Companions (The Parthian Chronicles) by Peter Darman Read Free Book Online Page B

see what the old hag is babbling about.’
    When we arrived at the palace we found Dobbai, Gallia and Orodes in the throne room, my wife sitting in her high-back seat and Dobbai pacing up and down in front of the dais. A bemused Orodes was standing beside Gallia with arms folded when we walked into the chamber.
    ‘Please close the doors behind you,’ said Dobbai when she saw us.
    I nodded to the guards who shut the doors and retook their positions flanking the entrance. I walked with Domitus to my throne, the general curling his lip at Dobbai as he passed her.
    ‘You received a summons too?’ I remarked to Orodes as I sat down beside a worried Gallia.
    ‘Are you all right?’ I said to her.
    ‘Fine,’ she snapped as Domitus took his place beside me, acknowledging Orodes with a nod.
    Dobbai turned to face us all.
    ‘I understand now. The son of Hatra gave me a coin that came from the south.’ She glared at me. ‘That he should have given me as soon as it came into his possession. But what is done is done. I realised that the coin the Cappadocian pot seller gave to the son of Hatra was a sign from the gods. Today I gave the coin to Enki so that he could return it to its corrupt master.’
    ‘Who’s Enki?’ said Domitus.
    ‘The God of Water,’ replied a serious Orodes.
    ‘Indeed, prince,’ said Dobbai. ‘At least you are acquainted with this land’s deities.’
    She looked down her nose at Domitus. ‘Though the son of Hatra has shown some wisdom regarding forging alliances, and has achieved renown for his battlefield exploits, I have often thought it a weakness that he brought to Dura a ragtag collection of different races who have no knowledge of or respect for Parthia’s gods.’
    Domitus was unconcerned. ‘If your gods are so offended by Dura’s ragtag collection of different races, as you call them, how is it that the kingdom has prospered since we arrived?’
    Dobbai pointed at me. ‘Because he is beloved of the gods, Roman, whereas you are not. So thank your gods that you have the king you do, for as they smile on him so they also smile on you, albeit indirectly.’
    ‘They are too generous,’ Domitus said in mockery.
    ‘Can we get back to the reason why we have all been summoned here,’ I said.
    ‘Patience, son of Hatra,’ said Dobbai. ‘When I travelled down the Euphrates I told the captain of the boat to stop when I saw two horned vipers wrapped round an old log.’
    She scowled at Domitus. ‘For those who are ignorant of such things, Enki’s symbol is two serpents entwined on a staff. I thanked Enki for his divine sign and tossed the coin into the water. After a few moments the water began to foam and the captain of the vessel and his men began to wail like small children. I told them to be quiet else Enki would send a giant turtle to devour them.
    ‘After a few minutes the water became calm and crystal clear. I could see all the way to the bottom of the river and saw shoals of fish and great eels moving across the riverbed. The fish disappeared and I saw the vision of a beautiful fair-haired woman in a white dress with a green sash around her waist. She had a golden wreath around her head and had the wings of a swan. It was the Goddess Nike.’
    ‘Nike is a Greek god,’ said Domitus.
    ‘Very good, Roman,’ remarked Dobbai. ‘I am glad to see that you are not totally ignorant of the gods of other races.’
    ‘What has a Greek goddess to do with Parthia?’ asked Orodes.
    Dobbai smiled. ‘Because, prince, Enki reveals to me that the followers of Nike are marching against the son of Hatra.’
    Domitus laughed. ‘The Greeks are marching against Dura. Well I reckon that by the time they have marched all the way across Asia and Syria they will be in no fit state to fight.’
    ‘Sometimes, Roman,’ spat Dobbai, ‘you display the intellect of a bullock. I did not say that the Greeks were marching against us but the followers of Nike.’
    I looked at Domitus who rolled his eyes.