And that was the problem that had beset Krateros ever since the news of Alexander’s death had reached him: which way to turn? Both directions had their plus and minus points and he had a woman to help him in whichever way he chose to go.
Phila, as Antipatros’ daughter, would give him the support of the old man still besieged in Lamia. Assuming that his, Krateros’, sources were correct – and there was no reason to think otherwise as the information fitted with the arrogance of the man – Antipatros would welcome an ally against Leonnatus who would, no doubt, use his new royal connection to make himself king. That would be an eventuality that all who had surrounded Alexander would wish to avoid: the arrogant, preening dandy with his coiffure aping the great man himself would not be a king of unification: few would be able to stomach such a man lording it over them; and, besides, he was not the possessor of the greatest military mind.
And then there was Amastris, his Persian bride forced upon him by Alexander at the mass wedding in Susa; the cousin of Alexander’s wife, Stateira, she would be a great asset with the Persian nobility should he decide to turn east and face down Perdikkas. But that would mean condoning the very thing that he had fallen out with Alexander over and was the ultimate cause of his being sent back to Macedon to, ostensibly, relieve Antipatros: the fusion of Macedonian and Eastern blood. Nevertheless, the East was the greater prize; of that Krateros was certain for he had seen the riches with his own eyes.
It was Polyperchon who broke the contemplative silence. ‘Macedon may not be as rich as the east, but it is far more secure. The Greeks will be broken again; Epirus has not been a serious threat for over a century; the Illyrians spend too much time fighting amongst themselves as do the Thracians – when Lysimachus is not purging them, that is. I’d say the choice was obvious: divorce Amastris, marry Phila, become Antipatros’ son-in-law and then all you would have to do is crush Leonnatus between you and he would have no choice but to make you his heir.’
‘But that would mean Macedonian fighting Macedonian; that must never happen. And besides, what about Kassandros?’
‘What power does Kassandros have? The command of the younger Silver Shields that have replaced the veteran three thousand here with you; what good will they do him? He’s leagues from Macedon, he’s weak and, what’s more, he is not one of us, Alexander made him stay behind. Kassandros could never win Macedon from you or anyone; he’s untried, he’s never led an army; in fact, he’s hardly ever been in battle, for that matter.’
Kleitos grunted his agreement, although Krateros rather thought that it was more for his personal desire to return home than from any strategic analysis of the situation. It was at times like this that Krateros knew there was only one person he could turn to for unbiased advice, even if it went against her best interests.
‘My father will resent Leonnatus forcing him to support his claim as king in return for lifting the siege of Lamia,’ Phila said as she and Krateros relaxed in a warm bath sprinkled with rose petals imported from warmer climes further south; a slave plucked sweet chords on a harp in the far corner of the room, concealed by a wooden screen. ‘And neither will he countenance Kleopatra becoming queen and thereby letting Olympias back into the centre of power; so he will be your ally whether or not you assist in raising the siege with Leonnatus.’
Krateros lay his head back on the rim and spread his arms to either side, gazing up at the richly coloured, geometrically patterned ceiling; he closed his eyes, enjoying the warm of the water and the position of his big toe. ‘So what you’re saying, Phila, is haste would make a confrontation with Leonnatus all but inevitable.’
‘Yes; at the moment Leonnatus is strong, so if he succeeds in raising the siege of Lamia without losing too many casualties, then preventing him from taking Macedon will lead to civil war, which you would avoid at all costs.’
Krateros chewed his lip as he considered the argument. ‘So, therefore, if I do go west there is no need to hurry.’
‘Precisely; don’t waste your men doing something that Leonnatus can do by himself. Let him take the casualties and, hopefully, come out weaker from the experience; and therefore more likely to negotiate.’
‘And if he fails altogether and your father remains trapped in Lamia?’
‘That’s the best scenario: Leonnatus’ stock will be so low that none of the noble houses would accept him as king and neither would the army. It would then be your turn; and you won’t fail.’
