The Laughing Gods

by Wilbur Arron

  We all nodded and then Pallas took out a small piece of parchment and started to read. “We killed one thousand seven hundred and fifty-three Zilar. We captured about four hundred wounded. We have taken nine hundred twenty-three unwounded prisoners. After questioning them, we found one hundred fifty-three are regular Zilar troops. The rest are conscripted troops from the desert and other places. Our losses are four hundred and eighteen men dead with another three hundred sixty-two wounded.”

  “We also have captured twenty-four trierse and twenty-five troop transports,” Laodamus added. “We think they had the arms to supply some six thousand men. Most of those weapons were destroyed in the storehouses.”

  Laodamus turned to Pallas. “You were right, we took them by surprise. That plus the help we had from the mages made all the difference.

  “Then this invasion is over?” Philocrates asked.

  “This part of the invasion is over,” Pallas confirmed. “There will be no attack on Argina by the Zilar any time soon; however, it still leaves the matter of Ethnarch Pytheas and his plans.”

  He looked directly at Laodamus, who shrugged his shoulders. “I wish I knew,” he said shaking his head. “I thought I knew my father, but in these last years, he has changed. My father is more suspicious and more open to those who think more of themselves than of Lantia. One thing for sure, with the Zilar gone and Argina in the possession of all these ships, mounting an invasion of this land would be futile. That is especially true now that Lantia was abandoned by the mages.”

  “Have you heard any more about events in Lantia?” I asked.

  “No, not for a full month,” he said. “That is to be expected. Our sailing season is over until the spring.”

  “What do we do now?” one of the lochagos spoke up from the rear.

  Pallas looked at the man as if the answer is obvious. “We stay here and build defenses, so the Zilar do not do to us exactly what we have done to them. We will continue training our rowers and our troops. There is still a Zilar base to the west of the Central Mountains. We must destroy that before Argina can be safe.”

  A trooper guarding the entrance to our meeting called out. “Megas Archon, a search party has found people they think you should see immediately.”

  Our conversation stopped, and we all followed Pallas outside into the open courtyard. There were four men on their knees, all dressed in local clothes. The men had bowed their heads so we could not see their faces, but I noticed a signet ring on one of the men. A noble, by the look.

  One of the ten troops stood at attention and reported in a clear voice. “Megas Archon, we found these men trying to flee through the woods. One tried to fight us, and he is dead. We captured these other four. They say they are citizens of Vorepolis, but when I questioned some local citizens, no one knew them. I thought they might be spies.”

  “Good work,” Pallas said. “Give your names and ranks to Polemarch Xanphos. I will see you all receive rewards. Now show me who they are.”

  At the bark of an order from the troop commander, the troopers pulled the heads up so we could see their faces. Three of them I did not know, but Laodamus and I recognized one man.

  “Thessalon,” Laodamus said with a huge grin. “How wonderful it is to see you again.”

  After an explanation to the others about who he was, Laodamus walked over to the kneeling figure, and without a word, hit him in the side of his head with his open hand, knocking him senseless to the ground. Philocrates, Theodoros, and Carenos looked at the motionless figure like he was a harpy. I was surprised they did not turn him to dust. I would not have minded. I explained to Pallas that he was one of the planners of the invasion of Argina and the likely murderer of the Megas Mage.

  Laodamus took one of his lochagos and ten troopers from his trierse and took the four captives away. Philocrates went with them. Pallas wanted to question him, but Carenos assured our Megas Archon that that piece of skata would be interrogated thoroughly. Such inquiries are best done in private.

  “You are right, Mage Council Member Carenos, such questioning is best done in private,” he said with a broad grin and turned to me. “Things seem to be under control here. Master Mage Sopholus, I think it is time we should take a walk.”

  I was not sure what he was getting at and was suspicious, but I was not worried. Only a fool would try and assassinate me in front of other Mage Council members. I nodded my agreement and followed him outside the fortress. Five men started to go with us, but Pallas waved them off. This walk was going to be in private.

