“Komes,” Lady Artemas said as she passed by Roxana.
“Lady Artemas, good to see you back again.”
It was all a show, and the Median noble walked past without making a sound. She was dressed as before but had spent time on her makeup, marking her face out as even smoother and paler than before. She approached Xenophon who rose to greet her. At the same time, the heads of Kallinos and three of the mercenaries appeared at the top of the staircase.
“My Lady, you are stunning.”
She kissed him lightly on the cheek and then moved to his flank, facing back towards the staircase. Immediately behind her was a command chair removed from one of the Elamites. It was of a similar size to that used by Xenophon and as extravagant and decadent as his, in its own odd way.
“Oh, no...” said Xenophon under his breath.
Artemas looked to their sides, but Xenophon was clearly looking ahead. She looked as Tamara came out from behind a column, straight into the path of the approaching delegation. Kallinos said something to her, and the teenager moved to the mercenary’s flank. Xenophon looked to Artemas, but she was equally surprised. Nearer they came, and now the group of Phrygians. Xenophon counted them, spotting at least a dozen all dressed the same. They bore long black robes that ran from their cheeks to their toes, were bareheaded, pale skinned, and their eyes as black as obsidian. In their hands they carried short spears, tipped with a metal head, glimmering with blue.
“Is this normal?” Xenophon asked.
Artemas answered, without moving or making a different expression.
“The guards are all female, raised from birth as guardians. They have no names and fight without concern for their bodies. The Leaders will follow. In the past, they were known by many names.”
“And now?”
Artemas took a breath and then spoke as quietly as she could.
“Amazons.”
They watched the group separate into two rows, like an honour guard. Once positioned, they turned inwards to watch upon the single figure. Their leader walked slowly, finally passing over the top of the staircase and then on towards the throne. Like the guards, this one was also female, but rather than the black robe, she wore loose clothing that left most of her body visible. Her black hair was long, almost down to her knees and flowed freely. She came to within two metres and then stopped, nodding in an unusual gesture that combined both of her hands.
“Dukas Xenophon, I presume. I am Cassandra, Royal heir and commander of this trade fleet.”
Xenophon looked at her with fascination. Her midriff was completely bare, and the lightly tanned material hung loosely about her neck and dropped down around her chest. A similar piece of clothing hung low about her waist and trailed about the ground. As she moved, her bronzed legs were exposed for all to see. Her feet were bare, but like her fingers, they were bejewelled at the joints will all manner of precious elements. Atop her head was a spidery piece of jewellery that glittered gold and green. Each of the tendrils was covered in small stones that reflected light in many directions.
“From where do you hail, Lady Cassandra?”
She reached out with her hand, and Xenophon pulled it closer to kiss her skin. The smell was fragrant, slightly sweet like cinnamon.
“Stectorium, near the border with Pisidia, and you?”
She stood up tall and looked to Xenophon. He could feel her glowing eyes burning through his body as she examined him carefully from head to toe.
“I...uh...”
Lady Artemas intervened.
“Attica.”
Cassandra looked to Artemas, but her expression changed for the worse as she did so.
“Lady Artemas of Caria, if I am not mistaken? What are you doing with mercenaries? Are you not the betrothed of the noble Lord Tirbazus?”
Artemas answered her in her own tongue, and though Xenophon failed to understand a single world, he could sense the venom exchanged between the two. He waited until there was a logical moment and then interrupted them.
“We are here to trade. Can we assume you are here for the same reason?”
Cassandra turned away from Artemas, but there was still a hint of bitterness showing about her face. Even so, her pristine features quickly disguised any kind of imperfection shown by her irritation.
“Of course. We have more than enough fuel for any kind of fleet.”
“And the food and parts we requested?”
Cassandra lowered her head in agreement.
“Yes. We have everything you requested. Now, what about our own particular interests?”
Xenophon gave a quick signal to Glaucon. He then passed it on to the next spatharios waiting at the top of the steps. The soldier went down the steps and vanished from view.
“Give us a moment. We will bring them to you. In the meantime, might we interest you in a refreshment?”
With a subtle gesture, a pair of well attired automatons approached. Both were dressed in minimal clothing and carrying trays of lavish morsels, sweet meats, and tall glasses of wine. Xenophon took one, and Artemas did the same. Cassandra recognised the symbolic gesture and took a single small piece of meat. It was wrapped in something crispy, and with a twirled sauce atop, like a small hat. In her left hand, she then took one of the tall glasses and sipped.
“Thank you.”
She looked at Xenophon, her eyes never leaving his as she swallowed the contents of the glass in their entirety. Once emptied, she extended a hand, and the automaton took it, without her eyes ever leaving Xenophon’s.
“Ah, here they come,” said Xenophon.
He indicated behind her as Glaucon escorted a small group of ten prisoners. They were dressed in the same clothing as the automatons and mainly consisted of captured mercenaries, along with a mixture of prisoners taken from Cunaxa and in the recent fighting at Carduchian.
“Ah, interesting,” said Cassandra.
She moved amongst the group of ten and examined each of them carefully. The ages of those brought for show ranged from sixteen years through to early fifties. It took several minutes for her to examine them all carefully before she moved back to Xenophon.
