Parthian Vengeance Read Online Free PDF Page A

rose from the cushions on the carpet-covered floor and we bowed our heads to him. He looked in a relaxed mood in his baggy black leggings and white shirt, his black hair hanging loosely around his shoulders.
    ‘Ah, you are here, good.’
    He walked over and embraced me, then Orodes.
    ‘You look well, lord king.’
    ‘You do not have to call me lord, Pacorus. You are, after all, a king yourself.’
    In truth I had never been able to put aside my sense of awe when in the presence of Haytham. He was the leader of the entire Agraci people, the man Parthian parents invoked when they wanted to frighten their children. Though he had proved a good friend and valuable ally, he still unnerved me somewhat. He turned to Orodes.
    ‘Now you Orodes should be a king, and would be if Pacorus had killed your stepbrother when he had a chance.’
    ‘How’s Byrd?’ I asked, changing the subject.
    Byrd may have been the Parthian army’s chief scout but he had made his home in Palmyra with an Agraci woman named Noora. Haytham gestured for us to sit on the cushions.
    ‘He’s well, as far as I know. Keeps himself to himself. Malik knows more than I do.’
    Servants brought us water. ‘He prospers,’ said Malik. ‘He seems happy enough.’
    ‘Gallia wanted him to live in the palace with us; but I think the desert suits him better.’
    More servants carried in bread that had been cooked on an open fire, mutton mixed with rice and vegetables, butter, yoghurt, cheese, honey and eggs.
    ‘Rasha is well, lord?’ I asked.
    Rasha was Haytham’s young daughter and was the chief reason that I was now sitting in the tent of my people’s greatest enemy. When I first came to Dura I found Rasha a captive in the Citadel. Ever since their first meeting she and my wife had forged a close bond. We had subsequently returned Rasha to her father, and good fortune had favoured all of us ever since.
    ‘Growing ever more the princess,’ he replied. ‘Gallia spoils her.’ Rasha had her own room in the Citadel at Dura, and I knew that Gallia had a tendency to treat her as one of her own children. ‘I fear you are right, lord.’
    ‘When she is at Dura there are five women to gang up on Pacorus,’ said Orodes, shoving a piece of cheese into his mouth. ‘He is outnumbered and outwitted at every turn.’
    Haytham smiled. ‘Three daughters and no sons. You should rectify that.’
    I avoided his eyes. ‘Alas lord, there will be no more children.’
    Haytham looked solemn. ‘I grieve for you.’
    I looked up at him. ‘Alcaeus, our Greek physician, told me after the birth of Eszter that Gallia would be able to bear no more children. Shamash has blessed me with my wife and three daughters. I can ask no more.’
    Orodes fidgeted with his food and Malik looked uncomfortable.
    ‘I am sure that you did not invite us here to discuss my children,’ I said.
    Haytham pointed at one of the guards standing by the entrance to the dining area where we sat cross-legged on the floor. He bowed and disappeared outside.
    ‘No indeed,’ replied Haytham. ‘I have someone here whom you might find interesting.’
    A few minutes later the guard returned with a man in tow, a figure of medium height and build with an untidy black beard and scruffy clothes. I estimated him to be in his early twenties. He eyed Orodes and me warily as he bowed his head to Haytham.
    ‘This is Aaron, Pacorus, a Jew and a man who kills Romans. Is that not correct, Aaron?’
    Aaron’s eyes darted from Haytham to me. ‘I have killed my enemies, it is true.’
    Haytham nodded at me. ‘This is King Pacorus, Aaron, a warrior who has won many great victories, most of them against the Romans. He has killed more Romans than you.’
    Aaron bowed his head to me. ‘Then it is an honour to meet you, lord.’
    ‘Perhaps Aaron could sit with us,’ I said to Haytham, ‘so that we may be spared aching necks from having to look up at him.’
    Haytham waved his hand at Aaron for him to sit with us. The way