World on Fire

by Christian Kachel

  “Right away, sir,” were his departing words as he ran off to deliver General Eumenes’ terse reply.

  “Well, while we’re waiting for this minor confusion to rectify itself, our first order of the day shall be to review the reorganization of the phalanx.” Several aides sprang into action, producing detailed scrolls with various taxeis, syntagmas and lochoi drawn out. I had difficulty following the high-level discussions that took place and learned many principles regarding organization that morning. The meeting concluded without the Silver Shields’ attendance and General Eumenes requested his inner circle of advisors to remain afterward. As I moved to depart the tent, Vettias grabbed me and presented me to General Eumenes.

  “Sir, you remember young Phalangite, Andrikos, veteran of the past three battles against our anti-Argead enemies.”

  “Yes, of course. I recognized him sitting next to you during our meeting.”

  “I have named him my official aide and request his presence on all but the most sensitive discussions I am to have with you.”

  “Very well. Welcome, Andrikos, you have served me loyally thus far and I look forward to your continued efforts.”

  “Thank you, sir,” was my humble reply.

  “Now, let us address this overt insult levied upon our leadership by these Silver Shields,” Eumenes began in a far less haughty tone then he assumed during the staff meeting. “We are going to put an end to this now, lest anyone think insubordination is acceptable. Many of you remember the chaos that ensued in Babylon after the death of Alexander. Despite receiving the signet ring, Perdiccas was initially unable to come to a temporary settlement due to the myriad of competing factions, god-like egos and Macedonian traditions to contend with. I was in these wild meetings and Perdiccas was only able to control these unwieldy men through the presence of Alexander’s belongings sitting on his empty throne.”

  “So, Antigenes feels he should not be summoned to my command tent does he? Well, I’m certainly not going to his. It is a tedious chore of constantly stroking the egos of these Silver Shields but some concession must be made to allow both sides to honorably yield their intransigence.”

  “A separate command tent, perhaps equidistant to both of our encampments,” Hiro suggested.

  “A diplomatic idea old friend, but I will need a reason to meet there since it is I who have been insulted,” Eumenes replied. “If I unilaterally accept Antigenes’ absence, I invite further affronts until we may find ourselves holding staff meetings in Antigenes’ harem while he is bedding a whore.” Eumenes’ response elicited a small chuckle within the room.

  “What if you both were told to meet in a separate tent?” Vettias interjected without elaborating. He deliberately paused to let the uncertainty of his remark linger for several seconds. “Your timely example at Babylon may provide the answer we seek. What if we set up Alexander’s throne once more? What if you were told by Alexander himself to do this? What if a vision from Alexander came to you this very evening and was interpreted by the diviners to mean that both sides will, going forward, meet in ‘Alexander’s tent’. A new pavilion will be constructed and his artifacts, which we still possess, will be displayed on a new throne so his presence can be channeled for every command meeting we are to have from now on.”

  The attendees remained hushed as General Eumenes pondered Vettias’ ploy. “If such a plan were to work with anyone it would be the Silver Shields, given their steadfast loyalty to our deceased leader. The sensitivity of such a scheme would require absolute secrecy from all in this room about its origins, is that understood?” The room emphatically nodded their consent.

  “A command pavilion worthy of Alexander’s presence would have to be grand indeed. Work must be started right away. I think a royal throne made of gold shall be commissioned to the treasury tomorrow morning. Scribe!” Eumenes shouted, pointing at one of his attendants, “Begin writing the correspondence of such a vision that will come to me tonight and be supported by our diviners. None of you are to speak of this to anyone. It is trivial that this delicate alliance may rely solely on where we conduct our staff meetings, but such is the situation in which we find ourselves.”