“We will purchase the females that wish to join our military at the agreed price. Those with fighting skills will earn triple. We offer terms of ten years indentured service to them in the combat arms of the Phrygian military.”
Xenophon was surprised and somewhat relived at the mention of a contract. Slavery was practiced in many places, both in the Median Empire as well as on Terran worlds, and though he could not stop it, he had no interest in being part of it. He had refused to take any prisoners himself, but many of the contingents had taken large numbers as war booty. It was common to exchange them for coin or supplies, and they could always be forced to work, if needed.
“What about the males?” Lady Artemas asked.
Xenophon hadn’t even given that part of the discussion much thought. Only four of the prisoners were female, and he knew from memory that two thirds of the prisoners were male. Cassandra looked back at the prisoners, walked past two of the younger males, and ran her hands along their faces. Then, to their surprise, and everybody else’s, she thrust her hands inside the nearest prisoner’s clothing. After a few seconds, she pulled her hands back and turned around to face the throne.
“We require males to manage our factories, shipyards, and civil service. Any that volunteer we’ll offer a term of no less than ten years. We will pay half of your asking price for them.”
Roxana, who had been silent until now, moved to Xenophon’s side.
“Half, are you kidding me? Most of our prisoners are male.”
Cassandra seemed amused at the trouble she was causing.
“As a matriarchal people, we do place a value on certain males. For the strongest and most vigorous, we will pay ten times your price, for their breeding capacity.”
Artemas was the only one in the Chamber that did not seem surprised at this request. Tamara approached the guards of Cassandr
a and walked along the line, inspecting as a general would inspect his troops. Cassandra watched her move with a curious expression on her face.
“What are you looking for, child?” she asked.
Tamara moved up in front of the nearest and reached forward to the shoulder.
“Can I?”
The guard said nothing, but her eyes stayed fixed on her mistress.
“You may,” said Cassandra, “but do not hope for them to speak. None are capable of speech.”
Tamara looked back to their leader.
“They cannot speak, why?”
Xenophon asked with interest, “They have taken a vow?”
Cassandra gave him a curious smile.
“Something like that.”
She then turned back to Tamara.
The Maidens of Phrygia are volunteered to serve. They are given a place of honour at the side of our nobility at home and in the trade fleets. They are given anything they desire that is in our control, but the price is silence and total devotion.”
Tamara touched the shoulder of the nearest, moving the material to expose the shoulder. Her intentions were unclear until Glaucon almost choked. There were deep marks under the clothing where most of the arm had been removed. In its place was a complex, lightweight artificial arm. Tamara touched the metal and slid her fingers along the smooth surface.
“What happened?”
Cassandra sighed, though it was impossible to tell if this was sadness or irritation.
“My Maidens suffered great losses in our trade mission to Phoenicia. Multiple groups of pirates attacked us in open space. Three of our transports were taken, and I was assaulted. They saved me, at the loss of forty-seven maidens.”
The description of the losses was electrifying in the Chamber.
“The Phoenicians are a disparate people, with no territories or Empires of their own. The distances between their star systems are often as wide as one or even two Median satrapies.”
Xenophon, Glaucon, and Roxana were fascinated by the description of this unexplored area of space. Roxana wanted to walk from her command position to learn more, but a quick look from Xenophon kept her where she was.
“I am sorry to hear that. Your maidens performed a great and honourable service.”
He then signalled for Artemas and Roxana to approach. It was a discreet exchange, and they were waiting for him to speak.
“Well, can we deal with them?”
Artemas nodded first, but Roxana seemed hesitant.
“This Cassandra, do we know anything about her?”
Artemas spoke even more quietly than before.
“Cassandra was once betrothed to Tirbazus. When my family proposed a different match, she was offered a payment to leave.”
“What happened?” Roxana asked.
Artemas looked past her and to their guests. Cassandra was taking another glass of wine, lifted the object and smiled. Artemas’ nostrils flared a little at seeing the expression.
“She led a fleet of armed merchants and assaulted Tirbazus’ royal barge. There were many deaths, and she even boarded the ship where my father and his relatives were. My nephew was amongst those killed in the fighting.”
Xenophon began moving his arm out to comfort her, but she shook her head and pulled away.
“Not here.”
Again she cast a quick glance in the direction of the guests.
“In the end, Tirbazus was forced to pay massive compensation to Cassandra’s noble house. She left with riches and a reputation as a fearsome warrior and trader. Anybody that attacks her interests can expect great retribution. She will attack until she receives exactly what she considers is hers.”
Xenophon looked to Glaucon.
“What do you think?”
Glaucon shrugged.
“I think it’s pretty simple. We don’t have much of a choice. I recommend bringing in the Legion, and fast. With three Titans and the rest of our ships, I doubt even this Phrygian will try anything violent.”
Cassandra could not have heard them, but she moved closer with the elegance and grace of Artemas. Her golden legs caught Glaucon’s eye, and Xenophon had to nudge him to look up.
“I am ready to trade if you are, and it will take at least a day, perhaps several to complete this complex negotiation.”
