World on Fire

by Christian Kachel

  “Now I am bringing a whole-of-kingdom approach to this fight, for it surely will require more than force. We are going to deny timber exports to Egypt while prohibiting any territory under our holding from importing Egyptian goods. We will also deny any ally or neighboring kingdom trade rights with Egypt, lest they commit an act of war against this army.”

  Antigonus than read off a list of names, mostly his generals, to assign specific tasks to achieve his bold strategy. By this point I was convinced I was in the presence of a man with unbelievable strategic ability. His command of each detail in assigning orders to his subordinates was remarkable. The vigor and precision displayed by a man in his late sixties was inspiring. After our dismissal, an aide of Demetrius informed me I was summoned. Vettias acknowledged my departure with eyes that instructed me to see him immediately after the meeting. I nodded my response and followed my guide to a lavish tent within the headquarters bivouac. Demetrius was waiting for me in his usual extravagant regalia, surrounded by the opulent trappings of his station. His larger-than-life stature and energy were even more pronounced than usual in the small space in which the two of us now stood.

  “Andrikos, thank you for seeing me. Please, sit down. We haven’t had much time to speak since the excellent hospitality shown to me and my father in Babylon. I’ve bedded women from every corner of the empire and the courtesans employed by Madame Yasmina were some of the finest our species has to offer. I’m still thinking of one in particular each night I bed these second-rate whores from the baggage train.”

  “I take your meaning, sir.” I cracked a smile thinking Demetrius would have fit in well with my mates from Ilandra or the phalanx in a different world.

  “I want you to feel at ease around me, Andrikos. I understand your deference and hesitance to lower your guard, but I encourage you to speak freely in my presence. I realize my position is one of great fortune, but what many don’t realize is it can also be a curse. I am forced to suffer through an endless procession of sycophants who vie with each other to outdo their flattery. Like Alexander, those who I trust most are the men who knew me in childhood – where it didn’t matter who your father was in the gymnasium or during a juvenile fight. This has served me well and, also like Alexander, many of my most trusted mates of my youth have grown to be competent sources of advice and soldiery – not to mention confidential companions in revelry. But, as you heard in the staff meeting earlier, my father has bestowed a great responsibility on me to lead the campaign against Ptolemy and I need to enlarge my circle of trusted advisors who speak truth to power and are not intimidated by my station in this army. Andrikos, I am asking you and your colleague, Vettias, to join my battle staff as chief of intelligence and reconnaissance. You and Vettias have served my father well in this capacity thus far, but he already has a competent man in Aretes leading these efforts. What is your answer to this offer?”

  Demetrius spoke with an undeniable sincerity and communicated his argument in a way I was able to internalize. However, I detected a slight insecurity in his manner. He told me how he wanted me to engage with him and I would take his lead. “I commend you for making your point so eloquently. I am honored you place such faith in our abilities. You may be surprised to know that someone from my lowly state can understand the trappings of power are constricting. During several operations in service of General Eumenes’ army, I had come to know the late Queen Adea.”

  Demetrius’ attention now focused on me intently as he was drawn to my story involving a close relative of Alexander.

  “Regardless of one’s opinion of her, no one could deny her passion and courage. There was no doubt a torrent of Argead blood flowed through her veins and Alexander himself would have been impressed with her character had he met her. I was in private company with her on several occasions and her charisma came through clearly then. On my last meeting with her she had confided in me her insecurities and fears. She called the palace at Pella a gilded cage. She was the Queen of the greatest empire the world had ever known, yet she couldn’t walk from one side of the palace to the other without her enemies fomenting scandal. She could not trust anyone around her and in the end was ultimately killed by her enemies. While the details of the situation you describe are dissimilar, I do understand the mindset of authority.

  “As to your offer,” I continued. “I personally would be honored to serve you on your battle staff in the coming campaign against Ptolemy. As you noted, however, Vettias is my superior and thus I must confer with him before I give you my final answer.”

  “Very well,” Demetrius responded. “Do tell him the offer is extended to him as well.”

  “I certainly will,” I assured as I stood up and took my leave and traveled directly to Vettias’ tent where he was eagerly awaiting my arrival. As I entered his brow raised, imploring me to tell him everything.

  “My initial assessment of Demetrius was correct. He still has some lingering insecurities from his youth and our experience with the Argeads has endeared us to him. He has taken me into his confidence and he has expressed frustration in that he is surrounded by people who tell him what he wants hear. He is nervous about his latest assignment and desires a battle staff he can trust. He has asked that you and I join him as Chief Officers of intelligence and reconnaissance.”

  “This kid must really have a hard on for you. Good work.”

  “Demetrius is perfectly susceptible to be enamored by you, Vettias. Just be yourself and keep feeding him your war stories and he’ll join the King’s Hand himself. So, are we going to accept?” I asked.

  “Not yet. I have no doubt Antigonus will release us to secure the Argeads. When we return, it might be the right move.”

  CHAPTER 33

  Two marches later we arrived on the northern Syrian coast bordering Cilicia. The army’s large pavilions were erected in the headquarters, quartermaster and medical bivouacs as Antigonus planned to remain in place for some time. That evening, the battle staff assembled in a more permanent headquarters tent. Antigonus and Demetrius entered the room and all stood to attention.

