World on Fire

by Christian Kachel

  We jogged to Yasmina’s and moved directly up to her private quarters. She was not expecting the both of us and grew concerned with the hurried state in which we arrived.

  “What has happened?” she asked.

  “We need to get someone inside the palace tonight and deliver an urgent message to Seleucus himself. There is a protocol in place. Send a girl who regularly is called upon there to deliver this message immediately,” Vettias implored while handing her a rolled up note. “It is imperative she tell the guards the message is from Amphipolis, understood? Amphipolis.”

  Normally, Yasmina would not tolerate Vettias barking orders at her but she clearly understood we were deadly serious. She summoned Zaduga and gave him the message with instructions to send one of the palace regulars over to deliver it. Zaduga exited to carry out his task and Yasmina turned to Vettias with eyes that demanded an answer.

  “We need to get Seleucus out of the city … tonight. The message will instruct him to come to the back of your building with his family where Andrikos and I will be waiting to get them clear.”

  “What is going to happen when Antigonus finds out Seleucus transited through the very establishment he dined at the night before?” Yasmina demanded, perturbed she was being brought into a treasonous act against the Lord of Asia.

  “Nothing done here tonight will ever get back to you or this place, I swear it. Your status within the new Babylonian elite has been secured. This is the final step in achieving that status.”

  Yasmina did not look convinced but agreed to put her livelihood in Vettias hands since he had delivered on his promises thus far. The three of us walked down to the back entrance and waited to receive the soon-to-be former Satrap of Babylonia. Vettias was pacing nervously back and forth. There were many variables to be concerned about. What if the girl isn’t let in? What if the guards on duty are not familiar with the predetermined code and the message isn’t delivered to Seleucus promptly? What if Seleucus is caught and the warning message is tied to Vettias?

  Our distress was mercifully relieved when the gallop of a small band of cavalry could be heard approaching the back alley. No torches were lit and we could not discern the identities of the riders until they dismounted. Two palace guardsmen approached us with swords drawn to take stock of their surroundings. Next, Seleucus, Apama and Antiochus approached Vettias, Yasmina, Zaduga and myself.

  “I apologize for the short notice of this courtesy, I assure you I sent word as soon as I heard it from Antigonus’ own mouth. Make no mistake, however, if my warning was not heeded, you and your family would be incarcerated at first light.”

  “This invalid thinks he can toss aside a hero of the great conquest and Satrap of Babylon? I will return to this city at the head of an army in short order. This swine will pay for this outrageous offense.”

  “There will be a time to fight that battle, but now Antigonus is in too strong a position after his victory in the east. Know that you will continue to have a friend in the staff of your rival. Zaduga here will ride with you until you are clear of the city and the army encampment. He will hold my insignia of Antigonus’ battle staff which will aid your passage through any soldiers you may encounter.”

  “I thank you for your assistance in this matter. Know that you too will have a friend in me, no matter how this conflagration settles out.”

  “Might I make but two requests?” Vettias asked respectfully, to which Seleucus nodded.

  “First, have your palace guard spread word that Peucestas was behind your escape; second, order your guard to establish a stand-off when Antigonus’ men arrive tomorrow, at least long enough for you to have plausibly escaped after their arrival.”

  “Indebted to you,” Seleucus responded while nodding to one of his bodyguards to return to the palace and execute the orders.

  Seleucus and Vettias embraced and Vettias handed Zaduga the royal insignia before mounting his horse to depart.

  “Use it only if absolutely necessary,” Vettias instructed while placing the insignia in his hand. “If you are captured,Yasmina’s involvement in this must be protected. Do you take my meaning?”

  Zaduga nodded his assent.

  “If you have to give a name, give them Peucestas,” Vettias concluded.

  The fugitive party departed through the Babylonian alleys and Vettias turned to me, “It’s a longshot but we might succeed in wrapping up Peucestas in this scheme. At the least it will add to Antigonus’ existing suspicion of the fiend. Let’s get some sleep – I anticipate being summoned by Antigonus tomorrow. He is now the undisputed Lord of Asia.”

