Trella greeted Nicar and Corio when the two nobles entered the upper room. Seating Nicar in the place of honor at the head of the table, she took the chair across from Corio. In the days before the Alur Meriki invasion, Nicar had led the five Noble Families that ruled Orak. Faced with the city’s destruction, and fi nding no one else willing to risk his neck, Nicar selected Eskkar as the new captain of the guard. In addition, he’d given Eskkar a recently acquired slave girl named Trella to be his helpmate and keep him out of the alehouse at night.
Those two decisions, made less than a year ago, created a future none of them could have foreseen, a future brought about by the common people, long without a voice in their daily affairs. Now they acclaimed Eskkar as their leader, and expected him to protect them not only from barbarian invasions, but also from the power and whims of the noble families.
Today Nicar remained the foremost of the Noble Families, but everyone understood who had the real power in Akkad. While Nicar might regret the loss of his authority, Eskkar and Trella had saved not only his city, but his life and that of his family, when the mob had shouted for their death.
Though their roles had reversed, Trella still felt beholden to him. A good man, she grieved that Nicar had aged much in the last six months.
Nearing his sixtieth season, his only remaining son had taken charge of the family’s trading ventures in the last few weeks, lifting that burden from his father. Trella planned to use that situation to her advantage.
“I hope today’s meeting will be brief, Lady Trella,” Corio said, ever in a hurry to be about his business. “It’s already past noon, and the Feast of Ishtar has begun.” He waved his hand toward the window where the sounds of celebration already echoed throughout the courtyard.
“So Ishtar’s priest has reminded me every day for the last few weeks, Corio,” Trella answered. “You and your family are attending the feast tonight?”
She’d arranged a major banquet, the first she’d ever given, to honor the goddess and reward those friends who had stood at Eskkar’s side during the siege. “There will be an abundance of food and wine. Annok-sur has hired the finest cooks and entertainers in the city.”
“Corio’s family accompanied us here, Trella,” Nicar said. “Now, can you tell us why you asked us here early? I assume you have something special to discuss with us?”
“Yes,” Trella said, pushing her hair back from her eyes. “Before Eskkar left, he spoke about proposing a change to our customs, and I wanted to ask your advice before bringing it up at the next council meeting.” Trella preferred to speak the truth whenever possible, though she’d been the one who broached the subject of how to rule Akkad with her husband.
She’d started by asking Eskkar about the customs that governed his former clan.
He told her how each clan’s leader settled disputes as he chose, with no recourse. Confl icts between clan leaders, if not settled by blood, were resolved by the Alur Meriki ruler, often with the help of the full council. Eskkar compared the customs of his barbarian clan with those of the nobles of Akkad. He’d seen enough of the local customs, enforcing them for the nobles before the invasion, and knew how unjustly they could be administered. To her surprise, Eskkar had several suggestions for changing Akkad’s customs and enforcing them less capriciously.
When Trella mentioned changing them into something more permanent, he not only agreed, but suggested they establish similar customs in the north. They spent several hours talking about the way Akkad, Bisitun, and the other northern villages should be ruled. Eskkar had learned the mysteries of the farm as well as those of gold and bronze from Trella, Nicar, and the other nobles, and understood that the more lightly they administered those under their rule, the more wealth would flow to Akkad.
When she’d told Eskkar what she wanted to do, he smiled and wished her luck. She spent the next few weeks preparing for this moment, waiting for exactly the right time to bring the subject before Nicar and Corio, the most influential members of the council of nobles. That time had now arrived. Today’s celebration would provide the most opportune moment to launch such a new concept.
“Well, what changes to our sacred customs are you proposing, Trella?”
Corio’s voice held a hint of humor. “Something new and exciting, I hope.”
“I want to alter the way all of our customs are administered.” She saw Corio glance at Nicar in surprise. “Not so much change them, but establish them as a code of conduct, laws for all the people of Akkad. I want to set them down in writing, so that everyone can know them, and follow them without fear or worry.”
Customs set penalties for crimes, determined the prices paid to the farmers for their produce, and even set the dates for feasts and celebrations. As Akkad had grown more prosperous, customs often changed, and not always for the better. But the nobles had always reserved final say to themselves, and often exempted their own families from the justice they imposed on others.
“Some of the council will object to that,” Nicar commented, straightening in his chair, his voice reflecting the seriousness of her suggestion. “They’ve followed their ways for years, and don’t see any reason to change.”
“Yes, they follow custom when it suits them,” Corio said. “I remember how it was. A price might be agreed upon, the work completed, then the payment reduced or even withheld. And no one to appeal to, either.”
An artisan by trade, Corio had joined the ranks of the nobles when he agreed to build the wall that now surrounded Akkad. For him, the customs had not always operated fairly, something Trella had counted upon.