  “Be seated,” Antigonus ordered angrily. “A joint diplomatic envoy from Egypt, Macedon and Thrace was waiting for us upon our arrival this afternoon. They carried with them a message from Ptolemy, Cassander and Lysimachus – giving the strongest Greek army ever assembled an ultimatum. Herald!” Antigonus barked as a young attendant quickly ran to the general’s side. “Recite this message for the battle staff.”

  The young man unrolled the scroll and cleared his throat:

  ‘Greetings Antigonus of Elimeia, General of the Macedonian Army in Asia, son of Philip, veteran of the Greek wars under Philip II. Ptolemy of Pella, Lysimachus of Thessaly and Cassander of Paliura, the rightful Regent of King Alexander IV, wish you congratulations on your victory over the traitor Eumenes.

  ‘You have faithfully executed your charge, as agreed upon at the Triparadeisus Summit, to defeat all remaining enemies of the Argead family, and now are ordered to stand down your army. In recognition of your great military achievement, Lord Regent Cassander will grant you all satrapies east of Babylonia in addition to your holdings in Asia Minor. Additionally, you are ordered to abandon your claim to all other satrapies within the empire and reinstall General Seleucus as Satrap of Babylonia. Finally, you are commanded to make accurate accounting of all assets and treasuries under your control as a result of Eumenes’ defeat, as certified by officials of this envoy, and will export one-fourth of all capital to Ptolemy in Egypt, one-fourth of all capital to the Royal Macedonian Treasury in Pella and one-fourth of all capital to Lysimachus in Thrace. The remaining fourth will stay under your stewardship and be deposited in the Royal Treasuries in Cilicia where regular accounting will be submitted to the Royal Macedonian Court in Pella.’

  All present sat silent as the herald concluded reading the document. Everyone understood that Ptolemy, Seleucus, Cassander and Lysimachus had just declared war on General Antigonus and our army. Antigonus nodded to the her
ald and he quickly disappeared to a dark corner of the pavilion. He then stood and took a deep breath.

  “Gentlemen, I trust all of you understand the ramifications of this document. All preparations made the previous staff meeting will continue as planned. All generals will meet with your subordinates immediately following this meeting to carry out all specified and implied tasks. That is all. Dismissed.”

  As all stood, an attendant approached Vettias and I to relay Antigonus’ wish to speak with us in his personal quarters. We followed our escort to a newly constructed pavilion which had several expensive decorations being carried in from the baggage train. We entered to find a manic supply sergeant daintily ordering each item to be put in precise locations. He turned and briskly brought us through a canvas partition into Antigonus’ private quarters where our general and Aretes sat in a corner waiting for our arrival.

  “Take a seat,” Aretes instructed. “I hear young Demetrius is taking members of my staff away from me,” he stated looking at me.

  “General Demetrius approached Andrikos, my lord,” Vettias answered defensively. “I assure you nothing was meant to be kept from you, it was our understanding his request had your support.”

  “Relax, Vettias. I encouraged him. I am putting a great deal of faith and responsibility in the boy and he’s going to need steady counsel. Demetrius has infinite potential and he is every man Alexander was at his age – and more. I say this as someone who watched Alexander grow up in Macedon. Demetrius is bigger and stronger, with a motivation and courage matched only by our late King himself. His youth and inexperience hinder his ability for strategic thought but he has the aptitude to be a great tactician. And let us not forget Cassander – that sickly, sniveling, weak pussy. I remember him as well. Demetrius is twice the man he is and ever was. Aretes is my man here, I want you, Vettias, to be Demetrius’ man for the southern invasion.”

  “Yes, my lord. Might I inquire—”

  “I haven’t forgotten about your little operation in Macedon,” Antigonus interrupted, sensing Vettias’ next statement. “You’ll be happy to know I have agreed to pursue this option. Our scouts inform us the royal family is being sequestered in the fortress atop the acropolis in Amphipolis – your native city is it not?”

  “It is, my lord.”

  “Yes. This is why I have decided to appoint you to Demetrius’ staff at once and am assigning Andrikos to carry out the Argead operation. You are too well known there and this sort of thing will require anonymity. I am appointing Aretes’ man, Davos, to accompany Andrikos and lead the operation. When Alexander IV and Rhoxane are brought to me, Andrikos will be assigned to you once more.”

  “Y-yes, my lord,” Vettias responded in a defeated tone.

  “Don’t worry, you’ll give them a good lay of the land and identify contacts you still have there. Andrikos is up to it, isn’t he?” Antigonus asked.

  “Yes, my Lord. Thank you for your vote of confidence.”

  “Don’t make me regret it. I am a good judge of character. You don’t live as long as I have in this world if you aren’t. This will be a difficult mission. The odds of success are not in your favor. The risk outweighs the reward, however, and success will greatly aid this army’s cause. That is all, Andrikos. I thank you for your service to this army. Vettias, remain.”

