By the Sword

by Christian Kachel

  “Thus is the state of events brother. We failed in protecting the Kings’ interests and the few King’s Hand survivors cannot even communicate for fear of interception by Orontes’ forces, which now swell the ranks of this army like a pestilence. Our conversation must be cut off now for fear of exposing you to prying eyes.” Ox delivered this final statement staring at the ground dejectedly.

  “Look at me, look at me!” Vettias commanded in an angered hush, hoping to bring the defeated man back to his sworn charge. “I need you to set Andrikos and me up in separate apartments within the town of Triparadeisus. I need you to set up the girl inside the main palace harem. And finally, I need you to tell me about our young Queen. Is she what we thought her to be back in Cappadocia?”

  “She is, and even more so now,” Ox replied with life returning to his manner. “She is emboldened by the current state of affairs and could be persuaded to aid our cause if brought to purpose by the right individual. At this very moment she has moved to take Protectorship of the Kings away from Arrhidaeus and Peithon.”

  “Can you get me a clandestine audience with her?” Vettias asked excitedly.

  “Your first two requests can be accommodated within a few hours. A clandestine audience with the Queen will take longer. Come back in four hours and I will have your quarters ready. Bring the girl as well. If she’s pretty enough I shouldn’t have much difficulty securing her a place in the palace. I advise you get yourselves lost in the merchant tent city until the appointed hour lest you be discovered by Orontes’ men. They will no doubt be among the merchants as well, so keep your guard up.”

  “And Orontes, can we get to him?”

  “Not in the short amount of time we have. He stays close to his new benefactor, Seleucus, and enjoys the security of Seleucus’ own bodyguard. They are separate from all other Macedonian forces and guard them at all times. I have no inroads into that inner-circle and developing a source within it will take too long. For now they remain secluded within the main palace’s inner sanctums, surrounded by armed sentries awaiting Antipater’s arrival. When he arrives, they may feel emboldened to move about more freely. Perhaps then we can make a move but not before.”

  “What of Orontes network? Have you made any of them?” Vettias asked.

  “A few, yes,” Ox replied hesitantly, apparently ashamed of the meagre amount of information he was able to provide.

  “Then we’ll start dealing with them as well. We will return to this tent in four hours, brother.” Vettias and Ox embraced as we departed, rejoined with Mara, and made our way through the labyrinth of merchants selling wares from every corner of the world.

  Chapter 25

  The three of us slowly meandered through the cluttered alleys created by the myriad of merchant tents for an hour before finding a venue selling food with enough space inside to accommodate us. Vettias ordered a plate of dates, fruit, nuts, and a little goat meat while asking Mara to go across the alleyway to procure a cheap jug of wine. Vettias looked at me with a smirk as she departed, with eyes telling me he knew I had several questions of him.

  “So, what’s on your mind?” Vettias asked- letting me know now was a good time to ask.

  “How did you know about Mara? About Neoptolemus’ involvement in her story?”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Was it really the Fates?”

  “Not necessarily,” Vettias replied with a grin, enjoying the confused machinations his coyness was creating within me. “This business is about gathering as much information on a target as you can before taking a calculated leap. The more information you have, the less of a leap you have to make. In Mara’s case, I got a little lucky. Because I uncovered useful information on her beforehand, I only needed a little help. Some may credit the Fates; I say it is preparedness meeting opportunity.”

  “But did you know her prior to our first meeting?” I asked, still not totally understanding how Vettias had orchestrated the situation.

  “I gave my woman a little extra money at the Fair Peach back in Tarsus to identify anyone she knew of from Scythia working as a prostitute in the neighbourhood. She gave a couple of names and I asked her to tell me their approximate ages to find one young enough to coincide with Neoptolemus’ tenure as Satrap since Armenia is the nearest Satrapy to Scythian lands in relation to Tarsus. I also knew Neoptolemus had made many forays into Scythian territories, yielding a flood of Scythian slaves into Greek-controlled Asia Minor markets. Three names were provided and I chose the one working in closest proximity to the Fair Peach. My woman gave me a general description of Mara and I decided to speak with her while sitting with you at our table in her establishment. Her passion convinced me she was once free but I still did not know the origin of her circumstances. At that point I had collected all the information I could on my target and had to take a moderate risk from then on. Without knowing all I did prior to our initial meeting, I would be taking a significant risk in making such an offer. Had Mara told me a different story, having nothing to do with Neoptolemus, I would have improvised my proposal and hopefully still have achieved the same result, even if the underpinnings were not as strong. If during our initial discussion I did not think her the right fit, we would have moved on to the next name and location provided to me by my female companion.”

  Vettias again proved his superior intellect and ability to think several steps farther than most.

  “And what of Orontes? Who is he?”

  “Orontes is a traitor to Alexander and the King’s Hand.”

  “If he is a traitor, how does he know of the Hand’s existence? Was he once a member?”

  “Yes.”

