Thinking Thursday - Zenobia learns military strategy from Odenathus

Chapter 10 in Zenobia – Birth of a Legend

Zenobia experiences her first visit to a large city, Tadmor. Zenobia learns that many opportunities were available for craftsmen, tradesmen, doctors, lawyer, and all type of professional businessmen. Tadmor raised an army to guard against the bandits who would attack the caravans coming through the hostile desert to trade in this great city. The senator of Tadmor, Odenathus was chief of the army. Let’s read the scene when Zenobia and Odenathus first meet.

Zenobia was interested in some shopping, but the schools held an even greater draw for her. They moved over to the military offices. “Several bands of soldiers are assigned out from here,” Zelina explained. “We could have asked for an escort for the last day or two of our journey.”

     “But you are the least likely caravan to need it!” said a masculine voice from behind them.

     Zenobia turned, startled then she bowed at once and said, “Good day, Lord Odenathus.” Zenobia thought he looked pleased that she knew his name. They had not been formally introduced the night before.

     Zelina gave a nod of recognition and said, “Greetings, Senator. You look well.”

………..

     Odenathus was intrigued by the dynamic girl before him. He had heard stories, but now he decided to find out for himself. “It was reported to me that you had come to the government center. I imagine the young lady has many questions about it. I would be honored if you would join me for the midday meal, where perhaps I may answer some of them.”

…….

     Zenobia soon said, “Describe to me the functions of your department, please, Senator.” He did so at some length. There were six thousand regular cavalry and infantry, but there were thousands more that had some fighting experience and could be conscripted if needed. Plus, over a thousand Roman soldiers were quartered adjacent to the city. He explained the patrols that were maintained to safeguard the caravans, which were the economic lifeblood of Tadmor.

     “Where do most bandits attacks come from?” Zenobia wondered out loud.

     “From the foothills and mountains to the north…”

     “Do you only react when bandits attack, or…,” she left the question unfinished, unsure how to put it.

     “Or do we sent out spies?” he finished it for her.

     “Perhaps these are matters that do not really concern us, dear,” her mother said.

     “On the contrary,” said Odenathus. “It is said that Alexander of Macedonia, at eight years of age, would ask military questions of visiting kings…Do you understand that what I’m about to reveal is confidential, that it is not to be shared with anyone?”

     “Yes.” She did not flinch under his stare. She leaned closer.

     “We have informants in various cities and villages to the north,” he said in a subdued voice. “If they become aware of a suspicious activity, we have given them ways to contact us and we pay them well for this information. Naturally, if this became know in their villages, their lives would be in danger and we would lose an advantage. This work of recruiting and utilizing informants is highly specialized and secretive. Your father and Cam are aware of this, by the way, and have assisted us with it at times.”

     “I will help you if you ever need me,” Zenobia offered.

     “Thank you, Zenobia,” he said, and he seemed deadly serious. “You could make certain contacts that a warrior could not without arousing suspicion.”

     “Although I am a warrior myself,” she replied, “but that should not be hard for a girl to conceal if necessary to a spying mission.”

     He bowed a slight acknowledgement. “I forgot for a moment. We have never had a female warrior in my lifetime, though the history books tell of some.”