“N-not the girl, please.”
“Think about it, son. Has a woman like that ever paid you any mind in your whole life? It was a lie, kid. We know about her only because she was sent by a criminal syndicate looking to leverage your position in the treasury for their own gain.”
“N-no, no … Please.”
“Gilad, I am a powerful man. I can make this all go away, but you must commit to your uncle, to your family, to me. Right now.”
“I … I …”
“Gilad,” Malick interrupted affectionately while leaning in close to his nephew. “I’m willing to forgive you, but you’re going to do what Vettias says from now on.”
“Y-yes, uncle.”
“Good,” Vettias responded. “Be comforted that it is already done. The agents behind your treachery have been eliminated.”
“And Davcina?” Gilad asked pitifully.
“Eliminated,” Vettias responded definitively.
Gilad continued to whimper at the demise of his only love.
“It would have been you if we didn’t step in. Maybe Malick and your parents as well. She never loved you, kid. She was being paid – that makes her a whore. Now, tomorrow evening we’re going to meet at my quarters across the courtyard. You’ll stop here on your way home from the palace and we’ll talk for a short while. That is all that is required of you for now, understood?”
Gilad feebly nodded his consent.
“I’m going to leave you here with your uncle and I will see you tomorrow. Andrikos, let us take our leave.”
Vettias and I walked back across the courtyard to our quarters to retire for the evening. Before entering my chamber, Vettias grabbed my shoulder, “Now that is how you run an operation,” he commented with a proud smile. “Given enough time we can get anywhere – even the palace of Babylon. Tomorrow’s an off day – you deserve it. Just be sure to be here at dusk when our boy arrives.
CHAPTER 28
Vettias and I slept in the next day and had a late breakfast. It felt good knowing we had our operative and I wouldn’t have to be shadowing anyone in the near future. There was a greater level of satisfaction knowing we accomplished our goal through cunning rather than brute force as in Triparadeisus. Still, there were casualties as Davcina, Galen or Asardin could attest, but I’ve accepted that as an inevitable feature of the dark arts. My faith in the nobility of our cause still outweighed unpleasant cruelties committed in the name of the Argead House. Additionally, I was able to save Etana’s life and I hoped he succeeded in making himself useful to Yasmina. My mind was at ease believing the totality of our actions in Babylon were for the greater good.
“We have time with Gilad so we’re going to take this operation slow and methodical,” Vettias announced while taking a sip of pomegranate juice. “We need to get our minds wrapped around the palace’s finances and determine if we need to manufacture fraudulence or if there is already an impropriety in place to exploit. We don’t want to spook our boy early but we do need to be firm. He knows we have Malick’s blessing, which should go a long way in generating compliance and control.”
I went to the baths for the remainder of the day and gave Ilan my clothes to have washed. Vettias spent his time with Yasmina and did not return until one hour before dusk when he informed me it was time to prepare for our guest.
“We’ll meet in my quarters. I want him to feel comfortable so go fetch Ilan and tell him to have food and wine brought up. This is going to be a friendly chat, not an interrogation. You’re going to sit here, Gilad will sit here and I will be here,” Vettias directed while pointing to each designated chair. I nodded while thinking to myself he was putting a lot of thought into minor details as he continued about his room moving and repositioning items – making little, if any difference.
Gilad arrived at the appointed hour and was shown to Vettias’ quarters by Ilan. I opened the door and let our little operative inside the inviting interrogation room.
“Gilad, it’s good to see you, son,” Vettias warmly greeted while embracing the awkward youth. “I apologize for the messy business last night but you do understand you and your family were in very serious danger. I am just happy we uncovered this sinister plot early enough to mitigate any damage to you or your uncle’s interests. Don’t worry son,” Vettias continued while putting his arm around the boy, “No one blames you for being taken advantage of by professional criminals. Just be content in the fact that we were able to fix it. That sordid business is all behind us now.”
Vettias’ demeanor was surprisingly warm to the bewildered youth, which I assumed was by design. Gilad’s guard was still rather high and it was also apparent he did not like being touched.
“Please, sit down, son. Have some food and wine – you haven’t eaten dinner have you?”
“No, sir,” Gilad answered softly.
“Please, call me Vettias. I realize this must all be very confusing to you but you’re becoming a man now with great responsibility within the Babylonian administration. Despite things being relatively stable here in Babylon, the situation has become very fluid since the death of Alexander. We’re here to tell you that a storm is coming and you’re going to need help from people like myself to ensure your family’s future prosperity. People like your uncle didn’t just end up with the success they now enjoy, they earned it, kept it and expanded it through shrewdness. Flying close to the sun has its perils but with my help you’ll survive the coming changes.”
“Changes, sir?”
“Please, call me Vettias. First, I want to lay some ground rules about our relationship going forward. We’re going to meet anywhere from one to three days a week at this time. If anyone inquires into your whereabouts you will tell them you are visiting your uncle for dinner. Now, as you know, we are meeting with the consent of your uncle, but that does not mean you are to speak with him about our discussions, understood? It’s for his safety as well as yours.”
“Yes, Vettias.”