  “And he took the oath in Alexander’s tent in India with the rest of you?”

  “Yes. He was one of our best operatives: very loyal to Alexander and our cause. His devotion became almost too intense, however, and he developed an unhealthy obsession with our King. He began taking Alexander’s decisions personally. His behaviour became erratic and on two occasions he lashed out at the King. It was decided that he would be included in the contingent of the army that marched back to Babylon from India through the Gedrosia Desert. Hundreds of men died in that desert. Men who had defeated every army the world could throw at them lay dead in that hellish land. Many of the veterans that made it out of the desert returned different men, having endured unbelievable physical tortures and hardship. Once the army reconstituted back in Babylon, Orontes’ condition deteriorated further and it was decided to eliminate him since he knew too much about our existence. For all the faculties he had lost, he retained his operational competence, however, and disappeared into the vast Babylon metropolis before his elimination could be carried out. That was all that was known of him until Ox’s claim today. If he is allied with Ptolemy, a powerful ruler with vast resources and ambition in contradiction to ours, he must be considered a powerful enemy indeed.”

  “Does that answer all of your concerns?” Vettias asked condescendingly.

  “The Queen? Did you mean Alexander’s widow Rhoxane?” I asked.

  “I speak of the young wife of King Philip III, Adea. She controls the imbecile and had the Argead lust for power instilled in her from childhood. The Argead blood runs deep within her veins, as she and Alexander are cousins. Her own father, nephew of Alexander’s father, was King for a short time. That is as far as her cause coincides with ours, however, since she has endured terrible crimes against her family by the very people we fight for. She is beloved by the army and has shown willingness to increase her power in defiance of Antipater. It will be difficult, but if she could be turned to our cause she would make a powerful ally.”

  “How has she been injured by those we fight for?”

  “Her father, Amyntas IV, was the son of the Macedonian King Perdiccas III. Alexander’s father, Philip II, was the brother of Perdiccas III and uncle to Amyntas IV. Upon Perdiccas III’s death on campaign fighting the northern barbarians of Illyria, the infant Amyntas IV was proclaimed titular king and
Philip II established as his Regent. Philip II immediately usurped the throne but saw no threat in the child and allowed him to live. Amyntas IV grew to hold a place of great favour with Philip II, who eventually betrothed him his daughter Cynane, half-sister of Alexander and eventual mother to the young Queen Adea. Cynane was the result of Philip II’s first marriage to the Illyrian princess Audata, whom he married to seal an alliance with the northern barbarian tribes. Once Alexander succeeded his father to the throne, he immediately had Amyntas IV killed to eliminate any male with a legitimate Argead claim to the throne. Adea’s mother, Cynane, was permitted to live and raised her daughter in the Illyrian warrior tradition of Princess Audata. This included riding, hunting, and soldiery skills. Adea’s mother was a formidable woman respected throughout the Macedonian Empire, and made her move to have her daughter betrothed to the fool after he was made king following Alexander’s death. Lord Regent Perdiccas was threatened by such a bold display and ordered his brother, Alcetas, commander of Eumenes’ phalanx, to murder Cynane- which he carried out in Asia Minor. Such an act outraged the Royal Army and nearly caused a mutiny. Lord Regent Perdiccas was forced to allow the marriage to continue, thus establishing Adea as Queen. Her official royal name is now Eurydice II.”

  “Is it possible that a girl who has suffered so greatly by men we fight in the name of could ever agree to ally with us?”

  “Adea is a delicate situation. Remember, we fight for General Eumenes, a righteous man who has committed no trespass against the Queen. Both Alexander and Lord Regent Perdiccas are dead and she will need to forget past transgressions and look to who can best help her achieve her goals in the present and future. Nothing is black and white since Alexander’s death and despite the past injustices perpetrated against her, we may have arrived at a point where our paths can be joined. A cousin of Alexander with blood of the northern barbarian tribes would make for a formidable foe.”

  Vettias’ voice tapered off with this last statement as Mara returned with the jug of wine.

  The three of us ate quietly for an extended period with Mara finally showing signs of an appetite. “The man we met with is going to get you set up in the palace harem within the grounds of the main complex,” Vettias stated with a warm tone. “I will need you to elicit as much information from your clients as possible regarding what is being discussed at the summit. You will also listen to what is being said by the other girls in the harem. I want you to identify individuals who appear to have the best access to this kind of information and determine where they are housed, where they eat, what schedules they keep, and who they associate with. The summit will not last too long and after its completion I will do all I can to bring you back to the encampment of General Eumenes where your prostitution days will be over. Do you understand?”

  “Um-hmm,” Mara answered with a mouthful of dates.

  “I will find a way to communicate with you through the harem. You’ve proven an intelligent and capable ally in the short time we’ve spent together and I’m confident you can do this.”

  We lingered at the food tent for over an hour before we departed and took a purposely long and indirect route back to the headquarters bivouac. We found the same guards at its entrance who allowed us to pass after Vettias gave one of them a nod. The three of us entered the same small tent as before and waited about fifteen minutes for Ox to arrive. He did so looking heavily fatigued and in a flustered state.