  Zaduga returned several hours later to deliver the news that the former Satrap of Babylon and his family successfully escaped his beloved city and were on their way to the open arms of Ptolemy in Egypt. Vettias collected his insignia and made ready for the chaos tomorrow would bring.

  CHAPTER 32

  True to Vettias’ prediction, a runner from Antigonus’ personal bodyguard was ushered into Malick’s receiving hall three hours after sunrise.

  “Vettias of Amphipolis, Lord Antigonus, has summoned you to the palace. I am to escort you presently.”

  Vettias and I followed our chaperon to the palace complex which was a hive of activity. Every gate and entrance to the palace was heavily guarded, with freedom of movement being severely restricted. Our escort seemed to hold considerable sway with the army, personal bodyguards and palace guards – pointing to the seriousness of his charge. We followed him not to the guest pavilion but to the palace itself and were quickly shepherded to a small ante-room attached to the throne room where Antigonus, Demetrius, Hiro and Aretes were waiting.

  “Vettias, please sit down,” Antigonus commanded. “Who warned Seleucus?”

  “I’ve not heard much … admittedly my sources do not have good placement and access to this information. “

  “What are you hearing?”

  “I am hearing the name Peucestas from my sources within the palace guard.”

  Antigonus looked at Aretes who nodded in agreement. Apparently Seleucus’ bodyguard was able to spread the rumor far enough to reach the ears of Aretes’ spies within the palace guard.

  “My sources tell me a message of warning was brought to the palace last night, shortly after our meeting concluded, where I informed you of Seleucus’ pending incarceration. What have you heard about that?”

  “Nothing, my lord. That of course is not to say such a treasonous act didn’t occur.”

  Antigonus again looked at Aretes who did not gesture back.

  “What do you make of it?” Antigonus continued aggressively.

  “Regardless of how Seleucus and his family escaped, they are no doubt traveling to Egypt. There, he will be used by Ptolemy as the needed impetus your rivals require to align against you publicly and demand you stand down this army.”

  Antigonus again looked at Aretes who nodded in agreement.

  “We are moving this army west to Syria to begin shaping events in Europe and Egypt,” Antigonus announced. “Movement will begin in three days.”

  “Can I make a suggestion to assist in your efforts in Europe, my lord?”

  Antigonus nodded.

  “I propose that in addition to moving west, you send Andrikos and myself to Europe where we take control of the remaining Argeads, Rhoxane and Alexander IV, and bring them under your custody.”

  This bold request came as a noticeable surprise to Antigonus and Aretes.

  “Three powerful Macedonians allied against you will pose a serious challenge to your claim of authority, if not threaten you in the field as well,” Vettias continued. “Securing control of the Argeads will aid in your claims for legitimacy in the eyes of many. I make you no promises of success but, even if we fail, we will knock Cassander off balance at the very least.”

  “A bold proposal, Vettias. I like the thinking behind it. I will deliberate on it while we travel to Syria and will inform you of my decision. Until then, you will be assigned to my battle staff
, serving under General Aretes. Your subordinate, Andrikos, will be afforded this position as well. Understood?”

  “Yes, my Lord.”

  “Very good. You’ve served the cause of this army nobly and I have no doubt you will continue to do so in the battle staff. That is all for now, you are dismissed.”

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  “Have one of my bodyguards see you out. Everyone has been instructed to prohibit unauthorized movement within the palace grounds.”

  We were shown out by the same guard who brought us and made our way quickly to our respective women to give them the news. “We’re getting your family closer to Ionia. If Antigonus signs off on my proposal we will bring them with us and make a stop in Ilandra.”

  I was surprised Vettias was even thinking of my family, but the thought that I was so close to fulfilling my promise to Mara and completing my rehabilitation in the eyes of my family was almost surreal.

  “And Yasmina?” I asked.

  “She will stay here – nature of the business. Now, go to Mara and tell her the good news. I am off to Yasmina’s.”

