Refugees clogged the route north from Philadelphia and this had slowed the progress of the Allied Army. The abrupt disappearance of the Parthians had left Malichus uneasy. "Here is Orodes?" he wondered. "Could he and his army be waiting in ambush up ahead or around the next bend?" He had kept a wary eye on the horizon and he had sent scouts ahead but they had returned to report that there was no sight of the enemy. It was as though the surviving remnant of the Parthian Army had been swallowed up by the desert. Later, intelligence garnered from the nomads who roamed the area suggested that Orodes had retired to Parthia to lick his wounds and to plot vengeance.

Nabataea's northern cities and the Decapolis (except for Philadelphia) had not been touched in the invasion. People who had taken refuge in Petra were returning to their hometowns to open their homes and their businesses. Farmers and herdsmen were already in the fields. The citizens saluted their king and waved greetings to the passing army as it marched steadily North.

They crossed the border into Traconitis; and the region appeared deserted, devoid of human life. "Zenodorus and his bandits are afraid to show themselves." commented Malichus. "Cowards that they are, they only prey on the weak and helpless. When matters in Damascus are settled, I intend to root out Zenodorus and his nest of vipers. Then the route between Damascus and the South will be as secure again." Sextus nods grimly in the affirmative.

The long march was now approaching its goal. Damascus' gardens had been replanted and the irrigation system had been repaired as soon as the Parthians struck their camp and had departed to meet their fate on the Jordan at the hands of the Allied Army.

When Sextus and the Army appeared, farmers who had been tending their crops outside the city, dropped their tools and ran toward their city. The farmers' panic spread and to everyone caught outside the city walls and they began rushing toward the gates which were rapidly closing.

"We will starve them out." muttered Sextus grimly. "This city will suffer! Damascus will feel the full brunt of Roman displeasure for forming an alliance with her enemy -- Parthia. The governor will pay for his treachery! I vow, Damascus will become an example to the world of what happens to anyone who dares to betray us."

"A siege might not be necessary," suggests Malichus, who is eager to preserve the city which has now become his. "Let us try negotiation first. Let us leave our troops here on the perimeter of the oasis where they will not disturb the gardens and where everyone on the city walls can see our strength. To show that we do not wish to attack the city, I propose that the two of us go forward alone to negotiate with them. It is dangerous, I know, but the reward is great -- a city surrendering to us without bloodshed."

Reluctantly, Sextus agrees and so the two of them ride toward the city, stopping just out of bow shot.

"We do not wish to destroy your city. Open your gates," demands Sextus.

"Who are you?" comes the question from the walls.

"I am Sextus Pompieus, son of Gnaeus Pompieus Magnus, who drove the Armenians out of Syria and restored peace and order."

"And I am Malichus, King of Nabataea, heir to Aretas III, Philhellene, the one who came at your request to rule your city when the Selucid Empire fell."

There is a long pause. Apparently, the rulers of the city are conferring with one another.

"Am I speaking the Roman Governor of the City? I wish to speak to him." says Sextus.

"Alas," comes the voice from the walls. "He is hiding in his palace and he will not come out."

"Than I, as son of Pompieus Magnus, and on his authourity, I demand that you open the gate. If you do not, I will be forced to take action against you and your city. I promise you. If that happens, I will not be merciful."

"Wait!" comes the hasty reply from the walls.

After a pause, Damascus' gates begin to swing open.

On Sextus' signal, the troops leave their station at the edge of the oasis and follow Sextus and Malichus through the gates and into the city.