“How did they die?” Antigonus inquired.
“During our travels after Byzantium, we woke one morning to find someone had opened their throats, presumably in their sleep,” Davos replied coldly. “All belongings of value were stolen as well.”
“Well, one can never be too careful when traveling,” Antigonus answered. “The common brigand is an unfortunate fact of life in this world. The world is not ready to learn of their deaths, so we will continue to feign ignorance both of the kidnapping and of their demise. You two are never to breathe a word of this incident to anyone, is that understood?”
“Discretion is our specialty, my lord.”
“Good. The more fervently we deny our involvement in this act, the more Cassander, Ptolemy and Lysimachus will be convinced I have them. Our denials will provide cover to Cassander to continue the farce that they are alive and in his custody and no one will be blamed for their deaths. You two have served me well. I know the loss of the Argeads is painful for all Greeks but maybe now there can be peace after our victory over these usurpers. You will both be reimbursed generously for your efforts. Is there anything you need from the Lord of Asia?”
“My lord, might I make a small request?” I asked reverently.
“What is it, Andrikos?”
“I received word that my cousin is now the head of the ruling council in the town of my birth. He has served in this role for a little over a year now. He is a veteran of Alexander’s eastern campaigns and was forced to retire due to an injury received at the battle of the Hydaspes River in India. He hails from a moderate-sized town along the Ionian coast within the Caria Satrapy. He is an ardent supporter of your administration and would no doubt serve you loyally should he be appointed to a satrapal position. These times necessitate having allies in as many positions of power as possible.”
“Granted,” Antigonus interrupted before I finished my request. “I don’t trust the current Satrap of Caria, Asander, and it will be useful to have people indebted to me working in his administration. Speak with my attendant outside and have him draw up the appointment decree. Davos, you will be staying on with Aretes here. Andrikos, you will continue south to Gaza and serve under Vettias in Demetrius’ battle staff. Serve him well.”
“Yes, my lord,” I responded as we all stood and departed the general’s quarters. Davos and I walked together toward our horses where he would unpack his equipment before making his way to the quartermaster bivouac to draw his issue. Before he departed, I grabbed his arm: “You’re a good man, Davos. I’ve enjoyed our time together and learned much from working with you.”
“And you as well, Andrikos. The boy from Ilandra who became the Chief Protector of the Macedonian King. I wish you well on your journey south and give my regards to Vettias. I suspect we shall reunite soon.”
Davos turned and walked in the direction of the camp’s quartermaster while I mounted my horse and left the twice-besieged city. As I left, I hailed an ouragos and inquired into the whereabouts of the Pydna Syntagma. The old salt informed me they did not march south with Demetrius and would be marching north with Antigonus’ army, so I would not be seeing my former mates for the foreseeable future.
Gaza was a week’s ride south along the coast of the Middle Sea. When I approached Demetrius’ encampment outside the city, it was clear the phalangites assembled were on a war footing. They had already won several small skirmishes with forces loyal to Ptolemy in Phoenicia and now took up positions deep in his territorial claim of Judea. It was no small feat to convince the guards of the encampment to allow me entry, but once admitted I made way straight to the headquarters bivouac.
I came upon a sea of activity around the headquarters tent, with officers and attendants walking purposefully in and out. I approached the guards to request entry which was granted with an armed escort. My handler marched me to a large table where Demetrius was flanked by several officers huddling over a large map. To his right I saw Vettias, who looked up and was startled to see me standing before him in Gaza.
“That will be all, sentry. He is a member of the battle staff,” Vettias declared to my escort who quickly darted out of sight.
“Andrikos!” Demetrius yelled out. “You return from Greece! See me after this meeting.”
“Might I have a short word with him now, sir?” Vettias requested.
“Very well, be quick,” Demetrius replied as the two of us embraced and exited the tent.
“Tell me everything,” Vettias demanded after assuring we were not within earshot of anyone outside. “Were you successful? Do we have them?”
“There is much to tell. But let me begin with the fact they are alive and well.”