“And, as an obvious extension, you are not to speak about this relationship with anyone else, correct?”
“I understand.”
“Good. Now, to answer your question. Yes, there will be some changes when General Antigonus arrives from the east. Your uncle Malick is a trusted friend and ally and I will do all I can to ensure the continued prosperity of his family during this transitional time. That extends to your position as well. But before we talk business, however, I want to get to know you better, especially since we are going to be seeing a lot of each other in the next two months. Tell me, son, what do you do when you’re not at the palace? You don’t socialize much, you don’t drink much, and before Davcina, you had no female interests. What do you do at your leisure?”
“There’s not much too tell, sadly. As I’m sure my uncle has told you, I keep to myself. When I do have leisure time I engross myself with the history of my people. The temple in the Jewish quarter has many historical scrolls and manuscripts that I am quite fond of reading.”
“The Jewish people do have a fascinating history, don’t they? One I was unaware of until I met your uncle, who was much obliged to remedy my ignorance.”
“My uncle is a proud man and therefore proud of our people’s triumph over adversity, but his path has always been a pursuit of earthly rewards, not the spiritual.”
“And does that bother you?” Vettias asked, seeing an opportunity to better know our agent.
“My uncle is a good man, it just means we are different – we always have been and I think that has affected our relationship. I fear I am not the nephew he would have chosen.”
“Well, I commend you for your honesty, Gilad, and I will be honest with you as well. You’re probably right – someone like your uncle would most likely have chosen a nephew more amenable to his earthly proclivities. But I can tell you that he respects your personal responsibility immensely – perhaps even envies it. A fellow drinking partner might have served his more base desires, but there is no doubt he greatly values your co
ntributions and future potential to the family.”
Vettias’ logic seemed to set in with Gilad and he nodded in agreement.
“And why are you reading these historic documents? Do the stories of King David and Solomon stir your passions? Does the triumph of the Jewish spirit after the desecration of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Egyptians, Assyrians and Babylonians inspire fantasies of taking the field to defend your people from any future threat? While you were never destined for glory in battle, there is a way you – yes you, Gilad – can further not only the fortunes of your family but of your people’s interests in Babylon.”
“Minority populations are always at risk and since the great return to Jerusalem, the remaining Jewish inhabitants have seen their numbers steadily decrease. Keeping prominent Jews close to the Babylonian Administration is the most assured way to maintain Jewish prosperity and you are in position to do your part to ensure that continues.”
“What are you asking me to do?”
“Nothing you don’t do already. All I ask is you discuss what you do with me – here. I need an accurate account of the palace’s finances – all of them. We’ll start with the basics three days hence at the same hour. I’ll want to know the monthly and annual revenues brought in by the administration as well as the monthly and annual costs of government. Does that sound like something you’ll be capable of doing?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then we will speak again at the prescribed day and time. Until then, be careful and remember – you are doing this for you, your uncle and your family.”
Gilad nodded deferentially, took the last sip of his wine and exited Vettias’ chamber.
“You see, it’s not all hard work and violence,” Vettias stated. “We thoroughly have him under our control and he’ll be doing all the work – leaving us to enjoy all the greatest city on earth has to offer.”
****
Vettias’ words rang true as the weeks passed and Gilad continued to meet with us and systematically recreated a comprehensive balance sheet of the satrapy’s finances. As he did so it was clear the financial resources of Babylonia were vast and the enormity of resources soon to be under the control of Antigonus was becoming evident. It appeared the King’s Hand was finally serving under the frontrunner to reclaim Alexander’s throne. Whether Antigonus was ready to will it all away to a half-Bactrian child remained to be seen.
As late winter set in, Gilad had completed his initial charge and Vettias now was in possession of a document highlighting the total of Babylonia’s finances. It was truly an incredible record, detailing all taxes received from farms, vassal tribes, cities and trade, along with the satrapy’s expenditures which included its mandatory contribution to the royal treasuries, payment for a satrapal militia with ability to raise large numbers in support of the Royal Army, payment for the city guard within several urban centers, payment for the satrapal staff and palace expenses, accounts to support stockpiles of grain, and an account for building and infrastructure projects.
Vettias pored over the balance sheet for days with Gilad to account for every coin entering the satrapal coffers until he found an account that would suit his purposes.
“And what is this expenditure?” Vettias asked one day while meeting with Gilad.
“We are not told its purpose, only that it is to be transferred to a separate account within the palace,” Gilad replied.
“In the satrapal treasury then?” Vettias asked rhetorically.
“No, an account wholly owned by the Satrap himself,” Gilad answered.
“That’s it. Gilad, you’ve done well over these many weeks. I have a new task for you. I want a full account of this line of funding. Chances are, this is Seleucus’ skim. I also want to know exactly where this coin is housed – is it within the palace or is it in some sequestered vault outside the city? Understood?”
Gilad nodded and unceremoniously exited Vettias’ chamber.
“That’s the one,” Vettias announced. “That is how we are going to separate Seleucus from Antigonus. When we provide Antigonus evidence of Seleucus hiding satrapal funds for personal gain, the rift will be complete. Now, the spring thaw is coming and tomorrow we will request an audience with Seleucus and ensure he still intends to give Antigonus his proper welcome.