  “I secured you two separate apartments within the staff quarters so you will have access inside the complex,” Ox proclaimed in a huff. “They are secluded and will serve your purpose well. I also have a safe house that can be used in case of emergency. I shouldn’t have difficulty getting the girl into the palace harem- apparently they are in need of bodies since they have turned it into a brothel for elite personnel attending the summit. Let me have a look at her.”

  Vettias nodded to Mara and she took off her head covering. I watched Ox’s eyes widen as he smiled and looked to Vettias. “Where’d you find her? She’ll do. You’ll come with me after this meeting. I informed them that I’ll be renting you out. Should be no problem getting you back out once we depart.”

  Mara looked at Vettias, who instructed her to put her new clothes on and we all departed the tent to allow her privacy.

  “And our Queen?” Vettias asked. “What of her?”

  “Arrangements are being made as we speak. I will hopefully have more for you tonight.”

  “And the identity of Orontes’ agents?”

  “Davos will arrive at your quarters four hours past sundown tonight,” Ox instructed while nodding to the soldier whose sleep had been interrupted by our presence four hours earlier. “You and the boy be there. We’ll be ready to move on one of them then. Davos can be trusted. He’ll take the two of you to your quarters.” Davos was two inches shorter than me but had a more mature and imposing face. I estimated he was about three years older, and, as I would later find out, held a generation more experience than me.

  Mara emerged minutes later from the tent looking truly beautiful. Vettias gave her a hug and whispered words of encouragement. I watched as Ox led Mara out of the tent to her new reality within the palace. She kept a stoic façade, but her eyes belied the uncertainty and nervousness just beneath the surface. I quietly hoped Vettias intended to keep his promise to her.

  Chapter 26

  Davos led Vettias and I through the complex’s main gates and into the Triparadeisus staff village. The small streets were awash with activity as servants, cooks, musicians, groundskeepers, actors, dancers, stable hands, smiths, and every other profession required to support the Triparadeisus and its royal patrons moved about with determined purpose. Davos first brought us to Vettias’ apartment, where he instructed me to get some sleep before meeting him at his quarters with a predetermined knock. Davos next led me to my nearby apartment and I quickly collapsed on a thin blanket strewn about the floor to sleep for a short while.

  Father was sitting by the small fire in my room during my nap, enjoying a jug of wine. “I wager you didn’t see yourself here back when you were playing soldier with Nearchus,” he stated with a smile. I stood up and sat next time him by the fire.

  “If Argos and Leandros could see me now,” I replied. “I do fear I’m in over my head, however.”

  “Vettias will take care of you. He knows what limitations your inexperience are capable of. He’ll push you but won’t allow you to get into too much trouble. There’s a lot to learn from a man like that. But that isn’t what has been consuming much of your thoughts, is it? It’s the girl. Don’t hide these feelings if the opportunity presents itself to make them known.” There was no use in arguing with a spectre about the true nature of my feelings. Father was right, I had grown attached to Mara and dreaded the thought of further harm coming to her.

  “Channel these feelings you have to see your mission completed. She may appear to not need your help, but she is vulnerable in her new station with the two of you. Continue to keep her best interests at heart and you will be rewarded.”

  As my father spoke these last words I awoke, and made my way to Vettias’ quarters. I knocked on Vettias’ apartment door later that evening after making the short walk to his quarters. Despite the late hour, staff members were still bustling about and loud singing and shrieks of laughter could be heard from the main palace off in the distance. I wondered how Mara was faring within the gilded walls by the intoxicated revellers. Vettias opened the door promptly and pulled me inside. He poured a cup of wine for me and we sat in his sparsely furnished room lit by one flickering candle and a small fireplace waiting for Davos to arrive.

  “Did you get some sleep?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Tonight may be long depending on the resolve of our captive.”

  Vettias detected the uneasiness on my face as my mind conjured up all manner of atrocities Vettias’ vague statement could entail.

  “Don’t worry, you’ll do fine. Ideally we would take
our time, develop some unsuspecting person with proximity to those we wish to uncover and methodically discover identities within Orontes’ network. From there we could set several traps for them or use them to uncover additional individuals to eventually thwart the network. Sometimes events demand quicker action, however, and necessity compels us to utilize more blunt approaches.”

  “Torture?” I asked with a little hesitance.

  “Coercion,” Vettias retorted. “The less pain we need to inflict the better.”

  “Can someone’s answers be trusted under such duress?”

  “You’ve been listening to too many philosophers. There are those who object on moral grounds and there are those who object because the information cannot be trusted. To answer both concerns I will ask you a set of questions, Andrikos. If Orontes’ operatives captured your mother and sister in an attempt to get to you, and the individual we interrogate tonight has information pertaining to their whereabouts, how would you react if he refused to answer your questions?”