The Forgotten Legion - Kane Ben (читать книги онлайн полностью без сокращений txt) 📗

Desiring more details of Parthia's wealth – soon to be his wealth – Crassus had summoned Ariamnes to his side. The chieftain found him eating dates on a couch under gently moving palm leaves fanned by slaves.

The Nabataean bowed deeply. 'Your Excellency wished to see me?'

'Repeat what you said about Seleucia's riches.' Crassus was never bored by the story.

Again Ariamnes bowed low. 'Most is found in the palaces of King Orodes, the wealthiest man in Parthia. Many chambers have walls covered with beaten silver or huge silk banners. The fountains are filled with precious stones and there are countless gold statues with opals and rubies for eyes.' He paused for effect. 'The treasure store alone is said to fill a dozen rooms.'

Crassus smiled. 'Rome will never forget the triumphal parade from this campaign!'

Ariamnes was about to reply when the pair saw Longinus approaching. The legate was followed closely by a swarthy figure in leather armour. A curved sword hung from the man's belt and a small round shield from one arm. The fine layer of dust covering him from head to toe could not conceal the grey sheen of exhaustion on his skin.

Obviously agitated, Longinus came to a halt and saluted.

Crassus curled his lip with distaste, Ariamnes swiftly copying the gesture.

'One of our patrols has just brought him in, sir. A messenger from Artavasdes,' said Longinus, looking daggers at the Nabataean. 'He 's ridden day and night to reach us.'

Crassus frowned. 'Not an impostor then?'

'He carries a document stamped with the royal seal.'

'What does the Armenian want now?' snapped Crassus.

'The king has been attacked by a large Parthian force north of here. Even if Artavasdes wished to join us now, he could not.'

Ariamnes' eyes darted to Crassus.

'Continue.' The general's voice was ice cold.

'Artavasdes calls on us for aid.' Wary of continuing, Longinus paused.

'There is more?'

'He still wants us to march on Parthia through Armenia, sir.'

'That dog wants me to retreat? And help him?' roared Crassus. 'When Seleucia's riches lie at my feet?'

'It's a safer route, sir,' tried the legate, but it was obvious his commander had no intention of helping the client king.

Crassus' face darkened.

'May I offer my humble opinion?' interjected Ariamnes smoothly.

Bodies stiff with tension, both men turned to him.

'Excellency, Orodes must have assumed that you would march through the mountains. He has sent his army north, but they have encountered Artavasdes instead.'

'That would explain the small numbers of Parthians yesterday,' beamed Crassus.

'A delaying tactic and nothing more,' Ariamnes continued. 'And all that stands between us and the capital.'

Longinus was unconvinced. 'What proof have you?'

'Patience, Legate,' Crassus said calmly. 'Let him speak.'

The Nabataean threw a sidelong glance at Longinus. 'Yesterday my scouts outflanked the horse archers and reconnoitred for miles to the southeast. There was no evidence of more Parthian forces. Orodes must have taken his men north.'

'Why did you not tell us before?' said Longinus acidly. 'This smells of treachery.'

Ariamnes looked hurt. 'But I am myself offering to lead another search.'

Crassus nodded approvingly.

The Nabataean noticed Longinus' fingers tighten around the hilt of his sword.

'We will return at the slightest sign of enemy activity. But I suspect the route to Seleucia is already clear.' Ariamnes pointedly ignored the legate. 'Would that please Your Excellency?'

A huge smile spread across Crassus' face. 'And the scouts found no signs of the Parthians?'

'None at all, Excellency.'

Longinus was unable to contain himself. 'Do not trust this snake, sir! I know it's a trap. Why not return to the Euphrates and join Artavasdes? With over ten thousand cavalry, we would smash any opposition.'

'Silence!' screamed Crassus. 'Are you in league with that damned Armenian?'

'Of course not,' muttered Longinus, stunned by Crassus' monumental arrogance.

'Then shut your mouth. Unless you want to end your career in the ranks.'

Longinus struggled to contain his rage. With a crisp salute, he turned to leave but suddenly bent towards Ariamnes. 'Prove treacherous and I will crucify you myself,' he whispered before marching away.

'So. Today we shall sweep aside these gnats who have been annoying my men,' declared Crassus.

The Nabataean smiled.

Shortly afterwards, Romulus and Tarquinius watched as the long column of Nabataean cavalry rode eastwards.

'He's just letting them all go?'

'We will not see them again,' said the Etruscan, peering at the fine layer of cloud positioned in the sky high above the departing horsemen.

Romulus shook his head in disbelief.

'I predicted that one.' Brennus was sharpening the longsword again. 'The general is a fool.'

'Ariamnes is very persuasive and simply told Crassus what he wanted to hear,' observed the Etruscan.

'We have only two thousand cavalry left now,' said Romulus. 'How many Parthian horsemen will there be?'

'Up to five times that number.'

Romulus frowned, trying to calculate the number of arrows that many archers could loose.

Tarquinius checked there was nobody else within earshot. 'Thousands will lose their lives in the coming battle.'

The Gaul's face darkened. 'What about us?'

'So many spirits were leaving this existence . . .' The Etruscan seemed unusually troubled. 'It is difficult to be precise,' he admitted. 'But I feel sure that two of us will survive, because I have seen our friendship endure past the bloodshed and killing.'

Brennus prepared himself for the worst. Let me die bravely, he thought. With honour, protecting Romulus and Tarquinius. So I can meet Brac and my uncle in paradise with no shame. Tell Liath that this time I did not run when my loved ones needed me. A lump formed in his throat and he swallowed hard, struggling to quell the guilt that still ruled him.

Romulus scowled. How could any man see the spirits of the dead? Obviously plenty of men would die fighting the Parthians, but to know exactly which ones? It was not possible. He looked up to find Tarquinius' eyes on him, his gaze piercing. Unnerved, Romulus found himself unable to meet it. Perhaps it was his turn to die. His stomach lurched and he quickly threw up a prayer to Jupiter to protect them all.

'And the rest of the cohort?' asked the big warrior.

Tarquinius was reluctant to answer but Brennus persisted.

Silence.

The Gaul blanched. 'Every single one?'

'Virtually all.'

'Sometimes you see too much,' Brennus said, shivering. He stared at the unsuspecting mercenaries preparing for another day in this furnace. It was chilling to imagine them all being killed, and it reminded him strongly of the last time he had seen his fellow Allobroge warriors readying themselves for battle.

As always after the Etruscan's predictions, images of Fabiola and his mother filled Romulus' mind. He longed to ask about them, but dared not. If Tarquinius revealed something dark or evil, the young man was not sure he could refuse to believe it as well. Their fragile memories were sacred, even intrinsic to his survival. They helped him to continue marching into this wilderness.

The sun climbed fast from the horizon, bringing its heat to bear with renewed vengeance. The Nabataean cavalry had not been gone for long before trumpets sounded to break camp. Discipline was still strong and the army was soon ready to move. At the front stood the irregular cohorts, followed by five legions and the baggage train. Two legions now protected the rear, leaving the Gaulish and Iberian cavalry on the flanks. It was a thin protective screen for the number of infantry.

Bassius listened carefully to the last series of commands. 'Time to go. I want twenty miles from you today.'