  We walked through the polis, and from time to time, Pallas would stop and question some of the citizens. Everyone told of being starved, beaten, forced to work in the fields like slaves, and most had at least one close friend or relative killed by the Zilar. Pallas took it all in, showing little emotion. Finally, when we reached a part of town that had few inhabitants, we stopped.

  Pallas spoke up in a tone like the one he used to address Xanphos—not like speaking to an underling. “I want to question you now, Master Mage. First off, I am curious why you were willing to walk alone with me considering what happened in the past.”

  “Simple, Megas Archon,” I said also speaking to him like I would Cleon or Iolaos, “Alone, you are no threat to me.”

  The thin, lean face contorted for a second before it relaxed. “I suppose not, especially after you killed a Mage Council member. Thank you for doing that. It eliminated a major problem for me.”

  “He also killed two of my friends,” I reminded him tersely. “Now, you did not bring me out here to discuss former Mage Pentheus.”

  “You are perceptive,” he said. “I wanted to discuss with you what you plan to do with this new mage polis you are building.”

  “All the mages are helping to build it,” I reminded him.

  Pallas blew a short breath through his teeth. “Nonsense, this is mostly your idea, and I would be blind if I did not notice how even the Mage Council members are more and more listening to your advice. I think very soon, you will be a leading mage and the guide behind this new polis.”

  I had my doubts about that, but I just told him. “There is little to tell other than what you know,” I explained. “I think that Zila is right. Mages should do more than practice magik. We should go help people. Helping them plant more, raise more animals; build bridges, or water and sewer systems. In short, make their lives easier. Happy people give rulers less trouble, and they are not so eager to rise up and join rebel armies.”

  “True enough,” Pallas answered. “In the past, I feared you because I saw your power, and I thought only an anoitios would not use that power to rule. I could not understand why a man with power like yours would not use that power to his own ends like my father would or any other ruler I know. I now see that perhaps I was wrong.”

  I did not know just how sincere Pallas was. I could still vividly remember that secret meeting I overheard in Cleon’s palace when our Megas Archon said that he would use Cleon, my wife, or any other person to control me. I was still not convinced he was not behind that attempt to kill me. I decided to find out once and for all.

  I stopped and looked directly into his face keeping a stern look. “Since we are alone, I am going to speak to you bluntly and hope you understand,” I told him. “I want a truthful answer; did those men who tried to kill me work for you or your father?”

  Pallas looked as if he was expecting the question. “The two dead assassins, no, they were hired by Melanthios. He did work for me, but I did not order him to kill you. He told my father he was in contact with two others who we think were paid by Zilar. We never found them, and Melanthios is dead. I will admit that at the time if they had killed you, I would not have mourned; I thought you were a danger and a threat to my father’s throne. However, things have changed since then.”

  That was about all that I could expect; now for some truth of my own. “Pallas, if I wanted you and your father dead, you would be dead. The Zilar could not stop me, Pentheus could no
t stop me, and Pytheas could not stop me. You and your father would not have stopped me either. If I wanted to be ethnarch in this land, I would be ethnarch, with little you or anyone else could do, just as Xanphos told you.”

  My candidness shocked Pallas. I could see him take a step back and slide his hand toward his sword. “I do not want to be ethnarch,” I said, gritting my teeth. “The only thing I want is to be the guardian of the Forest of Allund. As I told Zilar, his daughter, and I will tell you, all power is futile in the long run. If you try and force power, you will fail. The people will not accept it. Your reign may last for a while, but not over the years. That is true for the Zilar, Pytheas, your father, you, and especially me. The only way you or anyone else will hang on to power is to provide safety and comfort to your people. That is why I do believe in Zila’s idea to remake the Mage Brotherhood into a syntechnia to provide this help, and why you and your father should support it. Not because of the power it will bring us, but to increase satisfaction in the lives of your people. That is the only way you and your decedents will keep power over the years. It is the only way we will have lasting peace. Have I finally made myself clear to you?”