“It seems to me that prices vary, as well,” Trella said, changing the subject before the two men began arguing about the past. “A bushel of grain set at one price when the nobles deal with each other, and a different price for everyone else.” She had worked with Nicar’s finances, and learned the details of his commerce. “That has led to discontent among the people, as well as disputes in the marketplace.”
The child within her stirred about, and Trella shifted in her chair. She watched Nicar’s eyes for any clues as to his thoughts. This would seem to him like one more way to lessen the authority of the nobles.
“Nobles,” she said, “since Eskkar drove off the Alur Meriki, nearly all of his time has been spent settling disputes over prices, petty crimes, even ownership of homes. You both know him. You know he should be thinking about Akkad’s defense, about building the new wall, not such petty squabbles.”
Neither man said anything. They knew Eskkar had no patience for such matters. “By making Eskkar the final arbiter in such affairs, we waste everyone’s time. If all the customs were written down, turned into laws that applied to all who live within Akkad’s control, think how many hours laboring over such matters could be saved. And if these new laws were administered fairly, I believe trade and farming would increase, with still more benefits to the city’s merchants and traders.”
“And leave Eskkar in a better mood.” Corio laughed.
Even Nicar found a smile at that. “Certainly that would be something to be desired. What exactly are you proposing, Trella?”
“First I want to set the prices for all the common items that are bought, sold, or traded in the marketplace. If farmers know in advance what price they will receive for their produce, they’ll be easier to deal with, and can concentrate on growing their crops, and not worry about what they’ll be paid for them.”
“Including the nobles?” Nicar asked.
“What merchants sell their goods for on the river or in the countryside is their business. But in Akkad they’ll pay one price, a fair price, with no cheating or sharp dealing.”
“And if there is cheating?”
“Then, Nicar, the nobles will face the same penalties as anyone else.
As the customs say, if a man tries to cheat on an exchange, he’s to pay double. That would be the law of Akkad and apply even to the nobles.”
“And all this would be written down? With everyone agreeing to it?”
Corio looked dubious as he leaned on the table. “You’ll need a half-dozen clerks just to keep track of everything.”
Trella shook her head. “I think we’ll probably need about twenty. To keep records of the laws, the penalties, the prices, contracts, the ownership of the land and houses… They’ll have to invent new symbols to record events, and probably new ways of calculating sums.”
“You’re creating a whole new category of apprenticeship,” Nicar said, trying to judge the extent of what Trella had proposed. “This will change everything.”
So it would, Trella knew, and probably to a greater extent than Nicar realized. “It will change our future for the better. Akkad will be a better place to live and work.”
“To train so many clerks… store so many records, you’ll need a new building to house them, their teachers, servants, and families,” Corio mused. “Clay records require large rooms with many shelves to store them.” He fell silent, no doubt already thinking about how he would design and build such a structure.
“Yes, I imagine there is much more about this than I’ve considered.” As ever, she preferred to let others figure out what might be needed, though she and Annok-sur had spent the last few weeks going over the likely impacts on their society. Between them, they’d considered all the ramifica-tions. At least she hoped they’d thought of everything.
“How would you pay for such an undertaking?” Nicar said. “It will be many months before Akkad returns to full prosperity, and even then, this will require much gold.”
“Well, Eskkar will bring in additional taxes from the countryside,”
Trella said. “And those wishing to become clerks will pay for their apprenticeships in advance. That should bring enough to feed and house them.” She turned to Corio. “We would need a place for them to live and work. I was hoping you would build one for us, Corio, and perhaps charge us less than your usual price?”
It took Corio only a moment to understand her meaning. If he didn’t discount the price, she would fi nd another architect. Not that it mattered.
He’d still make a good profit, only a bit less than usual. “Of course, Lady Trella. I would be honored to construct a building for you, say at a discount of one-tenth?”
“That is more than generous, Master Builder. And perhaps you can help determine the prices and penalties for Akkad’s other builders? Along with, of course, the other nobles.” Trella accepted that he would make sure the law favored the artisans, but that would be a small price to pay.
Besides, the poor didn’t pay others to build for them. They built their own huts out of mud. The wealthy had more, and so they would pay more.
She turned to Nicar. “I hope you will help me draft the laws. A common set of laws that will apply to all.”
“How will these laws be administered?” Nicar stroked his beard, a dubious frown on his face.
“I hoped you would tell me, Nicar. I would like the council to appoint someone to oversee the drafting of these new rules, and then preside over their administration. That someone would be responsible only to Eskkar, and would make sure the laws were applied fairly to everyone-noble, merchant, shopkeeper, and farmer alike.”
Corio laughed in understanding. “You’ve been chosen, Nicar. You’ll have to deal with it.”
Nicar clearly hadn’t expected this. “What you ask… why, it will take months… even years. And my business… what would I do?”
