Carrhae Read Free Page B

Gafarn?’ asked Gallia.
    ‘That I will wait until I receive word from Orodes,’ I replied, and then pointed to a scribe waiting for instructions.
    ‘He will expect you to reply that you are marching to Hatra straight away.’
    ‘It would be better to wait for Orodes and Nergal,’ I reiterated. ‘Our combined forces joined with Hatra’s will be more than a match for the Armenians, who have yet to make any moves aside from declaring war on the empire.’
    I again indicated to the scribe that I was ready to begin dictating when Dobbai ambled into the room, and proceeding to ignore us walked over to the table Rsan was standing by, a rolled parchment in her hand. Ignoring him she picked up the crucible of wax that was being heated over an oil lamp and poured some on the parchment to seal it, then took the wax stamp and pressed it into the hot substance. By now everyone in the room was looking at her as she went about her business seemingly oblivious to our presence.
    I cleared my throat. ‘In case you had not noticed I am in the middle of important business.’
    Dobbai gestured to one of the waiting couriers, who looked at Rsan in confusion.
    ‘Come here, boy,’ she snapped. ‘Take no notice of the tallyman.’
    Rsan glowered at her then turned to face me. ‘Majesty, I really must protest.’
    I held up a palm to the courier. ‘These riders carry letters that concern the affairs of the empire, Dobbai.’
    She looked at me with pursed lips and held up the parchment. ‘ This is also important, son of Hatra, and must reach its destination speedily.’
    Rsan was now beside himself with anger at being treated so disrespectfully in front of everyone and gestured to the two guards standing by the closed doors to the chamber to come forward. He pointed at Dobbai.
    ‘Escort her to the palace’s private wing.’
    Dobbai spun on her heels to face the approaching legionaries.
    ‘Touch me,’ she said, ‘and your balls will wither to nothing and maggots will grow in your bellies.’
    The two men, veterans of many battles, froze and looked at each other and then at me in alarm, while beside me Gallia suppressed a giggle. I frowned at her before waving the guards back to their posts.
    ‘May I enquire the nature of the important business that is contained in the despatch you are holding?’
    Dobbai turned to face me, a self-satisfied smug look on her face. ‘You may enquire and I may choose to ignore you. But suffice to say that it will be to your advantage in the coming struggle with your enemies.’
    She again waved forward one of the couriers and I shook my head at Rsan who was about to protest. Dobbai handed the man the parchment and leaned towards him to whisper something in his ear.
    ‘The post station in Neh will know where to send it once it has reached there.’
    ‘Neh!’ I said loudly. ‘That is at the other end of the empire. What possible business can you have in Neh?’
    Dobbai ignored me and continued speaking to the courier. ‘Go now and may the gods protect you.’
    He bowed his head to her and then walked from the hall, the guards closing the doors behind him as he left. Dobbai grimaced at Rsan and wandered back towards the private wing of the palace.
    ‘Are you going to say anything further on this matter?’ I asked.
    ‘I would,’ she replied, ‘only you have more pressing matters to attend to.’
    I looked at Gallia and shook my head. Dobbai disappeared behind the door at the rear of the throne room leading to the wing that contained our sleeping quarters just as muffled voices came from behind the closed doors of the main entrance. They swung open to reveal the figure of Byrd.
    Rsan looked nonplussed as my chief scout strode towards the dais and halted before me. His swarthy face and slovenly attire were covered in dust and it was obvious he had been in the saddle for hours. He nodded at Gallia and then me.
    ‘Romani are going to invade Haytham’s kingdom,’ he announced without emotion.
    I