  We went our separate ways while a fury of energy boiled in my stomach. I was ecstatic in the knowledge that my promise to bring Mara and Talos to the safety and stability of Ilandra was suddenly closer than ever before. My pace picked up as I neared Malick’s, and I raced up the stairs to tell her the news. I found her sitting on a couch with Talos in her lap. Talos ran to me and I picked him up and sat next to Mara, putting my arm around her.

  “Hello, darling,” Mara greeted. “You look unsettled. Is everything all right?”

  “Everything is perfect, my love. I just received welcomed news. The army marches west to Syria in three days’ time. We will be closer than ever to Ilandra, with the distinct possibility I will be able to take you and Talos there in the near future myself. This is everything we’ve worked for. Does this please you, my love?”

  “Of course, Andrikos. This is wonderful news. And you and Vettias will stay with the army during its march? You won’t be sent ahead?”

  “I will be with you every step of the way – From Babylon to Ilandra.” We kissed passionately before Talos got in between us to protest his lack of attention. “I’m going to need you to gather all our belongings here. We may have to leave some of your larger possessions with the army. I’ll ensure Rhexenor keeps a wagon for us in the baggage train. That should matter little given the amount of coin I have amassed and we acquired from Hyllos. We will have a want of nothing for the rest of our lives and Talos will grow up with the love and stability he deserves.”

  “And what about the father he deserves?” Mara asked. “Do you intend to stay with us in Ilandra to enjoy the fruits of our labor? To be the involved and loving father he needs? To be the man I need?”

  “There is nothing I want more, my love. I have certain responsibilities that require my absence – but they will not be unending. I cannot stay in Ilandra initially, but there is something important I want to ask you. Mara, before I met you I believed in little and could be inspired by even less. I knew nothing of love between man and woman, nothing of the level of emotion a family could spur within me. I want to make a vow to you here and now that I will love you my whole life – you and no other. If you’ll allow me, I will take your hand in marriage when we arrive in Ilandra. Please tell me this will make you happy. Please tell me you want to be my wife.”

  Mara looked at me lovingly with glassy eyes. “Of course, Andrikos. But I don’t want to be married in name only. I want my husband by my side – raising his son and providing for his family. I have been so alone since the life I knew was taken from me. I need someone, a companion, to share my thoughts, share my bed and be a loving example for Talos. All I ask is the life we will make for each other be enough for you – enough to keep you with us and not chasing Vettias on this adventure or that. Is that too much to ask? To want to be loved and cared for and raise my child in peace. You may have my hand if you can make me that promise.”

  “You know I had made commitments before I met you, before we fell in love. I promise you to provide the life you and Talos deserve. I promise to love no one but you. And I promise to return to you at the absolute earliest possibility to be the man, companion and lover you need. Talos will have his father. That is all I can promise now. Please tell me it is enough.”

  Mara let out a deflated sigh and nodded. “I have little choice but to accept this – for now.”

  I kissed her forehead and departed to the army encampment outside the city to make arrangements with Rhexenor for my family’s accommodations during our March to Syria. My friend, recently motivated by my hospitality, secured a mule-driven cart for Mara, Talos and our belongings. He also procured a larger tent, made of better quality than the standard issue, which would better protect against the elements and could be fastened as a canopy above the cart during the day.

  I returned to Vettias’ quarters to find him leisurely packing his belongings, with an air of sadness permeating the room. He waved me to enter and I joined him on his balcony overlooking the palatial neighborhoods.

  “How did it go with Yasmina?” I asked.

  “Not well. When I departed Babylon ten years ago for the eastern campaign, it was I who was the spurned lover. My love for her had surpassed whatever feelings she held for me, or allowed herself to feel for anyone, and she could not be swayed to accompany me east. Well, it appears that while I spent those ten years numbing my feelings for my true love, she experienced one disappointment after another in her personal relationships which only fed a burgeoning love of me and the inflated idea of what we had those many years ago. These opposite trajectories converged over the months we’ve spent here and she fully intended me to stay with her in Babylon. When I told her this afternoon that this was not an option, she declared she would sell everything and accompany me to the ends of the earth. I refused her overture, since accompanying us would hinder our efforts and squander the position of wealth and influence she has achieved in Babylon. So while I leave Babylon without Yasmina, it is she that is the scorned one. Maybe when all is settled I will return here and live out my days with the only woman I ever loved. I take it your conversation with Mara went better?”