“You said yourself that your son is prepared to take over your family’s business,” Trella said, noting the noble’s discomfort. “Perhaps he is readier than you know. Besides, who else in Akkad do the people respect as much as you, Nicar? And you’ll have help. The council will provide whatever you need. I’m sure there are plenty of younger sons, men with their wits about them, who would appreciate the opportunity to serve. As Corio says, this would be a whole new House, a House of Laws, with a staff of clerks and administrators needed to ensure its honest application. You’d be deciding disputes between all of Akkad’s inhabitants.”
“One of my sons is more clerk than artisan,” Corio offered. “He can’t plumb a line to save his life. Any house he builds is certain to fall down sooner or later. But he knows the symbols, and might prefer such an apprenticeship. It would be far better for the boy to be a scribe than a builder.”
“The people trust you, Nicar,” Trella went on. “And the chance to establish a new House, one of your own choosing, accepting only the best and most honest of our people. You would be honored by all.”
“Accept the honor, Nicar,” Corio added. “The other nobles will rely on you to treat them fairly.”
“What would this new position be called?” Nicar asked with a sigh, looking as if he might be tempted in spite of his usual caution.
“I’m not sure,” Trella answered. “Since you’d have to determine the truthfulness of what men say and do, it seemed to me that the title of
‘judge’ would be appropriate. Akkad’s chief judge would be accountable only to Eskkar. He and I believe it is one of the most important duties of a ruler to give just decisions in resolving disputes. You know how much Akkad needs such an office, and who better to fill it.”
“Chief judge of the City of Akkad,” Corio said. “Sounds impressive, doesn’t it?”
It did indeed, Trella agreed. In a few months, certainly less than a year, the title would change to “The lord’s judge,” or even “The king’s judge.”
The title of “king” meant ruler of all the land, one blessed by the gods and dispensing their favor. It had never been used in these lands, but the word
“king” could wait a little longer, until the people grew ready to accept it.
“Say yes, Nicar,” she pleaded, touching his hand with her own. “Your name will be remembered forever in Akkad. And think of all the good you can do.”
He looked from one to the other, and lifted his hands in surrender.
“When do you wish me to begin?”
“Put your affairs in order. In a week or so, we can begin figuring out what will be needed.”
“I thought I would be getting some rest in my old age, Trella. Now you’ll have me working from dawn to dusk.”
Longer than that, Trella thought. “Noble Nicar, I believe this will be as good for you as for the city. We’ll have much to discuss, but we can start whenever you’re ready.”
“Since that’s settled, can we get on with the feast?” Corio’s tone made Nicar and Trella laugh. “I can hear my granddaughter squealing with de-light even from here.”
“Yes, I want to greet your wife and children,” Trella said. “Perhaps I can find some extra treats for them. My thanks to you both.”
When the two men left, Trella felt pleased that one of the day’s more important items had been concluded. Nicar’s honesty would reflect favorably on Eskkar’s personal code of justice. The nobles would grumble and complain about losing more of their privileges, but they would see the benefits to themselves soon enough. And they might even believe they could influence Nicar’s judgments, but she knew her former owner better than that.
No, she’d moved Akkad another step forward, this time using the nobles’ self-interest to solidify and strengthen Eskkar’s rule. Eventually the people would come to trust Lord Eskkar’s arbiter of the laws, and, until then, they could appeal to Eskkar if they believed themselves treated unjustly. The more they trusted Eskkar and herself, the more they relied on their leaders, the safer her unborn child would be. In time, the people would accept her son as their ruler without hesitation.
Assuming, of course, that she carried a male child. If she delivered a baby girl, then she would have to get pregnant again, as soon as possible.
Eskkar needed an heir to carry on his line, just as Akkad needed that same heir for stability, to know that in the coming years, Eskkar’s son, his inheritor, would be there to protect and defend them and their families.
The child’s safety had become even more important than her own.
Trella remembered all too well how she had changed from a noble’s daughter to a slave-trader’s property in a single night. Such a fate must never happen to Eskkar’s sons and daughters. To protect her firstborn, she would change the customs of Akkad to ensure the people felt safe and secure under Eskkar’s rule. Nothing would stand in her way, not the nobles, not the wealthy merchants, not even the soldiers. All of them must bow to Eskkar’s rule, and to her design for building a mighty city.
Patting her stomach to soothe the babe, she followed Nicar and Corio to the door. At the landing, she caught Annok-sur’s eye, and nodded.
With the issue of drafting new laws resolved, only two more items remained before she could enjoy the feast: her separate meetings with Gatus and then Korthac.
A few moments later, Gatus entered the workroom, closing the door behind him.
“What is it, Trella,” he asked. “Is anything wrong?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing, Gatus,” she said, but her face remained serious as she took her seat across from the soldier. “I know your messengers returned this morning, and I wanted a word with you before the feast gets under way.”
