Clash Of Empires

Chapter 7

Eskkar stared across the table at Trella and Annok-sur, as they delivered the grim tidings. For a moment anger showed on his face. Until now, despite all their preparations for the Elamite invasion, there had always remained a glimmer of hope that it might not happen. After all, any unforeseen event could change Elam’s plans. King Shirudukh might have died, disease or plague might have broken out among his soldiers or cities, or even a crop failure might have upset the Elamite schedule. But the news could not be denied. The enemy was coming.

“You’re sure of the information?” Eskkar kept his voice calm. “And the numbers?”

“Yes, it came from Bracca himself,” Annok-sur said. “Five nights ago, Bracca — he gave the name Tarrata to Steratakis — woke him in the middle of the night. Steratakis was ordered not to leave Sumer before the third day, which is why he just arrived this morning. Likely Bracca wanted to get out of Sumer before anyone noticed a merchant suddenly shutting down his stall and rushing back to Akkad.”

The numbers confirmed Bracca’s first estimate, as well as the routes into the Land Between the Rivers.

“At least we now know who will lead each army,” Eskkar said. “I would have thought that General Jedidia would lead the force to Sumer or Akkad. Everything we’ve learned from Sabatu and the others claimed he was Shirudukh’s ablest general.”

In the last year, Annok-sur had paid deserters from Elam’s armies for information about their leaders, but none had provided as much intelligence as Sabatu.

“Perhaps that is the very reason he was given the fewest soldiers,” Trella said. “King Shirudukh likely does not want his strongest general commanding such a large force, especially one so far from home. With that many soldiers, Jedidia might decide to rule Akkad in his own name, or even return to Elam at the head of an invading army of his own. Better to keep him down, dependent on Shirudukh’s decisions.”

“It seems there are plots everywhere,” Eskkar said. “Still this may help us. Sabatu says that Modran is stubborn and proud. He may not believe that we would dare to challenge him, or that he can be stopped.”

“We have less than three months,” Trella said. “Now we must set all our plans into motion.”

“Yes. I’ll summon all the commanders.” Eskkar leaned back in his chair. The days of indecision and doubt had passed. Knowing the worst always calmed him down. “It’s time to tell them what they’ll be up against.”

“I’ll send word to Sargon,” Trella said. “He should be here as well. Draelin is available, if you approve.” Trella paused for a moment, no doubt thinking of the dangers her son would soon face.

“Yes, but Draelin must return as soon as possible. He will be needed here to help Alcinor.” He sighed. “Sumer and Isin must also be told,” Eskkar said.

“I will have messengers on their way tomorrow at first light,” Trella said. “We promised to tell them the moment we learned something new.”

“What shall I do with Steratakis? There won’t be any more messages, and he knows too much.” Annok-sur’s question caught Eskkar by surprise. He had already forgotten the messenger.

“Send him to Nuzi,” Trella said. “Tooraj can keep him under guard for the next few months. After that, it won’t matter. But warn Steratakis to keep silent. Not a word of this must get out yet, or there will be panic in the City. I don’t even want the name Tarrata mentioned.”

Tooraj commanded all the troops guarding the mine and its surroundings. His soldiers protected each shipment of gold and silver that flowed downstream to Akkad.

“And I must tell Sabatu that Chaiyanar will be coming to Sumer,” Eskkar said. “I promised him that I would give him the chance to fight against his torturer.”

“Orodes must also be told,” Trella said. “He must have time to prepare what he needs.”

Orodes, for managing the mine at Nuzi, received one part out of every hundred that the mine produced. With that tiny fraction, he had become the richest man in Akkad.

“Are you sure he will do as you ask?” Eskkar knew Orodes had grown used to a life of ease.

“Yes, I’m sure Annok-sur and I can convince him,” Trella said. “He does owe us a great deal.”

Eskkar nodded. With Annok-sur present, Orodes would understand the message. “Trella, will you be able to obtain everything that my soldiers will need?”

In many ways, Trella had the most difficult assignment of all. It would fall to her and her clerks to obtain and distribute the vast mountains of supplies and weapons Eskkar required. Food, water, swords, arrows, bows, spears, all those were obvious enough. But she also needed to ensure that the soldiers received clothing, sandals, helmets, leather armor, slings, and bronze bullets for them. In short, all the little things that, lacking, could halt an army or bring it to ruin.

“Yes, my clerks are ready,” Trella said. “When the time is right, I will call on the all the nobles and traders throughout the land for their assistance. They will deliver what we need.”

Eskkar grunted. Yes, they would deliver whatever she asked of them, or they would find themselves waiting for that drop of poison in their cup, or a knife between their ribs. Nor would any dare to risk doing less than his utmost. If Akkad survived, Trella would remember who had not made every effort to support the war.

“Then I will leave Akkad in your hands.” Eskkar felt grateful that at least the long period of inaction had ended. “I will begin my inspection of the training camps tomorrow, to ensure that they are ready.”

“Take care, Husband. Your soldiers will need you more than ever before.”

He nodded. It was still not too late for Elam to try and strike him down. “I’ll be careful, Trella. But from now on, you should not leave the Compound for any reason. We’re all going to need your help if this plan is to succeed.”