  Eumenes stood to exit and the room snapped to attention. After his departure, the staff took their leave for the remainder of the morning. As I walked back to my new quarters with Vettias, I admired the quick ingenuity he displayed yet again, but worried whether it would be sincerely accepted by our illustrious ‘allies’. I decided to trust in his judgment which had been proved right to me on many occasions. Tomorrow morning’s meeting would prove interesting to say the least. But, until then, I had the rest of the day and evening to execute a plot to see Mara.

  CHAPTER 12

  After departing the staff meeting I followed Vettias into his quarters to discuss Mara’s situation. My look of excited anticipation betrayed me, however, and Vettias looked up disapprovingly.

  “Now is not the time to go searching for her, Andrikos. Our two armies are on the verge of derision and, if this ploy tomorrow doesn’t work, I don’t see how we go forward without General Eumenes subordinating himself to General Antigenes in some way. Once we come to an amicable agreement, movement between the two camps should be more manageable. You’ve waited this long, don’t ruin your best chance to reunite with her because of impatience. Furthermore, we don’t even know if she is still under Hyllos’ ownership. He may have tired of her and sold her for all we know. You better have made as good an impression on her as she did on you if we are going to get her to work for us again. My guess is we’ll utilize the quartermaster network between the two camps once relations are normalized.”

  “If only Rhexenor had remained with our army after Orcynia I could leverage his vast connections to infiltrate their supply areas easily,” I commented.

  “If he survived the initial capture of our baggage train he may now be working within Antigonus’ quartermaster ranks and be useful to us in the future. That being said, we have to work with the assets we have at hand and I still have a number of contacts within our depleted support ranks.”

  ****

  The battle staff assembled the next morning at our command tent, where the Silver Shields leadership was again conspicuously absent, save for their aide who again invited us to hold our meeting in the headquarters of General Antigenes. After waiting several minutes, General Eumenes began the staff meeting and instructed the aide to remain and report back the meeting particulars to his leadership.

  “Gentlemen, an important event has occurred last evening which must be communicated to you all immediately, for it affects our two armies. Last night, Alexander himself appeared to me in a vision. He sat atop his golden throne in the presence of both armies within a magnificent command tent. The diviners and I have interpreted this revelation to mean that Alexander wishes for us to build a new pavilion in which to conduct our business under his watchful eye. I will commission a golden throne to be constructed with funds from the treasury. Alexander’s diadem and scepter will occupy it during our staff meetings. Incense will burn to allow his spirit to be present and guide us to make the correct decisions. This new command pavilion will be constructed at a site equidistant to both our encampments and work on this new initiative will begin this morning. You there!” Eumenes called out, pointing to the Silver Shields’ aide. “You will report all that has been revealed here and bring me back their official acquiescence to Alexander’s request. A temporary tent will be erected today and we will begin this new ritual on the morrow. Is that understood?”

  “Y-yes, sir,” the aide responded as he turned and ran out of the tent at full speed.

  “For the rest of you. News has come in from Macedon. Cassander, the ignoble son of Antipater, now leads an open revolt against Lord Regent Polyperchon. The traitor has run to rekindle his frayed relationship with the outlaw Antigonus, which I have no doubt he will receive with open arms. I also anticipate Ptolemy will support this rebel faction while he hides in Egypt. We will remain here i
n Cyinda long enough to construct Alexander’s golden throne and raise ten thousand men to fill our ranks. We will then march south to wrest Phoenicia from Ptolemy and construct a fleet in order to support General Polyperchon in Europe. Once our navy is established, we can begin moving funds from the eastern treasuries to the royal court in Pella. The events of last evening have trumped our ability to deliberate on this matter further, but it will be the subject of tomorrow’s staff meeting. That is all. Dismissed.”

  General Eumenes’ news was harrowing. Events had now unfolded which laid the groundwork for a world war to be fought as opposed to merely combating one rebel force in Asia. Our small army on the Cilician coastline was not prepared for such a conflict. I admired the confidence with which Eumenes delivered this news but worried for the future of all we now fought for; even when our side had the royal legitimacy we so yearned for, dastardly forces stood ready to take it from us.

