By the Sword

by Christian Kachel

  Vettias and I exited the crowd, which was still energized from Adea’s powerful speech and made our way to our new safe house. Vettias ensured we took a circuitous route, making several stops to purchase food and minor items in order to determine whether we were being followed. When Vettias was satisfied we were not under watchful eye, we entered the safe house and locked the door behind us.

  “We’ll wait a few hours and then see our contact in the palatial garden. Adea did a superb job but I fear she may have promised something she cannot deliver- that would undo all we’ve accomplished thus far. Ox and Hyllos will organize their factions to consolidate the gains made today. We’ll visit Mara first so we can get in the palace. Tomorrow she should have some info regarding the mood of the palace. There’s no doubt Seleucus is incensed and will be working with Orontes to salvage what they can before Antipater’s arrival.”

  Vettias and I finished the portions of food we had purchased in relative silence and stole much needed sleep for the next few hours.

  Chapter 32

  When the hour approached, Vettias and I again donned clothing to support the guise of a rich merchant’s son and his slave. We took an indirect route on our way to the palace to ensure we weren’t followed and had little trouble passing through the guards, who were reminded of our previous visit with a generous donation of coin. As we ascended the large stairway into the grand entrance hall, our familiar palace attendant received us.

  “Good afternoon sir,” he announced in a semi-condescending tone. “I was under the impression your previous visit was going to be your last. We are not in the habit of letting individuals unaffiliated with the royal retinue frequent access to these halls.” His demeanour left a small window of opportunity that I seized upon through the confidence of the persona I was now inhabiting.

  “I need not remind you that I am chief representative and son of the man who supplies the majority of food, slaves, and women in this palace. I don’t expect this to be my last visit here either.” Vettias’ teachings had served me well. It would have been impossible for me to make such a rebuke in the halls of a Persian palace before our time together. The attendant looked towards one of his colleagues before relenting.

  “Of, of course sir, v-very well. To the harem once again?”

  “Lead the way,” I commanded sternly.

  We followed the attendant up the marble staircase and down the extravagant corridor before arriving at the harem entrance. Vettias quietly informed me that I was to meet with Mara alone while he waited outside. Before I could respond we were transferred to the custody of the harem’s warden and our attendant quickly returned to his station downstairs.

  “I have come for Mara once again,” I declared arrogantly. The warden looked disparagingly at Vettias’ appearance before answering. “She will be for me this time. My slave will wait here.”

  “Ah, very good sir. Might I suggest he wait in a more private room away from any customers coming and going?”

  “Very well, now bring me the girl.”

  “Right away sir.” The warden departed the atrium and Vettias gave me an approving head nod. I still was unsure why he wasn’t accompanying me but did not have time to quietly discuss the matter before our beautiful accomplice graced our presence.

  “You look more beautiful than I remember my lady; shall we?” As she took me by the hand I glared at the warden condescendingly, “That will be all.” She closed and locked the door behind us as we entered her chamber and sat on the lone couch together. We awkwardly hugged and she waited for me to speak while her eyes were asking why Vettias was not with us.

  “Vettias thought it best for me to meet with you alone since your caretaker dislikes his presence. You are still our only plausible way into the palace. How is everything?”

  “Good; his clothes smell anyway,” she replied with a smile. “Everything is tolerable here. I am starting to learn there are ways of uncovering information without saying a word.” She grinned at the confused look she had triggered. “There are many places in the harem that can be used to listen to the conversations of others. Some of these nooks were built intentionally; others are inadvertent details of the structure. Can you imagine the incessant spying of Darius’ concubines all vying for his favour? Nothing of use has been learned yet but they will prove valuable for our purposes.”

  “That is great news, Vettias will be happy to hear about this development. A great power shift is afoot and surely all that pass through here tonight will be speaking of it. Vettias wants you to be aware of who is saying what and their positions within the army or royal retinue. And don’t forget to listen for the quiet man.”

  “Not a problem, but enough about Vettias.” Her comment made me blush. I was only invoking his name because I did not feel worthy dictating orders to this stunningly beautiful woman on my own. “Is that all you have to say? You can’t leave now; that effeminate monster outside will think I have displeased you. You have paid for a proper visit- stay a while, let your slave wait for his master,” she added as she leaned closer to me on the couch. Her forwardness hastened my breathing and I felt a rush of warmth in my loin. I found myself in the unfamiliar situation of having intense feelings for a woman prior to any intimate relations. This was not for an absence of emotion on my part; rather no woman ever took an interest in me, let alone a beauty such as Mara. When I thought of her my stomach ached to think of the life she had endured. As she motioned closer, my eyes diverted to the floor. She pulled them back to hers by placing her soft finger caringly on my chin. “Do you not want me?”

  “Nothing could be further from the truth, Mara,” I quickly replied, almost angry for how absurd her assertion was. “What a question from someone as astute as you. I can’t bear the thought of you in this gilded prison suffering abuse by men who care nothing of you. I want not just you, but to take you from this place and always protect you from the cruelties of this world. But I can’t. I have no means to do so. My only shreds of worldliness stem from what Vettias has taught me. But you’ve heard these words before. Beauty such as yours inspires men to move mountains to win your affections- men more worthy of your favour.”

