World on Fire

by Christian Kachel

  “I spoke with Davos – all was explained and all necessary actions have been carried out.”

  “Captain Hyllos?”

  “He has made a generous donation to our future operations,” I replied sarcastically while presenting to Vettias a large sum of wealth.

  “Very charitable of him. Hello, Mara, my dear. Is everything all right?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Mara answered. “It is good to see you. What will happen here?”

  “Right now I’ve arranged for Digger from our quartermaster to log you and Talos into the official baggage train under an alias and ensure your accommodations are away from watchful eyes. He will be arriving presently. You two will be cared for and I will have a servant brought to you shortly. When the time is right, you and Talos will be brought to Ilandra where you will live in safety and prosperity under the loving care of Andrikos’ family.”

  As Vettias finished these words Digger arrived to perform his assigned task. He clearly understood there was an unspoken importance behind his two secret charges. As he bowed deferentially and began to lead them away Mara grabbed me close, kissed me and thanked me.

  “I will call on you as soon as I can. Be safe until then. I love you.”

  I turned to Vettias after they departed to get his read on the recent disastrous events and ensure all was really forgiven. “So what is going to happen here?”

  “Hard to tell,” Vettias responded in a deflated tone. “We’re going to have a lot of work to do to return us to a position of influence in this newly reconstituted army. We are going to lean heavily on Hiro, who utilized his time wisely while serving as Antigonus’ captive and ingratiated himself with our new general.”

  “And our old general?”

  “I fear the worst.”

  “What is the angle? How do we save him?”

  “There may not be one this time, kid.”

  “You always have an angle.”

  “This is different. It’s personal between them. They’ve known each other for twenty years and Antigonus feels personally betrayed by Eumenes’ actions leaving Fortress Nora. He is firmly in Antigonus’ control now and there will be little anyone can do to free him. We need to focus on continuing our struggle and influencing Antigonus to defeat Cassander.”

  “And Peucestas?”

  “I’ll take care of that traitor myself when the time is right. We may be able to separate and marginalize more enemies from Antigonus during this time as well – Seleucus and Peithon to be exact.”

  “And the Silver Shields?”

  “Those pompous sons of whores. I am tired of Macedonians fighting each other over the carcass of Alexander’s Empire. I don’t think Antigonus will require much prodding to eliminate the Silver Shields once and for all. The fact they delivered their commander on a platter speaks for their corruptibility and was certainly not lost on someone as shrewd as Antigonus. He won’t be giving them the chance to betray him in the future. The battle staff sent Hiro to Antigonus before we were dissolved to establish a side channel for the negotiation of army integration and the life of General Eumenes.”

  “And what am I to do?”

  “For now, I think it’s time to take up your friend Stephanos’ offer to rejoin his lochos under our phalanx. Did he survive the battle?”

  I felt embarrassed for not even thinking about the welfare of my dearest friend, let alone knowing the answer of whether he was still alive. “I … I don’t know. I will search him out presently.”

  “Good, I will contact you with our next moves. For now just sit tight and do what you’re told by our new occupiers.”

  CHAPTER 19

  I made a hurried dash to Stephanos’ lochos, dreading the worst and hating myself for my initial apathy over his plight. Although our commander was defeated, Antigonus allowed our phalanx to sleep in their bivouacs while our camp was occupied by the Silver Shields. I passed through rows and rows of bivouacs before coming upon my friend’s unit. His lochos was of course the smartest and straightest line of tents in the Syntagma, which gave me hope Stephanos was still alive barking out orders to his subordinates. I approached the phalangite closest to me and demanded he take me to his lochagos. I was immediately taken to my friend by the startled soldier where I found him walking down his file of tents ensuring all had their equipment ready at a moment’s notice for battle.

  “What kind of chewed up unit are you running here, lochagos?” I inquired in jest.

  “Was wondering if you made through,” he replied while embracing me.

  “Me? I wasn’t the one on the front lines of that slaughter. You look relatively unscathed. Not missing any limbs are you?”