  The next morning we all gathered at our command tent and were instructed to follow General Eumenes in a procession to the temporary pavilion of Alexander after General Antigenes and General Eumenes had come to an agreement. The Silver Shields’ leadership delegation was already present on one side of a large rectangular table and we entered the pavilion to occupy the other.

  As I took my seat I scrutinized the men sitting across from us. They were all in their sixties, with General Antigenes and several others looking to be seventy. Their bodies were solid and their faces worn. They all wore magnificent armor and cloaks and sat stoically, staring coldly at their counterparts who they no doubt viewed as their inferiors. At the head of the table stood an ornate chair holding Alexander’s simple diadem and royal scepter. Incense burned on a small table next to the makeshift throne and wafted liberally throughout the pavilion. Eumenes and Antigenes sat closest to the throne on either side of the table. There was a tense silence for several awkward moments after both sides were seated until General Eumenes stood up and addressed the room.

  “I am Eumenes of Cardia, Royal General of Asia as decreed by Lord Regent Polyperchon, Protector of the Argead Kings Philip III and Alexander IV. As those present already know, Alexander came to me in a vision last evening and instructed us to conduct our business in this pavilion so we may better serve his legacy by defeating those that would contest the legitimacy of his rightful heirs.”

  “Seated to my left are the venerable Silver Shields – Macedon’s greatest and most decorated military unit; the most steadfast and loyal to Alexander’s legacy, whose deeds on behalf of Macedon have become legend. No words of praise can capture the magnitude of their accomplishments and I thank General Antigenes and his men gathered here today for their continued service to the Argead throne.”

  Having satisfied the Silver Shields’ egos, Eumenes looked to begin the meeting, the substance of which pertained to the news from Europe, the particulars of the Silver Shields’ integration into the army, logistical and supply concerns, the construction of Alexander’s golden throne, and the coming march to Phoenicia. At the meeting’s conclusion, Vettias and I approached Captain Hyllos who, predictably, did not look amused to see us.

  “Captain Hyllos,” Vettias began deferentially. “I am of the opinion that we three have a history that need not be discussed now that we are to be allies. Things were done and no grudges should be held by either party. My hope is we can move forward amicably in our common struggle against those that would usurp the heirs of Alexander.”

  “I agree with your sentiment, Vettias, but I will not be subject to any scheme of yours again. Is that clear?”

  “Yes sir,” were our final words as we departed with the rest of the meeting’s attendees.

  ****

  Meetings were to be held in this manner while a new, more appropriate venue could be constructed, complete with a golden throne suitable for our God-King. Mercenaries continued to pour in from the surrounding lands and several cohorts of recruits were drilled and trained daily. Liaison between similar units and support staff of our two factions burgeoned and soon there was frequent passages going to and from the Silver Shields and Royal Army encampments.

  Vettias and I used this opportunity to speak with a staff officer from our growing quartermaster corps who enjoyed frequent access to the Silver Shields’ encampment and would not be questioned once inside. He went by the name of ‘Digger’ and Vettias ordered that I accompany him the next time he had reason to visit the Silver Shields’ quartermaster. He informed us he would be traveling there that afternoon. Vettias and I made him sympathetic to our purpose and, if asked, I was to be introduced as his aide. He was instructed to escort me into their baggage train bivouacs so I may seek out Mara and deliver her instructions on how to discreetly meet with us.

  Digger was hesitant to participate in the scheme but Vettias informed him this was a direct order coming from General Eumenes’ battle staff. Digger relented and we interrogated him about the layout of the Silver Shields’ camp and the location of the baggage train as well as where the possessions of the higher-ranking officers would reside. Vettias and I next paid our friend Philotheos a visit at the surgeon’s tent.

  “Philotheos, you worthless swineherd. How goes it?” Vettias jested after we had spotted him at the opposite end of the infirmary.