Vettias nodded his head in relief.
“But what I just told you can never be divulged. You and Hiro are the last members of a very select group of people that will ever know the true fate of Rhoxane and Alexander IV.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“When Antigonus decided to implement your plan to kidnap the Argeads, he had ulterior motives that were unknown to either of us. Antigonus ordered Davos and me to kill them after their rescue.”
“What?” Vettias exclaimed in a hushed rage.
“Just remember how I began the story and know those words can never be uttered again.”
“Where are they?” Vettias whispered.
“A small town in Ionia, one which you have heard of before – Ilandra.”
Vettias could no longer contain the shock of all he was being told.
“You have the royal family staying at your home?”
“Shut up!” I whispered. “It was the only way to both honor the oath and execute Antigonus’ orders. They are safe and secure with my family, who are also vowed to secrecy. But Demetrius must believe we have faithfully followed his father’s orders, so you can never let on you know the truth, understood?”
Vettias nodded his consent and we returned to the headquarters tent to await our meeting with Demetrius. When the staff meeting concluded, Vettias and I remained and waited until the tent cleared out.
“Andrikos, it is good to see you,” Demetrius stated while embracing me. “Were you successful in your mission?”
I nodded.
“I just want you to know I disagreed with my father’s wishes on this at first but have come to see the wisdom of it now. We will keep our involvement in the operation a secret, thus allowing the traitors to continue their ruse. No one will be the wiser. Your services are badly needed here for we have received word from our forward scouts that Ptolemy and Seleucus march north at the head of a twenty thousand-man army to repel our invasion. I’ve instructed Vettias to make an overture to either delay or negotiate a truce to establish Gaza as my father’s southern-most border. It would be preferable if we can avoid a battle and enter into a treaty to shore up our southern flank so my father can focus on Greece. I want you, Andrikos, to accompany Vettias in this task.”
“Yes, sir. As you wish. When are we to depart?”
“Tomorrow, first light. You are to entertain all accusations that we harbor the Argeads without admitting anything. If you are unsuccessful in leveraging your previous relationship with Seleucus, then we will take to the field and prepare for a pitched battle. That is all.”
Vettias and I took our leave and made way to the quartermaster bivouac to draw my basic issue. “How are they? What is their disposition? What is young Alexander’s character?”
“They were being mistreated – locked away in a castle tower with little interaction with the outside world, guarded by a company of Indians, no doubt organized by Orontes, who did not speak the language and cared nothing for their royal heritage. It was a sad existence. Alexander is a kind, gentle boy but his confinement has prolonged his innocence and stunted his maturity. My cousin and uncle will be good influences on him. Rhoxane has given up all hope of her son ascending the throne and cares only for his safety and wellbeing. She will finally be at ease in the loving environment
Ilandra can provide. In the end, the only way The King’s Hand could accomplish its sworn duty to protect Alexander’s heir was convince the world he was dead. That is or legacy – protectors of the truth. We saved Alexander IV.”
“And the Successors are going to keep quiet about it so none feel the wrath their subjects would bring if they knew of their leader’s scheme,” Vettias added indignantly. “And at the same time, they will be free to declare themselves king and bequeath their thrones to their own heirs. These men are a disgrace to Alexander’s legacy they claimed loyalty to. I am ashamed to have served them. Eumenes would never have stood for this.”
“But for now, Cassander, Ptolemy and Lysimachus all believe the Argeads to be in Antigonus’ custody, and that is what we are to let on,” I explained. “What are our chances of success in halting Ptolemy’s march north?”
“Not good. The size of his army has surprised everyone and he has more men than we do. Antigonus was foolish to split his army in this manner. Ptolemy was always the most cunning of Alexander’s generals and Demetrius is no match for him at this point in his maturation. There may be an angle to work with Seleucus, but any settlement he will agree to must surely include his reinstatement as Satrap of Babylonia. I suspect Antigonus will refuse any such demand.”
“And if we lose here?” I asked.