  “This is the only one I need,” he answered while holding his groin. “Is this a friendly visit or did you need assistance? I’m keeping the lochos on a knife’s edge given the precarious situation.”

  “That is why I’m here. General Eumenes’ seizure has made my position in the army unsafe and I need to fall in with a line unit for the time being. You know anyone that could use a phalangite?”

  “I think I can find something for you – probably toward the back where not much is expected of you,” Stephanos smiled. “Unfortunately we did lose three men so there’s room. These damned Silver Shields really made a mess of things here. First they accomplish a feat of unsurpassed military prowess and valor by smashing Antigonus’ phalanx while managing to keep their integrity and repulse a ferocious cavalry counterattack. Then, they abduct their own commander and deliver him to their defeated foe. And now they hold this camp hostage while they negotiate back their possessions. These Macedonians don’t even deserve the spoils of Olympus Alexander has bestowed upon them and they would destroy it rather than share in its bounty. Welcome back friend. You will serve in the second position, directly behind me. There’s no one I’d rather have watching my back.”

  We embraced once more and I gathered my belongings and set up my kit within the lochos’ bivouac. I hadn’t slept the entire night and stole a few hours in a tent belonging to one of Stephanos’ casualties. Father was waiting for me among the rows of bivouacs and sat beside me in my tent.

  “You have them now. You’re one step closer to fulfilling your promise to them,” he stated while putting an arm around me.

  “But our army teeters on the brink,” I responded.

  “Such is the nature of the world since Alexander’s death. You have what is most important. Bring them home.”

  I awoke in the morning and noticed as I walked to the latrine ditch the Silver Shields were no longer visible throughout the camp. I decided I would check in on Vettias to learn of this new development.

  “Events are changing very fast now,” he explained as he splashed some brackish water on his face and rinsed his mouth out. “Hiro has positioned himself as Chief Liaison on behalf of our army. He has sent word that the Silver Shields will be granted possession of their baggage but have been ordered to stand down. Our camp is to be occupied by Antigonus’ Prodromoi Scouts, led by General Aretes – an old spymaster serving as Deputy Cavalry Commander under Cleitus. After Alexander murdered Cleitus in a fit of drunken rage, the cavalry was broken up into smaller elements and General Aretes took lead of a crack unit of specialized forward reconnaissance horsemen. This unit conducted extremely dangerous scouting missions in India, far in front of the main army, surrounded by enemies at all times. Those aware of their existence know them as ‘The Precursors’. These are the same bastards who fomented the rebellion within our navy back in Phoenicia.”

  “Whereas the Silver Shields’ proficiency stems from their brute force, and The King’s Hand’s aptitude lies in our cunning, The Precursors embody both of these traits and performed some of the most dangerous missions on behalf of Alexander’s conquest. General Aretes is an old drinking buddy of mine and The Precursors are not ideological fanatics like Orontes and Cassander. This development may provide us an opportunity – it just depends on whether my previous relationship with Aretes was strong
enough to forge a new bond of common purpose. Between Aretes and Hiro, we may find a seam to guide events yet.”

  ****

  Over the next few days I had little trouble assimilating back into lochos life. Rhexenor and Davos kept Vettias abreast of integration efforts as well as the status of General Eumenes. It was uncovered that, as in Sidon, General Teutamus was the impetus behind the Silver Shield’s treachery, while General Antigenes favored allegiance to General Eumenes. As a result of his loyalty, General Antigenes was arrested and quickly executed. Antigonus had a pit dug, filled with pitch and set ablaze with the body of the seventy-year-old general inside as a warning to all other potential adversaries.

  General Eumenes was a more complicated matter. The two were allies and friends for two decades and Antigonus greatly respected Eumenes’ talents as a commander and manager of resources. Antigonus also wanted a smooth absorption of Eumenes’ army – one that had beaten him on multiple occasions. He also felt betrayed by his old comrade after the oath at Fortress Nora. Despite Vettias’ furtive efforts and Hiro petitioning tirelessly on behalf of his fellow countryman, Antigonus decided to execute our general before the army completed its integration and we moved west from the desert battleground.