I never have before. ‘And I could demand that Leonnatus lends me whatever’s left of his army in order to save Macedonian honour from rebellious Greeks.’ He wiggled his big toe and was rewarded with a giggle followed by a small sigh. Despite the arduous afternoon in her chamber, Krateros could never get enough of Phila, either of her body or of her mind. Her intellect was of the highest calibre that he had ever come across in a woman, and, indeed, there were few men who could claim to being her equal. It was said that her father used to consult her from a very early age, before she had even blossomed into womanhood, such was her analytical ability. ‘And if he does free your father without losing his strength?’
‘Then my father will go back on his word supporting Leonnatus’ bid for the crown and call on your support to help resist him.’
‘Leaving Leonnatus the choice of backing down or being reviled for striking the first blow against a fellow Macedonian.’
‘Exactly.’
Krateros grinned. ‘In that case it won’t be me breaking an agreement when Antipatros turns on Leonnatus; it will be your father and on his conscience alone. I will just be supporting what I see as the best thing for Macedon.’
Phila smiled at him; wet auburn hair stuck to the pale skin of her cheeks and green eyes twinkled with mischief as she, too, probed, gripping him between her feet. ‘Oh, I’m sure he’ll get over it; although he’s never gone back on his word to anyone before, not even Olympias; it will come as quite a shock to Leonnatus.’
‘Yes; it’ll probably really ruffle his coiffure. I’m looking forward to seeing his expression when he learns what your father has done.’ He tried another couple of manoeuvres with his toe. ‘You are sure that he will break a promise.’
‘Mmmm?’
Phila’s concentration was wavering so he repeated his question.
‘Hmmmm. Well, if he doesn’t Leonnatus will have to kill him, Olympias will insist.’
‘So I go west, when the time’s right, despite it being the poorer prize?’
‘At the moment it’s only a point in the south that I’m interested in.’
He withdrew his toe.
‘Hey!’
‘So I go west, despite it being the poorer prize?’
‘You know my views on holding the east and they haven’t changed once in the last seven months: no one person can hold it so there will always be war. Take the smaller prize and live in peace and honour so none will be able to say: it was Krateros who began the Macedonian civil war.’
‘You advise that even though that might put me in direct conflict with your brother, Kassandros.’
‘You asked me for my considered opinion on the subject, not for my personal feelings; anyway, he’s my half-brother and not a very nice one at that.’ She grabbed his foot, pulling it back to where it had been so comfortable. ‘And, besides, he has no power and is unlikely to get it so he’s no threat.’
Krateros relented to her pleasure and enjoyed the benefit of the stroking and rubbing of her feet as he slowly settled his mind, once and for all, to abandoning all thoughts of being Alexander’s heir; let the lesser men fight it out, he would take Macedon. It was now no more than a question of timing: when would the time be right?
The first part of the answer came from the north in the form of a ship.
‘It took him three days to get here,’ Kleitos told Krateros and Polyperchon, having introduced the triarchos of a sleek little lembi, newly arrived in Tarsus that morning with the dawn.
‘So Leonnatus’ army started crossing on the mo
rning you left, Akakios?’
‘Yes, general; Kleitos sent me up to patrol the Hellespont and to make a run for here as soon as they moved. It will take them time as they have very few ships available; no more than two dozen at the most.’
Krateros did some mental calculations and then nodded to himself. ‘In which case, they will probably all be across by this evening, or midday tomorrow at the latest.’
‘That will put them in Pella in five days’ time,’ Polyperchon said without needing to think about the journey.
‘Allowing time to provision them for a campaign, Leonnatus should be able to make his move by the spring equinox or thereabouts.’ Krateros tossed a weighty purse at Akakios. ‘You’ve done well; get your men, wine and women before you go out again.’
The triarchos’ face lit up, revealing teeth that most women would shy away from without considerable financial incentive. ‘The gods keep you, general.’