CHAPTER 29
Vettias was granted an audience with Seleucus the following day and the two of us made our way to the Babylonian Palace. The Royal Processional never ceased to impress me as we passed through the first set of palace guards and entered the grand entrance hall. We were instantly greeted by a palace attendant who appeared to be expecting us.
“Vettias of Amphipolis, Ambassador to Antigonus of Elimeia, General of Asia; General Seleucus, Satrap of Babylonia, bids you good tidings. Please follow me, the Satrap is expecting you.”
Vettias nodded as the attendant bowed and escorted us past another set of palace guards and through the massive doors leading to the throne room. Seleucus was sitting on the golden throne once occupied by Alexander and the Achaemenid Kings before him, wearing an immaculately polished bronze cuirass over an exquisite tunic with purple and gold cloak. To his right stood Apama, a vision of loyalty and stoicism. To his left was Antiochus, wearing an equally impressive ensemble specially fitted for his young frame. Vettias and I confidently walked toward our host and bowed deferentially at the foot of the elevated platform holding the throne.
“Satrap Seleucus, most valued friend from Macedon and first among all veterans of the great conquest. I thank you for agreeing to my request for audience.”
“Ambassador Vettias, I am always amenable to receiving a fellow Macedonian and veteran of the great conquest, let alone an Ambassador to a valued Macedonian friend and colleague. I hope your prolonged stay in Babylon has been pleasant. Please, what do we owe the pleasure of this welcome visit?”
“I thank you for your kind words,” Vettias began. “The coming spring thaw in the eastern mountains heralds the impending march of General Antigonus. I requested an audience with you to discuss arrangements for his arrival. I trust nothing has changed since our last dialogue on the matter. I place myself at your disposal should you require my services to ensure a proper reception for the General of Asia.”
“Yes, Vettias. Rest assured I know what pantomime act I am to display for the General of Asia ,” Seleucus responded in an overtly hostile tone. “Antigonus will get the stroke to his ego he so desires.”
“I understand your sentiment, brother,” Vettias empathized. “We all must sometimes subjugate ourselves in the present to achieve our goals in the future.”
“I need not tell you my contribution to Alexander’s conquest. And where was this elderly invalid? Sitting comfortably in Asia Minor, pissing himself at night while hearing about our triumphs thousands of miles away. Worry not, Vettias, he’ll get his welcome. Now, is there another item you wish to raise?”
“That is all, I thank you again for your gracious hospitality,” Vettias replied while bowing. Seleucus and his family stood statuesque as we were led out by a palace attendant and exited the palace complex.
“Looks like Apama wasn’t too pleased with the plan Seleucus and I agreed to last meeting,” Vettias stated after ensuring we were not within earshot of anyone. “That eastern bitch really has him by the sack. I would have loved to watch him tell her they had to accept Antigonus into Babylon as conquering hero. Just wait until I set the whole thing on fire and she is forced to flee her precious city.”
****
The following week we met with Gilad, who informed us he was unable to obtain the physical location of Seleucus’ secretive hoard of satrapal funds, but assured us the time would be right in the coming weeks as there was an internal audit scheduled. Vettias unenthusiastically agreed to this delay and the two of us found ourselves with an abundance of time on our hands. Vettias spent most of it with Yasmina and began sleeping there for days at a time. The welcome respite filled my mind with thoughts of Mara and Talos. He would b
e walking and talking by the time they arrived in Babylon and yet, I still was not an important part of his life. That would soon change and I would not let Talos grow up without a responsible and caring male influence in his life. Their impending arrival spurred me to regularly clean and rearrange my room to make sure everything was perfect for their stay.
I also thought of my mates. I missed the sordid banter around the fire; I missed the smells and sounds of our bivouac; I even missed the guttural eruptions of our lochagos as he barked orders at us. These musings sparked an idea that I would host my mates to a banquet in the formal dining hall of Malick’s lodging, to which Vettias begrudgingly agreed.
Two weeks later, Gilad remained true to his word and provided us the location of a second vault located within the royal residence of the palace. Our initial mission was now complete, with Seleucus agreeing to recognize Antigonus’ authority and Gilad providing all Vettias needed to incite a feud between the two would-be Successors. Soon, the largest Greek army in the world would be pitted against the fiend Cassander. All that was left was to wait for the spring thaw.
****
One more month of decadent leisure followed before an advance party of General Antigonus appeared in Babylon – he would be arriving in three days. In that time Vettias made himself more available within the palace and assisted in some of the final preparations. On the third day, a massive dust cloud could be seen on the horizon, with the first elements of the army coming into view at noon. By dusk I gazed upon a vast city of tents erected outside the city walls, content in the knowledge my family resided in one of them. Tomorrow we would be reunited.
Antigonus kept his camp under strict curfew that evening until the welcoming ceremony officially received him and hailed him as conquering hero. He did send a delegation to the palace that evening to discuss final details which Vettias and I attended to ensure we held a place of importance within the official welcoming party. Vettias would make sure Antigonus knew his grand reception was because of him.
World on Fire Page 23
