The interior was a massive dark void that boasted an immaculately decorated vaulted ceiling. Large torches provided the only light and flickered off the massive marble statue of Poseidon holding a golden trident. We waited in line to perform our obligatory supplication before the god and departed the temple to procure a small portion of meat from a street vendor. Davos and I blended easily with the many other Amphipolis citizens enjoying their morning meal.
“So, a couple of Macedonians outside the gate, a company of Indian guards inside,” Davos commented after we observed the fortress for about an hour. “First thing we need to do is infiltrate those two sentries. We’ll start following them and determine where they sleep, where they drink and where they fuck. We should be able to elicit when they receive deliveries and we’ll be there to follow whoever is involved. For now, that is the best option I see for getting inside the fortress without raising suspicion.”
“We also need to determine if they even want to be rescued. What if we get inside only to find the Argeads don’t want to go anywhere?” I asked.
“Those two are coming with us whether they like it or not.”
“Perhaps we can get a message to the Queen?” I suggested. “Let her know a rescue party is coming so she can make any preparations ahead of time.”
“It will be difficult,” Davos countered. “Polyperchon had attempted this with Olympias while she was still holed up with the royal family in Pydna last year. Cassander infiltrated the communication ring and used it to sow mistrust between the two. Rhoxane no doubt learned from that mistake and will be wary of believing any unsolicited messages promising help. Let’s focus on these two saps and see what they know first.”
“Agreed.”
I sat with my colleague in the pleasant sun for two hours observing the comings and goings of the acropolis. At noon one of the food merchants brought a generous portion to the two fortress sentries, which was the only activity to occur at the castle gate the entire morning. After another hour we decided our presence was drawing unwanted attention and we took our leave of the acropolis. At the end of the winding road down to the city, we took up position at a large eatery with a favorable line of sight to the acropolis road. We sat there until dusk when our two sentries made their way down, presumably toward their homes at the end of their shift.
“You take the one on the left, I’ll take the one on the right. Stay with him for the evening. I’ll meet you back at the lodging tomorrow morning,” Davos instructed as we waited for them to pass the eatery and then fell in behind them. As they parted ways, Davos and I split to follow our respective targets.
My mark was not security-conscious, allowing me to keep close to him amid the bustling streets of Amphipolis at dusk. He passed several taverns and made two stops, both at venues selling home goods, pointing to him being a family man. After a quarter-hour, we ended up on a residential street of apartment buildings. I watched him enter one of these drab structures and lost sight of him. After several minutes, I entered the building but could not discern which of the six flats he resided in. With any luck he would occupy a first-floor residence, affording me the ability to spy in and ascertain the man’s situation.
I exited the building and carefully peeked into each of the available windows on the ground floor where I spotted my man, sitting at a small table eating dinner with what was presumably his wife and two toddlers. Assuming the posture of a beggar, I sat down in an alley across from the building’s entrance, to ensure he would not depart for any evening activities. After about two more hours it seemed clear my man was in for the night and I made my way home.
****
Davos and I met in our lodging’s galley the following morning to compare notes.
“My mark is a family man. Stayed home last night; has a wife and two young kids,” I reported over a plate of yogurt and grapes.
“That could be useful if we get desperate. A man will do anything to save his family from a perceived threat – or a real one,” Davos stated coldly with a sinister grin. “My mark is a little more promising. He’s a bachelor; lives in a small flat and enjoys himself by drinking and womanizing. We’ll plan on a chance encounter with him tonight. We’ll sit up at the acropolis watching the gate until noon then pick him back up at the same eatery to follow him home.”
After breakfast we bent our knee at the feet of Poseidon once more before taking up position near the food merchants to observe the fortress gate. We departed at noon after a quiet morning without activity and shared a jug of wine while sitting at the same eatery to wait for our man. When the sentry duo made their way down at dusk we followed our mark to his home and sat in an adjacent alley until his re-emergence one hour later. He took us to a different tavern than the one he did Davos the night before and entered the dingy establishment to the greeting of several nods from patrons before sitting down next at an apparent acquaintance’s table.
Davos and I procured a table close by and casually observed our target for the better part of an hour. “We’ll wait until his friend gets up to make our friendly overture.” After our mark had drank sufficient amounts of wine, an opportunity presented itself and the two of us confidently sat down just as the atmosphere of the tavern began to pick up.
“Hello friend,” Davos greeted. “Mind if two travelers sit here and buy you and your mate a jug?” The man was a little surprised but was in good spirits and thus did not protest. “We are conducting some mercantile business here and wanted to ask your opinion on where we should spend our money tonight if women be our goal?”
Apparently, Davos had assessed him correctly as he smiled broadly before giving a number of suggestions, providing an impressive amount of detail regarding the quality of the staff at each. As the promised jug arrived and his companion returned, we had become fast friends. His name was Zenon and he was about eight years my junior – too young to have been involved in any of the wars of conquest or succession. We whetted his appetite for war stories before Davos tactfully turned the conversation to his time in the eastern campaign – talking about the exotic tribes of Bactria and India. Zenon’s eyes lit up as he now saw an opening to add to the conversation and perhaps impress his two new veteran friends in the process.