‘Send more ships to patrol off the coast of Thessaly, Kleitos,’ Krateros said as Akakios withdrew, ‘I want to know as soon as Leonnatus moves south.’
‘Yes, general. Should I get the rest of the fleet ready to sail?’
‘No, not yet.’
Polyperchon frowned. ‘What are we waiting for?’
‘Two things: Kleitos, have we heard from our patrols off Samos and Pireaus yet?’
‘Only that the Athenians have still got a couple of squadrons patrolling off Lamia keeping Antipatros’ fleet from getting behind their army. Their main fleet, however, has still to sail, general; as soon as it does we’ll know when and where to.’
‘Very good. Once I know that then there is only one other thing to worry about: Perdikkas.’
EUMENES, THE SLY
EUMENES HAD ALWAYS enjoyed a good confrontation, and this was one of the best he had witnessed as neither side were able to compromise since there was no middle ground; it was down to a battle of wills. If I were a gambling man I’d have a denarii on Perdikkas, Eumenes mused as he leant against the open window of Roxanna’s suite, looking down at the army of Babylon mustering in the palace courtyard in preparation for its march north to Kappadokia.
‘If the king is to accompany the army,’ Roxanna almost shrieked, such was her outrage, ‘then the idiot will stay here.’
‘The idiot, as you term him, is also a king!’ Perdikkas’ exasperation manifested itself in his voice raising an octave. ‘And when the army goes on campaign it goes with both kings; it goes to war as The Royal Army so that it has complete legitimacy.’
‘My son is all the legitimacy the army needs as he is the one true king.’
‘Philip is equal in standing to your son, Roxanna, and you are well aware of the fact.’
‘I am aware of no such thing. I am the queen and I have given birth to Alexander the Great’s child; his actual child with Alexander’s actual blood in his veins. Tell me, Perdikkas, what blood does the idiot have flowing through him, eh? Tell me that.’
How are you going to get out of that one, Perdikkas? Eumenes turned to fully catch Perdikkas’ reply and his expression as he made it.
‘Philip has the royal blood of the Argead dynasty, which is all he needs to be elected king by the army, as he was, Roxanna; remember? A king of Macedon is made by the army not by some eastern bitch that happened to get fucked by Alexander because Hephaestion wasn’t around anymore.’
Good point.
‘I was his wife! It was time he paid me his full attention.’
Perdikkas ducked under the vase she hurled with admirable dexterity; it crashed against the wall just two paces from Eumenes.
‘Hephaestion took up far too much of Alexander’s time; and he could never bear Alexander’s children.’
Well, it wasn’t for want of trying, that’s for sure. Eumenes frowned and then held his forehead between his thumb and middle finger, suddenly deep in thought. What did she just say?
‘Roxanna,’ Perdikkas said with finality, ‘I’ll waste no more time on this; both King Alexander and King Philip will travel with the army. The only question is whether you want to come as well.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Exactly what I said: do you wish to accompany your son when he travels with The Royal Army or would you prefer to stay here? The choice is yours but, frankly, I would be much happier if you chose to stay.’
Roxanna’s eyes, the only visible part of her veiled face, stared at Perdikkas in disbelief. ‘You would part a babe from his mother?’
‘Don’t give me that. You don’t breastfeed him or change him or rock him to sleep, in fact you do nothing for him, so I doubt very much he’ll miss you when I send soldiers in here to take him.’ Perdikkas neatly ducked another vase.
‘You don’t have the right!’
‘I am his regent; I decide what is best for him and I deem it best for him to travel with the army.’ He turned to go, indicating with a jerk of the head for Eumenes to follow.
‘I’ll kill him before I allow you to take him from me!’
Eumenes gave a slow smile of comprehension. ‘No you won’t, Roxanna, because you know that would mean your death as well. But you will do as Perdikkas commands or he will let it be known that it was you who poisoned Hephaestion.’
Perdikkas looked at Eumenes in confusion. ‘I will?’
‘Liar!’ Roxanna screamed.