“I just don’t know anymore. This information you bring illuminates the true nature of the men we serve. I cannot answer that question in good faith.”
CHAPTER 42
Gaza was the last city before entering the expanse of the Sinai Desert. Vettias and I ensured to pack extra food and bladders of water and chose to ride on camels as opposed to horses. Being my first time on the strange beast, I struggled the first few days of our journey. Vettias was not much better but didn’t hesitate to insult my riding skills at every available opportunity.
After ten days we came upon a dust cloud in the far distance being kicked up by Ptolemy’s marching army. We waited for the army to halt for the evening before approaching the bivouacs that were set up in short order. As we approached the sentries guarding the bivouac, they began motioning for us to stay away, assuming we were local merchants trying to sell our wares. Vettias and I dismounted our camels as we neared the distrustful guards, with our hands held above our heads to put them at ease.
“Be gone!” shouted one sentry. “We are in no need of spice merchants.”
“Hello, friend,” Vettias yelled back. “We are not merchants. We are Greeks. We are from Macedon. We come to your army on official business of the Empire.”
Satisfied with his answer and Vettias’ credible Macedonian accent, the sentries lowered their spears and allowed us to approach them.
“State your business here, stranger,” the sentry demanded.
“I am Vettias of Amphipolis. I have been sent as an emissary from the army of General Demetrius, son of General Antigonus, the Lord of Asia.”
“We do not recognize that title here,” the sentry shot back in reference to Antigonus.
“Regardless, I am here to speak with Generals Ptolemy and Seleucus. Please inform them I am here. I am a personal friend of General Seleucus.”
The sentry nodded to one of his subordinates who ran off to deliver the message, leaving Vettias and I to wait for his return in the cool dusk wind. After ten minutes, the guard raced back with a contingent of armed phalangites to escort us to an audience with their army’s commander. The spectacle of the two of us being shepherded through the camp by eight armed phalangites brought the attention of all we passed. Vettias and I made sure to take note of as many details about the enemy army as we could before arriving at the headquarters bivouac.
We were checked for weapons before being granted entry into the headquarters tent where the leader of Egypt stood with Seleucus at his side.
“Leave us,” Ptolemy ordered to the guards, at which they quickly disappeared. “Welcome, valued guests, fellow Greeks, Macedonian brothers,” Ptolemy greeted. “General Seleucus informs me you have served our homeland honorably and I thank you. Seleucus has also told me you currently serve Antigonus and his son, Demetrius. I don’t recall seeing them on the Persian conquest, do you, Vettias?”
“No, sir, I do not.”
“And why do you serve enemies of Alexander’s heirs?”
“I believe that is in the eye of the beholder, sir. There have been many transgressions made in the name of Alexander by all would-be Successors, both living and dead.”
“I am the only beholder that matters here,” Ptolemy corrected in a passive-aggressive tone.
Ptolemy had strong Macedonian features and was an archetype of the Macedonian aristocracy. He spoke eloquently and had a touch of black Egyptian make-up around his eyes. Visible on his forearm was an Egyptian tattoo which, presumably, went up the length of his arm. He wore a magnificent Macedonian cuirass with a purple silk cloak and ornate greaves. He was of an impressive stature with several nicks and scars from years of hard campaigning.
“Please, sit, relay what Demetrius wishes to tell me,” Ptolemy instructed as the four of us sat down at his staff table.
“First, he bids you good tidings and salutes your service to Alexander during the great conquest. He wishes peace with your Egyptian holdings and only marches his army south as a defensive maneuver in response to the ultimatum delivered by Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus and yourself.”
“Antigonus was charged with defeating the traitor Eumenes,” Ptolemy responded coldly and dispassionately. “His task is complete. Therefore, he must discharge his army at once. He is entitled to no satrapies, no lands, no armies, no titles. He should consider himself fortunate we allowed him to keep the eastern satrapies; yet he ousts Seleucus from his rightful position, as agreed upon by the Triparadeisus Summit? And after this offense, he marches further west and invades my legitimate holdings in Phoenicia and Judea? Now he sends his loyal servant to ask that I accept this affront and enter into a treaty with him? He wants the leader of Egypt, a fellow rider of Alexander since childhood, to do nothing in the face of this blatant contempt? What type of Macedonian would I be to allow this? And let us not forget about his most recent stunt in Amphipolis.”