  “What if I see in you something different than the drunk powerful men who want me when their lusts run high, then discard me when it is inconvenient to keep a whore around? What if I believe what you have told me regarding your feelings and see in them an authenticity lacking in the hollow overtures of rich and powerful men. I do not hail from luxurious halls occupied by women of leisure. I am a Scythian. We live on our horses and sleep in our tents on the harsh northern Steppes. I do not seek the protection of a man that can provide me my every material desire. Such excess would do nothing but remind me of my time as a sexual captive in a golden cage. I understand Vettias is using me to achieve his ends and I do not begrudge him for it. I agreed to escape with him because of what he promised at the end of this summit. I know he does not care for me afterwards. But I know you do.”

  She motioned closer to kiss me as my heart raced. It was not the soft kiss of yesterday but rather an impassioned testament to her feelings. I returned her enthusiasm and finally felt what it was like to embrace someone you love. She forcefully pulled me on top of her and removed her silk robe. Her blond hair flowing over her young, healthy breasts was the most arousing sight I had ever laid eyes on. I hurriedly undid my tunic and lifted it up to enter her. As I did so, she grabbed me and pulled me inside her. All prior feelings of pleasure paled in comparison to what I felt at that moment. A pulsating warmth engulfed my body with each thrust. She gyrated her hips in unison with mine, causing my ecstasy to now be concentrated in the tip of my penis. Anticipating my climax, she told me to finish inside her. Before she completed these words, I collapsed into her arms, releasing my seed into her warm vessel. For several minutes I lay there motionless, with my cheek against hers, taking slow deep breathes as my body struggled to regain its faculties after a powerful shock to its senses. Mara did not say a word and lovingly
stroked my hair and back. Beads of sweat slowly trickled down my forehead- finally breaking the carnal-induced coma I had entered.

  As I raised my head from her bosom I felt as though I had emerged from a dark abyss with the light of the room’s window causing me to squint my eyes. When they came into focus I saw Mara’s beautiful green eyes looking into mine with a warm smile.

  “Is it possible you could hold the same feelings I hold for you?” I asked, still recuperating from the greatest experience of my life.

  “Shhh. All I have told you is true. Just relax and enjoy the rest of our time together.” I obeyed and rested my head back in the safe warmth of her bosom to further draw out this unexpected moment of pleasure. After another ten minutes, the vision of Vettias skulking in some closet awaiting my return finally stirred me to action.

  “Vettias will be expecting me, I should probably go.”

  “I know.”

  “The events of this morning may hinder our ability to see you regularly after this. I won’t let Vettias forget you.

  “I know you won’t. Tell our benefactor I said hello,” she added with a smile as we both dressed back into our clothes- hers now wrinkled into a small pile on the floor. As I turned to open her door, she grabbed my shoulder and pulled me to her. “Vettias will know what has happened, don’t let him talk you out of your feelings.” We kissed one last time before she saw me out.

  “Everything to your liking I trust sir?” the warden asked deferentially.

  “Yes. If I am to require an escort out of the palace it will be from the girl.”

  “Yes sir, however, palace custom prohibits harem girls to escort visitors. I’m afraid last instance was a special circumstance and I will insist on one of my eunuchs escorting you out of the palace.” I was nearly unable to summon the energy required to assume my pompous tone given recent events and took a deep breath before replying.

  “That is wholly unacceptable. I shall be highly displeased if you deny me the few remaining precious moments I have with the girl,” I barked while putting a generous amount of coin in his hand.

  “Sir, please, I do not wish to anger such a generous customer… I am beholden to my masters as your slave is to you. Please do not put me in the position of either offending you or incurring severe penalties for disobeying their rules.”

  “I appreciate your situation; unfortunately, my position is firm. You have succeeded in conveying the trouble this will cause, however- this should take care of it.” I placed another generous donation of coin in his hand and he relented.

  “Please have her back quickly,” were his final words.

  Mara walked Vettias and I to the stairs leading down to the garden and bid us farewell. As we walked to meet our royal contact, Vettias shot me an inquisitive glance.

  “Successful meeting I presume?” he asked sarcastically.

  “It was. All was communicated to her and we engaged in light conversation for the rest of time to bolster our ruse.”

  “Yes, quite convincing,” he replied with a broad smile. I purposely kept quiet for fear of confirming Vettias’ assumptions. Our girl was sitting in her predetermined seat and led us through the palatial baths and up the secret stairwell. The Queen’s chief bodyguard unlocked the door and granted us entry to her private atrium. Our welcoming was certainly different from yesterday, for her suite’s atrium was filled with bodyguards with swords drawn at a heightened alert level. Their eyes followed our every move.

  “I come to congratulate the Queen on her successful address and discuss next steps,” Vettias announced in a formal tone befitting our surroundings.

  “Come, Vettias, let us speak in private,” the Queen commanded after emerging from her sea of female attendants. Her chief bodyguard led us into her chambers and closed the door as he departed.