At her urging, Gatus had sent a few riders out to check on the two regular patrols guarding Akkad. The patrols rode a gradual circle around the city, returning every five or six days. He’d instructed the messengers to make contact with each patrol. Afterward, the messengers would then ride a great arc to the east and south, looking for any unrest.
“So, is everything in the countryside as it should be? How far did your riders go?”
“The patrols are about forty miles from here, one to the east and the other to the south. They say there’s little trouble anywhere, especially since Eskkar went north. Even the bandits in the west and south seem to have drifted away. Perhaps they heard what happened at Bisitun, and took the lesson to heart.”
“Perhaps. But I’m still troubled by Korthac. We’ve learned little more than what he told us himself that first day we met. The women have failed to learn anything, and even Tammuz and his customers haven’t found a way to get inside his rooms.”
“Maybe there’s nothing to learn,” Gatus said. “Just because he keeps control of his men doesn’t make him dangerous.”
“His treatment of his men is what concerns me. They stay inside, away from women. They don’t gamble in the marketplace, drink in the alehouses, or visit the prostitutes on the river.”
“So he’s a hard taskmaster, but there have been no fights, no thefts. He said he didn’t want them running about until they’d learned the language and customs. They’ve only been here a month or so.”
“Actually, it’s been nearly two months. But I suppose you’re right.”
Trella wasn’t convinced, but she had no facts to argue with Gatus. “Still, I want to be sure the countryside is secure.”
“It’s quieter than it’s ever been. With Eskkar up north, and Bantor following the Alur Meriki to the southeast, the countryside has been swept clean of bandits. Even the lands west of the river are peaceful, and they were mostly untouched by the barbarians. There’s never been much there except isolated farms. Have you heard anything different along the river?”
Each day, boats arrived and departed Akkad, heading for the villages downriver, some going as far as Sumeria and the great ocean.
“No, the villages on the Tigris seem peaceful enough. The boat captains report no unrest, and fewer bandits and pirates than they’re used to seeing.”
Gatus shrugged. “Well, what does it matter? When Eskkar returns in a few weeks, he’ll bring back at least another thirty soldiers, as well as new recruits eager to join Akkad’s soldiers.”
Trella and Gatus had both spoken to Eskkar’s messenger. He’d arrived from Bisitun this morning, bringing news that Eskkar intended to remain up north at least another two or three weeks.
“He seems pleased with his new woman,” Trella said.
Gatus looked down at the floor, and shrugged. “Nothing for you to concern yourself about, Trella. And it’s important that Bisitun be well secured. I’m sure he’ll be back soon enough.”
Trella had learned of Lani’s activities even before Gatus. One of the first messengers from Bisitun had mentioned Lani to his woman, who immediately relayed the information to Trella. At first she hadn’t been concerned, but as the weeks passed, she felt her concern growing. Still, she gave no indication to anyone that she worried about Eskkar’s dalliance.
“I’m sure you’re right, Gatus. But since he remains away, I’m uneasy about the countryside. Could you move the patrols out farther from the city? Say another twenty or thirty miles in every direction?”
“Well, it would take more men and horses. And I’d need more messengers riding back and forth. Do you really think it’s necessary?
“Humor me, then,” she said, leaning toward him and touching his arm.
“And you can tell your riders there will be extra silver for their labors. A few more sweeps before Eskkar returns. Have them increase their distance at least thirty miles.”
“For extra silver, they’ll ride an even larger circle,” he laughed. “I’ll send them out in a day or so…”
She touched his arm again. “Send them tomorrow, Gatus, as soon as they recover from the feast.”
“You’re that concerned about this Korthac?”
“It’s not just him. Besides, you must bear with a pregnant woman. As you say, Eskkar will be back soon, but until then, I find myself often worrying.” She laughed at her own weakness. “Oh, and there’s one more request.
I want a rider for a special assignment, to journey to the far northwest. Do you have anyone you can trust? He’ll need to be a strong horseman and have his wits about him.”
“Will he have to do any fighting?”
“No, merely gather some information. You can offer a gold coin in addition to his regular pay.”
“For that, I’d almost go myself. I’ll talk to some of the men tomorrow, and find one to your liking.”
“Then once again you have my thanks, old friend.” She stood. “And now it’s time to begin the feast. I’ve kept you away from the food and wine long enough.”
She escorted him to the door, and they descended the stairs together.
Annok-sur waited there, along with the servants. The workroom would also be used to entertain guests, and they needed time to prepare it. Trella planned to meet with Korthac there.
As he’d already become one of the city’s more important traders, Korthac had received and accepted her invitation. The Egyptian remained a mystery, keeping to himself and staying aloof from the usual Akkadian ways. Her informers had learned nothing useful.
She wanted to understand Korthac better, to learn firsthand what drove the man. Only then would her curiosity be satisfied. Trella hoped to draw him out during today’s festival. Perhaps wine and exotic foods would help loosen his tongue.