“I don’t take your meaning about Amphipolis, sir,” Vettias replied.
“You stole the fucking Argeads,” a familiar voice hissed from a dark corner of the tent. Vettias and I looked toward the emerging silhouette to see a man stepping into the light and remove his hood to reveal the sinister face of Orontes. Vettias and I jumped to our feet as Orontes deliberately made his way to the table. Ptolemy and Seleucus also stood and drew their swords to prevent a confrontation.
“Gentlemen, gentlemen, no need for hostilities,” Ptolemy stated in a calm tone while brandishing his sword. “Please, remain seated. I know you have a history with this man but there’s no reason we cannot sit and work this out like civilized kinsmen. Fear not, I didn’t invite Macedonian brothers into my camp only to have you killed through treachery.”
“Hello, Vettias,” Orontes greeted with a disdainful smile. “It’s been a long time, old friend. And you,” Orontes added while looking at me. “The little minion. Glad to see you made it out of Pella. I thought I might have left you for dead in that alley. Another few seconds and you surely would have been.”
“I see your wound did not fully heal,” I snapped. “Let that scar always remind you of our last encounter.”
“Charming, to the last, aren’t we boy,” Orontes snickered.
“That is not how gentlemen speak to one another,” Ptolemy interjected tranquilly. “Let us speak plainly, Vettias. We all know Antigonus kidnapped the Argeads from Amphipolis. What we don’t know is why he has not announced to the world they are in his custody.”
“There won’t be an announcement because Antigonus does not have them,” Vettias answered coyly. “Do you mean to tell me Cassander no longer has custody of Rhoxane and Alexander IV?”
Ptolemy now looked at Orontes gravely as Vett
ias’ stalwart denial of the allegation had taken them by surprise. “For another time, then,” Ptolemy stated, “but for now, allow me to deliver my terms to Demetrius. He is to march his army north to Syria and return Phoenicia and Judea to me. His father is to march his army no further west and remain in Asia Minor where he will cease all hostilities with Cassander and Lysimachus. Finally, he is to reinstate Seleucus as Satrap of Babylonia. If these requirements are met I will march this army to Phoenicia, go no further, and will recognize his father’s claims to Asia Minor and the eastern satrapies. If he fails to comply with these demands, I will destroy his southern army in Judea and confiscate his eastern satrapies from him. You tell your master these are my terms and there will be no negotiation.”
Ptolemy, Seleucus and Orontes then rose, signaling the conversation was over. Vettias and I stood and shook hands with Ptolemy. “Your reputation as a skilled commander and gracious diplomat is certainly warranted, sir,” Vettias stated.
“As is yours as a loyal servant to Macedon,” Ptolemy responded.
Next, Vettias shook Seleucus’ hand, “It is good to see you again, brother. I am heartened to see you have found good fortune in the army of Ptolemy and I wish you well.”
“And I you, Vettias. When this is over, I look forward to the day when I can call you ally once again.”
Finally, Vettias stood face-to-face with his nemesis, Orontes, “I am going to enjoy killing you some day. My only wish is that I am there when you take your last breath; that my smiling face is the last thing your wretched eyes ever see as you fade to black.”
“That is no way to speak to an old friend,” Orontes sneered. “You are fortunate Ptolemy is such a gracious host, for I would have had you killed the moment you entered this camp. You and your little minion here will find yourselves under my knife again and when you do, Zeus himself will be unable to spare you. Sleep well in knowing that I will stop at nothing until you find yourselves awoken to the sound of blade entering your body by one of my agents. And, rest assured, I will find the Argeads. You and Antigonus cannot hide them forever.”
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