  I stood back, so if the Megas Archon did something stupid, I would be ready. He flushed red for a moment and stiffened. He was not expecting that answer. His kind never expects the sheep to answer back. He stood there silently for a moment, hand on his sword but did not draw it. He then broke into a smile.

  “Yes, Theodoros is right. You are a man of passion, but it is a different passion than mine. I see clearly now you do not want my throne, and I see why. I do not agree with some of what you said, but there is enough truth to it that I believe what you say. Very well, Mage, I hear you and take no insult although I am glad you waited until we were alone to say it. I will support your syntechnia and allow it to make Argina better. As long as it does not interfere with my running of Argina, I will give you no trouble.”

  “Good,” I said. “Now…”

  “AHHHHHHHHHHH” we heard in the distance. It sounded like a scream of death.

  Both Pallas and I turned on our heels. Pallas drew his sword, and I put up a sphere of force around us. We moved quickly but cautiously toward the source of the noise. We came around a three-story mudbrick building and up to the wall of the polis. We moved along the wall until we came to the gate leading south. Pallas, being a full head taller than me, peeked around the side of the gate.

  “It is Laodamus and the spies from Lantia,” he said.

  We stepped out into the open, and as I walked through the gate, I saw one man on the ground in a widening pool of blood. Three other men were all on their knees facing Laodamus. I saw the face of Thessalon contorted by pain and the horror of his imminent death as he lay on the ground. Someone had run him through with a sword and he had crumpled into a pile of dying flesh. I could feel no pity toward him.

  Laodamus turned to show a drawn sword still dripping blood. He saw us both coming. “That was pleasing,” he said. Then he looked serious. “This thing told me my father will attack Aegae in three days. He is here because my father wanted to get the Zilar to help with the attack. He was also going to make a treaty with them.”

  “We have to send word to them,” Pallas said.

  I remembered that Galenus was in Aegae, and the distance was short. “I think I can send word. I will need a quiet space.”

  We moved to the closest house, and Pallas asked the people, not so gently, to leave. I went into their dining room and asked everyone else to leave. Pallas put a heavy guard on the house, and I was left alone to concentrate. I took out the Speaking Stone and filled it with power. I concentrated on Mage Council Member Galenus and called out.

  “Master Mage Galenus, please listen. Alexio Sopholus calls to you.”

  “I hear you, Alex,” came the immediate reply. “How did the attack go?”

  “We took the polis easily but listen; Pytheas will attack you in three days, maybe a little sooner or later. You must send for help and be ready.”

  “I hear you; three days. I will tell Nomiki and the others. We still have troops in Erinia. If we hurry, we can get them here.”

  “Then go quickly and good luck,” I told him.

  With that, we broke contact. That effort drained me more than I expected. I got up and made for the door, but suddenly I became so light-headed, I fell to my knees. The room spun in circles, and all went gray and then red. After that, all went black.

  I came to within the stone walls of the fortress. About me, all was noise. I got up slowly and walked toward the voices. I saw men running about carrying things. I started to walk out the door when I heard someone from behind.

  “Good, you are up,” I heard the voice of Theodoros.

  “What happened?” I asked.

  “You have used the magik too much recently. Young mages often forget that magik takes power from the mage also. It takes time for the body to recover. I am glad you came to. I thought we may have to carry you to the ships.”

  “We are leaving so soon?” I asked.

  “Pallas’ plan,” Theodoros explained. “We approach Aegae at night and hope to trap Pytheas between us and the coast. We are loading the boats now. Pallas wants to leave right after dark.”

  “Why the hurry?” I asked. “We will get there a day early. Pytheas may see us if we are that early.”

  “No,” Theodoros said. “Alex, you have been asleep a full night and almost two full days. Pytheas will be at Aegae tomorrow night.”

  No wonder my insides felt ready to burst. I got up and moved over to a chamber pot and emptied myself into it, almost filling it.

  “Good, you are with us again,” I heard Pallas from the door. “We need to go soon.”

