer would deal with him. And Naxos understood that, if it came to a choice, the other cities would choose Akkad, whose intentions had proved peaceful, over Isin.

“Then we are agreed.” Eskkar leaned back in his chair. He felt as if a vast weight had lifted from his shoulders. “Now, let me show you how we can defeat these invaders and drive them back across the mountains.”