  “Seeing the two of you together can’t mean anything good,” he replied, not realizing Vettias and I had spent quite a bit of time together over the past year. “Andrikos, you seem to have healed nicely. Someone must have skillfully sewn you back up in Fortress Nora. So, to what do I owe this displeasure? Let me guess, Vettias needs something. I must warn you, we are only now replenishing our stores of medicinal items and I probably won’t have what you need.”

  “I only require a favor from an old friend,” Vettias assured with a smirk. “Have you been liaising with your Silver Shields counterparts within their infirmary?”

  “Liaising isn’t quite the right word – I would call it being ignored or insulted, then being turned away empty-handed. Those arrogant pricks didn’t give me the time of day when I first introduced myself, but at least now they are becoming slightly more tolerant of my presence.”

  “Good, my favor depends on your ability to move freely within their surgeon’s pavilion. I am going to arrange for someone from within their baggage train to enter the infirmary, at a time when you will be there, to alleviate a feminine issue. I will accompany you that day as your assistant. I need to ensure you will be able to vouch for my presence. When this woman enters, you will see her in a private area where I will speak with her briefly. Going forward, we may need to utilize this method to continue to pass information at sporadic intervals. When do you travel there next?”

  “Three days’ time. I should arrive two hours after sunrise.”

  “Good, we will instruct her to be there three hours after sunrise. When you see her enter, offer to provide her care since you specialize in such maladies. Whether you do or don’t is irrelevant, but you will need to be convincing, understood?”

  Philotheos nodded his consent.

  “I will be here one hour after sunrise on the appointed day. Thank you friend.”

  Vettias and I departed the infirmary and I made ready for my trip to the Silver Shields’ quartermaster which was to commence in a half-hour. Digger was readying various items to bring with us and explained to me the exact nature of our visit and what I would need to understand if I was to convince anyone I was truly his assistant. We walked the short distance between the two camps and were granted entry without hassle.

  As Digger led me to the quartermaster area I noticed he was fidgeting and sweating profusely. To me, such deceptions had become commonplace, but it became clear how important Vettias’ training was. Digger was no spy and certainly had never performed such an act of deceit on such an imposing group of people. I quietly gave him some words of encouragement and continued to coach him through his tasks. As we neared the quartermaster bivouacs, I split off from Digger and made my way to the baggage train. />
  I estimated I would have only precious few moments before my presence raised the suspicion of discerning eyes. Over a decade of campaigning had accumulated vast wealth and new family members along the way for the Silver Shields. Everything these men owned resided in this convoy of plunder and its safekeeping was of the utmost importance to them.

  The layout was as Digger had described and I was easily able to identify the possessions of the more senior officers. Their women and children resided in lavish tents made from the finest materials of the east, decorated with streamers, tassels and multicolored fabrics. These extravagant portable dwellings were packed up every morning the army moved and reassembled each evening by the unit’s servants, slaves and attendants. I did not make eye contact with anyone but also did not look as though I was avoiding eye contact, all the while looking for Mara through my periphery vision and maintaining the illusion that I belonged there.

  Upon entering the living spaces I began looking for anything that might resemble Hyllos’ custody. A quick inspection of the surroundings did not give rise to any immediate candidates. Women and children milled about looking well dressed and bathed. Slaves, servants and attendants ran about catering for their every need. I grabbed one of these laborers and asked where Captain Hyllos’ women resided and gave him a coin for his secrecy. He cautiously pointed in the direction of one of the more impressive tents in the grouping and hurriedly returned to his chores.

  My heart now raced as the imminence of seeing her sunk in. I approached the opening and spoke to a servant who was standing guard and informed him I had a message for Mara on behalf of Captain Hyllos. Being a stranger to him, the man looked at me distrustfully and escorted me inside the lavishly furnished structure. Mara was sitting on a sofa facing away from us with her beautiful hair flowing over its back. The servant announced my presence.