  ****

  The following day, The Precursors ordered a meeting of General Eumenes’ battle staff to discuss Antigonus’ wishes for integration. We assembled in Alexander’s tent where it was clear members of The Precursors were impressed by our exhibition of the late king. General Aretes stood at the head of the rectangular table with several Precursor officers at his side and addressed the room. Aretes was tall, lean, muscular and commanded an impressive presence. His face had several scars and he looked to be about fifty, with straight grayish-black hair and beard. The room was silent in anticipation of hearing the fate of our army.

  “General Antigonus, Lord of Asia, bids the battle staff of General Eumenes good tidings. I am General Aretes – temporary Commander of this encampment. You have been summoned to this meeting to receive final instructions on the integration of this army under General Antigonus’ command. Is the Phalanx Commander present? Where is the Philangiarch?”

  Our Philangiarch, Crato, stood up in recognition. “Greetings to you General Aretes. I am General Crato, Philangiarch of this army.”

  “Greetings, General Crato. You will retain your title and authority during this transition. All final officer positions will be announced at a later date. Presently, you will submit to me an updated record of all officers and phalangites currently under arms and organized by taxis, syntagma and lochos. Your men will remain in this encampment until final movement preparations and are not to leave its perimeter.”

  General Crato nodded his consent and sat back down.

  “The satrapies of Generals Antigenes and Peucestas have been revoked; General Eumenes’ title of General of Asia has been annulled and his battle staff will be dissolved upon the army’s ensuing march west. I will now read aloud a list of names that are to be turned over to my authority at the conclusion of this meeting. General Crato, I will leave this task in your charge and expect these men to be delivered immediately.”

  I recognized some of the names on the ominous list. Most were officers with whom Antigonus had old scores to settle. I did not envy these men, given General Antigenes’ recent fate, and looked to Vettias to gauge how he was receiving these decrees. His expressionless façade did not betray his thoughts but it was clear he was working over all the angles in his mind.

  “As for General Eumenes,” Aretes continued, “he has been sentenced to death by General Antigonus. His sentence is to be carried out tomorrow. His battle staff will be given the courtesy to witness his execution on the morrow. Possession of General Eumenes’ remains will be imparted to the battle staff to be given to his wife and family. You are now dismissed.”

  The room stood at attention and departed to accomplish their assigned and implied tasks ordered by General Aretes. Vettias moved to greet his old friend and instructed me to follow him. After Aretes finished conversing with those around him his eyes locked on Vettias standing several feet away. A tense moment followed where I studied Aretes’ expression move from an uncertain recognition of my mentor to a warm smile that flashed across his face as he moved forward to embrace him.

  “Vettias, you dog! I had heard you were serving in this army. It is good to see you still among the living. I would have thought some Persian harlot would have ended you by now, if a Greek spear hadn’t.”

  “If we survived the women of Sogdiana, I can survive anything those Persian lasses throw at this old dog,” Vettias replied laughingly.

  “Do you remember that one from Alexandria Eschate? What was her name?”

  “Yulduz,” Vettias answered. “She could skin an elephant with her bare hands,” Vettias answered.

  “She could suck the resin dry from a pine tree,” Aretes added. “There’s a special place in the Elysian Fields for women like that. I don’t think there are enough fallen soldiers to tame her there. Those were the days weren’t they? On campaign, following Alexander to the end of the world. We were gods then and now we are wild dogs fighting over the scraps left to us from the table of Olympus.”

  “Brother, hearing you speak of these fond memories makes me wonder what we Greeks are doing to each other. If you have a moment, I’d like to speak with you privately about such matters.”

  “Walk with me to my quarters,” Aretes instructed while looking at me suspiciously.

  “This is my apprentice, Andrikos. There are no secrets between us. If you have no protest, I’d like to have him walk with us.”

  “Very well.”

  “Might I inquire into the fate of General Eumenes? Is there nothing to be done for him?”