Eumenes dodged a well-aimed slipper. ‘Am I, Roxanna? You just gave yourself away. Now, we all know how you poisoned Stateira and Parysatis, Perdikkas has a very interesting witness kept safe for future reference—’
‘It was Perdikkas that agreed to me doing it; he summoned them to Babylon.’
Perdikkas dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. ‘Nonsense.’
‘You did!’ The second slipper flew from her hand hitting him directly on the chest.
‘What Perdikkas did or didn’t do is irrelevant,’ Eumenes insisted. ‘The fact is that we know you poisoned them and seeing as you are a proven poisoner then it is not hard to see you poisoning your rival for Alexander’s attentions. And you just all but admitted it, Roxanna. Perdikkas said something like: “A king of Macedon is made by the army not by some eastern bitch that happened to get fucked by Alexander because Hephaestion wasn’t around anymore.” And then you said: “I was his wife! It was time he paid me his full attention.” Implying that it was you that had decided it was the time to have Alexander’s attention and to get it you had to kill your rival. You poisoned Hephaestion and you can deny it as much as you like but it all fits.’ He paused to give Roxanna a false smile. ‘We will keep this between ourselves, shall we? So long as you do as you are told, obviously. If you don’t, Roxanna, we will let the army know just what you did; Hephaestion was a great favourite of theirs so I wouldn’t expect that being the mother of Alexander’s child will be of much help to you when they find out, especially a child that you planned to replace had it been a girl. Don’t forget we still have the slave girl as a witness to that piece of eastern treachery.’ His smile broadened. ‘We march at dawn tomorrow. Come, Perdikkas.’
Dodging an ivory comb, Eumenes turned and left the room with a bemused Perdikkas trailing behind him, scratching the back of his neck.
As the doors to Roxanna’s suite were closed behind them, Perdikkas looked down at Eumenes. ‘How did—’
‘I work out that Roxanna had poisoned Hephaestion? I didn’t; it was intuition based on the way she phrased “It was time he paid me his full attention.” Although I seem to have hit the mark; I imagine she’ll be joining the march tomorrow as if it were exactly what she had wanted to do all along.’
Perdikkas’ jaw muscles clenched in anger. ‘The little bitch; I should have her executed for that.’
‘I wouldn’t, she may prove to be of some use other than skirmishing with whatever objects come to hand.’
‘It’s not funny, Eumenes.’
‘I never said it was.’
‘It could be argued that she is the cause of all this mess—’
<
br /> ‘Because had Hephaestion not have died Alexander might have had a stronger will to live? I doubt it; he still had half the world left to conquer. I think that would have been motive enough for him.’
‘Do you think—’
‘She killed Alexander? No, she would have been much more now had he have lived. If you think she’s a handful at the moment, just imagine what she would be like hiding behind Alexander’s throne? But anyway, it’s a waste of time speculating about what might have been; it’s reality that we need to concentrate on. Have you heard from Peithon yet?’
‘The last I heard was that he had taken the troops I gave him from here back to Media and he was waiting in Ecbatana for news of Philo’s departure. He has spies out watching the road and he claims to have made contact with some of the deserters who are willing to have second thoughts – for a price, naturally.’
‘Naturally. And our insurance that Peithon does the right thing and doesn’t just double the size of his army?’
‘Seleukos is on his way and will trail Peithon’s army without his knowledge. Although I’m not sure that Peithon has the gumption to rebel.’
‘It’s not just Peithon that I’m worried about; what if his army quite likes the thought of going home and thinks that these Greeks might be on to a good thing?’
Perdikkas stared in horror at Eumenes. ‘Gods, I hadn’t even considered that.’
Of course you hadn’t, that’s why you always need my help; I just wish you would admit it, just the once. ‘An army of forty to fifty thousand deserters would, I believe, grow very quickly as it headed west. Seleukos will see to it that the right result is achieved; by the time we’ve dealt with Kappadokia you won’t have anything to worry about with either Peithon or this Philo.’
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