“I am intimately familiar with the dark skin tribes of the east,” he eagerly interrupted. “I see them regularly, right here in Amphipolis.”
Davos feigned surprise and took an intense interest in Zenon’s claim, while I quietly observed our mark willingly divulge all he knew about the Indian contingent. I probably would have done the same if I were in his situation – too young to know anything, guarding a gate in the city I never left, all while talking to two veterans of the great wars who actually took an interest in me.
“They wear next to nothing; they have no possessions other than the eastern spear. They paint tribal patterns on themselves with red henna; they meditate every day. They are prohibited from speaking to outsiders; only their leader speaks some broken Greek.”
“That is fascinating,” Davos replied, “And the Argeads reside there as well? Have you seen them?”
“They do indeed. I’ve seen them on a number of occasions – about once a month when the delivery of provisions arrives – usually a medium cart pulled by a mule and loaded with mundane supplies. They wheel it through the gate, unload it at the back galley entrance, then wheel it away. During that time, I have brought several of the Argead’s personal items to their chamber suites where I’ve spied the Queen and her son who usually runs out to see a Macedonian soldier.”
We kept him talking while plying him and his companion with considerable amounts of alcohol.
“You’ve seen the Royal family?” I asked with contrived excitement. “Are they in good spirits? Where do they live within the castle?”
“Their quarters are in the tower on the northwest side, atop the acropolis wall overlooking the city below.”
“And these savages – they allow you entrance to the private residence?” I inquired,
looking for an angle.
“There is a Macedonian superintendent named Glaucias who oversees all castle functions. Glaucias is the Argead’s primary caretaker and limits all interactions between the Royal family and the savages. While they are offloading provisions, I carry up the Argead’s personal items to their private quarters.”
“You have the most interesting job in this city,” Davos proclaimed while raising his cup to our new friends. “So when do you think you will see the Argead’s again?”
“We are scheduled to receive a delivery early next week,” Zenon answered proudly, fully caught up in the moment of impressing us.
“You know, Alexander personally saved my life once during the Battle of the Hydaspes River in India and I was never given the chance to thank him. Young Alexander no doubt knows the legend of his father but I think it would be important if I could personally impart what his father meant to me. Would you be willing to give the Queen this humble letter I have written in the hopes of passing it along to them while in Amphipolis?”
Zenon hesitated for a moment before smiling and taking the small sealed scroll.
CHAPTER 37
Davos and I were back at the acropolis the following week, keeping enough distance to not be recognized by Zenon, awaiting the delivery of provisions.
“You think he gave Rhoxane the note?” I asked.
“Yes,” Davos responded disinterestedly.
“You think she believes it to be legitimate?”
“Don’t know. We’ll soon find out though. We’re going to be in the next delivery cart.”
After two more days of mundane surveillance, we finally saw a tired mule pulling a rickety wagon through the Acropolis entrance, making its way to the fortress gate. Davos and I quickly moved into better position to observe the unloading process described to us by Zenon.
The cart was pulled in behind the wall so Davos and I scaled the stairs of Poseidon’s temple to gain a better vantage. Given the temple was built on the highest elevation of the acropolis, we were able to peer over the fortress wall just enough to view the activity within the grounds. True to Zenon’s word, thin, dark men dressed only in white loincloths and decorated with red henna began unloading the supplies through the back galley entrance. Zenon could also be seen gathering up specific items and personally taking them inside.
The two cart drivers stood by and watched before guiding the mule back through the fortress gate while Davos and I got into position to begin shadowing the cart back to the city. The wagon moved awkwardly through the congested streets, allowing us to keep a wide distance while it remained in our sight. The two drivers led us directly to a medium-sized general store on a busy street which offered an assortment of foodstuffs, wine and sundries. The mule pulled the wagon into the structure’s storage house and the two men disappeared into the building after tying off the mule.
Davos and I casually entered the general store to purchase a few items and commit the drivers’ faces to memory. After lingering for several minutes, we took up position at an eatery across the street and waited for our marks to depart for the evening. We split up and followed them to their respective homes and shadowed them for several additional days to obtain a good pattern of life. Once a sufficient picture of them had been gathered, Davos and I arranged to encounter the less scrupulous of the two at an eatery he frequented. We found our man sitting alone, enjoying a cup of wine and eating an overcooked hen.
“Do you mind if we join you, friend?” Davos asked confidently, holding a jug of wine. “I promise to make it worth your while,” he added while showing him the seal on the jug which denoted its high price and quality. The man motioned for us to sit as Davos put two additional cups on the table and liberally filled all three.
“I thank you, sir. My name is Davos. This is my associate, Andrikos.”
“Sotirus,” the man grunted. “What business do you want with me?”