She then looked to Glaucon with a coy expression to her face. He almost took a step backward, flummoxed by her sudden interest in him. At seeing his discomfort, she moved in closer, giving no space to move. She reached out and placed her hand on his breastplate, running her finger along the sculptured shapes in the armour.
“We have more than just goods and supplies in our fleet. Phrygian trade fleets are famous for their distractions, something for your people to enjoy perhaps.”
She looked to Xenophon.
“Everything from combat training suites, simulation units, and many forms of pleasure and recreation.”
Xenophon shook his head in amazement at the brazenness of the woman. Here she was, in the heart of the Bactrian battleship, and she almost seemed to be throwing herself at Glaucon, and in front of them all. He looked towards his friend, but he seemed transfixed by the beauty before him. Xenophon shook his head and turned his attention to Roxana. She seemed more amused at what was going on.
“Bring in the fleet. It’s time to trade.”
He then stepped in towards Cassandra, much closer than he would have done with anybody else under the circumstances. She seemed to like the fact that his face was so close to hers.
“We can trade. I will arrange for your people to examine our assets upon their arrival. There is just one more thing I am interested it.”
Cassandra licked her mouth provocatively and began to say something. She stopped and instead ran her right index finger across her chin. The room was silent as each of them watched her movements. Finally, she lowered her hand, flashed a smile, and looked back to Xenophon.
“Name it, Dukas Xenophon of the Black Legion.”
He glanced at Roxana who gave him the nod.
“Information, we understand the final border of the Empire is protected by a jump inhibiter network. There is also the matter of the...”
Cassandra’s face changed before their eyes, her muscles relaxed, and she smiled once more.
“Of course, the security barrier and the Eternal Fortress.”
She then turned around to join her unit of personal guards. One by one, they filed in behind her and headed towards the staircase and back down into the ship. Upon reaching the first step, she looked back over her right shoulder.
“The barrier cannot be crossed. Your engines will cut so many times you will be left stranded on the border, easy pickings for Imperial patrols. Your only route through is via the Fortress, but they will take a toll, assuming you have permission to leave.”
She licked her lower lip.
“If it were me, I would turn back around and return the way you arrived from. The Eternal Fortress is something you cannot handle, not with a hundred thousand of your men.”
Tamara stood in front of Xenophon.
“Men?”
Cassandra bowed in mock apology.
“Of course, I forget about your...interesting philosophies on the Terran worlds.”
She waited; giving the impression she was considering their words.
“I would like some of your officers to examine my assets as well. I anticipate your arrival in the fleet shortly. I will ensure all of our guests are well satisfied.”
She then pointed to Xenophon, Glaucon, and even Lady Artemas.
“Please join me aboard my ship. I will give you all the information I have on the Fortress, for a price. Perhaps you will succeed where all others have failed.”
She then walked down the staircase and out of view. Once gone, Xenophon looked to his comrades and sighed.
“Well, that didn’t go quite as I had intended.”
Glaucon let off a long gasp and almost choked as he tried to spea
k. Lady Artemas was the only one that didn’t seem to be taken in by the Phrygian’s charms.
“Be careful with this Cassandra. Her reputation is something of a legend in the Empire.”
“How so?” Glaucon asked.
The Royal Chamber was already returning to normal, the officers taking their stations and Roxana sitting back down in the royal throne. Artemas concentrated her attention on both Xenophon and Glaucon.
“She always, and I mean always, gets her man.”
Xenophon and Roxana both looked to Glaucon, and all he could do was swallow uncomfortably.
* * *
Raider ‘Night Scythe’, Phrygian Convoy, Shattered Systems
The raider slipped in around the convoy and then to a raised position not far from the flanks of Kallinos’ flagship, the Sanguine. The manoeuvring thrusters triggered gently to position them into the correct flight path. At each flank of the vessel sat the archaic forms of two Seafox fighters. They were the long-range reconnaissance birds from the light cruisers Xenophon had transferred aboard the Bactrian Battleship prior to them leaving the fleet. Though of little use against any kind of capital ship, they did give the illusion of strength, and for now that was enough.
“No signs of trouble,” said Tamara.
She sat in her usual position at the front, opposite the pilot and crammed inside the gunnery control unit.
“Good,” replied Xenophon, “The last thing we need is a fight right now. We are close...so close to getting out of here.”
He looked at the vessels, closing his eyes to concentrate. Much rested on this trade mission, and he had to thank the Gods it had been him that had travelled there, rather than any of the other more aggressive Dukas.
We have to get this done, and fast.
When he opened them, he had the perfect view of just one of the vessels. The ship at first glance may have been nothing more than a heavy transport, the kind used to ship ammunition or troops by dozens of races. This was something very different, and upon closer inspection, it was clearly something more of a hybrid design. Her hull was simple in basic shape, little more than a bulk cargo carrier, with a few subtle embellishments to the flank sections. The dorsal superstructure was where the ship differed greatly from any other designs. Instead of gun mounts or observation platforms, it was the home to three large ring-like entry points.
The Eternal Fortress (Star Legions Book 6) Page 13