  “Unfortunately not. General Eumenes is a man of exceptional talents but his refusal to sign the arranged oath as written by General Antigonus was a slight even their long relationship could not erase. He has lost the trust of General Antigonus and leaving him alive to one day betray him again is not an option.”

  “And Peucestas? Did he betray Eumenes?”

  “Whatever Peucestas’ motives, his actions helped stop the total annihilation of our army and therefore he will be spared.”

  “But the fact he was so easily turned – and from what would have been the winning side no less – must induce weariness from General Antigonus that a man of such corruptibility cannot be trusted.”

  “This fact is not lost on General Antigonus, which is why he has been stripped of his satrapy in Persis and will be brought under his watchful eye. Unfortunately that is the extent of his punishment for now.”

  “And the Silver Shields? Their dishonorable actions must now be viewed with utmost suspicion, especially since they almost came out against General Antigonus back in Triparadeisus.”

  “Yes, something you no doubt had a hand in I’m sure. You will be pleased to know the Silver Shields will be disbanded. Some will be retired back to Macedonia while the rest will be allotted plots of land here in the east as we make our march back to the Middle Sea. Others will be assigned to garrison eastern outposts with specific orders to each satrap to ensure they do not leave their posts alive.”

  We arrived at Aretes’ tent where he looked ready to end the exchange of information.

  “It is good to see you brother. I will be at the execution on the morrow and I will see what I can do on your behalf – maybe get you on General Antigonus’ staff, assuming your previous loyalties have been sufficiently severed.”

  “I serve at his will. Until tomorrow then,” Vettias concluded and took his leave.

  “At least the Silver Shields problem is going to solve itself. Your family will be safe soon, Andrikos. As for Peucestas, we’ll get to him when the opportunity presents itself. I fear General Eumenes’ sentence will be carried out without incident tomorrow, however.”

  ****

  Vettias and I rose at dawn the following morning and began our solemn trek
back across the morbid battlefield to the arranged place of Eumenes’ execution. General Antigonus chose to carry out our general’s sentence during his army’s morning muster at a discreet location tucked away from the masses under an old oak tree.

  A small gathering of invited spectators were assembled to witness the event to include General Eumenes’ battle staff, various officers from both armies, Davos, Rhexenor as well as Stephanos, Spear and Bacchylides who I was also able to bring along. Somber nods of recognition were given by old friends on both sides of the fighting as we watched our shackled leader brought in front of us to be hanged. He smiled and looked every attendant in the eye as if absolving us from our inability to help him. He was dirty, tired, bruised and gaunt – apparently his former relationship with General Antigonus was not enough to spare him harsh treatment while in his custody. General Antigonus was not in attendance nor was the fiend Peucestas who just days before called Eumenes ‘ally’. Eumenes’ warden addressed the sullen gathering while two soldiers positioned Eumenes on a small wooden platform and applied the noose around his neck.

  “His Excellency, General Antigonus, Royal General and Lord of Asia, has ordered the traitor, Eumenes of Cardia, put to death by hanging on the charge of high treason against the Argead House. Does the condemned man have anything to say before his sentence is carried out?”

  General Eumenes looked down at the ground before taking a deep breath, “My fellow Greeks. I use that term purposefully because that is who we truly are and is the ideal we truly fight for. The Athenians used to scoff at the northern barbarians of Macedon. The Macedonians themselves always looked down on us Thracians and all others as beneath them. But Alexander rose above these petty squabbles. He believed in the superiority of Greek civilization and he unified all those of Greek descent to a common cause to defeat Persian despotism. And in his conquest, he was not content for just those hailing from the Greek mainland to enjoy the fruits of our civilization – he extended the gift of liberty to those who never lived under it. He built cities and encouraged intermarriages all for the purpose of making the world Greek. I want you to remember that. I die here today as a loyal servant to his cause and ardent protector of the Argead blood. General Antigonus will try and reconquer the empire, others will as well. Those of you who live on to fight for Alexander’s legacy must choose who is the most earnest in guarding our God-King’s remaining heirs. I stand here with no regrets – having lived the life of a proud servant of Greek civilization. It has been my life’s honor to lead you brave men.”