“Here’s to mutual benefit,” Davos answered while raising his drink in salutation. All three touched cups and took a long sip of the excellent vintage. “I’m in the business of making those who do favors for me rich. Unbeknownst to you, your employment provides an opportunity for you and I to both discreetly benefit.”
Sotirus remained emotionless as Davos made his pitch.
“Your monthly route to the castle. How long have you been making it?”
“Since Cassander brought the Argeads here.”
“Who is your contact within the castle? Who makes the order?”
“Glaucias. He manages all fortress affairs.”
“What if I wanted to pay you an exorbitant sum of coin to add two items to your cart during your next delivery? I ask nothing more and offer this purse of coin in return,” Davos queried while displaying a heavy sack of drachmas.
Sotirus grabbed the purse and looked skeptically at his two new friends. “You’re going to give me this in return for adding two items to the next delivery?” he asked doubtingly. “What exactly are we talking about?”
Davos smiled as it appeared our man was entertaining the offer. “The two of us,” he answered.
“You realize that place is guarded by a troop of dark-skinned savages from the east?” Sotirus replied.
“Nothing to fear from your end. We’re not looking for a fight, nor will we be seen. All I need from you is to get us past the fortress entrance unnoticed during your next delivery and you will never hear of this business or see me again. Just make sure your partner is looking the other way as we enter and exit the wagon.”
“We don’t offload the cargo. The savages do that. They will surely see two Greeks sitting inside. That will come back on us.”
“I’m thinking we can subtly fashion several suspended planks to the undercarriage of the wagon that can support myself and Andrikos. Then it is only a matter of you giving us a signal to run out from underneath when the opportunity presents itself during the unloading phase.”
Sotirus contemplated Davos’ offer and nodded his head. “Something like that can be arranged.”
“And your partner – how will you install such an apparatus without his knowledge?” I asked.
“I’ll do it the night before and remove it the night after.”
“Would making a stop along your route to the castle cause your partner any suspicion?” I continued.
“Shouldn’t.”
“That is how we will get ourselves aboard without his knowledge. Name your stopping point and we will be waiting.”
“There is a family that sells excellent cheese along the route. I’ll ensure to pick some up on the way to the fortress.”
“And that is where the payment will be made,” Davos instructed, putting the considerable purse of coin back in his cloak. “When is the next delivery scheduled?”
“Three weeks after tomorrow.”
“Then we will meet here for dinner one week after tomorrow, agreed?”
“I’ll be here,” Sotirus assured skeptically, still dubious of our proposal. We shook hands, left the jug on the table and made our leave back to our lodging for the evening.
“Tomorrow we are going down to the docks,” Davos announced on our way home. “I’m thinking the sea is our best chance of escape once we have the Argeads.”
I nodded my consent as we entered our quarters and retired for the evening.
****
The next morning, we walked among the dozens of ships moored in Amphipolis’ harbor along the Strymon River which emptied into the Aegean Sea. The docks berthed every manner of vessel from the simple fishing skiff to large cargo frigates.
“These larger ships heading for foreign ports are not going to be here by the time the next delivery is scheduled,” I stated. “We need to find a local who is willing to make some money on a voyage east.”
“Agreed,” Davos responded as we inspected each vessel and the various sailors working on them. “But it will need to be bigger than these rickety fishing boats.” After taking inventory of our options, none
seemed conducive for our purpose and we decided to continue looking over the next several days to determine if more favorable ships returned to port. On the third afternoon we came across a small merchant vessel moored among the local slips. We looked at each other and nodded in agreement that the newly arrived boat would suit our purposes. Spotting a man emerge from the cabin, Davos called out to him: “Excuse me, sir, you getting in today from abroad?”
“Who’s asking?” the grizzled sailor yelled back.
“A potential customer,” Davos responded. “Is Amphipolis your home port?”
“Aye, it is. We’re recently in from Athens.”
“How many crew do you sail with?”
“She’ll do fine with six.”
“Do you have sleeping quarters for travelers?”
“Aye, we can accommodate you if you are coming along with the cargo. It will cost more though. What are you looking to haul?”
“Four passengers.”
“Four passengers? This ship can haul two hundred square feet in its cargo hold. Four passengers isn’t going to be worth my time.”
“You’re welcome to haul in addition to providing us safe passage, but you’ll find our fee will more than compensate your efforts on our behalf.”
“Four passengers?” the sailor asked again, unconvinced.
“Five hundred drachmas. For safe passage and your discretion. What is your name friend?”
“Gull. Five hundred drachmas for four people?” he repeated with suspicion.
Davos stepped on to the vessel and showed him a large purse of coin, “There’s more where this came from. You get half when we board and the rest when we arrive.”
“Where are we going?”
“East. Byzantium.”
“Byzantium? I’ve never sailed that far.”
“She’ll make it there. I have faith in your abilities,” Davos reassured after doing a once-over of the craft. “Can I count on you?”
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