  “Except for when I told her I would not stay with her in Ilandra.”

  “Well, she’ll get over that, especially when you do return.”

  “And will I return before my son is an adult?” I asked.

  “I suspect she’ll get what she wants in reasonable time. In other news, Hiro sent word that Peucestas has been banished from Antigonus’ court. We will have to be content in the fact he will be exiled to a meager existence until we can provide a more permanent solution. Another win for The Hand.”

  I returned to my quarters and made ready for our departure. When dawn approached on the second day, Vettias and I settled all outstanding expenses with Malick and embraced our dear Jewish-Babylonian friend. We brought our belongings and horses into the baggage train and began our slow march west to Syria as the sun crept over the desert horizon behind us.

  ****

  Our army marched at a deliberate and confident pace, no doubt under more urgency with the unexpected escape of Seleucus and coming conflict with Alexander’s would-be successors. My days were spent moving with my family, who traveled comfortably in the cart procured for us by Rhexenor while Vettias and I were primarily on horseback. Evenings were spent in the familiar way with lochos bivouacs springing up each night in organized rows. Soldiers sat around their campfires preparing creative concoctions in pots sitting over small fires. I split my nights between spending time with my family, my mates and attending battle staff meetings. Because of our determined pace, the larger quartermaster and hospital pavilions remained unpacked most evenings unless weather or other circumstance forced us to remain encamped for more than two days.

  As we encamped one evening near the Syrian coast, the battle staff was called to an unscheduled meeting in the headquarte
rs tent and I took my seat in the second row behind Vettias and Aretes. Antigonus and Demetrius entered and took their seats as all in attendance stood in salute around the table covered in maps of the world. Antigonus had a stern expression as he instructed us to take our seats. Having attended these staff meetings over the last few weeks I began contrasting the two leadership styles of Antigonus and Eumenes. Where Eumenes sought to gain the respect of his subordinates through competent results, compassion for his men and outright bribery, Antigonus never allowed a break in the façade of authority or circumstance of his position of power. All interaction with him occurred as a recognized superior which left no doubt about his firm control over his men under arms. The one chink in this regal frontage was his relationship with Demetrius, where even Antigonus was unable to hide his fatherly pride in the promising young man.

  “Gentlemen, we are two days’ march from the coast. Reports have come in from our scouts in the west and Far East and it is time to lay out my campaign plan,” Antigonus began sternly. “There will be a number of specified and implied tasks coming out of this meeting, as we are conducting a continent-wide strategy against our adversaries. Our Far East holdings in India, Bactria and Sogdiana are under great threat from an Indian barbarian called Chandragupta Maurya. Hieronymous informs me this savage actually met with Alexander during the eastern campaign and encouraged him to invade Lower India after his victory at the Hydaspes River, shortly before the army’s mutiny. I have sent financial resources to these eastern satraps but I fear we will be forced to abandon these holdings to their fate. If they are still in control after we consolidate our position in the west, we will be better poised to assist them. Until then, the west is our priority.”

  “As for Cassander and Europe,” Antigonus continued while standing over a world map with various units placed on it. “I am sending General Polemaeus to consolidate our position in Asia Minor and establish a bulwark along the Hellespont to check any attempt Cassander or Lysimachus, leader of Thrace, may have of invading Asia. We are allying with General Polyperchon and will send staff officer Aristodemus to command an eight thousand-man mercenary force to assist his position in the Peloponnesian Peninsula. Polyperchon will be named General of Europe, serving under my authority. Ptolemy has a stronger navy and we must counter it by occupying the Syrian and Phoenician coast to build the largest navy the world has ever seen. My son will than lead an invasion force south to occupy Phoenicia and Judea with the intent of eventually invading Egypt.”