  “My Queen, allow me to formally congratulate you on a magnificent speech before the Macedonian Army. After our meeting yesterday, I knew you would rise to the occasion; but even I could not imagine the poise, grace, and command presence you were able to summon. There is no doubt you have won the vast majority of the army over.”

  “Thank you Vettias, you are too kind. I am humbled by such praise from an experienced soldier as yourself. But you still have concerns, yes? Give them voice so I may allay your misgivings.” I could not believe the composure this young girl possessed, especially when talking to someone as impressive as Vettias.

  “My Queen, you are as perceptive as any diviner. I am concerned about your ability to provide payment to the Silver Shields and other veterans of the eastern campaigns. If this promise is not made good before the month is out, all of the gains you made today could be for naught.”

  “You men and your pitiable notions about the capabilities of women.” Her confrontational tone took us both aback. “Do you think because you have not instructed me as to what my next actions should be I am therefore incapable of making decisions for myself? After I assisted in Perdiccas’ demise, many of his surviving supporters took up position in the Phoenician city of Tyre, where his former Admiral, Attalus, is presently in command of eight hundred talents of gold from the royal treasury located there. Dispatches were sent to him long before you showed up and he is expected to arrive at Triparadeisus within the next few days. I sincerely thank you for your help in my plans, but they were set to purpose long ago.”

  Vettias was clearly surprised by this news. I could see his mind processing all he had been told and trying to comprehend all the angles the Queen’s actions now opened. “Admiral Attalus travels here? In the heart of his former enemies? He won’t get out alive,” He opined.

  “That may have been true before this morning, but make no mistake, he will ride into Triparadeisus as unfettered as if he were Alexander himself now. I will name him Regent and he will defer to my judgment in running the empire. On the morrow I will summon Peithon and Arrhidaeus to my chamber to depose them as stewards of the Kings. I’ll then march the army south to Tyre and have them paid before the month is out. From there I will name Eumenes Royal General of Asia and re-invade Egypt to wrest control of the satrapy from Ptolemy and recover Alexander’s remains. Our army will then triumphantly march the two Kings to Babylon, where they will centrally manage the empire under my supervision. Attalus will sail the fleet and a number of veterans back to Macedon to assume power there while I will assign my allies as new Satraps throughout the empire. Antipater, Ptolemy, Seleucus, and Cassander will be condemned to death while Antigonus will be allowed to retire with honour to a Macedonian farm- never to be heard from again. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the murderer Alcetas will also be condemned. I trust these plans meet your approval?” she asked condescendingly.

  Vettias was clearly at a loss for words by the boldness of the Queen’s actions. I could not tell if he was more shocked from finding fault with her course of action or from the blow to his pride due to the Queen’s refusal of his further guidance. Either way he chose to not make an issue of it now. “My Queen, once again you have shown your superior intellect and leadership. I commend you on your boldness thus far and pledge my undying support to further your ends by any means you see necessary.”

  “For now I want you to allow these events to unfold and await my next summons. That will be all for now.”

  “As you wish,” Vettias replied while bowing deferentially and making his way to the door. As she was about to let us out, some unseen force came over me, imploring me to address her.

  “Forgive me my Queen,” I began while bowing.

  “It speaks!” she replied as I felt the intense gaze of Vettias’ angry stare.

  “There is someone, a woman, who has assisted us in our efforts to further your position while in Triparadeisus who may require your benevolence in the near future. Like you, her family has been taken from her and has survived many abuses since.”

  The Queen looked at me curiously, as if wondering why a nobody deemed himself worthy to speak in her presence- let alone ask a favour. “Pleas
e, continue.”

  “We had rescued her from a life of torture in a brothel and she now provides us information on your enemies within the palace harem. She has been promised a reprieve from this life once we have safely escaped Triparadeisus and I ask as your humble servant that, if something were to happen to us where we could not fulfil this promise, you would show mercy and bring her within your royal retinue as an attendant?”

  “You must truly care about this girl if she spurs you to ask the Queen of Macedon to intercede on her behalf.”

  “She is very important, my Queen, and will serve you loyally and faithfully.”

  “Very well then boy. What is her name?”

  “Mara. A courtesan in the palatial harem.”

  “Luckily for you I have a soft spot for women who are abused by men- especially those working on my behalf. Yes, your cause is just and I will take the girl if you cannot.”

  “I thank you, my Queen.”

  Vettias and I exited through the side of the palace and made our way back to my apartment to check in on our captives. “What the fuck was that in there? You think because you got your dick wet you can badger the Queen of Macedon on behalf of some whore? I don’t know what God took pity on you in her chamber but you could have ruined everything we’ve worked for. Do you know how temperamental she is? Do you know how carefully I’ve chosen every word with that brat to affect her actions? And still she goes off and puts some grand scheme in motion that imperils everything! And then you come along petitioning her about some puppy love horse shit? I let you fuck her as a reward for your good work thus far, and this is how you repay me? If you do something like that again I’ll kill you myself, do you understand? After all I’ve taught you, you’re still as susceptible as ever to some wet hole with pretty eyes…Pathetic!”