  Xanphos was standing there, along with Philocrates. “Can you walk to the ships?” Pallas asked.

  “Yes, but I still feel tired. Theodoros was right, I used the magik too much. I forgot about the cost you pay for using it.”

  “Well, get rested quickly,” Pallas ordered. “I will need you soon. We will be shorthanded enough.”

  I looked at Theodoros, wondering what that meant. “Laodamus and his men are not coming with us,” the mage explained. They will stay and guard Vorepolis. They do not want to fight their own friends and family.”

  I could see their point. No one wants to fight, and especially kill, their own kin. I started to leave when I heard Xanphos call out.

  “What about our prisoners?” Xanphos asked. “We cannot take them with us, and there are too many to leave with Laodamus”

  “We will not,” Pallas said with finality. “After what I have seen of the suffering of these people, it is only justice the surviving citizens of Vorepolis decide their fate. Under my authority and responsibility, I am going to announce that tonight at the change of the first watch, I will withdraw the guard protecting the prisoners until sunup. I will not untie them. The regular Zilar troops can explain their actions to the citizen of Vorepolis, and they will decide what will happen to them. As for those forced to fight here, I will release them back to their homes as soon as we get all the information we can about the Zilar plans.”

  “That goes against the normal rules of war,” Xanphos said, “But I agree, it is justice.”

  I nodded my approval at the plan. It was time for the Zilar to learn the consequences of their actions. I did not say anything at the time, but I did wonder what we would do with any regular Zilar troops that managed to convince the citizens of Vorepolis to let them live.

  As it turned out, that was something we did not have to worry about.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: SUMMONS

  Although expected, there was no Battle of Aegae.

  Our fleet got to the port on time to greet the expected arrival of the Lantian fleet. Instead of an enemy fleet, what we greeted instead was an early winter storm. It was not severe, but it did blow our fleet around. We later found out the wind scattered the Lantian fleet. After riding out the storm, we noticed two trierse
appear near both Aegae and Vorepolis. They took one look at our fleet in Aegae and the troops at Vorepolis and left in a hurry. They must have told the other ships in their fleet because that was the last time we ever saw of any Lantian ships. I did not mind. Because of that storm, the only thing I ended up fighting was a monumental case of seasickness. The other mages were in a similar condition.

  Laodamus brought the fleet into Aegae harbor and pulled them up on land. Several trierse would need repairs over the winter. Most of the hoklas went back to Vorepolis and were taken out of the water for protection. The regular troops spent their time bolstering the defenses of both ports under the watchful eye of Xanphos. The militia troops went home and were told to be ready in the spring. Either Zilar or Pytheas would find it much tougher to take these poleis now. As soon as I felt better, I went home.

  Both Pallas and Laodamus came with us until we got to Korpolis. There, Cleon threw a victory celebration. There was also a celebration of Thanksgiving at our local temple which served as our pantheon. I did not attend because I still had another two years to serve as part of the punishment the archiereas pronounced against me for killing Lycus. Although the conditions of my sentence, as to my confinement to Korpolis and my rank as a Master Mage were restored, the sentence the archiereas had given me was never removed. I still had the three-year ban on visiting temples in Argina. That did not stop me from enjoying the other victory celebrations.

  Two other people did not take part in the celebrations. Philie went into labor the day before we arrived back in the polis. The labor lasted the night, during which she did indeed deliver twins; a boy and a girl. Both were healthy. Melina and I bought both infants good luck charms from the local soothsayer. I doubted if the charms do any good, but it shows our concern. Theresa gave birth to a healthy boy four days later. Melina and I bought a charm for him also.

  I had a little extra money. Laodamus and Pallas insisted on giving all the mages an equal share of the loot that we took off the Zilar in Vorepolis. Any money or property belonging to the citizens of Vorepolis, Pallas returned immediately. Both were fair men in this instance. Neither of them took more or less than the amount given to any man that fought. Those that died, the portion was doubled and sent to their families. Both men could have taken more, as is their right as leaders and royalty, but they did not.