  “Yes, my lord,” I responded and exited Antigonus’ personal quarters to return to my family’s tent. Antigonus’ unexpected decision to omit Vettias from the mission distracted me from realizing that I would be traveling to Greece, making a stop in Ilandra along the way. I was mere weeks from reuniting with my family, introducing them to my son and soon-to-be wife, making good on my promise to Mara, and bringing with me a large purse of coin. I couldn’t contain my excitement as I threw the flap of our tent open with a beaming smile.

  “What is it, my darling?” Mara asked with a smile as my elation infected the room.

  “Everything we’ve worked for has come to fruition, my love. We are traveling to Ilandra; my family is going to be ecstatic to meet you and accept you and Talos into their loving embrace. You will never be in want of anything for as long as you live. You will never need worry about your safety or security. Talos will grow up in a loving environment and will someday become a great man. I will have to move on from there but swear to you I will return in short order. Mara, marrying you will make me the happiest man in this world.”

  I picked up Talos and the three of us held each other, content in knowing Mara’s long journey to freedom was finally nearing an end. Talos would finally have a home to call his own. Mara could finally begin living her life as a mother and wife in safety, surrounded by loved ones.

  “We are to leave tomorrow at dawn. Pack light since we can only take what can fit on horseback. Rhexenor will hold the rest for us. Davos will be accompanying us on the journey. He is a trusted friend. He was the one who cleaned up the mess after the deaths of Hyllos and Thessala.”

  Mara nodded with noticeable anxiety after having to remember that horrible night once more. She then kissed me and told me to make my arrangements while she would ready herself and Talos for our coming departure. I made my way to Rhexenor and told him of my news and asked to have someone from the quartermaster pack up our tent and remaining belongings tomorrow morning and stow them in the baggage train after our departure, to which he agreed. After, I found Stephanos and informed him of my imminent departure and encouraged him to try and get assigned to Demetrius’ contingent heading south. I next met with Davos to coordinate our movements in the morning. The two of us then made our way to Vettias’ quarters.

  “I was wondering when you two were going to pop your head in here to gloat. You’re going to rescue the Argeads and I’m stuck babysitting a teenager.”

  “Is this a good idea?” I asked, still hoping Antigonus would change his mind and allow Vettias to accompany us.

  “I have faith in the two of you. I am giving you this letter of introduction to an old friend named Spyro,” Vettias stated while handing Davos a rolled-up scroll. “I grew up with him. He can provide you useful information if he is still alive and living in Amphipolis. You are to say nothing of your mission to him, however. Understood?”

  Davos and I nodded.

  “Davos, has Andrikos talked to you about his personal interest in this mission?”

  Davos looked at me with one eyebrow raised.

  “Mara and Talos are going to accompany us to Ionia. We’re going to travel east along the southern coast of Asia Minor until we reach the Ionian coastline. There we will pick up the Ionian road north to Ilandra where I will leave Mara and Talos at my home. You and I will continue on from there at an increased pace to make up time and complete our mission. I ask for your discretion in this matter and assure you this detour won’t add more than a week to our journey.”

  Davos looked skeptically back at Vettias who nodded his consent.

  “You’ll make up the time when it’s just the two of you. Mara is a very capable rider and won’t slow you down much, even with a child. Andrikos and I made her a promise, one that was further forged by her saving our lives in Triparadeisus.”

  “I think I had something to do with that if I recall,” Davos interjected sarcastically.

  “Very true, but if not for her convincing Hyllos to free us, you wouldn’t have had the pleasure of saving our lives from Nikandros.”

  “Yes, Hyllos. I remember having to clean up that mess as well. That’s two you owe me, kid,” Davos responded with a leer.

  “Everyone was compensated for that evening, were they not?”

  “And you will be reimbursed for your efforts in this matter as well, Davos,” Vettias interrupted, handing him a considerable purse of coin. “This is more than enough to finance the operation and you will keep the remainder upon completion. I will see you two off tomorrow at sunrise – I have to say farewell to my girl. I suspect it will be the last time I see her.”

  Davos and I turned to leave before Vettias added
: “Andrikos, a word please.”

  I remained while Davos departed the tent.

  “I have something for you,” he stated while retrieving a sizeable purse from a locked chest. “I have been keeping track of your earnings in service to the Argead cause and since you are returning to your home, I am giving you a payment of thanks on behalf of the King’s Hand, plus a little wedding bonus. I told you working with me would have its perks. This, plus whatever you and Mara were able to steal from Hyllos, is enough to set your family up for life. You can return to Ilandra with your head held high knowing you have nobly provided for your family.”

  “Now, I’m obviously disappointed with Antigonus’ decision to keep me with Demetrius – but not for the reasons you may think. This operation was always an enormous gamble, but a chance I myself was willing to take. I fear I signed you and Davos up for a fool’s errand. That being said, if there is a fleeting chance of success then the operation must be attempted. Listen to me, Andrikos – you will return to this army with your head held high no matter the outcome. None will think the worse of you if you two are not successful, I will ensure that from this end while you are away. You returning to this army, to me, to one day return to Ilandra – is of paramount importance. Understand?”

  I nodded and extended my hand which Vettias grabbed and pulled me to him for an emphatic embrace. I motioned to release his grip after a few moments but he tightened his hold and brought me close once again.